sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
Halcyon said:
the God of the Bible certainly thinks differently.
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Eclectic spirituality
- Thread starter MaddLlama
- Start date
the God of the Bible certainly thinks differently.
Mike182 said:
True. Both 'form' and 'formless' are only human concepts. To me, to say either is 'right' or wrong is only true from a personal standpoint. Some people use a God-with-form approach to help their spiritual progress, and would not be able to progress otherwsie, other people use a formless method.
As to 'formless' being against scripture, it depends on the scripture, surely? The Yoga Vaishista seems to support a 'formless' view.
In the end, the Absolute cannot be comprehended or understood by us, since our interlect can only do so with limited things. These concepts are therefore only a means to an end.
sandy whitelinger
Veteran Member
michaelm said:
Babble.
Zephyr
Moved on
Oh boy how'd I miss this one?
I don't really care all too much if somebody adopts some fluffy mishmash of religions. I'll probably think of it as silly or stupid, but I probably won't speak up unless it involves my own people's folkway. That's where things get a bit more personal. Now I'm not going to try to control somebody's mind, but if somebody goes around claiming little chunks of my people's faith, or somebody who isn't one of our people takes the faith up, that person shouldn't expect any sort of tolerance or understanding.:no:
I don't really care all too much if somebody adopts some fluffy mishmash of religions. I'll probably think of it as silly or stupid, but I probably won't speak up unless it involves my own people's folkway. That's where things get a bit more personal. Now I'm not going to try to control somebody's mind, but if somebody goes around claiming little chunks of my people's faith, or somebody who isn't one of our people takes the faith up, that person shouldn't expect any sort of tolerance or understanding.:no:
Moses the God Archetype*
Active Member
I agreeMaddLlama said:
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MaddLlama said:
I have an extremely eclectic view on religion. I have a deep respect for polytheistic religions, but have chosen to place my faith in a personal God (that is the only God I've experienced). Eclecticism is picking and choosing from different faiths and syncreticism is the attempt to turn them into a coherent set of beliefs.
There is only one God, which is beyond our ability to comprehend or understand. Therefore all religions are imperfect. To look at all and realise there is a core truth shared by all is the key.
I would say, to anyone who says 'My religion is the only true way' that they have missed the point and become attached to the path, rather than to travelling along the path to the goal at the end. It may be their one true way for them, but there are others for whom another path is equally the only one true way.
It is human nature that when we find something that we like and suits us, we tend to want to encourage others to share it.
If oyu look at each 'faith' there are many denominations within it, and many divisions within that. Within each Temple/Church etc there will be divisions again. Everyone actually has to create their own relationship with God/ the Divine/ the Absolute. Not just accepting what is presented to you from previous generations, or what is written in a book, is an important step.
I would say dont believe what others believe, find out what you can and cant believe. It should be an exploration, not an unquestioning belief in what someone else says we must believe
I would say, to anyone who says 'My religion is the only true way' that they have missed the point and become attached to the path, rather than to travelling along the path to the goal at the end. It may be their one true way for them, but there are others for whom another path is equally the only one true way.
It is human nature that when we find something that we like and suits us, we tend to want to encourage others to share it.
If oyu look at each 'faith' there are many denominations within it, and many divisions within that. Within each Temple/Church etc there will be divisions again. Everyone actually has to create their own relationship with God/ the Divine/ the Absolute. Not just accepting what is presented to you from previous generations, or what is written in a book, is an important step.
I would say dont believe what others believe, find out what you can and cant believe. It should be an exploration, not an unquestioning belief in what someone else says we must believe
Moses the God Archetype*
Active Member
michaelm said:
m: The words you speak is indeed true beloved, but............you must understand from my position this faith is on solid ground, why you may ask, is because i've come to self-realization and God-realization thru practice therefore this transitdental nectar is tangable...but even so everyones path is there own indeed.:meditate:
jacquie4000
Well-Known Member
Is there anything unethical about having an eclectic form of beliefs that takes from many cultures (and, especially when you have no ethic ties to a culture)? Do you think there's anything wrong with combining different areas of different beliefs to make your own "personal" religion?
I agree with Michel....I hope not as my beliefs are formed by many books and cultures.
I agree with Michel....I hope not as my beliefs are formed by many books and cultures.
PeaceSeeker
Member
Willamena said:
Your own conviction...if it suits you, stay with it.
Draka
Wonder Woman
Zephyr said:
So you find it insulting if someone believes part of what you believe, but not all of it? And if you believe your faith to be right and true, then why wouldn't you be glad for others to find it? Why does your faith have to be exclusive to "your people" and no one else can believe any part of it?
To answer the OP, I believe it is ethical to pull from several faiths/religions. I believe that all have the same purpose and work to the same basic end. I do not believe that any one religion can be entirely "right", so therefore looking through many and finding what it is that resonates as true to you is just as valid as any one religion that you have pulled from. It's just a way of relating to your spiritual side...no matter how you do it.