Other-identified, vs. Self-identified.
I have decided I do not like being labeled by others as:
Not- affiliated. (I'm sociable, I affiliate with many groups)
Nondenominational (seems to still group you with Christian theology?)
Independent (I'm not isolationist, not a hermit)
"None's" -...
Prophecies/scriptures are purposefully vague which allow for/create a wide range of interpretations. People find meaning in the interpretations that fit their experiences, reinforcing a belief in the legitimacy of various different dogmas. Ambiguity leads to self-fulfilling prophecies as...
Convincing explanation Did Abraham pass the test?
Afterwards
- God doesn't speak directly to Abraham again
- the entire family splits apart, no longer living together
Some religious people use Abraham 's story as justification to do things like kill kids - that doing anything God supposedly...
Thoughts?
War grips Israel, Gaza after surprise Hamas attack
Should Israel take back Gaza?
Should Hamas take civilians hostage?
What other countries will be involved? Iran? Egypt? Jordan? Iraq? Syria?
Who should get the temple mount?
At the recent Mormon General con their president told members "Never take counsel from those who do not believe. Seek guidance from prophets, seers and revelators and from the whisperings of the Holy Ghost."
So...
don't listen to your doctor if he has a different faith than you.
don't listen...
The arguments:
Biological Perspective: life is a result of complex biological processes, death marks the irreversible cessation of these processes. Once the brain stops functioning, consciousness and self-awareness cannot persist.
Neurological Evidence: near-death experiences are explained by...
Reasonable? Faith? fear?
Gen 22:12 - And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
faith = fear?
Jews, Muslims, Christians - let's hear opinion on...
5] A (careless) sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
[6] And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. (and because the thoughtless...
From news today:
UFO hearing key takeaways: What a whistleblower told Congress about UAP
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ufo-hearing-congress-uap-takeaways-whistleblower-conference-david-grusch-2023/
What's everyone's views on UFO's / UAP's?
I was with a group at our local observatory recently...
Waco siege, February 28 – April 19, 1993 (51 days), 86 dead.
Hearing npr interview of survivor talking about David Koresh - all these people really deeply believed the guy, thought nothing of the children he was raping, were convinced he was sent by god.
I've gone from religious... to...
Here's a thread about personality traits of religious people.
Yes, I understand people's behavior and actions do not necessarily reflect their religious beliefs, but rather their personal values, morals, and character.
Some individuals use religion to justify or hide their unethical or immoral...
The promise of imagined future rewards (treasures in heaven) avoids the actual cause-and-effect consequences of reality.
We should seek real treasures in the present on Earth, not waste time seeking an imagined heaven.
So, we will know in 2027 when records are released, there are a few stories circulating about MLK
We need to face the whole truth about Martin Luther King, Jr.
The new MLK sculpture in Boston
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/01/15/mlk-statue-boston-backlash/
Some part of me...
So, this happened yesterday:
Fusion, clean unlimited energy in the future. (How will the politics go down? I mean no one wants to lose their oil $... but... the age of carbon fuels seems to be coming to a close.
So what else is next? The cure for cancer? The cure for death?
Given the...
Loving Earth, we thank thee for this food thou hast provided.
Bright Sun, thank thee for thy warmth
Dark night, thank thee for rest.
Thanks to my animal family, to eons of time and evolution for this moment.
Thanks to scientists and engineers for microscopes, telescopes, medicine and spaceships...
I was out in an area this morning where the wildlife had learned to associate people with food. Someone else there who was feeding the birds (with corn from feed store), said she does it - every day - because we took their habitat away so we now need to feed them.
Thoughts?
viral mimetics:
I've become fascinated with what happens to the mind of those in cults as I was in a cult (the Mormon church), and understand how religious groups can re-wire your brain. I'm still in the process of un-wiring myself.... I suppose if you go through a divorce, or go through any...
For everyone who believes in the Bible, and also believes their group is the only "true" church, or only church with *real* authority, how do you explain away the scripture saying there are other sheep - telling everyone there are many different legit groups?
I was watching:
She talks about how she understands how people get pulled into cults, that brainwashing is real. I've experienced brainwashing too wondering how many others out there have experienced it? yourself? did you escape? How did you reprogram yourself?
Not sure the best place for...