Okay, I've been away for a while, but I couldn't help but respond to this thread. I have moved around quite a bit on my spiritual journey (fundamentalist Christian > Catholic > Agnostic > Science of Mind). As an ordained minister, it is a fascinating topic for me.
Are religions dying out...
Your description is pretty close to what it commonly known as "New Thought" Christianity. Specific New Thought denominations include, Unity (not to be confused with Unitarianism), Religious Science (not to be confused with Christian Science), Divine Science, and Science of Mind.
I am a New...
Mystic, you're right. We do have our share of country music and Christian radio stations! I'm not a big fan of either. We also have more than our share of "radio preachers"; I especially avoid those!
However, I can never remember being unable to find plenty of rock, pop, and even classical...
Why so down on the South? I have lived in several other states, including Colorado and Texas, but I find most of the South to be a very pleasant place to live. It's true there are a few bigots here, but they are a small (although loud) minority.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Reverend Richard
Since the biblical story of Adam and Eve is metaphorical, it's difficult to interpret it as literal.
Hi RR, Just who was this "metaphorical story" written for and to accomplish what principle?
I guess I don't understand your question. Even if the...
And I, yours.
Yes, metaphorical accounts of temptation by satan and other demons appear in other religions. Christianity was not the first. The temptation of Jesus appears in detail in the book of Matthew. What's interesting about these "temptations" is that they ring hollow. Jesus was a man...
I see what you're getting at, and with some minor quibbles I would tend to agree with you.
With regard to my using Rumi's poetry in religious ceremonies, I suspect the the majority of Christians have no idea who Rumi is. Of course that could be changing too, because I see so much of his...
Obviously? This is the very reason I do not believe that Satan exists - at least not as a real entity, fallen angel, demon, or whatever. Otherwise it means that God "toys" with his creation and I do not believe that.
If God allows Satan to tempt us, that's the same as God leading us into sin...
Interesting. I actually started to word my post that way, but of course Christians are never convinced they have any disadvantage.
By the way I am not defending the Christian belief. Although I was brought up as a conservative Christian, after I began trying to understand the Jewish position...
Saints were all favored children of God, so if someone prays to a Saint, why would God allow Satan to answer the prayer? Is that just to confuse us?
As a former Catholic myself, I must say that you have a very warped and incorrect view of what Saints are, especially if you think Catholics...
Reject is a strong word. I do not "reject" the New Testament. I view New Testament scripture as important, but not definitive. For example, when I perform weddings, and funerals, I read New Testament scripture, but I am also likely to quote Rumi, or use some other inspirational text.
Do I...