Jump to content

PaulS

Administrator
  • Posts

    3,429
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    79

Everything posted by PaulS

  1. Hi Samia, Welcome to the Forum. Yes, it can seem to be a bit quiet in here at times, but our stats do show that hundreds of people are viewing posts on here throughout the month. I think many people may find information and support here, without actually declaring themselves or participating in the discussion threads. In any event, I hope you find the current forums and the backlog of interesting subjects that have been discussed here previously, both interesting and useful on your journey. Cheers Paul
  2. I see different people as different parts of the one environment which can create different wants across the whole.
  3. I'm with you on the 'big picture' about everything being connected and 'as one'. But I don't think the logical conclusion then is that things such as 'wants' can't be different to other parts of the environment contained within the one. It's like there are a number of moving parts all within that one, and wants are just one of those moving parts.
  4. In the broader sense it is, but I thought you were indicating 'environment' as separate or different to our wants. I do agree that 'environment' can encompass all.
  5. I'm not convinced that the environment is responsible for changing our wants. For instance, in Australia we currently have a fair bit of debate going on around our National Day of Celebration on 26 January - Australia Day. This date was selected as it is the date the first fleets from England arrived on Australian Shores and raised the English flag as they claimed the land (irrespective of indigenous peoples already living on the continent). The date itself has changed throughout history. Currently the debate is about changing the date again to recognize that the arrival of England's Fleet to Australia wasn't much good news for the indigenous residents. But my point is that people are affecting the debate, and others are reflecting on those arguments. So more than likely what i see is people favouring a particular point of view that in turn will change the environment. Once that environment is changed, yes, others will probably change their thinking over time, but still, the change was initiated by people's thinking changing in the first place, I think.
  6. It sounds to me like you're suggesting they would have liked to change their wants, but because life was harsh, it wasn't practical too. So when they did get a chance to change their wants (life got less harsh) then they affected the change they may have previously preferred?
  7. Definitely our wants get re-shaped, but I think you're asking if it's our wants that change and subsequently the culture changes as a reflection of those changed wants? I tend to think it's both - maybe some people are ahead of the pack in changing their wants, but then that impacts culture, which then in turn changes and may make others reconsider their wants. I think.
  8. And those 'wants' change over time. For instance, it used to be acceptable for a Jewish girl of 13 or 14 to be given into marriage by her father. Such an activity would be considered 'evil' today. Our understanding of 'evil' adapts and changes with our society and culture.
  9. It certainly is, but I think it's also a term for us to share when trying to communicate behavior that we don't want in our community. For example, as a community, we can see the harm that pedophilia causes our community, so we tend to communicate that activity as 'evil' to make the point that we don't want that activity in our community.
  10. I'm truly sorry you've lost such a good mate, Derek. I don't imagine it's easy, but I hope those memories of all the good times, offer you some comfort. How lucky were you to have such a dear friend!
  11. I don't believe in evil either as a stand-alone 'thing'. What we call evil is simply a judgement we make. In our heads we determine whether we think something is evil - it doesn't make it so, it just aids in communication I guess.
  12. I don't know if it is everything you do that is evil to another, but I'm sure a lot of what I do is considered evil by others. I'm guessing that could be opinions of others as to how I affect the environment, what my politics are, what my religious beliefs are, etc. Whether it be somebody in my own country or culture, or somebody from a different country or culture, yeah, I'm sure often what I don't think of as evil will be considered evil by another in some way, shape or form.
  13. Most probably won't be seen after a couple of generations unfortunately, Rom! What's that saying about us ceasing to exist once our name passes across somebody's lips for the last time? I don't think it's necessarily a vanity though to feel that one would prefer to leave the world having contributed for the better, for those who are yet to come - not out of vanity's sake, but out of love.
  14. @tariki I think your above post aligns somewhat with what I was trying to communicate in the thread below: I think 'suffering' comes from thinking life should be any different to how it is. Life is what it is - whether that be when we were Homo heidelbergensis and getting eaten by wild animals on the African savannah, or whether we're homo sapiens who get cancer. Sure, we can definitely use tools such as those proposed by the Buddah to help us deal with life, but I think the greatest tool of all is understanding that this life owes us nothing. Nobody is looking out for us. Nobody will be there for us when we die. There is no 'point' to our existence, but nonetheless, we exist. I think understanding life as "this too shall pass" might help us deal with the fact that often in life 'shit happens'. Maybe that was the Buddah's ultimate teaching - don't sweat it. It is what it is - enjoy the ride.
  15. Just thought I'd share. These are where my thoughts around life and 'belief' are currently at: • One day I will die. Everybody does. Billions of people have died before me, and billions of people will die after me. • That doesn’t make my life meaningless - It matters to me whilst I am alive, and it matters a little bit to some others. • I could live my life with no regard for anybody else – but would that really make me happy? • For me, it seems that if I live a good life with good friends and good actions – then that life is much more enjoyable (for matters I consider in my control). I guess historically, some others have chosen a more selfish path. Perhaps that is just as rewarding for them, although inflicting pain (in one way or another) doesn’t seem a sensible way to have a happy life in the long run. • When I die I will cease to have personal consciousness. It will be like when I am asleep at night and not dreaming. I simply don’t know I am asleep, just as I won’t even know that I am dead. Kinda like what it was for me before I was born. • So how will my life matter? Well, in short, it won’t matter much in the big picture of things – nobody’s does. Sorry, but that’s the reality. We are a single life amongst billions, on a tiny speck of a planet, amongst zillions of other planets, contained within zillions of other galaxies, sitting within a possibly infinite universe, or universes. At best, my name will be forgotten in a few thousand years (if I was somehow amazing). Most likely, I will be forgotten in 3-4 generations. But I won't know if people remember my name, so it can only maybe of value to those who are living. • But whilst we are here now, amongst others, family, friends and strangers, it does matter. I have responsibilities, I need to feed myself and my family, raise my children, support my friends, pay bills, explore lands, enjoy breathing. · It's a nice thought to plan on leaving a ‘good’ legacy – grown children living a good life, a ‘good’ name, not too much damage in my wake, etc. But really, that is all for others, as I won’t know about it! I suspect my philosophy on life is close to what is called Optimistic Nihilism: Optimistic nihilism views the belief that there is no underlying meaning to life from a perspective of hope. It’s not that we’re doomed to live in a meaningless universe--it’s that we get the chance to experience ourselves and the universe we share. The optimistic nihilist looks at a world lacking meaning and purpose and sees the opportunity to create their own. Any thoughts on my take on life, or care to share your own 'world view' on this?
  16. You win the prize for closest to Santa I think!
  17. Festive Greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy Saturnalia - whatever your reason for celebrating today, may it be joyous, filled with love and laughter, and remind us all that no matter what our beliefs, we are all in this together!
  18. That was a good read, Tariki! I do wonder if we sometimes we 'fight' for our beliefs because we don't want to be wrong! And there's something genuinely threatening to some that somehow they have 'wasted' their time if somebody's else's different beliefs should somehow seem beneficial. It's crazy really - all of us should be accepting of anything that brings us all closer together. It would seem that Merton and Suzuki were so at peace with their beliefs, that neither felt anything threatening about the other's.
  19. I agree Thijs - with the earth expected to be consumed by our Sun in about 7.5 billion years time! Almost twice as long as what it has taken our universe to get to this current point!
  20. Well Thijs, I actually think the only way that anybody 'follows Jesus' is exactly through their own understanding of who Jesus was and what sort of life he lived, rather than some sort of precise knowledge of Jesus that traditional Christianity has taught most of us. Traditional Christianity would have us believe there is only one way to understand the Jesus story. In many ways, I would beg to differ. As to your point about mass resurrection, mass awakening, mass ascension of humanity - I don't see these as being acts of individuals as that verse said people would perform. I don't disagree there has been a mass following of what we today call Christianity, but that verse quite clearly talks about individuals performing acts greater than Jesus himself, which I don't particularly think is demonstrated by any particular individuals since then. I think that it's a manipulation of the verse to mean it's actually trying to argue about greater things happening in general, when the verse is clearly talking about individuals performing greater acts than Jesus himself. I'm more than happy to share about how I see Christianity and how to define it, but I think the easiest way (yet I am happy to discuss further if you need) is to quote the 8 Points of Progressive Christianity as outlined on our mother site - Progressive Christianity.org: By calling ourselves progressive Christians, we mean we are Christians who… 1. Believe that following the path of the teacher Jesus can lead to healing and wholeness, a mystical connection to “God,” as well as an awareness and experience of not only the Sacred, but the Oneness and Unity of all life; 2. Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness, Oneness and Unity of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom, including Earth, in our spiritual journey; 3. Seek and create community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to: Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics, Believers and agnostics, Women and men, Those of all races, cultures, and nationalities Those of all sexual orientations and all gender identities, Those of all classes and abilities; All creatures and plant life; 4. Know that the way we behave towards one another and Earth is the fullest expression of what we believe, therefore we vow to walk as Jesus might have walked in his world with radical compassion, inclusion, and bravery to confront and positively change the injustices we experience as well as those we see others experiencing; 5. Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning with an open mind and open heart, than in absolutes or dogma; 6. Work toward peace and justice among all people and all life on Earth; 7. Protect and restore the integrity of our Earth and all of Creation; 8. Commit to a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love on this journey toward a personally authentic and meaningful faith. I hope this helps answer your question, but if not, I am more than happy to discuss further. Cheers Paul
  21. Indeed Rom! Maybe it was a test from God - after all, Divine Will did try to start another account and immediately posted that they could not be banned. Well, I found out that they could, so I guess I passed the test!
  22. For me personally Thijs, I find life in general adventurous, and don't in particular feel that following Jesus makes it anymore adventurous or not. But please, I think if following Jesus gives you that strength to feel there are no limits to what you can do, then all power to you. Obviously lots of people, draw inspiration for how to live their lives, from how they view Jesus to have lived his life and what they understand about the whole Jesus story. But I'm not so sure that is always very useful - I mean the old "What would Jesus do" approach is wrought with personal bias and understanding about who Jesus was and how he lived. I have seen some pretty nasty and ignorant Christians who truly believe they are living their life exactly how Jesus would want them to. To some degree, I think it is all in the eye of the beholder as to whether people are living their lives to the fullest. To the particular verse you quote though, I don't particularly see any Christians doing greater works than Jesus. Maybe they live their lives similarly (as we understand the Jesus story and interpretation) but I do reckon the 'greater works' stuff is pretty much non-existent. Where might you see followers of Jesus doing greater works than Jesus himself did? Frankly, I don't think Jesus actually said that. Maybe you don't either, but still use the verse for inspiration? If so, again, all power to you with whatever helps with live your best life, I say.
  23. I tried to suspend Divine Will for some pretty childish and adverse comments made both in posts and direct messages, but it seems I have deleted their account by mistake. Sorry - it was just meant to be a suspension for 1 week.
  24. You're not the first type of Christian to say there is only one way to understand the bible, but i think you might be suprised to know that understanding the bible has been nothing BUT change throughout the times. Like this thread's initial posts tried to point out - God's people (Israelites) did not initially believe in an eternal hell - that is in fact a later development which was introduced by Greek thought around about the time that Daniel was written. Context is EXACTLY the point that "bible-believing Christians" themselves most overlook. This forum's not here to tell them how to believe these things, but rather this forum provides an opportunity for them to explore and understand their own Holy Book, better.
  25. Interestingly, even in the book of Mathew, Jesus is saying those who fed him when he was was hungry, those who gave him water when he thirsted, those who welcomed him when he was a stranger, those who clothed him when he was naked, those who took care of him when he was sick, and those who visited him when he was in prison - that is what Jesus expected of followers. Nothing about 'accepting' Jesus' nature or mission. In fact Christ was quoted as saying "Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me." I think that is what any God would be more interested in rather than 'right' belief.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

terms of service