Diamond

Why does it seem to me that some people always seem to bring up the gays, indigenous peoples, etc as examples of groups that religious people hate? That is not the case at all. But these people, who claim to be so compassionate and loving, are the ones doing the racist dividing and picking out one "group" after another as an example of how they are different and then therefore "hated". Who's doing the hating and dividing and pitting one "group" against another? What religious leaders and by the way, it starts with the individual, should always be is human. "Being nice" is so nice it almost makes me want to go get the Pepto Bismal. There should never be political agendas or ideological, ego-driven motives with respect to whom we give our attention. It always should be because we "are" that person. It goes both ways. We are all connected and we all have our stories. For instance, here's my take to say the gays and lesbians who seem to be everywhere shoving it in my face (and I know it's not "the gays and lesbians" per say, but I'm trying to make a point here and it is my impression that I can't go anywhere these days without social and other traditional forms of media reminding me that transgenders are people, too) that I treat them differently and I am a douchebag. Here's my reply: I don't care that you like girls and you don't get to be special because of it and I don't get to be the hated "whitey" or privileged middle class made to feel guilty because I like boys. You are you and I am me. Let's move beyond this silly external stuff and get down to the basics of human love and compassion. NO agendas here, mate. We don't need to prove anything to anyone. Ever. We need to accept our selves, beauty marks and warts. We need to be open and honest. We need to see each physical human including ourselves as part of us. We feel the same things as anyone else. And if I hear about the gays or the natives again, it just makes me sad. We are missing the focus. We are missing what Jesus said. It is not about raising one group over another and making the other feel bad. That's child's play and a sure sign of immaturity. Why, oh why, does it seem to always be about us vs. them? We are looking at things from an ego perspective way too much, IMHO. It is time to disintegrate the ego.

Not only does it take away your attention on your own problems for a bit, you have initiated a chain reaction of kindness. You would be surprised how that smile or small gesture can evolve through other people to help their friends/associates and so on. And I am reminded of a great saying: "As you think, so shall you be."

Yes, and I've often thought of "spiritual" meaning you are the observer, the witness. You are not who you think you are, but deeper than that. Buddhism helps me a lot in realizing the spiritual and non-attachment.

I love Rabbi Sachs!

Sounds really good at first glance of the website. Must do delve deeper. I'd go see her if she were near my home.

I do find it hard to believe that in this supposed modern day, the Catholic church does not allow women into the priesthood. I am Anglican and while we have women ministers, the COE recently voted down allowing women to become Bishops! I have to shake my head. It must be a sign of spiritual maturity, (I'm being hopeful ) that I no longer get really angry about this. I haven't changed my mind - I think women should be allowed - but it is not important. I do feel that when we evolve further to understand that we are each one of the other, male and female, and that each gender has remarkable qualities and that we should learn to come from a place of honor, respect and celebration and love, this point will be mute. Some institutions are very hard to change and the patriarchal and mundane aspects of "civilization" are so entrenched. I like to think of the ancient wise women and the Goddesses of the Greek and Roman mythologies when this topic comes up. And dear Mother Mary, she's probably shaking her head too, but she's too busy taking care of the whole world to let it bother her. LOL! When we can put down our fear and live from a place of non-fear and non-attachment, wondrous things we can hardly dream of now will be commonplace. Namaste.

My sense of wonder. I have been asking "why" since I can remember. My sense of wonder has always made me feel like I'm in a dream. I feel like I'm in this world but not of this world. The phrase, "We are not human beings having spiritual experiences, but spiritual beings having human experiences" should be my epitaph. My need to make sense of things has led me on this quest. But what I have discovered to this point, is I no longer need to hold on to that need. I embrace the chaos now. And I practice everyday to let go and let God.

Thanks for the comments everyone! Looking forward to looking around this place some more.

Thanks, Paul!

Hi Monty and Welcome. I'm brand new as well and live only a two hour drive from you in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, more down towards Digby way. It's not often you see two introductions on boards from people in Nova Scotia. Greetings!

Hello everyone, my name is Amy, I am a married female currently experiencing my 52nd revolution around the sun and I live in...ahem....God's Country (which I'm sure you do, too LOL!) Anyhoo.....loving the life and finding myself drawn ever closer to God. I was raised Anglican, stepped over to the wiccan/pagan side and then the atheist side for a bit, decided those places were fine for some but not for me, and now I'm like the cat, I came back. I go to our church in town when I can (I live in the country) with my elderly parents. I love our young minister who has a young family and I do like our high church services. I need a lot of practice and work and try to remind myself every day. There are new and wonderful things happening in my life and I believe they all come from my deeper work with God and Jesus' teaching and the Holy Spirit. I have always been a spiritual being and learned to ask "Why" before I could walk. I'm glad to find this site and look forward to great conversations and some laughs and making new friends. Go in Peace, Go in Joy, Go in Love.