BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Spirituality Religious Superiority

yes it is Connidee ;0)

And no worries.. i always tease people that while this may be the voice of women, some men enjoy it as well... hell we even have male writers LOL

Yes, the poem was put to music at the time.

I am so happy that it meant something to you too.

I have found friends on this list and am very grateful.

Wonderful people. All different, but that is part of the beauty!

Patience.

Interestingly enough, I can imagine my life without religion, but I cannot imagine my life without spirituality. And, for me the ways to express my spirit are through Pagan rite and ritual, the Tarot, drumming, writing, teaching and reading.

When I get to busy in the "real" world to make time for my spiritual needs, I find that I feel "wilted" and out of sorts. And, by virtue of all of you taking an active part in this forum, I would think that you might feel the same way.

We are all different.. and so are our spiritual needs. My needs do not include God, prayer, and belief in the Bible. But, some people do need that, and their spiritual needs most surely do not include the Tarot..lol.

So, are any of our spiritual practices right or wrong? I don't believe that they are. So, I guess that is why it rubs me the wrong way when someone insists that their way is the ONLY way to achieve spiritual growth.

What say all of you?

What a beautiful song Patience

Thanks Elle. Much appreciated. It's always nice to know that something you have created has given pleasure to others.

And Linda, I completely agree with what you have said. These are my feelings too.

Patience.

Excellent explanation. You made your statement without sounding like you were defending your beliefs or doubting others'. So often, I feel like I've been put in the position I have to prove myself and my beliefs, which I totally hate! Other peoples' doubts of my spirituality don't matter to me. As I've stated, it's between me and mine. I don't push my beliefs on anyone else because it doesn't matter. When someone else feels the need to save my soul, I feel it really more their need to reinforce their own belief for themselves. They must have doubts if they feel the need to save our souls and eliminate the "competition".

Maybe that is true for some, but I honestly believe that for the majority of Christians that is not the case. A huge part of our faith is based on the Bible verse:
Matthew 28:19-20 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society


19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

It's kind of our job to witness and share our testimonies. But, as I've said before, it is not our job to save people, because we can't. Only God can do that.

Thank you, Michelle. That is what I have been saying. We are all ministers of the Word of God.

Michelle.. With all due respect, I have to say something here.

I work for Hospice.. and one of the first things we learn as volunteers or chaplains is that it is NOT our job to inform our clients about out faith. We are there for our client's needs and not the other way around. Therefore, we allow them to have the dignity and respect to choose what pathway they wish to follow during their transitional period between life and death. And, we also honor the families requests when it comes to religious beliefs.

I have been in Asian households where death is a prohibited subject. It is not to be discussed in the home, as it brings bad luck. I have been in Buddhist households where the family chants in the morning and the evening. I have been in Catholic homes where the rosary is said.

And, where ever I am, I maintain my silence about MY BELIEFS, and do the very best I can to join in the families beliefs with utmost respect and honor. I am a Pagan as you know, but many of my clients are Christian, and I read biblical scriptures or even sing hymns when requested to do so.

If someone asks me what faith I am.. I simply say.. "That is not important right now, what you believe is important." If I am pressed I will tell them that I find comfort in the knowledge that a higher power exists and is watching over me. That invariably does the trick.

As I mentioned in a previous forum, we had several Christians in our Hospice training class and three of them left because they were not allowed to "spread the word."

The main principle of Unitarian Universalism is to respect the inherent dignity and worth of every human. My feeling is that most people are quite aware that the Bible exists and have heard about Jesus. If they do not pursue that faith, there is a reason. I don't think that anyone needs to be "reminded" unless they broach the subject first.

You said once that you felt that maybe I did not respect Christians.. I do. But I also have JUST AS MUCH RESPECT for Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Pagans, Atheists, Agnostics, etc.

So, when one religion professes to "know it all" to me they are showing a complete disrespect and dishonor to other religions who do not believe as they do. Tolerating someone else's belief is a whole lot different than accepting their belief. You don't have to believe as they do ... but you can acknowledge that you don't have all the answers... noone does.. and that any belief is just as potentially possible as any other.

Believe as you will.. spread the word through those of your own faith.. dance, sing and celebrate.. and lovingly allow others to do the same.

Not all of us Amadeus.. I am a Minister.. but God is not part of my criteria.