Bellaharmony, I have no doubt that the vast majority of Religious priests, deacons, pastors and Fathers in America are bright, intelligent and well-educated men and women.... Tis one incident amused me, and i recalled it and reounted as a humorous insert....But it's fair to say that those around this particular Minister howled with laughter, because they thought he was kidding....and their faces were a picture once they incredulously discovered he wasn't.... !! But I had no intention of causing any offence....frogive my mirth at someone else's expense!
FreeBubbles, my heart is warme by your expereince and of how much it touched, moved and uplifted you. I too believe, regardless of which faith you follow, that this is how the human heart and soul should feel, when a person connects to their God - or 'calling' - either alone, or in congregation.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama actually encourages those in their respective faiths, to remain there if they can, and to live their respecive Creed and Faith to the best of their ability. He states that it's not the specific religion,
per se, that is the issue, necessarily...it is how that person integrates their faith and beliefs, into their daily life, and spreads the inherent Love around, and manifests and personifies their God openly in their interaction with those around them.
This is admirable and commendable advice, but for my own part, it was something I found impossible to do.
I refuse to transform this post into either a justification for my actions, or, more importantly, a possibly-perceived 'attack' on the Deistic Religion of Catholicism. Suffice to say, I could not come to terms with aspects of this faith adequately, to sincerely convince myself that staying put would be best for me.
However, I DO believe that some deistic religions baptise children into the faith too young. perhaps it would be more conducive to an increasing flock, if the children were guided, by instruction and example, to eventually exercise their ,God-Given Free will, to come to God and choose Him as their Calling, independently and willingly themselves, at the right time (ie, when they're old enough to actively exercise that choice....)?
Again, I am not seeking to be divisive, but if we permit people to, say, vote for specific political parties only when they're old enough to actively make conscious choices, surely, a following of God should be open to the same criteria...? It's just as important - if not more so! - as Politics....
Just another pointer.....
