In Reply to: the bible.. posted by ray on July 06, 2003 at 19:55:55:
I think that I haven't yet separated the possibility that the Bible is not the infallible Word of God, whether this is from being brought up in the Family or not, I don't know. And so I look a little sceptically on the Bible and then on the group of people who claim to live their lives based on that book.
If it were up to me, I would say that Christianity lies in the pure Words of Jesus, and the rest of it is leave it or take it and would fall more under what Buddhism is, good morals to live by.
As for what I find interesting about Buddhism or Confuscianism is that people have managed to live their lives by those philosophies in peace and happiness for many years. I think my present philosophy is really a mash of many things, some from Einstein, some from Mark Twain, some from Jesus, some from Ghandhi, some from Buddhism, etc.. It is more like this:
If it doesn't hurt others or invade their rights, if it upholds the safety of children and allows me to live in peace, then I support it. If it doesn't force you to believe or conform to something you feel in your inner core is wrong, and if it allows you to make mistakes without condemnation then I'll agree with it.
I believe that what my neighbor does in his spare time, behind his own closed doors is his own business, not to the extent of harming others though. That's where I draw my own line of belief.
I like what Hinduism believes that all religions lead to ultimately the same goal, a reunion or union with the Divine. I like what Buddhism believes about helping your fellow man and living in humility. Buddhist priests are very nice people and easy to talk to. I must admit I have no interest in either Islam or Judaism, simply because of the many problems caused in the word by those religions and the on-going intolerance of many of that religion. But even then, I would not be against meeting and making friends with someone from that religion.
I think the only religion that really doesn't agree with me is Satanism, and from the little I have read or come across it is too dark for my liking and doesn't hold an interest.
I like the Wicca belief of holding the earth and power found in it in reverence, though I wouldn't probably build an altar and start worshipping the godesses. There is just something about worshipping another person or deity that to me is not right. I feel degraded, lowered, and of little value as a person.
When I was a little girl and Jesus was my very best friend, that was the best relationship I had with Him. When I grew up and Jesus was supposed to become my husband and lover, the relationship ended, I couldn't put Him into that context, and I think I never will be able to.