In Reply to: Re: Further discussion with Porcelain Doll and Ray from below posted by porceleindoll on July 06, 2003 at 19:04:26:
Thanks PD for picking up on my gist. After years of atheism and Buddhism and New Age I have settled again on the scriptures. I have found joy in them and have accepted the Christian world view as valid for my life. You are right about “believing” a theory of origin. Both take a great deal of faith. My daughter who attends a Christian college says that none of her professors or fellow students buy the young earth idea espoused in Genesis. And I understand your reluctance to put yourself “under” direction of another person or organization. You’re the last filter for all information and the results of your analysis is your responsibility. My response to your post was a mix of Buddhism and scripture. The act of breathing gives me joy (particularly when on a mountain top). But it immediately takes me to a feeling of love for God who created me to enjoy that feeling. By the way, can I tell you my favorite story from Buddhism? A monk was on a journey to visit the patriarch when he realized he was being stalked by a tiger. He ran frantically through a field toward a deep chasm to get away. The tiger was right behind him when he jumped over the edge. He was able to catch a vine to prevent his fall but was only just out of the reach of the tiger’s swiping claws. As he looked down at the chasm, and he looked up at the tiger, the vine began giving way under his weight. But out of the corner of his eye he say a strawberry vine with several plump berries. He took and tasted one and remarked to himself, “How very sweet.” I am looking for that kind of tranquility in the storm of ideas. For me filtering all my thoughts through the fruits of the spirit keeps me joyful and loving and tranquil. And when my thoughts don’t reflect these nine feelings I know I am not happy and am probably causing someone else pain also. I commend your pursuit of raising your children in love and with an open mind. And I think we can all agree that that is the standard to live by which can be found in all cultures and belief systems.