Posted by MG on July 27, 2011 at 14:25:32
In Reply to: Re: think your train of thoughts squares from the biblical perspective posted by Farmer on July 26, 2011 at 00:50:28:
...and for me that's what it's all about: discovering and becoming aware of a deeper consciousness, one that is within me where the real me is. (Just to note …you don’t need to tell me again about how you’ve been there and done that and that there's a way that seems right to a man and the end thereof ...)
The Bible has a lot of good stuff in it that has helped me, and a lot of stuff that doesn't help me. I read and study a variety of teachings that I find helpful, and in those same teachings there are always some things that don’t ring a bell with me and aren't particularly helpful to me in my own journey. My belief system is about spiritual awakening, there are lots of good books and teachings that deal with this subject. I’ve mentioned some of my favorites here in the past.
Also I don't think Jesus came to start a religion, and I don't think he'd be a Christian if he lived in the world today. This is my own opinion and it I understand that it can be construed that it doesn't necessarily come from the Bible, but a personal spiritual awakening and entering into a deeper place of consciousness and stillness within oneself sounds to me a lot like what Jesus said in the scripture the kingdom of heaven is within you.
Once again, I don’t agree that everything has to come from the Bible, for me that excludes others. Many Muslims do the same with the Koran, and as we all know we excluded people of other churches and faiths in the same manner as followers of David Brandt Berg.
About being a teacher in the Family (I'm wondering why you put three question marks?) ...I was considered by leadership to be a really good teacher, I had so much of the Bible and Berg's stuff memorized, I was such a dedicated Family foot soldier, every time any kind of doubt came (critical thinking) I rebuked it and that way I kept myself brainwashed for far too long. I was a devoted student and practioner of Family childcare methodology and I knew too well how to employ the Family's brand of brainwashing with the children, tweens and teens I was a teacher to. Alas, I can't change the past, but I can't excuse it either. I've made amends where and when I could, and I still do.