Well, I see your dilemma. Personally, I think organized religion is a little...shall I say 'hokey'? If you look back in time to religion, it was a means to explain the unexplicable. The things we dont understand. This worked well for awhile. Then, philosophers started investigating and realizing that those reasons weren't always the answers. This is seen very big in Greek mythology. Religion has also been used to control the masses. Imagine what havoc the would be unleashed if we found absolute undeniable proof that all religion was bogus. The implication would cause absolute chaos. However, we know that not all believe in god. This would be a set of morals and innate good nature that i believe all humans possess. Of course all this could be argued and I don't believe a full discussion is warranted, at least not yet. On the aspect of sorcery...hmm. The prospect of power above what we have recognized ourselves to have has always been tempting. In the bible it speaks against sorcery and so forth. If you believe in the bible as absolute truth, does that mean that men are capable of such things? At least on some level. Is this prospect worth searching for real truth? view post
All I have to say is "Yes, my lords" LMAO. Social distinction predicated on wealth especially inhereted wealth is something luckily destroyed. However, I do enjoy reading about the dark ages. Sometimes, I wish I lived back in those times. Everything was so much more simple, but yet so much more complicated at the same time. *bows to those above him* view post
I believe God exists because of religion. Not the other way around. Not to offend anyone...but, hey its what i believe.
God/God's have always been used to explain what we do not understand. Think of Greek mythology perhaps?
As far as religion without god being useless. Think of Buddhism maybe?
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Interesting-
First: If no religion existed from the beginning.
I don't think that we are or were ever wise enough to accept our own ignorance in the ways of the world. So, on that thought, we would seek some way of explaining. As for the wars, without conflicting religions I believe that less wars would have been fought, on a large scale.
For sorcery: Magic, and religious persecution...
You are right in the fact that many ancient religions used magic or sorcerous-like rituals in holy places and meetings all the time. I think that because humans have always feared what they do not understand it was extinguished as so. written into many religions as fear, but in there words 'unholy'. I find myself always wishing to live back in the dark ages when these questions were younger and more answerable. The further from the original acts and questions we get... the further from the answers. At least I believe this in the questions of religion and sorcery.
I look forword to your input
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no Buddha was never a god....he has and always will be a teacher. Enlightenment, is not being a god but rather awakening to full understanding.
You make the common misconception that most do....you think of the buddhist statues as idol worship...and believe he is thought of as a god because of it.
not the case:
the statues are so that we can reflect upon the enlightment that we wish to reach by visualizing the ways and a person who has already reached it.
also, they ae for postulations, these are over a hundred positions that you perform in your room of study, to relinquish the ideas of selfishness. this by performing these you show commitment to becoming a more happy and knowledgable person.
but thank you for your common misconception...because i do believe that most people think as you do and it was a wonderful way to clear that up for many. I do not mean that in a bad way. I truly thank you. Knowledge is power.
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No, i dont believe that humans know whether something is right or wrong because of religion. I believe that religion just stabilized ideas that are natural in our head. Even animals understand suffering. When we suffer through something, we naturally dont wish that suffering to continue for others. So we understand that it is wrong. If you wish to cause suffering you know that it is wrong, but your wish is to cause the suffering is greater on some scale. other than that i totally agree with you. view post
As far as im concerned you did make sense. I believe a lot of what you said about the possibilities of the human mind. I dont know about the parellel universe thing...just never really thought to much about it. but, we only use 10% of our brains...why dont we use the other 90% or how do we learn how? view post
Im not quite sure what i would do. although cigarettes are bad for the body...withdrawals are a lot of suffering view post
sorry for misconcieving your point. I do understand what you were saying now though. I totally agree with all of which you previously said. Also, I know how tiresome it is to go through the whole jesus thing. but, i do view it the same as you i believe so your lack of explanation on that part didnt have lack of meaning to me anyway. I agree with you competely.
wise words
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well your right...10% is a misconception...it could be much less. Nuerological studies show that the synaptic connections that one could have are infinite. besides that the different ways that the brain comphensates.... and the amount of electral activity is so varied among different people that i find that statement to be possible...not cold hard truth...but possible. view post
very interesting! I would be slightly sceptical. but would not rule it out as an impossibility. I would wish to know more as much as i could from you. i however would have an instantly doubtful view, just cautious on accepting it as truth from the start view post
interesting. i agree with us relating ourselves and others to fictional or real people. I am not quite sure why this scares you though. My contention is that we need to stop fearing and rejecting the unknown for it to be revealed to us. Some believe through some forms of meditation you can reach a point were you can listen so well, that you can hear their thoughts. almost like hearing their soul. I personally believe this to be true. view post
off topic...what cause you to go up in rank? as far as messaging...i just think it is interesting and was wondering how it worked view post
Curious: What are your thoughts on a new religion forming? Do you think that the masses would even consider it? or is it too new? when the old is so much closer to the beginning of time and has so much support from its members already? Do you consider philosophy a religion in and of itself? It holds means to describe our higher purpose...and to understand the unknown...is this not enough? view post
but you dont necessarily have to worship anything for it to be a religion. I will use Buddhism once again as an example of that. You are right I did forget scientology. I would think dunyain to be a more likely religion to start from that book though ...just because it is much like many eastern religions in some way.
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I do meditate. not as often in the past 4 months because i dont have as much time as i used to...but yes i do...and its a combination of different buddhist meditations, and how i percieve a path to further understanding the self might include, what about you WP? view post
good point on both i agree with all. i will have a later post on christianity. view post
I would inquire more with enthusiasm view post
I do believe WP is correct. Expecially in the US. I had forgot. view post
*agrees with WP* view post
We seem much alike WP view post
all things well founded. i think much of the original problems from who first posted go for many sects of organized religion. I will have a post on christianity a little later view post
why thank you. I strongly agree and look forward to your reply of my next post subject: Christianity: Revelations view post
Okay, might not so long awaited Christianity discussion. It will not include my views on jesus and Christianity as a whole because I do not have the capacity to write for that many hours straight at this point and time. Nor, do I feel the need to be so controversial. So sticking to current Christian beliefs that some will find interesting I will procede: The Rapture of the church: illustrated in the left behind series so some of you have a general idea of what this is. so, in the bible it says that 3 generations after the budding of the fig tree jesus will return (rapture) the budding of the fig tree is currently believed to be when israel became a nation this happened in 1948. a bible generation is 20 years therefore 3 generations is 60 years so 3 generations after the budding of the fig tree would be 2008. my point/question here is how do you view this information? and what do you think its implications are? what happens if the rapture doesnt happen? misconception by many on what the budding really was? or something far more grim for the christian community? view post
I believe the best way to go about this is to simplify somewhat. explain two things and your good. what is done - and what the result is the why isnt as important and should be left up to the readers imagination. what do you think of this approach? view post
I believe that fantasy is driven by our definition of perfection...our definition of perfection isnt always perfect. Mr. Bakker's world for instance would be my perfection as I long for such a contact with this world. Where there is so much more exciting things than bullets, nuclear weapons, and technology. back to the dark ages is where i find my mind drawn with a deep desire.` view post
personally...it coming through another demension sounds a little hokey. I would be more apt to believe it coming from dead relatives...his brain activity differing from ours and being able to pick up the spiritual. Or, maybe it's just a gift of instrumental intelligence? view post
sorry i did say something i didnt mean. i meant that he would call for those who were christian...not actually come down...sorry. question? why only 1000 years of peace? and is a thousand years our current understanding of a year? because if this is so than that is not that long at all view post
I agree with you WP, but i was just trying to go for the most far out thing i could grasp
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I do not remember where exactly in the bible these things are located...I studied them years ago...the idea just stuck with me. WP - I agree that one day of peace would be adequate *joking in next sentence* but if there is total peace and no one dies then we are left with over population from the multitude that hasnt died that day. *end joke* However, what do you view will happen in 2008 if anything? view post
I think that this topic is officially extinguished? what about you? view post
just wondering. Has anyone personally seen any true form of magick? view post
interesting i will start a new topic on such in a second view post
I would like everyone's personal opinion of how you believe the world will end if you believe it will. view post
not like card trick magick or anything....but like sorcery type stuff. kind of like in PoN but not that large of a scale. visual manipulation of energy or something of sorts? im not exactly sure how to describe it. sorry view post
no it didnt seem like that at all. it was more of the sense that i couldnt adequately explain the very question i was asking. What may i ask do you mean when you say magick in nature every day? sorry for being so ambiguous. view post
at what point would you say that our existance as of current would have to change dramatically? what circumstances would warrant such an event? Also, what do you think of a world war destroying much of the world with all of our weapons of mass destruction? view post
[quote="Warrior-Poet":htvj4aiu]I would rather be constantly conscious of these things because I almost enjoy the fraility of men and the sufferings of the world I mean sure some of its sad and cruel but hey its life and its the fraility of men that made it the way it is. I guess what im really tryying to say is i think I'd rather be conscious of these things because we caused the suffering due to our own frailities, does that make sense?[/quote:htvj4aiu] I agree with this in many ways. knowledge brings the power to change. however, just because you dont know of the suffering does not mean that it is not there... view post
I will do so view post
i tend to side with our perception of reality is from within view post
honestly im not sure what the topic starter is talking about biting the bullet and so forth view post
thank you i couldnt see the link for some reason view post
i bit the bullet once view post
I aptly await those arguments view post
based on your feelings of importance i agree view post
most likely because on the grand scale i believe that we think a lot alike view post
good enough for me, for now anyway
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once again, i am forced to agree lol. Either seeing or feeling would be good enough for me given the right circumstances...so yes. view post
ok, first of all i did catch your hint...very well indeed. However, i did not want to make you uncomfortable by confronting you head on. instead i waited for you to reveal your experiences on your own. I didnt want to make you feel like you couldnt be honest. as far as the energy thing goes...i felt the same thing and have learned how to do it. although it has been 6 or more years since doing it i remember the feeling to this day! it is very odd. much like a tingling but not just that at all...i was performed up and down my spine without a single touch. when i did it to someone else it felt quite different than when done to me...not quite as foreign feeling. please elaborate on your experiences. view post
yes the wars of israel are one recognition...and currently israel is warring and according to the bible their nation shall be undefeated...with a helping hand from the west (hmmm, the USA perhaps?) I agree with the end of the world theory that you presented to an extent....i think global warming is possible...as in "the day after tomorrow"...but who knows... view post
agreed view post
Yes, great minds think alike. *just a little hint of sarcasm but not completly* view post
indeed... and perhaps i already do...but not completly based on past experiences of my own. and if someone is schizo does that make them two or one(joking). i am just at work looking for intelligent conversations. at least for another hour view post
i will look into it view post
We are all the same person (just kiddin )
yes giving it to people is very hard indeed...i can make other people feel my energy... but thats about the extent that i got...i never continued with my training so to speak...a much older friend taught me...but im not sure of what all he has done. hmm
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please speak further on your experiences... and what you have seen. view post
why? me and you think alike as well? do we not? view post
what if one does not know the limits that it can go...the last time i did it it was about 2 feet...thats all...i dont know how much....just enough to feel it i suppose...not sure... view post
i think of a similar approach.... and i believe people like us are different if you know what i mean? view post
I have not hear voices during meditation. however, i have had a similar experience and wish for you to proceed please view post
im sure. but i find that odd as well. very odd indeed. i wish to here both of your thoughts on that perception of when we joined view post
very much agreed there....i wonder sometimes as well view post
yes, I am feeling much more about digging into past experiences and trying to develop them view post
i find it interesting as well...but by no means felt it coming... hmm....something to think about i think of it as a way of self reflecting and increasing concentration.(meditation) view post
i saw the website in the back of the book....wanted to see more of the world the author created...then saw philosophical discussions yesterday...but didnt have time to join.... so i did today...and it was more of a want to talk to other intelligent people about subjects that interested me....what about you? view post
its weird...im starting to think of it being destined even though i dont believe in that....weird... view post
i will try and get on later tonight...but i am off work now...so i will try and get on when i get home...in case not...gnight view post
lol! view post
maybe later because i dont remember my login ID lol view post
I dont know because im not really that clear on that much view post
no not really....you said about as much as i could have...however, new idea for the whole schizo possibility...we wouldnt be so much alike...the schizo personalities are usually very different view post
ok...hmm... i have not looked at the link yet. i intend to. anyway, yes much like chakra's but maybe just slightly different. as a child i have always felt different from other kids...not because of hobbies...or anything...i dont know. very hard to explain. however, i would like to know about your experiences. If you wish to tell? view post
first of all...i dont believe all of what the church and christian religion claims...i dont feel to go into great detail...but yes in his times he was persecuted...i believe more out of fear of loss of power than anything....faith has more power than law on people. as for your words of above human ability...it is not at all...it's something everyone with an open mind can do... it freaks many people out when they are shown it at first...but then they understand...i dont know exactly how to explain it. as for extended this energy and forming or affecting other things such as jesus supposedly did...i believe it is possible to some extent....but not really that immensity... Im not sure...i havent done it in 6 years and finally have a day off work tomorrow in which i will thoroughly meditate on these possibilities. I will also tempt to do it again...and push myself further...as i had intended long ago...cultivation of such things takes a long time though...and it will progress slower since i work about five 12 hour shifts a week...so...yeah...when my schedule calms down a lot more i will procede more seriously. however, if you have any particular question of anything i have said regarding this i will answer it to the best of my abilities....unfortunately some things are harder to explain than others....however, i will do my best view post
neither of us had said that what jesus did was sorcery, I believe we were using it more of a measuring system than anything else. view post
personally, I have not view post
I still believe that its going to be stupidity...the genius of man only extends as far as how he uses his genius.... and....we already have enough weapons of mass destruction to anhilate everyone across the globe...so...i dont think that better weapons will make a difference in power view post
what do you define as not normal though? view post
i would like to know view post
correct me if im wrong....but didnt the king order his execution? view post
*nods* view post
i think that it would be more of the church trying to hide such things from both....the government and us...however, especially in this day and age...the government is not so concerned with such things... some of them may be actual whiches...however i think that most of them were just pagans who the church didnt agree with many religious practices view post
you, will not get such from me without time of observed respect...even in my low position
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lol, but would that be philosophical? view post
this war is not of religion...it's about flexing muscles view post
I mostly feel that time and space dont really exist while im meditating...nothing does....that's more of what i feel than anything. what about for the rest of you? view post
interesting point. i guess i never liked the idea of destiny because there is a feel of lack of control...but your idea somewhat cleanses that view post
indeed, but in what form of the word do you speak of. give me your definition so i can see things more clearly view post
that is how i understood it... but back to the original converstion darkness....what would you like to know...are you in disbelief of our conversation...or would just like justification....if so ask specific questions so i can give specific answers. view post
I think that is part of what i feel...but there is more...tricky to explain view post
That is among one of my stronger feelings of what he spoke view post
I agree. That is the best way of going about it. I would like to hear more from people with other experiences view post
LOL view post
wonderous times on the forum i must say view post
wisely put view post
and how was that? view post
Much appreciated, I enjoyed reading that. Others experiences interest me. view post
when you do. i shall comment upon that then view post
They are quite possible, parrellels. I dont hold them as a rock solid belief of mine but they are possible. as for your age...my guess is 14-20. just because i have a feeling that you are no older than this. please let me know in a PM view post
yes but since the generation of 20 years is used as a measurement all over the bible so in that same context is where i lay mt equation. view post
and what may i ask is the SCA? view post
thank you! view post
of course a day of the lord could be referred to when he was born...or his crucifiction...or that period....im sure it wasnt meant literall.................. view post
i never really have thought of the whole dragons thing...very interesting though. i will do some research on it view post
by weighing the most beneficial aspect of the options...at least the most beneficial to our knowledge. view post
of course with above it can also be instinctual. like moving out of the way of an oncoming car... view post
awesome new status guys. hope you have fun
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Why do we have this will to live? Honestly, aside from our instinctual survival programming.... view post
sometimes....like right now...i feel like dying. I think about as a normal thought...it doesnt scare me or seem any different than any other thought. I just don't feel like living anymore. view post
some of the stuff did help...and i have a fiancee that makes me happy and stuff. view post