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Post by phantasman on May 16, 2013 12:57:45 GMT -5
For many years I was told that the Bible held all the truth of God. And I was also lead to believe that the closing remarks in Revelations were applied to the Bible itself. If I added or took away from church belief (Biblical doctrine) , I would be cursed as a heretic.
Actually, once I left the confines of the Bible (as all there is), it seems that I have felt more of a presence of God, my appetite for spiritual truth has soared and my mind is at better ease of feeling love rather than fear of God. It's like the mind says "more, more please"
To some, thinking outside the box is taboo. To me, it now seems that it was almost like a prison. Having to go to a higher authority in the church for answers, when they were actually attainable by prayer and further wisdom from our brothers and sisters centuries ago.
Gnosis from God. How can something that teaches so much love, be anything but from God? I feel more "free" as I also see God the Father and Jesus Christ as more "free" and not confined to a few certain books. I am glad I made the trek.
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Post by Soulgazer on May 16, 2013 23:01:36 GMT -5
Reading the Gospels with an open mind, in my opinion, the mindset of "in the box" is exactly what Jesus fought against. "You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about me.", speaks volumes. "You are reading about me, but look up from your pages, I'm right here".
From a rationalist perspective, (I have a frosted side and a wheat side) very little in the "scriptures" says to me that it is the word of anyone other than people giving their version of God. From that standpoint I view all Christian writings with the same jaded eye, knowing that they are probably speaking about something that is right in front of me.
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Post by xpistissopheiax on May 19, 2013 13:59:49 GMT -5
People are terrifed of giving up any control they have over anyone else. I was reminded of this listening to people yesterday talk about how the Catholic church used to try to kill people for translating the Bible into any other language other than Latin.
We can't control where God is or isn't and we can't control what other people think or believe. I think it's best to move forward without imposing our will on anyone else.
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Post by waywardwanderer on May 20, 2013 9:21:19 GMT -5
I think many people are simply too comfortable in their routine to take a critical look at scripture. I also think that many have a deep emotional investment in their "correctness", pride I think is a major factor here. It also seems like most traditional churches teach people to fear taking a critical look at scripture.
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Post by phantasman on Jun 23, 2013 8:53:26 GMT -5
I think you're right. Today, almost anyone with an opinion can become a church (pastor) and find followers, as long as it is seen in the Bible. Once we expand our knowledge, the different doctrines becomes clearer, and we see a pattern of control. Control is not freedom. And if the "truth shall set you free", how can one be free, if controlled?
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Post by waywardwanderer on Jun 23, 2013 18:29:10 GMT -5
Yeah, it seems like the greater part of the Christian paradigm of the day is built on pride. Proud leaders self assured in their interpretations and proud flocks who are too invested in being "in the know" to open up their minds a bit.
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Post by phantasman on Jul 1, 2013 11:01:52 GMT -5
Man has a way to "lay things out" as truth, and others simply accept and follow, or will find truth themselves.
Christopher Columbus discovered America. Did he? If the Indians were already here that he met with, why aren't they attributed to the discovery? Cortez and Balboa as well, who found Incas and Aztecs.
Our beliefs and truth are fortified by others, year after year. It's best to look at the big picture, and not what appears to be.
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