Questions welcome

a lot of work is in this thread.... can we all wait for Rap to pop in?

AWWWW Geeeez!

Please read my request to Coral.

I am finding my way religiously, trying to 'find my path' I never once stated I was pagan, I am not pagan...I was simply stating that Skys thread slated Paganism,...if someone were to to do the same about Christianity the whole thing would be deleted...

I will work on my negative attitude Sept.... I must admit I am very negative .... sorry you find me so offensive....

I was just stating my opinion ... I'm sure there are a lot of lovely Pagans around.

Jin x

there are good people all over the world... Christians aren't bad imo because of their faith... its just for me, its not the ""only"" faith... that's the only issue i have with it at all... but we all get to go our own way... we have free will

we get to be wrong about stuff and make mistakes and its natural and normal when it happens...

we dont really need the extra high emotions to discuss this all i hope ...

im sure we're all valid in most of our thoughts and there's this one or two abrasions... isnt our personal faith strong enough to rise above that and still respect and care about each other?

in different circumstances, a different discussion, if we hadn't met beforehand, we'd never even know these beliefs about each other... we'd probably lend each other a hand and smile and pass like strangers...

isnt that the person we all really try to be inside? imo, thats what matters most of all and i believe we each are that kind of person... despite our differences

hugs to all of us ...

Well, just because I didn't save all the threads and posts doesn't mean someone didn't post that they were both pagan and Christian. And when I queried this, the reply was affirmative in that it didn't counter the statement previously made. Then, in this open questions thread, I did ask what those definitions were to them, as they weren't the same as generally accepted sources, and this to me was perhaps the point of departure. If so, it would have been quite easily explained with what definitions were being used. I don't see any harm in any of that.

I use IMO because I have been told to. You see, there is little tolerance of Christians by non Christians, so when I don't use IMO I am blasted for not saying it's just my opinion, and then when I do use IMO, I am blasted for using my opinion. Tis ok..not fair, but then, life isn't.

A comment was made that "if" someone "slated" (and I guess that term means bash?) Christianity, the thread would be pulled. However, that is exactly what has been going on in three threads here lately. If me, or another Christian counters what someone says about Christianity, such as how fallable the texts we use are, then we are bashing non Christians, when in fact, it was the bashing of our faith and our Bible that happened in the first place.

This is common atheistic type argument, and really isn't the place for it here , IMO.

What we would need is a mediator, who is used to the aspects of good debate, which this going on is not, I admit.
I don't mind a bit for everyone to say what they PERSONALLY believe, but when something is posted AGAINST another's belief for that purpose, then it just isn't being tolerant.

I know why everyone can post what they think and it be "just fine" for them and others of like mind, yet when I post what I think, or another Christian does, we have to have chapter and verse and THEN we are accused of pushing our faith or proclaiming only we have the truth.

This forum was NOT made for threads like this or jungian archetypes or discussions of the devil. They are not spiritually supportive for members of PC. I have asked the community team to get admin to weigh in on this AGAIN, as in the past, that was the way it was told to us. If that's changed, then I am not the only one who needs to hear it.

Perhaps a Philosophy forum is needed, idk.

Please don't consider me angry or upset or pushing anything of my own here... but I have been here a long time, 4 years today actually, and I have seen this stuff come and go and know the reasons for it's doings.

I'm sorry anyone feels insulted, and I'm sorry if PMing hasn't worked out for members here in trying to work through differences. Really I am. But I remain convinced that nothing you say changes who I am or what I believe, and nothing I say should irk you if you are also strong in your belief. If you are searching, then, why would any comment irk you, wouldn't that be good for learning and hearing so you can decide what you want to believe? Why take anything placed before you as an insult? (This doesn't refer to things that a non christian says about Christians or Christianity, nor about when a Christian spouts what they think a non Christian believes.)

Can we step back away from the threads and LOOK at why we are feeling what we are feeling inside? Can we discern WHAT we are feeling? Is there another reason for not being able to talk like adults here? To me (yes, IMO) the turmoil some are facing means there are deeper issues here that may be making some feel very uncomfortable. If it's something that needs to be worked through, and it's time, then let us lend support. If it's triggers or such and you can't face them yet.. if ever, then realize this, and do self care. No one here wants anyone to hurt. No one.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Can we step back away from the threads and LOOK at why we are feeling what we are feeling inside? Can we discern WHAT we are feeling? Is there another reason for not being able to talk like adults here? To me (yes, IMO) the turmoil some are facing means there are deeper issues here that may be making some feel very uncomfortable. If it's something that needs to be worked through, and it's time, then let us lend support. If it's triggers or such and you can't face them yet.. if ever, then realize this, and do self care. No one here wants anyone to hurt. No one.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Thank you, Sky!! You said it ever so much better than I would have, had you not beat me to it!

This thread, nor the public forums as a whole, is the place to reflect personal upsets.

If you have an issue with another member, or their comments, PM them or place them on ignore. However, refrain from carrying upsets out on the public forums.

I'd like to see this thread (as well as any public thread or chat) to topic and apart from personal upset with another member.

KD

Sky I for one admre you for your faith and what you belive in, I have no problem with that and I certainly woyldn't DREAM of telling or asking you to change...I dont know where that came from... This is a forum for people with different beliefs, I am not an atheist, I am finding my way, I need support in doing this.....

I find many posts here interesting.....

I still stand by what I said about you quoting 'against' paganism....

Only because it would be insulting to a Pagan person.....

Please dont keep saying 'I will not change my belief', no body expects, wants or would dream of you doing this .... this - I just dont know where you are coming from....

All I know is I havebeen supported so far on me finding my path and praying etc, apart from when it comes to trying to understand Jesus and Christianity, here I always get negativity and insults (not from you).

I'm very confused......but I willnot let God go from my life now I found him ......

Jin x

Oh Jinnyann...

I can appreciate your searching, as I have done that most of my life. I always said I needed a big neon sign in my front hard to really confrim what I believe is right.

Now I believe, that what I believe is right for me at this time. I will leave the judging of others to whatever higher power is in their life.

Good luck on your journey and try not to ever feel inferior to anybody because of your beliefs, or lack of them.

Peace to you and all others!

((((danialla)))))

Thankyou so much, I am so confused actually. My family and I are having a discussion and my two kids both believe the same as me but I daren't post what that is on here......because I'm scared of being damned....

Jin so I still dont know whether I am Christian or not.....

it's hard to explain.....

(quick reply to all, not to any given person)

I hope that it was not a mistake for me to start this thread and invite this discussion. I noticed that some here had legitimate questions and were looking for answers, and I thought that it would be helpful for us all to understand each other and recognize the diversity that we have here. I feel bad that there are so many hard feelings and it sounds like so many are hurting.

This forum is not meant for debate, and nobody should be arguing about which side is right or wrong, or posting critically about another's beliefs or posts. There will be differences, and for this forum to work, we all have to accept that. I thought that we all understood that, but maybe I was mistaken.

Maybe any remaining questions should be taken to PM. I will add that anyone not wishing to discuss these things is welcome to say so (if asked, in PM preferably), or not reply to a PM, or use ignore, etc., as they choose.

I apologize once again for any misunderstandings, hurt, or hard feelings directly or indirectly related to my words or actions. I thought that we could all get along.

Love to All,
Rapunzel

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SeptemberMorn said:
Is Purgatory and Spirit Prison basically the same thing? Where is either term found in the Bible, if at all, or are they terms invented by men... such as "The Rapture"?

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

No the word Limbo or Purgatory are not words in the bible,some feel their meaning is though,I will have to see about spirt prison,maybe someone else knows.

Some great info on them IMO

www.catholicapologetics.org/ap090400.htm

www.biblia.com/jesusbible/job6c.htm

The second has allot of info on other words as well.

Rapunzel,I feel some of us just had a misunderstanding of each other,and that is just part of being human,I myself will try to do better.

I know my intelligence is limited, or that is the way I hve been made to feel....

I believe in God .... I try my best after never being raised with any religion whatsoever.

I have NEVER said I am pagan, was just standing up for Pagans in general....

My question is, I am searching a path, the path has een opened up by a warm light, I feel this light is God/spirit, after reading everything here, I really am enjoying praying, but not sure who to, does this just come to you automatically, will I know it's God? I believe Jesus was a person, a revolutionary in his time, but I dont believe some of the things written in the bible, I cant believe them, I believe in evolution.....

I know I feel spiritual, I'm just really confused, I would like replies without quotes from the bible please.....

I want to be able to post here without feeling intimidated, this is the first time in my life I have 'felt' something and it is comforting to me, but I want help trying to interpret these feelings without one sidedness.....

I am tired of being misquoted but I fail to give up because of a few who try to put me down....

Jin xxxx

Jinny

It's admirable that you took a stand for Pagans, even though you're not Pagan. It shows you care about all people - nothing sinister there.

I believe that "warm light" sensation you felt was a response from God to your honest and open prayer. I'm not sure if anyone can fully interpret your feelings because it's between you and God. My suggestion would be to take it slow, continue to pray with an open heart, and follow your heart. Allow God, not man, to show you the way.

I've never had to carry a label, perform any rituals or belong to any group of people in order to feel God's presence and guidance in my life. Maybe you're on a similar path.

thankyou so much Kathy, I hope you are right, I will follow my light and keep an open mind....

You are very kind and I thankyou for all your support....

Love Jin xxxxx

jinny,
I think someone may have miscomprehened something you said in another thread about pagans

along the line of, now you can't be a christian and a pagan,you can believe whatever you want to believe

And in my opinion you can.

You never actually said you were Pagan,and who really cares anyway, I think you were just makeing the point that you can call yourself whatever you like.

Thats how I took it .

Far as paganism go's I have been researching it and contrary to the popular sterotype they are really good people,I think that most christians have been so against (IMO)them from the popular holiday Halloween,but I have read allot of the way christians celebrate some holidays would also be considered paganism,according to the bible.

I will share my research into this after I have exhausted all the resources I can find on it.

Oh, btw I feel if you believe your a christian then you are a christian

Some things from the bible come to mind to me now though, I can't quote exactly from memory,or comprehend the meaning for others but I do like what they say,something to the effect

Let a man examine thy own self

Judge not lest ye be judged

Let people be judged on judgement day by the judge in my opinion, if thats what one believes

This is in no way a negative reflection on anyone, just my opinion on humans judging humans anywhere

Though I am comfortable being judged by others good or bad (I'm use to it here in the south it happens allot in my experiance) and give anyone permission to say what they like about me, if they are receptive to my opinion as well back

Eddie

Coral, may I bring up a point re your statement "if you believe your a christian then you are a christian".

People of the Jewish faith believe that Christ was a prophet, yet they don't accept him as THE Son of God; the Messiah. These people aren't "Christian" just because they believe He lived, right?

I'm an American citizen married to a Scotsman with a Scottish last name. It doesn't make ME a Scott, does it? Yet, I can legally call myself Mrs. I**** because I have a legally binding document that says I can since I made some commitments.

The Bible says that many will call "Lord! Lord!" but he won't know them because they haven't accepted him truly as their Lord.

IMO , you have to know the Man and accept him for Who He is before you can call yourself by His name. What do you think?

I said if "You" meaning her believes she is then "IMO" she is.

Its really not my place to say she is not as fact,but I feel she is,as a matter of opinion she has the human qualitys I'd expect out of my comprehension of how a christian should present themselfs,more than allot I have met in real life,that make a point of makeing sure everyone knows they consider their self a upstanding christian

There are what I have heard called Jews for Jesus,but thats off the top of my head and I would have to refresh on the concept before I elaborate.

as always IMO
I will let you know more on what I think,after I collect my thoughts so I don't just rambel.

I have done nothing but think about these issues. I stand by my own beliefs,,,,

I dont belive in the bible and all it preaches, some of it maybe, I believe in God, I believe in being kind as much as I can, I respect the religion/beliefs of others, I am following my own path, I believe there WAS a man by the name of JESUS and he was a revolutionary of his time, but not as people perceive him these days....this is only my opinion, and has been for a while....

If I'm not Christian because I dont praise him and spend my life quoting passages from the bible, going to church and generally giving my whole life up for him then so be it .... I stand by this and will still be glad to learn all I can about other faiths, beliefs, religions .....

I want to be as tolerant as possible, as kind as possible and I want to be able to listen to what others have to say regardless of whether it goes against my views or not.....

I am Kerry ,,, I am what and who I am and actually all this is making me stronger .... thankyou, I really would like to read the Koran and try to understand it, I've wanted to do this for a while now.....

God bless my friends, Kerry xxxxx

One of MY truths. We'll call it "my" truth to save arguments, I think.

So much has been said about God and people being turned off because the Bible says He is a "jealous" God or his "house rules" seem uncaring, unloving, etc.

I believe that the Triune God, the Godhead, is my Father/Mother. Any good parent has rules, manners, ethics, life skills, etc. that they teach their children. A good parent makes sure that his children learn while they are growing up. Most of us teach our children the Ten Commandments whether we call those laws by their name or not; don't steal, don't lie, *I* am your father/mother, not John or Jean down the street. You listen to ME. If the children break those rules, they suffer the consequences, right? They get a time out, they get toys, etc., taken away from them for a time. If this child completely rebels and does nothing that his parents want him to do; if they take drugs, steal, kill people, etc., they could easily wind up getting disowned. Right? It happens every day in human families. So if a human parent punishes their child this way, then so much more God Who is THE Perfect Parent! And because of this, His LOVE is perfect. He wants only the best for his children. Our journey in life is the same as any child's journey into adulthood. When our babies start learning how to crawl, how to walk, we have to let them take their spills, get their knees scratched and bruised when they fall... or they'll never learn to walk... then run... on their own. It hurts us to see this happen so we pick them up, dust them off and send them on their way. Our Heavenly Father is the exact same way with us.

Fortunately, there is only ONE grievance that God will not forgive His children and that is the grievance of the Holy Spirit. To me that is either a rejection of God/Son/Holy Spirit or making fun of one of the three.

EXAMPLE: There are kids that actually divorce themselves from their parents, good cause or not. Or they simply walk away from their family. In this instance, though, it is because of THEIR rebellion, not the fact that the parents were bad parents.

A simple explanation of the Triune God; He is Body, Spirit (energy), Soul (eternal)... just like WE are. We have the same attributes He has. He made us in HIS IMAGE. The only difference is that He is perfect, He is Almighty, without sin.



PS If you need an explanation, please ask. I know lots of times I don't make myself clear or put out the whole idea and it leaves people wondering what i just said. LOL

SOUNDS LIKE WERE HAVING RELIGIOUS DEBATES HERE...God and all being mentioned...? Just trying to conform to the rules because a few of my posts were yanked!!!

Ziggy,I beg to differ I feel we all are fine here at this point,shareing opinions is not debate as long as they are stated as opinion,in my opinion

september,you did touch on something I am very interested in,the blasphemy of the holy gost being the only unforgiveable sin,I know the example in the bible but would like you to give maybe a example not from the bible(makeing fun) I don't believe was what the example in the bible was(IMO),I have heard that Jesus made it possible that we are not able to actually do this in our time,but will dig that info up,since it has been a while since I saw it.

far as being reborn through Jesus go's

There is one, in another thread that described their belief in Jesus and how he can still tell his story to other religions and cultures different but with the same point and this person condemns no religion, a very appealing way to me to look at being "Reborn" but since they have not responded to this thread I don't want to drag them in,by droping their name.

as always ,every thing is just my opinion

DOUBLE STANDARD SORRY...RELIGION IS RELIGION....SORRY TRYIN NOT TO BE A PRICK ABOUT IT...