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Response to this post by Anastasia.
What I see in the painting is not that all religions are flowers on the same tree, but rather that that's what the artist believes to be the case. That doesn't necessarily mean the artist is right, though, now does it? A lot of religions teach the idea that each person has their own path, and that many paths will lead to "Enlightenment" or "Heaven" or wherever the ultimate goal of life is. As the commentor Christian stated earlier, Christianity doesn't teach this and, like Islam and Judaism, teaches that to be part of another religious belief will mean that you are lost, because you are in essence rebelling against God. (Though Islam is a works-based religion, I believe, while the other two are faith-based... or are supposed to be....)
No, Christ didn't himself start the religion of Christianity, nor did He write the Bible, although He did inspire the men who did. The teachings of Christianity are, however, the teachings of Christ. Unfortunately, many Christians put their own spin on those teachings, thus all the different denominations. It's a terrible thing -- I had a friend in one of my old schools who abandoned Christianity because she saw how all the denominations couldn't agree, so how could any of them be right? Now she's an atheist, if I'm not mistaken.
So, if that's the result of just one religion being divided (not to mention the number of so-called "religious" wars that have been waged), then how can it be said that they are all flowers of the same tree, or that all rivers lead to the ocean? *shakes head* That's not an ocean I want to swim in, personally.
On a side note: The painting, while portraying a concept I obviously do not agree with, is very beautiful and well-done. The artist may have different beliefs than I do, but he is still very talented, that much is certain.
Feeling: thoughtful
axinia (guest)
this is exactly the point! - what everybody discusses or believes are only concepts, concepts and concepts...
Being a spiritual person means one has found the Spirit, the own Self.
If you have it - then no concept exist for you, only your true experience. You can find about my ones at my latest post:
<a href="http://1000petals.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/i-do-not-believe-in-god">shortened link</a> [1000petals.wordpress.com]
Goldmare
I'm just saying so mostly for the sake of anyone else reading these comments: I did indeed reply. :)
axinia (guest)
Basically at the very core of each belife lays one message - the way to God. the paths are different but they lead to one and the same destination, dont they?
Therefore it does not matter what to follow, important it to be a spiritual person.
I, for example, know pretty well all the religion, but I not only respect, accept, but i follow the main principals of all of them!!
And it works :)
Goldmare
Here's the problem, though: they don't all lead to the same destination, as different religions have different concepts of what and who "God" is, and some religions teach that all other faiths will ultimately lead to Hell/eternal death, rather than to Heaven.
Also, it is impossible to follow even the core principles of all religions at once, because they conflict with each other. For instance, some religions teach righteousness by works, whereas others teach righteousness by faith.
Could you explain to me how it's working for you? I don't really understand... it's one thing to be spiritual, but do you pray? If so, to whom? If not, why not? Prayer and/or meditation is a fundamental part of many faiths, after all, but you can hardly pray to all dieties at once, so your "follow all paths at once" concept puzzles me a bit.
Wow, I'm long-winded. Especially considering how little sleep I've had (ie none). Really quite remarkable... *detaches herself from the computer* @_@
Goldmare
Let's just try looking at this whole situation from a third-person perspective. Judging by your comments, you believe that something/someone created us. Disregarding any concepts of who that is and what that being is like, let's make some basic assumptions: This being exists, created us, and at least watches what we do, whether he/she cares about us or not. I will also assume you believe in some sort of afterlife, or else living spiritually would be meaningless.
So, does this creator of our world change for every person? Does it become male for some, female for others, and gender-neutral for still more? Does it cause those who believe in reincarnation to go through said process, while those who believe in going straight to heaven or hell when they die to do just that? Is our creator really that fickle? Or would a being who is obviously greater than us at the very least have a discinct set of rules to abide by, and a firm plan (ie either everyone gets reincarnated or everyone goes straight to heaven/hell, period).
If the latter is the case (which is what I would hope, as it's the most fair), then that means there is only one absolute truth, and that all others are lies mixed with truth to lead lost souls down the wrong path.
eternalvalues (guest)
You have raised so many issues and questions just in one, oh, soory, two comments... I will write a post today a bit later trying to depict my vision of the answers that are possible to give to your questions.
Right now I just wanted to say that your last sentence "...that means there is only one absolute truth, and that all others are lies mixed with truth to lead lost souls down the wrong path" is true except for its very end. Not to lead down the wrong path but to give them an opportunity to think why they are here, on this Earth, for what, what they have to look for...
And, if they really seek, if they "struggle" to find the truth, then they gradually come to know that, as Axinia has mentioned in her post and comments, the truth is within! A part of God is in each of us and each of us is meant to know Him or, in other words, his/her true Self.
And to illustrate my idea and also to answer your questions whether God is she or he or somebody else I suggest you to read this very wise and innocent story
<a href="http://littleganeshas.wordpress.com/2007/05/29/lunch-with-god" rel="nofollow">http://littleganeshas.wordpress.com/2007/05/29/lunch-with-god</a>
Goldmare
In response to this comment here, that is a matter of personal belief and opinion. I personally do believe that all religions, faiths, and beliefs that are not absolutely true are created by Satan in order to deceive and mislead people, to keep them away from the truth.
One wise minister put it this way: A half-truth is a whole lie. All religions have some elements of truth to them, even devil-worship, but they still contain false teachings as well (some more than others), even those that were originally founded on completely true principles, sadly.
Also, I was asking the question regarding God's gender in a philosophical manner, to make a point. I will read the story you've posted (eventually), but I already have firm beliefs on this matter as well, which is that God is genderless (as are the angels). After all, the only purpose to different genders is reproduction, and neither God nor the angels require this, thus nullifying any necessity for them. :) Very simple, really.
Again, looking forward to your next post! ^_^ I'm off for now... it's time for supper.
toiyoi (guest)
Next: so how do you ever know for sure which "teachings" are right? What is the fool-proof method. A says A' is the true belied, B says B' is the truth. How can C know the truth?
eternalvalues (guest)
<a href="http://eternalvalues.wordpress.com/2007/06/14/are-religions-flowers-on-the-same-tree/">shortened link</a> [eternalvalues.wordpress.com]
By the way, may I ask you something? Why can't you sleep well?
Goldmare
*goes to read post*