Alternative Spirituality

» pink101 - God and the Elephant

In response to God and the Elephant posted by spiritalk:
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"So why follow the same old text?"
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I don't believe there is a divine plan or, if there is one, I don't believe we have been let in it so that we know what it is.
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It seems like the writers have touched on most everything of concern for human beings. We are at a stage in our societal evolution when we are trying to find some new understandings of the "same old text" which might lead us to some new answers. That's a big part of what this age seems to be all about--rethinking the answers we've had in the past.
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We're doing that here, aren't we? Even the people who believe they have the answers are being forced to take new looks. The more we try to prove our points, the more we are exposed to their weaknesses.
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - Final thoughts (from me)

In response to So, umm, why do you think it is that we humans insist upon speak posted by Jolinda:

Answering Jolinda's question from my perspective as a Bible-believing Christian...

First, we didn't create God. God created us. Therefore, we are obligated to meet God and understand God on God's terms - not ours. Thus, what we WANT and/or are comfortable with is irrelevant to reality.

Second, I believe that the Jewish Scriptures of the Old Testament era and the authentic, verified apostolic literature of the New Testament era were divinely inspired in a unique and special way. And thus, this literature (particularly the New Testament for Christians) provides authoritative insight into God's identity. And, it is in this literature that you see repeated references to God in a male sense.

Third, as a Christian, I obviously believe in Jesus Christ as part of the Trinitarian God. And Jesus was...a man.

I lay this out, in response to Jolinda's question. Not trying to impose this on anyone.

I don't believe that the male references to God in the Scriptures or the male identity and nature of Jesus are ADDITIONS made by sexist church.

In the case of Jesus especially, his male identity is the reality. Jesus is real. He did walk on this earth, and he was a man. Those are historical facts, not a sexist conspiracy.

Again, though, I understand that most here do not respect the Bible as Holy Scripture or as God's Word. And I understand that I'm in the minority here as a Bible-believing Christian.

It was never my desire to offend anyone. I just enjoyed hanging out. If this answer offends someone, I apologize.

I will back out of this discussion now, and let others chime in. God bless.

» spiritalk - Intercessors

In response to Intercessors posted by hawknut:
I feel we have a covenant with the God of our own understanding. For some that means that intercessory beings aid their petition for others it is a direct link to God.

I work with spirit entities...I do not worship them, nor do I feel they have God's attention any more than I do. But it never hurts to ask them to sweep the way clean on the path I have chosen to walk!

I believe in aid from whatever source given. The more we believe, the more it works for us (that is called the placebo effect).

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» spiritalk - Spiritalk

In response to Spiritalk posted by BrianTubbs:
If I had been offended or felt disrespect, I would have disconnected immediately. I do not have to go where I am not wanted, any more than anyone else does.

I, too, enjoy learning from others. We can only do that when we respect what others think and add to it, our own thoughts.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» spiritalk - So, umm, why do you think it is that we humans insist upon speak

In response to So, umm, why do you think it is that we humans insist upon speak posted by Jolinda:
I always look to nature...after all we are human nature. It requires both genders to actually produce life...one to seed, the other to fertilize (as it were) This means in nature there is no ultimate and/or stronger or weaker source, only the combination of both.

Taken to diety...God the Father to means He is the fertilizer of the life that is in creation. We receive the genetics of our parents (consider hereditary diseases) at the same time we also need the breath of life (soul) from a higher source for our existence.

Has anyone gotten up in arms re: MOTHER nature? That is the seed that is fertilized.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» spiritalk - God and the Elephant

In response to God and the Elephant posted by pink101:
I see God as order more than chaos. In this may be the plan. With free will choice, we are all learning and growing through our own experiences and how we handle them from a spiritual perspective.

I visited Disney World in Florida and was impressed with the mezzanine floor in one of their major hotels. Going up through the many floors of the hotel was an elevator shaft and from this perspective could be seen a beautiful Mexican type motif with the colours of orange, brown, white, yellow...bright and cheery. And this was all produced with 1/4 inch ceramic tiles.

Imagine each of us is one of those tiles. It takes the whole to make the picture, and each is important in its own way (colour) to make it into the picture. Are we yellow, white, orange, brown or any other colour? We all fit!

Our life's experiences and how we handle them makes this tile what it becomes in God's mosaic. Being the best we can as this individual 1/4 inch tile is important to each of us.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» pink101 - The Shekina Glory

In response to God and the Elephant posted by spiritalk:
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One of my favorite books refers to the human as a "meaning making machine" as though that is our purpose here in life--to make meaning of it all.
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:)
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As far as God's gender is concerned, some biblical scholars point to the Shekina as being the female part of God that was left behind when [He] left after the creation. In fact, a certain sect of Jews created a special holiday build around the Shekina. The men would go outside their towns at dusk, build fires, and wait for the appearance of the Shekina. As I read about the rituals involved, I could not help seeing the sexual connotations with the men rolling around on the ground moaning and groaning for the Shekina to visit them.
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I think certain the males in Christian and Pagan sects thought about the Succubus is similar terms.
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Not to create a pun, but, is anyone here familiar with the Shekina.

-- posted by pink101

» Harsh Nevatia - The Shekina Glory

In response to The Shekina Glory posted by pink101:

I believe that God embraces both the male and the female principle - like yin and yang. in hinduism this is known as shiv and shakti. in order to recognise the equality of the both genders god is manifested as a male along with his female consort (or vice versa - like krishna and radha or vishnu and laxmi.

» pink101 - The Shekina Glory

In response to The Shekina Glory posted by hkyyin:
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A shiv is a dagger.
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Shekina is similar to shakti, is it not? I wonder if there's more to it than the sound.
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - The Shekina Glory

In response to The Shekina Glory posted by hkyyin:
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Here's the outline on the Shekina.
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God created all that is.
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After it was created, God left in a flurry of explosions, sparks and all kinds of energy (the Big Bang?) and after He had vamoosed out of creation, there were pieces of Him left behind the major part of which was Spirit. That which is left is the Shekinah Glory of God according to a sect of Judaism It is a female.
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On a certain day of the year, the men of this sect go into the country side and stay the night until after sunrise. They build fires and wait for the Shekinah to visit them. The roll in the ashes of their fires and throw dirt in the air as they tear off their clothing. So, they are naked crying and begging the Shekinah to come to them. They think they are made aware of this "Spirit of God" when they hear the rustling in the trees. It is an ecstatic experience for these Jewish men and they stay there in the country side until daylight dawns.
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I forget the name of the particular Jewish sect; but, it could be the Hasidam or a branch of the Hasids.
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Very curious but interesting doctrine.
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-- posted by pink101