Alternative Spirituality

» spiritalk - What's Their Real Problem?

In response to What's Their Real Problem? posted by RichardSpeaks:

A god who sticks his supernatural finger into the natural mix of things is not to be trusted. And in fact, does not exist.

I was with you until this statement. Could you clarify?

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» pink101 - Not Conclusive

In response to What's Their Real Problem? posted by RichardSpeaks:
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Okay, I see what you're saying. A tendency to be less masculine and more feminine in appearance can be carried over to the idea that some behaviors are also bred into our genetic codes. And, in women, a tendency to be more masculine. Right, I can buy that.
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The ideas you have presented speak for a certain group of people; but, it doesn't explain the larger portion of homosexuals either male or female. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to appreciate how some women turn lesbian when sex is all about obtaining pleasure, do you? They had sex with men who had no interest in them other than being something on which they "got off" on to be blunt. If I were a woman, I wouldn't want to have some stinking gorp **** over me like that. So, I guess I can support lesbians.
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When it comes to being an exclusively gay male, I think it's too bad for them that they have missed the point of a sexual relationship between a caring man and a loving woman. It isn't about sexuality so much as it is about intimacy with another human being that has a completely different perspective on reality. A spirit is created when two people interact and the spirit of the male, female dyad is especially rewarding.
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There's more to sex than sexual pleasure. So much more so that the physical pleasure turns almost nonexistent.
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-- posted by pink101

» Migisi - Not Conclusive

In response to Not Conclusive posted by pink101:
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Is that like saying that some people are genetically predispositioned to affiliate with Episcopaleans rather than Catholics?
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Is there any data to affirm or deny the possibility? Ya never know... (wink)
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It isn't about sexuality so much as it is about intimacy with another human being that has a completely different perspective on reality.
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I suspect that there are people who seek life partners who share a similar perspective on reality - rather than a different one.
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spirit is created when two people interact and the spirit of the male, female dyad is especially rewarding.
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If one has never experienced that same 'spirit' between men, or between women, one couldn't know if that relationship was equally rewarding, right?
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-- posted by Migisi

» spiritalk - Not Conclusive

In response to Not Conclusive posted by pink101:

The idea that there is a 'spirit' between a man and woman is creating an energy that does not actually exist. The bond is one that exists in chemistry, then enhanced over time with mutual interests and pursuits.

There is definitely NOT a separate spirit (entity, energy) called marriage.

i.e. suppose a couple is having some difficulties in their relationship and decide to try councelling for help. In all the discussions one of the partners keeps referring to the marriage like a separate and unique entity, while not being commited to the partner.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» RichardSpeaks - Not Conclusive

In response to Not Conclusive posted by pink101:
Having been a Pentecostal, I know what it's like to be a Pentecostal. Being male, I know what it's like to be male. Being white, I know what it's like to be white. Being born an American, I know what that means. But even with all that, I don't really know what it means for any other human being to be Pentecostal, male, white, or American. They can tell me, we can discuss. But I am not having their experience. For me to say I know exactly what it means to be Pentecostal, white, male and American for all who happen to fall into those categories is to deceive myself. Now, if I don't and can't know exactly what it means for others to be like I am, then how can I possibly know what it means to be black, female, born Catholic, or an immigrant? I have been an immigrant: I lived in Canada for a few years (legally); I have attended Mass, I have dressed in female clothes for effect (costumes and such) but I still have no clue what it means to be black, female, Catholic or an illegal immigrant. I can judge, cast aspersions, demand, even condemn, but I cannot know what it means to be anything or anyone but myself. And even that has taken many years to learn. The journey isn't over yet.

To say an entire group of people is wrong about themselves and their place in culture is naive at best. If you're not gay, your opinion is not based on firsthand knowledge, even if you're pro-gay.

As far as a "spirit" being created between two people, you are correct. And a similar spirit is created between a person and her pet, a person and his mother, a person and her shrink, a person and his car. Get it?

One last thing: you may be a bit uninformed as to what contitutes intimacy for men as opposed to women. It is not the same.

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

» RichardSpeaks - What's Their Real Problem?

In response to What's Their Real Problem? posted by spiritalk:
Virtually everyone that has ever heard me say that has responded in a similar way.

It means this: we have a small idea of the Creator of the Universe. Mostly, the god we as Westerners believe in is based on ancient tribal legend and scripture. They saw god in the weather, the elements, the plants, animals, and such. And indeed, the Creator inhabits all of that. But the ancients saw each act of Nature as either a benevolent or detrimental act of god or demons or angels or dead saints. Superstition, right? Well, most of us still see that kind of god. We may have elevated him/her out of Nature to a place in the sky, but nonetheless, he is still tribal.

The true creator/Creator sets the universe in motion, with all of its natural laws operating in a orderly/chaotic/orderly manner. Those laws determine the entire progress of the universe. Nothing from the so-called Outside enters into the universe to redirect any natural law. To do so violates everything. But when you begin to understand that the Natural Law is so far beyond our present knowledge, you realize that the Natural Law needs no outside interference. As St. Augustine said, in effect, there is nothing supernatural; only the natural we do not yet understand.

Am I an atheist? Hardly. But I know that the Creator, if I can use that word (all words are first made up), not only does not break its own law, but is in fact the very energy that is the universe itself. To break its own natural law is to violate itself. If Jesus actually walked on water, he was in line with some natural principle we don't yet understand.

In other words, the Natural Order of Things is the Spiritual Order of Things. They are not separate.

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

» pink101 - Not Conclusive

In response to Not Conclusive posted by RichardSpeaks:
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I don't know what it's like. You are correct.
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I have heard that it has something to do with dominant and submissive. But, I do not know.
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But, to be a homosexual is similar, in a way, to being a heterosexual--it deals with sexuality. As far as having certain rights as a heterosexual, I wonder what they might be. Is it written someplace that heterosexuals have rights relative to their sexuality?
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-- posted by pink101

» Brian Tubbs - What do you think of this?

Hey everyone,

Here's an interesting situation where religion collided with "tolerance." If you're interested, click on the link and check out the news article. Let me know what you think.

http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/...

» pink101 - What do you think of this?

In response to What do you think of this? posted by BrianTubbs:
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My first question would be, "On what authority does MSU base its right to sanction this student?".
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Did this student originally sign her right to have such an opinion away through some process of licensure?
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That question has to be answered before we can truly investigate the situation.
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These ideas and rules of "ethics" seem--pretty much--to amount to political correct behavior mechanisms with a fancy name.
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I've been reading the statements of persons who are running for university boards and I see some of them are calling for sensitivity training and special treatment for minority groups. As you might recall, the University of Michigan was the focus of attention of minority rights recently with their policy regarding admisions.
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-- posted by pink101

» spiritalk - What's Their Real Problem?

In response to What's Their Real Problem? posted by RichardSpeaks:

This statement and the one to Pink re: our own observations and perceptions has my agreement all the way. Thank you for the clarification.

I don't actually believe there is anything supernatural...supernormal maybe...natural law indeed! Being observant of life and living, we can unfold more of these natural laws as we observe them, if we so choose.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk