Alternative Spirituality

» sacred_insights - Personally speaking.

In response to Personally speaking. posted by Migisi:
:) Well said my dear well said....

-- posted by sacred_insights

» pink101 - Brian and Cat

In response to Brian and Cat posted by sacred_insights:
I guess I have to give up on providing a definition for a Christian. The word has been hijacked by people I do not consider to be followers of Jesus. Instead, they strike me as religionists who have happily taken on the rules of Judaism claiming Jesus is merely their helper who keeps them from going to Hell.
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To me, the title of Christian is a mask people wear to impress others.
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I don't think Jesus would last long n today's churches.
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-- posted by pink101

» sacred_insights - Spiritualist a personal definition

In response to Brian and Cat posted by pink101:
Wow Phil I thought I was disgruntled with people in my faith! Spiritualism has a lot of phonies too. But at its best a Spiritualist is someone who believes in spirit communication, the continuity of life after the change called death, as proven through mediumship, as well as healing of mind, body and spirit through Spiritual Healing.

Spiritualists live The Seven Principles of Spiritualism:

1. The Fatherhood of God
2. The Brotherhood of Man
3. The Communion of Spirits and the Ministry of Angels
4. The Continuous Existence of the Human Soul
5. Personal Responsibility
6. Compensation and Retribution Hereafter for all the Good or Evil Deeds done on Earth
7. Eternal Progress Open to every Human Soul

Now American Spiritualists have a more defined set of 11 principles but basically these are the simplest version.

In my view Spiritualists are not specifically Christians (although there are some who would say they are Christian Spiritualists a term that confuses me).To me a Christian is one who follows exclusively the teachings of Christ.

Spiritualists do not believe in reincarnation. Those that do are called Spiritists and this movement is popular in South America. Because Spiritists are fewer in North America they tend to join in to Spiritualism as the closest to a Spiritist fellowship they can find. Most may not even know the difference between a Spiritualist and a Spiritist so the question of reincarnation is a hot bed and can cause confusion when discussing aspects of the afterlife. Regardless, Spiritualist and Spiritists believe basically the same things with the exception of the belief in reincarnation.

Adherents see Spiritualism as a religion, philosophy and science that is practiced on its own and does not need to be tied to other faiths such as Christianity. Although, many find Spiritualism can complement other faiths. Spiritualists enjoy a wide range of philosophical and spiritual thinkers' ideas. We do not limit ourselves to one way of thinking or following on spiritual path but try to understand a variety of ideas and see how these can be applied as we strive to live a Spiritual life. Spiritualism is a faith that is practiced and lived daily. It is not preached as some other faiths might do.

-- posted by sacred_insights

» pink101 - Spiritualist a personal definition

In response to Spiritualist a personal definition posted by sacred_insights:

:)
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Interesting how I learn things.
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You have just opened a channel of thought for me that gives me some insight into my thinking however evasive it might be.
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Christianity has been hijacked. I've said that before; but, just now, I see that in a deeper sense. It has been hijacked and turned into a career opportunity in which some people are accruing great wealth, eg., the big time evangelists. The Catholic Church, the policitians, publisers, all sorts of roles to be filled. Taking it all in a pragmatic sense, it is one big waste of time and energy.
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I could go on and on. But, why bother, the point has been made.
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-- posted by pink101

» spiritalk - Spiritualist a personal definition

In response to Spiritualist a personal definition posted by pink101:

Christianity has been hijacked. I've said that before; but, just now, I see that in a deeper sense. It has been hijacked and turned into a career opportunity in which some people are accruing great wealth, eg., the big time evangelists. The Catholic Church, the policitians, publisers, all sorts of roles to be filled. Taking it all in a pragmatic sense, it is one big waste of time and energy.

And may Spiritualists (professed) are also in that boat! With particular SOME PEOPLE ARE ACCRUING GREAT WEALTH! That is the New Age belief in Spiritualism...money can and will be made!

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» pink101 - Wonders

In response to Spiritualist a personal definition posted by spiritalk:
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"SOME PEOPLE ARE ACCRUING GREAT WEALTH!"
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Will wonders never cease?
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:)

-- posted by pink101

» sacred_insights - Spiritualist a personal definition

In response to Spiritualist a personal definition posted by spiritalk:
"SOME PEOPLE ARE ACCRUING GREAT WEALTH!"

Spiritualists have made their money out of it-usually in store front churches... I have seen several instances where the so-called ministers owned the church building, charged rent when the churches were about to fold and ran the boards... conflict on interest... I don't know but it is a bad combination.... and they gripe against the New Age?

At least New Age is honest about where the money is being made... and not trying to hide it under the guise of some supposed religious sense of duty....

Catherine

-- posted by sacred_insights

» spiritalk - Spiritualist a personal definition

In response to Spiritualist a personal definition posted by sacred_insights:

And then there are those who in the guise of spirituality open their homes and collect money to pay their rent. They manage to pay off large debt by not reporting income and various other unique and interesting money ideas.

God bless, J

-- posted by spiritalk

» sacred_insights - Wonders

In response to Wonders posted by pink101:
Yes wonders will never cease.... I guess some of us were supposed to continue to work for the churches for no pay so the ministers could have the cash while we were not making our own ends meet???

Well at some point something had to give... Living on disability pension, I started working for myself! In working for myself I am living above the poverty line for the first time in years... I don't see the ministers having to live off food bank donations or with a roommate in a below average apartment as they hit their late 30's! It was not for a lack of looking for work or effort and while I was not working who do you think benefited from my unpaid skills and never sad no to my free work for the church?

If some are going to ask me to feel guilty about looking out for myself first well I am not going to do that! My health and welfare comes first. If the churches are going to survive I suggest they follow the advice laid out in this report:

http://www.healingselfhatred.com/ca_repo...

The churches and their ministers need to stop sucking the life and the money out of the few honest believers they have left!

-- posted by sacred_insights

» sacred_insights - Spiritualist a personal definition

In response to Spiritualist a personal definition posted by spiritalk:
My dear J .... Are you claiming the church income taxes? Are you claiming the church rental income on your personal income taxes?

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black to me LOL You were all fine with the situation as long as you got a 20% cut from the readings? No you really wanted the readers to give it all to your church.

Things have changed since summer at the church as well do not make assumptions...

-- posted by sacred_insights