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Your grandmother probably had thoughts with religion too!
Well, we have the ritual of expectant waiting and if we are moved to speak we may. If someone says something too controversial or talks too long they may be prodded by an older member to hurry to a conclusion. But the waiting in silence is somewhat ritualistic in that you listen to the creaking of the chairs letting us know we aren't alone, or the wind in the leaves outside telling us the passing of time, or the special rare times when we had a crackling fire.
All of this is suppose to lead to thoughts and when other people speak they may provide lessons or thought provoking things or ideas.
Based on that description, I would say your setting leads more toward philosophy and less toward ritual. But again, it's not either or. But notice...you're saying various people may speak...that alone is the opposite of ritual. I like that.
Your grandmother probably had thoughts with religion too!
Well, we have the ritual of expectant waiting and if we are moved to speak we may. If someone says something too controversial or talks too long they may be prodded by an older member to hurry to a conclusion. But the waiting in silence is somewhat ritualistic in that you listen to the creaking of the chairs letting us know we aren't alone, or the wind in the leaves outside telling us the passing of time, or the special rare times when we had a crackling fire.
All of this is suppose to lead to thoughts and when other people speak they may provide lessons or thought provoking things or ideas.
you are on your way.
If you can, remember, when you break free (and you are going to girl) do not hold any resentment towards anything but the people closest to you and yourself. People that had nothing to do with you are not responsible. at least not these days in the states. People make their own beds around here.
I would suggest no resentment, but if you have to have it, place it properly and heal.
So have we established the difference between Spirituality and Religion? anyone's mind changed or altered? anyone learn anything?
I like TMSRetired's post. It aligns with how I view things.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TMSRetired
To me..religion is an organization with rules and ritual that people at the top can change on a whim.
Spirituality is an individual belief system that can also change but only by you as your knowledge evolves.
For me, there is observation and then there is preference. Observation fits in better with spirituality and preference fits in better with religion.
When a person observes, they are trying to notice what is there and not what they want to be there. If there seems to be a system, a buildup of knowledge can begin if principles, rules, or laws are discovered on how it works or doesn't work. The system would work in the same way for the next person, but this is not what makes it spiritual. It is what makes it verifiable.
Preference is when a person makes up a principle, rule, or law to get what they want but there are other ways of living. That is religion.
Based on that description, I would say your setting leads more toward philosophy and less toward ritual. But again, it's not either or. But notice...you're saying various people may speak...that alone is the opposite of ritual. I like that.
There is nothing "wrong" with the Catholic church and they are obviously more successful than us Quakers. But here goes....
We Quakers generally speaking do not like the concept of having a "pope" (or other leader) that then tells a bunch of "priests" (or other leaders) what to tell the congregation masses what to think.
Why?
(1) No one can tell another how to experience God.
(2) Power structures reduce free will and free will is a gift from God.
(3) Power structures can lead to oppression of others.
(4) We all have important contributions that we can make with our own perspectives.
So, in a meeting house anyone can be moved to speak and free to speak. People are allowed to voice questioning thoughts of anyone speaking.
Obviously I guess our system isn't as good I suppose. As Catholicism is the largest denomination of Christianity and we are a smaller one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Arach Angle
you are on your way.
If you can, remember, when you break free (and you are going to girl) do not hold any resentment towards anything but the people closest to you and yourself. People that had nothing to do with you are not responsible. at least not these days in the states. People make their own beds around here.
I would suggest no resentment, but if you have to have it, place it properly and heal.
I am not that bright, I honestly have no clear idea what you are getting at. Who might I resent? Why might I resent them? What might I break free from?
I like TMSRetired's post. It aligns with how I view things.
For me, there is observation and then there is preference. Observation fits in better with spirituality and preference fits in better with religion.
When a person observes, they are trying to notice what is there and not what they want to be there. If there seems to be a system, a buildup of knowledge can begin if principles, rules, or laws are discovered on how it works or doesn't work. The system would work in the same way for the next person, but this is not what makes it spiritual. It is what makes it verifiable.
Preference is when a person makes up a principle, rule, or law to get what they want but there are other ways of living. That is religion.
To me, sometimes "preference" isn't a made up principle. Sometimes its a matter of logistics. "mass produced" spirituality if you will. Breaking down spirituality into useable parts.
Its just that sometimes the "spiritual plane", if you will, looks more like a bunch of parts that are flying in formation.
To me, sometimes "preference" isn't a made up principle. Sometimes its a matter of logistics. "mass produced" spirituality if you will. Breaking down spirituality into useable parts.
Its just that sometimes the "spiritual plane", if you will, looks more like a bunch of parts that are flying in formation.
I hope I didn't send the wrong message. Observation and preference are equally important in my book. What is the point of life if you can't live it the way you want?
I like TMSRetired's post. It aligns with how I view things.
For me, there is observation and then there is preference. Observation fits in better with spirituality and preference fits in better with religion.
When a person observes, they are trying to notice what is there and not what they want to be there. If there seems to be a system, a buildup of knowledge can begin if principles, rules, or laws are discovered on how it works or doesn't work. The system would work in the same way for the next person, but this is not what makes it spiritual. It is what makes it verifiable.
Preference is when a person makes up a principle, rule, or law to get what they want but there are other ways of living. That is religion.
We are told what's the fruit of the spirit and we are told what perfect religion is. Does it match?
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