any feedback would be greatly appreciatedWhat religions do meditations, try to be one with nature, and focus on living in the present?
You don't need a religion to specifically do that. There are people without organized religious affiliation (and even atheists) who do the same thing.
Meditation is simply learning to live in the moment, when nothing distracts you and when you are not tied to the past or anxious about the future. In meditation you become peacefully aware of your real self. The more you use it, the more aware you become. When you learn to live life for each moment, to enjoy and appreciate life to the fullest at that moment, you suddenly become impervious to the myraid of doubts and fears that you've lived with all your life.
While there are many folks that seem to believe their particular mantra has ';magical power';, it really is the mindfulness that matters. The mantra is just one of the vehicles you can use to get there.
I developed a simple nonsectarian practice, but my background is in Buddhism - specifically Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin) Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism, and the nonsectarian teachings of the Bright Dawn Institute (aka Kubose Dharma Legacy).
Here is the simple, yet potent, meditation technique that I use with some recommended resources as well. Specific posture does not matter. If you are uncomfortable sitting on the floor, you can sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.
Since I have medical issues, I do a simple form of secular mindfulness meditation to relieve stress and anxiety. This helps to reduce high blood pressure and the frequency of headaches. It is a practice recommended by my primary licensed physician and is not encumbered by any superstitious nonsense.
I have actually studied a wide variety of religions and paths. Being more musically inclined, I was initially attracted to the practices of Jodo Shinshu (aka Shin Buddhism) and Nichiren Buddhism - with the combination of chanting a rhythmic phrase (Nembutsu or Odaimoku) and/or sutra recitation to a visual object (a scroll of Amida or a Gohonzon). This is a more active form of meditation as compared to the silent form (see below for that). So I decided to create a nonsectarian alternative in that vein. One practice that I find helpful in the vein of the Way of Oneness (the realization of interdependence) is to chant “Be One, Be Peace” in a position of gassho (palms together in front of chest with fingers pointing upward - a traditional gesture of respect) to an object such as a Dharma Wheel or a drawing of enso (a circle) as used in Zen. Five minutes of this every morning before work does wonders for my blood pressure and stress level.
You are more than welcome to use the chant if you think you may find it possibly useful.
I use two forms: “Be One. Be Peace.” for those who prefer a four syllable “mantra” like “Namandabu.” Or “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.” for those who prefer the pace of a six syllable “mantra” like “Nam(u) Myo-ho Ren-Ge Kyo” or “Na-Mu A-Mi-da Butsu.” People who like (or are drawn) to chant are attracted to the rhythm.
For me, the purpose of any practice is to encourage self-reflection, internalizing this awareness , and wonder/gratitude/awareness of the interdependent forces of the Universe (Dharmakaya - in Shin this is symbolized as Amida Buddha which allows practitioners to perceive these forces as “compassionate” and “caring” thus allowing us to relate to them easier, or as the Gohonzon in Nichiren Buddhism which is a calligraphic representation of the “Ceremony in the Air” from the Lotus Sutra which is also a representation of the interdependent forces of the Universe).
There are a couple of simple techniques for silent meditation as well. You do not have to sit on the floor. You can sit with erect back on a chair. Many people say try for 15 minutes twice a day. I say start with a simpler goal - 5 minutes twice per day. The benefits include stress management and relaxation benefits which help the body, increased mindfulness and focus, and increased energy. The mindfulness can be a benefit to your spiritual life, but meditation also has ';non-spiritual'; benefits. Here are two easy techniques:
Breathing meditation - 1) Check posture. 2) Close your eyes and relax. 3) Focus on your breath entering and leaving your body. 4) Count breaths mentally one to four. Repeat. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.
';Mantra'; technique (choose a personal ';calm'; word or phrase that you will repeat in your meditation - it can be from your religion or something as simple as ';one'; or ';calm'; – I use the nonsectarian “Be One. Be Peace” or “Be One. Be Love. Be Peace.”) - 1) and 2) as above in the Breathing meditation. 3) Listen to your breathing and let it relax you with each breath. 4) Once you are relaxed, mentally ';hear'; your ';calm'; word or phrase in your mind. Let it repeat in your mind. 5) Don't fight a wandering mind, but calmly direct it back to task. 6) Sit for a minute afterwards.
That is all there is to these very simple but beneficial meditation techniques. Many people think that something ';mystical'; should happen during meditation. Most often ';nothing'; happens and ';nothing'; should be expected.
Oh yes, and it didn't cost me anything to learn nor were there any ';initiations'; involved.
Some good resources on ';secular'; meditation are ';The Calm Technique'; by Paul Wilson as well as ';The Relaxation Response'; by Herbert Benson. If you need more formal ';assistance'; or ';training'; then I would look into Natural Stress Relief which was founded by former Transcendental Meditation instructors upset at the rising cost and ongoing superstition associated with TM. They charge $47 for their training compared with the $2,500 that TM would charge you.
http://www.naturalstressreliefusa.org/
Also look at these websites on Buddhism on the nonsectarian Bright Dawn teachings which have a heritage of Shin and Zen Buddhism:
http://www.brightdawn.org/
http://www.heartlandsangha.orgWhat religions do meditations, try to be one with nature, and focus on living in the present?
Wicca- demon worship.
Navajo Indians for one, other tribes too, they believe you take care of nature and your surroundings you take care of yourself, destroy this and you destroy yourself....hummm looks like a whole bunch of society's haven't figured this out yet...
Buddhism, Taoism, spiritualism(native)
If you go back and see what the true Native American way was, it was to love mother earth and respect her and all living things. Only take what is needed from her and thank her for it.
And give back something in the thanks.
You could make up your own. Or Zen Buddhism would be the way to go, and avoid all of the god nonsense.
Original Christianity which exists today not so much as a religion though. Buddhism is similar. Where God had a fragment of evil, it was NOT Him...so His Son had with his religion or Teachings-the spawnings of 'Christianity'; all are not His. The Son is Heart, so, supposed to be. love. I can only WISH recipients here have love present thereof; the religion was add-ons to bear the connections with Father(s). To be wise with love, and share it. Handle the resistors, whatever. The Earth reality 'knew' Jesus as it was His Mother; what a nice Oneness with Nature that IS...
And Mothers' views with such question need to be re-respected, as if the Apostles didn't fully let Her have a book in the Bible, k?
Inner Awareness is normal,...and sometimes takes extra time or effort, so: meditation. Modern terms of this include 'Running Energy', making sure we find not only Father within and this heaven, but Mother and hers.
As I notice someone mentioning Native Indians here, o yes! these be love too and wean much respect in their Ways' developments; certainly good Family to Heart.
Thanks,
Scott
Jainism or HInduism (If theistic)
Buddhism (if atheistic)
Most eastern religions fit your category.
Meditation is practiced by the monastics of most religions (including Christian).
~ Eric Putkonen
Paganism
The Hindu philosophy part that deals with non-dualism (The individual soul is not separate from the Universal Soul) prescribes this.
what you desire is best discovered through your own perspective and understanding..look within yourself and discover yourself and through understanding yourself you will grow within...my only suggestion look into [ramtha]
Thursday, December 3, 2009
New Yorkers!Wondering if anyone of you like to live in nature's beautiful places?
New Yorkers!Wondering if anyone of you like to live in nature's beautiful places?New Yorkers!Wondering if anyone of you like to live in nature's beautiful places?
Born and raised in New York.Have a home in the mountains also.It's wonderful to leave that hussell and bussel.New Yorkers!Wondering if anyone of you like to live in nature's beautiful places?
One of the best things about living in NYC is that we are so close to many of nature's beautiful places!
It is just a short car/train ride to the beaches of New Jersey or Long Island, up to the Catskill or Adirondak mountains, west to the Pennsylvania countryside...etc.
A little farther and there is Cape Cod, skiing in Vermont, camping around the Delaware Water Gap.
It's like having the best of both worlds!
Sure. I've visited most U.S. National Parks in my childhood, and I love to visit the Austrian Alps.
Born and raised in New York.Have a home in the mountains also.It's wonderful to leave that hussell and bussel.New Yorkers!Wondering if anyone of you like to live in nature's beautiful places?
One of the best things about living in NYC is that we are so close to many of nature's beautiful places!
It is just a short car/train ride to the beaches of New Jersey or Long Island, up to the Catskill or Adirondak mountains, west to the Pennsylvania countryside...etc.
A little farther and there is Cape Cod, skiing in Vermont, camping around the Delaware Water Gap.
It's like having the best of both worlds!
Sure. I've visited most U.S. National Parks in my childhood, and I love to visit the Austrian Alps.
Is love nature's way of giving or is it man's way of living?
it's fairly difficult to argue against love being a many-splendored thing. as the song goes, it's the april rose that only grows in the early spring. it is nature's way of giving and a reason to be living. it's that golden crown that makes a man a king. enough said.Is love nature's way of giving or is it man's way of living?
thanks, nancy Report Abuse
Is love nature's way of giving or is it man's way of living?
Love is natures way of giving.
it's nature's way of giving....
love makes living and the giving easy
It is love nature's way of giving.
Love is God's way of giving
Love is a many splendored thing so it's really all that.....and then some.
i think its man's way of living...
a purpose to keep on going...coolest myspace
thanks, nancy Report Abuse
Is love nature's way of giving or is it man's way of living?
Love is natures way of giving.
it's nature's way of giving....
love makes living and the giving easy
It is love nature's way of giving.
Love is God's way of giving
Love is a many splendored thing so it's really all that.....and then some.
i think its man's way of living...
a purpose to keep on going...
Is it human nature to live our lives married to one person?
Will it work if we surpress our own natural instincts to fit in with a general perception.Is it human nature to live our lives married to one person?
Not sure being married is human nature...Mate for life? Maybe for women. For men, I think is actually un natural. Its that thing between our legs that gets us in trouble...Is it human nature to live our lives married to one person?
Actually it is not. It is however, socially expected.
Human nature would be to switch mates as we age and change.
However, raising children complicates that. It is best for two adults to raise children, even if it is two men or two woman.
Our current arrangement in society for family and marriage is not to follow human nature it is to have a stable civilized society. Everyone changing mates would bring a lot of highly disruptive. We should have to rethink how we view our society.
I've read some interesting studies suggesting that people naturally tend to bond for approximately four years. The theory is that this allowed the woman to bear and raise a child until it was able to walk and forage while the father was around to help provide, then pair up with another mate to further diversify the gene pool. So the ';seven year itch'; is really a four year itch.
Thats something you would have to research ; You would have to ask God about it .The bible says its better to marry than to burn.
Human nature is a bottomless pit, and philosophers, scientists, psychologists have still, and never will, give one satisfactory answer. It’s like asking, “What is life?”
As far as how some practices became traditions, then they are mostly all different branches coming off the same tree. During the Neanderthal days, when humans were just hunter-gatherers, obviously there were no concepts laid out for an individual on how to react %26amp; behave. The sole purpose of living was to cater to the call of the body – carnal, hunger, sleep, etc..
It is said by anthropologists that marriage was one concept which emerged when humans began settling down, started farming, building clans, societies, kingdoms, and eventually countries.
The beginnings of marriage were initially probably just to occupy territories, obtain land, get money (cash or kind), and procreation was just a result of that union. Procreation was not considered important then, but automatic, hence the reason why there were many marriage partners, and many marriages. This was thousands of yrs ago.
Slowly this need confined itself to fewer partners….and so we have come to this day. There are still many societies and cultures that are polygamous, so again marriages are interpreted differently in different religions %26amp; societies, but with the same underlying thought of providing carnal relief, companionship, and procreation.
Yes, human beings have animalistic tendencies and all married or monogamous couples feel the urge to stray sometimes (or shall I say all the time), but some practices have been put in place simply to make a place habitable and civilized, and humans are the only blessed ‘animals’ who have the ability to contain emotions and actions all by themselves. Or else if there were no guidelines we’ll end up killing and roasting each other if we can’t find a good steak in the vicinity.
I agree with tbteddy6 in that that bringing children complicates things, because u need to raise them in a way where they r able to make good judgments when they r older, and not just follow the norm that was laid out by them by promiscuous parents. Giving a well-rounded upbringing is difficult even when following traditions to the T.
It is fine if you want to be promiscuous in following your instincts, and u should lead ur life by what suits u best. But then, if u choose to be promiscuous physically, then u also choose to have multiple “emotional” partners, and that is where the catch is. For as much as humans crave sex, they also crave the need to love and be loved, and then this becomes contradictory. Yet, if u choose to make home with one, and still have a little swing now and then, with ur partner being aware %26amp; fine with it (and u with her), then who has the right to raise any question? It may not be that I, or anyone else in the forum may agree, but then again, we r not leading ur life, so we shouldn’t have any say, and nor should it matter to u.
Only u know best why %26amp; what’s going on within u. :) Good luck!
Not sure being married is human nature...Mate for life? Maybe for women. For men, I think is actually un natural. Its that thing between our legs that gets us in trouble...Is it human nature to live our lives married to one person?
Actually it is not. It is however, socially expected.
Human nature would be to switch mates as we age and change.
However, raising children complicates that. It is best for two adults to raise children, even if it is two men or two woman.
Our current arrangement in society for family and marriage is not to follow human nature it is to have a stable civilized society. Everyone changing mates would bring a lot of highly disruptive. We should have to rethink how we view our society.
I've read some interesting studies suggesting that people naturally tend to bond for approximately four years. The theory is that this allowed the woman to bear and raise a child until it was able to walk and forage while the father was around to help provide, then pair up with another mate to further diversify the gene pool. So the ';seven year itch'; is really a four year itch.
Thats something you would have to research ; You would have to ask God about it .The bible says its better to marry than to burn.
Human nature is a bottomless pit, and philosophers, scientists, psychologists have still, and never will, give one satisfactory answer. It’s like asking, “What is life?”
As far as how some practices became traditions, then they are mostly all different branches coming off the same tree. During the Neanderthal days, when humans were just hunter-gatherers, obviously there were no concepts laid out for an individual on how to react %26amp; behave. The sole purpose of living was to cater to the call of the body – carnal, hunger, sleep, etc..
It is said by anthropologists that marriage was one concept which emerged when humans began settling down, started farming, building clans, societies, kingdoms, and eventually countries.
The beginnings of marriage were initially probably just to occupy territories, obtain land, get money (cash or kind), and procreation was just a result of that union. Procreation was not considered important then, but automatic, hence the reason why there were many marriage partners, and many marriages. This was thousands of yrs ago.
Slowly this need confined itself to fewer partners….and so we have come to this day. There are still many societies and cultures that are polygamous, so again marriages are interpreted differently in different religions %26amp; societies, but with the same underlying thought of providing carnal relief, companionship, and procreation.
Yes, human beings have animalistic tendencies and all married or monogamous couples feel the urge to stray sometimes (or shall I say all the time), but some practices have been put in place simply to make a place habitable and civilized, and humans are the only blessed ‘animals’ who have the ability to contain emotions and actions all by themselves. Or else if there were no guidelines we’ll end up killing and roasting each other if we can’t find a good steak in the vicinity.
I agree with tbteddy6 in that that bringing children complicates things, because u need to raise them in a way where they r able to make good judgments when they r older, and not just follow the norm that was laid out by them by promiscuous parents. Giving a well-rounded upbringing is difficult even when following traditions to the T.
It is fine if you want to be promiscuous in following your instincts, and u should lead ur life by what suits u best. But then, if u choose to be promiscuous physically, then u also choose to have multiple “emotional” partners, and that is where the catch is. For as much as humans crave sex, they also crave the need to love and be loved, and then this becomes contradictory. Yet, if u choose to make home with one, and still have a little swing now and then, with ur partner being aware %26amp; fine with it (and u with her), then who has the right to raise any question? It may not be that I, or anyone else in the forum may agree, but then again, we r not leading ur life, so we shouldn’t have any say, and nor should it matter to u.
Only u know best why %26amp; what’s going on within u. :) Good luck!
Question for nature-interested people who live in southern California ?
I know not many people pay attention to crickets singing at night, I mean those insects!
But I think its nice and soothing listening to the chirping in a quiet summernight.
Unfortunately I live where there are no crickets. Too cold, even in summer!
But my question is:
Do crickets also sing in winter in southern California? Because I read that crickets die of after the first frost, but there is almost no frost in LA or San Diego or so?Question for nature-interested people who live in southern California ?
Its not unusual for us to get a 90 degree day in December, so, yes crickets can sing here in winter.
We recently had an invasion of a new cricket, the Indian house cricket, that can be found almost everywhere now. It seems to breed year-round and is our common cricket heard singing.
But I think its nice and soothing listening to the chirping in a quiet summernight.
Unfortunately I live where there are no crickets. Too cold, even in summer!
But my question is:
Do crickets also sing in winter in southern California? Because I read that crickets die of after the first frost, but there is almost no frost in LA or San Diego or so?Question for nature-interested people who live in southern California ?
Its not unusual for us to get a 90 degree day in December, so, yes crickets can sing here in winter.
We recently had an invasion of a new cricket, the Indian house cricket, that can be found almost everywhere now. It seems to breed year-round and is our common cricket heard singing.
If I have a sinful nature as theologians teach, how can God condemn me if I live according to my nature?
How can He punish me for living according to the way I was made?If I have a sinful nature as theologians teach, how can God condemn me if I live according to my nature?
Because He has given you the ability to reason and provided the sacrifice of His perfect Son, to pay the debt for your sin. If you don't accept that free gift, that's where His condemnation comes in.
It's all about choices, dear man.
HarmonyIf I have a sinful nature as theologians teach, how can God condemn me if I live according to my nature?
Because the sinful nature was not created by God, but rather was introduced into mankind afterwards by the Original Sin.
Plus, God punishes no one. All He does is offer you the opportunity to be with Him in Heaven, which you may choose to accept or to reject. You have total control to either live according to His edicts, or to reject that and choose to go to Hell instead by following edicts other than His.
I really can't answer that question, but I often ask a similar question which I find more intriguing:
Why would a just God condemn anyone to an eternity of Hell for a lifetime of sin? It just doesn't seem fair or proportional does it?
Here is my belief/answer: God judges according to your heart, not your ';nature'; or your sins.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind.
';Finally, though I have had to speak at some length about sex, I want to make it as clear as I possibly can that the centre of Christian morality is not here...The sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all sins. All the worst pleasures are purely spiritual: the pleasure of putting other people in the worng, of bossing and patronizsing and spoiling sport, and back-biting; the pleasures of power, of hatred. For there are two things inside me, competing with the human self which I must try to become. They are the Animal self and the Diabolical self. The Diabolical self is the worse of the two. That is why a cold, self-righteious prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute. But, of course, it is better to be neither.';
C.S. Lewis
Don't beat around the bush. If you are gay-just say it. Well, if you are referring to your homosexuality, then God will not condemn you for it. Homosexuality is a sin like many which are written in the bible. God forgives sins. It doesn't matter if you are born with it or not. Humans are born with the capability to sin.
Have you actually studied the Bible? While your answer is impeccably worded, and shows that [at least on the surface] you are somewhat well educated, your question is sorely lacking in the ';facts'; that these theologians hold true.
God did not make man to be imperfect -- in fact, quite the opposite. According to the Bible, he was made in his image, without a flaw - it was man's choice to give in to temptation that forever changed the path that all of us walk today.
Here's a question for you -- if living ';according to nature'; is your excuse to not be judged, are you then saying that IF God did create us, He should have done so without giving us the right to make our own choices and decisions? That it would be better for us to be nothing more than robots, walking around, never even BREATHING the wrong way?
Do your research before you make claims about an age old religion and their beliefs. There is nothing at all wrong with debate, but an intelligent one must be based upon more than a petty argument.
You sound confused but you know the truth. God didnt condemn anyone. Rather that person condemns themselves when they deny the gift of life from God. We died through Adam but we live through Christ. So all you have to do is accept that Christ died for you and rose again and you will be saved. Those who stand condemned are those who reject the gospel of Christ. So lets do some math.
Salvation=accepting Christ as your personal savior which is believing that he was the Son of God who came, died, and rose for our sins on the third day.
Condemnation=not accepting Christ as your personal savior. Thats almost kindegarden there.
In Christian teachings, you are not condemned for living a sinful life, since we are all sinners. So long as you accept Christ as your lord and savior, who died for your sins, all is forgiven.
It's like the coolest religion EVER. Do whatever you want, say your sorry, and its like it never happened!
I assume you are asking in a Christian context.
I just had a conversation with an amateur religious scholar on this very topic. My question had to do with someone who had brain damage that had fits of rage and 'evil' behavior.
He said that the Bible makes it clear that going to heaven is not necessarily dependent on actions, and that anyone can enter Heaven through God's grace. He said God was like the President, and he could offer a 'pardon' to anyone. He said that this loophole covers things like people born before Jesus, people who die without knowing of Jesus' existence, etc.
I also find it interesting that Christians believe in a 3-O God (omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent). However, a 3-O God precludes free will ... the God would have to know in advance how someone will behave. Combine that with the fact that the person was created by God and you have the delima of a God who will create a person and pre-destin them to behave in a sinful way that will result in condemnation.
I belive this 3-O delima has been debated for centuries by religious scholars, going back at least to St Augustine of Hippo. However is not generally discussed among lay people (I don't think the Church wants lay people worrying about contradictions in theology. You are just supposed to accept things on faith).
There is a saying that says ';the natural man is an enemy to God';. The whole purpose of living on this earth is to overcome our natural selves and become as God and His Son. Yes, because of the fall of Adam, man became naturally sinful, but because of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus, we can become clean.
Christianity teaches that we can overcome our sinful nature by accepting and believing in the atonement of Jesus Christ. He atoned for our sins so that we would not be eternally condemned. But we will all make mistakes and that is where repentance and forgiveness comes in. You are only condemned if you lack repentance and remorse for what you have done.
Besides, we were not originally created to sin. Adam fell and that is when it began. He was the first sinner. So if you want to blame anyone, blame Adam.
because God gives us the chance to redeem ourselves.
For an example,I'm naturally really weak at maths (have severe disculcalia), but I cannot saying my overspending is not my fault, when I can use a calculator and when I can keep tabs on my daily spending.The same applies.
because there is god and also there is religion.god doesn't care.but the religion (that is simply a corporation and the purpose of the corporation is making money),they mind.so you have the Choice of believing in god and listen to your heart and mind and be a human or you can fallow any religion,pay them up for your sins and be a slave.it is only a personal Choice.
LOL.... He doesn't condemn you. YOU do.
I can tell you not to touch the stove because it will burn you. I can tell you don't have unprotected sex or else you risk becoming a parent before your ready (at best) and expose yourself to possible diseases that could kill you (at worst). I can tell you not to abuse alcohol or drugs or you will hurt yourself and those you care about.
BUT.... If you choose to do those things, who has condemned you to the Karmic result? Him or you?
Well, your not living the way you were made, you are living in a deformed state of being due to seem. You don't have to nature that was intended for you, but through Christ you can once again have that nature and no longer be condemned.
First you have to get past the assumption that God is responsible for your sin nature. He's not. Second you have to understand that if God does not condemn your sin then he is neither good nor just. After that it should start to come together.
';God knew you while you were being formed';
You inherited a sin nature,you live by your nature it is sin,there is a penalty for sin. Spiritual separation from God.
dude, everyone has a sinful ';nature';. that's Jesus died for us.
that's a pretty lame excuse to do what you wanna and not face any consequences or to just justify your sins.
You were not created this way. You choose to deny Christ, your only means of salvation. Salvation closed the gap between God and man. It is your own fault if you choose to live apart from God.
That's the thing people who believe in god hate gay people and stuff but they say themselves that god makes everyone unique so if good makes everyone why would religious people hate one of their own gods creation? grrr
Because you don't believe Him when He says you don't have to. You are calling Him a liar. And if you don't investigate that you are in worse shape, you are culpably ignorant.
';We must question the story logic of a god that made faulty humans, and then blames them for his own mistake.';
- Gene Roddenberry
let me guess , you're gay ?
if you're seeking for tolerance and acceptance , this is not the place .
the LGBT is right over there %26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;
Because he demands fawning, sycophantic adulation from his numbnuts flock.
You condemn yourself! (I can't help it if you don't want the spiritual part!) It is only 'physical' that you 'see' anyway!
God would not do that.
Religions rely on guilt and fear to control the sheeple and empty their wallets.
He won't punish you if you overcome your sinful nature. According to the Bible there is only one way to do that.
You were born contaminated by Adam's sin.
god loves everyone
Because he's evil and insane, obviously.
Because He has given you the ability to reason and provided the sacrifice of His perfect Son, to pay the debt for your sin. If you don't accept that free gift, that's where His condemnation comes in.
It's all about choices, dear man.
HarmonyIf I have a sinful nature as theologians teach, how can God condemn me if I live according to my nature?
Because the sinful nature was not created by God, but rather was introduced into mankind afterwards by the Original Sin.
Plus, God punishes no one. All He does is offer you the opportunity to be with Him in Heaven, which you may choose to accept or to reject. You have total control to either live according to His edicts, or to reject that and choose to go to Hell instead by following edicts other than His.
I really can't answer that question, but I often ask a similar question which I find more intriguing:
Why would a just God condemn anyone to an eternity of Hell for a lifetime of sin? It just doesn't seem fair or proportional does it?
Here is my belief/answer: God judges according to your heart, not your ';nature'; or your sins.
For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
Neither can any natural man abide the presence of God, neither after the carnal mind.
';Finally, though I have had to speak at some length about sex, I want to make it as clear as I possibly can that the centre of Christian morality is not here...The sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all sins. All the worst pleasures are purely spiritual: the pleasure of putting other people in the worng, of bossing and patronizsing and spoiling sport, and back-biting; the pleasures of power, of hatred. For there are two things inside me, competing with the human self which I must try to become. They are the Animal self and the Diabolical self. The Diabolical self is the worse of the two. That is why a cold, self-righteious prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute. But, of course, it is better to be neither.';
C.S. Lewis
Don't beat around the bush. If you are gay-just say it. Well, if you are referring to your homosexuality, then God will not condemn you for it. Homosexuality is a sin like many which are written in the bible. God forgives sins. It doesn't matter if you are born with it or not. Humans are born with the capability to sin.
Have you actually studied the Bible? While your answer is impeccably worded, and shows that [at least on the surface] you are somewhat well educated, your question is sorely lacking in the ';facts'; that these theologians hold true.
God did not make man to be imperfect -- in fact, quite the opposite. According to the Bible, he was made in his image, without a flaw - it was man's choice to give in to temptation that forever changed the path that all of us walk today.
Here's a question for you -- if living ';according to nature'; is your excuse to not be judged, are you then saying that IF God did create us, He should have done so without giving us the right to make our own choices and decisions? That it would be better for us to be nothing more than robots, walking around, never even BREATHING the wrong way?
Do your research before you make claims about an age old religion and their beliefs. There is nothing at all wrong with debate, but an intelligent one must be based upon more than a petty argument.
You sound confused but you know the truth. God didnt condemn anyone. Rather that person condemns themselves when they deny the gift of life from God. We died through Adam but we live through Christ. So all you have to do is accept that Christ died for you and rose again and you will be saved. Those who stand condemned are those who reject the gospel of Christ. So lets do some math.
Salvation=accepting Christ as your personal savior which is believing that he was the Son of God who came, died, and rose for our sins on the third day.
Condemnation=not accepting Christ as your personal savior. Thats almost kindegarden there.
In Christian teachings, you are not condemned for living a sinful life, since we are all sinners. So long as you accept Christ as your lord and savior, who died for your sins, all is forgiven.
It's like the coolest religion EVER. Do whatever you want, say your sorry, and its like it never happened!
I assume you are asking in a Christian context.
I just had a conversation with an amateur religious scholar on this very topic. My question had to do with someone who had brain damage that had fits of rage and 'evil' behavior.
He said that the Bible makes it clear that going to heaven is not necessarily dependent on actions, and that anyone can enter Heaven through God's grace. He said God was like the President, and he could offer a 'pardon' to anyone. He said that this loophole covers things like people born before Jesus, people who die without knowing of Jesus' existence, etc.
I also find it interesting that Christians believe in a 3-O God (omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent). However, a 3-O God precludes free will ... the God would have to know in advance how someone will behave. Combine that with the fact that the person was created by God and you have the delima of a God who will create a person and pre-destin them to behave in a sinful way that will result in condemnation.
I belive this 3-O delima has been debated for centuries by religious scholars, going back at least to St Augustine of Hippo. However is not generally discussed among lay people (I don't think the Church wants lay people worrying about contradictions in theology. You are just supposed to accept things on faith).
There is a saying that says ';the natural man is an enemy to God';. The whole purpose of living on this earth is to overcome our natural selves and become as God and His Son. Yes, because of the fall of Adam, man became naturally sinful, but because of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus, we can become clean.
Christianity teaches that we can overcome our sinful nature by accepting and believing in the atonement of Jesus Christ. He atoned for our sins so that we would not be eternally condemned. But we will all make mistakes and that is where repentance and forgiveness comes in. You are only condemned if you lack repentance and remorse for what you have done.
Besides, we were not originally created to sin. Adam fell and that is when it began. He was the first sinner. So if you want to blame anyone, blame Adam.
because God gives us the chance to redeem ourselves.
For an example,I'm naturally really weak at maths (have severe disculcalia), but I cannot saying my overspending is not my fault, when I can use a calculator and when I can keep tabs on my daily spending.The same applies.
because there is god and also there is religion.god doesn't care.but the religion (that is simply a corporation and the purpose of the corporation is making money),they mind.so you have the Choice of believing in god and listen to your heart and mind and be a human or you can fallow any religion,pay them up for your sins and be a slave.it is only a personal Choice.
LOL.... He doesn't condemn you. YOU do.
I can tell you not to touch the stove because it will burn you. I can tell you don't have unprotected sex or else you risk becoming a parent before your ready (at best) and expose yourself to possible diseases that could kill you (at worst). I can tell you not to abuse alcohol or drugs or you will hurt yourself and those you care about.
BUT.... If you choose to do those things, who has condemned you to the Karmic result? Him or you?
Well, your not living the way you were made, you are living in a deformed state of being due to seem. You don't have to nature that was intended for you, but through Christ you can once again have that nature and no longer be condemned.
First you have to get past the assumption that God is responsible for your sin nature. He's not. Second you have to understand that if God does not condemn your sin then he is neither good nor just. After that it should start to come together.
';God knew you while you were being formed';
You inherited a sin nature,you live by your nature it is sin,there is a penalty for sin. Spiritual separation from God.
dude, everyone has a sinful ';nature';. that's Jesus died for us.
that's a pretty lame excuse to do what you wanna and not face any consequences or to just justify your sins.
You were not created this way. You choose to deny Christ, your only means of salvation. Salvation closed the gap between God and man. It is your own fault if you choose to live apart from God.
That's the thing people who believe in god hate gay people and stuff but they say themselves that god makes everyone unique so if good makes everyone why would religious people hate one of their own gods creation? grrr
Because you don't believe Him when He says you don't have to. You are calling Him a liar. And if you don't investigate that you are in worse shape, you are culpably ignorant.
';We must question the story logic of a god that made faulty humans, and then blames them for his own mistake.';
- Gene Roddenberry
let me guess , you're gay ?
if you're seeking for tolerance and acceptance , this is not the place .
the LGBT is right over there %26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;
Because he demands fawning, sycophantic adulation from his numbnuts flock.
You condemn yourself! (I can't help it if you don't want the spiritual part!) It is only 'physical' that you 'see' anyway!
God would not do that.
Religions rely on guilt and fear to control the sheeple and empty their wallets.
He won't punish you if you overcome your sinful nature. According to the Bible there is only one way to do that.
You were born contaminated by Adam's sin.
god loves everyone
Because he's evil and insane, obviously.
How could nature select who would live throughout evolution without a plan of what it was trying to achieve?
Natural selection doesn't have and doesn't require a plan, and isn't trying to achieve anything at all. Similarly, a river doesn't need a map or an objective in order to find its way to the sea. Its waters simply go with the flow in accordance with gravity and geographical factors.How could nature select who would live throughout evolution without a plan of what it was trying to achieve?
Natural selection doesn't ';pick'; or ';select'; its attributes, per se. It randomly gives beings random attributes and releases them onto the wild. The one attuned to its surroundings survive and thrive, the others die out. That's what you call natural selection.How could nature select who would live throughout evolution without a plan of what it was trying to achieve?
your question implies that there is a goal to nature. There is no reason, a priori, to assume that such a purpose exists. What evidence do you have that there is an actual plan, an actual goal to reality?
The members of the population that didn't have the adaption needed to survive, didn't survive. Most forms of life that have existed on this world are now extinct.
Survival of the fittest and the ones that could adapt to the changing environment played a big roll.
nature doesnt pick or selet who survives. those who aren't strong enough or smart enough will not survive
Natural selection doesn't ';pick'; or ';select'; its attributes, per se. It randomly gives beings random attributes and releases them onto the wild. The one attuned to its surroundings survive and thrive, the others die out. That's what you call natural selection.How could nature select who would live throughout evolution without a plan of what it was trying to achieve?
your question implies that there is a goal to nature. There is no reason, a priori, to assume that such a purpose exists. What evidence do you have that there is an actual plan, an actual goal to reality?
The members of the population that didn't have the adaption needed to survive, didn't survive. Most forms of life that have existed on this world are now extinct.
Survival of the fittest and the ones that could adapt to the changing environment played a big roll.
nature doesnt pick or selet who survives. those who aren't strong enough or smart enough will not survive
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)