Don doesn't tick me off. If he is seeking science to explain his spiritual beliefs, he may be waiting a long, long, time.

I never said Don specifically said people were going to hell. In general, that's what's Christianity espouses, "get saved" or go to hell.

That's bull that he does things to just stimulate thought and conversation...when you label people and put their ideas down...ideas that I believe are truly totally unknowable on this side for 100% sure...then that is condemning people.

But, at any rate, I don't really care about that, I want to know why and what Don finds here....that is so interesting to him.... and he if doesn't answer, that's cool too, I was just curious.

Don doesn't bother me either. I've met plenty of Dons. Don's idea of closed mindedness is only limited to Christianity. My idea of closed mindedness is the entire concept of limitation. It is not so much that I have denounced Christianity as being the true knowledge. I have not said "It is not true." I have only said I wish not to consider it. And for that matter I wish not to consider any religion. I do not believe our lives are meant to be spent in worship and prayer. I believe our life here is to live, grow, and learn. I have no fear of being judged for that.

I respect Don and his beliefs. I think his faith is instrumental to him and how he lives his life. I think it guides him and makes him feel so much better that he feels everyone must experience it. Perhaps I am indeed closed minded to that faith as I was once open minded to it and have now decided to gain my knowledge in other avenues. Is it not enough to have accepted the teachings of Christ and lived accordingly? Is it enough to have also accepted the wise teachings of other religions? Gnosticism offers many wise concepts to belief. Buddhism. Even the Church of Satan (I do not accept this religion as I also believe it can also teach the soul to false enlightenment) I have found to offer wise teachings. My belief is that they are all connected. Each teaching different values and life lessons to enlighten the soul. So no. I will absolutely not limit myself to only Christianity. I will not limit myself period, for that I know is the true path to closing the mind. People can preach as much as they want. I know my path and I'm content with it.

I will admit that I feel faith in no matter what you choose, is incredibly important. I have learned that atheists are indeed some of the most cynical and afraid people I have come across. Which makes sense, as accepting that life is meaningless and there is no purpose to your existence is truly depressing and warrants only negativity. I know that this is not the way. I would appreciate if Don could simply see that I have good intentions in my beliefs and agree to disagree. But if this is his campaign he will find he is wasting his time. I'm only 23 anyway and I feel I have learned much in my time and will not stop until my last day here. By definition I suppose I should be labeled an agnostic, which is only the acceptance and interest in all concepts of religion but the inability to become completely convinced in a single one. All of it is knowledge which should be considered and adapted to becoming a better human being.

It's interesting how this thread has changed its topic to Don. To me that simply shows the impact and the importance of his being a part of this board so I'll put my 2 cents in as well.

Don is probably the most widely read person on this board. Not only that but his research has been done with a highly critical, discerning mind and an open honest heart.  Everyone here could learn much if they were to seek out their knowledge in such manner.

I, too, not only welcome Don's posts, but seek them out. He has a great deal to teach if people could just get past their preconceptions and assumptions. Try reading Don's posts with an open heart and mind to see if he doesn't have something for you to learn. We are always learning from each other and we always have something each of us can teach another. Bottom line is that it is always about our interactions with each other.

If you are honest you know a new age ghetto mentality exists, just as a Christian ghetto mentality exists... and so on. In every organized system this type of mentality exists... in religions, in governments, in business, and on and on.  If we don't like this mentality, then we must on an individual level rise above it. If you're not part of the solution, you are a part of the problem and no matter what the venue it is always about people interacting with other people and their intent behind these interactions. 

Kathy

"If you are honest you know a new age ghetto mentality exists, just as a Christian ghetto mentality exists..."

Good point that Kathy (Lights of Love) made above.   

Just in case there is any misunderstanding, my posts weren't directed towards Don. I respect and love him, even if I disagree with him at times. I appreciate his passion.

Regarding the so called new age ghetto, I love new age people and believe they serve an important purpose in this world, but goodness there is a lot of new age information that is nonsense, and a person who isn't taken in by it might wonder about the discrimination of the people who are taken in by it.

So the moral of the story is, "don't be taken in by the bogus sources of information (if you can call it that) that abound, and Don rocks in his own way."