Bardo,

Thanks for sharing this information. I will look this up and read more.

Kind regards,
mj

P.S. Did you find your toothpaste, yet?

Hi Justin,

Thanks for your post. It gives much to think about. I am not familiar with Yeshua, but will look him up.

Like you, and many others, I have found Christianity to be lacking in the fundamental basics of applying its teachings to real life applications and accountability.

Many years ago I was visiting my grandmother. My sister and I had taken some board games with us and were sitting on the floor playing Monopoly. I asked my grandmother to play with us and she declined citing the Bible and something about God not liking people to throw dice (or something along those lines). Even as a little kid I instinctively knew that was outrageous. What kind of God would strike somebody down for playing Monopoly?

I've thought about that short exchange over the years because I think it really illustrates how so-called *church teachings* are either taken out of context and/or pushing people away from the church and religion, as a whole. [And, I do not believe religion and spirituality are the same thing and even that becomes convoluted for many people].
Yes, I can understand God not liking when people gamble, especially when it jeopardizes their family's stability because of lack of funds for basic necessities. However, is that close to the same thing as playing a board game with little kids on a Saturday afternoon? To me, it isn't. Yet, in my travels, studies and experiences, more often than not, I've encountered people who are *stuck* in a handful of "rules" that are applied with such a broad stroke they've lost sight of the big picture. It's why adherents break away and start their own religions and why others never question or consider anything outside what they've been taught. The built-in safeguards for keeping people in line have stifled their independent growth and failed to appreciate/tolerate their individual journeys.

In the case of Catholicism...the church basically wanted to keep as many parishoners as possible so they created the rules to ensure that continued to happen.

For example...

- A Catholic person is required to marry within the church and their future spouse must agree for any offspring to be raised in the Catholic religion.

- A Catholic person is required to seek counsel within the church when problems arise within the marriage. The church frowns upon divorce, thereby forcing many people to choose to be ex-communicated (removed from the church) or staying in unhappy, unfulfilling and sometimes dangerous situations.

- A Catholic person is taught that any kind of contraception is wrong and is not permitted. Therefore, families are having children they sometimes can't afford and men and women are exposing themselves to diseases that could be minimized if proper precautions were taken.

The central theme is quite clear - get as many people into the church as possible and keep the rosters full, by any means necessary. Beyond that, nothing else matters. Oh, and give us 10% of everything you earn thereby making the Catholic church one of the richest, most solvent businesses in the World.

I am aware (and, have personally experienced) this is the goal in many religions and I don't discount the validity of strength in numbers. My concern is people swearing blind allegience to something based on half-truths and sometimes damaging beliefs in the interest of acceptance. In that sense, it's understandable why people would fight to the death to defend their belief systems. Who would choose to be ostracized from their families, friends and practically everything they've ever known just by asking questions? It's a huge price to pay especially for someone who has been loved and accepted (albeit conditionally) within those social structures.

Kind regards,
mj

Hi Justin,

Ah, I think I did know that. It sounds familiar now that you've explained it. I think societies enjoy stripping people of their heritage and cultural connections.

I don't think you're strange, but that's coming from someone who is also labelled that way. I've been told the same thing about my eyes.

Oh, I have something funny to tell you. I have seen your avatar on your posts and until last week I thought you were holding some kind of video camera. I rarely wear my contacts when I'm using my laptop and I can't honestly say I really stared at it. Then, one day...I saw the "camera" has eyes. How silly is that? MJ needs more restorative sleep. lol

Kind regards,
mj

Quote:


Hi Justin,

Please tell Kenya I think she's cute too. I had a cat many years ago, but we had to find him a new home because the baby was allergic (I am too) to his dander. He is living with two elderly sisters not too far from our old home. He followed me around like a puppy usually does (and cats are not known to do) and loved to sleep between my knees when I was laying on my stomach. I am very familiar with the arched eyebrow look. I got it all the time (especially when he basically told me he knew I was with child before I even knew).

Kind regards,
mj