I knew I’d love reading this and you didn’t disappoint. I laughed when I read your hesitation about reincarnation. You know it is just a theory. However when we look deep into cause and effect, you may get a suspicion that this theory could be a possibility.
Thank you 🙏 Meredith. It was a 'coming out party' of sorts, written as much as a personal declaration as anything. I am glad that you enjoyed reading it, as I value your opinion. And like I said, it's a work in progress. My thirst for understanding certainly isn't yet quenched. Happy Writing!🤠🤙
Great essay, MJ! I agree with much of what you said, especially how I understand, from what over pieced together, Yeshua’s (Jesus’s real name) teachings were reinterpreted and recorded some 200 years later, (largely by Paul (who had his own influences and interests going on) and reinterpreted over the centuries and cultures. I have a hard time not only getting onboard with the idea of a god (especially one so human-centric/anthropomorphic of our experience) but also, if I do get there, cannot fathom a god who created us would also hate us unless we believe one set of things (rooted in power and control of the masses and gender roles). None of us know, but I think we’d be much happier, healthier, better-adjusted, etc. — and better towards each other — without any religion saying there’s only one way.
I especially like this section:
“We’re making translations, from translations. They are second hand quotes at best. That said, me and JC are 😎. He is one of my mentors, and I place a high value on my interpretation of his teachings. Just as his official fan club does.”
I like that Jesus is one of your mentors. Ramana Maharshi is one of mine. I think they both performed miracles and had some incredible things to say. So did many others. Everyone is your teacher, no one but you your savior.
Great refs, will check out. Thanks for the good read! Loved the narration, too! 🙏 💕
Thank you 🙏 Jennifer. Absolutely, God can't be both 'Love' and sit in 'Judgment'. Those terms contradict one another. And all those heavenly rewards, are nothing but earthly treasures -- every bit of it, designed to control and manipulate. But there are truths there -- if you're willing to look past, and don't get swept away by the dogma.
❤Everyone is your teacher, no one but you is your savior. ☮❤🤙✨
I completely get where you are coming from. The only thing that kept me "Christian" was realizing that all the ways you describe Christianity in the beginning are exactly what you said, "hijacked" versions mostly for political power all the way back to the beginning.
A lot of Christians are not actually interested in Jesus at all and many who don't identify as Christian follow him better than I. I find hope in the fact that Jesus never actually converted people to a religion, but to a way of life, and that he elevated a polytheistic Roman centurion as an example of faith.
Not trying to sway you at all, but you may be interested in Open Relational Theology which emphasizes a version of Christianity that leans into the human agency you describe. It is also compatible and growing as a philosophy among Buddhists and many other religions because it does not demand conformity to a particular faith. It is more about a way of seeing God's interaction with and influence in the world in partnership with human agency rather than over and against. If you're interested, I recommend the book, "God Can’t" by Tom Oord as a starting point.
I for one am grateful that the hijacked versions of any faith are not the only way. Without getting back to the original intent of those early wisdom teachers who the traditions were based on, every path can become destructive to individuals and society in varying degrees.
Stay curious and blessings to you in the new year.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Craig 🙏 I admire the work you do. I am very interested in learning more about ORT, and have added Tom's book to my queue. And I am also wishing you health and happiness this coming year! Happy Writing!🤠🤙
I’d like to mention that I cut out a section where I rambled a bit, after I read the excerpt from The Power of Now in my narration. But basically I’d just said that I was using that as an example of a different way of interpreting Jesus’ words. And that I hope it would inspire others who aren’t Christian to look at his words in a new light. As much as I pretend to discount them in this essay, there is much that can be learned from those scriptures. And now for my view on the church sign-
Here’s a picture of a church sign in a local community. When we passed it, and I first read it, I was taken aback. “Wow,” I said to my Sweetheart. She asked me, “What is it?” So I read her the sign and asked her what she thought. And she’d had the same initial response as I had. She said, “That’s ugly, they could have done without that last part.” “Exactly, it’s judgy,” I said. “It’s like they’re pointing their finger and sticking their tongue out, going ‘nana-boo-boo, Jesus even loves you’.”
Y’all the thing is, I think that they fail to see what it might look like from another perspective. They’re too close to it, maybe if they looked at it as a passer by would, it would read differently. And for me, it’s a good example of how they often participate in the world. I think that sign is like the idiot screaming about the rapture from a speaker outside of sporting events – it’s more likely to push people away from Christianity, than bring them to trust it as a life philosophy.
Yeah the “even yours” part just takes away from the whole thing! It’s like, *every* heart prepare him room, letter-hanger-man! (I have absolutely no doubt this was a man, no offense)
Yeah I didn't even mention the 'y', smh. This is literally your sign, that represents not only the church, but God. How could you walk away from it looking like that(or drive by it as a parishioner). And it's been like that for a week too! 🤔 You've got me curious about the author now, and I think you're probably right. I know the pastor and his wife, and that does not sound like something she would say...
Oh haha I wasn’t even talking about the Y but that, too. I meant every heart, as in even the letter hanger, who obviously missed the part when Jesus said “don’t be such a jerk, Dave”
All I am gonna say is that I am praying for you🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you 🙏 Carla.
I knew I’d love reading this and you didn’t disappoint. I laughed when I read your hesitation about reincarnation. You know it is just a theory. However when we look deep into cause and effect, you may get a suspicion that this theory could be a possibility.
Loved this essay MJ 🙏🤍
Thank you 🙏 Meredith. It was a 'coming out party' of sorts, written as much as a personal declaration as anything. I am glad that you enjoyed reading it, as I value your opinion. And like I said, it's a work in progress. My thirst for understanding certainly isn't yet quenched. Happy Writing!🤠🤙
Your thirst is what draws me to you my friend.
“If you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.” - Linji Yixuan
Great essay, MJ! I agree with much of what you said, especially how I understand, from what over pieced together, Yeshua’s (Jesus’s real name) teachings were reinterpreted and recorded some 200 years later, (largely by Paul (who had his own influences and interests going on) and reinterpreted over the centuries and cultures. I have a hard time not only getting onboard with the idea of a god (especially one so human-centric/anthropomorphic of our experience) but also, if I do get there, cannot fathom a god who created us would also hate us unless we believe one set of things (rooted in power and control of the masses and gender roles). None of us know, but I think we’d be much happier, healthier, better-adjusted, etc. — and better towards each other — without any religion saying there’s only one way.
I especially like this section:
“We’re making translations, from translations. They are second hand quotes at best. That said, me and JC are 😎. He is one of my mentors, and I place a high value on my interpretation of his teachings. Just as his official fan club does.”
I like that Jesus is one of your mentors. Ramana Maharshi is one of mine. I think they both performed miracles and had some incredible things to say. So did many others. Everyone is your teacher, no one but you your savior.
Great refs, will check out. Thanks for the good read! Loved the narration, too! 🙏 💕
Thank you 🙏 Jennifer. Absolutely, God can't be both 'Love' and sit in 'Judgment'. Those terms contradict one another. And all those heavenly rewards, are nothing but earthly treasures -- every bit of it, designed to control and manipulate. But there are truths there -- if you're willing to look past, and don't get swept away by the dogma.
❤Everyone is your teacher, no one but you is your savior. ☮❤🤙✨
I completely get where you are coming from. The only thing that kept me "Christian" was realizing that all the ways you describe Christianity in the beginning are exactly what you said, "hijacked" versions mostly for political power all the way back to the beginning.
A lot of Christians are not actually interested in Jesus at all and many who don't identify as Christian follow him better than I. I find hope in the fact that Jesus never actually converted people to a religion, but to a way of life, and that he elevated a polytheistic Roman centurion as an example of faith.
Not trying to sway you at all, but you may be interested in Open Relational Theology which emphasizes a version of Christianity that leans into the human agency you describe. It is also compatible and growing as a philosophy among Buddhists and many other religions because it does not demand conformity to a particular faith. It is more about a way of seeing God's interaction with and influence in the world in partnership with human agency rather than over and against. If you're interested, I recommend the book, "God Can’t" by Tom Oord as a starting point.
I for one am grateful that the hijacked versions of any faith are not the only way. Without getting back to the original intent of those early wisdom teachers who the traditions were based on, every path can become destructive to individuals and society in varying degrees.
Stay curious and blessings to you in the new year.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Craig 🙏 I admire the work you do. I am very interested in learning more about ORT, and have added Tom's book to my queue. And I am also wishing you health and happiness this coming year! Happy Writing!🤠🤙
I’d like to mention that I cut out a section where I rambled a bit, after I read the excerpt from The Power of Now in my narration. But basically I’d just said that I was using that as an example of a different way of interpreting Jesus’ words. And that I hope it would inspire others who aren’t Christian to look at his words in a new light. As much as I pretend to discount them in this essay, there is much that can be learned from those scriptures. And now for my view on the church sign-
Here’s a picture of a church sign in a local community. When we passed it, and I first read it, I was taken aback. “Wow,” I said to my Sweetheart. She asked me, “What is it?” So I read her the sign and asked her what she thought. And she’d had the same initial response as I had. She said, “That’s ugly, they could have done without that last part.” “Exactly, it’s judgy,” I said. “It’s like they’re pointing their finger and sticking their tongue out, going ‘nana-boo-boo, Jesus even loves you’.”
Y’all the thing is, I think that they fail to see what it might look like from another perspective. They’re too close to it, maybe if they looked at it as a passer by would, it would read differently. And for me, it’s a good example of how they often participate in the world. I think that sign is like the idiot screaming about the rapture from a speaker outside of sporting events – it’s more likely to push people away from Christianity, than bring them to trust it as a life philosophy.
Yeah the “even yours” part just takes away from the whole thing! It’s like, *every* heart prepare him room, letter-hanger-man! (I have absolutely no doubt this was a man, no offense)
Yeah I didn't even mention the 'y', smh. This is literally your sign, that represents not only the church, but God. How could you walk away from it looking like that(or drive by it as a parishioner). And it's been like that for a week too! 🤔 You've got me curious about the author now, and I think you're probably right. I know the pastor and his wife, and that does not sound like something she would say...
Oh haha I wasn’t even talking about the Y but that, too. I meant every heart, as in even the letter hanger, who obviously missed the part when Jesus said “don’t be such a jerk, Dave”