The Wal-Mart incident raises some very hard-to-look-at questions about all of us. Human beings like to think of themselves as an advanced species. Yet are we? At the Wal-Mart store in Valley Stream, New York yesterday a 34-year-old employee was killed by shoppers trampling him to death as they pushed into the store seeking Black Friday bargains. My gosh, dolphins act better than that.
I was deeply impressed — impacted, you might say — by this comment on that situation from Deb Reilly:
“I don’t see a difference in the rush on Walmart and the rush on Wall Street.”
Wow. I have to say, I hadn’t made that connection until I saw it in print on my computer screen. Then it was like I had been hit in between the eyes with a two-by-four. Brother, does that capture everything that needs to said about humanity right now, or what?
I think we need to look at ourselves here. What is humanity made of? How do we see ourselves, and how to we wish our species to “be”? These are decisions being made by you and by me every second, every moment of our lives.
I found the following comment, from a person posting as “LZ”, to be impacting as well. Read this…
“Something must be done, and it must be done fast. The world must take a cold, clear look at itself and make a huge decision: Is this how we really want to live? Is this who we really are, as a species? Is this what it means to be human?” Yes Neale, it is going to become worse. Much worse. The answer you ask? Jesus Christ who has already said what will happen and what is wrong with the human heart. Did u miss that somewhere?
Why are you floundering about in your pseudo intellectualism mixed with emotional pleas when you have already heard the truth. It is a sinful generation. Are you able to see this? Do you know what the cure is my friend? It’s for people to acknowledge that in their hearts and then repent and turn back to the Lord, who said this very thing with the same direction. Neale. wake up are you getting it??? Earth to Neale. Heaven to Neale…are you getting it?
WE will not solve this alone. New age energy thoughts will not solve this. The human heart is the human heart. Neale, are you getting this yet???? Dear God, let them wake up and see the truth, Lord. Your truth. Let them smell the sewage of selfishness and hate that has been cooking now for so long and let them know that there is only one way for it to be cleaned out and washed away, made new.
Now there is an important and powerful statement. Thank you, LZ, for your contribution. I agree with so much of the nuance of what you have to say here, if not the exact words you have used to get across your message.
If your message is that the human race is in trouble, that we need to decide, and decide fast, who we are and who we want to be, I agree with you completely. I especially like the “sewage of selfishness” line. That’s strong language, but not stronger than Jesus’ oft-quoted line, “You hypocrites! You vipers brood!”
Sometimes strong language has to be used to wake people up. I also agree with you, LZ, that the answer to our problems as a species will not be found in what you call “pseudo intellectualism mixed with emotional pleas.” That hit home. We must have more than that. That is empty, pointless. I agree. Emphatically. What we need now is action. Commitment, determination, and action. We need — all of humanity needs — to make a choice.
We need to answer life’s most important question: Who Are We, and who do we Choose to Be?
Life is a struggle for True Identity. Are we Sons of God? Or are we followers of others who would tell us how we are to be? And if the message of those Others is so good and so accurate and so ‘right,’ then why, after all these hundreds and hundreds of years, has it not worked to produce the outcomes that all of us — God AND Humans — desire?
I tell you, if religion was held to the same standards as science, this experiment would have been abandoned a long time ago…
My friend LZ, let us agree, then, that something other than lip-flapping and mind-massaging is needed right now if we are to win this human race. Yet let us not seek to bring all of us together by sending all of us once more apart.
In your post you said, in an apparent prayer to God, “Let them smell the sewage of selfishness and hate that has been cooking now for so long and let them know that there is only one way for it to be cleaned out and washed away, made new.”
There is not “only one way,” LZ. Love is not nearly so narrow. There are a thousand ways for our hearts and minds of humanity “to be cleaned out,” for our non-benefiting thoughts to be “washed away,” and for our very selves to be “made new.”
The idea that there is “only one way” is, I want to softly observe, one of the ideas that drives people away from each other, and one of the sources of radical fundamentalism, exclusivity, and righteousness in our world. This kind of thinking is the source of the problem, not the solution. This sort of understanding of God, and of What God Wants, has done more in the past 500 years to produce conflict and sorrow and violence and killing than it has to eliminate it. Don’t you see this, LZ? Hello…hello….earth to LZ…heaven to LZ… are you getting it?
You say, “New age energy thoughts will not solve this.” LZ, there is no difference between “prayer” and “new age energy thoughts.” A rose is still a rose, no matter by what name you refer to it. If I could get all the world to send “new age energy thoughts” of peace and love to everyone all the time, the most fervent prayers of humanity would be answered — through the act of the prayer itself.
Finally LZ, in a second, follow-up post, you imply that if I embraced your theology and accepted Christ as my only way, “It certainly would be the end to your special messenger status and your god ‘entity’ who you think you pray to and has been speaking to you in the utmost maze of confusing declarations in your books.”
LZ, my sweet friend, please read my writings, both on this blog and in my 22 books, carefully. If you do, you will see that I have never, ever, ever declared myself to have “special messenger status.” In fact, just the opposite. In all of my writings, in all of my talks, in everything I have ever said and done I have made one thing clear to any who would truly listen and honestly report what I say: I am not in any way ‘chosen’ or ‘special’ or ‘elevated’ or ‘other than’ the rest of humanity. We are all messengers of God. We are all sending a message TO life ABOUT life through the process of Life Itself.
Each of us, in the living of our lives, brings a message to each of the other of us. In this way, God is made manifest in Man, and Divinity is expressed through Humanity. Now the only way that anyone would have a problem with that is if someone carried a thought that God is not supposed to be made manifest in Man. As if that was somehow not part of the plan. Yet I am told that it is the whole plan; that the point of all of life is for Divinity to be expressed in life >em>through life — in the person of every human being. I am told that it is God’s great joy to see God’s Creations reach mastery in living and experience spiritual self-realization.
And we’ll discuss more of this in the days ahead.
posted November 29, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Namaste: This is for LZ. You say only thru Jesus can we be saved, but have you asked the misbehaving people at WalMart and on the stock market, “are they calling themselves Christians? If they do, they do not listen very well. Thats all. Love to All.
posted November 29, 2008 at 2:50 pm
There is truth to be found in the events of the last several days. In the crushing rush into the Walmart, one of the prevailing belief systems was, “There is not enough!” Another was “I am over here and they are over there”. Those two together fanned the flame of herd mentality that caused the stampede.
On India at the Hotel under siege, ‘separation’ belief systems are at work as well. The ‘hurting’ from believing that there is separation from each other and from the Creator allowed the terrorists to hurt, damage and kill others and each other.
The authors of the posts on this blog, such as LZ and :O ), that announce their own separation beliefs reflect the damage exemplified in the Walmart and the hotel in India.
I choose to be grateful for the year ahead of us and for the headway that humanity will be making and indeed is already underway. I am grateful for the headway humanity is making toward accepting the differing paths to God. I am grateful for the announcements through people’s thoughts, words and deeds that bring to light the belief systems that no longer work or serve mankind. I am grateful for the raising consciousnesses that are remembering to act on random acts of kindness on a daily basis. I am grateful for those that are courageous enough to speak out and bring to others attentions when there are harmful and damaging acts, such as the Obama slurs at the church and the convenience store lottery.
As we bring these thoughts, words and deeds into the light and know that change is happening from within each individual outward to our families, work places, communities, cities, states, and countries; the world is evolving and becoming more loving, peaceful and aware.
If God is all that is, everyone that is, all that is physical and non-physical, then no one, NO ONE person, philosophy, lifestyle, religion, form of government or belief system is right — or wrong! If God is all things then the only thing that is left is what does work and what does not work in relationship to what and where humanity wants to express itself as and ‘BE’.
posted November 29, 2008 at 2:59 pm
“What we need now is action. Commitment, determination, and action. We need — all of humanity needs — to make a choice.
We need to answer life’s most important question: Who Are We, and who do we Choose to Be?”
Well I think people want and desire to do this. The current dilemma is that we don’t know exactly how to go about doing it in the most effective way. We have many examples of present and past history to draw upon.
Many do things quietly working on bettering themselves and thus the world as a by product of their own self improvements. We gain inner peace and fix our own dysfunctions and by doing so we help the world as well.
Yet when it comes to working on problems on a larger scale, do we do so with a huge organization that we can agree upon supporting or creating? Or is it the smaller grass roots orgs whose seeds will grow into tomorrows solutions? Will it be government handled with the blessings of the people as oppose to the opposite? A combination?
We have a lot of distrust in our current government and organizations that are ineffective or who do a lot of good along with not so good things that make it confusing and difficult to support such inconsistencies.
We can’t even bring clean water and clean working toilets to the world. And yet we want to solve world hunger, pollution, crime etc?
I believe we need to set world priorities and come to some agreement on them and then decide to work on these priorities. We do so even if we do so imperfectly. If we wait for perfection we will never arrive and the problems will get bigger.
The next leap and revolution the next Renaissance so to speak may not be in Science, technology or art but in the peoples of the World coming together to tackle the problems we have in a way we never have before.
In doing so we will shift the focus of the world from problem centeredness to solution orientedness and we will be joyous as we find that coming together more as one people we will create more joy in helping others and this will snowball and like dominoes create the new Renaissance of healing our dysfunctions as a world not separate but one.
How that is done, I’m not sure. However, I think we need to prioritize the importance of things and I would start with just simple clean water and toilets to all and if we do that the rest will follow.
We need to heal the dysfunctions of the world and heal the hate. With the hate neutralized, we will allow a lot more dynamic energy to break forth and like a giant wave helps us surf and navigate the new world we so desire to create and experience.
posted November 29, 2008 at 4:04 pm
“Who Are We, and who do we Choose to Be?”
Great question!
And there are surely a lot of great answers.
The simplest and most elegant solution is often by far the hardest. It takes effort to wake up, stay awake, and be true to the best in ourselves. We fall down, we forget, we get sidetracked, we get mislead. Yeah, we do.
I don’t believe for one minute those people in Walmart, or any place else where someone has been trampled, had intended such an extraordinary cost to their greed, their enthusiasm, or fear, or whatever.
Yeah, sure we all have the right and the responsibility to make the world work in good ways. And it starts at home. Lovely ideas, lovely philosophies, lovely words… how nice. But it’s what we do, and what we choose – each of us, every day – that counts.
Easy to espouse Christianity, hard to enact it.
What would be the most loving response to those who got lost in their blind excitement at Walmart and, surely to their horror, found that one’s own foot might have crushed the face of a fellow human being?
What would be the wisest and most loving response to those on Wall Street (or just down the street, or just down the hall, or in one’s own chair) who traded their highest ethics for wealth?
And what’s the most loving way to respond to someone whose current belief about religion or “right and wrong” leads them to spew vitriol and sarcasm?
I’m not saying love is all hugs and happy thoughts. But we gotta practice loving at home, starting within our own hearts. And conveniently, that’s probably the hardest part of all.
posted November 29, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Speaking of dolphins, check out ‘Dolphin Rings’ on YouTube; a calming view of these wonderful creatures at play set to music.
Neale, I agree that when someone does something mindless and selfish, it’s important for both the offender and the survivor for the latter to express themselves. The breath analogy you used the other day expressed that idea. But it can be accomplished without the use of strong language.
If someone approached you in a crowded room and loudly said, “Gross man. Your breath smells like crap,” you would have gotten the message, but you wouldn’t feel very good about the person who approached you. A sensitive person might even feel badly about themselves. But if someone discreetly said, “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, but your breath is strong,” the message was still delivered, but the Golden Rule was used. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Under attack, the knee-jerk reaction is to strike back. And that has been passed on from father to son, mother to daughter, for thousands and thousands of years.
You said,
“Yet let us not seek to bring all of us together by sending all of us once more apart.”
And,
“… I want to softly observe, one of the ideas that drives people away from each other… This kind of thinking is the source of the problem, not the solution.”
Followed by,
“If I could get all the world to send “new age energy thoughts” of peace and love to everyone all the time, the most fervent prayers of humanity would be answered — through the act of the prayer itself.”
And lastly,
“Each of us, in the living of our lives, brings a message to each of the other of us. In this way, God is made manifest in Man, and Divinity is expressed through Humanity.”
We can afford to put the clubs away, and move into the sunlight.
posted November 29, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Yes, indeed, there needs to be decisions made. But I absolutely believe that it is the grass roots method that will produce the fastest, most reliable and durable changes. As each individual begins to awaken, to pay attention to their own thoughts, words and deeds; the effect will spread more completely.
Today I was asked to pick a friend up from the airport. Listening inwardly I heard all of the ‘selfish’ thoughts, “This is the first day off I have had in two years, so of course someone else sees how they can intrude upon my free time.” WOW! When I heard my thoughts I was truly astounded at myself. I took stock with a new view point that someone here on the blog reminded me off. I looked at my friend asking me to pick her up as ‘myself acting like a friend’. How would I want to be treated when in a similar situation? Wanting to be a friend and wanting to have friends I want to give friendship to others so I will have the same in abundance. I went to the airport with a glad heart.
When we as individuals support and celebrate the love and charity of Christians, the thinking outside of the box of the ‘New Agers’, the traditions and quiet beauty of Jewish ceremonies, and all the other ‘Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations’ throughout the cultures of the world; others will begin to allow their hate to subside and join in.
It will absolutely be the individuals living their lives of love, acceptance and accountability that will be the beacon of change that brings the world to a new era of peace, freedom and liberty for all.
posted November 29, 2008 at 8:48 pm
While someone got killed at a SprawlMart and the message may be more geared on multiple levels of the greed the Walmart expresses the irony is not lost.
Yet this is a more isolated and extreme point of focus. It may be well worth a look on many levels to see the ills of society.
Yet do not lose the focus of the millions and millions of people who shop everyday without incident.
posted November 29, 2008 at 8:52 pm
“I don’t see a difference in the rush on Walmart and the rush on Wall Street.”
They are both rushes down One Way Streets.
The “Just One Way” street is also a dead end for humanity.
It is best not to go there.
As I read today’s blog, I felt an inner urge to do a google image search for “Just One Way”
The first result that came up was a sign saying…
“DO NOT ENTER”
posted November 29, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Just as there are Many Ways to Truth….there are also Many Ways to Neale!
I often find myself spirited off somewhere, and think…
“What am I doing here?”
“How did I get here”
Fortunately, I find the answer to the first question via my name! It reminds me that I’m simply being here, doing this (wherever “here” is, and whatever “this” may be!)
The answer to the second question is a little more entertaining (for me, at least! LOL!)
I must confess to not having read any of your books, Neale – but for some reason, I feel more drawn to this blog than the books.
Anyway, a couple of commenters on Gary Zukav’s blog mentioned your blog. I looked it up, and found that you commenced this blog on July 9 (which just happens to be my birthday!)
Curiosity aroused, I looked up a bit more about you, and discovered that you were born on the same date (well, possibly in Australian time…I live in Australia) as a man at whose wedding I was best man. (I’ve only ever been a best man once!)
So with all this synchronicity…surely that was enough to have me feel right at home here!
But no…in the library the other day, I felt the urge to seek out where your books were kept. There were a few on the shelf. The catalogue number of one of the books had significant personal meaning for me, so I picked it up. Opening the book at random, the following words were the first thing I read…
“Thank you for being here”
I closed the book, made my way to the computer and joined your happy team here in blogland!
I’m looking forward to getting to know you…(especially after watching this YouTube clip earlier today!)…
Neale D. Walsch discusses the emotion of fear
Very insightful and helpful. And…your closing comment gave me a hearty laugh!
bhdt
posted November 30, 2008 at 6:27 am
Neale, you should see this – in case you haven’t:
http://spotlight.news.yahoo.com/v/10836826
(Choose the “Dying Boy’s Wish … ” story from the list on the right, as I couldn’t find a direct link to the newsvid itself.)
“Each of us, in the living of our lives, brings a message to each of the other of us.”
Amen.
posted November 30, 2008 at 10:39 am
My husband and I watched a movie last night – “Amazing Grace” – the true story of a man in the English Parliament in 1797. No religion was mentioned, just the specific intention of one man who changed the world to be a better place. He was a non-violent man of nature and God, who started with his inner circle, knowing that change was needed.
His life became involved slowly, with doing the right thing, a gut reaction to injustice around him. His good intentions spread worldwide.
For the good reason/intention, the aspects of time and circumstance fell into place to manifest a miracle worldwide. Whatever we do NOW around us, no matter how insignificant you may think it is, it matters. Every word, example/action does matter. That is the way God works in us.
posted November 30, 2008 at 10:53 am
Dear LZ,
You spent a lot of time on this site, typing your heart-felt messages. I know you believe you are doing the right thing, but please ask yourself if God wants us to be loving and kind, or to preach fear and destruction. I already have my own answer.
I am not ashamed of anything I’ve done, said, or thought. I have nothing to hide. God knows all our thoughts, words, and deeds, so there is no such thing as hiding anyway. If you are having thoughts you are ashamed of, ask God for help.
Ask yourself why our perfect Creator would demand the human blood of an ‘only begotten Son’ in order to forgive us. Don’t repeat the rhetoric you’ve been fed, don’t be afraid. Ask yourself where the logic is in such a barbaric, bitter demand. Why would God, in God’s infinite Goodness and Love, find room in God’s spirit for hate?
God would not.
I hope you have a calm, lovely Sunday. I love you LZ. xo
posted November 30, 2008 at 11:09 am
Deb, that was very well put….
posted November 30, 2008 at 11:16 am
“You hypocrites! You vipers brood!” well u just keep repeating that same old sentence from guy who lived so long ago that theres no way knowing if he ever lived or are the text about him just totally made up, but anyway
thx for the post and keep spreading the message old man
posted November 30, 2008 at 11:37 am
I have a question….. People always make the comment when someone does an act of kindness or if there is some revelation of love received why does it have to be GOD working thru us.. Can’t a person do good for the sake of doing good, can someone have a revelation just like the person in “Amazing Grace” with out it being divine intervention. What if the person/persons don’t believe in god, don’t think there is a higher power than human and does good for the sake for doing good..
I feel sadden by this because it makes me think that people will only do something good or right because there is someone watching or there is something to gain… I personally don’t feel I need to look at a higher power to promote the good that I do. I do it from the heart and because it feels right. Don’t get me wrong I believe that doing good regardless if one feels it is thru god or not doesn’t matter. Its all good.
posted November 30, 2008 at 11:40 am
Sorry that last post was me KarmaO…
posted November 30, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Dear KarmaO,
Did you ever hear the proverb, ‘Virtue is its own reward’? Doing the right thing feels right! No matter how we choose to live our lives, God loves us perfectly. No matter how many mistakes we make, no matter how many times we make the same mistake, God will bring us all home.
There is more to life than what we see in the physical world. God is always guiding us, but it is our choice to accept that guidance. We aren’t perfect, our decisions are our own. (If we make them out of fear, what good is that? We’d all be miserable!)
Understanding that we are so loved by a Being so generous and wonderful makes me work harder to be a better person, to show my thanks! One way I can express my love for God is by being kind to others. If I turn towards the love of God, I am turning away from the Spirit of selfishness and ego.
We are not God’s puppets; God does not need us in order to create wonderful happenings in the world. But isn’t it great that God lets us join in on the party!
posted November 30, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Hi again LZ,
I can assure you, I have never done anything worthy of crucifixion, an eternity in Hell, or wrath. And neither has anyone else. We all make mistakes, that’s how we learn.
You did not answer my question:
Ask yourself why our perfect Creator would demand the human blood of an ‘only begotten Son’ in order to forgive us. Don’t repeat the rhetoric you’ve been fed, don’t be afraid. Ask yourself where the logic is in such a barbaric, bitter demand. Why would God, in God’s infinite Goodness and Love, find room in God’s spirit for hate?
posted November 30, 2008 at 3:13 pm
“This guy entered earth and could have laid to waste 1000s, millions, right in front of people, telling then to get down and worship him now, or else”
LZ, that is one of the most disturbing representations of Christ I have ever read. I’m speechless.
Tracy
posted November 30, 2008 at 4:17 pm
“Reigion is only used as a paper wrapper, and is being further disorted and poisoned by those on TV and the mega-churches now in the final run for “happiness” which they have no idea have to find. Their recipe: Get saved, be happy send money” God hates this and it couldnt be furhter from the truth.
LZ
I do agree with you that religion is used as a paper wrapper, but we in the “New Age Movement” never claimed that religion was the absolute mechanism of GOD and with all due respect. I feel for you, that you could/would believe that GOD lives using hate as a motivator for GODS actions. (This, once again feels to me like man trying to puts man’s ideas on GOD)
“You also well know my thoughts on what man has done to religion and the image of God (for over 2000 years) Quite frankly, it has been nothing short of an abortion. WHy? Because people wanted to make it their way, create their own versions, some to control and take advantage, others to find some sort of cheap easy, fad diet spirituality (like lose 30 lbs in 30 days. They will not find real freedom in 30 days or 30 years no matter how many books they read. because their insides remain filthy.”
LZ
I would like to invite you to review religion at the core of religions heart. For me (not being a religious man, I do my best to love and understand the conceptual point for religion). I believe at the onset of most religions the message was supposed to be about love for one another and to come together in GODS spirit. But from what I have been able to see as my experience in religion (Fear seems to be the prime motivator that MAN has been using) and again, this seems to me to be MAN’S mechanics not GOD’S.
“And if the message of those Others is so good and so accurate and so ‘right,’ then why, after all these hundreds and hundreds of years, has it not worked to produce the outcomes that all of us — God AND Humans — desire?” (Neal)
“Best question ever and asked by many, WHy? WHy your JEsus Christ, WHy your GOd? Why CHristian? Look at what they have done already, stealing money, committing sex acts with children and others, killing or torturing in the name of GOd?
WHo EVER said that people have been practicing and following what HE wants, because he NEVER said do any of this. Nowhere did Jesus Christ indicate that this is how you follow his example. This guy entered earth and could have laid to waste 1000s, millions, right in front of people, telling then to get down and worship him now, or else.”
LZ
Just a couple of questions….
Could it have been a possibility that the Christ was speaking in the metaphor of the day?
International Standard Version (2008)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
GOD’S WORD Translation (1995)
Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me.
King James Bible
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
American King James Version
Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.
American Standard Version
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Bible in Basic English
Jesus said to him, I am the true and living way: no one comes to the Father but by me.
Douay-Rheims Bible
Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.
Darby Bible Translation
Jesus says to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father unless by me.
English Revised Version
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Webster’s Bible Translation
Jesus saith to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me.
Weymouth New Testament
“I am the Way,” replied Jesus, “and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
World English Bible
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.
Young’s Literal Translation
Jesus saith to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one doth come unto the Father, if not through me;
Can you and I agree? People are going to translate teachings in their own way?
My translation of what the Christed One was saying is:
We will not recognize the Father or Source or whatever ONE chooses to call GOD until/unless we live with the love of the Father/Source in each of our daily lives.(As Christ did)
I personally believe that this is an extremely challenging proposition, if, in-thought and in-deed we can only see ourselves as sinful and dirty. (Please forgive yourself of what you believe to be your faults and shortcomings, In short, your human nature) GOD HAS ALREADY EVEN BEFORE YOU ASK.
Namaste
posted November 30, 2008 at 6:04 pm
back to “Amazing Grace” -
The song itself was written by a person who realized that God/goodness was in everyone. It is perfectly fine to think or not think/believe in God. (No one argues that)
That Man has the realization to know what is right, and knows what to do as right action in itself has its own purpose. Those that do believe will then know and see that God even works through a person who doesn’t even believe in God.
isn’t that amazing….?!
posted November 30, 2008 at 8:14 pm
The thing in Walmart is evidence of a belief in lack as a result of a belief in fear. I’m sure none of us would say that people are less important to us than having everything we think we need… but that is exactly what this incident is evidence of. It is a reflection of what many of our religions are saying to us: that there is an urgency to get through a narrow door to get our prize even if it means trampling those who stand in the way. Or that somehow if we don’t arrive at a specific time and go through that specific door, then we won’t ever find what we’re looking for.
Meanwhile, many of us felt no urgency, no need to rush out in search of a bargain. The bargains of the past often sit unused on a shelf collecting dust irregardless of the urgency they required at the time. How often do we take stock of what drives our urgencies? I choose to believe that we are making progress. Its all related, as Deb said, Walmart, Wall Street, World relations, Religion… when we see an upheaval in one area its evidence that we still have work to do as a whole. But with everything in me I want to believe that the very fact that its been reported and that we are appalled by it and questioning it is evidence that we are making progress.
posted December 1, 2008 at 9:23 am
The tradition of the sinners prayer in Christianity is simply that…a tradition. Tradition very rarely equals truth. The organic Christian church leaders tell us that we must recite this prayer to be “saved” and then Jesus comes to live in our hearts and we get to go to heaven. Sounds nice. Sounds easy enough. It’s also misinformed.
The real recognition is the realization that we have been connected to God from the very start but we were oblivious. The real recognition is that we are all sons and daughters of God…that we all have a direct connection to God. The message of Jesus was not you can only go through me to get to God. His way and truth and life was a demonstration for us all…His way, truth and life can be demonstrated by any one of any religion. He became one with the Spirit of God thru unconditional love and unselfish spirit. That was His way and that is why he said the only way to the father was thru Him. Not Him the person. Him the Spirit of unselfish, unconditional Love. The message of Jesus and “The Good News” was ”hey people, the spirit of God lives in you just like it does me…be conscious of that…be aware of that…live your life knowing that”. He was the first of many. The spirit was poured out on all flesh. We shall do greater things than He. It is the Christ spirit IN you…not outside of you… that is the Hope and Glory. The kingdom of God is within you. He was telling people that they didn’t need golden calves, sacrifice of animals or tabernacles to commune with God almighty…there is nothing between you and God and He resides inside of you whether you acknowledge Him or not. The cry for repentance was for us to finally acknowledge this God aspect within ourselves… to change our way of thinking about who we are and where we come from. Christianity comes along and takes away the idols and puts Jesus in their place. Symbolically this makes a lot of sense. Christ represents the spirit of God…so accepting Christ is really just finally realizing God is and always has been part of our being. Unfortunately, this is not how it is presented to us by Christianity.
The symbol of the cross demonstrates our true condition also…the horizontal section of the cross represents our connection to the human, earthly side and the vertical section of the cross represents our connection to the heavenly piece of God side. Once we are aware of this aspect of ourselves and that this aspect is in all people our lives begin to change. Unconditional Love and unselfish spirit is inside of each of us…look for it. Find it. Commune with it. Live in that space. Jesus came to take away the sin of the world. The part that is not realized yet is that there is but one sin and one virtue in the world. The only sin is not being conscious of the God that lives within you…and the only virtue is when you are conscious of God. This is true repentance…the repentance that Jesus spoke of…because when you live and breathe from this aspect of your being all other “sin” falls away. This is freedom in Christ. This is how Christ takes away the sin of the world.
You can operate from this aspect whether you are a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian, a Sufi, whatever…maybe your not part of any faith what so ever. I’ve seen people that don’t follow any particular faith that are following His Way more closely than many priests, pastors and bishops. Heaven and hell are also symbolic in meaning and have been distorted. A little research will reveal that the doctrine of hell is not biblical at all – that through various translations as well as the absorption of pagan customs (Greek, Babylonian, German) we have this doctrine. Doctrine = man made.
If we love God for the sake of getting into heaven then we should not be allowed in. If we love God only to escape the flames of hell then we should burn. But if we love God only for the sake of loving Him then through that devotion…you will be blessed. Since God lives in me and it is through Him and in Him I have my being then I need not go outside of myself to find Him. Loving God just for the sake of Loving Him(in and of All things, including myself) is the true meaning of loving ourselves as our neighbors. He lives in us just as he does our neighbor. Whether I’m a Christian and my neighbor is Jewish makes no difference. He lives in all. Christians cannot deny this or they would not be trying to convert people. How messed up is that? For a Christian to tell someone they must say a sinners prayer and then boom…you’re saved…you’re born again…you’re going to heaven …is a crock of shit. That is pure laziness. Christians claim they don’t want anyone to go to hell but they don’t realize that hell lives within their doctrine of separation that their King Jesus came to destroy. They also say you must believe it in your heart. This part is correct…the content and context is what is misunderstood. You must believe in your heart that Jesus was God’s son and that you are also a child of God…regardless of race, gender, creed or religion…that every human being is part of your family…Gods family. God is no respecter of persons. The book says God sent his only begotten son, yes. But it also says we are brothers and sisters in Christ…We are heirs to the throne. Christ is the God Spirit that binds us all together.
If you are truly living from this spirit within you and demonstrating it then the words “Christianity is the only way” would never pass over your lips. Selfless spirit and unconditional Love is the ONLY way. We all have it. We all can operate our lives from it (repent!). Our tradition that we choose to operate from is optional. Isn’t Jesus’ parable of the good Samaritan proof of that?
posted December 1, 2008 at 10:27 am
Two thousand years ago, a man was convinced of a terrible lie. And he and countless thousands died because they believed it.
The lie was fed, over and over, like a hungry monster.
More lies were told so that the people would continue to believe.
No. No more.
God does not hate. God does not demand sacrifice. God does not demand justice. God does not use fear to trample innocent men to death. God does not tell people theirs is the only true religion, and others must be killed in an Indian hotel. God does not fester racial hate. God does claim women are mere chattel, to have men be their go-between to God. God does not want war, and hate. God did not condone the enslavement of people.
Ask yourself who does fit that profile. THINK!
posted December 2, 2008 at 12:49 am
We are all going home ,we will not take the same route but we’ll all get there..It’s no use arguing whether there is only one way coz some could not comprehend an alternative route even if it exists .We just need to respect each other’s path and see you all at the top !!
posted December 2, 2008 at 12:31 pm
“DOes a perfect and holy GOd hate evil and sin?”
When I was a Christian I believed that God loved me, K, for the person I was, unconditionally. Then one day my pastor gave a very interesting sermon about the grace of God. He said that we could not help sinning, because we were human and that was why God granted us undeserved love and salvation, since our imperfect nature would never make it possible to save ourselves.
That’s when my belief cracked and eventualy crumbled to pieces.
If I am imperfect and can not helped to sin, it is only because God made me that way. He, who knew me by name before I was born, who created my soul, who decided my circumstances of birth, who gave me all my strengh and flaws, who foresaw all the “evil” I was to do, made me anyway. And then decided to blame me for it. My pastor gave me then the “free will” speech. The Bible God loves me so much that he will not force me to love him back. He’ll just torture me for an eternity if I fail to do so. May be I’m being thick here, but where is the free will and where is the love in all of this? Specially when faith if “a gift of the Spirit.” So the Christian God, as I understand it, is the one who grants faith. Hence, if you don’t have any faith is because…oh yes, Loving God decided not to grant you any, but he will punish you just the same for not believing in Jesus.
LZ asks
“DOes a perfect and holy GOd hate evil and sin?”
Well, if you have read so far, I guess you know my answer. First I don’t see how such contradictory being can be perfect or holy. And
if we are to believe the Bible, then I’ll say no -he does not hate evi and sin. According to the O.T, God calls himself the creator of evil. He makes Satan, fully knowing of the damage this creature will cause. He goes around ordering the death of innocent children and babies. In our everyday experience we see that to this day He feels no pity for the “little ones” allowing all manner of pain and evil to befold over them, because apparently, no even new-borns escape from the damnation of “not being good” and are included in the group of all who have sinned against God. I guess they do it just by existing, because I cannot see how a baby can exercise “free will”. So the Christian God either creates or allows sin to happen -something that someone who hates evil and sin would simply not do.
posted December 3, 2008 at 1:44 pm
Snake: “Eat this and you’ll know the difference between good and evil. You’ll be ‘like God.”
Eve: “God said ‘No’, so I really don’t think I should.”
Snake: “God just doesn’t want you to know right from wrong, like He does. Try it, you’ll like it!”
Eve: “Ok, come here Adam honey. Try this, it’s really tasty.”
Adam, eating the lion’s share: “Yeah, it is good.”
god, ticked: “I told you to obey me. Now you’re all doomed. Get some warm clothes on, and Eve, start working on inventing an epidural. You’re gonna need it.”
Adam: “It was all her fault.”
Epilogue…
Eve skulks away after being thrown under the bus by hubby and tricked by sammy snake. She wonders how she was supposed to know it was wrong to disobey BEFORE she ate the friggin fruit and got the knowledge.
Adam scampers off to find something to kill for dinner.
Snake slithers away, planning his next clever god-lie, chuckling to himself that those ventriloquist lessons have really paid off.