Not a conspiracy theorist, however..

It's so lovely to hear stories like that. Your Aunt and Uncle were heroes. How wonderful to make such a difference in the lives of children.
I had a friend who took in foster babies after she retired. Her daughter had suggested it. I knew of three who were waiting for their moms to get straight. One she had for almost 3 years. She stopped doing it when it became hard to haul the equipment up and down the stairs of her second story condo. She gave those boys (they were all boys) a good start in life. She died earlier this year. I miss her.
 

We are brothers in this
I thought I was the only one that didn't get a rise with The Beatles
...and Taylor Swift.....not seein' it
The Beatles I love, sorry! :) But there's been such a fuss over Taylor Swift that I decided to look up her music only a couple of days ago! To my ancient ears it sounds awful, too close to hip hop! Or is it hip hop? I just know that rap and hip hop make me belligerent and crazy, as in: How can anyone call this music? :ROFLMAO:
 
You kinow, there's a lot of sneering about romance novels, and I was one of the scoffers. I never let my wife know, though because she loved them. After her death I did not want to read anything heavy or dramatic so I picked up one of her romances and actually appreciated it, it gave me a warm feeling because if had a satisfying, happy ending. Just what I needed at that moment.

I don't restrict myself to romances. I love sci-fi, crime, action and adventure, autobiographies but steer away from any books recommended by critics or read and discussed by bookclubs. Some of those books are without a doubt worth reading (Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid's Tale as one example) but I can't stand "dystopian or Drama!"

All the preferences in my listed categories as well as in movies or shows have one thing in common: They have to be light! And that gives me a happy and positive attitude!
 

The elephant in the room is that there are some heinous things done in the Old Testament. It's so bad and inconsistent that we apparently needed a new covenant with God. As such, picking and choosing which parts of the Old Testament are okay or not seems somewhat suspect.

One of the alarm bells for Christianity is that it condemns non-believers. If you don't believe in the same God, it's hell and damnation. Not very good, is it? If I don't comply with a set of standards - standards many professed Christians don't meet - I'll suffer eternally. I mean seriously. It's a bit harsh!

I am also confused by the idea of free will. The point of free will was so we had a choice to follow Gods word, or choose not to. Fair enough, but since the penalty paid for not following is extremely harsh, it's like we don't have free will at all - who would choose burning in hell forevermore? Since God gave us the ability to choose - a God-given right - why punish us on the back end if we go east instead of west?

But I'll tell you the one thing that REALLY bothers me about Christianity - it's use in politics. I don't want to get this thread off topic, but just about every politician proclaims to be a Christian. Yet we know the things they do, vote for, etc. Let alone the scandals. For them, religion has turned in a vehicle to virtue signal. It's not sincere, and it's not honest.

If I were a God who could create worlds and beings, there is much I'd do differently.
I agree with you that there is much hypocrisy in the world.
Again, not being "christian" does NOT mean you don't believe in god. It just means you don't believe jesus is his son from a virgin mother. Why are so many christians so thickheaded about that?
This is the difference as far as I can see, that Christianity (all of the many different denominations) are religions About Jesus rather than the religion Of Jesus.
 
Don't look at people, look instead directly at what Jesus said and did.
I whole heartedly agree with that admonition. I have visited many different churches and found that the majority of what was preached was not the teachings of Jesus but the teachings of Paul instead.
 
I am surprised this thread is still live. Working on roundtrip reservations: Syracuse NY-Charleston SC last week of May. Ride coach first leg of trip to New York City station. Roomet to Charleston SC. Made similar train trip Syracuse-Atlanta Ga coach all the way because my daughter was with us. Vowed not to ride coach overnight again.
 

I can relate to 12 Spiritual Laws of the universe because they are not faith based.​

The 12 Spiritual Laws Of The Universe

When you don’t understand the connections between the spiritual laws, you naturally encounter obstacles. You may feel lost, frustrated and confused about your purpose. It may even feel like virtually everything goes wrong for you, no matter how well you think you’ve planned.
In contrast, people who live their lives with an awareness of the interconnected laws typically report feeling more confident, productive and reflective than ever before. While there is advanced personal work you can do with respect to each law, even starting out with this general grasp of the different laws may make a noticeable difference to the way you feel.

1. The Law of Divine Oneness

The Law of Divine Oneness is the foundational law, according to which absolutely everything in our universe is interconnected. In other words, every choice, word, desire, and belief you have will also have an impact on the world, and on the people in your life.
Sometimes this impact will be immediate and obvious. At other times, it may take a while to manifest, or you may never even discover that it has occurred. Try to think of yourself as part of everything around you to live in accordance with this law. We are all one, and awareness of this makes us more powerful as well as more empathetic.

2. Law of Vibration

According to the Law of Vibration, every particle in the universe is in constant movement and constantly carries energy. This applies to enormous parts of the universe, like the planets and stars. However, it also applies to the chair underneath you or the table where your computer sits.
In addition, everything has its own specific energy frequency. High energy particles are naturally attuned to other high energy particles, and the same is true for those that have low energy.

3. Law of Correspondence

The Law of Correspondence is directly related to the foundational Law of Divine Oneness. The key idea here is that patterns repeat throughout the universe, and that prominent patterns can also be found repeating on a very small scale.
For example, think of the popular example of the spiral pattern that reappears in a huge number of places in the galaxy. Look for patterns in your own life and in your thinking, and notice how they repeat elsewhere in the world. As you do so, consider the kinds of pattern changes you might be able to make, and how those will create change on a large scale.
Scientific Technique Using A Mirror To Boost Manifestations.
"It was just an incredible experience and I am so grateful for that..." ~ Melissa Grenier

4. Law of Attraction

As you likely already know, the Law of Attraction tells us that like attracts like. So, in order to have the things you desire in life, you have to work out how to vibrate on the same frequency as these things. The more general lesson here is that being positive, proactive and loving attracts more of the same into your life. Meanwhile, pessimism, fear, and lethargy will lead you to generate more negative experiences in all aspects of life.
By working to live more positively even just today, you’re already using the Law of Attraction to create a better existence for yourself.

5. Law of Inspired Action

Law of Attraction practitioners regularly say that they wish they had known about the Law of Inspired action at an earlier stage! These two laws are tightly bound together, and the Inspired Action law tells us that we must actively pursue our goals.
Many people think that visualizing a goal and developing a positive attitude towards it will be sufficient to exploit the Law of Attraction.
However, you also have to take inspired steps towards that thing that you want. Whether it’s a big or small step, it instantly helps you to attract that relationship, job, or enhanced abundance you seek.

6. Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy

The Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy states that everything around us is in constant flux. You can’t see all of these changes because many of them exist at the cellular or atomic level, but they carry on regardless.
The reason that it’s so important to be aware of this Law is that it helps you see how you can trigger positive change. Specifically, keep in mind that high vibrations can trigger improvements in low vibrations. For example, if you’re vibrating at a low frequency, exposing yourself to the high frequency of a happy, encouraging friend will naturally trigger energy transmutation in you.

7. The Law of Cause and Effect

One of the most straightforward laws of the universe, the Law of Cause and Effect tells us that all actions have a corresponding reaction. You will already know this, of course, when it comes to the physical aspects of the world. However, perhaps you haven’t considered how this law might be applied to the spiritual aspects of our universe.
Your spiritual life can impact the world around you, causing positive or negative reactions. Similarly, your physical environment can impact on your spirituality, whether for good or for ill. Ask yourself what types of relationships you see between the spiritual and the physical, and how you might want to change them.

8. The Law of Compensation

According to the Law of Compensation, you will receive what you put out. This is similar to the Law of Attraction, but with a focus on the idea that compensation can come in many forms.
For example, if you win a large amount of money then you might think you’re getting a reward. However, depending on how you have lived, your vast amount of wealth could lead to a worse life rather than a better one.
Essentially, you reap what you sow. This law reminds you to be careful about how you treat others, and indeed the planet.

9. Law of Relativity

The Law of Relativity is all about the neutrality of things when seen in isolation. So, no particular person, experience, emotion or action is evaluated as good or bad until you look at it in comparison with something else.
For example, you may think you are poor, but perhaps that’s because you have three wealthy uncles. By keeping this law in mind, you remain conscious of the fact that there are always multiple perspectives on anything that happens to you. Trying to slip into these alternate perspectives can make you more grateful, and can also show you where you can make improvements in life.

10. Law of Polarity

When thinking about the Law of Polarity, the most important thing to remember is that absolutely everything has an opposite and that it’s the very existence of these opposites that allow us to understand our life. Consequently, when you go through something difficult, it will be this thing that helps you truly appreciate the good developments to come.
By regularly reminding yourself of this, you can improve your resilience in troubled times. For example, though a bad breakup is painful, it teaches you what doesn’t work for you in a relationship, helping you to eventually find what does.

11. Law of Rhythm

Sometimes called the Law of Perpetual Motion, the Law of Rhythm is (unsurprisingly) focused on movement. In particular, it refers to the fact that all things come in cycles.
You can see this in nature, e.g., in the seasons, and in the body’s aging process. However, it equally applies to a person’s life stages, and reflecting on this helps you to gain perspective. Today’s season may be good, but nothing is permanent, so enjoy what you have while it lasts. Alternatively, perhaps you’re in a negative part of the cycle right now, but it may be the very thing that prepares you for a prosperous change in cycles next month.

12. Law of Gender

Finally, the Law of Gender has very little to do with biological sex. Rather, it refers to the fact that there are two major types of energy. You can think of them as masculine and feminine, as yin and yang, or as anima and animus. We all contain a certain amount of both energy and must find a way to achieve a balance between both types if we are to live authentically and happily. Think about the role each type of energy appears to play in your life, and whether there is an excess or a deficit of either.
 
I whole heartedly agree with that admonition. I have visited many different churches and found that the majority of what was preached was not the teachings of Jesus but the teachings of Paul instead.
Well, I absolutely love Paul too. He was the most amazing man and Christian, whom we can thank for the majority of the New Testament.
As long as teaching is all Bible-based I am happy. What doesn't interest me are the bickering and power struggles going on in church. Paul advised in his letters about that even then, but human nature never changes.
 
Well, I absolutely love Paul too. He was the most amazing man and Christian, whom we can thank for the majority of the New Testament.
As long as teaching is all Bible-based I am happy. What doesn't interest me are the bickering and power struggles going on in church. Paul advised in his letters about that even then, but human nature never changes.

We don't really know what Jesus said. We know what was attributed to him, but again Paul didn't know Jesus himself. There is a lot of doubt around him even hearing Jesus speak. So anything quoted would be hearsay.
 
This I love ❤️

The truth is, we don't know who wrote the New Testament. Even Paul is in doubt. There is a lot of discussion and debate around this, so you'll be able to find many different articles and presentations about it. It's generally accepted that is wasn't by people named Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. The Bible is also not a book, as such. It's a collection of "pamphlets" written by persons unknown brought under one cover. Given it was copied by hand, and that an original copy doesn't exist, we can't know if anything was changed, missed out, or incorrectly copied.
 
The truth is, we don't know who wrote the New Testament. Even Paul is in doubt. There is a lot of discussion and debate around this, so you'll be able to find many different articles and presentations about it. It's generally accepted that is wasn't by people named Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. The Bible is also not a book, as such. It's a collection of "pamphlets" written by persons unknown brought under one cover. Given it was copied by hand, and that an original copy doesn't exist, we can't know if anything was changed, missed out, or incorrectly copied.
However, we can be sure it was written by men, and not some mythical being.
 

I can relate to 12 Spiritual Laws of the universe because they are not faith based.​

The 12 Spiritual Laws Of The Universe

When you don’t understand the connections between the spiritual laws, you naturally encounter obstacles. You may feel lost, frustrated and confused about your purpose. It may even feel like virtually everything goes wrong for you, no matter how well you think you’ve planned.
In contrast, people who live their lives with an awareness of the interconnected laws typically report feeling more confident, productive and reflective than ever before. While there is advanced personal work you can do with respect to each law, even starting out with this general grasp of the different laws may make a noticeable difference to the way you feel.

1. The Law of Divine Oneness

The Law of Divine Oneness is the foundational law, according to which absolutely everything in our universe is interconnected. In other words, every choice, word, desire, and belief you have will also have an impact on the world, and on the people in your life.
Sometimes this impact will be immediate and obvious. At other times, it may take a while to manifest, or you may never even discover that it has occurred. Try to think of yourself as part of everything around you to live in accordance with this law. We are all one, and awareness of this makes us more powerful as well as more empathetic.

2. Law of Vibration

According to the Law of Vibration, every particle in the universe is in constant movement and constantly carries energy. This applies to enormous parts of the universe, like the planets and stars. However, it also applies to the chair underneath you or the table where your computer sits.
In addition, everything has its own specific energy frequency. High energy particles are naturally attuned to other high energy particles, and the same is true for those that have low energy.

3. Law of Correspondence

The Law of Correspondence is directly related to the foundational Law of Divine Oneness. The key idea here is that patterns repeat throughout the universe, and that prominent patterns can also be found repeating on a very small scale.
For example, think of the popular example of the spiral pattern that reappears in a huge number of places in the galaxy. Look for patterns in your own life and in your thinking, and notice how they repeat elsewhere in the world. As you do so, consider the kinds of pattern changes you might be able to make, and how those will create change on a large scale.
Scientific Technique Using A Mirror To Boost Manifestations.
"It was just an incredible experience and I am so grateful for that..." ~ Melissa Grenier

4. Law of Attraction

As you likely already know, the Law of Attraction tells us that like attracts like. So, in order to have the things you desire in life, you have to work out how to vibrate on the same frequency as these things. The more general lesson here is that being positive, proactive and loving attracts more of the same into your life. Meanwhile, pessimism, fear, and lethargy will lead you to generate more negative experiences in all aspects of life.
By working to live more positively even just today, you’re already using the Law of Attraction to create a better existence for yourself.

5. Law of Inspired Action

Law of Attraction practitioners regularly say that they wish they had known about the Law of Inspired action at an earlier stage! These two laws are tightly bound together, and the Inspired Action law tells us that we must actively pursue our goals.
Many people think that visualizing a goal and developing a positive attitude towards it will be sufficient to exploit the Law of Attraction.
However, you also have to take inspired steps towards that thing that you want. Whether it’s a big or small step, it instantly helps you to attract that relationship, job, or enhanced abundance you seek.

6. Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy

The Law of Perpetual Transmutation of Energy states that everything around us is in constant flux. You can’t see all of these changes because many of them exist at the cellular or atomic level, but they carry on regardless.
The reason that it’s so important to be aware of this Law is that it helps you see how you can trigger positive change. Specifically, keep in mind that high vibrations can trigger improvements in low vibrations. For example, if you’re vibrating at a low frequency, exposing yourself to the high frequency of a happy, encouraging friend will naturally trigger energy transmutation in you.

7. The Law of Cause and Effect

One of the most straightforward laws of the universe, the Law of Cause and Effect tells us that all actions have a corresponding reaction. You will already know this, of course, when it comes to the physical aspects of the world. However, perhaps you haven’t considered how this law might be applied to the spiritual aspects of our universe.
Your spiritual life can impact the world around you, causing positive or negative reactions. Similarly, your physical environment can impact on your spirituality, whether for good or for ill. Ask yourself what types of relationships you see between the spiritual and the physical, and how you might want to change them.

8. The Law of Compensation

According to the Law of Compensation, you will receive what you put out. This is similar to the Law of Attraction, but with a focus on the idea that compensation can come in many forms.
For example, if you win a large amount of money then you might think you’re getting a reward. However, depending on how you have lived, your vast amount of wealth could lead to a worse life rather than a better one.
Essentially, you reap what you sow. This law reminds you to be careful about how you treat others, and indeed the planet.

9. Law of Relativity

The Law of Relativity is all about the neutrality of things when seen in isolation. So, no particular person, experience, emotion or action is evaluated as good or bad until you look at it in comparison with something else.
For example, you may think you are poor, but perhaps that’s because you have three wealthy uncles. By keeping this law in mind, you remain conscious of the fact that there are always multiple perspectives on anything that happens to you. Trying to slip into these alternate perspectives can make you more grateful, and can also show you where you can make improvements in life.

10. Law of Polarity

When thinking about the Law of Polarity, the most important thing to remember is that absolutely everything has an opposite and that it’s the very existence of these opposites that allow us to understand our life. Consequently, when you go through something difficult, it will be this thing that helps you truly appreciate the good developments to come.
By regularly reminding yourself of this, you can improve your resilience in troubled times. For example, though a bad breakup is painful, it teaches you what doesn’t work for you in a relationship, helping you to eventually find what does.

11. Law of Rhythm

Sometimes called the Law of Perpetual Motion, the Law of Rhythm is (unsurprisingly) focused on movement. In particular, it refers to the fact that all things come in cycles.
You can see this in nature, e.g., in the seasons, and in the body’s aging process. However, it equally applies to a person’s life stages, and reflecting on this helps you to gain perspective. Today’s season may be good, but nothing is permanent, so enjoy what you have while it lasts. Alternatively, perhaps you’re in a negative part of the cycle right now, but it may be the very thing that prepares you for a prosperous change in cycles next month.

12. Law of Gender

Finally, the Law of Gender has very little to do with biological sex. Rather, it refers to the fact that there are two major types of energy. You can think of them as masculine and feminine, as yin and yang, or as anima and animus. We all contain a certain amount of both energy and must find a way to achieve a balance between both types if we are to live authentically and happily. Think about the role each type of energy appears to play in your life, and whether there is an excess or a deficit of either.
NOW you are getting it!
 
We don't really know what Jesus said. We know what was attributed to him, but again Paul didn't know Jesus himself. There is a lot of doubt around him even hearing Jesus speak. So anything quoted would be hearsay.
The gospels were eye witness accounts.
Paul knew Jesus for sure, though he never met him in the flesh. Paul's letters, his Damascus experience and whole life are powerful evidence. I have not one shred of doubt that all told in the Bible is the greatest of truth.
 
I am surprised this thread is still live. Working on roundtrip reservations: Syracuse NY-Charleston SC last week of May. Ride coach first leg of trip to New York City station. Roomet to Charleston SC. Made similar train trip Syracuse-Atlanta Ga coach all the way because my daughter was with us. Vowed not to ride coach overnight again.
I am so jealous! What I wouldn't give for one more train trip! There are so many things I can no longer do. A visit to my relatives in Germany is on top of that list! I try to stay positive but once in a while I do miss some things greatly
 
Just one example of why I believe in a creator; water vapor doesn't evaporate into outer space. (Edit) Evidence of design speaks of a creator.

 
The gospels were eye witness accounts.
Paul knew Jesus for sure, though he never met him in the flesh. Paul's letters, his Damascus experience and whole life are powerful evidence. I have not one shred of doubt that all told in the Bible is the greatest of truth.

Scholars disagree with you. There is simply no evidence that Paul "knew Jesus". He heard some of what Jesus said, but there's no indication or evidence he met Jesus, or attended a meeting with him.
 
But yet, not so much gravity that the water vapor cannot ascend upward to form clouds, which move around the earth at just the right height to supply life giving water.

Well, you could say the same about oxygen. :)

It's a marvel for sure. Earth is such a complex little thing.
 


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