
Originally Posted by
Canticle
My name is Canticle. I have stated that I am a Christian Spiritualist and far more in the spiritual realm, than religious, these days. I have said that I have never had any time for the established Churches and many of their teachings. You will be aware that a Christian Spiritualist Church, is not part of what is classed, the established church.
I have never said that I do not believe in my church's stance (not that I am sure what you mean by that). If i did not feel comfortable and at ease within the community of my church, I would not have remained a member. I was a Christian, for over 30 years, before I joined any form of church. I stayed with that church, because of the people, not any doctrine it may have had.
Christian Spiritualists do not believe in witnessing their beliefs and individual Spiritualists, will see things very differently. We respect the personal belief or disbelief, of every human and consider that love is the most important thing, along with personal responsibility and the opportunity for every soul, or spirit to progress toward the light.
Adamkadmon43 has nothing to do with anything that I have written here. And please do not insult his intellect, for he is an extremely intelligent man and well read......far more well read than I.....When it comes to books about religionn he is exceptionally well read. I would never have needed to explain divinity or theology to him. He is bright enough to find out for himself.......with all the research he does. Nevertheless, this does not mean that a person knows, or understand everything. None of us can do that.
You may be getting confused with me saying, that I had had many discussions with him about my beliefs, which he does not share, nor would I expect him to. I haven't had to teach him anything. he understands things that many people would not be able to comprehend. I have tried to get him to be more accepting of why and what people believe and to not be so dogmatic. However, it is his choice, to come to his own conclusions about things. I am not his controller.
But LDD, I have never said, that I have tried to teach anyone, anything. I really don't understand where you get that from. I have been a Christian...my kind of Christianity, since I was 15, 40 years; so I was a christian before you were born. I have never had any life changing revelations, I am not a born again Christian and I was not brought up, within a family that attended church.
I may disapprove of the established churches and I was Christened in a Church of England church, but I have enough respevt for these institutions, that I would never misuse them. Hence, I was not married in church. To have done that would have been hypocritical and my three children have not been Christened. Again...I would not misuse the church. What they wish to believe, or not believe, is up to them. As long as they are decent people, that is all that matters.
I studied Religious Education and took examinations at 16 and had I not left school at 17.5 years, I would have taken another public examination and hopefully, have gone on to train as a teacher. I wanted to teach Religious Education. However, I did not and I am very glad, but I do wish I had studied theology and divinity at university......not because of any religious zeal...but because I find the subject fascinating.
When it comes to the Bible......I don't really know what you are trying to draw me into saying. The Bible, I believe, should not and was never meant to be taken literally. There is history, bunkum, inspiring words, daring do stories, war, adultery, murder, laws to allow for the control of a society, teaching and preaching. I take from it the inspirational words of a man called Jesus and the moving words to be found in places, such as Eccliastes. The original books of the Old Testament, were written over two thousand years ago. The Bible has been translated many times, mistranslated, changed deliberately and in translating, often misunderstood.
I don't believe that the Jews were a chosen nation of a god. A god, whom I do not believe in. I do not believe in a creator god, but I am not an atheist. My Christian beliefs are my own, personal belief and right from the word go, I called Jesus, the Son of Man, never the Son of God. I have never believed in a virgin birth, or that Judas betrayed Jesus, but was working with him, to procure an end he knew had to happen. He had to be a martyr. Guess what, I believe he died on the cross and there was no resurrection.....except a resurrectio in the hearts and minds of his followers, that they could go on, without him, teaching his words.
So, have you achieved what you set out to do. I doubt it. My belief is my own, just as yours is personal to you. I respect the belief and disbelief of others, do not believe in preaching and do not believe in trying to convert people. As we say in my church, ''If a person's belief or disbelief, sits well with them, then you leave well alone.'' OK.
In case you are unaware and would like more reading material, look up the Nag Hammadi Library on the Internet and read the Gospel of St Thomas. Also try the Gospel of Judas Iscariot and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. There are others. Most rejected at the Convention at Nicea, in the 5th century.....the church was still very young and needed to stay...''safe.''
You didn't succeed LDD.........I am far brighter than you imagine.
So, all you achieved, was to take the thread, totally off topic. Did you think that I would dig my own grave? Smiles......Sorry.....will never do that......for anyone.
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