Who thinks of "other than Christianity" when you think Spirituality and Religion [Spirituality & Religion]
I identified myself and belief as Christian for many years; majority of my life so far. I started off in life as an intuitive humanist. I went through "the dark night of the soul" and identified myself as an "ex-christian", yet not quite an agnostic or atheist. God's existence did not come into question. The Holiness of His Holiness the Christ, Jesus, has not come into question. I found a deep understanding of the bigness of God in the Baha'i Faith. And it has perfectly satisfied both the Spirituality and Religion that I now believe, in balance and truth, is TRUE.
What do YOU think of when you think of "Spirituality" and "Religion", how similar or difference are they in your perspective? How important is "what you believe" or is it important that you are learning, growing and maturing in your faith, whatever it is, and that it is OK for others to not believe as you do???
No proselytizing, no "my faith is better", just a question as to WHAT'S UP for you?????? Sending LOVE, Ms A
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@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow I get it. I've never understood the polytheism but I imagine Druidism (Celtic) and Norse would lend to that. Hinduism's symbols are a little creepy, no offense meant to Ganesha, also spelled Ganesh, also called Ganapati, elephant-headed Hindu god of beginnings. I see the different Deities, like in Greek and Roman Mythologies as teaching us the BIGGNESS of "the Eternal Essence"...not a personality but more than a FORCE that created and controls the UNIVERSE. [i] Baha'i loves all religions, their adherence and even their writings and teachings. We just see all as being on a progression of revelation, God gives to man what man can handle at the time. We're now mature enough to handle concepts like equality for men and women (sorry, only two), marriage before consummations, equality of all races (we call different skin colors, one race, Human) and World Peace and Economic Justice. [/i]
I especially love Buddhist philosophy and the many writers like Kahlil Gibran, Sufi Muslim Mystics (Rumi, Osho) also with Christian mystics (outcasts) like Madame Jeanne Guyon, a lover prayer, communication with God.
@MsAlaineEYes That is an interesting perspective although i think you are equating Greek and Roman views of the gods through a very creative and kind of overstated lens of neo platonism which itself is not that simple. And even within Greek polytheists past and present many did not and still do not agree with the cosmology of neo platonism which is also where the early Christian church got alot of their ideas too. Neo platonism is where Christians got the metric that a "true" god had to be all powerful and all knowing for example. I bring this up because I know at least one Hellenist would would take issue with your statement. :)
@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow Sorry, no offence meant; that is why I decided to start this thread, to see how people perceive other faiths. What we think about spirituality and religion and "chat" about it. I know very little about Greek and Roman Mythologies and NeoPlatoism (New Platonic thought I assume, I have not studied religions) and only studied Hellenistic thought and art in Culture Class in Uni. I'm a big picture person. I see patterns and symbols and their meanings figurately as well as literally. I enjoy the personification of Human Virtues and Divine Attributes in other religions.
I just don't get the elephants...lol I haven't been to India...and if the Cow is sacred, why don't they have a cow deity??? Just asking.
@MsAlaineEYes Understood. Just pointing out that polytheistic traditions have their own distinct "denominations" that have different ideas about things. And in Norse mythology there is both big picture stuff and less grandiose and universal aspects to it. I think the biggest issue alot of people have with neo platonic ideas is it is a framework for imposing one's cosmology on others as is the case with modern Christianity. That is also where the idea of "lesser gods" being demons or spirits. To those with different ideas it can be seen as offensive.
As for elephants that is easy. Ganesh is the remover of obstacles. Nothing more effective at that than a massive Indian elephant.
