Are There Multiple Paths To God?

That's why there are different paths.

What do you mean exactly when you say your grandparents capacity is limited? Capacity of what? Don't they simply choose to believe that the bible is God if they do so?

 

I say limited because they only read about Isreal and the bible. They believe a lot of what Fox News blabbers about. They never try anything new, which is okay but I don't think it hurts to be more aware. They just think all idea's that aren't Christain are wrong and probably evil.

 

Those to whom religiosity is big biz are the institutions, church corporations and their officers. They have a conflict of interest that prohibits them seeing the public interest with unadulterated regard no matter how sincere they imagine themselves to be. They cannot make a genuine difference being themselves inhibited in will and contradictory of thought, so they take a stand. They stand for this and against that. The congregation is none the wiser nor are the directors wise. The blind lead in blindness and then only they only lead the blind. It is not a matter of hypocrisy that they can detect, but truly a matter of being duped on all accounts from high to low. The seeing have no need of an interpreter. The seeing can avoid or surmount obstacles and no defensive or offensive stance is required.

Bitterness about hypocrisy is bitterness and if you think it is about something that you see out there then you have mistaken the location where bitterness exists. We experience the parameters of our own measures. Our bitterness is then over our own verdicts about what we witness or experience.

The remedy for blindness is vision. The remedy for a dark view a bright one.

 

How shall the seeing be respectful of the blind congregation ?

 

"The remedy for a dark view is a bright one."


I see what you mean with the above post. If I harbor any bitterness regarding hucksters, the REAL feeling is for those "huckstered." Although I certainly cannot describe bitterness as any part of my being, EXCEPT for some political actors. And I revel in being truly pissed off at that particular brand of hucksterism, because of the unmitigated gall of those who control so many here and around the world--as differentiated from those who have the choice to seek god in their own way or conversely those who don't feel the need.

Look--I can't take myself seriously most of the time. The older I have gotten, the more I KNOW that I am nothing and nobody in the scheme of things. Just another sack a' meat with a somewhat reasonable power of observation honed over the decades being in and around this passing parade of life, while attempting to sort out the purpose and meaning of "IT ALL." No can do. All the while, being absolutely stunned at what humans do to their fellows, in attitude and actuality. Believe it or not, I see the beauty and goodness displayed in life daily. Although personally, it took me many years to learn what love really was/is-------I do have love for humanity and perhaps that's where my sarcasm is occasionally thought to be rude and misplaced. So be it. I mean no one any harm. (refer back to homicidal maniacs.)

 

Be respectful.

 

I don't hold anyone to any standard in what I say. I speak of the conditions we call upon. Having been huckstered myself on more than one occasion I can say to see clearly is simply a relief. No one here thinks you are anything but good natured and I personally think you are wise as you are venerable. What do you think the scheme of things is, just as food for thought.

 

highway to hell.

 

Right, it is that simple. I wonder why mr. Writer liked that post (I don't want to assume anything wrong).

My first thought after reading that post is: is there any purpose in disrespecting the (people we regard as) blind who choose to go to such a congregation? Or the congregation itself because we see it doesn't fit OUR perspective? Doesn't it all depends on the contents of the congregation? I dislike that psalm singing a lot, and also not every sermon and its contents suit me. In fact being in a church at sunday morning does not suit me Is that a good reason to disrespect the congregation or would that just be juvenile (after all I can just ignore it, we are not in medieval times so why act like we are ). But I acknowledge that does not count for all sermons and most importantly how I experience the congretations here does not count for those people who love going there. People are often eager to declare the path/way of someone else they do not see the point of as blind or clueless, while it is utterly pointless if that way serves that person's needs (this can be taken out of context of course, I am not talking about a need like they need to be there because that's how the organisation tells them to act out their beliefs ). I'm sorry man, I don't wanna sound like a preacher but I think that 'the measure you give is the measure you receive' makes a lot of sense in this regard.

 

I refer to those huckstered as blind or hood winked. I don't know who they are and I don't point fingers but to the dynamic of inherent conflict of interest which is the huckster itself, not the individual and I say this sham is not purposeful by individuals. These are forces we all face from time to time as we find ourselves confused about what to do.

How to be respectful to a blind congregation,

For my own part I have crashed congregations so to speak. I have participated in their services and ate with them and at the appropriate time just spoke honestly of my experience. Knowledge is being shared. Certainly I find nothing respectful about discounting them or any potentials they might have. Nor do I suggest that this kind of blindness is not reversible. All it takes is for a little light to enter to illuminate the whole room. The reason this is possible is the fundamental reason many of those who are of the age of reason come to find themselves in church, to find substance or light in their lives. In one circumstance it was relayed in a public meeting that the somewhat liberal leaning pastor and myself had provided a one two punch towards brighter understanding. I am a layperson who just walked in the door. Not saying that engagement to that level is required to be respectful. My actions speak to my compassion for those who are confused or struggling with articles of faith and I know they exist because I was one of them earlier in life. I have no association with any organization for the organizations sake but i relate well to the idea of congregation or community. I don't hang around at length however except in this forum where the variety comes to you. They all have their own support systems or individual lives and concerns. 'i say my peace and move on to the next opportunity and it is enough where ever it lights. We learn what we truly want to learn. Many don't care particularly for knowledge but specifically for comfort. As long as comfortable no need to extend understanding. All the same a candy bar can comfort.

 

as to the congregation of the seeing , it's a miracle .

 

There are many paths but all end up at the same place after death.

Although, I believe the length and degree of comfort of the post-death journey will vary with the person.

 

All roads lead to Rome

 

there are multiple paths to the avoidance of causing suffering and harm. whatever god is or isn't, is something we may never know, and certainly don't in this life now.

 

Unless you're already in Rome.

 

Well, unless you live there you always have to go to it first

edit: roads in Rome also lead to other parts in Rome so technically...

 

Can't be!

 

Got me there :dizzy2:

 

And that while I was in an intense smoking session Which is probably also the main reason that I made that post

 

assuming there is a god, or if you take the origin of 'god' as a contraction of 'good', then every spiritual path is one that might lead to it.
self discipline, mindfulness, the indivour and motivation to avoid causing harm, these are the key elements, whatever social minutia, or mythological wonder stories, you decorate them with.