Here's some thoughts on basic theology for inspiration, zest for life and a 'distraction' from our very troubling times. Also, I want you to get to know Doug at Gulfcoastcommentary since I'm new here
After some strong proselytization I turned against those who preach the fear of hell instead of the love of God. As you may have noticed I am an analyzer. I find great value and problems in organized religions. All say they are the ONLY true religion, and that included every Christian denotation. I'm too analytical to achieve faith.
That said, faith is valuable to a health culture. As you alluded to in your article, God tugs you to be good. I think that tug would only be to the faithful.
Oh, how I criticize atheist activists, they are hateful. I ally politically with family value Christians. As a likely deist who am I to say but I know the people with the best morals when I see their communities.
I see many of the lessons of the bible as valuable parables, lessons of life, valuable metaphors.
All religions as you said except for Islam who jettisoned the 10 commandments if I remember correctly, all teach good and improving one’s self. Most teach family values.
I’m always theorizing and that is why I can’t conclude. But I imagine if I were God in an age where people rarely ventured 20 miles from their place of birth, I’d send out multiple messengers across the world to spread the word.
I have a chapter I left out of the autobiography of the book I wrote for my boys when I had throat cancer on spirituality where. Where I spoke of all the religions and reflections on them.
I agree most fall into a pseudo religion of one sort of another, for my column “And Rightly So” I had in 2006 I wrote a piece called The New Paganism about the environmentalist’s religion.
I do believe Karma is real as I understand it. But if I have another, I couldn’t identify it. Live like what goes around is real and one lives morally.
I was admiring your photos, so good!! You've done some travels as well. Good stuff!! I read post about Yellowstone fires. I loved it. That year, my little group finally did a hike in the far SW corner of the park (which was mostly spared), but there was smoke around. It didn't matter, I love every minute in the backcountry.
Cascade Corner, well done, Hope you get to the hot spring under Denuda falls. ( incorrect spelling).
Photography has been my passion since 1985, today my escape from the madness of our times. Good time traveling till health slowed my down and pandemic ruined my photography tour business. After Cancer in 2018 I didn't feel right about selling foreign trips I might not be able to show up for.
Thanks... some might complain that I'm Christian-lite and I would say "Thanks!" Even after college, my travels have exposed me to some very interesting other religions. For example, I can't speak Thai, but I have huge admiration for Thai Buddhists. I just watch what they do and I'm convinced. I love those people!
Thanks so much for reading. I gave it a try here at Substack, I didn't get that many hits. Something tells me that my latest post (actually older) will get more traffic. Let's see.
I belive substack takes a while to catch on, and like anything, it likely takes time to catch the eye of someone influential.
I mostly wanted a parking place for all the material I have written over the years so I could share links elsewhere. This does, though, have the opportunity to catch that influential eye. Networking, though substack, is likely beneficial in elevating the algorithms.
Religion is a personal thing, and don't be bothered by the purists. Most have swallowed another's version of what they profess as absolute truth.
A Love for God who daily gives us breath, life above everything, as your sister who was born again, so was I, delivered from dead religion,(Catholic) drugs, booze, lust, etc.
This is the path America, Washington, D. & R., has chosen.
“The wicked shall be turned to hell and all the nations that forget God”
After some strong proselytization I turned against those who preach the fear of hell instead of the love of God. As you may have noticed I am an analyzer. I find great value and problems in organized religions. All say they are the ONLY true religion, and that included every Christian denotation. I'm too analytical to achieve faith.
That said, faith is valuable to a health culture. As you alluded to in your article, God tugs you to be good. I think that tug would only be to the faithful.
Oh, how I criticize atheist activists, they are hateful. I ally politically with family value Christians. As a likely deist who am I to say but I know the people with the best morals when I see their communities.
I see many of the lessons of the bible as valuable parables, lessons of life, valuable metaphors.
All religions as you said except for Islam who jettisoned the 10 commandments if I remember correctly, all teach good and improving one’s self. Most teach family values.
I’m always theorizing and that is why I can’t conclude. But I imagine if I were God in an age where people rarely ventured 20 miles from their place of birth, I’d send out multiple messengers across the world to spread the word.
I have a chapter I left out of the autobiography of the book I wrote for my boys when I had throat cancer on spirituality where. Where I spoke of all the religions and reflections on them.
I agree most fall into a pseudo religion of one sort of another, for my column “And Rightly So” I had in 2006 I wrote a piece called The New Paganism about the environmentalist’s religion.
I do believe Karma is real as I understand it. But if I have another, I couldn’t identify it. Live like what goes around is real and one lives morally.
Cheers
I was admiring your photos, so good!! You've done some travels as well. Good stuff!! I read post about Yellowstone fires. I loved it. That year, my little group finally did a hike in the far SW corner of the park (which was mostly spared), but there was smoke around. It didn't matter, I love every minute in the backcountry.
Cascade Corner, well done, Hope you get to the hot spring under Denuda falls. ( incorrect spelling).
Photography has been my passion since 1985, today my escape from the madness of our times. Good time traveling till health slowed my down and pandemic ruined my photography tour business. After Cancer in 2018 I didn't feel right about selling foreign trips I might not be able to show up for.
Very interesting take and shows the value of self study instead proselytized. Very good
Thanks... some might complain that I'm Christian-lite and I would say "Thanks!" Even after college, my travels have exposed me to some very interesting other religions. For example, I can't speak Thai, but I have huge admiration for Thai Buddhists. I just watch what they do and I'm convinced. I love those people!
My recent trip to Nepal was an eye-opener: https://gulfcoastcommentary.substack.com/p/travel-log-6-experiencing-a-beautiful
Thanks so much for reading. I gave it a try here at Substack, I didn't get that many hits. Something tells me that my latest post (actually older) will get more traffic. Let's see.
I belive substack takes a while to catch on, and like anything, it likely takes time to catch the eye of someone influential.
I mostly wanted a parking place for all the material I have written over the years so I could share links elsewhere. This does, though, have the opportunity to catch that influential eye. Networking, though substack, is likely beneficial in elevating the algorithms.
Religion is a personal thing, and don't be bothered by the purists. Most have swallowed another's version of what they profess as absolute truth.
Doug,
A Love for God who daily gives us breath, life above everything, as your sister who was born again, so was I, delivered from dead religion,(Catholic) drugs, booze, lust, etc.
This is the path America, Washington, D. & R., has chosen.
“The wicked shall be turned to hell and all the nations that forget God”
Psalm 9:17
AMERICAN VALUES
https://marcelcousineau.substack.com/p/american-values
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. He is in complete control of everything and judges sin always.
Ezekiel 9 is what's coming to America.