tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609859879097798263.post2610441775755337497..comments2023-11-02T01:29:29.601-07:00Comments on On both your houses: Choosing GodOn both your houseshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00474215196050660881noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609859879097798263.post-38550598080965344632010-01-10T07:29:18.674-08:002010-01-10T07:29:18.674-08:00I was in college when I embraced Catholicism for t...I was in college when I embraced Catholicism for the mantillas and Latin, Becky. I frankly liked not knowing what the priest was saying. And Cathedrals are so beautiful.<br /><br />Then away went the Latin. And off came the lace and I became rapidly disenchanted. Went to Temple with a Jewish friend for a couple years. I am still rather fond of Sufi dances and chants.<br /><br />So much of the teachings of Jesus are echos of Zen teachings. But the religions have so perverted them. When Jesus told Peter to "build my church upon this rock" I don't think he meant a structure. But to hold services to him in the open as his entire ministry had been. He did want to tear down the temples and I think he would be abhorred at what religion has built.JBinford-Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14293248281473648182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609859879097798263.post-38393471404119373122010-01-10T04:59:00.504-08:002010-01-10T04:59:00.504-08:00Rituals interest me. Being raised a Mormon, we ha...Rituals interest me. Being raised a Mormon, we had very few rituals. I always enjoyed (still do) watching midnight mass on tv at Christmas time. I don't know why these repetitions of ceremony appeal to me, but there's something in them that is soothing. To me if religion doesn't offer some internal peace and escape from a troubled world, it's not doing its job.<br /><br />Your post reminded me how I dislike hearing athletes "praise God" when they win at something. Do people really believe God is responsible for helping them win at games? <br /><br />I avoid brick and mortar churches as I think Jacqui is right, it's all about money, power, and influence. Whatever happened to "Feed my sheep."<br /><br />By the way, I could embrace Christianity as a way of life apart from the deity belief. But "Christians" have co-opted Christ and pretty much removed the spirit of his teachings from present day Christianity making it more offensive than appealing. Still, I love many New Testament scriptures such as The Beattitudes.<br /><br />As for costumes, I'd not mind being required to wear a lovely black lace mantilla.Bekkieannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13058996951400003081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609859879097798263.post-8829829401398959112010-01-10T03:39:07.804-08:002010-01-10T03:39:07.804-08:00Choosing god? Or choosing a god? I think some of t...Choosing god? Or choosing a god? I think some of them might be a great deal more fun than others.<br /><br />Most the the pagan gods in tribal areas seem to want some really cool costumes and neat dances. I sort of put my foot down about human sacrifice though right at the moment I could think of a short list I would offer up.<br /><br />Frankly I think beyond a ritual now and then it is god that should be doing it all for me. After all that is where the power rests, right?<br /><br />You do pose some interesting questions. Religion was once about the people and now the people are about the religion. Ministers of the faith once ministered to the masses and now they are CEO's of the church as corporation.<br /><br />And no fun costumes!JBinford-Bellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14293248281473648182noreply@blogger.com