Treading the path: A journey away from Christianity and into Spirituality.

And thank you for responding, I enjoyed reading your story.

It is easy for us to forget the trials and obstacles that people around the world struggle with in their own religions. Religions are like voices, and even though people may speak the same words, it always comes out sounding differently =). I think that there is no choice but to modernize religion, and I believe all of them need this. We are not a static people, and as our culture, our understanding, and our civilization advances, so must the way we apply our beliefs to our lives. It is hard for people to take words they have read for so long and find in them different meaning, but I hope that eventually everyone will see the intent behind the word, instead of just the words themselves.

It is too much to expect the youth of our planet to accept the ways of their forefathers. The way we communicate, share information, our social and economic structure, and the way we interact are so far removed from the application that current teachings try to impress. Many would say that "you cannot alter it, or else you are changing the religion" but I do not believe that. God is not dumb. He isn't an idiot that thinks that people don't change and that they will always live in mud brick houses herding sheep. The lessons that religion teach can be applied today, but they need to be applied to our society, not to a society we may wish is still true.

Regardless, I am really pretty sad at how religion turned out in our society. It has brought so much pain, and in the beginning it had only good intentions. Love, Compassion, Mercy... all leading you on a path to eternal life. Instead people just want to use it as a weapon to send people to hell heh. Hopefully some day enough people can come to terms with their life, and find harmony with society, even with their beliefs.

I am glad to hear that when you came to the USA, you found a home. In the end, and through all the mess that we endure as the "pinnacle of human civilization", the USA brought something to the world that it had never seen before. Equality, tolerance, and acceptance. I know people from other parts of the world, especially some of the darker corners, can appreciate that when they come here. When you are so close to it, it is easy to only see the bad things about our system, the anger, the hate, and the vestiges of racism, sexism, and religious persecution. I think what people forget is... that as bad as we seem sometimes, there has really never been better. I'm sure you can understand as much as anyone how easy it is for people to take shots at those who are on top. Even though you never asked to be Brahmin, and to be set above many others in station, and are humbled by such a title and position, there are still some who would look upon you with scorn and disdain simply for the life you were born into. The same goes for us all here. We were born into freedom, democracy, and a position that seemed to tower above the rest of the world. In many ways it is our curse, as with that power, comes scrutiny and responsibility. Responsibility to BE better than those who hate you, so that you may use your station for the betterment of mankind. The responsibility to understand their position, and to try and live with humility and grace. Power and authority is not a gift or a right... it is a burden, and a responsibility, but one that should be taken proudly.

I digress...

I think that the charm you felt when entering the USA is that which makes it shine. Through all of the muck... I feel that is the true gift that American's want to preserve, even if they don't realize it or fancy themselves with shinier goals. The ability to stand upon the ground of our country and say "I can. I can do anything if I put my mind to it. No one can hold me back but myself, and if I work hard enough, I can overcome the adversity that people throw at me." It is true, as much as people who never realize that dream hate to admit. Life in the US is one of your choosing. Things may happen, and people may get in your way at times, and opportunities may seem to pass you by... but it is my firm belief that to those with the fortitude and the will to survive and prosper... this is a land of infinite possibilities still. So thank you for accepting the gift that this country offered, and then turning around and giving back in kind :). Our future will be written by those of all races, cultures, and religions that come together and realize that what makes a nation is not the color of its people, or the stars and stripes of the flag they fly, or even the God that they worship. It's the ability to come together and work for a COMMON goal... that of prosperity, happiness, and liberty. It's the ability to accept that life is about compromise, and accepting the diversity of people as well as holding true to your own virtues, and realizing that different isn't the same as evil. That sometimes you cannot bend someone to your way of thinking, but you can still reach out and help build a life together in cooperation and friendship.

The time for jealous Gods and spiteful men is overdue for its passing. How could any God not be proud to see its people come together in harmony, despite their differences, and to forge a future they can all enjoy? I think too much we think that our Gods are as flawed as we are. That their jealousy and envy have no bounds. I think otherwise :), because the more we advanced, and the more we learn, the more we know that cooperation, tolerance, and respect is the way to prosperity and peace. If a God knows everything as to be more advanced than we are... than it must be true that He knows that these things are better as well.

Unfortunately the answers are right in front of us as to the "why" people abuse religion hehe. Jealousy, Greed, Avarice, Fear, Lust, and Ignorance are the culprit of nearly all human problems. Many times it is hidden behind the spoken intentions, but if you really think about it, most times you can point straight to one of these basic vices. People scream their rage against other religions because of fear- fear that if they admit another religion has the right to exist, and people follow that religion, that it makes your religion "wrong", and therefore your God ceases to exist. Greed, because they hold power in their hands, and control over the people who follow their religion, and if people leave it they lose that power. Jealousy, because they see the benefits that another religion has garnered, and they want that for themselves, and again fear because if someone else is "blessed" then that shines doubt again on their path being the righteous one. If they allow other religions to prosper(or worse, no religion hah), then people might see and think that maybe their God smiles on them for their beliefs.

If anyone has ever felt that nagging feeling of jealousy at something that you have no stake in whatsoever, then they should be able to empathize with how things get as out of hand like they do. I admit I do the same thing. I will know a woman, and be friends, and desire nothing more from the relationship than friendship. Then she finds a man whom she loves, and all of a sudden I feel a pang of jealousy. For what? Something I did not seek in the first place? Not only that, but I'm in a perfectly healthy and extremely happy relationship with someone I love. So what about that sudden feeling of jealousy makes ANY sense whatsoever? Nothing honestly. Which is why I take a breath and put it out of my mind, and then scold myself for being so base. The thought automatically came without my bidding, but I was able to recognize it, and then dismiss it. Many people act on these random emotions, and their lives consist of a ton of drama because of it. I think that everyone is confronted with automatic emotional responses like that. It is the curse of our humanity. The difference among us is the ability to recognize that emotions are just that... the body's response to stimuli. It is part of our biology, and it isn't something we can do anything about. We do have free will to ignore those random pangs, and I exercise it daily. Most people pretend those things don't exist, but in all honesty I think that everyone has those moments where they feel something that they would rather not even admit to themselves that they felt. I think it is because people feel that those emotions are reflections of real logical thought that you aren't addressing. I do not believe that at all. I feel attraction to women, I feel a pang of envy when I see someone achieve a great deal of success, and I feel the urge to protect that which I have... even if the situation doesn't require such a thing. I battle with my nature every day, but it is a battle I am determined to win. I refuse to fall victim to my emotions, and I strive to understand my feelings when I have them, so that I do not make decisions hastily and without using the sentient intelligence we are gifted with.With practice, I feel these base pangs subside, and become easier and easier to manage, and even at some point and in some things will cease altogether. We are not slaves to our nature, but we are subject to its' influence if we are not careful ;).

I am glad to add you, and I am even more glad that you found truth in my words, and that they moved you. I always find that even though I type a million words on the Vine, and sometimes they reach a very... very small audience, that if one person can find meaning in them, and appreciate what I have said, much less have it positively impact their life, then I find the entire process intensely rewarding. I truly feel like I have found a place of happiness in my life, and I wish it for others. I hope they can find the kind of peace that my mindset has allowed me, because I was not always this way, and the pain and anguish that was every single day in my embattled mind stands always in stark contrast to the joy that overtakes me more often than I may deserve now.

Ah yes, it makes me wonder if me leaving that out is a reflection of my own shortcomings =P. Sloth is probably my worst vice. I love to relax, and just enjoy life. While this is a good thing, it also can be the very thing that keeps me from being able to positively impact the world as much as I would hope. The tasks in front of me seem endless and daunting. It is fear of failing after spending time and resources, and my love of sloth and the happiness it brings me, that keeps me from achieving some of my goals. In a way it makes some of my happiness selfish, but I recognize this, and hopefully I will be able to overcome it, and perhaps be able to truly add substance to our world. I have to admit not participating in the world at large has a definite stress reducing factor =P. That isn't to say I do not do anything, but I know I could do more... and I know I am capable of doing more. I have been told I have a talent for guiding people, and helping them to reach places in their minds and their lives that they hadn't seen before. If that is true, then it is a powerful gift indeed, and I know that, and I want to use it to help the world if I can. Time and my own willpower will decide if I am worthy =P.

Oh but those are the fantasies of the mind :). Words are pretty, but actions define our reality!

Thank you for posting T Bourion.

I have begun contemplating the beginning of the universe. Some day I may have a theory that would mean anything, but right now I am working from a place of -

In the beginning there was nothing. Thus infinity came to be. Infinite nothing. In infinity, all probabilities will eventually come to pass, and thus was the beginning of the universe. Time had the possibility of existing, and therefore began to exist. God had the probability to exist, and therefore existed. At that point he could create matter and begin the universe as we know it.. as he'd probably get pretty bored with pondering his existence among infinite nothing and infinite time.

Another theory would be that our universe is entirely a creation of a greater being (God), and the physics behind HIS creation or the reasoning for his existence is beyond our ability to even understand, because the properties of physics may be wholly different where God exists. There may very well be an extremely simple answer to why God exists, and to how he created the universe. Simple to him anyway or anyone who was viewing reality from his perspective. In this theory it is completely futile to even begin to try and contemplate as we don't even have the correct law of physics and the universe to even start. We would have the laws that God put into place for us to live under. That is right... it may be that really up is down, gravity doesn't exist, mass is a lie, and cause doesn't bring effect. Those are the rules we live by in our universe... but whether or not that is constant beyond our sight? who knows.

My third theory is that the universe is somehow the mind of God. We are each just a portion of his consciousness made "flesh" in a reality of his making. A big... complex dream.

Regardless, I do feel that our consciousness is God. Somehow we are a part of that same energy, and everyone is connected. I think we are each bestowed with a portion of this consciousness, and through us God knows life, and all of the things we know. I imagine this because I feel it would be the only way to experience what we do. The wonders we see and feel, the emotions we have, and the way we view the world is something that God would not be able to accomplish (well he would, but only by doing something like that heh. He would accomplish it by living as a mortal... or at least letting a piece of him live as a mortal.)In this way, when we die, we would again be one with God, and he would feel everything we felt. After all... they say we are made in his image, but I would think most rational people would agree that he isn't some big fleshy human floating around in the clouds. So what image would that be? I think that our consciousness is what is his image.

Well that's just a few theories I play with. Every so often I think very hard and try to come up with the most logical one's. It may be an exercise in futility, but whatever... =P