The Hero's Journey

[Jassmine(SO)]

Howdy Y'all

Virginia wrote:

Toward the end of the movie when God (a woman) is doing a handstand in a bed of flowers, just really appeals to me in that I would hope that SHE does have that love of existence.

I believe SHE does

Another interesting point Dogma made was how each person saw God in their own image. I believe it was Chris Rock who played the character who viewed God as a black man. I feel that that is the true beauty of faith and spirituality, we all can "connect" with The Powers That Be in our unique ways

VIVA LA FREE WILL ##oo## ##oo##

*Hugs & Love*

[Kathy]

In the Bible it never talks about religion, it talks about the love of God and the appreciation and love/acceptance of self.

Beauty, in one sentence you have described the very essence of the Bible.

While I and others have referred to it as a religious text, it is, in fact, simply one of the oldest "self help" books in existance. That is probably why so many of the modern books either refer to it directly or sound very much like it.

It's weird how so many have changed it in to words of war, bigotry, isolation, and self righteousness. More than weird it's a total bummer.

This is because so many people who quote chapter and verse are taking the verse so totally out of context. As with most politicians and media today who make so much of one sentence out of a 30 minute speach rather than placing that sentence in the full context of the speach. The meaning of any words can be twisted when taken out of context. And this is what most organized religions have been doing for centuries.

I don't believe the Bible was ever meant to be taken literally but, as with modern books, was meant to help people learn the power of love, tollerance, acceptance and self confidence.

[Jassmine(SO)]

Hi All,

In the Bible it never talks about religion, it talks about the love of God and the appreciation and love/acceptance of self.

Beauty, in one sentence you have described the very essence of the Bible.

While I and others have referred to it as a religious text, it is, in fact, simply one of the oldest "self help" books in existance. That is probably why so many of the modern books either refer to it directly or sound very much like it.

It's weird how so many have changed it in to words of war, bigotry, isolation, and self righteousness. More than weird it's a total bummer.

This is because so many people who quote chapter and verse are taking the verse so totally out of context. As with most politicians and media today who make so much of one sentence out of a 30 minute speach rather than placing that sentence in the full context of the speach. The meaning of any words can be twisted when taken out of context. And this is what most organized religions have been doing for centuries.

I don't believe the Bible was ever meant to be taken literally but, as with modern books, was meant to help people learn the power of love, tollerance, acceptance and self confidence.

Very well said, Beauty and Kathy

*Hugs & Love*

[Loretta Ann]

Hi all,

The word religion serves as a defense mechanism, enabling one to avoid looking into the real meaning of what the Bible is about.

One of the definitions of religion is; A cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith.

Given that definition no one here is more religious than the likes of Jamie Ann or Alexandra, who tirelessly attempt to convince us of their view of things. And I am not meaning that in a negative way.

But what it implies is that Oh you are a Christian, well don't push your religion/views on us, but here are my views, this is the way I think it should be.

Again I think that Jamie Ann and Alexandria are fine people and have only pointed to them in order to make my point. I do not have a need for them to any different, I am quit able to express my views the way things are.

I am just pointing out how some people use the word religion as a defense mechanism. And I am in no way implying that these two are guilty of doing this.

[Elizabeth]

Hi girls,

I have read the gospel, Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. Among other books in the bible. This has to be a guide to better living. Jesus was all about acceptance. He believed attraction, not promotion of his beleifs. He beleieved we should love sinners so they could stop being sinners. If what passes for organized religion truely embraced these ways, I would be proud to call myself a Christian, but in it's current form, I can only think of them as political entities with thier own agenda.

This seems true of most religions I have learned about. The people who claim to be closer their maker, always become self rightious and proclaim to know what the creator wants, as if they have some special link to him/her/it.

I like religions that promote that this life is our only life, and we should live it the happiest we can. To the best of my knowledge, Judeism makes no promise of life ever after. The covenent that God made with Abraham was for land for his decendents. There is no promise to live in heaven with god.

Even reincarnation type religions have huge problems as the population continues to increase your chance of getting a used "soul" decreases because so many new "souls" must be created to fill the demand. In fact because the population is doubling every 40 years, you only have a 12 1/2% chance of having a "soul" over 80 years old.

CDKathy wrote:

Beauty, in one sentence you have described the very essence of the Bible.

While I and others have referred to it as a religious text, it is, in fact, simply one of the oldest "self help" books in existance. That is probably why so many of the modern books either refer to it directly or sound very much like it.

It is not ironic that my fundemental beleif system sustains the major beleifs of Christianity, I was raised by so called Christians. However I beleive that this beleif system is a self help book, and it's principles if followed will lead to a healthier more robust life.

So yes, I guess me and Jesus are on the same page. We both have long hair, wear what looks like a long night gown, and beleive that we should love everyone, especially those who are not like us. We both have no need for self rightious Temple Priests, and think the Church always ends up corrupt. We are both non violent, and find that helping others helps ourselves. And that we must all make the goal universal acceptance of
all people the the true goal of spirituality.

Just this girls opinion.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[Loretta Ann]

Beauty,

Thank you for sharing what you have in your last post here, It has helped me to understand you better.

People just do not acquire the gifts you have, unless they have successfully come through the Vallie's you have have experienced.

I have often heard it said if you want what others have then be prepared to do what others have done to obtain them, and I believe that they are referring to going through such things as you have described. Even though that is the last thing we would have chosen to do.

[CJ]

Hi all,

Okay, time for me to come back in.

While I love debating the meaning of books and what's written in them (trust me, I do!), my idea in talking about the Hero's Journey was to tell of the meaning I ascribe to my own life, and to see if anyone else here views their own in a similar way. I completely agree, by the way, that the Hero's Journey can be, in fact, a journey to God. But that's only one option. It can also be a journey to yourself or to the world or to other people or to love or to knowledge or to wisdom.

Beauty's post was awesome, in that, she was able to say what her own journey looked like without necessarily inviting dissention. While dissention and debate are fine, they're not the point, here.

Perhaps theology or christology or biblical exegesis can best be saved for another thread?

Love,
CJ

[Beauty]

Hi everyone,

Thank you ALL for your incredibly kind words!!!

:: insert major blushing ::

Beauty

[Wendy Seymone]

Once again, a very thought provoking thread ladies.
Thank you all for sharing so much of yourselves with the forum!!
It is easy to see the passion in each and every post.

Hugs,
Wendy