Gaia Community

Re: Welcome - intros, and definitely thank you! (s)

Lorenzo said Jul 31, 2006, 6:58 PM:

Hi Zoe and y'all,

This was my reply to Zoe 's inviation, and it's appropriate as an intro here - - -

Thanks for the invitation. I'm not a member of a congregation in my area but have been to the First Parrish here in Brookline and over in Harvard Square.

My sister, Madeline and her family are members of the congregation here in Brookline.

Don't know what I'll have to offer, as I'm either a panthiest or athiest from moment to moment ;-}

My fundamentals were rooted in Judiasm, and if I have any belief system it is humans created what we call god.

we're off to a good start?

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Re: Welcome - intros, and definitely thank you! (s)

Ian said Jul 31, 2006, 7:15 PM:

Hey all

im taking the liberty of joining in here- im the minister of an independent church but feel a close affinity with UU.

The link below has a statement which is the closest to anything I could ever sign up for.

Religions (all of them) have the danger of leading people away from a belief in life, humanity, nature, science, community and ultimately from “spirit”.

I would say that all religions are equally false, especially when they lead people to suck the finger pointing to life, rather than following it

Religion will serve some useful purposes for some people. I dont take that away from anyone. But most of the time, it will just be false comfort.

For me, any belief that invites people into the miracle of the present moment is exciting. When UU, or any organization does that, then I am interested

thanks Zoe for this discussion and the spirit behind it

Ian

http://www.naturalism.org/spiritua1.htm

Re: Welcome - intros, and definitely thank you! (s)

glenn said Aug 2, 2006, 3:29 PM:

Hi Ian……I am a card carrying Christian, but I am there because my wife is. My reason for replying is that I agree with you. Religion serves the shamans of our tribe. It promotes control, and causes prople to fear the unknown. Why should anybody fear anything?

The truth of the matter is that belief in anything…..anything at all…..will give it form and substance. By the same token, to believe is to accept another's truth. To know is your own creation.

A few hundred years ago, to have made these statements ended in being burned at the stake. As you can readily see, times have definitely changed.

Bringing people into the present moment is a very exciting thing, and that is precisely why I am here. I also thank Zoe for bringing this into existence.

glenn