Posted by rayww on September 20, 2004, at 16:10:37
In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God? » rayww, posted by Atticus on September 20, 2004, at 10:32:11
Your thoughtful expression makes a lot of sense and I couldn't agree more. My understanding began at my mother's knee. Her's began the same way. I don't remember thinking or talking about organized religion. It was only about God, and how He talked to and dealt with His prophets and people, and what I might learn from their mistakes and examples, but mainly how I should live my life, and why we should keep the commandments. "If we keep the commandments of God we have no need to fear....because God will protect us and even if we die, we die unto Him.....If we lose something, pray about it and God will help us find it agian.......If we get sick, ask for a blessing, and God will make us well.......If we get lost, pray and God will help us find our way".....and things like that.
I belong to an organized religion, but I own my personal understanding. I view religion as a vehicle to understanding and salvation but I view my personal understanding as a vehicle to God.
You are right when you say, "religion and spirituality are indistinguishable in so many peoples' minds". Frankly, I think you can find spiritual people and hypocrites in every organized religion. And you can also find spiritual people outside of organized religion. Spirituality boils down to one's personal understanding and private religious behavior, whether in or outside organized religion.
Truth is where it's at. Search for truth. All truth emenates from God and begats understanding and wisdom.
http://scriptures.lds.org/query?words=understanding+wisdom&scripturesearch_button=Search
http://scriptures.lds.org/job/28/28#28
http://scriptures.lds.org/prov/9/10#10
http://scriptures.lds.org/query?words=breastplate+of+truth&search.x=31&search.y=10Does God have a favored people? Yes. The righteous. And they can be found in every religion or on the outside. They are those whose personal understanding and private religious behavior find favor with their God, bringing Him joy. Can God's joy increase? Can God progress? Yes. We through Him and He through us can all grow toward perfect joy until inseparably connected, we dwell with Him forever.
poster:rayww
thread:385323
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040914/msgs/393064.html