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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 24 of 24. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 10:19:45
I consider myself to be a spiritual person, but not religious. I don't believe this is contradictory. My beliefs are unformed, but that is because I have never stopped learning or questioning what I learn.
I think what upsets me most about religion is how exclusive it is. Like one type of religious belief is better than another, or worse, the only correct interpretation. I guess that's where wars come from.
Gee, I sound pretty naive here. I don't have a religious education, but I have explored many different faiths, and I will not be persuaded to join any of them exclusively. I admire scholars and the depth of their knowledge; I have also experienced their fierce defense of their particular faith. This is what I find contradictory - that a person can be so well educated, yet their mind can be closed (intolerant, objecting) to others' beliefs.
Posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 11:46:26
In reply to never posted on this board until today, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 10:19:45
if anyone have a problem with my post, I'd like to know directly rather than reading about on admin.
Posted by Cass on November 19, 2004, at 12:39:51
In reply to never posted on this board until today, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 10:19:45
I don't think you sound naive, pc. My beliefs come mostly from my own experiences with spirituality. Sometimes I study certain texts because I feel the information could contain valuable spiritual tools, but I feel that spiritual wisdom can come from many faiths or simply from experience and intuition alone.
Posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 13:02:27
In reply to Re: never posted on this board until today » partlycloudy, posted by Cass on November 19, 2004, at 12:39:51
Hi, Cass. I'm upset because my original post has been directed to Dr Bob as to whether it's "acceptable withing the guidelines of this forum". That's enough to make this my LAST post on faith.
I guess this board is not open to everyone. that's been made clear to me now.
Posted by AuntieMel on November 19, 2004, at 13:35:02
In reply to never posted on this board until today, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 10:19:45
The one that I find personally annoying is that I've run accross a lot of people (not here) that will quote "judge not, lest you be judged by others" and are wholehearted supporters of capital punishment.
The hazards of living in the state with the most executions - and also deep in the "bible belt."
Posted by Glydin on November 19, 2004, at 14:17:59
In reply to Re: never posted on this board until today, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 13:02:27
> I guess this board is not open to everyone. that's been made clear to me now.
Hi PC,
I believe there was a time of more respect to being open about sharing feelings and thoughts, but that time is no longer.
I find no boundaries overstepped in your post and I respect your viewpoint.
I feel respecting differing viewpoints is paramount here. I do not feel one has to agree (although, I do agree to your post). You were expressing yourself and in no way inferring a rightness or wrongness or attempting to convert someone to your way of thinking.
I, also, would like be part of this portion of PB and share, maybe find some like and unlike minded folks, but there's no way ---- just, no way I'm willing to do that at this point in time.
I'm sorry things are the way they are here - I really am.
Glydin
Posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 14:35:39
In reply to Whoever reads this, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 11:46:26
Please note that I do not plan to contribute any further to this board after being made to feel so unwelcomed. Thanks to those who have expressed support for my right to my opinions. See you on Social, I guess.
:(
Posted by Cass on November 19, 2004, at 16:03:34
In reply to Re: Whoever reads this, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 14:35:39
There was absolutely nothing uncivil about your post, pc. I'm sure having your post directed to admin must have hurt. I suspect a lot of people are hesitant to post for that same reason.
Posted by rayww on November 19, 2004, at 18:16:54
In reply to Re: Whoever reads this, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 14:35:39
Posted by TofuEmmy on November 19, 2004, at 19:03:58
In reply to Why? It's lonely here at the bottom (nm) » partlycloudy, posted by rayww on November 19, 2004, at 18:16:54
Sadly, I think the fate of the Faith board is that it will be so poorly attended that it will cease to exist. How sad for those of you who have enjoyed it so much.
I am SURE that Bob will throw out the request for review of PC's post since it was perfectly civil. In fact I thought it was a lovely step into the waters of PBF. It could have grown into much more for our friend PC. I'm sad over this.
emmy
Posted by alexandra_k on November 19, 2004, at 19:04:13
In reply to never posted on this board until today, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 10:19:45
Hi there pc. Please don't go. Some people request determinations about all kinds of posts from just about everyone, so try not to take it personally. I say that, of course, knowing just how impossible that is. But everyone else seems happy to see you here and happy to have another person to babble to.
I have had threads posted on the faith board redirected to social (arguments against the existence of god, for example). So that can happen if a post is inappropriate to the faith board. But then I have also gotten away with a fair bit... and things have worked through well... and I have the opportunity to learn tolerance for others faiths (including religious ones) and they have the opportunity to learn tolerance with respect to my radical scepticism and relentless questioning, I guess.
I am an athiest. I wonder whether it is appropriate my being here. But I don't push my atheism (any more). And at the end of the day, I am here to learn like everyone else.
Please stay.
Tell us more about your spiritual faith.
Posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 19:21:29
In reply to Please come back!!! » partlycloudy, posted by alexandra_k on November 19, 2004, at 19:04:13
Alex, thanks for your message. Since you asked :), my nascent view of spirituality is that -
there is a divine being in our universe
that we have a direct connection with this divine being
that this being is made of the same molecules as the rest of us are,
and that those molecules are made of energy. That's where there is a hitch, because I don't understand quantum physics. I may have made a giant, impossible leap on that one;
since we are all made of the same energy (there aren't different flavours of energy, it just is), then we are by definition at one with our divine being.
Benevolence, punishment, acceptance; it is all part of who we are, because we are our own collective, divine being. It is we who punish, we who are forgiving. Whatever we do reflects our connection with this divine being.
I believe that by treating our bodies, our neighbours, and our planet in a nuturing way, that we are declaring our faith in our divine being.
No churches are needed. No written text. I just made this stuff up from the bits and pieces I've picked up so far in my life.ok, now throw me to the lions.
Posted by Gabbix2 on November 19, 2004, at 19:24:30
In reply to Re: Please come back!!! » alexandra_k, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 19:21:29
-
>>
> ok, now throw me to the lions.No lions here
you filled in the details I left out in one of my very few posts on faith..
Posted by rayww on November 19, 2004, at 19:40:22
In reply to Re: Why? It's lonely here at the bottom » rayww, posted by TofuEmmy on November 19, 2004, at 19:03:58
Perhaps one reason this board is sparsely attended is that we are anti-social. When I visit social or some of the other boards I see a lot of wasted words, but that's just me looking at it from my own perspective, which may be a tad narrow when it comes to social things.
I'm a quiet person, but when i speak I try to say something worth listening to. And I try to verify my opinions with scripture. It's my style I guess. And, who knows, maybe I'm the reason so few are interested in visiting.
still lonely.
Posted by Cass on November 19, 2004, at 19:58:26
In reply to Re: Please come back!!! » alexandra_k, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 19:21:29
Wow, that's powerful, pc. I hope you keep posting here. I also believe that no church is necessary. Acknowledging and appreciating the Spirit, the Divine or however one chooses to phrase it, can happen anywhere at any time or even continuously.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 19, 2004, at 21:35:41
In reply to never posted on this board until today, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 10:19:45
> their mind can be closed (intolerant, objecting)
Please don't post anything that could lead others to feel put down. Please be tolerant of others even if they're not tolerant of you.
You're welcome to post here, just bear in mind that it can be a semantic and emotional minefield.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by TofuEmmy on November 19, 2004, at 22:29:03
In reply to Re: please be civil » partlycloudy, posted by Dr. Bob on November 19, 2004, at 21:35:41
"it can be a semantic and emotional minefield."
Only because you allow this. You do run this place, no??
Em
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 20, 2004, at 0:30:48
In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by TofuEmmy on November 19, 2004, at 22:29:03
> > it can be a semantic and emotional minefield.
>
> Only because you allow this. You do run this place, no??I can't control how people will feel...
Bob
Posted by sdjeff on November 20, 2004, at 1:58:03
In reply to Re: Please come back!!! » alexandra_k, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 19:21:29
Hi, PC!
This is my first post on Faith as well. I just wanted to say that your beliefs on spirituality are very close to my own and are quite fascinating.
Best,
Jeff
Posted by 64bowtie on November 20, 2004, at 16:16:11
In reply to Re: running this place, posted by Dr. Bob on November 20, 2004, at 0:30:48
Bob,
Curious semantics... I can't control how people are gonna feel... Yet your semantical explanation for the whole please be civil effort is to judge which posts are going to be evocative and which ones will be safe.
Consider this, please. That you consider redirecting messy and tasteless posts that don't quite measure up to outright block into some sort of "gazunk" board, where those not/never offended or surprised or disgusted can freely respond to the offender. Clear it out daily and don't archive that crap. If we see something worth saving, we can "cut and paste" to our little hearts' content. This relieves you of the stigma of being a censor, rather a concerned guide.
Rod
Posted by alexandra_k on November 20, 2004, at 17:02:35
In reply to Re: Please come back!!! » alexandra_k, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 19:21:29
I am so pleased :-)
Your views on spirituality are similar to mine too. I don't know much about physics either but my understanding of it (and I would love to be corrected by someone who knows) is that the smallest bits of matter may be described as 'charge at a place'. If we can imagine discrete places, where the world is carved up like a piece of math paper (only in three dimensions) and at each discrete place there is a degree of charge across 5(? or maybe 7) fields of force.
There aren't really objects as such. You don't get an object moving through space, what you get is transmission of charge across a field. So there aren't any things to move through space, there are just different degrees of charge at different places.
Maybe the field is god, or, seeing as I don't believe in god; maybe the field just is consciousness. Maybe that is what the charge is... Don't know if that even makes sense, but I ponder on this (and not just when I am high).
I think it is just christians who are thrown to the lions (by the romans) - so you have nothing to fear there :-)
Posted by alexandra_k on November 20, 2004, at 17:06:59
In reply to Re: Why? It's lonely here at the bottom » TofuEmmy, posted by rayww on November 19, 2004, at 19:40:22
Hey there rayww. I don't think you are anti-social. Intense, maybe, but then I am intense too and sometimes that can be off putting to people who understand the social function of the light and chatty thing...
> I'm a quiet person, but when i speak I try to say something worth listening to. And I try to verify my opinions with scripture. It's my style I guess. And, who knows, maybe I'm the reason so few are interested in visiting.
I don't think you are the reason. Sometimes people are just put off by the whole idea of god. Especially if people have had bad experiences with established religion. A whole bunch of people think you shouldn't discuss politics, religion, ones financial status, or philosophy so don't take it personally.
> still lonely.
Maybe have a go at some chit chat?
After a while it becomes easier
And it is nice to get people responding to your postsYour friend.
ak_9
Posted by left_hangin on November 29, 2004, at 19:27:20
In reply to Whoever reads this, posted by partlycloudy on November 19, 2004, at 11:46:26
Hey partlycloudy,
I am sorry this is so late a responce but...
I was not raised in a certain faith. as a matter of fact I grew up with little to no knowledge of God, or any higher power.
I can say that I have since attended my denominational services. I have taken a couple of classes through college that introduced many faiths and beliefs. I have since found a house of worship and denomination that actually believes to each his own. Not to say that there aren't those who will argue with you until they are blue that what they believe is right and the only way to live. But in close contact to a wonderful minister I have learned that what I believe, you believe and anyone else believes is just fine.
That, in my case, God loves all no matter what.
My minister would introduce issues and ways of thinking that is a mind blower to those somewhat close minded, set in their ways kind of folks.Are you ready for this.....
One that you could hear a pin drop was the notion that we have an intimate relationship with our higher power. Using the word intimate forced many, including me to look the word up. So many people when hearing this term think sexual is intimacy. It really isn't but this is the closest relationship we will ever have.
Here is the biggie...It has taken a lot of adjustment for me even to work with this idea and may even upset some on this site.
Who would be surprised if and when they journeyed on to that eternal resting place to see Adolf Hitler. Remember God is all forgiving for those who ask. Tough one to think of as forgiven I know but interesting and transforming for me anyway. I can not say that I ever can forgive nor forget this individual but I am only human after all.
Posted by partlycloudy on November 30, 2004, at 5:58:04
In reply to Re: Whoever reads this, posted by left_hangin on November 29, 2004, at 19:27:20
Thanks, left hanging. I was speaking to my T yesterday about the subject of spirituality, and she said that we are both Seekers. For the moment, I'm comfortable with that.
This is the end of the thread.
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