Well said John. You are dangerous sir. Dangerous to the demigods of organized religious control. I like what you pointed out about the Jews who claim to be God's special chosen people...all the while the bible declares that god is NO respecter of persons. It is easy for me to see why most of the world has contempt for the Jews. The claim of "special favor" by the creator and the genocidal violence they carried out in the old testament in his name is repulsive...-

 

 

I'm in the mood for a BLT. It's not against my religion! LOL

 

 

 

Sad how religion affect people, or their beliefs. And even sadder when people can't have open minds to all the different one's...and like you say, makes them selfish.

I will not let anyone's religious thoughts and ways stop me from being who I am and from my thoughts. Why---when life is so short, let thoughts about this interfere with our enjoyment and time spent how we choose? I choose to live...as that is what we all need to do, and how I live is surly not worrying about if there is or isn't a God. If there is, then there is, if not...then so be it. Like I have said before...to me religion and churches are a waste of time, space and money.

I'm living and enjoying...and I'm sure if there is a God, that is what he/she would want us to do~

Take off yer glasses, put your book down...and come walk with me and enjoy the nature and it's beauty here on earth...and just be happy that we have it to enjoy~

It's free-dom...and that is my religion~

Hugs and understanding to you~

 

I am with you.  I will not submit to any religious group.  I am an individual, having my own questioning, seeking, rational mind.  History shows over and over the hypocrisies of these holier-than-thou religions.  They are clearly not The Way.  There is still hope they will repent and serve the Spirit instead of their selfish religion.  Probably won't happen in my lifetime though. 
Thank you!  Have a terrific weekend.  Big hugs,
John
 

Dear John...I know your thoughts about religion. Sorry if my comment above sounded rude, not meant...and I know that some people enjoy sharing and learning about God and religions/faiths. I have no problem with that if that is how one wants to spend their time. But...for me, I don't see what good it does or what difference it makes as we live our lives here on earth. Faiths and beliefs are to each their won and we should just live...not worry about who is right or wrong, or how some choose to go by the book and others don't...

If we all just didn't think about it, pretend none of it existed and just went on living...then I know all would be in a better state of mind and a much happier world...so my last comment meant that...let's just live...religion or beliefs really aren't going to stop that if we forget about it...and do what we do without it...it is not needed---and that is the truth--to me...hope that makes sense!

Let's live 'freely'...

 

I respect how you feel about religion and it would be a better world indeed if people dropped religion as you do and live a life of goodness.  Of course, that is exactly what my work is presenting.  You do see that my work seeks a meeting of the minds between half the world's population, comprising the Abrahamic religions?  I am a non-Christian---a nonreligious person who studied the Bible to try to understand the Catholic abusers I suffered during childhood.  Did you know that a couple of weeks ago it was barely reported in the news that Catholic orphanages in Ireland had been beating and sexually abusing children and that the Vatican had known about it and covered it up for over 70 years?  We do not live in a world where it is to our benefit to close our eyes to the ongoing history of abuse these religions wreak upon the world.  I have known plenty families ripped apart by religion, where the son or daughter marry out of their faith and are cut off.  Or the child is homosexual and kicked out of the family.  Or the child grows up to reject the church and leaves it and is cut off.  Or the grandchildren are not raised in the faith and no one gets any inheritance from the grandparents until those grandkids are in church every Sunday. 

Now, of course, my friend, I am absolutely no Ghandi and no MLK, but if they sat on their butts doing nothing, never speaking out then how would the world have progressed so importantly by their lives?  Please forgive me if I misunderstand you, but I have been told in many ways to go away and mind my own business.  One of the popular prods is "well, just let everyone interpret the Bible the way they want to."  But that is the very source of the suffering and wars among these religions now for centuries.  If we all agree upon that the Bible can be interpreted anyway that anyone wants, then fine... let us burn every Bible because the damn thing is utterly worthless if it can mean anything. 

From what I have seen and learned and personally suffered of selfish, holier-than-thou religion, my life would be rather pointless if I did not do my best to try to WAKE UP these people to the superseding spiritual message of the Bible.  If my pea-brain can understand that book then why can't theirs?  There is no reason to hate and fight and kill over the Bible, yet the hating and fighting and killing continues.  

I will not put my work down, except maybe to take a brief rest.  Would dance with you under that tree for a bit, but would still have to get back to my work.  Life is shorter than we think and it will soon be all over.  I am already ashamed that when I die I know I will not have done enough to help. 

HAPPY SATURDAY! 
 

John, you're a good man for doing what you are doing. But, the reason you are doing any of what you do is to help people understand about religions and God, when really all I am trying to say is that our world shouldn't be this way in the first place...but...since it is, yes...for sure people such as you and your work are important. I don't just ignore it as you know. I do know about all the suffering, and the greed...etc. But to avoid the topic when it is not needed is best for all, if that makes better understanding. And again, I do understand why others are so involved in the topic...which to me, just shouldn't be...

Thanks for your explanations, and I do know that it is important to you. And, it is needed for you to do your work in todays world as it has become so very intolerant~

 

I do not know how to turn off this desire to show how the oppressors lie about scripture and call it "truth."  Their lies are at the very heart of hate and wars and killing "in the name of God."  No surprise it is in the news daily, as this horseshit has been going on for seemingly endless centuries.  How can we ever know the weight of suffering upon the world's heretics and sinners leveled by holier-than-thou religionists?  I am thankful you understand I am driven.  It is good for me to know there are people who care about my work, as I have had enough rejection and hate over this work for several lifetimes.  Big hugs, dear friend.
John
 

if everyone actually followed their religions of "peace" we would have so much more trust in this world...

and collaboration means the bringing together of resources and mind power .. imagine if the race to the moon was replaced with a collaboration of all "space willing" countries? ... less lives would have been lost as more resources means better testing and blah blah blah... at the very least i imagine the asteroid belt would be mined for resources, negating the need to dig great big holes in the ground.. imagine if the moon was turned into one great big green house with plants genetically engineered to grow out of control in the low gravity and direct sunlight?

i mean why not?

if the world followed the virtues of togetherness that everyone's religions seem to espouse, we would never have had the thousand years of religious stranglehold of the dark ages, and from what i've seen on myspaz, the dark ages are still alive in some of the idiots online.... 

and we'd probably have made, or have interstellar friends and family by now  ...

"yeah my Aunty sent me an email from Alpha Centauri, she says the weather is great on her terra-formed moon! and so it should be!! seeing how I installed that weather control matrix last time I was up there!l!!"

hehehe! i mean why not!

^_^

 

 

I believe all religions are under God, but the problems is all people are unable to live their religion, or even to explain it. I like the nice stories in the bible, but to believe that God did all the terrible thing the bible said he did, I would just stop believing all together. I would become an Atheist like my husband who doesn't doubt this or that, and would no more come on MS and debate anyone. He thinks I am nuts. Sometimes I too think I am nuts. Maybe I just like pain, or could it be I have been locked up in my home too long. I actually love going to the grocrey store. I went to the doctor's today , and one of the things I used to dread was getting my blood taken, but today was a fun day because I got to laugh and talk to people. Am I loosing you John? What I am saying is I just love people, and I miss getting out so much. I love my husband, and he needs me, so I can't complain. This is what I promised when I married him 57 years ago. Did I get off the subject? Sorry. I just love how you put a new slant on things. You are right , You don't hear this in church or on MS too often. There are a few good healthly minded people that keeps me grounded. You are one. [ Laughing]   Does this sound grounded?  love ya,
 

I love you too, Darlene!  Such a sweetie!  HA!  I have known so many wonderful Atheists.  I have had the pleasure of sharing my work with many, face-to-face.  They usually break out in huge smiles to hear that I am a nonreligious, independent scholar of the Bible that writes books exposing the corrupt teachings of Corporate Christianity.  Then I tell them that one of the BIGGEST Biblical truths NEVER taught by preachers is that Jesus, by His own words, would rather we all be heretics that pour out the Spirit of love upon the world than priests and religonists that do not.  And every one, bar none, has allowed me to continue speaking and is genuinely interested and there is usually a lot of laughter too!  I did, though, get some Athiest haters Online last Christmas.  That sure opened my eyes.  I had no idea there were such Atheist extremists.  I am convinced those folks will never be happy until every Bible is burned.  The say they only want "goodness" in the world, but they proved to me they have no interest in goodness.  I love my religious friends.  There is an INFINITE difference between the individual and the institution.  Criminy.  
Thank you for your marvelous comments, Darlene.  Makes me smile, big time.  
Warm hugs,
John 
 

::sigh:: I am never first.
Peace will never be dished out to us by politicians or so called religious icons.. just check down through the ages and see how they thirsted for blood. It all boils down to power and riches. Sad indeed!
Lots of love from your Maine fan.
 

 

 

 

I have long since believed that ALL religion is truth seen through various "perspective lenses" and what you have laid out here is just one part of why I have felt this way. I couldn't agree with you more about the selfishness being at the core of dispute; but I also think these people see NO real truth in their words - only the power that can derive from tooling them.

For example, it's my understanding that the Roman Empire (eventually) chose to adopt Christianity, in part as a means to wipe-out Paganism (a freer, and not so angry or condemning religion). Also because Christianity had become the most predominant/powerful religion throughout the Empire. But they changed their "official religion" a few times, in order to best maintain their power and continue the persecution of all that opposed them.



 

Hi Heather!  Thank you for that.  The Roman Empire, before the Roman Catholic Church, was a culture with all sorts of plural worship.  Temples in honor of various gods were lucrative businesses.  They involved purifying rituals and chants and the obilgatory payment for services.  Jesus' Message has nothing to do with such things, but lifts superstitious, fearful man upon The Way that knows no fear or superstition.  The Roman Church could not afford to raise pacifist men when it needed warriors and so it "paganized" Christ's message, making it into just another pagan religion, except the idol of adoration is Jesus instead of Venus or Apollo or any of the other gods.  Roman men were not taught to walk The Way of Christ, but taught to brutalize and slaughter YET keep a clean conscience through the false ritual of confession that grants absolution for sins.  A bunch of hooey. 
Have a fAbUlOuS weekend! 
 

Brother John,
Wonderrfully put, it's the last line that I.D.'s the root cause of most of the problem[s], it is working for "them", and not the "other's"..  
The graven new god, is money.  Sorry.
Peace prayers best thoughts to U and yours.
 

No sorries here.  You're right on the money about the money!  We're told that the love of money or greed is the root of all evil.  I just need enough to pay the bills!  When I hear of the trillions in stimulus and bailout and with the Fed, it makes me a bit sick, 'cause it seems like it is all smoke and mirrors.  Criminy. 
Have a terrific weekend, dear friend.  God bless. 
 

good post but i have to correct you on one thing. We do not Submit to Muhammad (SAW) nor do we have the view that our God is OUR God meaning the muslims alone. We submit only to God.
 

I am not incorrect.  If they submitted to Allah they would teach and personify The Way of Selfless Love and not separatist, superstitious, idolatrous, fearful dogma.  For the volume of writing I do, it is difficult to have to repeat every single thing to cover my butt and so I am sorry if you did not understand that my work is about those among Christians, Jews and Muslims that are given over to selfish religion, specifically, separatist, superstitious, idolatrous, fearful, mystery-filled dogma.  The 2nd pillar of faith is prayer, yet the Qu'ran requires no such ritual prayer, but only brotherly love.  Why should they honor that critically important scripture when there is big business in controlling over other's lives through superstition?  They are to honor Jesus' message and have failed with regards to prayer, as the Christians, for Jesus calls those who practice public prayer hypocrites and instructs them to pray in secret, like in a closet.  Where Muhammad denies the idolatrous, false dogma of the Catholic Trinity, we see Muslims circling the Kaba.  What's the difference?  It is pure idolatry.  They make a "golden calf" and worship before it like the Catholics they criticize.  We have Muslims petitioning for American schools to give their children "prayer time" so they can bow towards Mecca during school hours.  Please explain to me why we not see any Muslim leaders teaching The Way of the most-excellent Spirit of Allah that supersedes separatist, fear-driven, idolatrous, superstitious Islam? 
Thank you for your input.  Have a terrific weekend. 
God bless,
John

 

You got it right here! 


 

Hi Michael!  It is about time I got around to responding!  Geez.  Has been crazy-busy lately.  I hope you are well, good friend.  Much love to you and your family.  Thank you kindly for the compliment.  God bless,
John
 

I am a Christian.  That is to say, I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and it's the single most important thing that has ever happened to, or for me.  I also concur that God IS Love, and we feel him the strongest, in our lives, when we are practicing unselfish love for others.  I stray from some of my good Christian friends' beliefs when I also concur that the God of Judaism, and yes, even Islam, is the same wonder.  The problem is, if you believe EVERYTHING that Jesus said, while he was here, "I am the way, the truth and the life. NO MAN cometh unto the Father, but by me!", then the rules were immediately changed right at that moment. 

You can't believe, in your heart, that there is ANYTHING you can do, or ANY WAY that you can live this life, that will justify your entry into Heaven.  If such were the case, then Jesus didn't have to die.  Think about that... Why would God allow his only true son to die in such a horrendous way, if it wasn't necessary to buy the salvations of all who would humbly accept that sacrifice, and come to him with arms wide open, to accept his grace?  The answer is in your heart. 

There are some wonderful people in this world that practice Judaism.  I would even imagine that there are some sweet, peaceful, Muslim folk, that try to live their lives in the unselfish, loving way that you speak of.  Unfortunately, Muhammed corrupted and perverted God's message, and it was prophecied that the decendants of Ishmael would go on to vastly outnumber the decendants of Isaac, and that they would cause them great difficulty throughout, until the end of time. 

Jesus, and his message of love, his delivery of grace from God, is the only way either of these peoples will ever truly find peace.  I judge not, because I am flawed beyond all recognition.  It would be an honor, though, for God to use me to bring as many as possible, my Jewish, and Arab brothers and sisters, home.  Thank you for a thoughtful posting, and God Bless. 
 

Thank you for your comment.  The biggest lie of Corporate Christianity is that only Christ-confessors get Heaven and everyone else goes to hell.  This is clearly not Jesus' Message.  If you are interested, the following blog presents scripture proving how The Way of Christ is not about one's religion, but one's character.  The Way of Christ and Christ-idolatry are 2 different things entirely.

“I Believe in Jesus and am Saved” – The Seed of Separatism (08-21-08)

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=109267452&blogID=426228433

Have a safe & wonderful holiday!
 

Excellent work friend!
 

Has been a rough couple of weeks lately, and so I regret not responding sooner.  Thank you for the beautiful compliment.  I hope all is well, Mr. Costa.  Blessings,
John
 

Thank you, Jim!  I regret it has taken so long to respond.  I love the scripture about the cup being polished on the outside.  Your comments about the Pharisees reminds me of the verses about how selfish religious leaders are seen in public with their long robes, loving the adoration and adulation and gifts.  They are all about show, lacking the substance (Spirit) of God in their wonton control over the masses through separatist, fearful, superstitous, mystery-building dogma. 
My best to you and your family and hope you are all well and happy. 
John
 

Good morning John!
Another GREAT post! Sadly, I admit I just NOW got around to reading it! Better late than never, right?
And in your response to Darlene, you said,  "There is an INFINITE difference between the individual and the institution."
THAT IS SOOOOOO TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you are having a wonderful week!
Lotsa love and hugzzz from Oregon!
Love you John!!
Teri ;-)
 

HA!  Well, sadly, it has taken me sooooooooooo long to respond.  Thank you, dear Teri!  It is evident the Bible can be used as a tool of war or peace.  Literalists hack scripture to death to find verses that serve their selfish agendas then throw the rest away.  Such a shallow, "surface" mentality.  We must shift our perception and look "within" scripture, into the depths of the substance or "meat" of its message.   
So happy to see you, my friend.  I hope you're having a lovely summertime in gorgeous Oregon.  Big hugs, always,
John 
 

Hi John, I really enjoyed this.  You are right on.  Only irrational minds are fascinated with fear and superstition.  Religion that tells you to throw away the common sense that God gave you to make yourself partial to His love is nutty stuff. 

Nice to meet you. 

 

 

 

 

Oh yes, one more thing, all one need to do is take a look at Christian History to see how wonderful a Christian Nation will be for us. No more pesky unbelievers to worry about and just think of all the neat torture devices the Christians will be able to produce with all our modern technology !! It just makes me want to go out and vote Republican .... right now !
 

HA!
 

AMEN!!!  It is our human selfishness that gets in the way, or better yet, our EGOS!!!  It feels to me like the world would be so much better off without religion at all.  Just a sense of ethics, right and wrong, etc.  Religion seems to help some...as long as it is helpful in a positive way, fine...but religion shouldn't create haters.  Glad you're a lover, John!  Take care!

 

Hi, sweetie!  I regret it has taken so long to respond.  You are right on!  I hope all is well for you and your family and send TONS of love. 
John
 

 

Hi, Robin!  Sorry it has taken so long to get back.  Thank you kindly for your loving support.  Times have been a bit overly busy lately---life passing by like a blur.  I hope you are happy and well, and all your family too.  Biggest hugs, with love,
John