Topic : An Open Consideration of Reality and Religious Beliefs

In previous posts in other forums there can tend to be what I feel are over zealous perhaps even in your face people with almost rigid criteria for what makes a Christian.  Am wrong for feeling sadness and sometimes even anger when they are clearly annoying others with continued 'preaching' so to speak? 

In one way I feel truly delighted when someone has found a path that is Good and Loving.  Yet there are moments that I question their sincerity of the Love for  God.  Yet when a few speak of fearing the Lord and really instill the negetive and even frightening aspects found in the Old Testament and the Book Of Revelations, I cringe.  I wonder whether it serves the ego, instead of the soul?   

I Believe that it is a wise and beautiful thing to 'fear' Our Lord.  Not in a trembling and worrisome way of thinking of fire and brimstone, more in the way one fears dissapointing their mom and dad.  A healthy fear that keeps in check with our conscience and allows us to live with dignity and pride.   

So aside from my annoyance of this behaviour, what is my root cause for feeling this way?  My intellect tells me that it may be due to my own dislike of perhaps an inner doubt I may unknowingly have regarding my own Spirituality?   

Plus another thing that I am working on is in discerning the Tiger.  It is very helpful, and I have met situations in a completely foreign manner from my former ways!  Yet there are times that I feel compelled to aid one who I feel is unjustly being treated, and especially if there was no provocation to warrant such treatment. 

If you search my posts you may find one I believe yesterday or perhaps the day before.  I was growing frustrated for Ploppypop, and Charles & Tracy and others..........and I posted a message.  I felt a need to protect Ploppypop and the others, (people I don't really know).  I have always carried this trait with me, it's just I'm learning to subdue my feelings of 'right fighting'.  Why do I want to help others - not a Saint here, I've been a contemptable sinner, and just wonder why I allow others' anger and affect me? 

 your thoughts will be appreciated, 

Peace 

In previous posts in other forums there can tend to be what I feel are over zealous perhaps even in your face people with almost rigid criteria for what makes a Christian.  Am wrong for feeling sadness and sometimes even anger when they are clearly annoying others with continued 'preaching' so to speak? 

In one way I feel truly delighted when someone has found a path that is Good and Loving.  Yet there are moments that I question their sincerity of the Love for  God.  Yet when a few speak of fearing the Lord and really instill the negetive and even frightening aspects found in the Old Testament and the Book Of Revelations, I cringe.  I wonder whether it serves the ego, instead of the soul?   

I Believe that it is a wise and beautiful thing to 'fear' Our Lord.  Not in a trembling and worrisome way of thinking of fire and brimstone, more in the way one fears dissapointing their mom and dad.  A healthy fear that keeps in check with our conscience and allows us to live with dignity and pride.   

So aside from my annoyance of this behaviour, what is my root cause for feeling this way?  My intellect tells me that it may be due to my own dislike of perhaps an inner doubt I may unknowingly have regarding my own Spirituality?   

Plus another thing that I am working on is in discerning the Tiger.  It is very helpful, and I have met situations in a completely foreign manner from my former ways!  Yet there are times that I feel compelled to aid one who I feel is unjustly being treated, and especially if there was no provocation to warrant such treatment. 

If you search my posts you may find one I believe yesterday or perhaps the day before.  I was growing frustrated for Ploppypop, and Charles & Tracy and others..........and I posted a message.  I felt a need to protect Ploppypop and the others, (people I don't really know).  I have always carried this trait with me, it's just I'm learning to subdue my feelings of 'right fighting'.  Why do I want to help others - not a Saint here, I've been a contemptable sinner, and just wonder why I allow others' anger and affect me? 

 your thoughts will be appreciated, 

Peace 

I find the "bible thumpers" annoying because they contaminate the teachings of Jesus AND their rigid, rule-oriented religion impedes their own and other people's ablility to see the clear path that God has laid out for us at our feet.   

I do not fear God just as I never feared my parents.  I loved them and (other than a teen rebellion) making them proud of me has always been my desire.  I have made them happy so far and that in return has given me a happy life. 

It sounds like your path is clear to you-you will fight the fight for the underdog.  If that is what your soul pulls you to do-do it with passion.  But don't let yourself forget the example we recieved in the life lived by Jesus and I look at the life lived by Mother Teresa the same way.  They give a good example about living your real life with passion and still retaining grace and kindness.  

It sounds much more endearing and far less threatening when the 'fear of God' is re-thought of as simply in making Him proud.  Much like we do/did with our parents. 

I still have some work to do in not only living life with passion, but am definitely working on my kindness every day.  A little while ago I decided to incorporate deliberate acts and thoughts of Kindness and Love toward all people and all things I encountered in my day to day activities.   

My inner peace has begun to over shadow former anxieties.  It's quite lovely. 

Peace 

Fredi 

It sounds much more endearing and far less threatening when the 'fear of God' is re-thought of as simply in making Him proud.  Much like we do/did with our parents. 

I still have some work to do in not only living life with passion, but am definitely working on my kindness every day.  A little while ago I decided to incorporate deliberate acts and thoughts of Kindness and Love toward all people and all things I encountered in my day to day activities.   

My inner peace has begun to over shadow former anxieties.  It's quite lovely. 

Peace 

Fredi 

I am doing a bible study right now and got my last test back 

one of the few questions I got wrong is 

There are some people/nations/races that God does not love 

True or False 

Another is 

The real cure and remedy for sin is found in more education 

True/false 

There is only one side to the forgiveness of sin,and that one side is the offer of God tho=rough Christ to save us. 

What would you answer and  why? 

Mary 

It is interesting how we can reap rewards from activities that we do intending to benefit others.  I think it is part of that inscrutable plan we hear about.   

Last spring, I had a brain hemmorhage from a birth defect (I'm 46!) and almost died.  After that I thought about what would have happened if I had died and I decided to write a letter to everyone I love and express clearly what they mean to me.  I am still doing it-person by person.I intended those letters to be some solace for others when I die but what I found was that I have gained such peace and joy from that outward focus.  I agree...it is quite lovely : ) 

There are some people/nations/races that God does not love -false. 

The real cure and remedy for sin is found in more education -false. 

God love us all -Muslim, Christian or Hindu-human, dog or chicken. He doesn't pick and choose who among his creations to love. 

I think that the cure for sin is love because I think that the cause of sin is the lack of love.