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JamesLovesSam
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(Date Posted:05/26/2004 05:02:07)
Hello. 
I'm James, I found this forum by accident in an attempt to learn more about how liberal Christians interpret the Bible. I know their views of it, but I've read very little of the actual interpretation of particular scriptures. Of course, I'm sure it differs with each liberal Christian.
I came from a fundamentalist Pentecostal background. I was not raised that way although I was influenced to attend the Pentecostal church because of family members that went there. No one in my family at home pressured me to go. It had its pros and cons. Sometimes I remember some things I said, while steeped in fundamentalism, that I now regret. Yet I can forgive others, so I forgive me. I'm wiser now because of it. There were positive benefits as well. I'm glad to take the benefits while dropping the negative stuff along with fundamentalism. I hated the Bible for a while, but no longer. It's a book that reflects the culture, and I can read it with that detached perspective. Those were ignorant times for the most part. The Bible is now a much more interesting book, and I'm not stressed with ignoring contradictions. The contradictions are interesting. It gives me a variety in the Bible to think about and choose from, or I may just reject it all, lol.
Fundamentalism narrowed my mind more and more, but I've always been one to question, so I eventually stepped out of it after the contradictions became too numerous to ignore, and after some internal spiritual renewing.
I'm much happier outside of organized religion and within my own thoughts and experiences to understand in my own way, and see what is termed "God" more clearly, undistorted by all the fear and prejudice. Many people are only projecting their ego and fear when they talk about "God." This is sad.
Before fully leaving fundamentalism I began noticing the scriptures in the gospels about love more and more. I'm happy to be outside of religion where I can think for me and be as loving and joyful as I want to be without thinking it in any way conflicts with the Divine. Everyone seems to be fighting right now, and sometimes that makes me sad, but I am content to live in my own love and peace and understanding without fear.
Love,
James
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redzed
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(Date Posted:05/26/2004 12:12:41)
Reply to : JamesLovesSam
Well said James, sometimes I blush thinking of some of the ignorance that came from my mouth in the past, but yeah if "I can forgive others, I can forgive myself" - that is an excellent thought! The bible became clearer for me with research of it's history, it does reflect ancient culture and philososphy, also the designs of powermongers. For me the discovery of many of the other ancient manuscripts, that have been hidden or restricted for many thousands of years, was most revealing. To discover that the chapter of love, attributed to Paul, is included in another ancient gospel as the words of Jesus, leads one to doubt it's total authenticity. Plagiarism and invention, the devices of priests, charlatans and emporers.
Agree organised religion is passe, the divine within all of us is the reality, either that or there is no divine. The bible and some other 'holy' books, appear to be a record of, as you say, 'people .. projecting their ego and fear when they talk about "God." For me, Love, Peace, and Understanding, are divine attributes, and when one discovers those things within oneself, joy, compassion, ecstasy of spirit follow. You sound to have discovered those things. Welcome
Namaste
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Albert Einstein: "A human being is a part of the whole, called by us "Universe" a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest--a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest us."
Namaste
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JamesLovesSam
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(Date Posted:05/26/2004 23:15:09)
I agree. I don't look outside for God.
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