I think if you can answer @LuisDantas question, some of us might be able to give you more guidance.
Also, *fistbump*, welcome to Unwilling Atheism. Where we don'tt believe in God, but really wish there was one, because wouldn't that be nice? :D
@NotOfTheWorld , just furthering the denomination thing, do you currently believe that God interacts with the world? Can petitionary prayer cause God to intervene and change things on your behalf via miracles?
Or, do you believe in a more hands-off God who has set things in motion and now...
Episcopalian Mass was pretty much the same as Catholic Mass when I went there, but it was a high-church (Anglo-Catholic tradition) Mass. There is a lot of variety in the Episcopal denomination itself between churches.
I agree with an earlier poster regarding Catholicism. The only problem there is that they won't budge on birth control.
Anglican/Episcopalian is like Catholic Lite, and some of their churches are very progressive and liberal to the point of having gay an female bishops.
Good luck with your...
You're not understanding my posts. But if you're going to start a commentary of assumptions about me personally, I don't want to rephrase my comments. Good day.
... How does what you say contradict what I said, which was "Even the most life-affirming religions accept that death and destruction are also God's power. The actual executing is usually left up to the humans enforcing his/her religion." ?
But if you want to say god is love, why not just say...
So how does your religion explain death and destruction? This earth will cease to exist at some point. Does your religion accept this ad God's will, or do you believe this fact is man's invention?
Even the most life-affirming religions accept that death and destruction are also God's power. The actual executing is usually left up to the humans enforcing his/her religion.
Anyway, good luck :)
This is a little bit like me saying, "You know, there's one thing I hate about sharks. They evoke fear and guilt in people to make them obey. I think the Shark is a loving father and not a blood lusting psycho wanting to punish all infidels!"
(PS. Sorry sharks, for using you in this example.)
I saw a real-looking Sikh at the pub the other day drinking beer with his ftiend. If he's not able to uphold the tenants of Sikhi, I personally think it might be best for him to give up the uniform. It shouldn't be about applying "the look", but about letting the internal changes taking place as...
Guru Arjun Sahib: http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=KeertanPage&K=1100&L=15&id=47285 doesn't say things as directly, but puts the idea of gods and idols into perspective as temporal things which will die and all that will remain is God.
Guru Ram Das echoes Kabir Ji...
Kabeer Ji was also very forthright about idols. This shabad from SGGSJ, the Guru of the Sikhs:
ਆਸਾ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਕਬੀਰ ਜੀਉ ਕੇ ਪੰਚਪਦੇ ੯ ਦੁਤੁਕੇ ੫
आसा स्री कबीर जीउ के पंचपदे ९ दुतुके ५
Āsā sarī Kabīr jī▫o ke pancẖpaḏe 9 ḏuṯuke 5
Aasaa, Kabeer Jee, 9 Panch-Padas, 5 Du-Tukas:
ੴ ਸਤਿਗੁਰ ਪ੍ਰਸਾਦਿ ॥
ੴ सतिगुर...
Guru Nanak Sahib and Guru Gobind Singh Ji shared the same jyot according to Sikh tradition.
Guru Nanak Sahib also did take quite a hard line stance against the use of idols, like this shabad starting on panna 1240:
ਸਲੋਕ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥
सलोक महला १ ॥
Salok mėhlā 1.
Shalok, First Mehl:
ਘਰਿ ਨਾਰਾਇਣੁ ਸਭਾ...
I didn't say anything, just providing links.
Benti Chaupai is usually said to be written by Guru Gobind Singh and is found in the Dasam Granth. Sikhs are divided about the authorship of Dasam Granth and a few question the authorship of Benti Chaupai, but it is required Sikh prayer, regardless.
"Woo" is a slang term for 'unfounded or ridiculous beliefs'. The Basics of Sikhi YouTube videos are fine until they start getting into detail around the "tenth gate" (which they do a lot of) and ghosts. I stopped watching them because of the emphasis on the mystical, magical tenth gate. It's...
Perhaps the OP means the fourth shabad of Rehras Sahib:
Raag Goojaree, Fourth Mehl:
O humble servant of the Lord, O True Guru, O True Primal Being: I offer my humble prayer to You, O Guru.
I am a mere insect, a worm. O True Guru, I seek Your Sanctuary. Please be merciful, and bless me with...