Hello from a Plural Spiritualist (or whatever)

[Elm Nehmara]

Hello all,

I'm new to these forums and it's 6 am and I can't sleep lol.

Anyways, I am a 31 year old from Grand Rapids, MI. I am a college student seeking a degree in graphic design. I am a Plural Spiritualist (for lack of a better word or term.) currently practicing Ifa and Islam side by side.

I will try to explain my spiritual beliefs to the best of my ability since I am sleep deprived (ah insomnia, such a friend.) Basically, I believe that all paths lead to God, the Creator and that each religion has a core of central tenets such as being kind to others, that there is a higher power, being peaceful, etc. I feel that the institution of religion, such as certain dogmas and doctrines are inhibitive to spiritual growth and I do not believe in just adhering to one religion and thus becoming narrow minded in believing that only one religion is the "one true way."
I study and implement various aspects of the spiritual paths that call to my heart and apply them to my spiritual growth. I guess I don't believe in the institutions of religions that cause divisive splits but rather an individual's journey to finding God, understanding humanity and God within and without.
I feel that certain dogmas, such as hell, are devices implemented by man to create fear and to control the masses. I do not believe that God (or Goddess, but for the sake of brevity I use the masculine pronoun.) is that arbitrary, or petty, to send his creations to a place of eternal torment if they don't do things right.

Anyways, I know this sounds confusing to a lot of people and I should be able to explain a bit better when I eventually get my racing brain to shut up and get some sleep.

I hope to learn more about religions and what others think.

Elm

 

[Badran]

Welcome to the forum.

Interesting thoughts and outlook on things. I hope you'll enjoy it here.

 

[kepha31]

I think it's our fault that us Christians have failed to demonstrate the Gospel in every aspect of our lives, especially as social creatures living in a complex society bent on self destruction. Christianity is not rejected, it's not seen. There are too many fatherless children, too many single moms struggling with poverty and lonliness...divorce..suicides...STDS... The Gospel message was taught to a community, written and preserved by a community. Moral/Religious Individualism undermines all this. (Me the bible and the holy spirit) Not only does it undermine community, it ultimately contributes to the weaking the moral fabric of society. It is rejection of authority. Dad stops little Johnny from sticking the scissors into the electric socket and says, "NO!, you will get HURT!," analgously speaking. That's the kind of authority I am talking about.


"...Religious individualism describes the attitude of those persons who refuse to subscribe to definite creeds, or to submit to any external religious authority. Such are those who call themselves freethinkers, and those who profess to believe in Christianity without giving their adhesion to any particular denomination. In a less extreme sense all Protestants are individualists in religion, inasmuch as they regard their individual interpretation of the Bible as the final authority. The Protestant who places the articles of faith adopted by his denomination before his own private interpretation of the teaching of Scripture is not, indeed, a thorough-going individualist, but neither is he a logical Protestant. On the other hand, Catholics accept the voice of the Church as the supreme authority, and therefore reject outright the principle of religious individualism..."
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07761a.htm

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Shalom / Salaam.

 

[Pegg]

welcome to the forum.

 

[elmarna]

Great to have you here!!!!!!!!!

 

[kepha31]

Peas be with you, Elm. Lettuce pray.

 

[Me Myself]

I see a lot of nice common places between you and I

Welcome to the forum and blessings!

 

[Secret Chief]

Hi from another newbie !

 

[England my lionheart]

Welcome

 

[gnomon]

Hello.