When your views count

[Dazon50]

I am "glad" and "thankful" for the views I have that help others and myself through the less than smooth times.  Big bumps and small ones.  Lost an earring yesterday in all the hulaboo of work/errands.  In the grand "scream" of things.....not so important!  Irritating but not deadly.

I am thankful to donate some $ to help others and that focus is much more important at this time when so many are without jobs and $.  I saw a report on the news that Americans are mixing their religious views.  Interesting report.

*WASHINGTON (AP) - A new survey finds many Americans blend
Christianity with New Age beliefs and attend religious services at
more than one place and of faiths outside their own.
      
The report from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life also
found that nearly half of all Americans -- including many
unaffiliated with any religion -- claim to have had a religious or
mystical experience.
      
Among Christians surveyed, 29 percent said they had been in
touch with the dead, 14 percent had consulted psychics, and more
than a fifth said they believe in reincarnation, astrology or
spiritual yoga.
      
Three in 10 Protestants say they attend multiple types of
religious services, including services at denominations different
from their own. About 1 in 5 Catholics say they also attend
non-Catholic services.
      
The survey of more than 4,000 adults has a margin of error of
plus or minus 2 percentage points.

    


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

[Dazon50]

God is bigger than our imaginations/dreams could ever conceive.  His ego isn't defined by our prisons and struggles.  When there is a heart cry to know Him....He is aware.  He will save each one who wants to be saved.  I think the presentation is the problem with many people.  That is why it is good to have "safe" places where people can share fears/experiences/beliefs, etc. in their search for truth or what it is they are looking for....an identity?

I think I understand where you are coming from, tbabi, as I have been in the discernment area and it was unsettling to say the least.....as Jerry F. took some flack for associated teletubby purple with gayness.....lol!  I think there is much to look at in one's own closet...for me, I am well aware of my shortcoming, yet not 100 percent.  It keeps me busy looking for ways to mature in Him.

[ginger899]

Well I don't know, but when Christianity was first introduced to England, beliefs WERE blended together. That's where a lot of the symbols of Christmas come from, likewise Easter. And if we look a little deeper, we can see that those symbols have depth and meaning (such as the Easter egg, a symbol of deep religious significance, worldwide,  as well as a Natural one, celebrating the beginning of Spring)

The pine tree (stays evergreen even in the darkest deepest Winter) -What does Jesus Christ bring to us, if not something 'ever-green'?....forever living....the Living Christ.

The birth of theSun (ie Winter Solstice...light and life-giving force) and the birth of the Son....(Light and life-giving force on a Spiritual level) these symbols were deliberately blended together, and their similarities stressed  by the ones who introduced the Christian Faith here.

[tbabi20]

My problem with this religious unity is that Jesus has to come down to the level with every other God. He becomes equal.

I may have to acknowledge every God as God and I have a problem with that.

But that's my opinion.

Look into it, it does sound nice but you have to look deeper into the reason. It's to take Jesus's power away. He no longer can be the only way if he's on par with every other God.

One day soon, this message about Jesus Christ will be very dangerous to present. Jesus has never been popular and He never will be.

[Dazon50]

I think people are genuinely looking for answers.  There is so much information...confusion...disillusionment...corruption....endless list   I step back from judging the process of arriving at truth.  I cannot help but believe/hope that God sees/understands the difficulties we face being human and the steps taken to find truth.

Ask, seek and knock......that means "action"..."involvement"...movement

[iam1butterfly]

It would suggest that there's a blending or merging of belief systems at work... which may ultimately, lead to a universal form of "secular humanism" ... I could live with that!

[tbabi20]

What do you think of this report?

It scares me because in essence doesn't it mean people are inventing their own religion based on what works for each one of us.

The religion that you make up you know is made up. That means you know that its not entirely true. It's dangerous to even think about it because some religions denounce the mixing of different religions. I know Christianity and Wicca don't mix because the bible states it is the book of Life the only way of life and the only path to eternal life and it's Wicca is evil in the sight of God.

So are people looking into New Age beliefs because their fascinated with the unknown or is it because they feel they can get answers from spirits and mediums, that to them God may not be sending? The idea of having power or just "I'll work with either or to get what I want" type thing?

And why are people so fascinated with the dead and all this freaky stuff?

I dunno...

But IMO though.