"Alternative" religions

CarrieF · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tulsa

I do not mean to upset anyone here with this topic. I try to have tolerance of all. Religion and theology are two of my avocations. I love reading and learning about different religions and talking with others who have different perspectives. I would like to open this post to others like me.

Just to get you to know my views, I consider myself a "Cath-Wicca-Taoist-Jew". I was born Catholic and still consider myself Catholic. Due to various issues as well as my CD, I am no longer able to receive communion in any form, and that makes me sad, because it is so much a central aspect of Catholicism.

I love the "naturalistic" one-ness of Wiccan beliefs and the fact that contrary to popular Hollywood lore a true Wicca does NOT worship Satan, does NOT believe in hell, and mainly does NOT sacrifice any of the Creator's creatures. I worked in the health care industry, and the weird things that happened during a full moon, always gave me a chuckle.

I love the simplicity of Taoism. Enough said.

Lately, I have become very interested in the Essenes "sect" (for lack of a better word) of Judaism. It's healing beliefs and great faith in the gifts of the Creator....those gifts that we know of and those that we are learning about.

I would like to start this post by inviting any one with different views to graciously, and without malice and judgement, post. I love finding the commonalities in all religious beliefs, and ask others to try to do the same.

Blessed be all.

Carrie
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The Edifying Conscience · Joined: 29 Aug 2005 Posts: 2262

I'm sort of surprised that for your second post you've decided to start a thread in the religious folder. Good luck...

CarrieF · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tulsa

I'm new to the celiac forums, but not new to forums. I'm an artist and belong to several other on-line communities. I know religion is a very emotional subject, and that is as it should be. I'm just trying to find like-minded people, who in this instance happen to be gluten-intolerant...like me Very Happy

Blessed day.

Carrie
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NickisDragon · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 330 Location: S.E. Michigan

Hi Carrie,We've previously had some whiz-bang discussions on this topic--people got their toes stepped on and some left this forum in a snit so you might find us a little gun shy. Actually, this is a topic I quite enjoy as well and try to approach others beliefs with love not judgement--yes I DID get enough of that from my Catholic upbringing. If I had to label myself, I believe OMNIST would probably be most accurate. I believe that brains were a gift to be used, not chained, I believe that if you fear "evil" more than you trust God--you've got a long road to travel. And I believe that any holiday, miracle, Sabbath, weekday or conscious breath is a reason to celebrate. Good luck on your quest.
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Nicki

B-Day: January 18
DX: October 2005

CarrieF · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tulsa

Nicki! Thanks for replying. I see you are an art lover, too! Okay, explain OMNIST! I'm very intrigued. For the record, I was raised strict Roman Catholic and attended Catholic schools for 12 years in the Northeast. Unlike others, I did not have a bad experience and credit some very wonderful nuns for my quest at open-mindedness.

Blessed all.

Carrie
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aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 7818 Location: WI, USA

Hi Carrie,

Welcome to the board! Nicki's right, we are a bit gunshy about this. Religion and politics are sometimes hot buttons.

All is ask is that everyone be respectful and please don't get their undies in a bunch. My referee shirt is still damaged from the last bout and not back from the cleaners Wink

Yeah, commonality - there's more there than one realizes - we just have to look for it.
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“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

CarrieF · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tulsa

Hi, Al. Thank you for welcoming me. I don't mean to start anything here. Would you rather I drop this? I don't mind, I was just looking for friends. We have to be careful of your referee shirt Wink

I'm very easy going. Just PM me.

Blessed be all.

Carrie
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NickisDragon · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 330 Location: S.E. Michigan

An "omnist" is one who finds truth in all religions. Of course, some truths teach a person how to behave, and some teach how NOT to behave. Laughing

It sounds like you're much younger than I am because they don't make nuns like they used to. I'm old enough to have had my schooling before Vatican II when reading the bible and asking questions was a definite no-no and getting smacked around for being left-handed was the norm. That's not a complaint--that's just how it was. Now nuns are transcendentally meditating, Lutherans are praying the rosary, and the Jews for Jesus movement is alive and well. What a strange and wonderful world we live in. Amen.
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The Love we withhold is the pain that we carry.
Nicki

B-Day: January 18
DX: October 2005

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2152 Location: Washington State

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 3727 Location: Nebraska

CarrieF · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tulsa

Hmmm, so that's what an Omnist is. I used to tell my kids that every one has a little bit of the truth (with regard to religion), but that I didn't think that anyone had the entire truth. And the only way we can get it right is by all getting together and accepting eachother's truths.

I was born in '59. And my kids think I'm older than the Earth. I just think I had exceptional nuns. Smile

And Colleen....the car's still in the driveway. Apparently everyone is gun-shy and we're going to stay parked. Laughing

BBA,
Carrie
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HadassahSukkot · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 3:33 am Post subject:

I'm Messianic and not scared to say so. Wink

I have had a look at the Essene sect (yes, this is the proper term for them), but I haven't done any extensive searching or study as of yet... they were an interesting group, that is for sure.
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CarrieF · Joined: 04 Aug 2007 Posts: 8 Location: Tulsa

Welcome, Hadassah! I love the nature and mind aspect of the Essenes. In America, we have "Jews for Jesus". Is that Messianic Judaism? I have read up on Wicca and they tend to have the same naturalistic love, and I love their code of "Harm none". (I guess I would have been a wonderful Hippie.) I love thinking that we are ALL inter-related, which I find tends to be a common theme in every religion. I tell my Christian/Catholic friends it's the "St. Francis of Assisi" philosophy except extending to plant nature as well. Smile

I think that our minds are amazing tools that the Creator has given us and that we have not even tapped into the potential of. Another commone theme. After all, what is faith if not a firm belief? Can you tell me more about Messianic Judaism?

BB
Carrie
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Daughter_of_Light · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:05 pm Post subject:

I am a steadfast Charismatic Christian. Nothing would sway my heart from the creator and My GOD. I have been taught, and have found in the Bible that Witchcraft is bad. It says it only a thousand times. I have researched on the subject and will TRY my hardest not to go into circular reasoning. I'm not trying to insult you, or be mean. I'm only stating my beliefs and what I've found in the Bible, history, and archeological findings. I need proof just as much as anyone else. God set me free from an absolute prison that I was in and I will never turn from him. He FORGAVE me. Judisim doesn't belive that Jesus is the messiah, so that's pretty much out. For me, of course. And, belive it or not, I have no idea what Taoisim is. I am also intersted in world religions and do occasionaly study them on my own time. (As part of history, not as a possible belief) Would you please enlighten me on what taosim is before I look it up on wiki? It is interesting to hear about others' opinions about religon. I don't get to often.
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cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2152 Location: Washington State

I told myself I would stay out of this thread, but I can't stand it anymore.

Let's be vewy vewy caweful when we decide that certain religions are "bad." I am Mormon and my husband is Jewish. If you ask my hard core bible thumping relatives from Eastern Washington, his side killed the savior and my side worships the devil. We are going to burn in eternal hellfire, according to them. Oh, well, guess I will stock up on SPF 5000 sunblock and bermuda shorts. Very Happy

I think there are bits of truth to be found in all religions. The task is to find it.

Shutting up now.....
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-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
9-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters have negative bloodwork - so far!

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt