xjwsforChrist

WILLIAM SAID





Yep.

I don't know much about the Dalia Lama but I saw Barbara Walters interview him once and I was immediately drawn to him. He was basically saying, "I didn't ask for this". He seemed very humble and wise.

PSACRAMENTO SAID

I think he is wise in his ability to express commons sense.
I don't think this view is one of his "great views" IMO, it seems that he simply is "bulking" to the trend of railing against religion, forgetting that it isn't religion that is the problem but the people that lead those religions.

How can anyone have issues with a religion that advocates love, compassion, equality. peace, forgiveness and the value of life?

GLADIATOR SAID

As it happens, my brother is involved in the eastern approach to spirituality. He even went to a gathering in the UK at which the Dalai lama sat for a long time and mumbled a few words. I was invited along but declined, because gladiators can't sit still for long. Bro told me all about it over a few beers and I listened with rapt attention. I also went to a few Shambhala meditation groups with him. Does this mean I am now saved?

PSACRAMENTO SAID



Well, buddhisim doesn't believe in "salvation" per say.
It believes in the denying of oneself as a path to ending the cycle of reincarnation.
No desires = no wants and no wants and desires = no suffering and that = nirvana.
Yes I am over simplifying it but that is it in a nutshell.

Don't know about you but I think love is far too great to "give it up".

TEC SAID

You know, I tried to go that route a bit, Paul. Of just having that calm, not too exciting, brotherly love for everyone. But it did not work, certainly not on my family, who I love more than that.

The problem was that I needed more love... not less. Less love is fine I think if you are isolated, giving everything up; standing apart from people in a sense. You might need less love for that.

But if you are going to be in the thick of things with people, getting your hands dirty so to speak... well, I think more love is needed for that. At least, I know it is for me.


Peace,
tammy

PSACRAMENTO SAID

I agree Tammy.
Over the 30+ years of my time in the Martial Arts ( Chinese and Japanese systems), I have been exposed to the Buddhist tenets here and in asia when I trained there.
While there is something "tempting" in theory about it, I found that I have to give up To much of what makes me, ME.
The notion of " I can do it on my own" ( central to Buddhism) and that = denying what makes life worth living, just didn't ring true for me.
Doing it on our own is what has gotten us into this mess, denying love is what has made this mess worse, IMO.

AGUEST SAID



Yet, most religions advocate that to some extent or another, don't they, dear P (peace to you!)? But isn't that just the "bait" prior to the "switch"? Anyone can take words of "love," "compassion," "equality," "peace", "forgiveness," and the "'value' of life" and use those to draw others. To draw "sheep." Heck, the WTBTS does this... and we all know who and what THEY aren't.

But there are different kinds of "sheep'... and not all belong to Christ. He calls HIS sheep (John 10:3). Just because one is a sheep/sheeplike doesn't mean one is one of Christ's sheep... which is why there is a judging between "sheep" (Ezekiel 34:17). The Adversary's TASK is to find... and destroy... those sheep who are the seed of the Woman, the "children of Light." Thus, such words are what "false christs" use to draw out and mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. (Matthew 24:24; Revelation 12:17)

In that light, what of those who say, "Lord, Lord, didn't we do such-and-so in your name?" To whom he will say, "Get away from me; I never knew YOU!"?

Because of advocations such as you mention, many are actually in a situation where they "have a FORM of godly devotion, but prove false to its power." This is because there is usually a conflict between those things (love, compassion, etc.)... and the OTHER doctrines of religion. Since a LITTLE leaven ferments the WHOLE lump... then the entire batch must be "unclean", right? In the eyes of the Most Holy One of Israel, one cannot touch something "unclean"... and BE unclean.

Except... Christ... and those who have been washed clean BY Christ. Because only HIS blood can cleanse/cover another's uncleanness. For those he has cleansed, their touching of "unclean" things is limited.... to touching born of love. For instance, in touching someone who is unclean, either in flesh or spirit... so AS to give forgiveness and cleanliness (by means of the blood, holy spirit) to THEM. Or to perhaps enter/attend a religious service for the PURPOSE of showing love to another who has asked for such.

It does not, though, include "touching" an unclean thing so as to be a part of it and take ON its uncleanness. To the contrary, as Paul (?) reiterated:

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be my people.”

"Therefore,

“Come out from them
and be separate,
says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”

"And, I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-8

Paul (?) didn't make that up; the Prophets also wrote of it (Isaiah 52:11; Jeremiah 51:6-9, 45-47) and our Lord reiterated it (Revelation 2:9; 13-15; 20-24; 3:4, 9, 15-18; 14:4 [/b])

We can try to find justification for what WE want to do all day long, dear one, but there is a reason that our Lord said:

"They will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

and...

"All who have come in place of me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."

and...

"Get OUT of her, MY people... if you do not want to share in her sins... and receive part of her plagues."

It can be a much [much] lonelier journey, listening to and follow the Master, dear one, yes. But we're not the only ones who have had to take it. Nor are we the only ones who've had to carry a "torture tree/pole" for doing so. Historically, all who were chosen walked pretty much alone... sooner or later. They also weren't very well received by many of those to whom they were sent. Some were received by none. Even some (many) whom our Lord went to eventually turned away.

It takes a great deal of faith... and willingly to appear foolish, even to those we love... to do so. And so, although many are called, yes... few are chosen.

I hope this helps and, as always, peace to you!

Your servant, sister, and fellow slave of Christ, truly...

SA

PSACRAMENTO SAID

Yes Shel, many religions do indeed echo those words of Love, compassion, and such and yes, we all know that many times that is all they end up to be, mere words.
But who's fault is that?
If I follow an ideology that advocates peace and I am a violent person and act like it, who is to blame? not the ideology.
If I follow a ideology that advocates forgiveness of the wrongs done to me and the leaders of that ideology tell me NOT to forgive and I do that, who is to blame? not the ideology.
I have found that far too many blame religion for what people and leaders do that is 100% against what that religion teaches and that is simply "passing the buck".
To say that religion should be done away with when the problem is NOT religion but NOT FOLLOWING it, seems like we are just "passing the buck".

GLADIATOR SAID



This is true. Nor does Buddhism believe in a god as such. After I left Jehovah's Witnesses my search for truth caused me to look very deeply into Tibetan Buddhism, long before my brother did. It is more of a philosophy than a religion. It was useful at the time and helped me to be calm and develop control over my state of mind. I am no longer involved and will not be trading in my chain-mail for a Tibetan robe.

AGUEST SAID



You are not following the ideology, though, are you dear one, if you are violent (again, peace to you!)? And why aren't you following it?



Same questions...



I understand what you mean; however, I think what you are missing... or rather why you are missing it... lies in the words "what that RELIGION teaches." If one is joined to Christ... is not HE the One... and ONLY One... who teaches? Where, though, does he state he would teach through a religion? What happened to holy spirit and you "not needing ANYONE to be teaching you" because the ANOINTING is what is used by him to teach you... directly?



In contrast to the dear Dalai Lama, dear one, I personally have not said religion should be done away with; I will say, however, that it WILL be done away with... because the Most Holy One of Israel HIMSELF says it will be. But that is not MY doing; I am simply telling the truth as to the eventuality. And my position is that if the Most Holy One of Israel, JAH of Armies, says, through His Son and Christ, the Holy One of Israel, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah) that is shall be... well, who am I to argue with that? True, I could so like Abraham, Moses, etc., and perhaps plead on her behalf, that "she" does not come to her end. But if the blood of the holy ones is in HER "cup"... HER "ark"... why would I offer such a prayer? Should I not pray, instead, that those who are in her... whose hearts are RIGHT... are led OUT of her? That such ones actually "Get OUT of her"?

Please don't get me wrong: I do understand what you mean. And I agree that if folks followed the tenets of the religion, perhaps things wouldn't be as they are. However, history has shown that most CAN'T follow the tenets... particularly "Israel"... because such tenets... "laws"... are not written ON THEIR HEARTS.

Which is the primary problem for those who FOLLOW religion: the tenets are based on various writings... on stone/paper/vellum, etc., rather than on what is written on their hearts. Because much of what is written has counterwritings, however, it's easy to say, "I must love even my enemy" out of one side of our heart... and "I have a right to defend myself against my [perceived] enemy, even if that means taking his life when I perceive him as a threat." And so, many end up with a DIVIDED heart.

That can't be, however, if the Law (of love) has TRULY been written on one's heart... by JAH (Jeremiah 31:31-34). Because it is written with "indelible 'ink'"... holy spirit. One who has THAT law so written... would have to conscientiously CHOOSE to ignore it. True, they might have a bit of a "battle" in the beginning, but that "Law" would win over. Every time. Unless one purposefully CHOSE to disregard it.

As Adham did.

Look, dear one: it is not my concern whether folks associate with and/or advocate for a religion. Any religion. As always, to his/her own master he/she must answer and will stand or fall. I cannot, however, say that what is bad in the eyes of the Most Holy One of Israel... what constitutes "adultery" in his eyes... is/does not. That would kinda put me in that "Jezebel" seat. I much more fear ignoring, rejecting, disregarding, overlooking, and even blaspheming against holy spirit... than I do of offending those who possess certain "sensitivities" as to matters like this. So, I apologize that I must disagree with you... but I must. (Proverbs 30:12; Ezekiel Ezekiel 18:29; Malachi 2:17; Revelation 2:20-23)

Because while belonging to a religion may not be adultery for those who don't claim to be joined to Christ... it certainly is for those who claim to be of his Bride. One cannot have two "husbands", dear one, as one will overstep the "law" of one... in order to stick to the "law" of the other(s). Sorry, but that truly is how it works [with God and Christ].

And it is to that "House"... Israel, and those who go with... who constitute the Bride of Christ... that I am to direct my words. I know YOU understand.

Again, the greatest of love and peace to you!

YOUR servant, sister, and fellow slave of Christ,

SA

JUSTMOM SAID



Hello Paul
May I share also!?

Who elso echoes or speaks and not just spoke but showed/lived and even gave up his life for these qualities/fruits?
Isn't that the example we want to follow istead of "IDEOLOGY"? which is defined as " A body of doctrines/beliefs that guide an individual,social movement or large group." It is a set of beliefs from individuals that may have not even demonstrated these qualities in their lives. They just teach and enforce them.
I understand why you say it is "passing the buck" when one doesn't follow what religion teaches. But if one doesn't follow this, is it REALLY on ones heart to do so anyways? And if it is, does the individual REALLY need a "body of doctrines" guiding them anyways?

The admonition from prophet Isaiah in Matthew 15:9/Mark 7:7 "It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines." I see the same thing (Ideology)

The danger comes in when religion echoes these requirements of Love, Compassion, Mercy, Foregiveness, They define/interpret what they truly mean or don't mean and whether one is truly living up to them.

Just thought I'd share on this
Justmom

PSACRAMENTO SAID



And THERE is the crux of the matter and why religion, like any other ideology fails.
Not because there is anything intrinsically wrong with religion ( it is nothing but a term we use to describe a system of beliefs) but because it has been given MORE "status" than it deserves or even was intended for.
Christianity without CHRIST doesn't exist, period.
Religion is merely the "form" of an idea and without that idea, there is no form.
Religion must be put in its proper place, and it's place is simply to describe what a specific belief system is BUT it is NOT that belief system.

It is impossible to do away with religion, it is like saying you must do away with a belief system, and ideology, a way of looking at things.
It can't be done.
What must be understood is that religion is nothing WITHOUT the spirit it tries to describe.

Religion became a problem when it became separated from its spirit.

Christianity is the term we use to describe the teachings of Jesus Christ and His apostles and those teachings are a religion BUT they mean NOTHING without the spirit behind them.
And that Spirit is Our Lord Jahesuha, son of Jahveh, The Most High Ancient of days.

We must embrace the Spirit and when we do that, "religion" will be abolished because there will be no need to "explain it" because We will be His people and He will be Our God and ALL will know without needed to be "explained".

But until then...

AGUEST SAID



Exactly, dear 'Mom (the greatest of love and peace to you!)!! It is the religion that defines the ideology, which also makes it hard for people TO adhere to the ideology. The WTBTS says it is "love" to disfellowship those who don't agree with their understandings/teachings. EVEN if such is not set forth in or contradicted by what IS in the Bible... which they claim is the Word of God and "authority" for what they teach. Or taught against by Christ himself... as given to such ones directly... or as set out IN the Bible.

Religion, then, defines ideologies; yet, such definitions can be (and often are) inaccurate, lacking, even blasphemous... which is another reason why their adherents can't "live" the ideology: because the religion's definition of, say, love/peace... isn't really love/peace... but merely a FORM of it, that proves false [to the power OF the ideology]. Hence, the conflict within and with others, the accusations from those outside as to the falsehood... and the huge amount of hypocrisy.

Quite understandably, too, is a "delicate" topic; however, Christ will not leave even one of his sheep without a witness. So I have no doubt that those who belong to him will see the truth in this... when they look to HIM for it.

Again, peace to you, and thank you for that!

YSSFS of Christ,

SA

AGUEST SAID



Yes. Emphatically, yes, dear one (peace to you!)!!



And THAT'S the problem, dear one: what to do in the meantime. While we're "waiting"... TO embrace that Spirit... or for Christ to return. This isn't the first time "Israel" faced that challenge, though:

"When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us a god who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”

"Aaron answered them, “Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.” So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf[b], fashioning it with a tool. Then they [b]said, “This is your god Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

"When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.” So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

"Then JaHVeH said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

“I have seen these people,” JaHVeH said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

"But Moses sought the favor of JaHVeH his God. “Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people.


And just as it did not go well with them, it can't and won't this time. THAT time, Moses... and (not JAH... took action. (Exodus 32:21-29) The next time, it will be by "her" own lovers, the beast she rides and its ten horns. (Revelation 17:15-18)

Now, just as it seemed to Israel that Moses was delaying, it may seem like God is delaying, too. But the Most Holy One of Israel is NOT slow as to His promises, dear one, whether as to save... or to allow a destruction. Rather, just as He allowed time for any who WANTED to get on the ark in Noah's day; just He allowed Lot and his family time to flee Sodom; just as He allowed Israel time to cross the Red Sea; just as He allowed the Jews time to flee from Jerusalem... and just as He gave those who belonged to Him warning before ALL of those events... so, too, now:

"I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her, my people,’
so that you will not share in her sins
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;

...

"In one day her plagues will overtake her:
death, mourning and famine.
She will be consumed by fire, Revelation 18:4, 8

THIS time, we've had about 2,000 years of warning. So anyone who says God is NOT love, that He is impatient and hasty... don't really know Him. How long, though, must He ASK us to get out of her... before WE hear... and obey?

Again, the greatest of love and peace to you!

YOUR servant, always, sister, and fellow slave of Christ,

SA

JUSTMOM SAID

My sister Aguest........

So true...So true...
I hear you!!!

May Jah's patience and mercy and love continue on us all. May we be given the strength and courage to continue to fight this spiritual battle and be used even with all of our own weaknesses to help others "Get out of Her!"

Love justmom