Deep thoughts... by Jack Hand E...
Ed,
The revelation of your child's cancer is a shocker to me...Thoughts and prayers for you and yours there....
As for organized religion and choices of leadership....I grew up with, and therefore relate, to Christianity... But over the years, I have begun to wonder about the wisdom of allowing man to continue to offer his 'heartfelt apologies' for falling short of his leader's qualities... and expecting forgiveness. Seems to me that is the Crux of the issue... religion is being constantly used as a 'matter of the heart'... Keep the simple and sensible arguments as far away as possible, threaten people with a hell beyond reason, offer them a heaven that exceeds their capabilities - and you get the 'following' to 'aquire' what you wish..
About the only way I could rationalize the 'futility' of being part of the crowd that 'followed' Jesus was to come to the following two conclusions...
First, that every time that Christ said the word " I, " (such as " I am the...") He was referring to the Spirit that lived within him...not himself..
Second, that what mankind refers to as God is no more..(and definitely no less) than the 'collective soul' of each and every human...
Just my twopence... :cool2:
Again, Best wishes Duder to you and yours..