Education

[Fierce Critter]

I hear a dinner date sometime in the future...

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That, or a discussion group of like-minded individuals. =) The aim of which is to share each other's knowledge for the benefit of curiosity & the desire to broaden one's own mental database of information.

I've often envisioned a discussion group - NOT a DEBATE group - sitting around in my living room, pretentiously sipping wine & nibbling cucumber sandwiches, while peacefully yet intently discussing a broad range of subjects, from the sublime to the absurd.

From Monty Python to quantum physics - anything goes, so long as it's kept civil.

O.k. - maybe the cucumber sandwiches would be a bit much... and wine makes my nose stuffy... Big K cola & Doritos anyone?

[Rayne]

I am Native American ... I lived on a reservation for awhile.

... It's always been interesting.

[torn asunder]

That, or a discussion group of like-minded individuals. =) The aim of which is to share each other's knowledge for the benefit of curiosity & the desire to broaden one's own mental database of information.

i thought that's what we were trying to do here!? :whistling

[phee]

i thought that's what we were trying to do here!?      :whistling

I am not like any of you people.... :fear ....

[Fierce Critter]

I am not like any of you people.... :fear ....

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Indeed. Which is why I find you interesting.

But not as interesting as Rayne finds you. :whistling

[phee]

Indeed. Which is why I find you interesting.

But not as interesting as Rayne finds you.  :whistling

LOL.... thanks

[JaneDead]

I am also interested in hearing what you have learned in your studies of Native American spirituality. I never pursued my lifelong interest in it seriously, and welcome further knowledge on the subject from both a historical & theological point of view.

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me too

[phee]

me too

In another thread perhaps... I really am by no means an expert or anything...

[torn asunder]

In another thread perhaps... I really am by no means an expert or anything...

Since no one really knows anything about God, those who think they do are just troublemakers.

Rabia of Basra, Love Poems From God

[phee]

 

Exactly my point TA... exactly

[Guest Megalicious]

In another thread perhaps... I really am by no means an expert or anything...

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The great mysterious Phee.... :fear

[phee]

Ask Rayne I am about as mysterious as a peace of macarroni

[Fierce Critter]

How do they get it both tubular AND curved?

[phee]

How do they get it both tubular AND curved?

God does it....

next question

[Steven]

God does it....

next question

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ok that was pretty good..... even I had to chuckle

[Msterbeau]

Indeed. Which is why I find you interesting.

But not as interesting as Rayne finds you.  :whistling

As long as he keeps the tenticles retracted when I'm around, he's fine.

[phee]

ok that was pretty good..... even I had to chuckle

Thank you sir

[Rayne]

Ask Rayne I am about as mysterious as a peace of macarroni

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:grin :grin :grin :grin :grin

Phee ... mysterious ... lol.

[phee]

*Phee acts all sage like*

[ZhukovCodeslinger]

When I was in Graduate School I tutored and taught a comparative religion class at eastern. I was only planning on tutoring it and did so for 2-3 classes per semester for 3 years. Later when a professor slipped on some ice and fell and cracked his head on the pavment i was informed that I would be teaching his class until he "got better". Arent closed head injuries fun? When he got back he was screwy so he left again for a couple more weeks and i was still stuck with the class... OH well.

[ZhukovCodeslinger]

I am not an expert on anything of the political nature, but I find it infuriating when people I know are less educated on a subject than I debate me.    Is that pretentious?  Perhaps, but I can't help it. 

I see alot of people taking issue with Christianity here, and that is fine, but alot of what is said isn't factually correct, so their reasons for not liking Christianity is not based an facts but rather propaganda.

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I find it hard to take anything that has to do with religion as "Fact"... since it is all based on someone's intrepretation of an unverifiable story with many elements that are untestable. Hence the need for faith.

At a young age, new "recruits" are taught to believe the story (or burn in hell or cease to exist or come back as a lower form of life). This is explained by Faith.... believe the story when it goes against commen sense, science and reality. Once someone is invested in an idea, they will adopt it as part of their identity and will cling to it even if the priest is molesting their kid... or their friends kids etc. And then they make excuses when they find out its not an isolated incident and that the church aparatus is helping to supress the system of covering up this sort of crap. The church claims it is because it makes them look bad and is bad for the "faith" but in reality, it is because it is bad for their bank accounts and that is all they care about. Outside of Ghandi and Mother theresa, I cant think of anyone who leads a congregation of 5 or more "believers" who has to work and does not have a nice cadilac... and possibly a coulple of sweet little alter boys. But I digress.

But why Faith, why do you have to believe things that dont make any sense or seem to be so outdated as to be dangerous to both individuals and society at large? Well, its because "God" is testing you... you have to belive so that you can show that you love him (or her)... and you should do this because he loves you... or you would not exist... and bad things would happen to you... and if bad things do happen, well he still loves you, but it is all part of his plan... that you cant know (hence explaining away the randomness of reality).

by the way, im not testing anyones faith. I dont care. This is more of a light expose on my true thoughts on the matter (much easier than laughing at people and calling names).

I have more respect for someone who knows how to read and thumbs through their bible every now and then looking for life lessons on how to get along rather than someone who only behaves slightly different than your average Talib rocking back and forth in their Madrassa memorizing the Koran.

The only thing that marx and lenin had right was that religion is the Opiate of the masses...

[JaneDead]

I find it hard to take anything that has to do with religion as "Fact"... since it is all based on someone's intrepretation of an unverifiable story with many elements that are untestable.  Hence the need for faith. 

At a young age, new "recruits" are taught to believe the story (or burn in hell or cease to exist or come back as a lower form of life).  This is explained by Faith.... believe the story when it goes against commen sense, science and reality.

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"amen"

i had a hard time with religion in catholic school when in one class i am learning about god and how we were put here (ie. the adam and eve story) and then i go down the hall to science class and i learn all about evolution and such. they don't go hand in hand and we were taught to believe both.

[Homicidalheathen]

I would love to chat with you about this in person. Just started getting into the Native American spiritual stuff myself.....I find it simple but interesting.....I like how the area and nature effects the belief system.

My religious education

Well, I was a History major focusing mainly on Religion and Native American History... I had several western religions classes, as well as the normal history circut...

I took a few coursed in Native American spirituality, and I had some theology...

One of the reasons I haven't posted is because from all of these studies, I find that debating about items like this is very interesting to watch, but my opinions are my own, and I know they will not change anybodies perspective... when it comes to religion... I am comfortable where I am, and I hope the same for everyone

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