looking for inspiration?

Question

is there a favourite parable , tale , teaching in your religion that you would like to share with us ?
one that speaks of love etc
one that doesnt condemn or anything nasty
something uplifting
even if you are athiest and have a favourite poem or saying
i am looking to see if we really can learn from each other ... can we take something from each religion or belief system that would teach us something
please share ?

( oh and state your belief or religion )

see this is what im talking about ...
we can all share and you guys rock !
thank you xx

peace unto you ...
that can never be taken out of context

Answer 1

I really like this little statement for it`s simplicity,` You are not as bad as you think you are,but not as good as you can be`

Answer 2

I believe in allah and HE is not what most covet HIM to be. The description of HIM is self explanitory, but mankind can change the outlook on THE GOD. HE is still the most mercifull, most courteous, all forgiving, accepter of repentance, cherisher, etc. And most mock the prophet muhammad(pbuh), but most don't realise he has the right of intercession on the day of resurrection along with other muslims. Others will mock what I just proclaimed, but what else does not get belied. He has the right to admit people into paradise in the hereafter. Heavens are something else to my belief. To my acceptance, there are many heavens. But paradise of allah is something different. If one does not believe in it, OK. No skin off my back. If it does not exist, then that is what you believe. Paradise of allah is similar to what a hindu would call nirvana. Even then, heavens are many also. But back to my original response. Muhammad(pbuh) also has the right to take people from hell and place them into paradise. No prohet but he has that right. There is a difference of the here and now compared to the here after. Sorry for being preachy, but that's just how the story goes. PEACE!

Answer 3

What I find inspirational is the innate goodness of humanity. Regardless of the day-to-day struggles and conflicts and injustices in the world, humanity on the large scale has made impressive strides toward a good, just, and fair society. Once the rule of countries was at the whim of despots and their families, now most countries elect their leaders. Once genocide was a common tactic, now it is bemoaned, shunned, protested, and even prevented by force of arms. Once slavery was common, now it is almost eradicated. Once women were chattel and second-class citizens, now in many countries they are the equals of men. Once the starving and suffering and afflicted were ignored, now mankind gives billions in anonymous charity. The march toward worldwide human rights and freedom continues inexorably forward. One day in the not-too-distant future, that American ideal of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” born of the Enlightenment, will be available to all the people of the world.

The beauty of Nature is another thing I take inspiration from. There’s a reason that artists learning their trade often end up painting such natural scenes as mountains, lakes, or wildlife. The intense beauty of such simple things moves us. Whether it’s the majesty of a snow-capped mountain against a blue sky, the fury of a lightning strike on the plains, the fierce presence of a lion, or the delicateness of a bird-of-paradise flower, nature unfolds before us in a way that tugs at our very being. We are awed by the power and complexity of natural processes.

As far as my religion goes, seeing how you asked, I am an Ásatrúar.

Answer 4

Simply one quote from Jesus.
One I think you practise.
"What you do to the smallest of them, it is to me you do it." (something like this). Initially, he was speaking of children.
I went to some hardship by loosing a very dear friendship (a living person) through the doings of others.
And when it was truly difficult but I met someone in trouble, it was always that quote which came to my mind, and I obliged.
It was to me that by helping that person as we are all connected, I was also helping that lost friend...
Or that as I was helping someone, he was also receiving the needed help...
Things have improved and greatly but yet 2 weeks ago, I was hesitating to meet someone who asked me and there it was again and very clearly, so I accept to meet that person and never regretted it and will never do, of that I am sure...
Thank for posting that question, Pangel.

I was raised catholic but has found my own way...

Answer 5

Excerpt from a piece called ‘The Watcher’ by Ly de Angeles:

"... Who knows why you perceive me in your sorrow – for who am I that in that place I dwell? Well ...
It is in the Way of the forgotten that in the silence of your sadness strange faces rise to haunt you to remind you that you’re haunted by the host and by the piper and by the harpist of a dream.
Catch my song?
within the whisper of the wind within the trees upon the lost forgotten shore? Everything is still here.
I am forgotten until you remember me.
I am the living root; the forever Tree –
I await beneath the senses for the soul who truly listens with an ear to hear my mystery ... and in the song of such a one I am remembered; and remembering will set the sacred free ...
to walk through dreams that can rebuild the ancient trackways,
to awaken memories of fires on the hills,
to call the faidh’n and ceoltoiri to attend me
as I plant the living legends in the places of the deep,
(where the forgotten ones still sleep)
of the forest of profusion of the ever-living Tree ..."

Answer 6

The best I can come up with is "You go where you look."

I learned this when I took the MSF Beginning Motorcycle class.

The beauty of it is that it can be applied to anything and everything.

It doesn't speak of love, but I think it has a beautiful simplicity and elegance. Not to mention truth!

Almost forgot - Atheist reporting for duty!

Answer 7

"THE PROMISE"
You gave me a vision,
made me a promise
and Your promise gave me hope
while walking in the desert.
Knowing You, Faithful.
I set Your promise before me.
I held it
and cherished it.
Your promise to me became synonymous
with Your love
until
I found I worshipped the promise
and lived for it's fulfillment,
not You.
Nothing was anything
unless the promise was true
So I fixed my eyes on the promise
and took my eyes from You.
Your promise was no longer a gift
but a debt You owed.
And I, impatiently waiting,
twiddling thumbs,
"Well? You promised!
Where is it?"
Your promise,
no longer a 'gift'
but 'G-d'.
It took it's wrongful place above You.
"Love the Giver, not the gift.
Love the mouth that speaks-
not the words of the promise
which come from it"
You said.
And then there is one Promise to love
for You were a promise
To Chava
To Yeshiahu
To Miriam
To Shim'on at the Temple
who prayed he'd see You
before his time on earth was through.
And You were not only
the fulfillment of that promise
You are Promise itself
The only Promise worthy
of such devotion
The only Promise greater
than our worship
The only Promise that brings life
and is given to all.
L'dor V'dor-
from generation to generation
never changing.
The only Promise Giver,
Promise,
and Fulfillment.
ECHAD.
(I'm Jewish)

Answer 8

hey hunny, I am a christian and there are so many verse in the bible about love and loving each other is is hard to think of a one that is best for you but let me give it a go . . . romans 12;9 " dont just pretend to love others. really love them. hate is wrong.stand on the side off good. love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honuoring each other" roman 12:15 " when other are happy, be happy with them. when others are sad, share thier sorrow. live in harmony with each other. dont try to act important, but enjoy company of ordinary people." romans 12:18 "do your part to live in peace with everyone as much as possible" . .i am feeling inspired now!

hope that this helps

Answer 9

I live by a simple motto.
It's nice to be nice , and I always tell my kids, If you can't say anything nice about someone then don't say anything at all.
(having 3 teenage daughters things tend to get a bit bitchy)
I don't practice any religion but I feel we should all try to be good natured

Answer 10

Something about this verse if you set it by itself and kinda take it out of context(yeah,I know that is usually bad...) just makes me smile.
Luke 24:36
And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace [be] unto you.

EDIT- Lol I know, I meant to set it apart and let it stand by itself,because it seems so beautiful...thanks for posting this question! It has brightened my day!

Answer 11

I believe in Jesus

The words you are about to read are true. They will change your life if you let them. For they come from the heart of God. He loves you. And he is the Father you have been looking for all your life. This is his love letter to you.

My Child
You may not know me, but I know everything about you. I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways. Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. For you were made in my image. In me you live and move and have your being. For you are my offspring. I knew you even before you were conceived. I chose you when I planned creation. You were not a mistake. For all your days are written in my book. I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. I knit you together in your mother’s womb. And brought you forth on the day you were born. I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me. I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. For I am the perfect Father. Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Because I love you with an everlasting love. My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. And I rejoice over you with singing. I will never stop doing good to you. For you are my treasured possession. I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. And I want to show you great and marvelous things. If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. For it is I who gave you those desires. I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. For I am your greatest encourager. I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. I am your Father and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. For in Jesus my love for you is revealed. He is the exact representation of my being. And He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. I have always been Father and will always be Father. My question is...Will you be my child. I am waiting for you.

Love, Your Dad
Almighty God.

P.S. For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, so that whoever believes in him shall never perish, but have eternal life.