Did you know that you do not have to wait to be converted...?

Question

Did you know that you do not have to wait to be converted by someone (thus avoiding preaching, threats of holy hell, etc.)? Not everyone is struck my lightening or converts at some church tent meeting in order to find God. You can decide on your own to go on a spiritual journey...not even in search of God if you choose not to. You can CHOOSE to believe in God, even in the face of overwhelming doubt and ridicule. Think of the stories we have heard of the American Indians who went out to find their spirit. You can do this as well.

Better than spending the next 20 years arguing about God on the computer. God bless you all. Goodbye.
Grace and Peace
PEG

LOL...I know the Catholic church does not agree with me...but if I were looking for agreement ya think I would hang out here.

I have done several "God Walks" and they are great no matter what you are looking for...if you are just looking for your own spirit or to sort out your truth...if you want to reconnect with God...if you want to find a higher power...if you want to find yourself...and its free and you do not even have to go to a link, lol. Oh...and take a camera...its lots of fun.
Peace
PEG

Oh...I just felt like sharing...no other particular reason for asking about it unless someone else has done it and would like to share.

Answer 1

yes, that's right. all of us have our individual personalities and if we choose to worship, we should in the manner that makes us most comfortable and at peace.

i think this: whatever the life power is, what most people call g-d, must be so wondrous because life is fantastic and unique and utterly amazing that it feels to me as though the breath of love is put into all of it.

why fight and argue over what belief system is right? nobody can dictate to you, or to me, what my own heart tells me. you don't live inside of me and never have: therefore how would you know the basis of my belief? if the spirit of life moves you to read the bible and take the books as fact, then it does. but if the spirit moves you not to find the beauty of creation and peace in books but rather, in behavior, then that's okay too. if you wish to live by a philosophy rather than by an organized religion, why not? i think the point that peg makes is that warring arguments over what is "g-d" and what is not only leads to animosity between us. if g-d is love, then how is it that one who preaches the sayings of jesus, for example, can so hate those that do not see jesus as the messiah, savior, son of g-d, or eater of your sins. would it not follow that to hate is to sin? doesn't it make sense that letting others find their own spiritual balance (even if they feel most comfortable with science rather than religion in any manner whatsoever, making them atheists) in their own way, so long as they do nothing to hurt you, is the way to demonstrate love itself? isn't tolerance and patience important in communication, the lack of which is the bane to human coexistance?

my own way happens to be in living a philosophy which is named buddhism. buddha himself means very little to me, but the way i live in appreciation of life does. and that means that (other than trusting those that would kill you and i in the false belief that we are "the infidel") i should tolerate your beliefs, i should love you for your love. let me share what is the "small" (greek) "prayer" (chinese): the metta sutra. i am sharing it because when you really read it, you will see that it incorporates every good thing that has been stated by jesus, by mohammed, by "the spirits" of all things that are natural, and inside of books. you are not required, nor do i urge you in any way, to accept my belief system, but you may as well see this, to think about it, if you choose:

METTA SUTRA

This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise, who seeks the good and has obtained peace:

Let one be strenuous, upright and sincere, without pride, easily contented and joyous.

Let one not be submerged by the things of the world. Let one not take upon one’s self the burden of riches.

Let one’s senses be controlled.

Let one be wise but not puffed up. And let one not desire great possessions, even for one’s family.

Let one do nothing that is mean or that the wise would reprove.

May all beings be happy. May they be joyous and live in safety.

All living beings, whether weak or strong, in high or middle or low realms of existence, small or great, visible or

invisible, near or far, born or to be born, may all beings be happy.

Let no one deceive another, nor despise any being in any state;

let none by anger or hatred wish harm to another.

Even as a mother at the risk of her life watches over and protects her only child,

so with a boundless mind should one cherish all living things, suffusing love over the entire world.

Above, below, and all around, without limit, so let one cultivate an infinite good will toward the whole world.

Standing or walking, sitting or lying down, during all one’s waking hours,

let one practice the way with gratitude.

Not holding to fixed views,

abandoning vague discussions,

endowed with insight,

freed from sense appetites,

one who achieves the way will be freed from the duality of birth and death.

Answer 2

I agree about not having to be converted to fallow God, but you can't just believe in God to be saved.The devil believes in God. You need to be educated about the Bible and God's law's and fallow them. Personally I don't believe in one true religion. Since the Bible teaches us to not judge others I will not judge other religions. I know what I believe. I know that what I believe is true. If someone chooses to believe in God and live by his word then they need to be educated. I do agree with the fact that if someone does not believe in God and then decides that they will believe, they can pray to him for guidance at anytime. He WILL answer in some way, but you need faith and give yourself to him completely.

Answer 3

In a sense you are right but the Catholic church would certainly disagree with you.

Answer 4

That's fine if you want to worship the wind god.

Answer 5

That's an answer to a question that I can truly respect. ^^ May the gods bless you as well.

Answer 6

And remain lost

Answer 7

whatever faith someone takes as there own is much better then arguing over the internet about how someone else's faith is wrong!

Answer 8

The more I search, the more I find the Tao.

Answer 9

Yup. But sometimes you have to stomp out the fire before it gets out of control. Remember the Holocaust? NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

oh...is that supposed to make me want to convert? because i don't have to wait in a line? sign me up.