| Response to MySpace "My Best Friend" Post |
[Jan. 23rd, 2007|02:36 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  contemplative | ] |
"I am curious to see who believes in God on myspace? there is no bribe of a miracle or anything like that. If you truly believe in God, then repost this bulletin and title it 'My Best Friend'. IF you don't believe in God, then just ignore this. In the bible Jesus says, 'If you deny me by man, then I will deny you before my father in Heaven.' Honestly, how long does this take? 30 seconds?"
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Although it more than likely wasn't your intention, this may come across as quite offensive to some. I don't mean to argue, just giving another perspective. Maybe it should have been re-worded, I dunno. Let me get this out of the way right away though -- I do believe in God, but what you really wanted to ask is "How many people on MySpace are Christians," otherwise you wouldn't have quoted scripture from the Bible.
Now, for a little more in-depth look into this question...
By saying "IF you don't believe in God, then just ignore this," you're basically saying that those who don't believe in God aren't worth your time...you're "above them" and could care less about what or who they believe in. Sound defensive? I'm sure, but if I could perceive this, then think about how many others out there in the world of MySpace might take it the same way. My goal by writing this is more of a contemplative one. My expressed opinions are just those...my opinions...take 'em or leave 'em, it won't hurt me any =)
I know how passionate some of us are about our religions...just as I am very passionate about my own spirituality. With that passion comes a feeling of a responsibility...for yourself and for others. Many take this as a responsibility to make others see things THEIR way. That's not what Jesus was doing though. His greatest power, in my eyes, was his ability to remove the blinders of those without faith...faith in him, faith in God (however you may see Him/Her), and faith in eachother AND ourselves. Another of his spiritually radiant abilities was the healing of many ailments -- blindness, deaf ears, demonic influence, etc. Does this mean he never healed a headache, lacerated tendons, cancer (of all types), bruises, bloody nose, etc.? No...some of these conditions would't have seemed significant enough to include in the Bible. I bet he did it though. Just like many of us are doing today. Ever heard of Reiki? No? How about acupuncture or chiropractic care? Ah, now we're hitting the mark. All of these types of healing are classified as Holistic Healing. I've channeled energy in order to heal headaches, muscle knots, bruises, anxiety/panic attacks, etc. I know people who have done the same with tendons, cancers, rotater cuffs, etc. Does that mean we're all gods/esses? Maybe..depends on what you believe. And that is the key point...what do you believe? Jesus taught his apostles to heal and walk on water...and probably many many more things. When their belief swaggered, they lost their abilities. (Who was it that started sinking in the lake? Who was it that wasn't able to raise a child from the dead?)
Jesus spoke in metaphors and parabols most often when he was trying to make a point because it was easier for the population to understand. In this day, we commonly use analogies to explain that which we understand to others who do not...and we choose an analogy that we are sure those others have an understanding of.
What does it truly mean to "...deny me by man," and what does it mean to "...deny you before my father in Heaven?" What was it that he was trying to say? Die-hard Christians would automatically say that it means you'll go to hell if you don't believe in Jesus...is that what he really said, though? And what constitutes a "belief in Jesus?" Simply believing that he existed? Or believing that he is God incarnate?
To me, both are easy...I believe he existed...and I believe he was God incarnate...but I also believe that we are ALL God incarnate. I believe that God is all of us, and all of us and everything else in the universe is God. Want an easier way to see it? Ok -- how many "faces" (or personalities) do we have? We have our work-face, our family-face, our friends-face, our party-face, etc. I believe we are all "faces" of God. Ponder THAT!!
Here's another prime example of scripture that could be interpreted in many ways-- in front of the Pharisees, Jesus was questioned regarding his loyalties and sacrilegious speakings. When asked to explain the relationship between himself and "God," he simply said, "I am." Who, then, interpreted that to mean, "I am solely the one infinite creator. My will is what created all that was, is, and ever shall be?"
I don't believe this statement needed any explanation...who could get it wrong besides those who mean to twist it into something they can use to empower themselves in front of others?
Let me pose this question -- why would Jesus say something like that and leave it to us to fill in the blanks? Why would he leave such a simple statement up to interpretation? Maybe it was so simple it wasn't meant to be interpreted...or maybe there was such a complex answer that nobody at that time would have understood. At least, if they hadn't by then, after all Jesus had done, he'd be wasting his breath by explaining in greater detail to those who had already chosen his fate anyways.
Pop quiz: Fill in the blank -- "I think, therefore _____."
That's all he was saying, minus the first three words. He simply IS (or was)...just as WE ARE. Not that we are more or less as he was, but equally as great...or have the potential to be if we would just open our minds. We, as humans, try to find some hidden meaning to everything we hear. We have doubt in our minds even when something so plain is made visible. In many ways, this is actually good; how else are we to learn if we simply accept everything at face value? It is in our nature to question...to observe...to experience all that life has to offer...to (and to quote the "Good Book," itself) "become more like Him."
In my opinion, I believe Jesus made one HUGE mistake -- He made himself a martyr instead of sticking around and continuing to teach others to open their hearts, minds, and souls and to see the world for what it truly is...and ourselves for what we truly are.
So, to make a LONG POINT short, yes...I do believe in God...maybe not as the same personification that Christians, Muslims, Jews, or other religions see him as...but as the consciousness of the beautiful and raw energy that makes up EVERYthing in the universe/multiverse/whatever you wanna call it.
Now...I'm actually curious as to how many people read this entire post and agree, or understand, or feel somewhat of a like-mind. If so, re-post this and put your name at the bottom.
I'll start =)
~Jasper |
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