|
|
Subject:
Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
Category: Relationships and Society > Religion Asked by: ericf1-ga List Price: $50.00 |
Posted:
15 May 2005 15:35 PDT
Expires: 14 Jun 2005 15:35 PDT Question ID: 521978 |
Question: Which religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program should I belong? Background: Today I have any faith; I don?t stand for religion, spirituality or scientology. I am not sure about the existence of god or believe in some religion. However, I am single immigrant, 30 years old, working for a corporation in the Midwest, doesn?t belong to a political party and I am not sure what life is? Which job I should do? Should I do a MBA? Even which country I should live? So I have the impression something is missing in my life. I want to find out who I am and where I want to go. I am looking for information that can help me to personally grow. Do I have to join a religion or something spiritual or scientology? In order to make this kind of decision, I have to understand the different options available? What is god, religions, spirituality or scientology? I saw also some awareness programs (or cult or psycho-cult or scientology) like Avatar?, Lifespring, Lifespring Spinoffs, Landmark Forum (see listing here: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/eldon.braun/awareness/). Like the Avatar program, it seem to be attractive but the Star's Edge system that delivers them, is corrupt. If I should one path, I want to make sure it can be trusted, has a good rating. Some programs are designed to incite for recruiting more participants. I don?t want to follow a program with high-pressure sales and recruitment tactics. I don?t want to spend thousand dollars for this kind of things. Do we have a good rating of these programs? I would like to find this information online if possible. Or do we have a good book for this. I was wondering if there is a personal test or quizzes (online?) which will determine which of meditation I should follow: Religious, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program? | |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
Subject:
Re: Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
Answered By: politicalguru-ga on 16 May 2005 05:22 PDT |
Dear Eric, First of all, you've written that you're looking for a spiritual system that "has a good rating". However, choosing a religion, unlike choosing a computer operating system, has nothing to do with advices from other people, or with "rating". The most popular denomination, in numbers, is Catholicism. If we choose only according to what the majority chooses, choose Catholicism. If it's good for them, surely it'll be good for you - just like Windows system: those few weirdoes with Linux might not agree (just like the fact that those who chosoe to be Jewish might not agree with the majority choosing Catholicism), but Windows was chosen by the majority. So, I am not here to give you all the answers, and I advice you to be weary of those offering to give you all the answers. I am trying to help you to figure out what type of spiritual direction you should take. There is also no fault in trying, and deciding that something is not for you - as the great spiriualists always say, the way is what matters, and you will learn a lot even along the way and even when choosing what will seem later as the wrong path. First of all, you have to think why you're looking for one of these solutions: Is it because you feel lonely? Do you feel that material life do not satisfy you? Is it because you're looking for a set of rules that would help you conduct a better life? Are you looking for personal improvement? Collective one (for the whole society, not only for yourself)? You must answer these questions truthfully, and to yourself. After all, some people compose their own eclectic set of spiritual beliefs and moral rules, and do not attach themselves to any organised form of religion or philosophies of the type you've mentioned. other people live quite happily without any God in their lives, and they do not feel that they are "sinners" or that they are spiritually empty: they fill themselves with arts, philosophy, enquiry into the unknown. So, there are many paths, and first of all, you have to know the reasons for choosing a path, before you choose one. It wouldn't hurt trying, reading about different religions and trying to understand yourself in the way. Of course, you'll also have to develop some critical thinking regarding this whole issue. As I mentioned before, be weary of those offering answers to everything. However, you always have to keep in mind, when going to a lectur or reading a book regarding one religion or another, that the person preaching to you is conviced, and tries to convice you. They might not mention some less appealing parts of their faith (you've spoken of money, and indeed, not one religion, including those like Scientology or the Unification Church, against which such allegations have been made, would admit that the members invest hefty fortunes and that they employ "high-pressure sales and recruitment tactics."). A good tool to begin with, would be Belief-O-Matic. Yes, the name is a bit humourous, and it is of course not an exact tool. However, Belief-O-Matic uses a series of questions to give you a direction of the type of religions and spiritual groups that would fit you the most: BeliefNet: Select Smart - Belief-O-Matic <http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html> BeliefNet, which is a helpful site in any case to learn more about different faiths and religions, has also a message board, where people could discuss their results and their possible meanings: BeliefNet: Belief-O-Matic Quiz - Message Board <http://beliefnet.com//boards/discussion_list.asp?boardID=15317> BeliefNet holds two similar quizzes, that would help you learn more about yourself. What's Your Spiritual Type? <http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=27> Find Your Spiritual Path <http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=101> Spiritual Path Quiz (Message Board) <http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/discussion_list.asp?boardID=7998> This is one option. You have to keep in mind that these quizzes are not accurate, and that a computer is not a substitute for listening to what your inside voice has been telling you. You next step in the challenge could be to consult people close to you. Call religious organisations within reasonable distance and ask if you could learn more. What do they think? In addition, you can browse the spiritual book shelves of your local library and find out - which religions and spiritual pathes inspire me more? Here are several sites that discuss different religions and faiths, from which you can learn more about those religions and others: Religions of the World <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/religion/> - Only main religions and generally in a very simple language. Good as an introduction to those religions. World Religions Index <http://wri.leaderu.com/> - Has tables comparing different aspects of different religions, personal stories, explanations on each, etc. Links section is a bit weak, though, because it leads to all kinds of biased sites without explaning what they are and who stands behind them. Irving Hexham's Homepage <http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~nurelweb/> - with articles on different religions. Alternative Religions - About.com <http://altreligion.about.com/> - comperhensive site on alternative religions. Also has a forum. Major Scriptures, Religious Texts and Influential Books <http://www.adherents.com/adh_influbooks.html> - a list of the influential books in various religious traditions. You can read them and maybe read a little about them. BeliefNet <http://www.beliefnet.com/index.html?rnd=401> - yes, this site has been mentioned before regarding the quizzes, but it is a very good one, so I mention it again. BBC : Your Guide to the Religions of the World <http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/people/features/world_religions/index.shtml> - the Six Main World Religions Religious Tolerance <http://www.religioustolerance.org/var_rel.htm> - good site, quite objective, to learn about different religious traditions. This particular page is their directory of "A-Z" religions, but there's much more inside. Rick Ross <http://www.rickross.com/> - Rick Ross is an "Anti-Cult" activist, who has even gotten into troubles in the past, partially because of it. His site seems to be biased (despite his attemp to present it as "objective". However, it serves in your case an important purpose: it has all the dirt out on many smaller groups that might consider joining. It is important to read the negative aspects and allegations, and to think critically, and in that - this site helps. University of Virginia - The Religious Movements Homepage <http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/profiles/listalpha.htm> - information on smaller religious movements. Specifically regarding Avatar, you could read at Wikipedia: Harry Palmer <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Palmer_%28Avatar%29> (I am sorry, but none of the three sites discussing spritual and personal grow groups actually discusses Avatar, so I gave this link). Reading about these groups might not be enough. Personal growth is something that should come from within. The books mentioned before, those available in libraries, might give you more directions. I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any further clarification on this answer before you rate it. | |
| |
|
|
Subject:
Re: Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
From: bichinho-ga on 15 May 2005 18:40 PDT |
I don't know what i am talking about but i see God(s) as consciousness. Second, i keep moving from the neck up to the body to experience a sense of wellness, balance and pleasure. Third, looking at the planet earth from the moon everywhere IS LOCAL. Fourth, i find it a blessing not to be invested in anything out there through there are so many beautiful options. I do appreciate them for being there but not necessarily will ask what they do. Not knowing, not having a system helps me to explore with freshness my inner journey. Also, it is lovely to be gentle to myself so i have massages and the best one was given by a CTE (certified tantra educator). I am also a foreigner doable american (south and north) and it is a huge privelege to be able to experience different realities by just switching languages inside my head. If there is anything useful for you in what i wrote - good. If not, well... i mention right from the start i don't know what i am talking about. I enjoyed talking to you. |
Subject:
Re: Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
From: steph53-ga on 15 May 2005 20:25 PDT |
My personal viewpoint on all this... Everyone has the right to be at one with themselves... If that does not feel right, then mabe its time to seek help.... My cheap 2 cents ;) Steph53 |
Subject:
Re: Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
From: oneway-ga on 15 May 2005 20:44 PDT |
Eric, You don't need to pay anyone $50 to find out who you are (let alone hundreds of dollars to some "spiritualality" course). I would suggest you simply start with a book you can pick up anywhere called "The Purpose Driven Life". You are valuable, have worth and have a specific purpose. Although you might feel as though you are wandering without purpose or direction, and in a foreign land, there is a place for you. I challenge you to simply ask God, the God you are longing for, the One who knows you and knows your needs, the One who is waiting to answer you...ask Him to reveal Himself to you. Boldly, outloud with your voice, simply say "God, if you are real and you have a purpose for my life, show me." God will meet you right where you are, and many of the questions you have will start to become clear. The first seven chapters of The Purpose Driven Life are available to view online for free at www.purposedrivenlife.com/samplechapters You are not alone. |
Subject:
Re: Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
From: dir-ga on 16 May 2005 02:45 PDT |
You can read the book called "The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren",it will give answer.God will touch your heart if you pray to God in jesus name.Find church to attend and christian to discuss,You will have a true life. |
Subject:
Re: Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
From: telnady-ga on 16 May 2005 03:06 PDT |
The fact that you are searching for "meaning" in your life is an admirable realization. Not a lot of people have the ability to stop their rich, busy lifestyles and say: "Wait a minute? Why am I here, what's this all about?" Your questions are numerous and exhaustive but don't be intimidated by them. I suggest you take them one by one and they will answer each other. e.g. if you determine that there is NO GOD, there won't be any reason to find a religious affiliation. A good book that is a must read for anyone unsure about the existence of God is called "Hayy Ibn Yaqzan", written by Ibn Tufayl in the 12 century. This is a short piece of fiction that tackles the subject of God's existence from the perspective of an imaginary man devoid of human communication (a man who wasn't TOLD about God) who grew up alone on a deserted island. Although Ibn Tufayl is a Muslim scholar, the book does not touch upon any specific religions, only the existence of God. I wish you the best of luck and hope you can gradually fill in the emptiness you feel. |
Subject:
Re: Religion, Spiritual, scientology or personal grow program?
From: pugwashjw-ga on 18 May 2005 00:41 PDT |
remember when President Kennedy said " Ask not what the country can do for you but what you can do for the country" or words close to that. This same question can be asked about Almighty God. What can we do for him. And on the basis that God inspired all the Bible, we should look there for the answers. How we began?..Genesis. Were Adam and Eve meant to live and die from the very start or was it because they did something wrong [ Gen. 2;17 & 1Corinthians 15;22] Back then, were we closer to perfection than today? [Gen. 5; 21-23] Is Jesus God? [John 19;11.. 17;3-5,Proverbs 8;22-30] Does God have a name apart from his title 'LORD'? [ Exodus 3;13-15 & 6;3]. Should we call priests 'Father'? The Bible says NO [ Matthew 23;9]. Who knows the date of Armageddon? [Matthew 24;36].Should women be priests? Again the Bible says NO [ 1Corinthians 14;34] Will we always experience death? [ 1Corinthians 15;26 & Revelation 20;14 & 21;4] Do people require help in understanding the scriptures? The example of Phillip meeting the ethiopian eunuch at Acts 8; 29-39 shows that even if they are eager to learn, it requires some teaching. Read and get the Bible answers to all the above and then compare those answers with those of the major religions and you will soon gravitate to the religion doing all the right things. |
If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you. |
Search Google Answers for |
Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy |