A beautiful "picture" of religion

[Justme]

Today was "refugee Sunday" at our church. The reflection was delivered by one of our members who has done work personally with refugees and through our church. It was a very eye-opening reflection.

What I wanted to share with you today was: She finished with this "picture" that religions are all after the same thing: the land of "milk and honey" and creating a better world. Religions are rivers flowing to that ocean - taking their own path based on their heritage, birthplace, etc but all working toward the same end goal - a better world. I just love the picture this painted (and wish I could actually paint it because it's perfect!)

I've said something similar over the last couple of years - that really doing good for the world seems to be what all religions want (extremists excluded) just the stories about who God is vary depending on where they are. But I love how she illustrated this concept. It's beautiful.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

It's nice imagery. I hope for that. Someday life will be beautiful for everyone in this world. Ideally - I think that is the idea common to all that gets missed. I don't know if currently all religions - thinking particularily of the extremes - actually want "this world" to be better or renewed though. The End Times people and apocalyptic focused religions - they care only about the next one and don't care about what we're doing to this one and all it's inhabitants. And actually I think many religious of all types are content with the way it is or accepting it is unjust and that's just life. ...maybe deep underneath that is the hope common for peace and an end to suffering somewhere sometime... But some look at the here and now and others only to the hereafter.

 

[Waterfall]

It's a beautiful image, hopefully someday it will include the environment because the scientists are telling us that we're not doing enough.

 

[Seeler]

Today was "refugee Sunday" at our church. The reflection was delivered by one of our members who has done work personally with refugees and through our church. It was a very eye-opening reflection.

What I wanted to share with you today was: She finished with this "picture" that religions are all after the same thing: the land of "milk and honey" and creating a better world. Religions are rivers flowing to that ocean - taking their own path based on their heritage, birthplace, etc but all working toward the same end goal - a better world. I just love the picture this painted (and wish I could actually paint it because it's perfect!)

I've said something similar over the last couple of years - that really doing good for the world seems to be what all religions want (extremists excluded) just the stories about who God is vary depending on where they are. But I love how she illustrated this concept. It's beautiful.

I once heard a similar reference - There is a beautiful garden where everything is peaceful, loving - perfect. People somehow have caught a glimpse of this garden, or somehow they have heard of it, and they desire to find it. So, from different places in the world they start out - they follow different routes - they come to forks in the road and make choices - sometimes they make a wrong choice and only after much struggle do they realize and have to change direction or backtrack. Sometimes their paths intertwine, they share information and perhaps travel together. Or they may end up arguing and then each going their separate way - and when this happens they may both loose ground. And sometimes along the way they find a guide who has travelled much further than they, someone who has actually approached the garden, and who shares his (or her) directions - draws a map. But sometimes they misinterpret the directions - or forget - or get distracted. Some give up - but others struggle towards the ultimate goal.

 

[Motheroffive]

I love the Jewish declaration at the end of the Seder meal; "Next year in Jerusalem". I gather that it is interpreted in many ways, but this conversation brings that idea to mind. The article, Next Year in Jerusalem...Really!, captures my image of the best that religion can offer.

 

[Seeler]

Seelerman just called from the livingroom -Jeopardy is on!

 

[Seeler]

Seelerman just called from the livingroom -Jeopardy is on!

Sorry, wrong thread.

 

[Justme]

In our house Jeopardy is Mr Me's religion so it seemed appropriate (He is waiting for the call to go to California to be on the show - the waiting is so hard but so very exciting!)

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

Seelerman just called from the livingroom -Jeopardy is on!

That gave me a giggle. I was wondering why you said that - came out of nowhere. I mean, there's derailing threads and then there's really derailing threads, hey seeler! Lol.

 

[Seeler]

In our house Jeopardy is Mr Me's religion so it seemed appropriate (He is waiting for the call to go to California to be on the show - the waiting is so hard but so very exciting!)

WOW

Now back on topic.
What is your `picture`of a perfect world and how can we reach it

 

[Hermann]

Well, Seeler, I think the perfect world is always there, and we always are part of it. It is not so much a matter of reaching it, it is a matter of refraining from separating ourselves from it.

Reality, as it really is, in its innate, unified state, is paradise. If we immerse ourselves in it, and submit to its simple demands of unitive awareness, unitive love and unitive action, then we are where we always were and always will be.

We have separated ourselves from IT, not IT from us! IT is always there, in ITs holy wholeness, waiting for us to rejoin. We have severed the connection, and it is up to us to re-establish the connection.

 

[Waterfall]

WOW

Now back on topic.
What is your `picture`of a perfect world and how can we reach it

I have no idea what a perfect world would look like? What would life be like without some "angst" spurring us on? What happens to those who cannot be perfect and what makes something perfect? How would God's love be displayed in all His perfection if that was all we knew? Would we then have different degrees of "perfection"? Different levels? Would there still be acceptance for some to be less "perfect" than others?

I guess a perfect world would mean we can be different, less than perfect and still be loved.

 

[Mendalla]

There is no "perfect world" in any absolute sense. If we can have a world where we respect each other's freedom, worth and dignity, help each other, and forgive each other's failings, that is about as close as we can get.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

There is no "perfect world" in any absolute sense. If we can have a world where we respect each other's freedom, worth and dignity, help each other, and forgive each other's failings, that is about as close as we can get.

If we had those things it would be easier to work at making other things more "perfect" but I think as mortal humans we will never be perfect in an absolute sense either - hope not, that would be boring (it implies total uniformity to me) - so I agree!

 

[Mendalla]

If we had those things it would be easier to work at making other things more "perfect" but I think as mortal humans we will never be perfect in an absolute sense either - hope not, that would be boring (it implies total uniformity to me) - so I agree!

If we could be "perfect" we wouldn't the forgive each other part, eh? Not only would perfection be boring, it would be the end of time. Everything would be static because there would be no point to anything changing or evolving.

 

[Kimmio Laughterlove]

If we could be "perfect" we wouldn't the forgive each other part, eh? Not only would perfection be boring, it would be the end of time. Everything would be static because there would be no point to anything changing or evolving.

Maybe "perfect at forgiving each other" is pretty good? Maybe not perfect in a physical / material sense but in a world more in synch that takes care of each other instead of going to war with each other. And, IMO, more compassionate and less competitive.