I found this article in Psychology Today magazine, and it resonated with me on a very visceral level, as I was in training for the ministry in back when I decided to leave Christianity behind me.

[quote]

An Atheist in the Pulpit

There is much discussion about Calvinism on the boards. I've spent the afternoon doing some reading and reflecting, since, for now, my family's out of town and I have the whole house to myself. I don't call myself a Calvinist - partly because I wouldn't completely qualify and partly because I think it starts to fall into the trap Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians (you know - some follow Paul and some follow Apollos; or - today - some follow Calvin and some follow Arminius (not the one on this board - although he may well have followers :-) and some follow Borg and some follow Vosper, etc.

I would not like to see the pain that besh went through in "when is a david not a person" be totally for nothing. (and I believe that he did indeed feel pain and frustration, even if it was of his own making)

So, I'd like to resurrect the following from that exchange and invite anyone to share their ideas:

Besh asked: How will you get into heaven? What's the point of your religion at all?

and I replied (I've reorganized a bit, if anyone happens to go back to the original)

[quote=GoldenRule]

I have a question for you, and it is quite simple in nature. I assume a large portion of those who visit this site (that's you!) are members of either Christianity or some other monotheisitc Abrahamic religion. If you are, I address this question to you. Why do you believe in the monotheistic Abrahamic god (Yahweh) and not the Greek pantheon of gods(Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite, Hades, etc...)? I am not trying to offend in any way, shape or form. I am simply curious as to what reasoning the majority of you have.

Sincerely,

A Curious Skeptic

Hey, I know its just under a month away, but who's in for a face to face in Toronto at the More Franchises: A Second Cup event!

Here's Why:

1) Some Wonder Cafers are already going/presenting

2) Spiritbear wants to get a WonderCafe music jam session going. I'm bringing my trumpet, and I know Peter Woods would in with his Jazz soprano sax.

3) I'd be willing to arrange a meeting space at Emmauel College (if needed - I am on the coordinating group for the event)

When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.           1 Corinthians 13:11

This is one of my favourite biblical quotes. Indeed the whole passage speaks to me and defines my belief structure. I also believe that what is defined as childish by some is what is uplifted as a virtue in this passage.

This isn't terribly "new" of course, but for me, it pretty much sums up the crux of the debate that generally divides the so-called  traditional and emerging paradigms of Christianity.

Rather than interpret our relationship with God through Scripture, Jesus shows repeatedly that we have to interpret Scripture through our relationship with God. And that we must see that relationship as extending to all.

I was thinking about the original wondercafe ads..with our wonderful squirrel.

It got me to thinking

Is life about the big questions.....or just  the series of little questions.

Do the big questions matter?

If so, then if you had one definitive faith question that you could have answered...what would it be?

Jusy musing...I don't beleve that evil exists and I dont believe there is such a thing as death...sooo

that pretty much puts me out of the ball park...a lot of ball-parks anyway.

Carpe diem

There's no time like the present

Be Here Now

Extentialize!...and on and on...

The present is a gift...that's why they CALL it a gift

 So what does your  God require of you/us? Is it right belief or  right actions? or both. What kind of belief and what kind of actions?