What is real ?
What is reality ?
Why do you think that is so ?
How do you suppose it all came about ?
What I believe that most folks claim is real, is that which they can sense with their 5 objective senses, the touch, taste, smell, hear and see, of the outer material realm of their physically manifested experience.
For those objective oriented “rationalists”, that is the only logical answer to the question of relative importance in regards to reality, everything else is lesser, and if of the mind, subjective and seldom to be trusted where anything of importance is concerned.
They then tend to think that the mind is but some thinking activity generated in their brain and that intuition, imagination, the conscience and dreams, are then all “manufactured” by brain electro-chemical activity.
Most of our world society, especially in the “west”, seems to think like that, with of course some exceptions such as the more “spiritual” amongst us.
Where does that leave the “religionists” one might ask then ? I would suggest that the bulk of them are objective in their primary consideration and that their religion is very secondary to that. Thus that which matters religiously most to them is what might take place in the hereafter and what they call their “faith” suffices to insure them of the best outcome. Few of them believe enough though to “test” that faith by putting their very life on the line for it. (excluding of course the Japanese Kamikazes and the Muslim Martyrs).
Science then becomes the most impressive discipline for the objective rationalist, even for those religious, even though some might claim otherwise.
Under science then is the very beginning of human life seen as evolutionary and argued against by many religionists who believe in a God “created” beginning. I sometimes wonder why it even matters to folks how we began … if one seeks a particular beginning to believe in so as to validate all other subsequent experience, then it stands to reason that they will support one or another view of our beginnings, especially, as in the case of the religionists, if they think it determines the outcome of their ending.
Of course these are really just “generalizations” and the truth of the matter is that people range widely in their belief systems, and even that thinking being subjective to at least momentary changes when special conditions are experienced.
Personally, I was more into the scientific mode of thinking for most of my life and being then what is called an agnostic in regards to religion (spirituality was just a part of religion to my mind then). Via such thinking then, the ego self was #1 when the chips were down, survival and the well being of that self were primary. But being a “family man” with wife and children, it was suspected deep down inside that there may well become a time when “they” became “primary” …
Eventually in my life though, I became depressed about the world condition and the lack of truth being expressed in it, especially by most of the folks that held supposedly important posts of leadership and authority. I eventually decided that if that was as good as the world had to offer, then I wanted no more part of it. I even became somewhat suicidal about it all. I had no concerns about an afterlife and little desire for more of the present life, yet I held onto some small amount of hope for a number of years.
Then I began to think about things that I had never considered before, things such as the subjective aspects of thought and the mind and if there could possibly be a relationship that I could buy into related to a spiritual realm outside of religion. The more I looked, the more I found !
I now believe that the Spiritual Realm, whatever that amounts to, is the a priori, the very essence of the source of all of that experienced a posteriori here in the physical realm we commonly experience. That everything is interconnected with spiritual intelligence and that the “higher” reality, if I had to choose one, would be that of the Spiritual, and I now fully expect to give up this life just for that when the time comes, no fear involved.
Thus as religions have said, reality is what we make it to be. We are made in the “image of” GOD (whatever that is) and are thus mini-creators in our own right … and co-creators with the society we associate with, cumulatively, as we think, so it is or will be.
I now know that what we call “facts” and the “truth” are but relatively so as concoctions we as humans have “made-up” as we went, in order to have something in common to “agree” upon for the sake of relatedness in our communications.
Such things as the measurements of time and space are but things that we have decided long ago as a basis of our understanding and are in the greater picture of GOD’s eternity no more real or valid than anything else. They are all “arbitrary” when you get right down to it, as is what “we think” of our reality.
IMnsHO. (In My not so Humble Opinion)
I would hope that the above might inspire some “deeper” thinking and related comments by others … have at it.
(reprinted from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977757072 )
Monday, November 1, 2010
POLAR EXTREMES as compared to BALANCE ... and how such affects our REALITY.
From "my" perspective (for what it's worth) "balance" is "perfection" ... in that in every "whole" there must be an equal but opposite to all "sides" ... the very center of a circle or a sphere being the example of the balance point, the center, or "perfection" when all considered is accounted for. That same place, being the essence of the total, is also considered the "heart" of that total.
If and when a "universe" is considered "spiritually," it is said that GOD is at the center of all (except for those who claim God as outside looking in) and GOD being defined most consistently as unconditional Love and highest Truth, GOD is considered at the "heart" of all matter denoting especially that Love and non-judgmental acceptance of "all" ...
That "all" consisting of the whole of "creation" which naturally includes "both" potentials, of positive (+), that some see as good, at the extreme as "perfection", as well as the negative (-), which others see as bad, so bad they place a name such as "Satan" on it to personalize it.
Thus for some, if not most, it becomes a "linear" picture of reality where they effectively draw themselves a "line" where they place GOD, and good as perfection, at the far (let us say "right" as in righteous) and place the "opposite", the "other" as the "less than", the "worst" because at that other "extreme" exists a hell of death and destruction into a nothing at all (in their linear minds) !
These folks then are "dualists" that see things separately, divided or subtracted from each other into the "acceptable" and the "non-acceptable" ... in the extreme such thinking would denote man, such as in the original man, Adam, the "male" (and "electrically plumbed" as "positive") as "first" (primary), "best" (the original), "good" (as it gets between that and the subsequent) ... then "mistakenly" placing the woman, Eve, as a "secondary", female (and electrically plumbed as the "negative") and thus "lesser" creative "partner" of "subservience" ... "woman, get thee "behind" thy man" ... no "middle ground" "fence sitting" allowed either, because that is where the "other" (the homosexuals ?) side can tempt you away from your "perfection" ...
So what about that "dualism" seeking extremes ? The "believers", and most of us have been "indoctrinated" over our lifetimes to be such "believers", or at least that has been the intent of our "authorities," both religious as well as secular "institutions," who want "their followers" to get behind them as leaders, the one convinced to be either a "leader" or a subservient "follower" and to not rock the boat, just maintain the "orthodoxy" as the leaders direct. Individual freedoms suppressed for the greater good of the "organization" ... with of course the "particular" organization being chosen "over" any other ... thus competition and conflict with "other" (organizations) continues.
The preceding has been pretty much the "dualistic" story of differences at odds with each other, (+/-), where they have created a gap or void as (/) between the "parts", (+/-).
The "more real", the "original" (before the "fall from the garden") story, was the "real perfection", a "real balance", a story of "equal BUT opposites" AND their CONNECTION (their "commonality"), that of GOD.
That being a "TRINITY of (+=-)" where GOD was (and still is, especially as Spirit) the (=) (equalizer) in between all differences, (+) AND (-). Thus (+=-)>(+/-) ... [> greater than].
In short, we should be able, based upon understanding the preceding, "now" be able, to see why so many think and act as they do in this world and why we have so much conflict and strife. As I see it we must begin to understand the Trinity as transcendent to the Dualism that "seems" to exist ... we must realize that GOD, and GOD's Spirit, is our commonality, our loving connector, that which would allow more appreciation of natural diversity, even between opposites, that which promotes cooperation, compassion, and that which results in creative SYNERGY ... rather than the conflicting competitive destruction of dualism's "extremes".
The "point being" ... the CENTER is the BALANCE point of any complete whole and creation is such a complete whole, and GOD is at the center of any truth of it, in Spirit ! That is in every time and place as the "now" when found. All one has to do is seriously seek such an understanding and it will be granted to them. Such a "REALization" will be the "remembrance" of the original wholeness from which we came (fell ?) ...
Quit seeking "extremes" as a "win/lose" issue ... seek the common balance point of Spirit and appreciate the potential synergy available from diversity cooperating with common goals towards the betterment of all of humanity and creation as a whole ...
I apologize (again) for the length and the repetition of such "messages" from me to you all ... but this is the core of my "teaching" that I feel compelled to do ... we must come to understand the workings and reasons for our present condition in order to differentiate between it and a potential "better" in order to improve our lot in life ... to become Spiritual in the generic sense of non-religiousness may be "the answer" ... IMnsHO.
[this was originally a comment post to
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977697395
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977702431 )
If and when a "universe" is considered "spiritually," it is said that GOD is at the center of all (except for those who claim God as outside looking in) and GOD being defined most consistently as unconditional Love and highest Truth, GOD is considered at the "heart" of all matter denoting especially that Love and non-judgmental acceptance of "all" ...
That "all" consisting of the whole of "creation" which naturally includes "both" potentials, of positive (+), that some see as good, at the extreme as "perfection", as well as the negative (-), which others see as bad, so bad they place a name such as "Satan" on it to personalize it.
Thus for some, if not most, it becomes a "linear" picture of reality where they effectively draw themselves a "line" where they place GOD, and good as perfection, at the far (let us say "right" as in righteous) and place the "opposite", the "other" as the "less than", the "worst" because at that other "extreme" exists a hell of death and destruction into a nothing at all (in their linear minds) !
These folks then are "dualists" that see things separately, divided or subtracted from each other into the "acceptable" and the "non-acceptable" ... in the extreme such thinking would denote man, such as in the original man, Adam, the "male" (and "electrically plumbed" as "positive") as "first" (primary), "best" (the original), "good" (as it gets between that and the subsequent) ... then "mistakenly" placing the woman, Eve, as a "secondary", female (and electrically plumbed as the "negative") and thus "lesser" creative "partner" of "subservience" ... "woman, get thee "behind" thy man" ... no "middle ground" "fence sitting" allowed either, because that is where the "other" (the homosexuals ?) side can tempt you away from your "perfection" ...
So what about that "dualism" seeking extremes ? The "believers", and most of us have been "indoctrinated" over our lifetimes to be such "believers", or at least that has been the intent of our "authorities," both religious as well as secular "institutions," who want "their followers" to get behind them as leaders, the one convinced to be either a "leader" or a subservient "follower" and to not rock the boat, just maintain the "orthodoxy" as the leaders direct. Individual freedoms suppressed for the greater good of the "organization" ... with of course the "particular" organization being chosen "over" any other ... thus competition and conflict with "other" (organizations) continues.
The preceding has been pretty much the "dualistic" story of differences at odds with each other, (+/-), where they have created a gap or void as (/) between the "parts", (+/-).
The "more real", the "original" (before the "fall from the garden") story, was the "real perfection", a "real balance", a story of "equal BUT opposites" AND their CONNECTION (their "commonality"), that of GOD.
That being a "TRINITY of (+=-)" where GOD was (and still is, especially as Spirit) the (=) (equalizer) in between all differences, (+) AND (-). Thus (+=-)>(+/-) ... [> greater than].
In short, we should be able, based upon understanding the preceding, "now" be able, to see why so many think and act as they do in this world and why we have so much conflict and strife. As I see it we must begin to understand the Trinity as transcendent to the Dualism that "seems" to exist ... we must realize that GOD, and GOD's Spirit, is our commonality, our loving connector, that which would allow more appreciation of natural diversity, even between opposites, that which promotes cooperation, compassion, and that which results in creative SYNERGY ... rather than the conflicting competitive destruction of dualism's "extremes".
The "point being" ... the CENTER is the BALANCE point of any complete whole and creation is such a complete whole, and GOD is at the center of any truth of it, in Spirit ! That is in every time and place as the "now" when found. All one has to do is seriously seek such an understanding and it will be granted to them. Such a "REALization" will be the "remembrance" of the original wholeness from which we came (fell ?) ...
Quit seeking "extremes" as a "win/lose" issue ... seek the common balance point of Spirit and appreciate the potential synergy available from diversity cooperating with common goals towards the betterment of all of humanity and creation as a whole ...
I apologize (again) for the length and the repetition of such "messages" from me to you all ... but this is the core of my "teaching" that I feel compelled to do ... we must come to understand the workings and reasons for our present condition in order to differentiate between it and a potential "better" in order to improve our lot in life ... to become Spiritual in the generic sense of non-religiousness may be "the answer" ... IMnsHO.
[this was originally a comment post to
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977697395
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977702431 )
PARADOX ...
Paradox is a no-no to dualists ... dualists require "completion", clear cut decision making between the extremes of choice, you are either with them or against them. Good (+) or bad (-) ... (+/-).
One reason we "think" that way, aside from "religious" indoctrination which is the real source, is that we were taught in elementary school that:
(+=+) ... and ... (-=-) ... and like the east and the west, the twain shall never meet (so it has been said, in error).
(+=+) associated with (-=-) becomes then dualistically (+/-) where the "higher" is considered by most the "most valuable" ...
But given this "valuation" factor, the "lower", as in darkness, relative to light, is forced to take the role of "undesirable" and knowing itself a valid necessary co-equal (yet opposite) "partner" with light, takes offense at the lessor consideration of "judgment" and resists with associated "conflict" ...
The judgmental nature of the more "righteous" tends to condemn the relationship and places a gap or void (/) in between the parties (+/-).
With the universal truth and perennial wisdom, one can know that duality should be transcended with trinity ... the void and gap (/) of duality should be replaced with the "connector", the commonality and mediator, the spirit of GOD as the third member of trinity as (=) ... (+=-) !
Of course that "appears" on the surface to the dualist, as a "paradox", unacceptable to them. They will remain objectors and continue to conflict with universal truth because they will not yet accept the paradox.
To LGLG (Let Go Let GOD) resolves the paradox issue and results in lasting peace all around where the extremes of natural diversity are able, and more than willing, able to use their natural and unique talents cooperatively for the win/win result of creative synergy.
Paradox Rocks !!!
(reprinted from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977696583 )
One reason we "think" that way, aside from "religious" indoctrination which is the real source, is that we were taught in elementary school that:
(+=+) ... and ... (-=-) ... and like the east and the west, the twain shall never meet (so it has been said, in error).
(+=+) associated with (-=-) becomes then dualistically (+/-) where the "higher" is considered by most the "most valuable" ...
But given this "valuation" factor, the "lower", as in darkness, relative to light, is forced to take the role of "undesirable" and knowing itself a valid necessary co-equal (yet opposite) "partner" with light, takes offense at the lessor consideration of "judgment" and resists with associated "conflict" ...
The judgmental nature of the more "righteous" tends to condemn the relationship and places a gap or void (/) in between the parties (+/-).
With the universal truth and perennial wisdom, one can know that duality should be transcended with trinity ... the void and gap (/) of duality should be replaced with the "connector", the commonality and mediator, the spirit of GOD as the third member of trinity as (=) ... (+=-) !
Of course that "appears" on the surface to the dualist, as a "paradox", unacceptable to them. They will remain objectors and continue to conflict with universal truth because they will not yet accept the paradox.
To LGLG (Let Go Let GOD) resolves the paradox issue and results in lasting peace all around where the extremes of natural diversity are able, and more than willing, able to use their natural and unique talents cooperatively for the win/win result of creative synergy.
Paradox Rocks !!!
(reprinted from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977696583 )
Forty Days and Forty Nights ... ?
Since before Thanksgiving I have been in the hospital(s) resulting from a serious ATV accident while trail building up a steep mountain ridge near home. It was there that I totaled out my machine and my entire right hip ...
It is a very interesting story in it's own right what with all that was involved in how I was able to be found and rescued by local volunteers, being carried out in the dark on a board stretcher, finally transferred between various vehicles to wards the bottom from 4x4 to ambulance(s) that had me in the hospital about 7 hours after the incident.
The first hospital in Montana questioned their ability to "fix" me, normally sending such injuries on to a larger facility near Seattle, but they decided to try ... it failed and required my airlift to Spokane two states away to repair via two more surgeries involving many metal plates and associated screws and threaded rods for adjustment.
There arose many complications and setbacks requiring 16 days in the CCU (Critical Care Unit) where I was at my lowest possible point often desiring to just be dead and over with it all.
But alas, I am still here pondering the reason and/or meaning of it all from the spiritual point of view. As many who know me are aware, I have claimed a spirituality that I swear by ... that seemed to just drop out of sight during that entire hospital ordeal like I had dropped down into lower level where there was no compassionate GOD to be had ...
I now wonder if it were not related to the experience of Jesus walking the wilderness dealing with Satan etc ... maybe a testing "right of passage" ... ???
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977610042 )
It is a very interesting story in it's own right what with all that was involved in how I was able to be found and rescued by local volunteers, being carried out in the dark on a board stretcher, finally transferred between various vehicles to wards the bottom from 4x4 to ambulance(s) that had me in the hospital about 7 hours after the incident.
The first hospital in Montana questioned their ability to "fix" me, normally sending such injuries on to a larger facility near Seattle, but they decided to try ... it failed and required my airlift to Spokane two states away to repair via two more surgeries involving many metal plates and associated screws and threaded rods for adjustment.
There arose many complications and setbacks requiring 16 days in the CCU (Critical Care Unit) where I was at my lowest possible point often desiring to just be dead and over with it all.
But alas, I am still here pondering the reason and/or meaning of it all from the spiritual point of view. As many who know me are aware, I have claimed a spirituality that I swear by ... that seemed to just drop out of sight during that entire hospital ordeal like I had dropped down into lower level where there was no compassionate GOD to be had ...
I now wonder if it were not related to the experience of Jesus walking the wilderness dealing with Satan etc ... maybe a testing "right of passage" ... ???
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977610042 )
What the (center of) CHRISTIAN CROSS REALLY STANDS FOR ... another more esoteric viewpoint.
This will be an attempt to explain "a" symbolic meaning for the Christian Cross ... as it applies to any individual's true relationship to it.
I suggest a little mental exercise, not a difficult one, rather simple, relax and give it a try.
First picture a simple unadorned cross against a white background ... recognize that it has two major aspects, the horizontal "line" and the vertical "line" ... most of all realize that those two lines INtersect at the Center. There in the very center of said Cross is the crossroad, the very "junction-point" DoorWay to GOD.
That Center is Truly representative of a Balance Point rather than a polarizing extreme which a particular "end" of a line, designated dualistically as positive (+) and "good" would mean in the "traditional sense" which "required" it's opposite, the negative (-) or "bad" at the "other" end of said line ...
One line at a time here for best understanding ... ("best" understanding being the esoteric meaning as opposed to the common exoteric meaning).
Humanity, and most Christians in particular, tend to do the "judgmental thing" in seeing things from a linear scale such as their existence upon a horizontal line with "perfection" at the positive (+) end which they call good, love and God ...
Then at the "other" (opposite) end, the end that they deem negative (-), lies the "wrong" choices in life, that which is to be avoided and fought off because it is destructive, fearful and hateful ... "evil" ... Such are the "judgments" associated with linear dualistic (+/-) thinking ...
Those very same "judgments" could as well be applied to human dualistic perceptions of a "vertical" line as well as the horizontal ...
Next let us speak of the vertical line, having agreed for the purpose of this discussion that the human condition, as described already, was associated with the horizontal line.
Let us for the sake of this example call the vertical line the "Divine Designator" where it would stand for that "other realm" where God was the positive (+) at the very top and Satan stood represented by the negative (-) at the very bottom ... naturally we would call PERFECTION to be the Top of said line ...
But how many "Church Authorities" mention these two lines of THE CROSS ??? I suspect that most preach utilizing ONLY ONE line ... (remember the admonishment that one must "never fence sit in the middle of the line" ? That being a "grey area" subject to the clutches of Satan himself and his enticements ... that one should always strive for the "far right" of righteousness, as close to God/Christ as one can get ... yet all are advised that they can never achieve an "actual union" during this lifetime ... so say the preachers.
I propose that such linear striving is much akin to attempting to reach the "pot of gold" at the "end of a rainbow" ... (like a tiger chasing it's tail).
All of this because of "dualistic" thinking about extremes and ends, with a self generated VOID [symbolized in duality (+/-) via the (/) in between said choices], a "place" undefinable that you cannot "put your finger on" and thus fear as an unknown that could be Dangerous ... after all, it is right next to the linear theoretical point where evil actually begins ... best to stay way clear of "that" ... right ?
WRONG ... (IMnsHO anyway) ...
Lets go back to that Cross' INtersection ... allow that the very SPIRIT of GOD resides the strongest as a NEUTRAL (=) PRESENCE right there IN BETWEEN ALL POTENTIAL EXTREMES ... designated symbolically as a TRINITY of (+=-) ...
Said SPIRIT being The Bridge (=) that CAN UNITE the extremes, an INclusive presence based upon non-judgmental UNconditional Love with "no strings" attached .
Said SPIRIT doing away with the previous VOID (/) of duality, changing the "old" (EXclusive) duality of (+/-) via TRANSCENDENCE to a the Trinity of (+=-) ... (+=-)>(+/-) !!!
How can that work you might ask ??? ... well, let us go back to the picture of said cross on the original white background ... then picture in our minds as a staring point or beginning, ourselves standing at said intersection as the physically manifested creation of GOD ...
If we were to use only the one horizontal line for physical reference, as said before, we would gravitate to the extreme end we called good (+) in order to get closer to God or Christ ... and naturally, as said before, stay way away from the "other" end.
BUT ... still standing at the very center for proper perspective of the whole ... let us "imagine" the real truth as it really is ... that each of those "line ends", both horizontal and vertical, do NOT END, they actually are part of a complete spherical circle that continue on, turning back on themselves, and coming together again out of our "sight" culminating in GOD ... and only "there" could there be any potential final judgment ... if any.
Point being ... that everything is interconnected and relative withIN our UNIverse as a Part of GOD ... INterconnected via Spirit as the Neutral Balance Point (=) of each and every whole natural truth which IS A RELATIVE PERFECTION !!!
With Spirit all is perfect as it should be and to each their diverse own, hopefully in cooperative and thus creative synergy, but also allowed, is our free choice to do otherwise, even fearful hateful and destructive things ... BUT ... Spirit keeps track via KARMIC ACCOUNTING and what goes around comes around, sometime in the bigger picture of eternity (not always evident in this singular lifetime) ...
Meaning that it should NOT be GOD that we seek as residing at some extreme end of some scale, but GOD's Spirit that resides already withIN each of us at our highest truth realization which would be our personal Soul realization and perfection as what we are meant to achieve during this very lifetime ... after that, all proceeds automatically on our continuing journey resulting in the ultimate UNITY with our ALPHA SOURCE culminating at the OMEGA ENDING where for the first time we realize that we began there ...
Sorry, it took more words than I intended ... but the TRUTH THAT SETS ONE FREE is contained withIN this "message" ...
Again, considering our individual perspectives of being centered in that Cross INtersection, we are protected from any potential evil because in that sense Spirit is between it and us actually attempting to show each of us the proper path and way back to our source ... non-judgmentally.
And also, each and every one of us is a singular cross among an infinity of such crosses that are all interconnected spiritually across the complete sphere of what is both GOD AND our UNIVERSE ...
I hope that someone was helped to see the greater picture of our unified inter-connective relationship(s) ... :-) Jerry Kays, Nov 8, 2008, 1:37pm EST
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977501383 )
I suggest a little mental exercise, not a difficult one, rather simple, relax and give it a try.
First picture a simple unadorned cross against a white background ... recognize that it has two major aspects, the horizontal "line" and the vertical "line" ... most of all realize that those two lines INtersect at the Center. There in the very center of said Cross is the crossroad, the very "junction-point" DoorWay to GOD.
That Center is Truly representative of a Balance Point rather than a polarizing extreme which a particular "end" of a line, designated dualistically as positive (+) and "good" would mean in the "traditional sense" which "required" it's opposite, the negative (-) or "bad" at the "other" end of said line ...
One line at a time here for best understanding ... ("best" understanding being the esoteric meaning as opposed to the common exoteric meaning).
Humanity, and most Christians in particular, tend to do the "judgmental thing" in seeing things from a linear scale such as their existence upon a horizontal line with "perfection" at the positive (+) end which they call good, love and God ...
Then at the "other" (opposite) end, the end that they deem negative (-), lies the "wrong" choices in life, that which is to be avoided and fought off because it is destructive, fearful and hateful ... "evil" ... Such are the "judgments" associated with linear dualistic (+/-) thinking ...
Those very same "judgments" could as well be applied to human dualistic perceptions of a "vertical" line as well as the horizontal ...
Next let us speak of the vertical line, having agreed for the purpose of this discussion that the human condition, as described already, was associated with the horizontal line.
Let us for the sake of this example call the vertical line the "Divine Designator" where it would stand for that "other realm" where God was the positive (+) at the very top and Satan stood represented by the negative (-) at the very bottom ... naturally we would call PERFECTION to be the Top of said line ...
But how many "Church Authorities" mention these two lines of THE CROSS ??? I suspect that most preach utilizing ONLY ONE line ... (remember the admonishment that one must "never fence sit in the middle of the line" ? That being a "grey area" subject to the clutches of Satan himself and his enticements ... that one should always strive for the "far right" of righteousness, as close to God/Christ as one can get ... yet all are advised that they can never achieve an "actual union" during this lifetime ... so say the preachers.
I propose that such linear striving is much akin to attempting to reach the "pot of gold" at the "end of a rainbow" ... (like a tiger chasing it's tail).
All of this because of "dualistic" thinking about extremes and ends, with a self generated VOID [symbolized in duality (+/-) via the (/) in between said choices], a "place" undefinable that you cannot "put your finger on" and thus fear as an unknown that could be Dangerous ... after all, it is right next to the linear theoretical point where evil actually begins ... best to stay way clear of "that" ... right ?
WRONG ... (IMnsHO anyway) ...
Lets go back to that Cross' INtersection ... allow that the very SPIRIT of GOD resides the strongest as a NEUTRAL (=) PRESENCE right there IN BETWEEN ALL POTENTIAL EXTREMES ... designated symbolically as a TRINITY of (+=-) ...
Said SPIRIT being The Bridge (=) that CAN UNITE the extremes, an INclusive presence based upon non-judgmental UNconditional Love with "no strings" attached .
Said SPIRIT doing away with the previous VOID (/) of duality, changing the "old" (EXclusive) duality of (+/-) via TRANSCENDENCE to a the Trinity of (+=-) ... (+=-)>(+/-) !!!
How can that work you might ask ??? ... well, let us go back to the picture of said cross on the original white background ... then picture in our minds as a staring point or beginning, ourselves standing at said intersection as the physically manifested creation of GOD ...
If we were to use only the one horizontal line for physical reference, as said before, we would gravitate to the extreme end we called good (+) in order to get closer to God or Christ ... and naturally, as said before, stay way away from the "other" end.
BUT ... still standing at the very center for proper perspective of the whole ... let us "imagine" the real truth as it really is ... that each of those "line ends", both horizontal and vertical, do NOT END, they actually are part of a complete spherical circle that continue on, turning back on themselves, and coming together again out of our "sight" culminating in GOD ... and only "there" could there be any potential final judgment ... if any.
Point being ... that everything is interconnected and relative withIN our UNIverse as a Part of GOD ... INterconnected via Spirit as the Neutral Balance Point (=) of each and every whole natural truth which IS A RELATIVE PERFECTION !!!
With Spirit all is perfect as it should be and to each their diverse own, hopefully in cooperative and thus creative synergy, but also allowed, is our free choice to do otherwise, even fearful hateful and destructive things ... BUT ... Spirit keeps track via KARMIC ACCOUNTING and what goes around comes around, sometime in the bigger picture of eternity (not always evident in this singular lifetime) ...
Meaning that it should NOT be GOD that we seek as residing at some extreme end of some scale, but GOD's Spirit that resides already withIN each of us at our highest truth realization which would be our personal Soul realization and perfection as what we are meant to achieve during this very lifetime ... after that, all proceeds automatically on our continuing journey resulting in the ultimate UNITY with our ALPHA SOURCE culminating at the OMEGA ENDING where for the first time we realize that we began there ...
Sorry, it took more words than I intended ... but the TRUTH THAT SETS ONE FREE is contained withIN this "message" ...
Again, considering our individual perspectives of being centered in that Cross INtersection, we are protected from any potential evil because in that sense Spirit is between it and us actually attempting to show each of us the proper path and way back to our source ... non-judgmentally.
And also, each and every one of us is a singular cross among an infinity of such crosses that are all interconnected spiritually across the complete sphere of what is both GOD AND our UNIVERSE ...
I hope that someone was helped to see the greater picture of our unified inter-connective relationship(s) ... :-) Jerry Kays, Nov 8, 2008, 1:37pm EST
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977501383 )
GOD, how do "YOU" spell ? ... and how MANY are there ? ... a compilation of thoughts and linked articles. (just for the record).
Having been led here http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977227932 again by a Gather prompt, I reread the thread, with delight and wonder at the intelligence and wisdom displayed overall ... the title (HOW MANY GODS ARE THERE? 0, 1 or 2 ?) got my attention mostly though, because I have since "changed my own tune" as expressed in my own much more recent article and thread : GOD, ultimate truth ... God and god(s), less and lesser truths. ... in said article I wrote because of all of the confusion I have seen concerning many "Religious" views and the "conflicts" there-from as to the "nature of their (seemingly) differing God(s)".
As I read down this thread I copied and pasted the portions of comments that most impressed me, given what I wanted to say about it all in light of my latest "revelation" (my above linked GOD article).
I highly recommend that this article of Thomas' (the first link here) be reread in it's entirety, but for those wanting a "short-cut", at least, finish reading this comment. :-)
The abbreviated quotes follow: (with a few remarks of mine interspersed)
"" As I recall, the Hindu scriptures tell us, "How many gods are there? There are three thousand, three hundred and thirty-three. How many gods are there? There are three hundred and thirty three. How many gods are there? There are thirty-three. How many gods are there? There are three. How many gods are there? There is one." Thus the multiple gods of the Hindus boil down to just One. Isn't that interesting? It seems that ancient wisdom saw that people used and still use multiple gods to help them understand the many faces or facets of God. Many Christians believe in not 2, but 4 gods. The father, the son, the holy ghost and the devil. Christians deny having more than one God at the same time they are building Satan up as so powerful he is a worthy adversary for God. Jews and Muslims believe in only one. Several other monolithic religions exist according to what I have read. Donald Hawley, Jan 12, 2008, 7:10pm EST ""
The above is very related to the esoteric understanding of the "thirds" (1/3 or .3333x) of the Trinity or Hindu Trimurti) ... (+=-) of the BET. ImnsHO
"" However, the God of logic would, by it's very nature, be singular. The first cause, the uncaused case, the power of the universe, the universal intellect. I know that a singular God appeals to my sense of logic. James C., Jan 13, 2008, 1:46am EST ""
The very meaning of UNI as in UNIverse or UNIt, is ONE (1) ...
"" Thomas, if you go the the Enumu Elish, and for that matter most other Polytheistic Systems you will find a Single God in change with lesser gods doing the grunt work. The Christian Religion has as many, or more immortals than most of the pagan faiths.
Christianity is set up like a typical bureaucracy, there is the Bureau of Creation, the Bureau of Salvation, and The Bureau of Spirituality. They have names, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each of these departments of heaven have Thousands of Bureaucrats, Saints for the Department of Salvation, Angels for the Department of Holy Spirit, and this super mechanistic creation department that seems to enforce all the laws of physics and biology. It should be fairly easy to understand why there is so much controversy about the concept of One God when you consider that Angels, speaking to His Holy Highness in the early days of the creation suggested that humans should be prevented from becoming godlike, and God evidently agreed, commanding humans not to learn the difference between right and wrong or the secret of eternal life, "Lest they Become like Us," to quote the angels. Karl Leuba , Jan 13, 2008, 9:30am EST ""
Enemu Elish reminded me of the Sumerian Tablets which are the earliest known "writings" to which all of our present religious beliefs are derived from, and that which prompted my own "change in beliefs" ... mentioned earlier concerning my own linked article.
"" ... God has no such observable parts or constructs. To prove the existence of God it is first necessary to propose characteristics of God. The general proposition is "God is everything." This limits God to a singularity, there is only one "everything." It is impossible for there to be more than one god...and it is impossible for their to be less than zero god. Therefore, by your definition god is divided into two parts by the judgement of mankind into Good God and Evil God. God reserves to god the right to judge between good and evil. And we are back to the first crime. Learning to judge good and evil. My calculations indicate that 1+(-1) = 0. So, there is no god, or god is both all good and all evil. I still come up with a zero balance. So, I will conclude, there is One God, encompasing all good and all evil, or there is no god since all good negates all evil leaving only the neutral zero. Karl Leuba , Jan 13, 2008, 9:56am EST ""
The very deep and logical thinking expressed above goes well with my own view of (+=-)>(+/-) because the expression of duality as (+/-) actually does end up as the "math" of Karl's shows. It being a Binary system such as our digital computers use of 1 and 0 ... the "truth of extremes" of "polarization" ...
Yet with the allowance and participation of "THE" Spirit of GOD as the third part of the Trinity expressed as (=), we get (+=-) where Love bridges the Gap (/) of Duality (+/-) and resolves it's conflicts, allowing cooperative peace and synergistic creation of a win/win nature rather than the win/lose of dualism.
"" ... I still believe strongly that the "God Thing" is an innate "light house" guiding us even though we are incapable intrinsically of ever understanding or adequately verbalizing what "IT" is. We are veritable infants in the vast universe. Donald Hawley, Jan 13, 2008, 6:26pm EST ""
"IT" is the Spirit (=) withIn each of us ...
"" Everything that exists, that is real, falls into one of two categories - either material or spiritual. We perceive the material through our five senses. We perceive the spiritual through the faculty of our soul. One is as valid as the other. If we are physically blind we don't perceive through that faculty. If we are spiritually blind, that is if our soul is fettered by materialism, we don't perceive through that faculty. Thomas Millington, Jan 13, 2008, 7:32pm EST ""
"" ... The most prevelant belief, which of course can not be "proved," is that the "oneness" from which the many came and will return, is the one God most people believe to be "true." ... William Cottringer, Jan 14, 2008, 10:58am EST ""
"" ... Rather, Christians believe, correctly, that the devil WISHES TO BE GOD AND TRIES TO TAKE THE PLACE OF GOD. That's what makes him the devil because, as Christians know, there is only one God (correctly spelled with an uppercase "G"). ... Elizabeth V., Apr 26, 2008, 9:31am EDT ""
Well said, but what we believe in will manifest for us as our reality ... to believe in a Satan grants that thought power (FEAR) in our lives. IMnsHO.
"" The ancient Israelite concept of God was of a formless, unnamed spirit presence in creation, which exists equally in everyone and everything without any hierarchal placement, much liker the Buddhist concept. ... Bent Lorentzen, Apr 26, 2008, 11:44am EDT ""
Which may well show that the present Religious view of Christianity has been "contrived" (by "priests") into the hierarchy it has become where "they" have placed themselves as the "middle-men" (gods) between man and God/GOD for the their own purposes of power and control ...
"" ... Thus I see the ONE God as the TOTALITY of ALL from a UNIVERSAL perspective ... this of course does NOT in any way limit the possibility of anything OUTside of our UNIverse of consideration ... and at this point I would ask, why consider (seriously) any other, prior to getting a better handle on our own ? Therefore, in my estimation, there is no greater, nor more important (same thing I suppose I will be corrected), "number" than THAT ONE (1) !!! ... Jerry Kays, Apr 27, 2008, 10:22pm EDT ""
ONE (1) IS the greatest number in the UNIverse because it stands for UNITy ... all else is but a "fraction" of THAT ONE (GOD) ... IMnsHO.
"" Doesn't the Book Of Genesis say "And God Said Let Us Create Man In OUR Image" - which is a summary of the much earlier Sumerian creation story... The most ancient religions had multiple Gods, Gods with a hierarchy. Doesn't it seem logical , if you believe that these might have been people from an earlier more advanced civilization, that these Gods were only men after all... ... What would happen if something were to be found that proved conclusively that advanced civilizations did exist, that the Gods of old were real, that they did have flying machines.... all the stuff that scientific minds write about but are dismissed as being crackpots. It would turn religion upside down for sure... But just imagine what if....... Tony P., Apr 28, 2008, 6:47pm EDT ""
AWH ... that comment is the crux of my beliefs ... all should look into the recent (relatively) deciphering of the Sumerian Tablets such as done by Zecharia Sitchin http://www.geocities.com/sitchin_links/sitchin.html ...
"" ... I am positive (in my mind, and that is as good as anybody else's conclusion) that there are gods (under the One God) and that many of them are liars, and have even claimed to be God ... there are "realms" and "dimensions" beyond our knowing ... some "beings" of some of those realms most likely have the ability to manifest and unmanifest for the likes of us ... pretty miraculous stuff for the simple minded ... why they/we might even think one such was a god ... and if "miracles" were performed and that being claimed to be God even ... I suspect it just might be believed and the word passed on until writing allowed that method of continuation of beliefs ... IMnsHO.
Jerry Kays, Apr 28, 2008, 9:48pm ED ""
AMEN ... if I don't say so myself ! :-)
"" From what I've read even in Judaism, there were certain pre-Levitical sects who believed in 'El' and 'Asherah', God the Father and His female Consort. In the old testament, you have sons of God (by extension gods themselves to me) mating with women. The Trinity was developed, from what I've read, after the apostles and only became part of the orthodoxy with the later church fathers. So, the Biblical literature itself (prudence) coupled with experience where life offers hints and various experiences (skepticism) that there certainly is more at play here then One God. The old Gods never died....or so they say.... Kevin F , Apr 28, 2008, 10:12pm EDT ""
In effect even more support for what I am suggesting ...
"" .... Without God's wisdom, which he gives freely to those who humbly and sincerely seek, we will continue to be fooled regarding ALL information and influence about satan's existance and his potent abilities to deceive......Sandy A., Oct 30, 2008, 12:01pm EDT ""
And of course that was related to my most recent discussions with Sandy elsewhere ... http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977488818
Because this is such an important and interesting subject, I would hope that some few (at least) would be now inclined to reread the original entire thread, possibly continue the discussion here, and, for sure :-) ... read and comment on my own linked (in blue) earlier ...
Sorry about the length and complexity of this post ... as I said, it is more for the record than anything ... but for the willing I would appreciate any dialogue via comments.
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977496659 )
As I read down this thread I copied and pasted the portions of comments that most impressed me, given what I wanted to say about it all in light of my latest "revelation" (my above linked GOD article).
I highly recommend that this article of Thomas' (the first link here) be reread in it's entirety, but for those wanting a "short-cut", at least, finish reading this comment. :-)
The abbreviated quotes follow: (with a few remarks of mine interspersed)
"" As I recall, the Hindu scriptures tell us, "How many gods are there? There are three thousand, three hundred and thirty-three. How many gods are there? There are three hundred and thirty three. How many gods are there? There are thirty-three. How many gods are there? There are three. How many gods are there? There is one." Thus the multiple gods of the Hindus boil down to just One. Isn't that interesting? It seems that ancient wisdom saw that people used and still use multiple gods to help them understand the many faces or facets of God. Many Christians believe in not 2, but 4 gods. The father, the son, the holy ghost and the devil. Christians deny having more than one God at the same time they are building Satan up as so powerful he is a worthy adversary for God. Jews and Muslims believe in only one. Several other monolithic religions exist according to what I have read. Donald Hawley, Jan 12, 2008, 7:10pm EST ""
The above is very related to the esoteric understanding of the "thirds" (1/3 or .3333x) of the Trinity or Hindu Trimurti) ... (+=-) of the BET. ImnsHO
"" However, the God of logic would, by it's very nature, be singular. The first cause, the uncaused case, the power of the universe, the universal intellect. I know that a singular God appeals to my sense of logic. James C., Jan 13, 2008, 1:46am EST ""
The very meaning of UNI as in UNIverse or UNIt, is ONE (1) ...
"" Thomas, if you go the the Enumu Elish, and for that matter most other Polytheistic Systems you will find a Single God in change with lesser gods doing the grunt work. The Christian Religion has as many, or more immortals than most of the pagan faiths.
Christianity is set up like a typical bureaucracy, there is the Bureau of Creation, the Bureau of Salvation, and The Bureau of Spirituality. They have names, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Each of these departments of heaven have Thousands of Bureaucrats, Saints for the Department of Salvation, Angels for the Department of Holy Spirit, and this super mechanistic creation department that seems to enforce all the laws of physics and biology. It should be fairly easy to understand why there is so much controversy about the concept of One God when you consider that Angels, speaking to His Holy Highness in the early days of the creation suggested that humans should be prevented from becoming godlike, and God evidently agreed, commanding humans not to learn the difference between right and wrong or the secret of eternal life, "Lest they Become like Us," to quote the angels. Karl Leuba , Jan 13, 2008, 9:30am EST ""
Enemu Elish reminded me of the Sumerian Tablets which are the earliest known "writings" to which all of our present religious beliefs are derived from, and that which prompted my own "change in beliefs" ... mentioned earlier concerning my own linked article.
"" ... God has no such observable parts or constructs. To prove the existence of God it is first necessary to propose characteristics of God. The general proposition is "God is everything." This limits God to a singularity, there is only one "everything." It is impossible for there to be more than one god...and it is impossible for their to be less than zero god. Therefore, by your definition god is divided into two parts by the judgement of mankind into Good God and Evil God. God reserves to god the right to judge between good and evil. And we are back to the first crime. Learning to judge good and evil. My calculations indicate that 1+(-1) = 0. So, there is no god, or god is both all good and all evil. I still come up with a zero balance. So, I will conclude, there is One God, encompasing all good and all evil, or there is no god since all good negates all evil leaving only the neutral zero. Karl Leuba , Jan 13, 2008, 9:56am EST ""
The very deep and logical thinking expressed above goes well with my own view of (+=-)>(+/-) because the expression of duality as (+/-) actually does end up as the "math" of Karl's shows. It being a Binary system such as our digital computers use of 1 and 0 ... the "truth of extremes" of "polarization" ...
Yet with the allowance and participation of "THE" Spirit of GOD as the third part of the Trinity expressed as (=), we get (+=-) where Love bridges the Gap (/) of Duality (+/-) and resolves it's conflicts, allowing cooperative peace and synergistic creation of a win/win nature rather than the win/lose of dualism.
"" ... I still believe strongly that the "God Thing" is an innate "light house" guiding us even though we are incapable intrinsically of ever understanding or adequately verbalizing what "IT" is. We are veritable infants in the vast universe. Donald Hawley, Jan 13, 2008, 6:26pm EST ""
"IT" is the Spirit (=) withIn each of us ...
"" Everything that exists, that is real, falls into one of two categories - either material or spiritual. We perceive the material through our five senses. We perceive the spiritual through the faculty of our soul. One is as valid as the other. If we are physically blind we don't perceive through that faculty. If we are spiritually blind, that is if our soul is fettered by materialism, we don't perceive through that faculty. Thomas Millington, Jan 13, 2008, 7:32pm EST ""
"" ... The most prevelant belief, which of course can not be "proved," is that the "oneness" from which the many came and will return, is the one God most people believe to be "true." ... William Cottringer, Jan 14, 2008, 10:58am EST ""
"" ... Rather, Christians believe, correctly, that the devil WISHES TO BE GOD AND TRIES TO TAKE THE PLACE OF GOD. That's what makes him the devil because, as Christians know, there is only one God (correctly spelled with an uppercase "G"). ... Elizabeth V., Apr 26, 2008, 9:31am EDT ""
Well said, but what we believe in will manifest for us as our reality ... to believe in a Satan grants that thought power (FEAR) in our lives. IMnsHO.
"" The ancient Israelite concept of God was of a formless, unnamed spirit presence in creation, which exists equally in everyone and everything without any hierarchal placement, much liker the Buddhist concept. ... Bent Lorentzen, Apr 26, 2008, 11:44am EDT ""
Which may well show that the present Religious view of Christianity has been "contrived" (by "priests") into the hierarchy it has become where "they" have placed themselves as the "middle-men" (gods) between man and God/GOD for the their own purposes of power and control ...
"" ... Thus I see the ONE God as the TOTALITY of ALL from a UNIVERSAL perspective ... this of course does NOT in any way limit the possibility of anything OUTside of our UNIverse of consideration ... and at this point I would ask, why consider (seriously) any other, prior to getting a better handle on our own ? Therefore, in my estimation, there is no greater, nor more important (same thing I suppose I will be corrected), "number" than THAT ONE (1) !!! ... Jerry Kays, Apr 27, 2008, 10:22pm EDT ""
ONE (1) IS the greatest number in the UNIverse because it stands for UNITy ... all else is but a "fraction" of THAT ONE (GOD) ... IMnsHO.
"" Doesn't the Book Of Genesis say "And God Said Let Us Create Man In OUR Image" - which is a summary of the much earlier Sumerian creation story... The most ancient religions had multiple Gods, Gods with a hierarchy. Doesn't it seem logical , if you believe that these might have been people from an earlier more advanced civilization, that these Gods were only men after all... ... What would happen if something were to be found that proved conclusively that advanced civilizations did exist, that the Gods of old were real, that they did have flying machines.... all the stuff that scientific minds write about but are dismissed as being crackpots. It would turn religion upside down for sure... But just imagine what if....... Tony P., Apr 28, 2008, 6:47pm EDT ""
AWH ... that comment is the crux of my beliefs ... all should look into the recent (relatively) deciphering of the Sumerian Tablets such as done by Zecharia Sitchin http://www.geocities.com/sitchin_links/sitchin.html ...
"" ... I am positive (in my mind, and that is as good as anybody else's conclusion) that there are gods (under the One God) and that many of them are liars, and have even claimed to be God ... there are "realms" and "dimensions" beyond our knowing ... some "beings" of some of those realms most likely have the ability to manifest and unmanifest for the likes of us ... pretty miraculous stuff for the simple minded ... why they/we might even think one such was a god ... and if "miracles" were performed and that being claimed to be God even ... I suspect it just might be believed and the word passed on until writing allowed that method of continuation of beliefs ... IMnsHO.
Jerry Kays, Apr 28, 2008, 9:48pm ED ""
AMEN ... if I don't say so myself ! :-)
"" From what I've read even in Judaism, there were certain pre-Levitical sects who believed in 'El' and 'Asherah', God the Father and His female Consort. In the old testament, you have sons of God (by extension gods themselves to me) mating with women. The Trinity was developed, from what I've read, after the apostles and only became part of the orthodoxy with the later church fathers. So, the Biblical literature itself (prudence) coupled with experience where life offers hints and various experiences (skepticism) that there certainly is more at play here then One God. The old Gods never died....or so they say.... Kevin F , Apr 28, 2008, 10:12pm EDT ""
In effect even more support for what I am suggesting ...
"" .... Without God's wisdom, which he gives freely to those who humbly and sincerely seek, we will continue to be fooled regarding ALL information and influence about satan's existance and his potent abilities to deceive......Sandy A., Oct 30, 2008, 12:01pm EDT ""
And of course that was related to my most recent discussions with Sandy elsewhere ... http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977488818
Because this is such an important and interesting subject, I would hope that some few (at least) would be now inclined to reread the original entire thread, possibly continue the discussion here, and, for sure :-) ... read and comment on my own linked (in blue) earlier ...
Sorry about the length and complexity of this post ... as I said, it is more for the record than anything ... but for the willing I would appreciate any dialogue via comments.
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977496659 )
Our Politics associated with the Symbolism of Good and Evil
Sometimes symbols speak louder than words ... this is NOT an anti-Semite discussion, just a use of a symbolization that "they" also use ... but I will not deny the applicability of it in the esoteric sense.
This also was inspired by an ongoing debate/dialog/discussion/argument now taking place on many threads concerning what may or may not be behind the questions about the authenticity in regards to Obama's "legality" to be a presidential candidate ... (in case you have not heard of this subject view article associated with the active link at the bottom of this post). This post is a comment made there and is entered here mainly for my own records ... respond if you like. :-)
Speaking of bottom lines ... I think that I will waste a couple moments attempting to draw a mental picture for those really interested in what is going on from a metaphysical perspective ... I will here speak of two intersecting but opposing hierarchies ... think of the Jewish mogen (Star of) David symbol representing this idea ...
Let us call the "upper" hierarchy that of God with God residing at the upper apex and His Kingdom extending down from that Heavenly area broadening out as it reached "it's" bottom line ... within that triangle all have a chance for the Truth of God's grace and advancement "up" into heaven ...
Now I could get much more detailed in this with positives and negatives along with equal signs ... but I will give all a break and leave all of that out and everyone can use their own imaginations as to where they would apply ... :-)
Now that we have "outlined" the heavenly of the "good" territory ... let's next speak of it's "opposite" ...
The lower inverted triangle has it's apex then at the very bottom and it's "top-line" overlaps that of God's "bottom line" ... the territory between those two lines is neutral territory where we reside and are subject to going either direction, up to heaven or down to hell (allegorically speaking of course) ... depending upon who (which apex) most influences us during this lifetime ... good above or evil below ...
Now we all, most, or some of us, know that God has certain "hopes" for us, that we will see the "light" and rise above the troubles generated by and in the darkness below nearer to the so-called "evil" apex ... thus God has certain standards called truth and evil (I will NOT go so far as dignifying evil by giving it a "master" with a name such as Satan here) is full of lies and deceit ...
Now if anyone has followed this "picture" this far yet, it should be a very simple mental exercise, especially if religious, to see that the evil in this world has a lot of very intelligent and powerful "help" from areas "above" OR "below", depending upon "perception" of relationships, that of known leadership positions and orthodox authority positions ... meaning, to me at least, that there very well (most likely) are peoples pulling the strings of our known puppets ... such as the leadership positions of the RNC and the DNC ... not to mention the candidates themselves ...
Now for those who will still insist that everything is just as our "leaders" want us to believe, on the up and up, that they are honest and would not resort to dirty tricks ... or "heaven forbid" ... conspire ... then someone is very foolish and naive ... and I do not believe it is I.
This post originally a comment on: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977487978 Jerry Kays, Oct 27, 2008, 3:22am EDT
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977489687 )
This also was inspired by an ongoing debate/dialog/discussion/argument now taking place on many threads concerning what may or may not be behind the questions about the authenticity in regards to Obama's "legality" to be a presidential candidate ... (in case you have not heard of this subject view article associated with the active link at the bottom of this post). This post is a comment made there and is entered here mainly for my own records ... respond if you like. :-)
Speaking of bottom lines ... I think that I will waste a couple moments attempting to draw a mental picture for those really interested in what is going on from a metaphysical perspective ... I will here speak of two intersecting but opposing hierarchies ... think of the Jewish mogen (Star of) David symbol representing this idea ...
Let us call the "upper" hierarchy that of God with God residing at the upper apex and His Kingdom extending down from that Heavenly area broadening out as it reached "it's" bottom line ... within that triangle all have a chance for the Truth of God's grace and advancement "up" into heaven ...
Now I could get much more detailed in this with positives and negatives along with equal signs ... but I will give all a break and leave all of that out and everyone can use their own imaginations as to where they would apply ... :-)
Now that we have "outlined" the heavenly of the "good" territory ... let's next speak of it's "opposite" ...
The lower inverted triangle has it's apex then at the very bottom and it's "top-line" overlaps that of God's "bottom line" ... the territory between those two lines is neutral territory where we reside and are subject to going either direction, up to heaven or down to hell (allegorically speaking of course) ... depending upon who (which apex) most influences us during this lifetime ... good above or evil below ...
Now we all, most, or some of us, know that God has certain "hopes" for us, that we will see the "light" and rise above the troubles generated by and in the darkness below nearer to the so-called "evil" apex ... thus God has certain standards called truth and evil (I will NOT go so far as dignifying evil by giving it a "master" with a name such as Satan here) is full of lies and deceit ...
Now if anyone has followed this "picture" this far yet, it should be a very simple mental exercise, especially if religious, to see that the evil in this world has a lot of very intelligent and powerful "help" from areas "above" OR "below", depending upon "perception" of relationships, that of known leadership positions and orthodox authority positions ... meaning, to me at least, that there very well (most likely) are peoples pulling the strings of our known puppets ... such as the leadership positions of the RNC and the DNC ... not to mention the candidates themselves ...
Now for those who will still insist that everything is just as our "leaders" want us to believe, on the up and up, that they are honest and would not resort to dirty tricks ... or "heaven forbid" ... conspire ... then someone is very foolish and naive ... and I do not believe it is I.
This post originally a comment on: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977487978 Jerry Kays, Oct 27, 2008, 3:22am EDT
(reprint from: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977489687 )
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