Groups

  • Most Inspiring Person of the Year (Your Heroes)
    Name:
    Most Inspiring Person of the Year (Your Heroes)
    Status: Member
    Description: At the end of the year Beliefnet has a wonderful feature called the Most Inspiring Person of the Year Award, which celebrates amazing people who've performed brave acts of heroism, fight for an important cause, help others in need, etc. We want to hear your thoughts! You can nominate high-profile celebrities or ordinary people who've done something extraordinary in 2008.
  • Being Ourself
    Name:
    Being Ourself
    Status: Member
    Description: This is a group for people who recognize in a profoundly personal way that we are all actually facets of one whole interacting with itself, or more accurately, Ourself. It is a place for peer discussion and exploration as we move through the challenges and insights we encounter while participating in the awakening of ourselves to our common fundamental identity, Ourself. As indivisible aspects of the single, infinitely diverse entity of everything/reality/creation we all have an opportunity and a responsibility to deepen humankind's awareness of Ourself, and to enrich our language with new terminology/ideas to more accurately portray that which truly is. We want to support each other as we discover wholeness while living in a society that defines everything (including God) as separate when in fact the creator and creation (including all people, animals, plants, minerals, and seen and unseen forces of spirit) are not in any actual way separate. So don't be shy... your vantage point of the whole is completely unique, and is just as valid and important as anybody elses. Enlightenment is the recognition of the wholeness, which by its very all-inclusive nature negates the validity of any kind of exclusive spiritual authority or guru. To allow ourselves to truly feel and be aware of ourselves as part of the great wholeness we need to stop putting others on a pedestal as a way of avoiding being accountable for shining our own light. Let's get the orchestra of the wholeness playing diversely, brilliantly, and powerfully enough to wake up humankind from the illusion of separateness. We can only accomplish this as a community of distinct voices and insights singing out in the harmony of the whole, and not by silencing our own special voice because we have decided some other "enlightened" teacher has a monopoly on authenticity! So sing out your insights, your questions... cry out your pains and frustrations... and love your neighbor as yourself because in truth they are; we are all precious dimensions of one whole. Let's respectfully, gently, and lovingly be Ourself together.
  • Translating God's Word
    Name:
    Translating God's Word
    Category: Science & Religion
    Status: Member
    Description: What do you look for in a Bible translation? Basically, there are two types: a literal (word for word) rendition and a dynamic equivalent (paraphrase or idiomatic). The first clings as closely as possible to the original language, that is, as much as idioms and word choice will allow. In contrast, the paraphrase is a “free” translation in which the translator seeks to express the original writer’s thoughts as he may interpret them rather than the exact words used in the text. ……………………………………………………………………………………………… This group’s primary concern is using good translations as well as using a variety of English translations. However, our discussions can cover any area that is Bible related and, or related to Bible study and research. Our two group texts are Proverbs 2:1-6 and John 17:3. Here are some of the areas of interest for this group. ………………………………………………………………………………………………. • Hermeneutics • History of Judaism • Textual Criticism • Bible Translation • Biblical Greek • Biblical Hebrew • Semantics • Exegesis • Doctrines • Archaeology • Bible Chronology • Theology • Inductive Bible Study • History of Christianity • History of Religion • How the Bible Came Down To Us • Customs and Culture • Study of Bible (Chapter by Chapter) ……………………………………………………………………………………………… This list is not exhaustive, but it should give you some ideas. If anyone disagrees with another, simply quote the person and give your logical reason as to why. Then site a web address or a source, which may be a very good one, also, it may be very informative, but it is up to you to read it and find out how the previous poster is not quite right and explain it to the rest of us. At the end of your explanation you may site that website as your source. …………………………………………………………………………………………….. There are enough hate boards out there tearing the throats of others out in the name of God ironically. That is not the case here. We are going to be Christlike and respect each other. We will pick the kindest of words when we disagree. Like: “I can appreciate where you are coming from, but I feel this…….. is the real reason for this….., do you see what I mean? The other may come back: “Yes, I see how you are getting where you are, but I must respectfully disagree because…. ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Our goal is to do good research, keep digging and show loving kindness to others in the process. ………………………………………………………………………………………………. Your friend, Apologist
  • The Soulmate Project
    Name:
    The Soulmate Project
    Category: Relationships
    Status: Member
    Description: Finding true, soulful love is not a destination, its a journey. A real and lasting relationship with a spiritual soul mate requires inner work and outer preparation. It calls us to GET READY for love. Explore a multi-faceted spiritual approach for inviting true love into your life! We will: * Share love stories * Focus on self love and embracing ourselves * Pray for love Also, you can Join the Soulmate Project group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=137493752956984&ref=ts
  • Louisiana fellows
    Name:
    Louisiana fellows
    Status: Member
    Description: I was just wondering since we have a more expanded ability to reach each other, I would ask if anyone else is from Louisiana. It would be fun to find others that understand what we have been dealing with and to talk about our incredible New Orleans and it's history and diversity.