Level 5 Member
Points: 31095
|
river8101
"Faith is deciding to allow yourself to
Spiritual Mood:
content
Status:
MA: Cultural Anthropology BA: Music
Gender:
Female
Location:
Maryland
About Me:
I am a (female) Cultural Jew. Though Jewish, I lean towards Pantheism as it was held by Baruch Spinoza (1632-77), a Jewish philosopher who identified God and/with Nature.
I believe that Judaism is a people-hood. Common ancestry is not required to be a Jew. Many Jews world wide have a common ancestry as shown by genetic research yet come from all different races and places.
Scientifically we are all made of the same matter and energy as the universe. We are not in exile here: we are at home!
The many different beliefs and ideas of religion and the people who believe in them brought me to this website over 10 years ago. I do have misgivings about the supernatural and how it is both used, abused and approached in some religions which in some cultures make slaves of others, especially women, and which do not agree with Nature nor the corroboration of scientific proof.
I perceive the one whom people call God likely began as an "IDEA" to explain the world around them, but is indefinable, infinite, incorporeal and unknowable.....
I perceive "God" is a made up spiritual belief or the "Ein Sof" (that which is without any limit), so religions can made God anyway they wish. I also believe some cultures use religion and their religious books for their own purposes.
Imo, holy books are a collection of legends, allegories & myth; history, politics & poetry incorporated into various beliefs called religion.
Some teachings are wise and moral; but many others are not, and some downright evil..... Like a poem, any verse in the bible can be interpreted to satisfy ones religious and/or cultural perceptions; thus many different interpretations and superstitions come out of the same "holy" books ....
Imo, and the opinions of many theologians, most historians, linguists, archaeologists, anthropologists & other scientists, scriptures were often written long after the events, and much has been made up, mistranslated and/or interpreted to confirm to the beliefs of whomever was reading or writing it.
I have a masters degree in Cultural Anthropology which included besides 4 years of college, 2 years in Comparative Religions and, mythology and 12 credits (2 years) in Ancient History, so I am familiar with the general beliefs and make up of many different religions.
My Favorite Quote or Motto:
"Faith is deciding to allow yourself to believe something your intellect would otherwise cause you to reject"
More Interests:
Family
,
baseball
,
Facebook
,
feminism
,
ASPCA
,
horses
,
dogs
,
weaving
,
painting
,
music
,
musical theater
,
My I Pod
,
Animal Channel
,
Art
,
classic rock
,
jazz
,
piano
,
singing
,
films
,
drama
,
mysteries
,
comedy
,
Film Noir.
Some favorite authors who have inspired me are Chaim Potok
,
Starhawk
,
Margot Adler
,
Joan Peters
,
Hyam Maccoby
,
Carl Sagan
,
J.S. Spong
,
Alan Dershowitz
,
James Carroll
,
Israel Finkelstein & Neil Silberman
,
Alex Dimont
,
Elaine Pagels
,
K. Ishiguro
,
Frank McCourt
,
John J. Osborn
,
Jr. E.M. Forster
,
Bob Woodward
,
JRR Tolkein
,
Mary Stewart
,
Herman Wouk
,
and lately JK Rowlings!
Facebook! Charlotte L. http://www.facebook.com/river8101?ref=name#/river8101?ref=name Charlotte Lawrence
My Favorite Spiritual Activities:
Baseball
No blog posts have been added.
|
My Latest Beliefnet Comments
|
For My Mother: In Praise of a Life Lived
Chasing an Elusive God
Why Christianity Is Dying But Spirituality Is Thriving?
On the Frontlines An interview with Yael Eckstein, Senior Vice President of the ...
Ray Liotta, Seth Green Join an All-Star Cast in Indie Film ‘The Identical’ “We want to bring films with a redeeming value to the world. One of ...
A Life of Hope The fact that you’re standing here today with breath in your lungs ...
Habits for a Heart Healthy Lifestyle Heart disease is a top killer worldwide -- but our lifestyle choices ...
Emotional Equations Using brilliantly simple math that illuminates universal emotional ...
Are You a Compulsive or Binge Eater? Do you struggle with your weight? Find out more about compulsive and ...
Faith, Freedom and Rocker John Schlitt “We are making choices on greed and stupidity. The truth is that our ...
Robert Griffin III: Not the Average Rookie Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III continues to wow ...
Green Powders to Add to Your Diet Now Green powders are a great way to boost your health, keep your energy ...
Natural Deodorants That Actually Work What's that smell? Not us! We’ve been on a mission to find the best ...
Birth of a Habit How long does it take to form a new habit? How long should it take ...
Madly In Love With ME “I will never settle for less than my heart and soul desire.”
Is It Love If You're All Cranky When You Give It? Love is the answer to everything in life.
Living A Meaningful Life You are what you love and you love whatever you give your attention ...
"The Bible" a Labor of Love for Famed Producer, Wife The five-week, 10-hour TV special was nurtured by "Touched by an ...
Who Should Be Allowed to Pray for President Obama? It seems preposterous, but there’s a major debate over who is worthy ...
PLease don't send me messages. My message center has never worked. Thanks.
river81018:02 AM