Church?

[bcipam]

OK last post for me - but they are many other threads and discussions on this forum that are totally non-bike related from favorite snacks, to movies, to personal issues etc. I think as long as the discussion is cordial and interesting it should be allowed but once someone starts to complaint, it's time to move on.

This forum to me has always been my safe haven. Time and again it gets testy (lord I remember the can of worms I opened by mentioning Dr. Laura) and we must change the subject but I never ever want to feel like I can't be open and be able to discuss things that matter to me with you all. Although I am a cyclist and cycling bought me to this site, I am also a member of this community and consider it "family" of a sort and enjoy discussions with everyone even if the topic gets "off topic".

PS: What's more spiritual than riding a bike?

[slinkedog]

PS: What's more spiritual than riding a bike?

Sex??

[bcipam]

you had to go there... what's sex????? Been so long can't remember!

[Kitsune06]

I rarely post anymore, but I'll come out of lurkdom for this.

I'm a no-go for church. I've been to the local UU church and loved it, but felt also that I don't really need that type of community- just to touch on it now and again and reaffirm that yes, it's still there.

I was raised somewhat religiously, they were pretty relaxed, teaching me that it was okay to ask questions when I needed to know something. Obviously, the answers did not work for me, for reasons I don't wish to elaborate on right now.

I believe that we are all gods and goddesses in our own right and the will and the way of the universe is dictated through our own intentions and efforts. I'm not sure what 'category' that falls under, but really, I think all religions have a hint of truth in them... their main shortcomings are that they are perpetuated by people, with peoples' motivations, selective memories and natural us vs. them natures.

I believe that closed-mindedness is our single greatest hurdle spiritually. If we cannot rise above our native black and white to the world of grey that exists, we are no better than children. If we cannot find our way in this world of grey without someone dictating rules to us, we are weak and must find the strength in ourselves. If we cannot help our friends when they lose their way, then we will never be able to help ourselves. Finally, we are not our bodies. The body and the spirit influence each other, reflect one another, but they are not the same. After the body passes on, the spirit still exists, to what end, I don't know.

As far as sex goes, sex is the representation of will, passion, and desire. To me, lovemaking is spiritual, when you feel the bond you create with your lover... Sex is less so... the above representation...

[SR500]

Wow, I'm really surprised by the poll. I'm not really sure what people mean when they are a "spiritual person" I understand being inspired, calmed, enlightened, etc... by the beauty of nature. Also living by a moral/ethic code lets us have a civil county, but to me Faith/Belief is what is important. Churches simply assist people in developing their faith, if your church doesn't help you in this manner, there are churches that can. Please look around for one that suits you.

As for politics and religion, I think its BS. I don't have any problems with "In God we trust", etc... but the government should let people decide for themselves on personal matters.

I hope to not offend anyone, but to simply suggest the option to people that have had less then positive experiences. There are places that will help them on their spiritual journey, if you will.


Spiritual (Adjective)
1. Concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church; "religious texts"; "monks of a religious order"; "lords temporal and spiritual"; "spiritual leaders"; "spiritual songs".

2. Concerned with or affecting the spirit or soul; "a spiritual approach to life"; "spiritual fulfillment"; "spiritual values"; "unearthly love".

3. Lacking material body or form or substance; "spiritual beings"; "the vital transcendental soul belonging to the spiritual realm"-Lewis Mumford.

4. Relating to or concerned with religion or spiritual things; especially dedicated to service in a religion; "a monk of a religious order"; "spiritual leaders"; "religious books"; "spiritual songs".

Faith (Noun)
1. A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality".

Source: WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.