Posted by jturner795 on May 16, 2003, at 15:24:45
In reply to Happier or suffer more as christians?, posted by WorryGirl on February 26, 2003, at 17:48:58
I just wanted to add that I grew up in a very fundamentalist home (my father was a preacher, I know laugh it up) I was beaten over the head with the idea that I was walking a very thin tight-rope over hell fire itself and that any word action or deed I did, not pleasing to God could potentially send me careening into eternal damnation. These tools of guilt, and fear are how most religions keep control of their followers. After switching to anthropology as a major in college I was exposed to many new ideas from all over the world. Including many I find appealing from eastern philosophy. One of the most profound was the concept of one of the teachings of the Buddah which simply states: You do not have to act, behave, rely on anything or anyone other than yourself. Everything you need to live a happy fulfilling life God has already given you. After many years of personal research and self-discovery you owe it to yourself to step back from what you have been "taught" and start your own path of self-actualization. It is scary at first "working without a net" so-to-speak but I believe that is why "God" gave us Ego and a sense of self. So that we would seek a personal relationship with him on our own and not be dutified to follow blindly. Good luck to you.
poster:jturner795
thread:204093
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20021227/msgs/227090.html