Interfaith as a Faith

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by wil

One ship sails east and another sails west
With the self-same winds that blow.
Tis the set of the sail and not the gale
Which determines the way they go.
As the winds of the sea are the ways of fate
As we voyage along through life,
Tis the act of the soul that determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.



-Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Ah, but the question becomes, do we go with the wind and "reach", or do we challenge the wind and "tack". And each of those choices have consequences in the extreme. Uncontrolled "reach" can founder the vessel. Too rigid or high a "tack" can put the vessel in "irons" Both can sink us. So, there must be a balance between the winds and our wills.

v/r

Q

[DrFree]

Originally Posted by wil

One ship sails east and another sails west
With the self-same winds that blow.
Tis the set of the sail and not the gale
Which determines the way they go.
As the winds of the sea are the ways of fate
As we voyage along through life,
Tis the act of the soul that determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.

-Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

That is lovely, to the point, and well worth remembering.

I've already looked up some sites that will let me enjoy her other poetry.

Namiste

[DrFree]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Ah, but the question becomes, do we go with the wind and "reach", or do we challenge the wind and "tack". And each of those choices have consequences in the extreme. Uncontrolled "reach" can founder the vessel. Too rigid or high a "tack" can put the vessel in "irons" Both can sink us. So, there must be a balance between the winds and our wills.

v/r

Q

Yup! Such is the nature of choice. Every time you choose (and you're choosing every moment), you wipe out an infinity of might-have-beens!

Quite a responsibility, isn't it?

Namiste

[Dah-veeth]

Originally Posted by DrFree

Yup! Such is the nature of choice. Every time you choose (and you're choosing every moment), you wipe out an infinity of might-have-beens!

Quite a responsibility, isn't it?

Namiste

An infinity of might-have-beens

That reminds me of how vast the universe and how many countless souls God keeps creating... God must really love people since He keeps making more of us

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by DrFree

Yup! Such is the nature of choice. Every time you choose (and you're choosing every moment), you wipe out an infinity of might-have-beens!

Quite a responsibility, isn't it?

Namiste

Not at all good Dr. We can not know the "what might have beens", because they never have been (in this variation of our life). What we can speculate on however, is what can transpire in OUR future, should we continue on a particular path we choose. I'm certain you understand me on this.

That is the "responsibility" we are accountable for.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Dah-veeth

An infinity of might-have-beens

That reminds me of how vast the universe and how many countless souls God keeps creating... God must really love people since He keeps making more of us

If God is infinite, then why or how would the "well of souls" dry up?

[greymare]

where is this "well of souls " written. i mean is it in the bible?? i saw it mentioned in a movie once and yes, that seems to be a general source of information for a lot us. if god keeps making us, (and our souls) why not recycle the souls and save some time?? ie: reincarnation. just a thought.......

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by greymare

where is this "well of souls " written. i mean is it in the bible?? i saw it mentioned in a movie once and yes, that seems to be a general source of information for a lot us. if god keeps making us, (and our souls) why not recycle the souls and save some time?? ie: reincarnation. just a thought.......

The "Guff" is in ancient writings. Why it isn't in the bible is anyone's guess. But the bible does say that each person (soul) is appointed to die only once. It also states that God "knew" us before we were stitched together in our mother's womb. So if he knows us before we are born, we must exist somewhere (even if it is in God's mind only).

Reincarnation would imply that we are neither unique, nor exempt from death more than once. It would also imply that God can not create an infinite number of souls, if he begins recycling them, or that there must be limits to the number of souls the cosmos can handle.

But if God decides man's period as it stands is at an end, then there would be no need to create any more souls...hence at some point the well would dry up.

just another thought.

v/r

Q

[greymare]

i didnt know that there was any actual religious fact in that movie. thanks for clearing that up Q

[dbanks82]

I guess I am a little late but better late than never. I think inter faith is a wonderful thing. It helps you see how your own personal belief system is not the only way to spiritual enrichment. It open you up your understanding and it breeds respect for other beliefs. I think inter faith is the only hope for world peace. I admit that is idealistic but that's the type of person I am. I think it is unfortuante when people exploit interfaith type settings to push their beliefs on others. I guess there is a fine line between expressing your beliefs and becoming pushy. I guess sometimes passion get confused with disrespect. I do feel it is unfair to stereotype evangelical Christians as all of them are disrespectful and interfaith is not effective with them. Because that is not always the case. You can't stereotype people that way. Because people exploiting interfaith type settings is definately not limited to evangelicals. But the principle is beautiful, and yes there are some who abuse but for the most part I have found my interfaith type experiences very enriching.

[spiritual learner]

Celebrating the things we have in common is a way to establish good relationships... a way to promote peace. We can pray about the points over which we differ...and perhaps discuss them, if we can manage to control our emotions.

[arthra]

Welcome to the Forum Spiritual Learner!

I agree with you.. I think an on going interfaith dialogue is healthy and promotes more cooperation.

- Art