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Thank you, juantoo3. Very sensible idea about the new thread--no problem! My sincerest apologizes to all for leading the topic so far astray.

Really now--so many people have had their hands on the Bible it's very hard to believe there *wouldn't* be problems with the text (let alone interpretation). Everyone who already mentioned this has my vote: this does not at all lessen its value as a spiritual guide. I know I don't really...

Thank you, Andrew. I deeply appreciate the information. :)

This is very interesting. I was given to understand that at least Matthew did not actually write the gospel attributed to his name, but rather took notes throughout his life that were later compiled by Christian scholars. This "Q-gospel" is new to me however. Do you know where I might learn more...

Just a thought: Even if Moses was a contemporary Ahkenaten, is it possible that merely the monotheistic philosophy appealed to him and influenced his own ideas? And what, exactly, about that would mean that Jews/Christians/Muslims worship Aten? I mean, at least with Christiany, there all sorts...

This is loaded question if I ever heard on. As usual, I will attempt to answer it in the context of my own belief: The word "evil" may be misleading because of certain connotations. I believe in "sin," however, which is an equally loaded term--but what the hay. I do't define it exactly the...

Okay, but what's the difference between "right" and "good" in this context?

My experience with ritual is that it often opens the mind to things we don't normally perceive--in effect "lifting" the screen. It allows some people to attain a state of mind that is more receptive to the spiritual realm (for lack of a better term). This is, of course, a psychological...

Andrew: I'm just full of questions (there's so much I need to learn), I know! :) By "reconstructed," do you mean the Bible in its present form, or something else? I ask because the term reminds me of "reconstructionist" movements, which I am only a little familiar with because I have had...

Hmmm? Are you refering to the myriad of pagan traditions practiced within Christian churches? Or something else altogether?

Thank you, Brian and Vajadhara. I plan to get lost here at least a milliion times over. It took me a few minutes, but I kind of like "StrangeQuark" anyway. :)

You've got me thinking. Unfortunately, I am going to have to sleep on for it now. :)

Interesting point, Andreas. Would this mean that we are all really using the same path, even if we perceive it differently (that is, assuming we're actually following that path)?

In schools I don't know, but there is a tendency to literally fight anything that doesn't fit with traditional concepts. Some people want to ban Holloween, for instance, because it is a "pagan" sabbat. It's completely unconstitutional if nothing else, but they still want to do it. I have some...

Thanks, Brian, for your help! I guess I could have sent you an e-mail confirmation, but I do want to thank you for bearing with me and helping me to get logged on.

This is one of those questions that I've never been able to resolve for myself. I have a particular belief, and a philosophical stance I take that surrounds it, but there are still contradictions that are unsatisified. It helps for me to accept that God does not have to be what I believe...

Thank you, juantoo3. I'm very impressed with it. I think there's a lot I can learn from everyone here.

In response to Brian's original post: I believe that many (although not all) paths lead to the Divine. I agree with many of the replies given here. Why is my belief any better than someone else's? It's just mine, that's all. I experience God through my senses and conceive of him in my mind...

I know you weren't talking to me, but I wanted to mention how much I appreciate what you refer to here. It really does clear up a lot of the agnst I've had with Christian interpretation of the Old Testament. Fundamentalists appear ridiculous to me, too. :) I don't want to degrade their...

First, I'd like to say that there seem to be a lot of very informative posts expressing a wide variety of opinions here, and I could only read so many at once. Glancing at other posts has shown me that there are plenty of questions concerning the issue that I never even thought to ask. I've...