In the past century and a half, a large number of new religions and divine revelations have come into the world. Wikipedia lists well over a hundred new religious movements. If your faith is a "new religion", how do you view the "contenders", so to speak? Do you ever look over the fence? How do you account for this multiplicity, are these "signs of the time", or echoes and reverberations of the event that inspired your own religion? How should a seeker decide which one of the many revelations to take into account? How did you arrive at your beliefs?
I didnt see matrixism...but did see I am on the list. I got largely under.new thought...off shoot of tanscendentaliism ...mostly following the Unity branch. Idk how others.made their decisions but much of what I read made sense to me. It provided an understanding of biblical passages which did not make sense to me. It provided answers and solutions to everyday issues that I was able to use...everyday to increase my peace. I think most importantly it allowed, encouraged exploration in other thought, other religions, even used books and passages to help explain or reinforce interpretations of our scripture. I think the biggest help...yet still a stumbling block was G!d. They have a belief as G!d as principle, not as an entity which aligns with what I gravitated to as I gravitated away from religion...that G!d was a word, a place holder for what the ancients didnt understand...for me that is the elusive TOE a principle, a math formula, a natural law regarding the physical that allows gravity, big bang, evolution...all of it...yet no an egotistical passive agressive creator being. Yet the word...even after decades still conjures up that old judgemental white man tossing around plagues and floods. ........ The other on the list is Dances of Universal Peace. I dont see it/participate as a religion, but it is an incredibly exhilaration experience for me to spend a couple hours with folks dancing...moving to the music, singing/chanting phrases/prayers from multiple religions over the course of the evening. Repetitive movements, repetitive chance....a ceremony to all beliefs and their adherents.
Yes, we believe new thought to be old thought ... exposed. Religious books are often full of parable, allegory and double entendre. The question is what if any is actual history or fact ... and what is embellished with hyperbole or simply a fable inserted for moral and ethical discernment. So is believing we exist in both heaven and hell here on earth in our lives .... a.choice by our perceptions a revelation? Or as it was written? Or a misinterpretation? These questions and our answers are why we have 3000 beliefs. I have come.to realize that we are each where we need to be in any given moment. Our path is our own ... it wont always make sense to others. I think we could have all learned a little, gained some insight, understanding from Geo, if only he didn't wish to incite dissent by forcing his understanding on us. But even that is still me blaming. But I did gain more in contemplation of his leaving....than his being. That speaks less/more about me than he. Mayhaps that was the plan.
@wil I think some people really work at it, to be a problem. These are discussions, not platform for anyone to trumpet prophecy. Thank you for everything you do to make IO what it is. This place needs you. I know I speak for many here
