Chulla 4,946 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 I thought my poem might produce a reaction from those with opposing views, but I did not write it specifically to rile them. loppylugs: I did not say that religion is responsible for all deaths and suffering. If the victims of the Russian and Chinese Communists were not religious they would not have been murdered. Michael: They are many people who devote their lives to religion, presumably, among other reasons, thinking that there will be a special place in heaven when they die. Such people want their lives to be run in a religious manner; in other words it becomes a hobby. Many such people think either that their lives won't be worth living unless they believe in God, or something evil will befall them if they are not religious. These people never query the existence of God. You say that if I am wrong then I will be in trouble; who with - God? But I thought that God was an understanding being, who forgives; after all he gave me a brain to think with. But, of course, that will never happen, because when we die that will be the absolute end. No purgatory, no heaven - just imagine existing for an eternity (billions of years). What do the dead do with themselves in heaven? The more you consider the possibility of an after-life the more ridiculous it sounds. Face the fact, we are just another species of life on this earth, the one that has advanced in intelligence more than any other. We are born, exist and then die, like all life. What is wrong with that? Religion was invented to allay the fears of those who didn't like the prospect of dying, and God was invented to explain everything that the simple people of the past could not comprehend. Amen. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted August 1, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 My point exactly Rob L. Christianity is a relatively young religion, hijacking ancient beliefs and moulding their own around them. When you research more deeply into the different religions you see that many of the stories show an uncanny similarity to ancient myths and legends, with changed names but little else. Chulla, I assume you don't believe in ghosts or the supernatural either, which is fine, but there are a lot of unexplained happenings out there, several recorded by Nottstalgians on this site, which has to make you wonder if there is no spiritual afterworld what do these people see, myself included as I have had many experiences of this nature. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MelissaJKelly 2,124 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 #70 - I hate Richard Dawkins with a burning passion. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 Really, Melissa! You have just taken a degree in philosophy - the search for knowledge and understanding of things and causes - and you say that you hate one of the great thinkers of today. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MelissaJKelly 2,124 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 I can accept he's considered one of the greatest thinkers of our time but being a Christian I don't agree with any of his ideas and theories. Whenever I've seen him speaking in interviews he always comes across as sickeningly arrogant. I begrudged buying and reading his books for research for my dissertation. Needless to say I'm now selling them on ebay for next to nothing! 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
loppylugs 8,429 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 loppylugs: I did not say that religion is responsible for all deaths and suffering. If the victims of the Russian and Chinese Communists were not religious they would not have been murdered ????????? Doesn't change the fact that they were killed by an atheistic belief system. Maybe this old brain has just misunderstood you somehow. :-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chulla 4,946 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 If you hate him and his philosophies that much Melissa, why don't you burn the books to stop them from 'poisoning' other people's minds. I think you had made your mind up before you began to read the books. Sorry we don't see eye-to-eye on this, so no point in continuing the discussion . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MelissaJKelly 2,124 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 I won't burn them as some poor student may have a need for them unfortunately Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted August 1, 2014 Report Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have to admit to being atheist but find lots of comfort and wisdom in 'The Rubaiyat Of Omar Khayyam'. He wasn't an atheist; at least, he didn't admit to something which would have got him executed in his day, and possibly this. He puts religion in proper perspective! You may say it's only a poem (a series of quatrains) translated and perhaps embelished by a poet, but it says so much I can relate to that I regard it as my 'bible'. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted August 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 I enjoy following the old ways and the Wheel Of Life, as it follows the natural rhythms of the earth. Which brings me to belatedly wish you all Blessed Lammas, or Lughnasadh for yesterday. This is the time of harvest for which, whatever your beliefs, we should all be grateful for what we have. There is a theme of sacrifice at this time. What should we give to make sure that our lives bear fruit and that all mouths are fed in a just and harmonious world? Brightest Blessings Friends. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Anyone going? Biggest pagan event in the UK. http://www.paganpride.org.uk/Pagan_Pride-UK-Festival_2014-21.php Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted October 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Well it's that time of the year again, Bright Blessings to all at Samhain. Here's some of the celebrations that will be happening around Britain at this time of the year. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29742774 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 Brilliant darkazana. I thoroughly enjoyed reading that, and heres me thinking that Halloween just belonged to the American traditions. I love to read anything about Folk Law and Old English traditions. I have discovered that as I get older the more it all fascinates me, and of course being retired we have the time to go off in search of these celebrations around our Country. Thankyou for posting the info. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Compo 10,328 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 I was brought up strict Roman Catholic - then I began to think about the teachings; now I'm an athiest. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted October 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 I'm married to a Roman Catholic. It makes no difference to us. We love each other and accept each others beliefs. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael Booth 7,364 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 That is how life should be, darkazana. Everyone accepting each other for what they are and accepting their beliefs. Such a simple statement but seemingly so difficult in reality. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor S 2,003 Posted October 31, 2014 Report Share Posted October 31, 2014 I'm married to a RC.....she had a strict upbringing by the Nuns and her parents......till she met me...soon broke that Rhythm........ 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted December 21, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 Here we are at the Winter Solstice once again. Time to bring in your Yule Logs. This connection to trees goes back to the beginnings of our time on this earth. Soon it will be the first day of the Celtic Tree Calendar, an ancient system which catalogues the seasons and their corresponding trees, moods and energies. It was always accepted that a tree should be asked before removing something from it, and thanked for its gift. The first day is 24th December and the tree for this month is the Birch, or (Beith in the Ogham Alphabet) The Birch was known as the Lady Of The Wood, a tree of healing, new starts and beginnings, and connected to the elements of Air and Water. Bright Blessings to you all at Yuletide. 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tomlinson 879 Posted December 21, 2014 Report Share Posted December 21, 2014 I think this is an appealing belief warranting more faith than established religions. Right back at you with the blessings. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Today the Celtic Tree Calendar month of Birch or Beith comes to an end and tomorrow will see the start of the month of the Rowan, or Luis in the Ogham alphabet. Rowan, or Mountain ash, is one of my personal favourite trees, the berries produce a lovely rich jelly which will rival redcurrant jelly and is delicious with cold meats. Whenever I move house I always plant a rowan in my garden along the border line, if there isn't one already there, along with hawthorn and holly hedges. This small yet bold tree is associated with dramatic legends and was anciently regarded as the Tree Of Life. It's protective qualities were recognised by most folk and the cross beams of chimneys were often made of rowan to protect the house and those within. In Devonshire and Worcestershire rowan was brought into the house on Holy Rood Day (May 3rd) to utilise it's protective qualities. This is a most sacred tree to Druids and rowan was planted at all sacred places of worship, especially at stone circles, where it would protect the energy of the circles and the ley lines which linked them. In such positions rowan was considered to be at it's most powerful and it's energy was regarded as indispensable to the well being of the land. There is so much more written about the rowan and its properties, too much to put down here, but if anyone is interested in Tree Lore then I would recommend reading Tree Wisdom. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carni 10,094 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Hello darkazana, If you have the recipe for the jelly I would be interested. We always pick the red currants from our local 'Fruit Farm' and I make a batch of Jelly. Not only is it delicious with Meat ( my favourites are Turkey and Lamb) but I make Strawberry Flans and I spoon melted Jelly over the fruit, before topping of with Cream. Would the Rowan Jelly make a nice change? I enjoyed reading your post as usual. Always interesting. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fynger 841 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Soon be Imbolg ( 2nd feb ) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
swe62 334 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 crikey carni I,m nearly drowning in drool 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted January 20, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Rowan jelly might be a bit sharp with sweet dishes, carni, but then again it might be really tasty. I'll put the recipe on when I go home next Monday. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
darkazana 1,736 Posted February 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2015 Bright Blessings to all at Imbolc. Also known as Candlemass to Catholics and Groundhog Day in America. The darkness is turning to light as the days lengthen and Spring is just around the corner. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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