03-23-2010, 03:52 PM
Hi Carrie!
No need to apologize! We've all dealt with the fear-based aspects of the mainstream religions, so this thread will undoubtedly be helpful to many of us.
I've had my share of encounters with well-meaning religious fundamentalists who told me I was destined for 'hell' just because I didn't believe as they did...just because I practiced yoga, wore crystal earrings, didn't accept the Bible as authoritative, didn't believe in the concept of needing a 'savior' for 'sins' etc.
These people have good intentions, for the most part. They have chosen a spiritual path, which is wonderful, but it's a path in which they must conform to a set of beliefs without question. Because of this 'control' factor, and the tendency to try to get recruits from fear-based tactics (both STS techniques), mainstream religions seem to be of mixed polarity, ie. have many STS elements along with the STO elements.
This too is catalyst, because it's an opportunity for the aspirant to learn discernment.
There is no mention of 'hell' in the Law of One (unless you consider getting stuck in 3D a hellish experience!). Q'uo has stated that 4D negative would be like a maximum-security prison to an STO entity, so that might be considered a 'hell' if an STO person went there. But we all know that an STO entity would never end up in a 4D negative environment, since it takes 91% STS polarity to go there. Certainly not because of a mere difference in beliefs!
To think that God would lose some 80% of the population to 'hell' is a bleak outlook on life indeed. I've often wondered how those who believe in this dismal and inherently elitist doctrine ("I'm saved you're not") manage to sleep at night, believing that their non-Christian friends and loved ones will be separated forever, lost to eternal torment. How do they stand it? Why don't they question it?
Here's what I say when people tell me the Bible is the 'infallible word of God' and that Jesus 'died for my sins':
I might say something like this:
Thank you so much for your concern! I have great reverence and respect for Master Jesus! And there is a lot of beauty in the Bible. I'm glad to hear that you have found spiritual inspiration from the Bible and from the life of Jesus!
My beliefs are different from yours. I cannot accept that God would be so cruel as to sentence about 80% of his children to be tortured forever in hell. I believe God is more loving than that! Did you know that the original Greek word that 'hell' is translated from actually means 'a place of correction'?
Sure, I agree that God has set in motion natural laws to ensure justice. Perhaps truly evil people do suffer for awhile...until they learn to love. But not forever! Would you continue to punish your child for years after he has learned his lesson? No? Then wouldn't God have more compassion than you, a mere human?
How could God send someone to a place of torment just because they chose to seek God in a different way? As an example, the gentle Buddhist who meditates daily, in an effort to commune with the Cosmos. Why would God be so petty as to punish this person forever, just for doing what he thought was right?
Did you know that there are lots of other 'holy scriptures' that also have beauty? Have you ever read the Bhagavad Gita? The Hindus consider it their Bible! And did you know that there are many 'lost' books of the Bible recently discovered?
I believe that God has spoken to all cultures, not just one. We are all God's children, and God would never play favorites with one particular group of people who believe a certain way. It's not about beliefs! It's about the love in your heart.
I appreciate your concern. But I'm cool with God!
No need to apologize! We've all dealt with the fear-based aspects of the mainstream religions, so this thread will undoubtedly be helpful to many of us.
I've had my share of encounters with well-meaning religious fundamentalists who told me I was destined for 'hell' just because I didn't believe as they did...just because I practiced yoga, wore crystal earrings, didn't accept the Bible as authoritative, didn't believe in the concept of needing a 'savior' for 'sins' etc.
These people have good intentions, for the most part. They have chosen a spiritual path, which is wonderful, but it's a path in which they must conform to a set of beliefs without question. Because of this 'control' factor, and the tendency to try to get recruits from fear-based tactics (both STS techniques), mainstream religions seem to be of mixed polarity, ie. have many STS elements along with the STO elements.
This too is catalyst, because it's an opportunity for the aspirant to learn discernment.
There is no mention of 'hell' in the Law of One (unless you consider getting stuck in 3D a hellish experience!). Q'uo has stated that 4D negative would be like a maximum-security prison to an STO entity, so that might be considered a 'hell' if an STO person went there. But we all know that an STO entity would never end up in a 4D negative environment, since it takes 91% STS polarity to go there. Certainly not because of a mere difference in beliefs!
To think that God would lose some 80% of the population to 'hell' is a bleak outlook on life indeed. I've often wondered how those who believe in this dismal and inherently elitist doctrine ("I'm saved you're not") manage to sleep at night, believing that their non-Christian friends and loved ones will be separated forever, lost to eternal torment. How do they stand it? Why don't they question it?
Here's what I say when people tell me the Bible is the 'infallible word of God' and that Jesus 'died for my sins':
I might say something like this:
Thank you so much for your concern! I have great reverence and respect for Master Jesus! And there is a lot of beauty in the Bible. I'm glad to hear that you have found spiritual inspiration from the Bible and from the life of Jesus!
My beliefs are different from yours. I cannot accept that God would be so cruel as to sentence about 80% of his children to be tortured forever in hell. I believe God is more loving than that! Did you know that the original Greek word that 'hell' is translated from actually means 'a place of correction'?
Sure, I agree that God has set in motion natural laws to ensure justice. Perhaps truly evil people do suffer for awhile...until they learn to love. But not forever! Would you continue to punish your child for years after he has learned his lesson? No? Then wouldn't God have more compassion than you, a mere human?
How could God send someone to a place of torment just because they chose to seek God in a different way? As an example, the gentle Buddhist who meditates daily, in an effort to commune with the Cosmos. Why would God be so petty as to punish this person forever, just for doing what he thought was right?
Did you know that there are lots of other 'holy scriptures' that also have beauty? Have you ever read the Bhagavad Gita? The Hindus consider it their Bible! And did you know that there are many 'lost' books of the Bible recently discovered?
I believe that God has spoken to all cultures, not just one. We are all God's children, and God would never play favorites with one particular group of people who believe a certain way. It's not about beliefs! It's about the love in your heart.
I appreciate your concern. But I'm cool with God!