Part 1:
While we don't often specifically mention religion on this site, it is often very common to use the general terms spiritual or spirituality in reference to our personal beliefs, general codes of ethics, generally accepted codes of morality or ethics as we discuss national or world topics in the news, in our concerns or in our dreams, intuitive visions or our personal transformative experiences.
As we read, practice, learn and grow through our belief systems throughout our lives, our own beliefs are often most personal and deeply important to each of us. And as a general standard we seek not to judge others here for their personal practices or belief systems but share religious or personally spiritual feelings, beliefs or experiences as they pertain to each of us and our daily lives as we share our lives and our dreams whether personal or in intuitive predictions
But throughout time, religious institutions, practices and beliefs have not only influenced our individual selves but the countries we live in, their governance and therefore most often the ruling and dominant nature of politics especially when influenced by our personal belief systems.
This thread was started as we needed a place where we might not only discuss such topics but specifically the important transformative changes we are seeing and will continue to see over the many upcoming changes as mankind seeks to adjust to them and his/her/their belief systems.
Our intuitive dreams, visions and predictions can also be posted here as they relate to those understandings.
Post with thoughtfulness and mindfullness and acceptance of all as we seek to understand how and why we all come to make our personal, moral, ethical or personal decisions regarding our place in the world and the roots of belief that resonate with each of us.
This Topical Thread:
Religion and Spirituality: Beliefs and Practices that Shape and Often Transform Our Personal, National, and Political World (And How Our Understandings and Predictions and Even Our Thoughts, Might Also Transform it Through Understanding and Acceptance)
Yes, I am being brave to create such a topic but it was previously brought up by a poster as in "I don't want to offend anyone here " So let's not offend of course but seek to share who and why we are here in evolving ways of promoting or discussing visions or newslink that affirm one another at where we are but also applaud us as we all seek to expand and grow around the world.
This might better fit under the Great Turning. But I started it here due to topic of International Predictions
(And my reading of the newslink on Pope Francis yesterday)
Part 2: (since my edit window closed as did any chance of rethinking its place and therefore topic location on the forum.)
What is the different between religion and spirituality and can they be intertwined and unified through our own transformative understandings?
"A religion can be defined as an institution with a set of organized beliefs and practices shared by a community or group. The social network of a religion can provide structure and peer support in following prescribed codes of conduct for daily living.
For the most part a religion is a public entity and the general premise of the religion’s doctrine including creed, code and ethics is documented, tangible and openly shared.
Spirituality on the other hand is a personal and uniquely individualized discovery and set of beliefs and practices that evolves over time. Through study, experience and self-reflection beliefs and practices evolve that support an individual in their unique connection to something outside of themselves.
Neither practice whether group based but still deeply personal nor individually and personally based, yet often within or around others with like-minded beliefs is necessarily exclusive of the other.
Yesterday's news:
How one man might transform the world as we know it through even the mention of such a topic:
Pope Francis endorses same-sex civil unions for the first time as pontiff - CBS News
"Pope Francis endorsed same-sex civil unions for the first time as pontiff while being interviewed for the feature-length documentary "Francesco," which premiered Wednesday at the Rome Film Festival. The papal thumbs-up came midway through the film that delves into issues Francis cares about most, including the environment, poverty, migration, racial and income inequality and the people most affected by discrimination.
"Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God," Francis said in one of his sit-down interviews for the film. "You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-endorses-same-sex-civil-unions/
And will he make a disclaimer or alter its wording and therfore significance today, tomorrow, or in the future?
And while replying to Isabel on The Great Turning forum, i replied with my own:
It truly is!
I posted about this earlier on a new topical thread. (On International Forum under "Religion and Spirituality".
Raises a lot to not only think about but perhaps find predictions on this very topic that might have been previously seen.
Which now hits me like a wake up call! Earlier this week or over last weekend i dreamed i saw a chimney with white smoke coming out. This usually signifies the selection of a new pope. Now i realize if this holds , we really and truly are seeing a new pope and perhaps a more inclusive church view of others!"
Ah. Shows you how dreams can work through our subconscious and even when they come to pass we hardly note the significance without a jolt from the blew. Smoke and mirrors abound ???
This new forum thread under International Predictions:
@michele-b I agree with alot of what you said. To me, your spirituality and faith are an intrinsic part of you that guides and shapes your life and your actions. Whereas religion in a general sense is the guidelines created by someone else of what you should do or should believe under that framework. I have a fairly varied experience with different denominations, politics and so on. I've been on my own journey as well as going along with a grandparent on one that ranged from orthodox to faith healers. I think a lot of times people blur the line between what their true faith is versus what their religious guidelines say. To me, the hardest thing is when someone uses religion to justify something harmful to another regardless of whether it is physical or mental. I don't believe that your spirituality or faith changes the moment you walk in or out of a church or religious building. So much harm can come from abuse or twisting of religious guidelines. So many look to religious leaders as guides and support and often that is what they do or deliver. However, they are still people and some have faults. I guess I'm coming from a place of someone who has in many instances been let down by religious institutions from my own experiences and seeing someone I love be hurt deeply as well. I do have a deep faith and sense of spirituality but just been let down by people under the religious guidelines.
Beautifully Beautifully expressed. Your words went straight to my heart.
I felt such truth in this and it strikes exactly the cord of truth and even pain that many feel but often lack the words to express.
Truth lives in your being. I can feel the deepness of you and the bravery of wanting to release and to heal and to mend as well as to merge.
These energies are one way--perhaps one of the best ways-- we have as we open to others and feel the parts of one another we have in common.
What a lovely energy you carry and how happy i feel that kinship within.
Thank you, Isabelle.
Good morning to those who rise before 3 a.m. as I do. Fall has suddenly hit hard plunging us here in Oregon from pleasant nights where I walked out to see the moon and the stars (on clear nights) to a bitter chill the moment anyone opened the door.
My husband built our first autumnal evening to morning fire. And in the morning peace i searched for a way to greet and announce my intention for a new day.
I found this " A Prayer for the Sacred World" and it felt good and right and lovely for right now.
Take a moment to be with Earth Wisdom Keeper Tat Erick Gonzalez as he offers a powerful prayer and blessing for this sacred time.
A Prayer for the Sacred World:
https://uplift.tv/2020/a-prayer-for-the-sacred-world/
Ask yourself is this faith of such a dear being coming ftom a religion or a form of spirituality? What would Wisdom Keeper Tat Erick Gonzalez say to that question?
But then when I clicked on my own link a 2nd time it led me to this below instead.
And it was good and apparently what my spirit (the deepest and best part of me that I believe is of God/goodness/the Divine ) wanted and needed me to hear.
So i left its correct link below not the strange way my link above "mis-linked me to it first. And it was good. It was all good because they fed me and nourished me and enriched my morning.
https://uplift.tv/2019/creating-a-new-world/
Now i just need to find a song that feeds my soul and my day will have begun well with wisdom, love, and peace and that is what my heart needs now in this sacred time.
Yesterday's news:
How one man might transform the world as we know it through even the mention of such a topic:
Pope Francis endorses same-sex civil unions for the first time as pontiff - CBS News
"Pope Francis endorsed same-sex civil unions for the first time as pontiff while being interviewed for the feature-length documentary "Francesco," which premiered Wednesday at the Rome Film Festival. The papal thumbs-up came midway through the film that delves into issues Francis cares about most, including the environment, poverty, migration, racial and income inequality and the people most affected by discrimination.
"Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God," Francis said in one of his sit-down interviews for the film. "You can't kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-endorses-same-sex-civil-unions/
And will he make a disclaimer or alter its wording and therfore significance today, tomorrow, or in the future?
Divided reactions in US as pope backs same-sex civil unions
"“These words from the pope will inflame many on the Catholic right ... but they will be a balm to the vast majority of Catholics and, I daresay, pastors,” said David Gibson, director of Fordham University’s Center on Religion and Culture. “They don’t want to engage in these ugly culture war battles, especially because gay Catholics are not abstractions — they are in their homes, part of their families, and part of their parishes.”
Ugh! It feels so disappointing! That here we all are once again, at the edge of a cliff, a chasm between us. A 50/50 split? Almost, but not quite. Your work has helped! The balance has tipped, with what feels ever so slightly. But that sliver is enough! It’s enough to keep the ball rolling in the right direction. It will slowly pick up speed. Don’t fear, don’t lose hope! You are all amazing! Fear has led So many to this edge although they don’t see it. They are blind to it. It is their blindness of fear that leads them right off the cliff. It is gut wrenching to watch. All of you. You who are here reading this, This group is here to calm the masses, To keep them from falling. To open their eyes. To help lead many in a myriad of ways. Some Of you with your knowledge, others through kindness, some with blunt truth, others with humor, Insight, Wisdom, Strength, Encouragement. Some work tirelessly. Some work smartly. Bravo! This group is so Beautiful! We all do what we are able and yes it has helped. I have always wanted fire works and lightening bolts! I have always expected it and have always had disappointment! Thankfully the disillusionment passes! We will trudge along even though we want so much more. Yes, the nightmare of high school pettiness, judgement cruelty, and clickiness follows our society in a depressing and shallow manner. But, the heroes still rise and you all are my heroes! Bravo!
What a lovely and deeply meaningful post. I read between and within your words past, present, and future and stand with you in the chasm of sadness and grief of all that should have been long ago but wasn't.
We are still fighting the good fight even on different battlefields that many know nothing about or could even imagine.
I am with you my friend.
"We will trudge along even though we want so much more. Yes, the nightmare of high school pettiness, judgement cruelty, and clickiness follows our society in a depressing and shallow manner. But, the heroes still rise and you all are my heroes! Bravo!"
Our fears make us desperate to belong to a tribe, sitting always by the bright fire trying to keep out the dark but our knowledge of truth and power give us the deeper strength to walk out and away, alone when others cannot to battle mankind's demons when we know we have it in us to stand strong no matter what.
We are still doing our magic, you and I, still making a difference others may never know, see, or be.
So kudos right back at you, friend.