A musical soundtrack to a spiritual journey
Maybe the best part of Friday night’s Travelin’ Music segment — even better than the music itself — is the insight it has offered into nonpolitical aspects of many of those who post here regularly. It has served as a necessary reminder that humanity transcends politics, no matter how fervently that political opinion might be expressed.
Take, for example, tonight’s guest posting from that lover of all things platinum and black, our provocateur du droit and skeptic by way of Harvey Mudd, Le Bruno:
“Part of being human means experiencing hunger. Every day, we hunger for food, which we can easily alleviate with a nice meal. Spiritual hunger is a little more complex and not so easily satisfied. Though many seem to find spiritual comfort in traditional organized religions, that has never been the case for me. While most promote faith, I advocate skepticism. While others seek certainty, I embrace uncertainty.
The closest I come to spiritual peace is while listening to music. Certain artists and albums seem to take me to a higher plane, where it all makes sense — at least for a while. At the top of that list is Santana, whose 1972 effort, Caravanserai, remains near and dear to me and many others. The album was a sharp departure from his earlier work and marked the end of Neil Schon’s and Gregg Rolie’s time with the band. Though it wasn’t a huge commercial success, it was an artistic achievement of major proportions.
While every song is fantastic, from “Song of the Wind” to “All the Love of the Universe” to “Every Step of the Way,” I have selected “Waves Within” as my special song to represent my never-ending spiritual journey.”
– Jay Bookman
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
712 comments Add your comment
JamVet
June 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
G, your request is my command!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6nmKjcSeU
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
PlatinumBlack :
I think you fail to understand that both verses “can” be true ……………. one is true if repentance is there and the other if it is not.
It’s not that complicated.
“Except you believe in Me, you are dead in your sins.” Jesus
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:02 am
Since I don’t know how – yet – to post tunes/videos
GMare–To post a song:
(1) Open a new tab
(2) Go to youtube.com and find a song you like
(3) Copy the web address at the top of the page and paste it into your blog
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:03 am
I think you fail to understand that both verses “can” be true ……………. one is true if repentance is there and the other if it is not.
That was from me, Scout. Sorry to know that your compassion is conditional…..
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:06 am
Jam–Grooving to the CCR. Great choice for the top of page 7.
Special announcement for Del and Scout:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydfH7iuLR0I
JamVet
June 23rd, 2012
12:07 am
BTW, G that CCR song that I linked was the first song on their eponymous debut LP.
From that same record…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mxaA-bJ35s
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:18 am
For you, GMare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYcJ9J5DggU&feature=related
j$
June 23rd, 2012
12:22 am
what what?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGmIL2gtieU
G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)
June 23rd, 2012
12:23 am
Thanks, Bruno, will try that tomorrow. Good job on the tunes tonight.
Jam, will also try to get help on opening videos that I can’t access on my iPad.
Goodnight all; it’s been (mostly) fun.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:25 am
Guess I should finish where we started tonight, with Caravanserai:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-4gPH8JJ0I
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:32 am
Las Fuente Del Ritmo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=sRLCiUnegcQ&feature=endscreen
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:36 am
The Eternal Caravan of Reincarnation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CE2ZUBw9a4&feature=relmfu
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:42 am
Just In Time to See the Sun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc1hv9u5Vgo&feature=related
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:45 am
TBS put it up earlier, but “Song of the Wind” is worth hearing twice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdmevPWZTRg
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:53 am
Only someone as deep as Santana can offer us “All the Love of the Universe”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE4lXZ2dv14
New thoughts
Will purify my mind
and clean my body
New lives
will fall together like an endless story
All the love of the universe
will be shared by all that’s living
And I don’t really care
about tomorrow
Today
is all I really need to find the answers
I’ll find the constant flow
of all the harmony
Everybody needs a helpin’ hand
Everybody needs a helpin’ hand
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:55 am
From the bottom of my tiny, tiny Con heart, thank you again to everyone who made tonight a very special night for Platinum Black and I. Love to all……..
j$
June 23rd, 2012
1:01 am
mind strong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi06TWlKeHc
stands for decibels
June 23rd, 2012
7:36 am
mornin’.
Across the Universe is arguably the greatest Fab Four song ever. Everything about it is just perfect.
They stretched us all and change our minds and worlds forever. In eight short years.
JV, I agree that the Beatles were as much of a catalyst as any other group, or person, in our lifetime, to prompt people–who’d otherwise not bother; who’d otherwise likely just sit and stew in their parents’ pews–to consider and seek alternative spiritual paths, even though little of what they sang about was overtly spiritual.
That said, “Across the Universe” is one of those tunes that took me about twenty, thirty years to appreciate. Couldn’t really stand it when I first heard it as a kid, and not just because of Phil Spector’s strings, either.
Now, when I read about what Lennon had been going through when he wrote those words (big fight with Cynthia, is how I’ve heard it told), so much makes sense.
—-
Been meaning to mention, I’ve liked a lot of the theological discussions that’ve been taking place in these threads of late. I haven’t participated much, but I’ve appreciated hearing from folks like Bruno and Scout and some other people with whom I have little in common politically, but who always have something to contribute. I may not always express it as I should, but we ALL have something to contribute, and we ALL owe it to them and to ourselves to at least try to listen.
ommmmm…
stands for decibels
June 23rd, 2012
7:42 am
I understand that the unfortunate need help, but I would like to see more done to repair the internal causes of our problems…
I have to say to PB and Bruno–for all the conserva-speak about “personal responsibility” that seems to drive such sentiments, the only solution to try to accomplish what’s been expressed above^^ would be re-education camps.
(Which doesn’t sound very conservative, *or* liberal, *or* decent, to me, nor to y’all either, I’m sure.)
so the reasonable way to accomplish this would be, well, looking at how people behave, and offer them financial incentives and discouragements to behave differently.
You know… taxes?
And I’ll probably go to my grave not fully grasping why so many people have a fundamental ideological problem with that approach. But I’ll keep trying to understand.
gotta run. Later, folks.
Normal, Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 23rd, 2012
8:05 am
Good morning to all y’all and…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw3oxJvSRj0
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
8:09 am
I have to say to PB and Bruno–for all the conserva-speak about “personal responsibility” that seems to drive such sentiments, the only solution to try to accomplish what’s been expressed above^^ would be re-education camps.
sfd–Can’t speak on PB’s behalf, but I think you’re misinterpreting her words. She’s speaking about folks developing an attitude of compassion on their own, not about re-education camps. If it helps you understand a little more, her politics tend to be just a tad to the left of Dennis Kucinich.
Been meaning to mention, I’ve liked a lot of the theological discussions that’ve been taking place in these threads of late. I haven’t participated much, but I’ve appreciated hearing from folks like Bruno and Scout and some other people with whom I have little in common politically, but who always have something to contribute.
Glad to hear you got something out of the discussions. A nice break from all of the political wrangling that is the bread and butter of the Bookman Blog.
Normal, Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 23rd, 2012
8:09 am
Whoops,
Picked the wrong’un…Reading ability is in direct proportion with coffee consumption…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE9nc5iky3E&feature=related
JamVet
June 23rd, 2012
8:24 am
stands, thanks for the great comments at 7:36.
I too have enjoyed them, but leave the heavy lifting/shoveling of the philosophical BS to the experts! (LOL, B!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7tO2sP3AAM
Bud Wiser
June 23rd, 2012
8:32 am
Namaste.
G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)
June 23rd, 2012
8:40 am
Normal@8:05, thank you. That is a great way to start the morning.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
8:56 am
And as long as this “spiritual thread” is still going, I feel compelled to respond to Scout, Del or anyone else who might be tempted to use the Sandusky verdict as an opportunity to show their backsides.
From Romans 12:
“17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
I haven’t been the only one on this blog to notice that some of the most vocal “Christians” are often some of the least compassionate people. The bottom line is that we’re all sinners in our own unique ways. Highlighting the sins of others doesn’t make us better people. In fact, it has the opposite effect. The Sandusky trial is over and he’ll spend the rest of his life in jail. As for the victims, they’ll have to heal on their own, in their own way, though I’m sure that the millions they will undoubtedly receive from Penn State, the Second Mile charity and from the Sandusky estate will make life a little easier for them.
Brosephus™
June 23rd, 2012
9:05 am
Missed out on the music yesterday. Great lead off Bruno. I’ll catch up with y’all when I’m feeling better….
Jm-pass Tsplost unless you really love congestion
June 23rd, 2012
9:20 am
Better late than never
Classic Nina Simone
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V-QY-H2ekZo
USMC
June 23rd, 2012
9:22 am
Great article for the “Global Warming” Extremists to read:
Green ‘drivel:’ The godfather of global warming lowers the boom on climate change hysteria
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/22/green-drivel
G Mare 71(PLEASE VOTE NO ON TSPLOST)
June 23rd, 2012
9:23 am
Sorry you are feeling “puny,” Bro. I’ll hold a good thought for you.
Gordon
June 23rd, 2012
9:25 am
Gordon – 7:45
No doubt, you feel you’ve received God’s grace and I haven’t. If so, then God gives grace to some and witholds its from others. I wonder why you so easily believe in such a whimsical and cruel God?
I don’t easily believe. I’m very left brained, so faith hasn’t come easily to me at all. I’m a doubter by nature. But there’s always been a calling that I can’t explain…
I will tell you this: God tends to reveal himself to those who earnestly seek him.
JamVet
June 23rd, 2012
9:30 am
Lovelock still believes anthropogenic global warming is occurring and that mankind must lower its greenhouse gas emissions…
USMC, you do understand what anthropogenic climate change means, right?
Give a hoot, don’t pollute.
Jm-pass Tsplost unless you really love congestion
June 23rd, 2012
9:39 am
“Give a hoot, don’t pollute.”
Jamvet holds his Toots apparently
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
9:42 am
Missed out on the music yesterday. Great lead off Bruno. I’ll catch up with y’all when I’m feeling better….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5mKgtC5As0
LOL.
Good stuff
June 23rd, 2012
9:49 am
Very yummy stuff
http://www.savannahbee.com/
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
9:59 am
I will tell you this: God tends to reveal himself to those who earnestly seek him.
Gordon–What makes you so sure that it’s God?? IME, self-validation is problematic. Sometimes the Devil comes knocking instead, dressed in the finest of clothes.
I sailed away for fifteen days, it never once got dark
And came upon two large houses set out in a park.
On the door of one was truth, on the other door was lies.
Which one should I enter thru? I really must decide
The door marked lies had lots of flowers growing round outside
But looking close I noticed it was crumbling inside
The door marked truth was very plain, but stood up very strong,
And when I entered thru it’s door I knew I wasn’t wrong.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
10:08 am
Bruno
Science and religion are not necessarily in conflict
Only if you choose to see it that way
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
10:08 am
Gordon – 9:25
I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian Church constantly and earnestly trying to seek Him. All I got from your “God of love” was one brutal body blow after another. I finally realized that either there is no God or, if there is, He, She or It couldn’t possibly care less about what happenes to us in this cruel and hateful world.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
10:11 am
“. I finally realized that either there is no God or, if there is, He, She or It couldn’t possibly care less about what happenes to us in this cruel and hateful world.”
That’s a sad view.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
10:12 am
Carlosgvv
You presume god exists to make our lives all hunky dorey
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
10:23 am
Science and religion are not necessarily in conflict
Never said they were, and have devoted a lot of time toward synthesizing the two approaches into one Greater Truth. Sorry if you missed that. To use either tool to the exclusion of the other leaves out half the story.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
10:30 am
I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian Church constantly and earnestly trying to seek Him. All I got from your “God of love” was one brutal body blow after another. I finally realized that either there is no God or, if there is, He, She or It couldn’t possibly care less about what happenes to us in this cruel and hateful world.
carlos–I agree with josef that your repeated negative blogs here seem to be a cry for help. If you were unfortunate enough to be the victim of cruel people, that’s sad, and can be hard to overcome. At the same time, it doesn’t invalidate all of the good in the world.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
10:34 am
Bruno 10:23 agreed
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
10:36 am
JM – 10:11 – 10:12
You seem to be saying that, if it’s a sad view, it must not be true. Are you that clueless?
If God doesn’t exist to help us in our lives, then what? To make things as hard as possible?
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
10:37 am
Bruno
Pardon me, but I’m not talking about all the good in the world. I’m talking about the existence of a God who might as well not exist for us at all.
Recon 0311 2533
June 23rd, 2012
10:40 am
Bruno, Bruno, Bruno…This is an opinion blog and that means that I may opine something that you dislike or disagree with or that you may opine something that I may dislike or disagree with. Condescension or holier then thou positions on here don’t serve you well.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
10:48 am
Carlosgvv just MO, but I done think an omnipotent, benevolent, and meddlesome god is required to believe god exists
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
10:48 am
Pardon me, but I’m not talking about all the good in the world. I’m talking about the existence of a God who might as well not exist for us at all.
carlos–There will likely be a never-ending debate back and forth about whether a Supreme Being exists or not, and what form such a Being might take. But, in the end, it doesn’t matter, since the existence of such a Being is unknowable. The greater point is why we even theorize about it in the first place. While you seem content to fill the void of Life’s Big Questions with some sort of existentialist Reductionist Materialism based on what your five senses can perceive, most of us see something bigger and wonder how this purposeful existence came about. As a young man, I rejected the traditional vision presented in church, but I also rejected cold, harsh existentialism.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
10:52 am
Don’t, not done whoops
godless heathen
June 23rd, 2012
10:55 am
USMC, you do understand what anthropogenic climate change means, right?
Sounds like Mr. Lovelock is saying what I have been saying for some time. Calm down.
Lovelock acknowledged, “the problem is we don’t know what the climate is doing. We thought we knew 20 years ago.”
Paul
June 23rd, 2012
11:04 am
carlosgvv
“I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian Church constantly and earnestly trying to seek Him. All I got from your “God of love” was one brutal body blow after another. I finally realized that either there is no God or, if there is, He, She or It couldn’t possibly care less about what happenes to us in this cruel and hateful world.”
I grew up in the United States of America, constantly and earnestly trying to find the democratic ideals and rights of mankind it represents. All I got from your America was one brutal body blow after another. I finally realized that either there is no America or democracy or ideals, or, if there is, they couldn’t possibly be real as nobody could care less about what happens to us.
“If God doesn’t exist to help us in our lives, then what? To make things as hard as possible?”
what Jm wrote: “Only if you choose to see it that way”
From your political expressions on conservatives, Republicans, businesses to your religious expressions, you seem to view things in mutually exclusive “this or that” ‘it is or it isn’t” view. Noting in between. No recognition that a cut diamond has many facets.
Extremism limits understanding.
Just for your introspection and reflection.
Which doesn’t happen when, a minute later, the response is ‘oh yeah? Well what about when you…..”
It’s a nice day out and I’m headed out.
Later -
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
11:15 am
Great article for the “Global Warming” Extremists to read:
USMC–I came to all of the same conclusions that Mr. Lovelock did, just using common sense alone. I hope Jay and others read the last section in which he states:
“(2) Lovelock blasted greens for treating global warming like a religion.
“It just so happens that the green religion is now taking over from the Christian religion,” Lovelock observed. “I don’t think people have noticed that, but it’s got all the sort of terms that religions use … The greens use guilt. That just shows how religious greens are. You can’t win people round by saying they are guilty for putting (carbon dioxide) in the air.”
And:
“(4) Finally, about claims “the science is settled” on global warming: “One thing that being a scientist has taught me is that you can never be certain about anything. You never know the truth. You can only approach it and hope to get a bit nearer to it each time. You iterate towards the truth. You don’t know it.”
josef
June 23rd, 2012
11:22 am
CARLOS
If I may be so bold, but I don’t think it’s you don’t believe in/accept/consider that G-d may or may not exist, I think you are probably more of a believer than those of us who call ourselves such. You appear to be firmly convinced that G-d exists and you are mad as hell at H-m. You are as didactic as, say Scout, in your clinging to the Judeo-Christian concept, paradigm and presentation of G-d, what George Carlin called “the Western District Marketing Manager.”
You have allowed that anger to cloud your complete world view, from the response to “good morning, how are you” to the great questions of the raison d’être of the species. The dual nature of what we are constrained by our culture and our language to call «G-d » has been with us since we crawled down out of the trees and began our journey toward the stars. There is no answer, only more questions. You can get mad about it all you want, but that is a personal, emotional response. Or you can join the long human search for order and meaning . Or you can completely ignore the subject.
Arthur Koestler, in “The Ghost in the Machine,” wrote that “the creativity and pathology of the human mind are, after all, two sides of the same medal coined in the evolutionary mint. The first is responsible for the splendour of our cathedrals, the second for the gargoyles that decorate them to remind us that the world is full of monsters, devils, and succubi. It all serves to point out that in its ascent to prominence, something has gone wrong.”
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
11:24 am
Bruno
You are perfectly free to reject cold, hard existentialism. However, this does not invalidate it in any way. Further, by seeking something bigger and looking for a purposeful existence, you give the impression of refusing to accept the truth because it’s just too painful. Unfortunately, the cold, hard facts of life don’t care what your outlook is and, the more you live in denial, the more painful life can be. On the other hand, seeing things as they really are will enable you to a least bear up to the strains of life.
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
11:29 am
josef
If God really exists then I will patiently wait for science to prove it.
Personally, I neither believe or disbelieve. I am an agnostic – maybe there is a God(or Gods), maybe not.
Have you ever stoped to consider that, even is science absolutely proved the existence of God, we would essentially be no better off. Why? Because we would not know WHICH God was real. Would it be the Jewish God, the Christian God, the Islamic God or the Gods of the Hindu religion? Or, would it be an unknown God?
Something to think about.
Brosephus™
June 23rd, 2012
11:39 am
Have you ever stoped to consider that, even is science absolutely proved the existence of God, we would essentially be no better off. Why? Because we would not know WHICH God was real. Would it be the Jewish God, the Christian God, the Islamic God or the Gods of the Hindu religion? Or, would it be an unknown God?
What if they were all one and the same? If you read and study the Christian Bible, you know of the story about the Tower of Babel. Take a step back and observe how all the major religions tend to originate, belong to, or follow a particular language or dialect. If one is to take that into consideration along with the story of the tower, one could surmise that we are possibly all worshipping the same deity but language and cultural barriers keep us from seeing the similarities in all that we believe.
Going to lay back down now. If that ^^^^^ is a tad bit incoherent, blame it on the sinus meds….
Mary Elizabeth
June 23rd, 2012
11:39 am
Spirituality is organic. It does not need, or seek, labels.
josef
June 23rd, 2012
11:49 am
CARLOS
First, I am Maimonidean. I put no more nor no less “faith” in the scientific than the philosophical explanation of the great cosmic om. Both have their time and place and represent the dualistic nature of the human search. The conflict between the two is an artificial and dogmatic “spat” between the shamans of one versus the shamans of the other as to who is “right” and holds the patent on the truth.
It is not now, nor has it ever been, the prerogative or impetus of “science” to “prove or disprove” the “existence” of G-d. Back when you were being taught how to write, you were told that you began with the questions of who, what, when, where and proceeded on to relate those givens and their interactions to how, and why. How belongs to the analytical in terms of mechanics. Why belongs to the analytical in terms of opinion. Sometimes the how and why may cross.
And as for your question of “if” G-d is “revealed” which G-d would it be? What difference would it make? If you can make the move beyond your own particular cultural paradigm, I would posit that it would be the same. And it would probably not make a lot of difference since it hasn’t to date.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
Bruno:
Good morning:
“That was from me, Scout. Sorry to know that your compassion is conditional…..”
A couple of points.
1) The multiple verses you quoted are all out of context and have nothing to do with those who engage in criminal activity and the penalty they must pay under the law ………. “Render unto Caesar”.
2) Regarding my “compassion” …………. you don’t know my heart. What I posted was God’s rules for compassion and it “IS” conditional. “Except you believe in Me, you are dead in your sins.”.
3) It’s interesting that you quote scripture all of the time but yet you don’t believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. Most people don’t quote from something they don’t believe in. As I posted before the Bible says of itself:
I Corinthians 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
You can post scripturre all you want ……. it’s a free country ………. and I hope you continue to do so as reading it will help you toward the truth ………….. but if you are not born again of the Spirit you cannot fully understand or properly interpret it.
Just sayin’.
josef
June 23rd, 2012
11:52 am
BROSEPHUS
Hope you get to feeling better…
stands for decibels
June 23rd, 2012
11:53 am
She’s speaking about folks developing an attitude of compassion on their own, not about re-education camps. If it helps you understand a little more, her politics tend to be just a tad to the left of Dennis Kucinich.
Obviously, I’ve misinterpreted her remarks, and I appreciate the correction, Bruno.
And no matter where one’s political ideologies lie, I’m sure we all agree that instilling a sense of empathy among our fellow citizens can’t be an entirely bad thing.
Gordon
June 23rd, 2012
11:55 am
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
10:08 am
Gordon – 9:25
I grew up in a fundamentalist Christian Church constantly and earnestly trying to seek Him. All I got from your “God of love” was one brutal body blow after another. I finally realized that either there is no God or, if there is, He, She or It couldn’t possibly care less about what happenes to us in this cruel and hateful world.
I’m truly sorry for your experience, and I know others that share your view. I might feel the same way with the same experiences you have had, whatever they are. But I wonder if you might be confusing circumstances and faith. Somehow along the way, the two have become entangled. God has never promised favorable circumstances to anyone. Within the context of the physical realm, your view is valid. But in the context of a physical realm that is only a small part of something greater, it is not. There was a time I didn’t believe this, and never thought I would. Then I started to see it differently, and told myself it was only because I wanted it to be so. But eventually the faith overcame the doubt.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 23rd, 2012
11:57 am
carlosgvv :
It is the God of the Bible …………. Yaweh, Yeshua a Messiach …………. Lord God Jehovah fulfulled by the Holy Spirit in Jesus the Christ ………… God’s Holy Trinity.
Now, I don’t ask you to understand that or even comprehend it ………. I can’t ………. it’s like trying to understand “eternity”.
I accept it by FAITH.
“For without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 23rd, 2012
11:58 am
josef:
Are you a John Smoltz fan ? He’s broadcasting now.
Gordon
June 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm
“If God really exists then I will patiently wait for science to prove it.”
If there is a God, he is supernatural. That means “outside of nature”, and therefore outside of the scientific realm. In light of this, does it make sense that God, if he exists, could be proven by science? The evidence must be internal, and that is the way God intended.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:00 pm
Further, by seeking something bigger and looking for a purposeful existence, you give the impression of refusing to accept the truth because it’s just too painful. Unfortunately, the cold, hard facts of life don’t care what your outlook is and, the more you live in denial, the more painful life can be. On the other hand, seeing things as they really are will enable you to a least bear up to the strains of life.
For starters, carlos, it is you who comes to this blog day after day, week after week in a foul mood. If your existentialist leanings were truly helping you to “bear up to the strains of life”, I would think it would show more. Furthermore, my “spiritual” exploration is strictly intellectual in origin, and is based on the fact that I felt that my education at Harvey Mudd College, widely recognized as one of the premier colleges of Math and Science, left some glaring holes in understanding the Big Picture of Existence.
If it helps you understand me better, I came from a very abusive home. But differently from you, I’ve been able to move past it emotionally for the most part, and allow myself to enjoy the good things that life offers.
josef
June 23rd, 2012
12:01 pm
SCOUT
I’m pissed at you right now…I’ll get over it in your case. I don’t want to go into it since I might say some things I would regret later.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 23rd, 2012
12:02 pm
josef:
Or turn into a Kamchack ?
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 23rd, 2012
12:05 pm
If any of you are Smoltz fans he has a new book out now about his baseball career, the physical/injury stuggles he went through and his Christian faith. It’s getting great reviews.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starting-and-closing-john-smoltz/1106580354
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:07 pm
If there is a God, he is supernatural. That means “outside of nature”, and therefore outside of the scientific realm. In light of this, does it make sense that God, if he exists, could be proven by science? The evidence must be internal, and that is the way God intended.
Gordon–carlos continues to cling to the fallacy that Science has the ability to reveal all Truth. And though he likes to represent himself as knowing a lot about Science and the Scientific Method, he has never shown even basic familiarity with anything beyond grade-school topics. Which doesn’t prevent him from expressing a zealotous faith in Science and Scientists that even those at the top of the heap don’t espouse.
Arthur Koestler, in “The Ghost in the Machine,”
josef–I’ll have to look for that one. The title at least mirrors my ideas about what a “spirit” actually is. The non-corporal characteristic of “Spirit” is a major stumbling block for almost anyone who attempts to speak of it, but I believe I’ve come up with a workable definition/understanding.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
June 23rd, 2012
12:08 pm
Out for awhile ……….. everyone be nice.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:11 pm
I know liberals Are religious
They believe in (and supposedly despise) Mammon
josef
June 23rd, 2012
12:14 pm
BROSEPHUS
Have you read any of Koestler? Talk about your EOI!
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:14 pm
Relevant and recent stuff
http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0622/Did-scientists-find-the-God-Particle-Higgs-Boson-announcement-expected
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:14 pm
1) The multiple verses you quoted are all out of context and have nothing to do with those who engage in criminal activity and the penalty they must pay under the law ………. “Render unto Caesar”.
In other words, when YOU quote from the Bible, it’s totally “in context”, but when I do, it’s “out of context”. Got it.
2) Regarding my “compassion” …………. you don’t know my heart. What I posted was God’s rules for compassion and it “IS” conditional. “Except you believe in Me, you are dead in your sins.”
You’re right, I can only go by what you post on the blog, and it’s pretty ugly.
3) It’s interesting that you quote scripture all of the time but yet you don’t believe the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. Most people don’t quote from something they don’t believe in.
Again, Scout, in your limited world-view, you believe the Bible is only valid if it’s taken in some literal sense. From my perspective, that only weakens it, since there is no way a rational, mature person can take most of it in any literal way. Form a metaphorical standpoint, however, it’s a great document, just one of many which are “Inspired”.
As I posted before the Bible says of itself: I Corinthians 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
Yet, somehow this doesn’t apply to you as well. Somehow you believe that you are special, and different from me because you are “Saved”. Total BS, Scout.
You can post scripturre all you want ……. it’s a free country ………. and I hope you continue to do so as reading it will help you toward the truth ………….. but if you are not born again of the Spirit you cannot fully understand or properly interpret it.
Et tu, Brute. I can only hope you get psychiatric help for your NPD.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:17 pm
And in case you missed it, Scout, here’s Romans 12 again:
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This is the essence of Christianity, Scout. Live it.
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
12:19 pm
Brosephus, josef, Gordon, Bruno
Suggesting that it really doesn’t matter which God you believe in is whistling past the graveyard. Judasim, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism all have “sacred” texts which make an exclusive claim to infallibility.
Each of these texts urges its readers to adopt a variety of beliefs and practices. There is much disagreement in these texts as how God or the Gods should be served. However, they do all agree on one point, namely that respect for other faiths, or for the views of the unbelievers, is not as attitude that God endorses.
I never said science should attempt to prove God. I said WHAT IF science, somehow, actually did it. Since the four major religions of the world clearly have conflicting laws of behavior, it would matter that this proof would not tell us WHICH religion was the “right” one.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:23 pm
Carlosgvv is sadly confused on the state of the world
Carlosgvv, how old are you?
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:23 pm
Spirituality is organic. It does not need, or seek, labels.
Beautiful words, ME. I don’t know if you caught my essay about how religions begin and how they end up last week, but in essence, every religion is founded by a dynamic leader, who reveals Truth in a time- and place- sensitive way. It has to be that way because Absolute Truth is something that exists beyond mere words. Then, once the founder dies, their words are canonized, and a whole hierarchy develops from there, turning the whole thing into something the original Founder likely wouldn’t approve of.
getalife
June 23rd, 2012
12:24 pm
I died twice.
There is no God.
Sorry about that.
JamVet
June 23rd, 2012
12:25 pm
Religion in general and spirituality are topics of great interest to me.
But Christianity and their book of books? As boring as four corner basketball used to be.
I’m in agreement with Thomas Jefferson, who noted that the Bible was “a conglomeration of lies and fiction…”
And there was time – during the Dark Ages and before the Renaissance – when those lies were satisfactory to the majority of an unenlightened mankind.
Now? Not so much…
Jm, perhaps the day will come when you can – even for one day – stop acting like a petulant brat who does little more than personally insult others here, with no provocation and for no reason.
But I really doubt it…
Orange 12
June 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
“I don’t want to go into it since I might say some things I would regret later.”
Funniest thing I’ve ever seen posted here.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
Out for awhile ……….. everyone be nice.
As always, Scout. Not that I ever expect a straight answer from you anyway. Just more of the same “I’m saved and you’re not”.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
Getalife 12:24
Do you have a brother named Forrest gump?
Mary Elizabeth
June 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
Thank you, Bruno.
Your thoughts in your 12:23 pm reflect part of Thomas Jefferson’s views of organized religion.
getalife
June 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
jm,
You are my brother.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
Suggesting that it really doesn’t matter which God you believe in is whistling past the graveyard. Judasim, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism all have “sacred” texts which make an exclusive claim to infallibility.
Which only proves their fallibility…..yet doesn’t take away from the message they can offer otherwise.
Orange 12
June 23rd, 2012
12:29 pm
Give Getalife a break since the only thing he has to look forward to is fire and brimstone and taking Adolph up the poop.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:30 pm
Getalife trippy
getalife
June 23rd, 2012
12:32 pm
If I died and saw God I would tell the truth.
I did not see anybody.
All I heard was a nurse demanding that I wake up.
Death is a deep sleep.
Bruno
June 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
Your thoughts in your 12:23 pm reflect part of Thomas Jefferson’s views of organized religion.
Coincidentally, I’m studying a course on the Great Presidents right now through The Teaching Company. The professor’s take is that Jefferson was likely our most complex President, yet a walking contradiction. His words that “All men are created equal….” are among the most quoted, yet he himself did not believe in equality for either women or blacks. I know that you like to focus on a person’s “vision” alone, but I try to look at the whole package. Because there are certainly an equal number of folks out there who express no “great vision”, but who live good lives through their deeds. Words + Deeds = The Whole Person.
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
“I am my brother’s keeper!” -many
“Lend me some suga’, I am your neighbor” outkast
josef
June 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
CARLOS
I think you should revisit the concept in relation to Judaism of “sacred texts” and “exclusive claim to infallibility with texts that “urge(s) its readers to adopt a variety of beliefs and practices.”
In Judaism, only the “Torah” is considered “sacred.” Infallibility is not at issue, These are books of law as per tradition (or belief, or faith) handed down to Moses as the rules and regulations pertinent ONLY to Israelites/Jews. At no point does it “urge” anyone to “adopt” a belief, but it demands that the tribe/nation follow the “law.”
As for respect for other faiths, Judaism does not claim a patent on the truth for any one other than Jews and even there the questions of “how” is pretty much an open one. The question of “why” is more solid. Thus Judaism has the ability to evolve with the times.
Uncle Billy
June 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
Kristopher Kristofferson: “He’s a walkin’ contraction, partly truth and partly fiction, taking every wrong direction on his lonely way back home.”
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
“Death is a deep sleep.”
Highly likely
Jm-pass TSPLOST peeps
June 23rd, 2012
12:37 pm
Outzy
Redneck Convert (R--and proud of it)
June 23rd, 2012
12:38 pm
1. Georgia
> Overall grade: F (49%)
> Public access to information: F
> Legislative accountability: F
> Political financing: F
> Ethics enforcement agencies: F
Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/investing/2012/03/22/americas-most-corrupt-states/#ixzz1ydR12xrI
Well, I see we’re 1st in the country, according to Fox. Course, it’s 1st in being most corrupt, but we’re still 1st. I think the people that do the grading don’t understand how the Good Ole Boy system works.
Have a good Saturday everybody.
josef
June 23rd, 2012
12:39 pm
Orange
Are you saying that you don’t say things in the heat of the moment that you regret later?
carlosgvv
June 23rd, 2012
12:40 pm
JM-pass – 12:23
I thought my discussions here were about religion, not the state of the world. Have you ever heard of reading comprehension.
Asking me my age is a non sequitur.
Orange 12
June 23rd, 2012
12:41 pm
No Josef, not on this blog and I highly doubt you do either.