the reason I stay away from these types of discussians ... we can share about Access, automation, bounce ideas, ... but the moment we challenge another's religious beliefs, the beneficial relationship can change. I don't want that to happen.
@Isaac, even though we are discussing ideas, I took offense at "ignorant" ~ at first, but then I realized how you could look at it that way, it's more personal for you. I'm sympathetic to the long-time wars, and care about not just humanity, but also the rest of the planet and beyond ... plants, animals, creatures, rocks, earth ....
I don't know much about Judaism except my understanding is that some/all? of) the Christian Old Testaments are in the Torah. The bible continues with a New Testament (after birth) but I don't know the differences ... although I would like to.
There was a "Comparitive Religions" course in my high school but I didn't take it ... hearing comments from others down the road made me wish I would have.
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IMO, every man is free to believe whatever they want. Most have some perception of God (supreme being) regadless of the book they read ... even those who are 'agnostic' but scientific ... for science explains a lot but still cannot explain WHY ... that is the whole of everything, so they do still believe, in their own way.
Just as we have cells in our body, we are each cells in this universe and all that we can percive.
Imagine yourself on another planet -- any other human, no matter what color or shape, would be comforting to see.
There is something to be said for being a minority in a pool of others. As an American overseas, I experienced that, and it was a bonding agent. I sometimes could spot another American and felt somwhat comfortable to approach them, guessing we had a common bond.
Even though experiencing new things is exciting, sometimes you just long to just be in a comfortable place. One time I was sitting in a European train station, with lots of thoughts on my mind. Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." came on the video and lifted my spirits.
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> literal definition of doctrine
doctrination is not just religion. Aside from politics, we are also influenced by family, friends, groups, peer pressure, ...
> differences between religions
lumping by religion isn't accurate ...
no one is 'the same' as someone else. It's not about religion, it's about HUMANS.
Everyone is born with gifts. Regardless of religion, we are all made the same way.
Children love everyone and all colors are beautiful. Then we 'learn' -- or do we? We all have free will to make decisions.
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I shared this thread with a friend who isn't a member of this forum. He gave permission to quote him, so I will
"Hate & fear are well known (See Josef Goebbels on this.) tools to ensure that populaces can easily be manipulated."
~ Adrian Bell
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btw, Tony,
@Uncle Gizmo and Richard
@The_Doc_Man, I did eventually watch the videos and appreciate the perspectives. However, the thread title is diversive