Yep… the truth will set you free but it’s 1st going to kick your arse!

Go in peace bro.

R

“My definition of spirituality was more of a fun statement rather than one to be debated.”

Just as I thought. Actually I really thought what you said was a fun thing. He3.

“I find religious debates circular and imho don’t really serve a purpose other than to satisfy the intellect.”

For intellectual persons like you, I agree that such would be the purpose. However, if you allow me, for the sake also of your readers, I wish to cite one good reason why debates would be beneficial if one wishes to be spiritual. In 1 John 4:1,

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

And also,

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

The author continued with,

“Truth will never be fully understood by the mind despite the minds inherent need to grasp that which cannot be grasped. There is only one universal truth but we all perceive it in a different way – depending on time in history and cultural context. The dreamtime and mythical stories of tribals explaining how the universe was created are no different really to the story in Genesis – both interpretations are valid and divine inspired.”

Because there is one universal truth that later had many interpretations, that is why, Biblically speaking, there is an effort by God Himself to reveal what exactly had happened so as to remove the conflicts among these interpretations. Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 2:11-19

Given that there are many interpretations and regardless of how many are valid and divine (and otherwise), it is still best to get the original thing.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32

Then, the author ended with,

“…Black, white, yellow or tanned – we are all brothers and sisters on a journey doing what we do.”

Biologically speaking, yes, I agree to that. That is also Biblical.

Many thanks once again to the author and his readers!

My definition of spirituality was more of a fun statement rather than one to be debated. I find religious debates circular and imho don’t really serve a purpose other than to satisfy the intellect. Truth will never be fully understood by the mind despite the minds inherent need to grasp that which cannot be grasped. There is only one universal truth but we all perceive it in a different way – depending on time in history and cultural context. The dreamtime and mythical stories of tribals explaining how the universe was created are no different really to the story in Genesis – both interpretations are valid and divine inspired. Black, white, yellow or tanned – we are all brothers and sisters on a journey doing what we do.

Robert

Your definition of spirituality just made me curious (i.e. do you mean by “hell” like a condition in this life and not really a future punishment as stated in the Scriptures?) Anyway, I do not intend to put up a discussion around this. It’s just really out of curiousity.

Actually, the better thing that I wanted to say in this post is to tell you and all readers that what I have expressed in my first post here, especially about helping others, is a common faith among members in our congregation. We have been doing that, with the help and mercy of the Lord, in partnership with a local television station in the Philippines, UNTV (http://www.untvweb.com), for six years already. Nevertheless, we do it without requiring or even coercing people to join our group (unlike what most other churches do these days).

We hope to spread this everywhere in the world, to help people have better lives for at least one day and make a difference. We also hope to show others examples so that they too would find ways to reach out to our fellowmen in need.

Besides, if anyone really wants to find out the truth in religion (and maybe, even spirituality, with due respect to the author), I suppose one wise way to do so is to look into the works of those who claim to be preaching the truth, their intents and their sincerity.

I thank GOD for another chance to post here and the author for the privilege to post on his site.

Thank you for the time you have taken to comment on my blog and also for your contribution. Although our views on truth may differ I believe that your response is respectful and suggests that you are a man truly on the spiritual path. In my view this makes us kindred spirits and fellow travellers on this journey of life of earth. For me the key to a better and more peaceful world is one based on dialogue rather than conversion. Apologies for the delay in approving your comment – I have just started a new job and things have been hectic.

I tend to see religion and spirituality as two totally differing concepts. Religion being for folks that don’t want to go to hell and spirituality is for those that have been there.

Your next comment should appear straight away – feel free to add more of your thoughts.

Robert

On one part, I agree with you that there are many who say that they are religious but are actually hypocritical. For many, the situation seems to be hopeless because it appears that all religions are not really practicing what they preach, just like the scribes and Pharisees in the time of Jesus on earth.

To this notion, however, I am willing to offer an alternative that is open for anyone’s scrutiny (not only to the author but to the public at large).

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but test the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1

Simply put—and I suppose any open mind will agree to this possibility—the reason why people think there is really no one saying the truth is because they have not found it yet.

“But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living?.” –
Job 28:12-13

Sometimes, we are looking for it in the wrong places and we are asking the wrong persons.

“God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.” – Job 28:23

Also, some people may be getting tired too soon. We have all the time to look for money, a partner in life, good education and every other need in this life. We usually spend almost our whole lives for these things. However, we may not be spending enough time in searching what will affect us in the next life.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Matthew 16:26

If we believe that there is a God who loves His creation (especially mankind), do we think that He would leave mankind clueless as to where the truth really is?

“God looked down upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.” – Psalms 53:2

He is looking for those who are looking for Him. There are people who do not find Him because they are not looking for Him but a preconceived god (meaning, a god based on their own thinking).

Another reason why religion is becoming unsavory for many is their exclusive claim to the truth, making it sound like they are the only ones that will be saved. I believe that there really is one truth because there is only one body where the Father Almighty teaches that (Ephesians 4:4-6). But I cannot accept that salvation is exclusive to one group of faith only. In the Bible, there are people who do not even know Christ but will merit salvation. (Matthew 25:32-40; Romans 2:11-16; Psalms 100:5)

Is more religion the answer for Papua New Guinea? How ever much religion is brought in any country, if those that bring it are all fakes, then the religion that they carry is NEVER an answer. Social and other ills in many countries that claim to be religious are not cured because what they think to be spiritual medicine are actually “quack”, ineffective and usually worsen the ills. They are obviously pretending to be Christian because, if they are truly Christian, they should be helpful, considering also the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has been a doctor of the ills in man.

“…They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” – Mark 2:17

People may want to look at these websites, http://www.mcgi.org/en and http://www.esoriano.wordpress.com. I suppose almost everyone—if not all—will agree that there is no harm in trying.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

I have also seen the charitable inclination of the author of this site. I believe there is a common ground that he and our group can find, regardless of religious inclination, when it comes to doing good to all people anywhere.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men…” Galatians 6:10

I thank the author in advance, should this post merit his approval. I hope that he will continue to be instrumental in helping those in need. I pray that our roads will cross one of these days.

GOD i ken blesim yumi olgeta! Olgeta honor na praise bilong GOD tasol!