I would like to thank everyone on this forum because I realize that participating in the discussions and debates has put me and probably others here on the spiritual fast track to understanding people's belief systems and cementing their own beliefs.

I was talking to two very good friends Friday and we began to discuss spiritual things and religions and such. I realized that most of the stuff we were talking about, for me, had already been discussed over and over on this forum.

I realized that this forum had put me on a fast track to understanding my own beliefs and that I had grown quite a lot since the last time we had talked.

Well, its the least I could do really

Oh I agree wholeheartedly.

I have learned quite a bit on these forums. I've seen vantage points that I would have never imagined on my own.

You have helped me to understand concepts concerning the law of attraction and the tarot. I may not view them precisely the same way that you do, but none the less you have contributed to my understanding of these things.

I am especially grateful to all of the pantheists and pagans on the forums who have shared insights into these philosophies.

I confess that I am quite disapointed to have never seen anyone present the biblical religions in a favorable light. But then again, that may be impossible. I know that Miguel has tried extremely hard to do this, but even when he has done this he has been shot at by Christians who refute his interpretations.

There is also much activity behind the scenes in emails.

I have had many meek Christians email me in an attempt to apologize for the posts of hardcore Christian fundies and proselytizers.

They have voiced views that they would never voice on the forums because the hardcore fundies would shoot them down.

There are actually many "Christians" who believe that it is not at all necessary to believe in the Bible or recognize that Jesus was the Christ.

They claim that is isn't about that recognition at all. And that it's truly a message of love.

I can see that point of view, but the fundies won't allow that view to be preached in the name of "Christianity". They will splatter verses from scripture that denounce that view all over the forums. They insist on making "Christinaity" about oppression and facisim.

So it is nice to know that there is a silent majority of Christians behind the scenes that don't agree with what is being claimed on the forums.

In any case, I have been led to Wicca, and I'm finding this mythology to be much closer to home.

And yes, I view all religions as mythologies. That doesn't mean they don't have grains of truth in them. It just means that the overall picture is a facade for teaching the concepts that lie beneath that facade.

The Christian fundies are hell-bent on worshiping the facade of their myth and they seem to have completely missed the value of the actual concepts beneath that facade.

Being a member of these forums has been a great experience into the minds of men, and how people think.

I too have learned much here and greatly appreciate the opportunity of growth and understanding this forum has provided.

Interestingly enough, I was thinking a similar thing a couple weeks ago when discussing some philosophical things with a relative. I realized that not only were my own thoughts and opinions clearer to me, and thus more easily made clear to the person I was taking with, but the ideas being presented by the other person were clearer and more easily understood by me. And I attribute that almost exclusively to my experinces in this forum.

JB,

Is it not that way with everything?

The more you discuss, dissect, reiterate and accomodate a subject/topic, the more solid one becomes in their understandings and those of others.

I find these threads at times enlightening, other times educational and often, extremely frustrating...

I do enjoy the humaness of them, and the snapshot they give of middle societies...

and the commonality.

its been for the most part - enjoyable, laughable and an eye opener...may GOD BLESS each and everyone of us with wide eyes, an open heart, and real truth full of godly wisdom all from the one whom created us and breathed life into our very beings from our father, and his father, and his fathers father. AMEN

That is the basic problem with christianity extreme fundamentalists who think that they alone have the word of God. However, this has been a problem in the Universal Church since its very beginning, yet the Church is still strong due to the fact that: "when two or more are reunited in my name I will be there with them."
What more power than that to sustain the Church.

i , particularly, enjoyed your Tarot reading for me, JB.

you may not recall it...but....
One result of that reading was truly amazing......

Thank you. I would like to hear about it in a private message.

JB

Thank you...

very well articulated