>> Storms said: > Thomas Malloy said: >> Belief is not black and white.
> I disagree, either the Bible is what it claims to be, > or it isn't. ... Hello again, Thomas, Mr. Lawrence has already posed a few interesting questions on the dubious practice of perceiving the world in stark "black" and "white" terms. Here is something else to ponder in the meantime: Have you ever wondered why you're hanging out in the Vortex discussion group? Specifically, why are you drawn to express your opinions on the nature of a Deity and religion within a discussion group whose primary purpose is to discuss the scientific, social and political ramifications of alternative energy systems? Obviously, you are not the only individual who has contributed to a rich list of "OT" Off-Topic subjects including God and religion within Vortex. But why do you personally appear be so compelled to set the record straight within vortex in regards to your specific religious views? I'm pretty sure you are aware of the fact that your religious beliefs have not altered the religious views and opinions other Vortexian members hold most sacred within their own hearts. Since you continue to feel compelled to express your specific belief systems regarding religion it is only fair that you have occasionally been exposed to alternative views, and that certainly has happened. As to my own thoughts on the matter, I can only offer a mythic interpretation that seems to help some individuals (like me) gain a certain kind of perspective that might help explain the tenacity behind your stubbornness. Such a mythic interpretation suggests that your stubbornness is to a large extent the normal reactions of a very young soul when they find themselves exposed to belief systems they personally find disturbing. It is neither a good or bad trait. It simply IS. Very young souls grow into it. Eventually, they grow out of it - and are not so very young anymore. Very young souls, just like any group of souls of similar age Souls, tend to gravitate towards those of their own Age of experience in order to feel a sense of belonging, comfort, and like-mindedness purpose. Occasionally very young souls, almost clandestinely one might say, gravitate towards organizations that are run by Souls who are older than their own age - sometimes considerably older. Their Inner Essence (what one might call their Soul) gently guides their personality towards older groups with a specific purpose in mind. They are given both the choice and opportunity to participate in the affairs of older souls inclu! ding insight on how older souls perceive the world. Being occasionally exposed to older souls helps speed up the younger soul's personal growth in ways impossible if they continued to hang out all the time with classmates of similar age. While it may feel safe and comforting to hang out with one's soul classmates of similar age there is little to be learned when participating within a mutual admiration society - where one is constantly preaching to the converted. Very young souls (specifically their personalities) often feel compelled to set the record straight, and in a way that is exactly what is happening when their belief systems clash with the views of older souls. Whatever it takes to get very young personalities to participate - to expose themselves to different beliefs may be one of the goals a Soul has carefully engineered for their personal growth. While everyone is certainly free to disagree with this mythic interpretation, one that is likely to strike some within this group as smacking heavily of wimpy New-Age drivel, such personally felt distain may not matter all that much as far as the Soul is concerned. What matters is that a Soul often finds creative ways to compel the current personality to participate and to occasionally play by the rules laid out in the arena populated by souls older than them. To participate forces young souls to constantly defend their belief systems, and this eventually leads them to see some o! f those cherished beliefs for what they really are. Even though young souls often feel confident that they're holding steadfast to their own true school of thought, their soul continues to gently prod them towards the eventual exploration and discovery of more appropriate belief systems that better serve the personality's best interests and growth - and by such good fortune eventually away from unquestioningly serving the stagnate self-preservation of a specific belief system. Again, I'm sure much of this soliloquy sounds like wimpy New Age Drivel to many. Doesn't really matter. All in good time. Now, let's get back to those solar towers. Regards, Steven Vincent Johnson www.OrionWorks.com
