The Blessed Hope: Adventist Hymns and Stories

I present this video in order for us to both enjoy Mr. Raney's beautiful voice and to understand the beliefs of the Seventh Day Adventists.

When I was in my teens, I enjoyed visiting different houses of worship and learning about the different belief systems. I was raised Catholic but came to what might generally be described as a Gnostic approach to religion, seeking truth through the various beliefs. This continues to be my approach, although I no longer feel quite so inspired to go exploring as I did in my youth.

I am very grateful to have found a group of people who are open-minded with regards to religion and spirituality. Such like are, sadly, rather difficult to find.

~Helena~

Religion and Community

Although I tend to be critical of organized religion, one aspect I tend to approve of is community. People involved in a church may come together in a positive way, as these people are. There are several benefits to this sort of gathering, including forming bonds with others and spending an enjoyable time in the company of like-minded people.

The problem with organized religion is the intolerance that is often inherent in religious communities. A similar-minded outsider would be welcome, but someone with a very different mindset, even if said visitor were tolerant, would likely be treated with suspicion if not outright disdain.

If we could all learn to open our minds to one another's viewpoints and beliefs, and respected such, even if we didn't share the same belief, we could create a greater world community. Then we could join together in love and tolerance. It may seem a foolish idea, but I believe that one day it may be possible.

~Ellie~

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015: W is for Songs of Worship

Religion can be a loaded subject. 

We are not promoting any one religion over another.

We are featuring songs which may have spiritual significance to people with certain beliefs.

No belittling or bigoted commentary regarding anyone's beliefs (or lack thereof) will be tolerated.

~The KHEL 666 Krew~

Songs which have spiritual significance can move people emotionally, and perhaps get them in touch with the realms that exist beyond the physical.

For a Buddhist, chanting and instrumentals which invoke feelings of peace and relaxation are essential.

For Christians, a song of this nature can remind them of the peaceful messages taught by Jesus, and of his great sacrifice.

Jewish songs invoke feelings of celebration and reverence, keeping traditions alive and celebrating those who have gone before.

Muslim chants are often very powerful and moving, invoking strong feelings of spiritual reverence.

Pagan beliefs practices are extremely varied. Wiccan and Pagan songs celebrate various gods and goddesses, or the beauty of nature. Unitarian songs of worship tend to focus on peace, tolerance, and togetherness rather than religious beliefs. 

 I hope you have enjoyed my choices demonstrating songs of worship from various belief systems. I am not an expert on religion, and the thoughts expressed are simply brief explanations of my understanding of the music utilized by a few of the world's religions.

Peace,

DJ Illsa

Cross-Posted to:

KHEL 666

One Love

R is for Religion

Religion can be helpful. Having something to believe in can bolster people's resolve to live through tough times. The spiritual aspect can help people cope with the sometimes heartbreaking difficulties that arise in life. Religion can help people become more forgiving of one another's foibles. That is what happens when religion is used in the right way.

Religion can also be a terrible thing. Religious fanatics can come to believe that those who don't see the world as they do are bad people who deserve to suffer. Zealots actually do their belief system a disservice, causing people to close their minds to any aspects of religion and go in the opposite direction, becoming acerbic nihilists.

I have no problem with believers of whatever stripe, or with non-believers, so long as they are not overbearing. I have issues with people who tell me that if I don't believe as they do, I'm a bad person who is condemned to some sort of eternal suffering. Any deity that would do such a thing simply because a person doesn't worship zir seems like an egomaniac, and I have no interest in paying tribute to an egomaniac.

Conversely, I don't care for people who tell me that if I have any spiritual beliefs, or even feel that certain aspects of metaphysical or spiritual speculation are possible, that I'm an ignorant dupe.

I have my own thoughts on the matter, but since nobody knows for sure what the truth is, I keep an open mind.

The reason I'm thinking so much about this is the fact that I find it difficult when I come to overtly religious blogs on the A to Z challenge. I could just leave and say nothing, and that might even be the best thing to do. But I somehow feel rude not even leaving an acknowledgement that I visited. 

I usually do something like remark on the beauty of the picture with their post, or tell them they have a nice family, or congratulate them on an event if they are blogging about such. I leave religion out of my comment and concentrate on basic politeness. Then I cross my fingers and hope that they are of a more liberal spirit, even if they are devout, and won't come nipping at my heels trying to convert me with threats of fire and brimstone. It isn't that I fear them, or their fire and brimstone. The fact is, I don't want to end up being rude, which is what usually happens when people persist in trying to shove unpalatable ideals down my throat.

Religion is like an axe or a knife. It is a tool. It can be used productively or destructively.

~Naila~

Cross-posted to:

Crazy Town in Looney Land

One Love