re: The Christ within?

This was the big one that came to my mind...this must have blown away the Jews who Christ was talking about.

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

<blockquote><b>Quoting Boots+3:</b>" Except that Christianity is the one faith that isn't based on religion. It isn't based on how you need ... [snip!] ... the grace, and go forward in faith. I don't know, I've always seperated religion and faith in my mind. It could be jsut me."</blockquote>

Oh that makes complete sense actually..thank you  

Quoting Boots+3:" Not quite sure what you mean here....Can you expand? So that I can provide an educated argument in return?   "

I don't want to expand anymore because I am already too fat lol. Seriously what I believe is really different. I believe the higher self is the soul in it's true state. You can call it the Christ or whatever else. I believe like the ancient gnostics that salvation is gnosis or knowledge of the self often refered to as self realization. I also believe we reincarnate over and over again and there is now pretty strong evidence it is true.

Quoting Lucid Dreamer:" I don't want to expand anymore because I am already too fat lol. Seriously what I believe is really different. ... [snip!] ... to as self realization. I also believe we reincarnate over and over again and there is now pretty strong evidence it is true."

Genuine questions here..

1. Evidence or reincarnation? Where?
2. I'm assuming you don't believe the Bible to be the word of God? Am I wrong?

Quoting sassy chef:" Genuine questions here.. 1. Evidence or reincarnation? Where? 2. I'm assuming you don't believe the Bible to be the word of God? Am I wrong?"

The evidence of reincarnation is connected to very young children remembering past lives. Ramdomly blurting out things about past events,places or people that no one told about. There is now a very popular case about a boy who remembered his past life as a WW2 pilot and the existence and circumstances of this pilot was confirmed by his now very elderly sister. This is just one case. there are many. If you wish you can even view the video about this case on one of my recent threads about reincarnation. Or if you like I can post the link here. about your 2nd question I don't believe anything written as the final word because humans are not perfect filters though they may inspire. The physical reality is one of the lowest and beyond this reality words are usless. The bible is the guide book for Christian believers which I am not so I don't follow it and don't consider it the absolute word of God but that is just my beliefs. I have no issues with anyone who believes in it.

Quoting sassy chef:" I think God is very clear on who He is. And I, meaning no disrespect to you, think that we believe in two very different gods. "

Maybe we do. Atleast 2 different versions anyway. Here is an example of the version of God I believe in. http://www.nderf.org/NDERF/NDE_Experiences/barry_c_nde.htm

I believe in God and I shove it down my kids throat every day. religion and faith are two separate things. I haven't found a religion that matches my relationship with God. I do go to church and I love my church...but I think everyone's relationship with God is unique

Quoting sassy chef:" This was the big one that came to my mind...this must have blown away the Jews who Christ was talking about. John 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.""

Once again he was talking about the inner self. The physical body is born in whatever time period but the soul has been alive forever. Jesus the man was born in his time period but his inner self has always existed just like our inner self.

Quoting Barfy McVomitron:" I believe in God and I shove it down my kids throat every day. religion and faith are two separate things. ... [snip!] ... my relationship with God. I do go to church and I love my church...but I think everyone's relationship with God is unique"

You are right when you say everyone's relationship with God is unique. It has nothing to do with religion and involves every walk of life. Not just Christians some of whom will be very suprised to see non Christians in Heaven.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Lucid Dreamer:</b>" You are right when you say everyone's relationship with God is unique. It has nothing to do with religion ... [snip!] ... and involves every walk of life. Not just Christians some of whom will be very suprised to see non Christians in Heaven."</blockquote>


I honestly believe that I will be far more surprised at who is not there. Come to think if it, the people who aren't there (people who professed Christ but didn't live Godly lives) are REALLY going to be surprised.

Quoting Lucid Dreamer:" Once again he was talking about the inner self. The physical body is born in whatever time period but ... [snip!] ... been alive forever. Jesus the man was born in his time period but his inner self has always existed just like our inner self."

I don't think it has anything to do with us. Our inner selves being somehow "good enough" doesn't get us to Heaven. We can't do anything to earn our spot there. It's all Christ.

Quoting sassy chef:" I don't think it has anything to do with us. Our inner selves being somehow "good enough" doesn't get us to Heaven. We can't do anything to earn our spot there. It's all Christ. "

The inner self iin its true state is perfect and heaven is its true home. It is not something that is earned. It is already within. Jesus was not the first to teach about heaven. Eastern practioners already knew about it except they called it Nirvana. If what you say is true then only Christians have a chance of getting into heaven while the rest of the world of different faiths go to Hell. That does not sound fair to me. My concept of God is that which loves all without conditions and is not interested in what you believe.

Quoting Lucid Dreamer:" The inner self iin its true state is perfect and heaven is its true home. It is not something that is ... [snip!] ... not sound fair to me. My concept of God is that which loves all without conditions and is not interested in what you believe."

I agree, it doesn't sound fair, but I don't think that's the point. I think God is Holy, and His ways are higher than ours. I believe God loves everyone, if He didn't He wouldn't have sent His son to die for all, but I believe the Bible is 100% God's word & so salvation comes through Christ.

Quoting ~Julie Blue Eyes~:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Lucid Dreamer:</b>" You are right when you say everyone's relationship ... [snip!] ... if it, the people who aren't there (people who professed Christ but didn't live Godly lives) are REALLY going to be surprised."

I don;t think it will be quite like that but what they will understand is why it is important to love others and when they do things the opposite of love they realize they only hurt themselves.

Quoting sassy chef:" I agree, it doesn't sound fair, but I don't think that's the point. I think God is Holy, and His ways ... [snip!] ... wouldn't have sent His son to die for all, but I believe the Bible is 100% God's word & so salvation comes through Christ. "

Millions of people have gone to the presence of God usually through a experience of dying clinically then coming back to life or through deep meditation. These are people of all walks of life including atheists. What they experienced was pure unconditional love without judgement. The closest thing to judgement there was is the life review in which the soul relived their entire life to that point and not only observed everything they did but also felt everything they caused others to feel both good and bad. They even experience the effects on people they never physically met but somehow their actions caused a ripple effect. When the worst deeds were displayed God provided loving guidance rather than judgement. The soul is then told it is not yet their time to physically die and they physically come back to life changed forever. Basically it appears to mean that theological beliefs are meaningless there and that every soul is on its own spiritual journey and all life is a part of the family of God.