Go out into the yard and find an anthill. At this anthill conduct a seminar to explain to the ants the workings of a computer. Maybe try to educate the ants to appreciate fine art or maybe music.
The ants will not even be conscious of your existence or efforts to better/improve their plight. The ants will not recognize any higher intelligence or power than what they experience in their ant colony.
We are those ants and it is extreme arrogance on our part to deny the existence of a higher intelligence or power that is beyond our understanding.
Swarmy wrote: I went to Catholic School, but only in the First and Second grade, and took Catechism. I guess I remembered it incorrectly. I thought it was for people who weren't bad or good and another chance to be good. Perhaps the Sisters explained it to us too simply as little kids.
It is a time for the sins that were not forgiven prior to your death to be purged from you before you enter His presence. Even a small stain on your soul is noticeable after all and you must be cleansed of all stain before you are ready to be in His presence.
I can only speak from my own understanding of my own faith mind you. In Catholicism, Last Rights prepare you for meeting your Maker. It consists of Penance (Confession), Anointing of the Sick and the Eucharist. Penance for forgiveness of your sins, Anointing to prepare you for burial and the Eucharist, more specifically Viaticum, to sustain you on your journey. Receiving Last Rites just prior to your death cleanses you and prepares you such that it is hoped you will spend little or no time waiting to be clean enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
I had two great uncles rise to the title of Monsignor within the priesthood, one of whom I was fortunate to be able to spend some time with when I was an adult before he passed into the next life. I remember having to serve as his alter boy when he would say a private Mass for the members of our family when we gathered together on the holidays even though there were many boys in the extended family who were also alter boys in their parishes. I never understood why I always had to do it, but you didn't argue with your great uncle who was a Monsignor and the pastor of a church. Manhattans up, that was what Uncle Gregory's drink of choice in a social occasion was. I could never stand the Sweet Vermouth when I got old enough to have one myself, so I drink a Dry Manhattan Up as a tribute to him. Uncle Gregory, my father's father, my father and I have all enjoyed the taste of a good bourbon. Not so much my brother though. He's a bit strange that one. lol
Don't know what it is about you that brings this side of me out Wayne.......but I do enjoy sharing my memories of my Uncle Gregory when I get the chance. A very special man that one was. Maybe that's why I studied so much of the catechism of my faith. I was inspired to do so to better understand my Uncle.
I had happy times too while attending Catholic school and learning from the Sisters. They were kind women who were always very patient with me -- well except the ruler on the palm of my hands part.
I'm anxious to see the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. My daughter said she cried when she saw it. My offer regarding the Pope's Blessing still stands.
About 10 years ago my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I helped my mother take care of him the last month of his life. During that time he had to spend a few days in the hospital. As he sat in his wheelchair, looking out the window of his darkened room, unaware I was there, he quietly sang "Jesus Loves Me". At the end of his days all that mattered to him was his faith and the knowledge that he was loved. Last year my grandmother passed away. As we were going through her things we found my grandfather's bible. In it was a note he had written to her 25 years ago prior to his death. It read, "I'll meet you at the Eastern Gate". I have no doubt he was there, waiting for her, arm outstreached to meet her. I want a child-like faith that my father and my grandparents had and the knowledge I'll see my loved ones again at the Eastern Gate.
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My father had a beautiful bass voice. He sang in gospel quartets over the years. I grew up with Gaither Quartet and love this version the the song.
major bean wrote: Go out into the yard and find an anthill. At this anthill conduct a seminar to explain to the ants the workings of a computer. Maybe try to educate the ants to appreciate fine art or maybe music.
The ants will not even be conscious of your existence or efforts to better/improve their plight. The ants will not recognize any higher intelligence or power than what they experience in their ant colony.
We are those ants and it is extreme arrogance on our part to deny the existence of a higher intelligence or power that is beyond our understanding.
You run your lawnmower over an anthill. A different anthill is burned in a wildfire. The ants in both colonies could conclude that their God is angry with them and create a religion to attempt to appease him by following laws they themselves create. They don't understand either events, they simply react to them. You could explain religion in this way. Neither the lawnmower nor the fire are gods- they are simply unfathomable events.
travelingirl wrote: About 10 years ago my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I helped my mother take care of him the last month of his life. During that time he had to spend a few days in the hospital. As he sat in his wheelchair, looking out the window of his darkened room, unaware I was there, he quietly sang "Jesus Loves Me". At the end of his days all that mattered to him was his faith and the knowledge that he was loved. Last year my grandmother passed away. As we were going through her things we found my grandfather's bible. In it was a note he had written to her 25 years ago prior to his death. It read, "I'll meet you at the Eastern Gate". I have no doubt he was there, waiting for her, arm outstreached to meet her. I want a child-like faith that my father and my grandparents had and the knowledge I'll see my loved ones again at the Eastern Gate.
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My father had a beautiful bass voice. He sang in gospel quartets over the years. I grew up with Gaither Quartet and love this version the the song.
major bean wrote: Go out into the yard and find an anthill. At this anthill conduct a seminar to explain to the ants the workings of a computer. Maybe try to educate the ants to appreciate fine art or maybe music.
The ants will not even be conscious of your existence or efforts to better/improve their plight. The ants will not recognize any higher intelligence or power than what they experience in their ant colony.
We are those ants and it is extreme arrogance on our part to deny the existence of a higher intelligence or power that is beyond our understanding.
You run your lawnmower over an anthill. A different anthill is burned in a wildfire. The ants in both colonies could conclude that their God is angry with them and create a religion to attempt to appease him by following laws they themselves create. They don't understand either events, they simply react to them. You could explain religion in this way. Neither the lawnmower nor the fire are gods- they are simply unfathomable events.
I gave you reality. You are talking nonsense. Ants do not conclude or create religions.
I agree. And I'll meet you there someday too.
