SPIRITUALITY/RELIGION: A Little Dialogue on Spirituality vs Religion

Here's a little spiritual dialogue I had on the AOL Religion and Spirituality message board - or it be a religious dialogue, depending on how you look at it.

Message 1 of 72 Subject 2 of 2
Subject: help in general
Date: 8/27/2004 9:10 PM Central Standard Time
From: name removed

i was born Catholic & was never happy or felt i fully understood everything in the teachings , i had a rather difficult childhood & found a group of Baptist who changed my life & gave me guidance in understanding life, but unfortunately i was away at the time I met them and when i came home i slowly started loosing my faith. anyway i've been turning to the wrong things in life & not happy as a person. I want to live life healthy & happy... I am 18 & i feel i am not ready be characterized as one religion (not wanting to offend anyone who is dedicated to one religion i think faith is a beautiful thing). anyway i'm just looking for some support, no particular religion. just some one to help me through the struggles in life. i would love to gain knowledge of other religions- the thing is all my friends aren't into religion & spirituality & they turn to drinking & more material things in life to make them happy. i on the other hand don't want to be surrounded by things of that nature. i feel my life is just better without & just want someone who i can relate to. Sorry for rambling. *thank you* P.S- I do believe there is a God & do have strong faith in that who he or she is... i haven't cleared that up yet


Message 67 of 72 Subject 1 of 1
Subject: Re: help in general
Date: 9/6/2004 12:08 AM Central Standard Time
From: OlderMusicGeek

I, too, was raised Catholic, and still feel some cultural and ethnic ties to Catholicism, though I no longer believe in The Bible.

I was a hard-core atheist for a while. But now I'm basically "spiritual, but not religious", as they say.

I find I like walking and finding my own path. It's more difficult than going on a trail already there, but I find it more satisfying.

But if you like joining with others, you might try the Unitarians. If that doesn't work, check the Bahai's and Hare Krishnas, and there are scores of others that try to blend all the religions.

That's the best advice I can give you. Good luck.


Message 68 of 72 Subject 1 of 1
Subject: Re: help in general
Date: 9/6/2004 5:27 PM Central Standard Time
From: other name deleted

>From: OlderMusicGeek
>But now I'm basically "spiritual, but not religious", as they say. I find I like walking and finding my own path. It's more difficult than going on a trail already there, but I find it more satisfying.

This post made me smile. It's not too often that you run across a person who likes to take the path less traveled and learn from it as well in today's society. There's so much that we as humans could teach one another, but so many refuse to do so. It's sad.


Message 70 of 72 Subject 1 of 1
Subject: Re: help in general
Date: 9/7/2004 9:21 AM Central Standard Time
From: third name deleted

What is the difference between spiritual and religious from your point of view?
Is spiritual- believing there is a god and not using our actions to be an example to others in our actions about God? Do spiritual people read the bible?
Are religious persons- the out there every time the door of the church is open you should be there. Putting down others but not looking in the mirror at themselves.
How do you view religious and spiritual?


Message 71 of 72 Subject 1 of 1
Subject: Re: help in general
Date: 9/7/2004 10:09 AM Central Standard Time
From: fourth name deleted

From: third name deleted - What is the difference between spiritual and religious from your point of view?

Is spiritual- believing there is a god and not using our actions to be an example to others in our actions about God. Do spiritual people read the bible?

Spirituality means different things to different people. It could be a belief in God/Goddess or no belief at all. For me, Spirituality means looking inside myself for the answers. Learning about myself and how I connect to the world around me. I believe everyone has that inside them, they just have to look for it. As far as reading the bible, it would depend on if you believe in it.

Are religious persons- the out there every time the door of the church is open you should be there? Putting down others but not looking in the mirror at themselves.

It depends on how you look at the question. A religious person is one who believes in a religion. I don't adhere to any organized religion but I do consider myself religious. To me it is a journey. I am learning every day and what I learn influences my tomorrows. IMO, people who put down others are insecure in themselves and do this to try and justify their beliefs. I prefer to look at the positive. I think it does so much more for my Spirituality.


Message 72 of 72 Subject 1 of 1
Subject: Re: help in general
Date: 9/14/2004 1:48 AM Central Standard Time
From: OlderMusicGeek

What is the difference between spiritual and religious from your point of view?

well, to me, being religious it basically following a certain religion or sect.

whereas spiritual, is being interested in all that stuff like is there a god, is there an afterlife, do we have souls, without necessarily using a certain religion to help them answer it. Though one may.

i think religious people are spiritual, but not all us spiritual people are religious.

i guess that's the difference to me in a nutshell.

Mystic Visions Discussion Forums: Religion vs spirituality
Religion vs. Spirituality - Science Technology Services
Vikar's Rant: Religion Vs. Spirituality
The Indus Telegraph Religion vs. spirituality
AOL Message Board on Religion and Spirituality

ENTERTAINMENT and CULTURE/SOCIETY: "Earth to Grandma" lyrics

I just get a kick out of this song by The Ass Ponys. It reminds me of somebody, but I can't think who. ;-)



It's a doll completely made of socks
It's a cover for a tissue box
It's a clothespin duck and Funfur cat
And a crazy yarn and beer can hat

Earth to Grandma
What the hell is that?

It's a painted rock with google eyes
It's a match stick cross where Jesus died
It's a plaque that says, "I Heart My Home"
It's toothpicks, felt and styrofoam

Earth to Grandma
What the hell is that?

Related links:

Checkered Past Records - Artists - Ass Ponys
Ass Ponys Still Kicking Butt
The All Music Guide's take on The Ass Ponys
The All Music Guide's take on the cd with "Earth to Grandma"

CULTURE/SOCIETY: Missouri Man Legally Changes His Name to 'They'

BRANSON, Mo. (Sept. 23) - A Branson man has put a face to the anonymous references people often make to "they" by changing his name to just that: "They."

The former Andrew Wilson, a 43-year-old self-employed inventor, was granted legal permission last week by a circuit judge to change his name.

It's just They, no surname.

He also has changed his driver's license to reflect his new name.

They said he did it for humor to address the common reference to "they."
"'They do this,' or 'They're to blame for that.' Who is this 'they' everyone talks about? 'They' accomplish such great things. Somebody had to take responsibility," he said.

Now, his friends are getting used to his new name.

"They call up and say, 'Is They there?"'

He acknowledged the name could drive grammarians crazy.

"Not only is he making a statement about his name, but he's messing with the entire English language," friend Craig Erickson said.

They holds 14 patents including Ground-Effect lighting, used to create a neon glow beneath vehicles and patented in 1987.

His newest product is "Shades Eyewear," which have a built-in visor over each sunglass lens. The visors protect the eyes from glare without having to wear a hat, he said.

09/23/04 12:48 EDT

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.


Just Justin 3.0.1 Optimized
9/24/2004
The Boils of Branson
Filed under:
Rant— justex07 @ 9:30 am

This is a perfect example of the types of things that go down in Branson Missouri that makes those native to Missouri ashamed of the “combination of neon and nature".

For those who do not know the story, a man named Andrew Wilson, inventor of the neon lights that light the underbody of “riced-out” Honda’s, changed his name this week. In any other circumstance, this might be normal. Perhaps his father was Michael Jackson and Blanket did not suit him. But honestly, Andrew Wilson requires some serious imagination to poke fun of. I.E. Ann Drew [a] Wilson…

No, this guy changed his name just because he wanted everyone to know who they were. They are the ones always doing the great things. “Who saved you and your dog from the raging fire?” “They saved me!”

He changed his name to “They". His lives in Branson. I am done.

post a comment to Just Justin's site


Link to original site - AOL News - Missouri Man Legally Changes His Name to 'They'

Related links:

Just Justin 3.0.1 Optimized » The Boils of Branson
Interesting message board on this topic in The Rantburg
You Know What They Say
Psychology Today: You know what they say…: are proverbs nuggets of truth or fool's gold?

ENTERTAINMENT: A Little Bit of Rock Music History

I was watching this show on public television, Great Performances - John Lennon's Jukebox. And on it, they were interviewing one of the singer's on his jukebox, Fontella Bass. Apparently, she was the first to do "Rescue Me", that song so strongly associate with Aretha Franklin.

And Fontella was talking about when she was recording the song. I guess they had a really strong groove going on. And while she was recording the song, the songwriters came up with another verse. So they slid it under the recording room door.

Well, Fontella didn't want to stop the band since it was going so well. So instead of just stopping and just quit singing, she started humming. Then as she was humming, she reached down for the lyrics. That way, the recording could keep going.

Then Aretha just did it the same way, and that's why "Rescue Me" has that little humming bit in it.

Related links:

Great Performances - John Lennon's Jukebox - on PBS
Great Performances - Lennon's Musical Inspiration - Fontella Bass - on PBS
Fontella Bass - Life Story
Fontella Bass: Coming Full Circle
All Music Guide's take on Fontella Bass

ENTERTAINMENT: Hall and Oates - Why I Hate Them So

I don't know what it is about Hall and Oates - but they really get on my nerves.

Not the two guys. From what I've seen of them, they seem like nice enough guys, but their music just drives me insane.

And it's not like there are artists who do worse music. Take Michael Bolton for instance. He takes all this great soul music - and fills it up using the emotional skills of William Shatner's acting combined with the slickness of Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton combined. (Yes, that's right, I said Ronald Reagan AND Bill Clinton! So give it to me from both sides people!)

And don't get me started on Celine Dion! Can all those fans of The Titanic soundtrack be wrong?! Yes, they can!

But there's just something about Hall and Oates that drives me batty! When that "oh-oh-oh" from "Maneater" comes on, I find myself becoming a cheesy nightclub singer snapping my fingers and singing along.

And what's with the ten thousand -ist rhymes on "Your Kiss is on My List". Oh, okay, we get it! You know how to use a rhyming dictionary! So do the guys in those foot gelling commercials. But at least those commercials aren't put to a schmaltzy melody!

But the one that drives me craziest is that "oo-oo-you make-ah my dreams come true" song. Is it so hard to say "make"? What? Are they trying to act Italian or something? Is his real name Hallini?

But the worst thing about this song is the stupid catchy melody gets stuck in my head, and I find myself singing this song the rest of the day! Actually, it's not even the whole song, just the stupid chorus! And then choruses of their other songs pop out of my mouth!

Oh god, it's my head now! Let me end now and go listen to some Sex Pistols!

Oo-oo. Oo-oo. Oh God, help me.

hallandoates.com / official daryl hall john oates website
Other Hall and Oates links
Arizona Daily Wildcat - Remember Hall & Oates? We didn't either - Thursday, February 12, 2004
lunchboxing.com :: taking your lunch money since 1983