EyeJester7 said:

2elijah said:

Don't you mean "...written by a similar creature "as" onself," especially if they are similar and you state the words written in the bible, are written by "men?" We do agree on some points though as I see the bible, in particular, as a guide/manual which teaches humans how to treat one another and gives guidance on how to handle specific life situations, based on the experiences of the individuals written about in the bible. It is possible that many people already have the gift, knowledge, spirit and strength (in the words of Prince) "to get through this thing called life", and know how to treat others, as well as having the strength to handle the cards life deals each of us, through our individual life experiences.

The way I see it personally, every life situation is a learning one, but how they are handled, depends on the individual. Some may need religion or to read the bible, to draw strength and discipline from it in order to get on a path that brings them that emotional/spiritual comfort, inspiration, peace and understanding, they may be seeking. So although everyone can have an opposition and opinion, as to how they feel about one using religion as an only source for inspiration, our life experiences, needs and interests are not the same, even though we're all part of the human species.

So based on that, I think it would be really difficult to dismiss that people, in general, don't need religion or the bible as an only source to search for some type of spiritual guidance/connection to get through their [individual] life situations, especially, since many of the philosophical messages from other sources are similar to/or drawn from many of the messages in the bible

[Edited 7/19/11 8:37am]

Perfectly Said! My Points exactly!

Thanks. You can take a quote from Ghandi and basically find a similar message of inspiration/spiritual guidance in the bible. I mean wasn't Ghandi's intentions/messages based on showing/guiding people on how to treat others with love/compassion/selflessness, and also to give inspiration, as well as, spiritual awareness to a higher part of ourselves? Similar teachings and words of wisdom can be found in bibles, don't you think? No one is forced to embrace the words or beliefs of the bible, because that’s a personal choice.

I believe some use the bible as their guidance/inspiration to get through life. I believe this is one of the reasons people are drawn to religion. Life itself is a challenge to get through on a daily basis. It can be ugly and beautfiful at the same time. It's what people make of it, and the obstacles, trials, tribulations they go through in life, as well as, the choices they make as adults, in choosing how they want to live their lives, and what they desire out of it. Not to dismiss, the morals/values, if any, taught by who raised them and what they've experienced as a child, that may affect them as adults. When we’re young we’re basically molded, by who raised and taught us the basics of life, and what we’ve experienced as children.

It's very easy to be drawn to the wrong type of temptations that can lead you down a path of destruction, if you don't have a strong, mental or spiritual discipline to avoid going down that type of road. Keep in mind, we all encounter people of various personalities throughout our lives, and not everyone is our friend or have our best interest(s) at heart.

I'm not saying problems don’t exist within specific religious organizations, because that would be unrealistic, to say it doesn’t, but no one can dictate what religion/religious beliefs, a person chooses to embrace on their own, just because on a personal basis, someone else doesn’t agree with a religious organization's beliefs or the existence of religion period. The individual will have to make that decision on their own whether or not they choose to embrace the teachings of any religion. Anyway, just my two cents.

[Edited 7/19/11 10:49am]

ChyChy143 said:

Becuase If He Dates People They Would Only Be Touching. So Its Basically Being Friends Since He Cant Have Sex. But What Do You Think?

I've discussed this topic with a few friends on the faith it-self. Let along Prince being a follower of that way of life. Back when I was studying the faith in college I didn't find a problem with it til numbers were placed on how many people would go to heaven and what not. If it works for P, it works. A lot of us beg to differ and debate the topic ... A LOT ...

2elijah said:

EyeJester7 said:

Perfectly Said! My Points exactly!

Thanks. You can take a quote from Ghandi and basically find a similar message of inspiration/spiritual guidance in the bible. I mean wasn't Ghandi's intentions/messages based on showing/guiding people on how to treat others with love/compassion/selflessness, and also to give inspiration, as well as, spiritual awareness to a higher part of ourselves? Similar teachings and words of wisdom can be found in bibles, don't you think? No one is forced to embrace the words or beliefs of the bible, because that’s a personal choice.

I believe some use the bible as their guidance/inspiration to get through life. I believe this is one of the reasons people are drawn to religion. Life itself is a challenge to get through on a daily basis. It can be ugly and beautfiful at the same time. It's what people make of it, and the obstacles, trials, tribulations they go through in life, as well as, the choices they make as adults, in choosing how they want to live their lives, and what they desire out of it. Not to dismiss, the morals/values, if any, taught by who raised them and what they've experienced as a child, that may affect them as adults. When we’re young we’re basically molded, by who raised and taught us the basics of life, and what we’ve experienced as children.

It's very easy to be drawn to the wrong type of temptations that can lead you down a path of destruction, if you don't have a strong, mental or spiritual discipline to avoid going down that type of road. Keep in mind, we all encounter people of various personalities throughout our lives, and not everyone is our friend or have our best interest(s) at heart.

I'm not saying problems don’t exist within specific religious organizations, because that would be unrealistic, to say it doesn’t, but no one can dictate what religion/religious beliefs, a person chooses to embrace on their own, just because on a personal basis, someone else doesn’t agree with a religious organization's beliefs or the existence of religion period. The individual will have to make that decision on their own whether or not they choose to embrace the teachings of any religion. Anyway, just my two cents.

[Edited 7/19/11 10:49am]

AND AMEN TO THAT! I find the bible as my spiritual source of what I need in my life. It's the book that holds authority in my life. Therefore I read it and live by the principles. This does not negate other sources of spirituality that inspire me in the same token, though. As you have said perfectly, it's the "People's CHOICE" in doing what the feel they find necessary. As I live I am realizing more and more..PEOPLE seem to want you to believe what they find is valid. Whether it's a "Jehovah Witness" who continues to proclaim they know the "TRUTH" or whether it is a non-religious person; who claims there is NO truth in deities or spirituality; and that science reaps more benefits.

Nevertheless someone is out lining why they care about what they "Know" and why you should too. Hahaha. Everyone has their own "interpretation". Some people use "Facts" which they claim are indisputable; while others use "Faith" which is seeing without evidence. It all boils down to what you find in what is given within life. Revelation always will creep, whether that is true for you or not. I do believe the truth stands naked in the streets of deception and can not be suppressed by any lie. It will always prevail! WHEN IS THE QUESTION? We can sometimes get heated because we see "Destruction" found in some beliefs, which do exist. Religion in terms of a man made organization has KILLED millions of people. Same is true with politics though. (I believe MAN is responsible for the corruption that we see, men who lie and who has the capacity to manipulate many through the name of "God") Which is why I don't claim to be "religious", I have a personal relationship with God.

I am not one to subject myself under rules that takes away my freedom choice. As with all things, people will continue to do what their heart leads them to do. Even if it's told to be "wrong" from someone else, if you want to do it, and you don't tell yourself NO..YOU will most likely do it; it's natural. Those who are "conditioned" eventually will understand they can leave that which they find as a lie. Not everyone is going to follow the rules, sometimes they're meant to be broken. I sometimes break them on purpose..The result will not be disqualified either. Haha.

In summary I can say like Prince did in "I Wish U Heaven". "If I see 11, U can see it's 7, still I wish U heaven". Some people don't want to accept what is bluntly 7, WHY? because people seem to see what they wish to see, as to what is covering them to see what is apparent; that is not my concern..Whatever they see..WHILE I might not agree with it, I still wish them love & peace. I am going to tell them what I see, especially if they see something that is not there, but as far as making them see it because I see it; that is meaningless.

Respect, wisdom, love, and understanding are things which we still need to give towards others.

EyeJester7 said:

2elijah said:

Thanks. You can take a quote from Ghandi and basically find a similar message of inspiration/spiritual guidance in the bible. I mean wasn't Ghandi's intentions/messages based on showing/guiding people on how to treat others with love/compassion/selflessness, and also to give inspiration, as well as, spiritual awareness to a higher part of ourselves? Similar teachings and words of wisdom can be found in bibles, don't you think? No one is forced to embrace the words or beliefs of the bible, because that’s a personal choice.

I believe some use the bible as their guidance/inspiration to get through life. I believe this is one of the reasons people are drawn to religion. Life itself is a challenge to get through on a daily basis. It can be ugly and beautfiful at the same time. It's what people make of it, and the obstacles, trials, tribulations they go through in life, as well as, the choices they make as adults, in choosing how they want to live their lives, and what they desire out of it. Not to dismiss, the morals/values, if any, taught by who raised them and what they've experienced as a child, that may affect them as adults. When we’re young we’re basically molded, by who raised and taught us the basics of life, and what we’ve experienced as children.

It's very easy to be drawn to the wrong type of temptations that can lead you down a path of destruction, if you don't have a strong, mental or spiritual discipline to avoid going down that type of road. Keep in mind, we all encounter people of various personalities throughout our lives, and not everyone is our friend or have our best interest(s) at heart.

I'm not saying problems don’t exist within specific religious organizations, because that would be unrealistic, to say it doesn’t, but no one can dictate what religion/religious beliefs, a person chooses to embrace on their own, just because on a personal basis, someone else doesn’t agree with a religious organization's beliefs or the existence of religion period. The individual will have to make that decision on their own whether or not they choose to embrace the teachings of any religion. Anyway, just my two cents.

[Edited 7/19/11 10:49am]

AND AMEN TO THAT! I find the bible as my spiritual source of what I need in my life. It's the book that holds authority in my life. Therefore I read it and live by the principles. This does not negate other sources of spirituality that inspire me in the same token, though. As you have said perfectly, it's the "People's CHOICE" in doing what the feel they find necessary. As I live I am realizing more and more..PEOPLE seem to want you to believe what they find is valid. Whether it's a "Jehovah Witness" who continues to proclaim they know the "TRUTH" or whether it is a non-religious person; who claims there is NO truth in deities or spirituality; and that science reaps more benefits.

Nevertheless someone is out lining why they care about what they "Know" and why you should too. Hahaha. Everyone has their own "interpretation". Some people use "Facts" which they claim are indisputable; while others use "Faith" which is seeing without evidence. It all boils down to what you find in what is given within life. Revelation always will creep, whether that is true for you or not. I do believe the truth stands naked in the streets of deception and can not be suppressed by any lie. It will always prevail! WHEN IS THE QUESTION? We can sometimes get heated because we see "Destruction" found in some beliefs, which do exist. Religion in terms of a man made organization has KILLED millions of people. Same is true with politics though. (I believe MAN is responsible for the corruption that we see, men who lie and who has the capacity to manipulate many through the name of "God") Which is why I don't claim to be "religious", I have a personal relationship with God.

I am not one to subject myself under rules that takes away my freedom choice. As with all things, people will continue to do what their heart leads them to do. Even if it's told to be "wrong" from someone else, if you want to do it, and you don't tell yourself NO..YOU will most likely do it; it's natural. Those who are "conditioned" eventually will understand they can leave that which they find as a lie. Not everyone is going to follow the rules, sometimes they're meant to be broken. I sometimes break them on purpose..The result will not be disqualified either. Haha.

In summary I can say like Prince did in "I Wish U Heaven". "If I see 11, U can see it's 7, still I wish U heaven". Some people don't want to accept what is bluntly 7, WHY? because people seem to see what they wish to see, as to what is covering them to see what is apparent; that is not my concern..Whatever they see..WHILE I might not agree with it, I still wish them love & peace. I am going to tell them what I see, especially if they see something that is not there, but as far as making them see it because I see it; that is meaningless.

Respect, wisdom, love, and understanding are things which we still need to give towards others.

Love your post, and like you I am not a religious person, but for me I have my own understanding of what God is to me, and like you said, people will see what they wish or want to see as oppose to "what is".

[Edited 7/20/11 8:00am]

Prince becoming a JW was a huge mistake. God forbid if he ever cursed? he lost his mind and decided to join a cult. Prince used to stand for being free and doing whatever he wanted. He used themes of god vs. sex. It was great how he could go in so many different ways musically. Now he has to watch how he phrases his words. it's so sad

T 2elijah

Even though I do agree with you on many points you've been aiming, I still believe that anyone, everyone touched by a religious spirit, should be careful about how to get one's mind collides and merges with the real message of it..

I hope that Prince has found himself..

It was the best thing he ever done

weallliveintheyellowsubma said:

No they can't! They can not fornicate unless married and even then stationary position only, a good choice? hell no get out prince b4 ur head xplodes!

I think the position you are looking for is "missionary". "Stationary", by definition, won't work at all ;->

Thank U all for having this discussion, it's not only about Prince, about Jehovah, it's spirituality

ganesh said:

Thank U all for having this discussion, it's not only about Prince, about Jehovah, it's spirituality

Er, spirituality my bum.....

ganesh said:

T 2elijah

Even though I do agree with you on many points you've been aiming, I still believe that anyone, everyone touched by a religious spirit, should be careful about how to get one's mind collides and merges with the real message of it..

I hope that Prince has found himself..

Okay, appreciate that, and understand that those who seek spiritual comfort/peace through religion should be careful in what messages they receive from it, but tell me, no disrespect, what do you mean by "..get one's mind collides?" I'm trying to make some kind of sense out your statement, but you lost me with it.

[Edited 7/20/11 13:14pm]

Do you think it was a good choice to start a topic like this and people telling Prince what to do?

No.

I don't care if he is JW, it's his own live. If Prince feels good with it than it must be a GOOD CHOICE FOR HIM.

I have nothing 2 say about if it was good choice or not.

xLiberiangirl said:

Do you think it was a good choice to start a topic like this and people telling Prince what to do?

No.

I don't care if he is JW, it's his own live. If Prince feels good with it than it must be a GOOD CHOICE FOR HIM.

I have nothing 2 say about if it was good choice or not.

(bolded) ...

Wrong question. Believing something is not a choice.

seeing how it has all played out, it remonds me of all the things people said about tom cruise being a fanatical scientologist. i don't know tha p's level of devotion is equal to cruise's but to be so headlong for it at such a late age speaks to a real void in his intra and interpersonal lives that he obviously can't fill with work or marriage.

sad really. maybe jill jones isn't a raving lunatic bitch after all.

what I feel on this matter, doesn't..matter. it's prince's life, not mine.

To 2elijah

What I mean by "get one's mind collide with " the pure message of religion and spirituality, it's not the fact that someone might be addicted or veiled by a religion as for "fanatics" who loose their mind..

Keep oneself clear and out of any politic message, not even trying to drag out others ..but searching for the purity of one's sake

To collide with spirituality is a question of "morality" true sense, holy kindness

"true Love" giving without asking for anything

"sharing", "helping" for the relief it brings to others

(It's not that easy to discuss, for my english isn't good enough to catch the core of my point of view and the meaning of my thoughts.."

...............

[Edited 7/21/11 9:10am]

ganesh said:

To 2elijah

What I mean by "get one's mind collide with " the pure message of religion and spirituality, it's not the fact that someone might be addicted or veiled by a religion as for "fanatics" who loose their mind..

Keep oneself clear and out of any politic message, not even trying to drag out others ..but searching for the purity of one's sake

To collide with spirituality is a question of "morality" true sense, holy kindness

"true Love" giving without asking for anything

"sharing", "helping" for the relief it brings to others

(It's not that easy to discuss, for my engligh isn't good enough to catch the core of my point of view and the meaning of my thoughts.."

...............

Hmm...to "collide" - crash, come together on impact, that's the definition I get out of that. I do see what you're trying to say though. I have seen cases where some people take religion to varying degrees and become so obsessed by it, it blurs their mind and they appear to act or become looney. One example, was a religious loon named Jim Jones who convinced/forced many of his followers, on the island of Guyana to drink cyanide and commit suicide. A terrible tragedy. I do believe people have to be careful who and where they are receiving their religious/spiritual messages from and don't lose themselves in the process, and know the difference between "reality and fantasy".

Bottom line though, whatever religion one chooses to embrace, is up to the individual and a personal choice.

[Edited 7/21/11 9:58am]

Prince is nuts ever since he became a JW. anyone who joins that cult has nowhere else to turn. give me a break! you can't curse or give blood transfusions. he had to hook up with that fucking larry graham. prince was still nasty when i had seen him perform at roseland in jan of 1997. larry the knucklehead joined the summer tour and brainwashed prince with that bullshit.

soulpride said:

These are two tough topics in this one thread, I can only speak for myself, I was born into a religion and then I converted into another, in the mean time I have already gotten divorced and had 4 kids, now I know for a fact that I'm not supposed to have sex, I can admit that, God forgive me but, I'm going through a thing myself, before I converted I was a grown woman, when I was born I was born a female,not just making excuses but it's especially difficult for a grown person who has so much experience to go with out sex, I think that whether he is or isn't that he doesn't care what anyone has to say about it, I think that he is def gettin the draws, I ain't even gonna lie to you I am def gonna get me sum this weekend it's been six mo.s too long! Also I like to think that sometimes we get a lil noid cause of all the bad **** we start seaking religion maybe I dunno, anyway -Peace

Help me understand please: Does this religion into which you've converted forbid all men and women not to have sexual intercourses..in what case exactly?

DOes it please you to follow a road onto which u don't feel comfortable and in harmony ?

As u want to go against what you've been told..?

tell me