Other beliefs that are not your own

[sixpack]

Sunflowers? Sure. Not familiar with moonflowers. I was adding to my post while you posted. Now the "modify" icon is gone. Can a post be changed without it? I've wondered about this.

no once the modify button goes away, you can't modify them.  I think you get about 20-40 minutes to change or modify your post.  I find that vexxing at times.  When i  can get to the other computer that has all of our pictures, I"ll post one from my garden in Louisiana.  I grew them a couple of years.  They are annuals and climbers.

[tinam7]

Thank you, SP. At least I now know I'm not as unobservant as I think I am. Look forward to the picture.

I realize it is only fantasy (for me, anyway) but I happen to like beauty in nature. So I fantasize. Maybe that will make it easier when my time comes and those I leave behind. There are no illusions: came from nowhere, going nowhere, not returning. Paradoxically I sometimes feel better now than much of my life when I'm now inching closer to the exit. Because it is almost over and I'm getting out?

[GenSec]

Paradoxically I sometimes feel better now than much of my life when I'm now inching closer to the exit. Because it is almost over and I'm getting out?

I certainly don't want an afterlife, nor to be reincarnated, etc... this one life i've lived so far has been more than enough for me, thank you.

If i died and suddenly felt i was conscious somewhere else, or in another time, or in another body, i'd feel so cheated and upset! " Oh Noooo, not again!" 

I want my ending to be a final curtain, a gooood night to all.

[Carryon]

Paradoxically I sometimes feel better now than much of my life when I'm now inching closer to the exit. Because it is almost over and I'm getting out?

The denouement in "Soylent Green" would be a nice exit!

[anonytic]

I don't find any good coming from any religion that cannot come without religion...
The one positive I see in there being a god is only that it would give me the opportunity to have someone who can thoroughly explain the nature of the universe in its complete complexity beyond what I will have the opportunity to learn in my lifetime as scientific research continues to advance.

It doesn't necessarily be about another religion with god, without god or about god at all. Is there no certain teaching or small trait of any other practice that you think may be positive? Like others have cited Buddhism, Native American mythology or Confucious.

[Carryon]

A day of rest.

[tinam7]

This could be a big day. Always searching for the best denouement. Have some lined up but none that strikes me as ideal. Is that a movie? Must I watch it? Will I know what's going on? This is exciting.

Also, to keep the thread on target can the love of nature be a religion? A new one? I  might worship the blue Hyacinth. Bring it indoors and we don't need aromatic candles or incense. The flower does it all.

[sixpack]

This could be a big day. Always searching for the best denouement. Have some lined up but none that strikes me as ideal. Is that a movie? Must I watch it? Will I know what's going on? This is exciting.

Also, to keep the thread on target can the love of nature be a religion? A new one? I  might worship the blue Hyacinth. Bring it indoors and we don't need aromatic candles or incense. The flower does it all.

I actually laughed out loud with that.   However they are the most aromatic flower ever aren't they?

[Carryon]

This could be a big day. Always searching for the best denouement. Have some lined up but none that strikes me as ideal. Is that a movie? Must I watch it? Will I know what's going on? This is exciting.

Also, to keep the thread on target can the love of nature be a religion? A new one? I  might worship the blue Hyacinth. Bring it indoors and we don't need aromatic candles or incense. The flower does it all.

A very good movie with Edward G. Robinson (his final role I believe) and Charlton Heston. Easy to follow.

[tinam7]

The peace of mind I'll have if the answer is in that movie is too good to be true. Will research.

Hyacinth is definitely worth worshipping. Bring it indoors and all your cares drift away in its potent, pervasive aroma. It also appears only in springtime so worship is brief. That is highly recommendable too: leaves us much time to ourselves the rest of the year.

[anonytic]

This could be a big day. Always searching for the best denouement. Have some lined up but none that strikes me as ideal. Is that a movie? Must I watch it? Will I know what's going on? This is exciting.

Also, to keep the thread on target can the love of nature be a religion? A new one? I  might worship the blue Hyacinth. Bring it indoors and we don't need aromatic candles or incense. The flower does it all.

Soylent Green is an interesting old movie. I'm emphasizing on old since the dystopian ideas can be somewhat dated. The ending is very memorable. I would have probably been surprised by it if not for spoilers floating around the internet. If it's answers and a peace of mind you're looking for, this movie is not it.

LOL. I've never head of the blue Hyacinth until you mentioned it. I had to google. 

Does worshipping my pets count? I give my little furry overlords daily offerings of kibbles as they shower me with adorable holy-ness by spreading their fur everywhere.

[tinam7]

Oh no, there goes my hope. The movie is on its way. Maybe I need to watch closely. Want to avoid primitive measures.

Hyacinths come in several colors. Blue/orchid in flowers always gets me, perhaps because I have a close connection to asters.
Pets definitely count, esp. when they are in heaven as mine are. May they rest in peace. The home I provided was not the best, but then it was not my idea to get them to begin with. I'm all for pet worship when they live elsewhere. I have a stuffed basset hound and like it a lot. I could worship it. 

[Crimson Serenity]

I admire many other faiths. There isn't a particular aspect I can single out; but people of faith (or perhaps not even of faith but a particular set of standards or morals if atheistic) who have a clearly defined spirituality that helps makes them positive people to be around -- I like that. Rocks in a sea of storms.

Buddhism in particular I'd like to learn more about -- the concept of living in the present moment is precious to me.

[anonytic]

I admire many other faiths. There isn't a particular aspect I can single out; but people of faith (or perhaps not even of faith but a particular set of standards or morals if atheistic) who have a clearly defined spirituality that helps makes them positive people to be around -- I like that. Rocks in a sea of storms.

Buddhism in particular I'd like to learn more about -- the concept of living in the present moment is precious to me.

That's what I was attempting to say in the first post but you say it way more eloquently. 

"Faith" is a strange thing. Depending on the morality/personality/etc of the person, it can either be really positive or terribly crippling.

[Crimson Serenity]

That's what I was attempting to say in the first post but you say it way more eloquently. 

"Faith" is a strange thing. Depending on the morality/personality/etc of the person, it can either be really positive or terribly crippling.

You're too kind! I thought I was babbling. I never know if I'm actually making much sense.

Faith and/or belief is indeed a strange thing -- and not confined to religion but even in non-belief, or in the pursuit of "good" -- to be positive and terribly crippling. Most things, though, tend to seem polarized like that - alcohol, parenting styles, even homework. As in most things, I think the key is moderation. This requires a sense of open-mindedness and acceptance.

As the popular saying goes, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." It's a slippery slope from belief to obsession. We AnxietyZone'rs probably know this truth better than most!