After reading a few of the stunningly well written articles ...I am remimded of my recent venture into understanding the Adventist point of view. Why, in almost all of the religions that I have encountered is God portrayed as vengeful and judgemental. If it is the main goal of organized religion as a whole to lure people in, wouldn't it benefit them to show God as forgiving, understanding, fair and loving??? Even just to make a good show of it....
I was amazed at the force that most Adventists feel must be used to sway your thinking, not in a day or a week but NOW!
I asked, after feeling a bit uncomfortable about a lesson which focused on the second coming, if I must decide how I felt about all the information immediately. I was told ....."what if you die tommorrow????" "Don't you want to be included in the new kingdom....etc..."
I have still not decided what if ANY formal religion fits me...I am always trying to see things from different viewpoints and not become totally closed against anyones feelings. So far, I think that the Sufi relgion speaks to my heart most strongly......maybe I just like Rumi's poetry. Who know's? But I do think that the day that you become judgemental.....well, it just takes something away from trying to be empathetic to what others have experienced.
On a lighter note ...as a dancer, it was giving me fits trying to bring myself to give up dance. To me that is like air.....What kind of a religion takes such a harsh view on what is such a natural expression? Where is the harm in ballet....or flamenco.....even folkloric bellydance? I obviously don't get it!
Jahan