Karen

I love reading your posts, Joe. It's really cool to just read into people's lives and the wonderful things that happen to them!

I think that the testaments are written but the interpretation changes as society changes over time. Plus, everyone's different, and so many people can have different interpretations of the same text or idea.

that's fantastic! and welcome, I don't think I've seen you around before. I just went to the diwali celebration at my school and I got to hear some hindu prayers which was fantastic. If you wish, you can post some general info about hinduism in the "learning about new religions" thread!

awwwww that is so sweet Joe!! I seriously love little kids, they are the best and they learn how to overcome situations so fast!

I think that's pretty common with young followers of religions now! I think that more young people are realizing they can be devoted to their religion but also change with society. It's very important to be adaptable!

heh...I'm procrastinating on an essay that I have to write I am also eating soup. and waiting for my tea to brew.

Yup, I've seen this a lot and I've heard it, too. My anthro. prof says her boyfriend's mom is SUPER catholic and there are crosses over every doorway, she prays about everything, etc. At my house, I have a crucifix in my room that's been there forever and I can't bear to take it down, but maybe someday I'll hang a cross that's more my style in there I think the same thing; it's nice to know that there are other people besides my boyfriend who think the same! I think there is One God but He is comprised of many different beings and he brought all religions/faiths to the earth in the forms

Although it is important to study the old testament, Joe is right - the old testament doesn't really apply to born-again christians or many christian denominations. However, in some denominations like Catholicism, there are readings from the new and old testament, and one of the gospels at church.

I've actually been researching paganism and wicca just out of personal interest. I was talking with my boyfriend about what I want to do when we move into an apartment together and I said I wanted to do a native american smudging ceremony to get rid of bad energy. If it makes us feel better, why not? If it has actual spiritual properties then it'll work. If not, then I'll just be waving around a stick of sage, you know? No harm, no foul. Learning about smudging led me to research paganism. I had known a bit about it but I wanted to find out more. One thing I've noticed is that at a lot of wicc

Yep, I was raised Catholic I've found myself on a spiritual journey lately and it's been very difficult but also very rewarding. I'm content with not labeling myself as anything in particular and forming my own relationship with God - I know He will reveal all things to me in His time. So I'm cool with that! Ok so here's the thing I didn't like about Catholicism. Yes, it was hard to connect with God through the formality of it all, and I also didn't agree with all of the doctrines of the Church. I'm not much into tradition and to be quite honest, Catholicism is dying out. People are sick of

Yeah I read the book "Girl Meets God" this summer and it's about a Jewish woman who converts to Christianity and I thought it'd be good but it really wasn't. You might like it, I don't know. It was funny in some parts but it was just meh to me. I thought it'd be much more heartfelt but the way she experiences Christianity is different from the way I do it so it was just okay I guess. And Arie's totally right, I bet Holocaust memoirs would be fantastic! My boyfriend just got back from the holocaust museum in DC the other day and he LOVED it. He said it was gritty and intense but fantastic. A li

yes! also, I think Gabrielle Giffords, the 16 year old olympic gymnast, is a Christian and there was someone else, as well, but I forget who he was :/

I can give you a couple of reccomendations, such as the book "Weird" by Greg Groeshel (not sure if that's exactly how it's spelled), not quite an autobiography but still good. Also, if you haven't read it, Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller is FANTASTIC.

yep it's true! which is awesomeeee is that you joe?? new usernames always get me

I will pray for you kim, arie, and the victims in colorado. Please keep me in your prayers as I just registered for my first teaching exam and need to pick a day, time, etc. It was a little spur of the moment but I pray I'm prepared! thanks all.

they are, many people dont have any of these things. I'm grateful for understanding people in my life and for God who never abandons me.

hey guys, please keep me and my family in your prayers, my gram passed away last night. thanks for all of your continued prayers for her over the past couple months <3

I can't believe i'm just finding this now!!! i LOVE sytycd, probably because I don't have much dancing talent I don't really like singing shows because I can sing already, but dance shows never fail to amaze me. I also loooove that they do a whole bunch of different styles and i always get music selections from the show!!!! On a side note, I love looking at all of the dancer's bodies (not in a sexual way) just because it amazes me that they are so fit! The girls especially have, at least to me, the ideal body. It's a great standard of health, I think, because all of the dancers look healthy

Yay Joe! I didn't know you moved from home! I'm glad you got away and are on your own for a while. I also knew that you wanted to be a camera operator but I've learned that what we want isn't always what God wants. And it's really hard to deny ourselves and say that what we want is best! But God's plan for us really reflects our True Selves, I think. And okay Dina, let's see. This is a difficult question and I'll do my best to answer it! The Bible is clear on sinful thoughts - "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Oh arie, I'm so sorry!! It's a shame that negative stereotypes like that still exist today, just like people think asians are bad drivers, all mexicans are illegal, and all christians hate gay people and are trying to "save" everybody. However! You being Jewish is part of you. Just because someone has a negative stereotype of Jewish people doesn't mean that you should hide who you are. In fact, I think that it's all the more reason for you to tell people, and more importantly, show people that you're Jewish! Here's how I see it: When someone has a negative stereotype of someone or something,

Heyyyyy Joe!! I've missed chatting with you. Message me on facebook sometime, will ya? And I agree it would be nice if people posted ahahahah. Besides myself of course! But I understand that people have been busy and I have been no exception. I too have learned a ton about Judaism (BIG thanks to Arie!!!) and I've seen that even though sometimes we don't all get along on a point, we can come to agree to disagree and at least try to respect each other's points of view. I too wish that more people who weren't religious posted in here! That was my original goal with the forum - I wanted this

I absolutely will!

Hi Helen!! Thanks for responding I will definitely pray for you on help with speeches! I know where you're coming from, I really really HATE public speaking. I like how you don't really want to argue with others. It doesn't really help anyone, does it? And it's okay to stick to your beliefs, but listen with open ears. There are lots of Truths out there!

heyyyy guys! I haven't been around much! So yeah, travel plans... heh. I'm not too exciting with mine! In august I plan to go up to new hampshire (one state away from me) to volunteer with Soulfest, new england's largest christian music festival. I'm so excited! Although it's just NH, pretty boring. Ummm my boyfriend and I were talking about going to florida over winter break IF we have the money but instead we may possibly go to DC. but that is very very tentative! Over my winter break there is also an alternative break to Belize and we talked about that. I pray I get to go!! It's workin

Helloooooooo all. I know, I know. It's been a while. So sue me I am very sorry that I let the forum die down like this. I really want this to be a place where everyone can come to find comfort or answers to questions about their faith and other faith, and also to learn about new spiritual things. So, I've decided to turn to YOU guys! This forum is a tool and resource for all of you!! So - 1. What do you want to see on here? 2. What can I do to improve the forum? 3. (most important question) What have you learned from this forum? And completely unrelated, I think it's import