Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Sidonie Gabrielle Colette:
Total absence of humor renders life impossible.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Dennis Heil
Hello and Happy Saturday!
I wish to thank Doug Doan for his wonderful interview. I very much enjoyed reading your answers Doug and I thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Today we have a new interview so please welcome Dennis Heil. Dennis is a Core Spiritualist and I know you will enjoy his interview as well!
Here Is Dennis Heil's Introduction:
Salutations. My name is Dennis Heil (alias Grimm). I am a 33 year old with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder with Major Depression and High Functioning Autism that spent 15 years undiagnosed. After a few years of working on getting well; I now use my experience, misery, and insanity to help and educate others that I cross paths with in life and through my Bipolar Manifesto (www.bipolarmanifesto.com). I've been homeless, lived in the ghetto, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, racked up a half-dozen suicide attempts, and lost almost everything to the Disorder over and over until I was finally diagnosed. Today I work as an online marketer/writer, amateur currency trader; and I'm pursuing a career as a mental health Peer Specialist.
1. What religion do you practice?
I most identify with a concept called Core Spirituality. Essentially- it accepts that there is an underlying spiritual connection through all of creation and the universe. The act of belief or just being in tune with the spiritual allows a person to tap it. No one belief system is right or wrong; they are all "right" because they all exercise the part of the mind that governs this connectivity. Some people are naturally in tune,
others have to work at it. The mind needs exercise like any other muscle to improve and stay in shape. Example- critical thinking and problem solving exercises can help stave off mental degeneration in the elderly.
When I was younger, rejecting Christianity, and more angry; I was a Laveyan Satanist. No- I didn't hurt any animals or anyone because of it. I still carry quite a few of those beliefs with me as well that I use in my day to day life. Man is just another animal, although more intelligent and cruel. Waste no love on ingrates, lavish it on those that are deserving. Ignorance is the only true sin. Satan just served as a metaphor for your own soul and whatever desire, love, darkness, or light resided there. No greater power gives a shit about you- so you
better do for yourself through any means necessary.
2. Are you a convert/revert or were you raised in this religion? If you were converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I was raised as a Christian Methodist. You don't really do anything to adopt any of the beliefs previously mentioned other than adjusting your own world view. There are some psychotic Satanists that do stupid shit to "show their allegiance" but I never did. I didn't feel like it was empowering to do harm to anyone or anything weaker than me. Those idiots are the main reason I moved further away from it. Nobody wants to spend
time with a bunch of narcissists who won't shut up about how great they are and how inferior everyone else is. You're not a delicate, unique snowflake; and neither am I.
3. Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. orthodox, conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
No. The few people I've talked to who are Core Spiritualists all seemed to be on their own individual headings. It's not an incredibly popular or well known belief system so I don't feel like there are the numbers required to actually cause those divisive splits in belief.
4. Within your religion what degree of observance are you (ie. orthodox, conservative, moderate, liberal)? Why did you choose this degree of observance?
Casual. Very casual. I find it strange that I got your email when I did as not even a week ago I started spiritual research again. For the most part- I have plenty going on here in the meat world and after the life I've lived; I really don't give a shit about impressing any higher powers. I am what I am. I do what I do. I do what I can with the hand I was dealt. I didn't ask to be Bipolar. Today- I do the best I can to make other peoples' lives better when I cross paths with them and use all that negativity I racked up when I was younger for something
positive. If that's not good enough for "the higher power"; then fuck 'em.
5. What is the Afterlife within your religion? For example: what happens when a person dies? Are there places for reward/punishment? (Such as a Heaven/Hell concept.)
Core Spirituality assumes that the soul is an energy of sorts. Dying is just to leave your body behind and move on to a different state of existence. A good analogy is water- it's the same whether it's vapor, liquid, or ice. It's just in a different state. Within that existence are varying levels. In the lower vibrations you find dark spirits, evil, and other malevolent entities. In the upper vibrations you find good spirits, good, or ambivalent entities.
Does the spirit move on to reward/punishment? No. The universe is ordered chaos. Concepts like Heaven/Hell, Westernized Karma, and The Rule of Three all exist to provide comfort in an understandable way. Good is rewarded, evil is punished. But you don't really see that as a natural part of humanity. It is imposed through law and order. Go to a lawless land and you see that strength and fear rule. Some people are just evil, some are bastions of goodness; many are just in the middle.
6. In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I don't think there is a "heaven" type plane. There's most likely many planes of existence; some good, some bad.
7. What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I looked at a lot of religions while I was trying to "find myself" and I noticed a lot of overlap. That overlap strengthened when I took a heavier interest in the paranormal. As an example- mention "exorcism" and most people think of Catholic exorcists. However, almost every major religion has some form of exorcism to drive off an invasive spirit; whether it be a demon, angry ancestor, or a Djinn.
I've also long looked for answers to a few strange things that have happened in my life. The three starkest involved feeling and knowing things I should not have. I've been engaged twice. The first woman was pulled into an alleyway and raped in California, the second was in a bad car accident in Michigan. In both cases, I was in Ohio. Both times, and only on those two times; I was filled with overwhelming dread and it felt like someone stuck a white hot knife into my stomach right where a belt buckle would be. This happened as these actions were taking place.
The third strange occurrence I was sitting at a light; it turned green, but something in my head say "No, wait." So I did. About five seconds later a pickup ran the red and either would have t-boned me, my ex, and her family; or the car behind us. Sprinkle that with various happenings in my life like dread before going into an abandoned house or alley; or knowing when a drive by or something else was going to occur a couple
minutes before it did when I lived in the ghetto. In my eyes, the only thing that could accommodate these kinds of things is a much larger tapestry that we're all apart of.
I'm also a great believer in science. I think science and spirituality can co-exist. The truth is the truth. It doesn't matter what you believe or how you feel about it. At their core, they both are essentially a quest for the truth. Scientific principles should be applicable to spiritual principles and come up with roughly the same answers. As an example- ghosts are suspected to be an energy state. When a ghost is going to take an action it needs energy to do so. Many times a person will feel a blast of cold air or an electronic device will die as the
spirit takes thermal or electrical energy. These kinds of things happen over and over in investigation to the point where experienced investigators will often bring an entire bag of back up batteries. A blast of cold air can be explained a number of ways but makes far less sense in regards to Thermal Dynamics if you're investigating a decommissioned prison in Georgia in 100 degree weather.
Core Spirituality feels right because it accommodates everything without trying to force it. I felt like any spiritual belief had to accommodate these things I've felt and "known". I concluded it had to be some greater connection otherwise how could I have felt these things transpiring around me or to people I loved?
8. What are your Holy Days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I don't observe any personally. I would observe with friends and family though. Christmas is pretty normal. I think for a lot of people it's taken on a different meaning than just celebrating the birth of Christ by observing Pagan traditions. To me it's just a holiday to celebrate family nowadays.
9. Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Yes. I don't particularly care what religion someone is so long as they aren't an ass-hat about it. I also have a very good Christian friend who I just don't discuss spiritual matters with because I always inadvertently make her cry. So I feel like not discussing it is as an option too.
10. Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yeah, for the most part. I think there may possibly be some lines. Like; I don't know if I would go out of my way to try and shoehorn my way in but if I was invited then yes. So long as I don't end up accidentally married to someone- I'm good with it!
11. What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
A burka should be the woman's choice. If she wants to wear it; that's fine.The question of Shariah Law is a whole different can of worms. As an American, I believe in separation of Church and State. That goes for Christian ideals just as much as Shariah Law. I don't believe anyone should be forced to live under religious beliefs. I also realize there are varying degrees of Islamic belief. They have their ultra-conservative whack-jobs like Christians have their Westboro Baptist Church. Although I'm not sure if I even believe WBC are actually religious. If you've used the internet for awhile, you'll probably note their behavior is pretty standard internet trolling. They're loud, obnoxious, and won't go away because they keep getting attention.
Neutrality in governance ensures that those whack-jobs never have enough power to strip rights away. I would go so far as to say that I would like to see less accommodation for religions in government. It's absolutely ridiculous that the Church of Scientology could perpetrate the largest infiltration of the United States government (Operation: Snow White) and they're still a fully functional cult hiding behind that
constitutional protection. Same goes for the Catholic church jockeying around child rapists instead of assisting law enforcement to put those sick fucks behind bars where they belong.
12. Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, iman etc) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
I have little respect for any religion that does not treat women as equals. It just makes no sense to me to treat a woman as an inferior. For what reason? Because they have different genitals? Just seems like a relic of a bygone era of male dominance.
13. Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
I don't attend one and I would not if it did.
14. How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
Core Spirituality really doesn't. I pretty much just do the best I can with what I'm given. That's just going to have to be enough. As to the major social hot button issues; I'm mostly only concerned with ones surrounding mental health. I don't have the energy to be incredibly involved with several other issues and what I do working with mentally ill people and their loved ones in addition to my job.
There are different concepts in Laveyan Satanism I use regularly. I deal with a wide range of mentally ill people. Some are genuinely in need of help, some just want me to tell them it's okay to be shitty because they have problems, and still others just need a friend who understands.
That is where the phrase I mentioned before "Waste no love on ingrates, lavish it on those that are deserving" comes into heavy play. I don't pity anyone. I've had people try to guilt me into endlessly consoling them. I do not waste love on ingrates- I do not give a huge amount of my attention to people that aren't trying to help themselves. I cannot make anyone get well. They have to realize it. They have to look down and realize they are at the bottom. That the only way up is for them to climb. And patting their ass and telling them "no, it's okay if you don't do anything about it" is not how it's going to happen.
If I spent all of my "love" on these people; I wouldn't have the energy for those that are ready. Similarly; you can't afford to be weak-willed or minded if you're involved with someone who has a potentially dangerous psychiatric problem. I had one person I was involved with who, though there were some serious psych problems at work, wasn't that difficult to work with. The actual problem was the person's family who were all mentally ill in some way and had torn said person down since they were a toddler. You cannot walk into that kind of situation with weakness.
To those of you reading this that have a mentally ill person in your life that treats you like crap but does nothing to fix themselves- they will drag you straight to the bottom. It can hurt like hell; but sometimes you just have to cut them loose so they can hit the bottom and realize that they have to change themselves. Accommodating their bullshit will only destroy you and prolong their realization.
On the flip side of the coin; I have infinite patience for someone who is genuinely trying. I will gladly lavish on whatever attention, advice, or help I can give them. I'm also more than willing to help someone I had to part with prior if they are ready and willing to do what needs to be done.
15. How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside of your religion?
No problems so long as it wasn't a cult or some extremist group.
16. In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Nah. I believe there are lower planes filled with plenty of nasty things but I don't think there is a specific hell where bad souls go to be punished. Even Laveyan Satanists don't believe in Hell as they treat Satan as a metaphor rather than an actual being.
17. Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I don't know of anyone that "represents" that belief system in a way that would be identifiable. It's not really something that has a lot of organization to it as most of the journey is individual in nature. There's no places of worship or dioceses or anything like that; to the best of my knowledge.
18. Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Yes, but not due to religion. I used to live in the Detroit ghetto and am a 6'4", 350 pound white man- so I might have been carrying around a neon sign that said "TARGET". So I got to get my ass kicked on a number of occasions for just living there. I have to say that I don't particularly blame them either. Pretty much everyone ignores the poor in this country unless it's time to cut social service programs. And since white people pretty much have the power- well, that's where the anger gets projected.
Some examples- kids were getting hit by strays in schools from drug and gang violence in the ghettos long before Columbine, but there was no outrage or national media attention until it was middle class white America dealing with it. Occupy Wall Street was a complete farce because it's the exact same problem anyone coming out of prison or who lives in known ghetto areas run into. Jobs were disappearing long before it hit middle class America. Few knew or cared until the news could cover the
"plight" of white college kids.
The illegal drug trade in America was twice the size of the automotive industry during the 80's when crack was tearing apart black neighborhoods. Number of black people with the fleets of ships and planes to move it or resources to protect it? Not many. And then it took the government 30 years to figure out crack is identical to cocaine in addictiveness and fix their biased legislation that gave ridiculous penalties to possessors of crack (poor people/minorities) as opposed to cocaine (rich people/whitey).
Privatization of prisons is just going to make matters worse. America has a higher rate of incarceration in it's population of 300m than China or India who both have approximately 1.1b residents. Because, of course, corporate America is so trustworthy and would never do anything to exploit the poor except on all those occasions when they do. (Slave wages, union breaking in foreign countries, barely legal labor
practices, hiding/burying criticism, etc)
I think it's best exemplified in a news headline I saw a few months ago. It read something to the effect of "Gang Members Prefer Work To Violence". It was a study that polled gang members about how they viewed their lives and futures. It's the kind of conclusion anyone could reach if they gave about five minutes of consideration to the question. You mean people don't want to be involved in something where their life
expectancy is 25, who have been burying friends for years, who have lost family to violence and drugs or didn't have any in the first place, who know their only destination is a casket or a jail cell? Color me shocked.
So yeah, I got my fat white ass kicked on more than a few occasions with some aches and pains that still suck because of it. It's all good though. I understand and I'm not angry about it anymore. And it made me plenty strong enough to deal with the people I do now. Getting punched n the face by someone you're trying to help periodically happens. Helps to not fall to pieces and panic when it happens.
19. Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Nope.
20. Does your religion give you peace of mind?
No. But I don't need my religion for that. The psych medication has given me peace of mind. Helping other people understand mental illness, help their loved ones, and help themselves gives fulfillment which also contributes to peace of mind. I feel like spirituality is a component but it's not a major focal point of my existence.
21. Do you believe in reincarnation?
I don't see why it couldn't be a possibility.
I wish to thank Doug Doan for his wonderful interview. I very much enjoyed reading your answers Doug and I thank you for sharing your journey with us!
Today we have a new interview so please welcome Dennis Heil. Dennis is a Core Spiritualist and I know you will enjoy his interview as well!
Here Is Dennis Heil's Introduction:
Salutations. My name is Dennis Heil (alias Grimm). I am a 33 year old with Type 2 Bipolar Disorder with Major Depression and High Functioning Autism that spent 15 years undiagnosed. After a few years of working on getting well; I now use my experience, misery, and insanity to help and educate others that I cross paths with in life and through my Bipolar Manifesto (www.bipolarmanifesto.com). I've been homeless, lived in the ghetto, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, racked up a half-dozen suicide attempts, and lost almost everything to the Disorder over and over until I was finally diagnosed. Today I work as an online marketer/writer, amateur currency trader; and I'm pursuing a career as a mental health Peer Specialist.
1. What religion do you practice?
I most identify with a concept called Core Spirituality. Essentially- it accepts that there is an underlying spiritual connection through all of creation and the universe. The act of belief or just being in tune with the spiritual allows a person to tap it. No one belief system is right or wrong; they are all "right" because they all exercise the part of the mind that governs this connectivity. Some people are naturally in tune,
others have to work at it. The mind needs exercise like any other muscle to improve and stay in shape. Example- critical thinking and problem solving exercises can help stave off mental degeneration in the elderly.
When I was younger, rejecting Christianity, and more angry; I was a Laveyan Satanist. No- I didn't hurt any animals or anyone because of it. I still carry quite a few of those beliefs with me as well that I use in my day to day life. Man is just another animal, although more intelligent and cruel. Waste no love on ingrates, lavish it on those that are deserving. Ignorance is the only true sin. Satan just served as a metaphor for your own soul and whatever desire, love, darkness, or light resided there. No greater power gives a shit about you- so you
better do for yourself through any means necessary.
2. Are you a convert/revert or were you raised in this religion? If you were converted, what did you need to do to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
I was raised as a Christian Methodist. You don't really do anything to adopt any of the beliefs previously mentioned other than adjusting your own world view. There are some psychotic Satanists that do stupid shit to "show their allegiance" but I never did. I didn't feel like it was empowering to do harm to anyone or anything weaker than me. Those idiots are the main reason I moved further away from it. Nobody wants to spend
time with a bunch of narcissists who won't shut up about how great they are and how inferior everyone else is. You're not a delicate, unique snowflake; and neither am I.
3. Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. orthodox, conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
No. The few people I've talked to who are Core Spiritualists all seemed to be on their own individual headings. It's not an incredibly popular or well known belief system so I don't feel like there are the numbers required to actually cause those divisive splits in belief.
4. Within your religion what degree of observance are you (ie. orthodox, conservative, moderate, liberal)? Why did you choose this degree of observance?
Casual. Very casual. I find it strange that I got your email when I did as not even a week ago I started spiritual research again. For the most part- I have plenty going on here in the meat world and after the life I've lived; I really don't give a shit about impressing any higher powers. I am what I am. I do what I do. I do what I can with the hand I was dealt. I didn't ask to be Bipolar. Today- I do the best I can to make other peoples' lives better when I cross paths with them and use all that negativity I racked up when I was younger for something
positive. If that's not good enough for "the higher power"; then fuck 'em.
5. What is the Afterlife within your religion? For example: what happens when a person dies? Are there places for reward/punishment? (Such as a Heaven/Hell concept.)
Core Spirituality assumes that the soul is an energy of sorts. Dying is just to leave your body behind and move on to a different state of existence. A good analogy is water- it's the same whether it's vapor, liquid, or ice. It's just in a different state. Within that existence are varying levels. In the lower vibrations you find dark spirits, evil, and other malevolent entities. In the upper vibrations you find good spirits, good, or ambivalent entities.
Does the spirit move on to reward/punishment? No. The universe is ordered chaos. Concepts like Heaven/Hell, Westernized Karma, and The Rule of Three all exist to provide comfort in an understandable way. Good is rewarded, evil is punished. But you don't really see that as a natural part of humanity. It is imposed through law and order. Go to a lawless land and you see that strength and fear rule. Some people are just evil, some are bastions of goodness; many are just in the middle.
6. In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
I don't think there is a "heaven" type plane. There's most likely many planes of existence; some good, some bad.
7. What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I looked at a lot of religions while I was trying to "find myself" and I noticed a lot of overlap. That overlap strengthened when I took a heavier interest in the paranormal. As an example- mention "exorcism" and most people think of Catholic exorcists. However, almost every major religion has some form of exorcism to drive off an invasive spirit; whether it be a demon, angry ancestor, or a Djinn.
I've also long looked for answers to a few strange things that have happened in my life. The three starkest involved feeling and knowing things I should not have. I've been engaged twice. The first woman was pulled into an alleyway and raped in California, the second was in a bad car accident in Michigan. In both cases, I was in Ohio. Both times, and only on those two times; I was filled with overwhelming dread and it felt like someone stuck a white hot knife into my stomach right where a belt buckle would be. This happened as these actions were taking place.
The third strange occurrence I was sitting at a light; it turned green, but something in my head say "No, wait." So I did. About five seconds later a pickup ran the red and either would have t-boned me, my ex, and her family; or the car behind us. Sprinkle that with various happenings in my life like dread before going into an abandoned house or alley; or knowing when a drive by or something else was going to occur a couple
minutes before it did when I lived in the ghetto. In my eyes, the only thing that could accommodate these kinds of things is a much larger tapestry that we're all apart of.
I'm also a great believer in science. I think science and spirituality can co-exist. The truth is the truth. It doesn't matter what you believe or how you feel about it. At their core, they both are essentially a quest for the truth. Scientific principles should be applicable to spiritual principles and come up with roughly the same answers. As an example- ghosts are suspected to be an energy state. When a ghost is going to take an action it needs energy to do so. Many times a person will feel a blast of cold air or an electronic device will die as the
spirit takes thermal or electrical energy. These kinds of things happen over and over in investigation to the point where experienced investigators will often bring an entire bag of back up batteries. A blast of cold air can be explained a number of ways but makes far less sense in regards to Thermal Dynamics if you're investigating a decommissioned prison in Georgia in 100 degree weather.
Core Spirituality feels right because it accommodates everything without trying to force it. I felt like any spiritual belief had to accommodate these things I've felt and "known". I concluded it had to be some greater connection otherwise how could I have felt these things transpiring around me or to people I loved?
8. What are your Holy Days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I don't observe any personally. I would observe with friends and family though. Christmas is pretty normal. I think for a lot of people it's taken on a different meaning than just celebrating the birth of Christ by observing Pagan traditions. To me it's just a holiday to celebrate family nowadays.
9. Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Yes. I don't particularly care what religion someone is so long as they aren't an ass-hat about it. I also have a very good Christian friend who I just don't discuss spiritual matters with because I always inadvertently make her cry. So I feel like not discussing it is as an option too.
10. Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yeah, for the most part. I think there may possibly be some lines. Like; I don't know if I would go out of my way to try and shoehorn my way in but if I was invited then yes. So long as I don't end up accidentally married to someone- I'm good with it!
11. What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
A burka should be the woman's choice. If she wants to wear it; that's fine.The question of Shariah Law is a whole different can of worms. As an American, I believe in separation of Church and State. That goes for Christian ideals just as much as Shariah Law. I don't believe anyone should be forced to live under religious beliefs. I also realize there are varying degrees of Islamic belief. They have their ultra-conservative whack-jobs like Christians have their Westboro Baptist Church. Although I'm not sure if I even believe WBC are actually religious. If you've used the internet for awhile, you'll probably note their behavior is pretty standard internet trolling. They're loud, obnoxious, and won't go away because they keep getting attention.
Neutrality in governance ensures that those whack-jobs never have enough power to strip rights away. I would go so far as to say that I would like to see less accommodation for religions in government. It's absolutely ridiculous that the Church of Scientology could perpetrate the largest infiltration of the United States government (Operation: Snow White) and they're still a fully functional cult hiding behind that
constitutional protection. Same goes for the Catholic church jockeying around child rapists instead of assisting law enforcement to put those sick fucks behind bars where they belong.
12. Are women allowed to hold religious office (priest, minister, rabbi, iman etc) in your religion and how do you feel about it?
I have little respect for any religion that does not treat women as equals. It just makes no sense to me to treat a woman as an inferior. For what reason? Because they have different genitals? Just seems like a relic of a bygone era of male dominance.
13. Does your place of worship segregate? If yes, how does this make you feel?
I don't attend one and I would not if it did.
14. How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
Core Spirituality really doesn't. I pretty much just do the best I can with what I'm given. That's just going to have to be enough. As to the major social hot button issues; I'm mostly only concerned with ones surrounding mental health. I don't have the energy to be incredibly involved with several other issues and what I do working with mentally ill people and their loved ones in addition to my job.
There are different concepts in Laveyan Satanism I use regularly. I deal with a wide range of mentally ill people. Some are genuinely in need of help, some just want me to tell them it's okay to be shitty because they have problems, and still others just need a friend who understands.
That is where the phrase I mentioned before "Waste no love on ingrates, lavish it on those that are deserving" comes into heavy play. I don't pity anyone. I've had people try to guilt me into endlessly consoling them. I do not waste love on ingrates- I do not give a huge amount of my attention to people that aren't trying to help themselves. I cannot make anyone get well. They have to realize it. They have to look down and realize they are at the bottom. That the only way up is for them to climb. And patting their ass and telling them "no, it's okay if you don't do anything about it" is not how it's going to happen.
If I spent all of my "love" on these people; I wouldn't have the energy for those that are ready. Similarly; you can't afford to be weak-willed or minded if you're involved with someone who has a potentially dangerous psychiatric problem. I had one person I was involved with who, though there were some serious psych problems at work, wasn't that difficult to work with. The actual problem was the person's family who were all mentally ill in some way and had torn said person down since they were a toddler. You cannot walk into that kind of situation with weakness.
To those of you reading this that have a mentally ill person in your life that treats you like crap but does nothing to fix themselves- they will drag you straight to the bottom. It can hurt like hell; but sometimes you just have to cut them loose so they can hit the bottom and realize that they have to change themselves. Accommodating their bullshit will only destroy you and prolong their realization.
On the flip side of the coin; I have infinite patience for someone who is genuinely trying. I will gladly lavish on whatever attention, advice, or help I can give them. I'm also more than willing to help someone I had to part with prior if they are ready and willing to do what needs to be done.
15. How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside of your religion?
No problems so long as it wasn't a cult or some extremist group.
16. In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Nah. I believe there are lower planes filled with plenty of nasty things but I don't think there is a specific hell where bad souls go to be punished. Even Laveyan Satanists don't believe in Hell as they treat Satan as a metaphor rather than an actual being.
17. Who do you think is not a practicing ----- in your religion and why? ie who in the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
I don't know of anyone that "represents" that belief system in a way that would be identifiable. It's not really something that has a lot of organization to it as most of the journey is individual in nature. There's no places of worship or dioceses or anything like that; to the best of my knowledge.
18. Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
Yes, but not due to religion. I used to live in the Detroit ghetto and am a 6'4", 350 pound white man- so I might have been carrying around a neon sign that said "TARGET". So I got to get my ass kicked on a number of occasions for just living there. I have to say that I don't particularly blame them either. Pretty much everyone ignores the poor in this country unless it's time to cut social service programs. And since white people pretty much have the power- well, that's where the anger gets projected.
Some examples- kids were getting hit by strays in schools from drug and gang violence in the ghettos long before Columbine, but there was no outrage or national media attention until it was middle class white America dealing with it. Occupy Wall Street was a complete farce because it's the exact same problem anyone coming out of prison or who lives in known ghetto areas run into. Jobs were disappearing long before it hit middle class America. Few knew or cared until the news could cover the
"plight" of white college kids.
The illegal drug trade in America was twice the size of the automotive industry during the 80's when crack was tearing apart black neighborhoods. Number of black people with the fleets of ships and planes to move it or resources to protect it? Not many. And then it took the government 30 years to figure out crack is identical to cocaine in addictiveness and fix their biased legislation that gave ridiculous penalties to possessors of crack (poor people/minorities) as opposed to cocaine (rich people/whitey).
Privatization of prisons is just going to make matters worse. America has a higher rate of incarceration in it's population of 300m than China or India who both have approximately 1.1b residents. Because, of course, corporate America is so trustworthy and would never do anything to exploit the poor except on all those occasions when they do. (Slave wages, union breaking in foreign countries, barely legal labor
practices, hiding/burying criticism, etc)
I think it's best exemplified in a news headline I saw a few months ago. It read something to the effect of "Gang Members Prefer Work To Violence". It was a study that polled gang members about how they viewed their lives and futures. It's the kind of conclusion anyone could reach if they gave about five minutes of consideration to the question. You mean people don't want to be involved in something where their life
expectancy is 25, who have been burying friends for years, who have lost family to violence and drugs or didn't have any in the first place, who know their only destination is a casket or a jail cell? Color me shocked.
So yeah, I got my fat white ass kicked on more than a few occasions with some aches and pains that still suck because of it. It's all good though. I understand and I'm not angry about it anymore. And it made me plenty strong enough to deal with the people I do now. Getting punched n the face by someone you're trying to help periodically happens. Helps to not fall to pieces and panic when it happens.
19. Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
Nope.
20. Does your religion give you peace of mind?
No. But I don't need my religion for that. The psych medication has given me peace of mind. Helping other people understand mental illness, help their loved ones, and help themselves gives fulfillment which also contributes to peace of mind. I feel like spirituality is a component but it's not a major focal point of my existence.
21. Do you believe in reincarnation?
I don't see why it couldn't be a possibility.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Soren Kierkegaard Quote
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Soren Kierkegaard:
There is nothing with which every man is so afraid as getting to know how enormously much he is capable of doing and becoming.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Today's quote is brought to you by Soren Kierkegaard:
There is nothing with which every man is so afraid as getting to know how enormously much he is capable of doing and becoming.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Twitter and Facebook
Hello and Happy Saturday!
Be sure to check ymr out on facebook and twitter, and also the new twitter account detailing the ymr documentary at MusingsByMe!
Always on the look out for new participants, so if you're thinking about it, please email ymr@bell.net. Would love to hear from you!
New interview coming up next Saturday so be sure to check back!
Have a great day everyone!
Be sure to check ymr out on facebook and twitter, and also the new twitter account detailing the ymr documentary at MusingsByMe!
Always on the look out for new participants, so if you're thinking about it, please email ymr@bell.net. Would love to hear from you!
New interview coming up next Saturday so be sure to check back!
Have a great day everyone!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Orlando Aloysius Battista Quote
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Orlando Aloysius Battista:
The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they're alive.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Today's quote is brought to you by Orlando Aloysius Battista:
The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they're alive.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Doug Doan
Hello and Happy Saturday!
I wish to thank The Wise Fool for his interesting and enjoyable interview! I really enjoyed reading your answers and I thank you for sharing with us TWF!
Today we have a new interview so please welcome Doug Doan. Doug is an Agnostic and I know you will enjoy his interview as well.
Here Is Doug Doan's Introduction:
I am a 52 year old divorced man with 3 grown kids who is currently a hotel manager, but has been in several careers including sales, customer service, counseling, and religion. I am an avid fan of the internet; yes, including facebook! I have started several blogs, and enjoy that medium, although I have not been as active lately. I struggle with depression/anxiety and ADHD. Thankfully, they are well controlled with several medications, but they sometimes get intertwined with my religious struggles and it's hard to sort out.
http://thedoanreligionzone.blogspot.com/
1) What religion do you practice? |
I am a serious agnostic. That means I take the issues of life, meaning, and spirituality very seriously, but have not found a religious framework that has enough evidence to be worth believing, and I doubt I ever will; but I'm open to it.
2) Are you a convert/revert or were you raised within this religion? If you converted, what did you need to convert? And what did you practice prior to converting?
|
I spent most of my life, including all my childhood, in a strong fundamentalist/evangelical Christian culture. I went to Bible College and Seminary. I was a Pastor for several years, as well as a Christian Counselor. I even was Captain of the Counselors at a Billy Graham Crusade!
About two years ago, in the midst of a deep depression in which I was getting no relief from prayer/healing I began to wonder whether the whole thing was true or not. This launched me on a year of intensive study of the Bible, Christianity, apologetics, evolution, and the like. At the end of the year I had to admit that the evidence for the Bible/Christianity was way more sketchy than I had supposed. And, I came to believe in evolution, which, in my way of thinking, invalidates the major premise of the Bible (Creation, Fall, Redemption). I have been living as an agnostic for a couple of years now, because the type of problems I found with Christianity exist in most other religions, as well.
3) Within your religion are there degrees of observance (ie. Orthodox, conservative, moderate, liberal)? What are the defining differences between the degrees of observance?
Well, there's the agnostic/atheist dilemma. Some would say that an agnostic is actually an atheist who isn't being honest with himself. It's all in the definition, I suppose. When I think of an Atheist I think of someone who KNOWS there is no god or supernatural force. When I think of an Agnostic I think of someone who hasn't found enough evidence yet to justify a belief in a supernatural being/force, but is definitely still open to the possibility. Some would say that the former is a "hard atheist," and the latter is a "soft atheist." Like I said, it comes down to definitions.
I think there are differences in Agnostics/Atheists in terms of their stance toward religions and religious people. There is definitely a class that would be considered "militant," meaning they are hostile to religion and actively work towards discrediting it and bringing it down. I don't consider myself militant, although the teacher in me likes to share the things I've learned in my journey with others.
4) What is the Afterlife within your religion? For example: what happens when a person dies? Are there places for reward/punishment? (such as a Heaven/Hell concept)
As an agnostic I have not found enough solid evidence to prove the existence of an afterlife, although the "Near Death Experiences" are intriguing to study. Personally, I would be pleasantly surprised to find there is an afterlife. If there is one, I don't think it has anything to do with rewards and punishment. That's something man has made up, relatively recently in fact (300-100 BCE).
5) In your opinion, does everyone make it into heaven/paradise? If they do not, why?
IF there is an afterlife, I imagine everyone will be there.
6) What makes your religion a good fit for you?
I've always had trouble with religious dogma. Much of my spiritual journey has been about trying to find a belief structure that is a good fit for me, and holds water intellectually. Eventually, they all fail. So, as an Agnostic I have become comfortable saying "I don't know." To me, this is preferable to any dogma that must be believed "by faith."
7) What are your holy days and what do you do to celebrate them?
I like Sundays because I am free of the compulsion to go to a house of worship!
8) Do you consider people of other faiths to be your friends?
Most of my friends and family are still Christians and we get along well.
9) Would you ever join people of another faith to celebrate one of their holy days? Please explain why?
Yes. In fact I went on a church-hopping journey last year and visited a dozen houses of worship including Buddhist and Jewish.
10) What are your thoughts on the burka, and Shariah Law?
I am hesitant about any religion that attempts to take over any government.
11) How much does your religion affect your daily life and how much thought do you give it when a making a decision? Does it affect in any way your decision on abortion, gay marriage, etc?
It has an effect in that I am not affected unreasonably by any dogmas in my decision-making process, influencing me to chose things that go against common sense, or my own desires. I am less apt to fear eternal consequences to my trivial decisions. On social issues I am much more open to gay marriage because there is no supernatural law against it. Interestingly, I still oppose abortion for the same reasons I did before.
12) How would you react/feel if your child wished to marry outside your religion?
I'm pretty open to my kids choosing whatever faith and mate they want.
13) In your opinion, if someone is not of your faith, will they go to hell?
Definitely not!
14) Who do you think is not a practicing---in your religion? ie who is the public domain claims to speak for your religion? Do you agree with them or not?
There's a long list of agnostics on wikipedia... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_agnostics
Contemporary public figures that are popular today tend to label themselves Atheist, such as Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens. Although not agnostics, per se, they do a good job dismantling the Bible, Christianity, and religious belief in general.
15) Have you ever been the target of a hate crime? Please explain.
No. Although I do have a couple of friends who still try to reconvert me.
16) Do you ever feel like your religion devalues you?
If anything, I feel more "important" now, knowing that my actions and decisions are up to me, not a higher power.
17) Does your religion give you peace of mind?
It gives me less mental confusion since I don't have to make pieces fit that don't fit anymore. However, the Christian myth can be very comforting having a God who is in control, who watches over us, and who is preparing a place for us in the afterlife. It was difficult to give that up.
18) Do you believe in reincarnation? Why or why not?
No. Not enough evidence.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Shirley MacLaine Quote
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Shirley MacLaine:
I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Today's quote is brought to you by Shirley MacLaine:
I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I've written for myself, and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Saturday, July 6, 2013
documentary unfolding
Hello and Happy Saturday!
You, Me & Religion is going to the docs! Be sure to check out the twitter account MusingsByMe for all the latest info as ymr turns into a documentary. (ps- ymr follows back!)
Have a wonderful day everyone!
You, Me & Religion is going to the docs! Be sure to check out the twitter account MusingsByMe for all the latest info as ymr turns into a documentary. (ps- ymr follows back!)
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Franz Kafka Quote
Hello and Happy Wednesday!
Today's quote is brought to you by Franz Kafka:
In theory there is a possibility of perfect happiness: To believe in the indestructible element within one, and not to strive towards it.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
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