Having been raised a good New Church girl I have never really given much credence to the idea of reincarnation. Of course we go to Heaven (or Hell) when we die, after a bit of sorting out in the World of Spirits. Classic New Church theology. The Swedenborgian idea of life after death is one of the greatest "selling points" of the religion ( Read more... )

So I had a really fun, really interesting time at the party for Alison's ordination on Friday night. It was so neat to hear about everything she'd gone through and done to get to the point where she is now, a real, live minister! And it was also interesting for me to hear all of the things that the other people at the party had to say. But what ( Read more... )

I've always been somewhat intrigued but also more than a little mystified by the concept of polytheism. I mean, yeah, it was the order of the day back in ancient cultures. But there are still vast world religions that prescribe to a polytheistic worldview. Like Hinduism, for example, which I really like. Although Hinduism, and maybe other ( Read more... )

So the church I was raised in has this concept of "Faith Alone", which is when you believe that because you accept a certain set of religious beliefs you are "Saved" and therefore you don't have to do anything else because you are saved. Because it is your faith alone that saves you. Well, I supposed modern Christians would argue that it is God's ( Read more... )

Wow! I just had one of the most fantastically fun and relaxing vacations I've had in a long time! There's something to be said for going someplace without a lot of people in general but a lot of people specifically. Meaning someplace that isn't noisy and crowded with tourists, but with a relatively large group of friends. The lake fit the bill ( Read more... )

I don't necessarily believe in reincarnation. ... That "necessarily" is what trips me up. Because the thing is, I have had a few too many way compelling arguments for reincarnation pop up in my life. Including the fact that I am pretty well aware of what my last life before this one was ( Read more... )

What an interesting weekend! Highs and lows galore. But of all of the fun, weird, wonderful, disappointing things that happened to me this weekend the one thing that stuck out the most was a tiny little comment made by a friend on Friday night. I was telling a pair of friends about some of my recent adventures and sharing my thoughts and fears ( Read more... )

In addition to reading the Koran, I'm also reading "The Idiot's Guide to Hinduism". And WOW! Look at this super cool passage that totally reminds me of the Swedenborgian idea of The Five Churches ( Read more... )