This I Believe
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- LilyMaid
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This I Believe
In 1996 the Australian author John Marsden edited a collection of one hundred essays by Australians of interest. Entitled This I Believe, the authors discuss the beliefs they hold and the values they have formed. Last year, a second collection of essays was published. This all probably sounds very boring. But it really isn't, and I'd like this to be a topic where you can learn something about the other people using this site. It can be uplifting and surprising thinking about your own beliefs and putting them down in words. Similarly, it is very interesting to be able to read someone else's beliefs without judging them.
It is a huge question. What do you believe? What are your personal truths?
This isn't a simple 'State Your Religion' topic. Of course, many of us find that the beliefs that we most cherish are to do with a religion, and that is fine. Share what is truly important to you. Sadly, it seems like sometimes those who don't have a religion get caught up in what they don't believe, e.g. God, organised religion, and don't seize the opportunity to talk about their own personal philosophy. It doesn't have to be intellectual musings, we ALL have beliefs about our lives, the world and what it all means that we carry with us at all times.
Be honest about what you really think. Write a line, write an essay -- it will be of interest to many either way. Life, love, death, friends, inequality, hard times, beauty, relationships, our rights, the environment, where you fit in... It's all there. I hope some of you choose to reply and share some of your beliefs.
These are quotes from the book, and might give you an idea of what I am talking about:
'I believe in hope? Hope encourages people to face challenges, even the worst. Hope brings courage and life. Hope reassures people to go forward even if there is little chance to succeed.? Fr Nguyen Van Cao
?That the most intense happiness is contained in the simplest things: the sight of your father laughing uncontrollably during a film, a bedroom filled with the sleep of your children, requited love.? Nikki Gemmell
?I believe in rationality because it shines a light of scientific truth on our world and on our species. We can bear the truth. It will set us free.? Justice Michael Kirby
?The credo I live by? Don?t worry about face creams, plastic surgery, or looking slim. People get old, just face it. You want to be immortal, have some children...? Shaun Micallef
Please give it a go. You all have something to contribute.
It is a huge question. What do you believe? What are your personal truths?
This isn't a simple 'State Your Religion' topic. Of course, many of us find that the beliefs that we most cherish are to do with a religion, and that is fine. Share what is truly important to you. Sadly, it seems like sometimes those who don't have a religion get caught up in what they don't believe, e.g. God, organised religion, and don't seize the opportunity to talk about their own personal philosophy. It doesn't have to be intellectual musings, we ALL have beliefs about our lives, the world and what it all means that we carry with us at all times.
Be honest about what you really think. Write a line, write an essay -- it will be of interest to many either way. Life, love, death, friends, inequality, hard times, beauty, relationships, our rights, the environment, where you fit in... It's all there. I hope some of you choose to reply and share some of your beliefs.
These are quotes from the book, and might give you an idea of what I am talking about:
'I believe in hope? Hope encourages people to face challenges, even the worst. Hope brings courage and life. Hope reassures people to go forward even if there is little chance to succeed.? Fr Nguyen Van Cao
?That the most intense happiness is contained in the simplest things: the sight of your father laughing uncontrollably during a film, a bedroom filled with the sleep of your children, requited love.? Nikki Gemmell
?I believe in rationality because it shines a light of scientific truth on our world and on our species. We can bear the truth. It will set us free.? Justice Michael Kirby
?The credo I live by? Don?t worry about face creams, plastic surgery, or looking slim. People get old, just face it. You want to be immortal, have some children...? Shaun Micallef
Please give it a go. You all have something to contribute.
- Beautiful
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Re: This I Believe
Hmm... Well i'll first start off with, i believe theres a higher being, not nessesarly "god" but something higher then us. that created us. I believe that EVERYONE believes in something, whether they want to admit it or not, they do. I believe that there is life after death, and suicide is only a longer road to a harsh reality. I believe that if there *is* a god, he wouldnt want us all to be straight. I believe that the end of the world isnt going to come soon, i believe in love strongly. I believe everyone has more then one soul mate. Andddd *takes a deap breath* I'll believe anything if i see it first. (ex, ghosts, supernatural, ext)
Little Miss F*cker,
Don't Move An Inch
I looked at myself
So many things I hate in me
So many things are so hard to believe
I can hear the whole world calling me
Used to be all that i wanted
You to see all that i you to be
does anyone care
Add me.
myspace
*Jamie*
Travis Michael <3.
Born Feb 9th, 2007
He has owns heart.
Don't Move An Inch
I looked at myself
So many things I hate in me
So many things are so hard to believe
I can hear the whole world calling me
Used to be all that i wanted
You to see all that i you to be
does anyone care
Add me.
myspace
*Jamie*
Travis Michael <3.
Born Feb 9th, 2007
He has owns heart.
- Just4
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Re: This I Believe
I am Atheist, I do not believe in any higher being than humans, I also do not believe in anything super-natural, beings, aliens, or anything of that sort, I believe that hope can be one of our greatest strengths, and greatest downfalls, and seeing as how I don't believe in an after life, the only punishment I can see by doing wrong would be suffering and wasting parts of your one and only chance at life, I believe that once you die, thats it, there are no second chances, I believe there is no "normal" life, its just life, I don't belive in destiny, there is no destiny, only right fucking now, I also believe that everything can be explained in a logical matter, I believe in evolution. So to cut it all short: I believe in Sciences and Technology.
- Zicca
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Re: This I Believe
i believe that everyone makes a difference in some way or another, i believe that when things go bad they will always get better, i believe that inside everyone there is good, no matter how deep inside it is, i believe that no one is beyond help, i believe in living life, i think that if you try hard enough and long enough it will happen, i believe that everyone can make there dreams into reality...i guess mostly i believe in people, myself...and love
- Toy Soldier
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Re: This I Believe
I believe in reincarnation, and that if we wander about the Earth as a ghost, our soul has to complete something so that it can be reincarnated into the next life. In between reincarnations though, we probably go to somehwere like Heaven where we can meet our loved ones.Reincarnation truly stops when our soul has fulfilled its goal. I don't know whether I believe in G-d though.
I also believe we are all related in some way.
I also believe we are all related in some way.
Ruth I was forgotten, I won't be forgotten, never again... says:
lol, dont think they have tigers on farmsthough :/
Angel Breaks says:
i was thinkin that but fuck it macdonald was progressive he knew tigers were the future
- pynkgodde55
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Re: This I Believe
I believe that if I am a good person, then yes, I will go to Heaven. I believe that abortion is murder, that homosexuality is a sin. I believe in one God and all others are false idols. I believe that Jesus Christ is the messiah and he died for me so that I will have everlasting life. I blelieve that animals are our neighbors and need to be treated as equal. I believe in humanity, that we are all here for the same purpose, and that we shouldn't judge others. In every way, I am a Christian.
- Tree Fingers
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Re: This I Believe
I believe there is no God nor supernatural, ghosts, ..alike. I believe death is death. We die as plants do, our creation is no more meaningful than the life a fly and ultimately a lives are no more valued other than by our peers. I believe emotion, reason, and behavior are the random adaptations that established successful reproduction, but still, there was no intent for this to happen, nor goal for humans to ever exist. Our existence is random and ultimately meaningless.
All things in the Universe are connected, the entire plate of existence affects all of existence. The movement of any molecule changes the world entirely.
What is the point of life? To live. You have it. Live.
Death is the adventure of life. We must all face death, and there is nothing thereafter. You won't be happy, you won't be sad. You won't be conscious.
All things in the Universe are connected, the entire plate of existence affects all of existence. The movement of any molecule changes the world entirely.
What is the point of life? To live. You have it. Live.
Death is the adventure of life. We must all face death, and there is nothing thereafter. You won't be happy, you won't be sad. You won't be conscious.
- silvertears
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Re: This I Believe
I believe in God, i believe there is a Heaven and a Hell... I believe that not even ONE DROP of sin will make it into Heaven... I believe that homosexuality, adultery, abortion, murder, lying, doin dirty stuff to animals, and etc. IS a sin.. I believe that everyone has a chance to prove themselves... Also that everyone will have atleast one chance to be saved, because that is Gods promise, and we could very well be to blind to see it.. I believe that God has put a piece of himself in everyone so that everyone will have him with them.. And alot more but i g2g so...
I'm a poor wayfaring stranger
While traveling thru this world of woe
Yet there's no sickness, toil, or danger
In that bright world to which I go
I'm going there to see my Father
I'm going there no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I know dark clouds will hang 'round me,
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed their virgils keep
I'm going there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
~?~My?Photobucket~?~
While traveling thru this world of woe
Yet there's no sickness, toil, or danger
In that bright world to which I go
I'm going there to see my Father
I'm going there no more to roam
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
I know dark clouds will hang 'round me,
I know my way is rough and steep
Yet beauteous fields lie just before me
Where God's redeemed their virgils keep
I'm going there to see my mother
She said she'd meet me when I come
I'm only going over Jordan
I'm only going over home
~?~My?Photobucket~?~
- Dobby
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Re: This I Believe
I believe that ambition will lead to the destruction of man kind as we know it. As I learned once, if someone truly wants something, they will do anything to get it. They will start small with a lie here and there, then maybe they cheat, and they continue to lie of course. Next maybe they steal, and then they might betrey their friends until it leads up to the ultimate in murder. Granted, I've never seen the last step taken, but I've lost a lot of friendships in the fourth step. All-in all, man will be man's destruction.
99.9% of putts left short never go in, and that applies to everything in life.[/b]
- SirPostAlot
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Re: This I Believe
Originally posted by silvertears@Jan 18 2005, 08:04 PM
I believe that homosexuality, adultery, abortion, murder, lying, doin dirty stuff to animals, and etc. IS a sin..
[right][/right]
How in the world can you even COMPARE homosexualtiy to those other things?
My thoughts of "badness" 1-10 (one being not bad at all 10 being super bad)
Homosexuality: 1
Adultery: 5
Abortion: 1
Murder: 10
Lying: 5
Animal Abuse: 10
i don't see how you can group those together...in that list all i really see as really bad is animal abuse and murder...adultry and lying are bad but hey were human...abortion and homosexuality IN NO way, hun, is bad...haha...
~Jeff~
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Re: This I Believe
Originally posted by silvertears@Jan 18 2005, 07:04 PM
I believe in God, i believe there is a Heaven and a Hell... I believe that not even ONE DROP of sin will make it into Heaven... I believe that homosexuality, adultery, abortion, murder, lying, doin dirty stuff to animals, and etc. IS a sin.. I believe that everyone has a chance to prove themselves... Also that everyone will have atleast one chance to be saved, because that is Gods promise, and we could very well be to blind to see it.. I believe that God has put a piece of himself in everyone so that everyone will have him with them.. And alot more but i g2g so...
[right][/right]
By no means to be bashful, your beliefs do not coincide with the Bible. Is this just personal beliefs or religious beliefs?
- SirPostAlot
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Re: This I Believe
Originally posted by pynkgodde55@Jan 18 2005, 11:02 AM
I believe that if I am a good person, then yes, I will go to Heaven. I believe that abortion is murder, that homosexuality is a sin. I believe in one God and all others are false idols. I believe that Jesus Christ is the messiah and he died for me so that I will have everlasting life. I blelieve that animals are our neighbors and need to be treated as equal. I believe in humanity, that we are all here for the same purpose, and that we shouldn't judge others. In every way, I am a Christian.
[right][/right]
I agree w/ one of your ananagies: "I blelieve that animals are our neighbors and need to be treated as equal"
BOOM thats right...
but you all know i don't agree w/ aboriton being murder nor homosexuality a sin...
But calling people "false idols" is pretty harsh, hun...its basically like saying that you have a zero-open-minded belief for other peoples beliefs...
hmm...interesting...
~Jeff~
- CausticTears
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Re: This I Believe
I believe...
- in God. That there is one God/power.
- that we, humans, are all the same. That we all have issues to deal with in our lives, but we are all just human. That our sexuality, our views or anything of that sort makes us inhuman. We all deserve to be treated equaly.
and i donno what else.
- in God. That there is one God/power.
- that we, humans, are all the same. That we all have issues to deal with in our lives, but we are all just human. That our sexuality, our views or anything of that sort makes us inhuman. We all deserve to be treated equaly.
and i donno what else.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
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- LilyMaid
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Re: This I Believe
I have pages and pages of this stuff, but I'll refrain from posting all of it. Be relieved. Sorry about the disjointed nature of it, lol.
I believe that good fortune obligates. I believe that we all have the power to bring to an end some portion of humanity's suffering, and that we should exercise this power. I believe that the most honourable (and productive) life path is found in spending our lives in the service of humanity. Devotion to the goodness of your chosen God is positive when it leads to a timely recognition that you are capable of making great changes in this life. Your goodness as a person should be judged on your actions in your physical life, not your spiritual life. I value selflessness, dedication and generosity. I believe that all humans are equal and that we each have a right to life. I believe that it is never acceptable to breach another's human rights. We should be able to pursue the life that we desire as long as it does not harm other life.
I believe that we must respect the other life on this planet and respect the fragile environment that sustains us. I believe that the different forms of life on this planet have an innate connection because of our shared situation and mortality. I believe that every conscious and subconscious decision we make influences our future. There is no destiny or fate -- nature's movements, our thoughts and actions and other life's thoughts and actions of the past and present are the factors which shape tomorrow's situation.
I don't believe in true love, or soul mates. I believe that experience of suffering enhances our experience of happiness and pleasure. I don't believe that pleasure equals happiness. I believe that we often get caught up in the institutions we have built in society, and the pressures and expectations associated with them, and do not see that which overrides man-made complications. I do believe that we should be involved in the economic and political dealings that affect our lives, but never should we forget the people behind the profits and the power struggles. I believe that we would be happier if we paid closer attention to the welfare of others and the welfare of our environment. Taking time to help others is beneficial to us. I believe that scientific progress can help our world. I believe that we too often settle on a black and white viewpoint when we have to notice the shades of grey to get to the truth. We often look for a bad guy to blame who really isn't there, and see total goodness without acknowledging the downfalls that surely exist.
I believe that there is always hope.
I believe that good fortune obligates. I believe that we all have the power to bring to an end some portion of humanity's suffering, and that we should exercise this power. I believe that the most honourable (and productive) life path is found in spending our lives in the service of humanity. Devotion to the goodness of your chosen God is positive when it leads to a timely recognition that you are capable of making great changes in this life. Your goodness as a person should be judged on your actions in your physical life, not your spiritual life. I value selflessness, dedication and generosity. I believe that all humans are equal and that we each have a right to life. I believe that it is never acceptable to breach another's human rights. We should be able to pursue the life that we desire as long as it does not harm other life.
I believe that we must respect the other life on this planet and respect the fragile environment that sustains us. I believe that the different forms of life on this planet have an innate connection because of our shared situation and mortality. I believe that every conscious and subconscious decision we make influences our future. There is no destiny or fate -- nature's movements, our thoughts and actions and other life's thoughts and actions of the past and present are the factors which shape tomorrow's situation.
I don't believe in true love, or soul mates. I believe that experience of suffering enhances our experience of happiness and pleasure. I don't believe that pleasure equals happiness. I believe that we often get caught up in the institutions we have built in society, and the pressures and expectations associated with them, and do not see that which overrides man-made complications. I do believe that we should be involved in the economic and political dealings that affect our lives, but never should we forget the people behind the profits and the power struggles. I believe that we would be happier if we paid closer attention to the welfare of others and the welfare of our environment. Taking time to help others is beneficial to us. I believe that scientific progress can help our world. I believe that we too often settle on a black and white viewpoint when we have to notice the shades of grey to get to the truth. We often look for a bad guy to blame who really isn't there, and see total goodness without acknowledging the downfalls that surely exist.
I believe that there is always hope.
- pynkgodde55
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Re: This I Believe
Originally posted by ~*~AiM_uSeR~*~+Jan 18 2005, 09:40 PM--[/right]
[/b]
I agree w/ one of your ananagies: "I blelieve that animals are our neighbors and need to be treated as equal"
BOOM thats right...
but you all know i don't agree w/ aboriton being murder nor homosexuality a sin...
But calling people "false idols" is pretty harsh, hun...its basically like saying that you have a zero-open-minded belief for other peoples beliefs...
hmm...interesting...
~Jeff~
[right][/right]
[/b][/quote]
Not really Jeff. I believe in my God. To ME, Buddha is a false idol. Gods and Goddesses are false idols, to ME. It's not harsh, it's reality to me. I do not worship them, I worship God.
On a basis of severity of sin, here's my list:
Homosexuality: 5
Adultery: 7
Abortion: 10
Murder: 10
Lying: 3
Animal Abuse: 10
- Rob
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Re: This I Believe
I believe that god made us to die.
I hope god visits pynkgodde55 soon. Her sin list is a sin on it's own.
I hope god visits pynkgodde55 soon. Her sin list is a sin on it's own.
- Dark
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Re: This I Believe
Originally posted by Rob@Jan 20 2005, 09:59 AM
I hope god visits pynkgodde55 soon. Her sin list is a sin on it's own.
[right][/right]
And uh..*How* exactly is that a sin? I fail to see your logic here...She's just listing what she believes each sin "weighs" o nthe grand scale of things...That's sharing belief, not dictating what it actually is...
In all honesty, I wish Christians would open up a tad more. Think about it: The Bible is God's word, no? However, it was recreated by man many times over. Flaws are bound to have turned up, not to mention personal feelings could have even been mixed in with the translations that we aren't even aware of...Man is not perfect...That's one of the fundamentals learned by Christians, correct? That's why I'm curious as to why Christians follow what they *think* is right, not what they're *taught*, or vice versa.
Meh..My two bits.
Beautiful:I thought this was helping teens.. not i wanna be a whore, profit my videos?
- archers_angel
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Re: This I Believe
I believe that there is one God, and that he loves all his children, even those who are too blind to see it, and too stubborn to believe.
I believe that God forgives every sin we are sorry for, and he is always all loving.
I believe that everything happens for a reason, though we may never see that reason ourselves, and that there is no such thing as a "wasted life".
I believe that there is a light at the end of every tunnel.
I believe that there is always someone watching over me, and someone taking care of me.
I believe that Children are God's miracles to us, showing us every day just how wonderful this world is.
I believe that God forgives every sin we are sorry for, and he is always all loving.
I believe that everything happens for a reason, though we may never see that reason ourselves, and that there is no such thing as a "wasted life".
I believe that there is a light at the end of every tunnel.
I believe that there is always someone watching over me, and someone taking care of me.
I believe that Children are God's miracles to us, showing us every day just how wonderful this world is.
- Rob
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Re: This I Believe
No offense, but calling homosexuality a sin, is outrageous.
Who are you to judge someone else by their behavior or sexual preference? You're not god. Heck, not even god is worthy of judging us. He created us, and abandoned us. That is, if you believe in god at all. I don't. Fables don't give me hope, reality does.
Who are you to judge someone else by their behavior or sexual preference? You're not god. Heck, not even god is worthy of judging us. He created us, and abandoned us. That is, if you believe in god at all. I don't. Fables don't give me hope, reality does.
- Toy Soldier
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Re: This I Believe
Originally posted by pynkgodde55+Jan 19 2005, 02:18 PM--[/right]
[/b]
I agree w/ one of your ananagies: "I blelieve that animals are our neighbors and need to be treated as equal"
BOOM thats right...
but you all know i don't agree w/ aboriton being murder nor homosexuality a sin...
But calling people "false idols" is pretty harsh, hun...its basically like saying that you have a zero-open-minded belief for other peoples beliefs...
hmm...interesting...
~Jeff~
[right][/right]
[/b][/quote]
Not really Jeff. I believe in my God. To ME, Buddha is a false idol. Gods and Goddesses are false idols, to ME. It's not harsh, it's reality to me. I do not worship them, I worship God.
On a basis of severity of sin, here's my list:
Homosexuality: 5
Adultery: 7
Abortion: 10
Murder: 10
Lying: 3
Animal Abuse: 10
[right][/right]
[/b][/quote]
Seeing Jeff and pykegodde55 did a list of what they believe is sevre in this list, I'm also going to do it:
Homosexuality-1
Adultery-7
Abortion-8 (I believe however, it is okay in some circumstances),
Murder-10,
Lying-2 (In some cases, lying could be nessecary),
Animal Abuse-10.
I don't understand why homosexuality is seen as a sin. It is somebodies beliefs and preferences.
Ruth I was forgotten, I won't be forgotten, never again... says:
lol, dont think they have tigers on farmsthough :/
Angel Breaks says:
i was thinkin that but fuck it macdonald was progressive he knew tigers were the future