Yeah...there's a web of life thing. It's pretty cool, and the God thing is answered by "We're all a little bit God." so whether there's a Switchboard In The Sky doesn't matter quite so much. Stop me before I get to the veil of illusion, y'all. So, which Bayliss thing will I take up next? Same-sex datage or blowing the heads of dirtbags?

I posted a more detailed version in my lj but I had a brief descusion about religon with a coworker. There's someon who's having a hard time dealing with a recent lost and we were talking about that. Coworker basically said that only people who are really strong in their faith with God will find solace and the abilitiy to move on. Not just any Christians but those who only go to God for help.

I hate that attitude because it's so -- competitive -- my belief is stronger than yours, so you'll suffer more. Or whatever.

She relayed a story about a friend who lost a family member and wanted to talk to my co worker, my co worker did some but told her to pray, that them talking wasn't going to help as much.

Again floored by this idea that any kind of outside assistance isn't from God.

So I pulled out the story of the guy who fell off the cliff and died rather than accepting help from a helicopter. Guy dies and questions God and God's answer is "Who do you think sent the helicopter."

I think some people, like my coworker, get really caught up in this idea of God's helping being something "not of this world" that even a burning bush and a flashing sign "God's Help Here!" would be met with doubt.

Plus, when I was a teenager and was wrestling with my depressions I heard a lot that I just had to trust in God and everything would be fine. It got really hard to believe when my life was filled with so much pain and no one could tell me why.

So I pulled out the story of the guy who fell off the cliff and died rather than accepting help from a helicopter. Guy dies and questions God and God's answer is "Who do you think sent the helicopter."

I think some people, like my coworker, get really caught up in this idea of God's helping being something "not of this world" that even a burning bush and a flashing sign "God's Help Here!" would be met with doubt.

In the FAC, they had a somewhat sensible attitude towards whether or not help/inspiration/etc. was from God -- they took the position that God is a practical Dude, and that as often as possible, He works through other people/modern medicine/etc.

Unfortunately, they *also* tended to take the position that just because you *thought* that assistance from other people was from God doesn't mean that it was. Which, okay, I can agree with. But my problem is that their criteria for whether or not assistance was from God just happened to be whether or not it fell into the category of what THEY believe is godly.

Which I think is a little unreliable.

Oh, jeez. I'm on page three of my 8-10 page paper, and I'm still on the first part (of three) of my first (of three) point. Eek.

Vw, wish we were on the same coast girlfriend, because I hate the Research...I'd love to pay you, give you topics and say "Knock yourself out!" Love that helicopter joke, askye.

Oh, erika! You'd have more research than you'd know what to do with! I'm not sure that's actually a good idea...

Is Erin around?

How sad am I? I have plans tonight with people that I love, but I'm thinking about canceling them since I'm on a roll, getting so much done. I'm on page 5!!!!

Does it give you a feeling that nothing much matters, tommyrot (Gar, and anyone else who believes in this idea).

actually, I am with those that thinks it matters more. I really do examine most of my actions throught a lens of who/what /where are the effects and who/what it will effect.

I think about what I eat - vegan would be hard for me - there are days when I would be very hungry, because of the amount of carbohydrates my body can handle at one time - and by eating protiens, fat and fiber they help balance my body chemistry out. But, I am slowly changeing how we eat. I am looking fo ranimlas raised more organicly -( same with veggies and fruits, etc) . Partly because it is better for the animals and possibly more importantly , because it is better for the world as a whole. also - I don't think we pay enough for food. In the middle of a season for them - fruit , veggies etc, should be priced by bounty. If they have to be shipped a long way - or grown under special conditions , I should pay accorddingly.