Originally posted by Nash
Toad, I must admit not knowing the "father's house/mansions" analogy.
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John 14:2 Drunky explained it. Interesting bit I found here
http://www.askrealjesus.com/R1_LIVING_WORD/manymansions.htmlthat seems somewhat in the Dyer vein. Again, don't think that I think I have all the answers. THAT would be one thing I am
certain about, that I don't have all the answers.
It's more like I see it as a defense of every religious excess in the name of necessary marketing. Or something like that.I believe we're limited here by the electronic ink medium. I'm sure you realize I don't condone or suggest religious excess in the name of marketing or any other reason.
Rather, it's more "different strokes for different folks". Take Dyers intention/force. It's there for all of us, I'm sure you'd agree. But our individual "receptors" shaped by our societies, upbringing, languages, mores, etc., etc., may be different. May HAVE to be different. So, while there might have to be different flavors, is not the essential truth(s) the same? Take snowcones; you can have cherry, grape, orange or whatever but really... they're all essentially the same. Sorry for the oversimplification.
Western religion has lost the plot.Yes... and "know". That's a generalization and you know the danger. However, remember my comment about "the closer to the source"? My Native American phase lasted a while just for that reason.
But you're creating an "ends justify the means" argument,Certainly not my intent; perhaps again the limitations of this medium?
I'm reticent to go further, as I really do have strong opinions about the subversion of spirituality by certain establishments that take perhaps the highest and most noble callings of mankind and uses them instead for the lowest, most base and antithetical pursuits. I think you'd be in good company there.
Matt 18:1-6
18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, [1] it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
And I'm sure we can find similar thought in other places. This is the one that springs to mind for me at present.
