Comments on: For all: how do you perceive yourself?

By: Nadeem S

Nadeem S — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:59:59 +0000

i feel ok
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By: Calatriel T

Calatriel T — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:42:59 +0000

as one who is learning to free myself… religion has had an influence, in that rebelling against it when i was younger kept me from being too much of a slave. observing today, the nefarious purposes & entities behind the institution of religion, has helped me to see the amazing paradoxes in our world, which in turn helped me to learn to "read between the lines" regarding everything… i am becoming empowered as i learn more about the ancient cults, about cycles, energy, synchronicity, the occult, etc. growing up catholic w/absent parents messed my head up, & it has taken me many years to get beyond that. i am finally coming to a place where i can see past the ego, to become a whole self, but i’m not quite there yet. so for the moment, i see my self as becoming whole, centered, & free. i feel empowered for the simple facts that i was rational enough as a child to avoid being completely programmed by the system, & i am smart enough as an adult to see beyond the acquisitive nature of the society that wants everyone to be homogenized consumers.

i hope that wasn’t too much info.
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By: personal satan

personal satan — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:04:59 +0000

i’m a decent guy, religion has no influence on me at all, more like i found a philosophy that fits my ideals.
i’m not sinful, sin is a false concept. there are behaviours that hurt others or myself and i avoid them where possible. i believe that if what i do harms no one else then i can be free from guilt even if my behaviour is regarded as sinful by others.
oh and i’m also a snarky bastard which is part of my charm.
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By: Doc

Doc — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:30:59 +0000

Hi Amanda!
An interesting question…there are already some good and insightful answers.
I think of myself as Pagan/Agnostic. I believe that Creator and Creation are the same thing–God *is* the Universe. That much I can see and believe in, and try to understand. In the metaphysical sense, there is no place that God is not, and God is All, therefore God is the Universe. Simple logic, in my belief.
But this vast Creator/Creation is beyond my human comprehension–so the way I relate to it, commune and otherwise feel connection with it–is by using names, concepts and beliefs that originated in pre-Christian Ireland. In short, my concept of Goddess is named Brighid, and I have dedicated myself to work that honours Her. I play Irish harp professionally, and I’ve educated myself in Irish Studies, to gain a cultural, spiritual and historical perspective that informs and gives depth to my own beliefs and practices.
The point is that we are all God…God is All, and we exist within that All; therefore, there is no separation; I truly believe "Thou art God"; but then so am I, and so is this computer, and the planet, and interstellar dust, and galactic clusters. Not gods, but God–the One that is All–the male, the female, the One, the Many, the All of the Above and the None of the Above.
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By: Weezie G

Weezie G — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:04:59 +0000

God is my father in heaven. I feel pretty much the same way about him(only to the nth degree) as I do about my earthly dad. I love him with all my heart, I try not to purposely tick him off, and I know his love for me is constant. Even when I screw up, and believe me I do, he understands and forgives me. Being a christian means believing in Jesus,who IS perfect;Not that we as Christians ARE perfect. I myself suck pretty much all the time!;)
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By: Demonical Angelical

Demonical Angelical — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:56:59 +0000

Gawd…. here goes!!
Positive but very accepting of the negative, i rely heavily on intuition and the inner voice ( the angelical & demonical!).
I Love reading* the Bible, cant abide ‘churchianity’
I believe to an extent that God is in the mind in the form of subconscience, conscience and higher states of conscience which can be described as heavenly and hellish – depending on the circumstance. Heavy weights on the conscience can manifest in illness (hence one of my favorite sayings ‘if you cant do the time, dont commit the crime!!)
I feel quite empowered by getting that out – Thankyou for giving us the opportunity Amanda!
From one at peace, may you find/keep yours

x
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(*not so much reading, but i can understand/interpret all the symbology/metophorical stuff)

By: Hales

Hales — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:50:59 +0000

I like this question.

Self reflection is a good means of assessing your actions.

I perceive myself as a good person. I do good deeds, and feel great when I do because they are of my own power. I don’t do things because I believe an invisible mighty deity is watching my every move. Instead, I feel I have pure, sincere compassion.

When I am not being angered by stupidity, I am generally a very nice person. I am loving to all of my friends and family, all of which are of different backgrounds and religions.

I feel as if I’m a person that makes this life as good as it can be. I love to spend time with friends and family because I know my time on this earth is the only time I’ll have with them.

I am very much at peace with my self. I have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, if I were religious…I wouldn’t feel very sinful. I do what makes me happy and since that never involves hurting another person, I feel as if I am living my life in a way that is kind not only to myself, but to those around me as well.
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Atheist

By: jlb

jlb — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:16:59 +0000

I have the duty to make good use of what is my own.
I have a duty to treat all the people I come into contact with as beings who are just as human as I am.
I will never be able to fully accomplish either of the previous two duties. But then, I have the duty not to let myself brought down by myself (which leads back to duty no. 1).
I was born free of guilt. Any guilt I might be burdened with now has been created by my own doing.
I am free to do everything, which is beautiful and terrible, and disconcerting at times.
I am fully responsible for my actions and attitudes.
I am puzzled by the meaninglessness of life, sometimes. I wish there was more to it than *this*. I am not done with the inquiries yet, though.
I am an atheist.
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By: crazyjaydl

crazyjaydl — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:39:59 +0000

I consider myself a sinner who does the best I can, trusting not in myself but relying on the help of the grace of The Holy Spirit. When I make mistakes I ask for the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.
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By: Cheryl E

Cheryl E — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:28:59 +0000

As a Pagan, I don't believe in sin and its attendant punishments and guilt trips. I know that I am imperfect and that I make mistakes but rather than dwell on them and flinch in fear of the backhand from god, I learn from them and try not to make the same mistakes over again. I work every day to try to see the other person's point of view and how I might make their world just a bit better by being kind and compassionate. I feel that I have great personal power and that I am in charge of my life and my decisions. By the same token, I am also responsible for the screw-ups. But I find that this only makes me stronger, so I welcome the chance to grow.
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