Treatise: Personal Thoughts on Religion, Tolerance, and the Soul

After writing chapters, essays and a treatise about the world's religions, from the point of views of people of a particular religion I discussed, I would like to set aside some time to write about my conclusions concerning the spiritual aspect of life that many have turned into a religion.

First, I would like to say that it has confounded me that during a long period of history, that Christians and Muslims cannot seem to get along for any period of time – and too often demonstrated during that history that some Christians (groups) and Muslims look upon Hebrews (Jews) as a scapegoat and inferior “race”. With that concept in mind, it already begins with misinformation in that being Jewish is not a race, but a Hebrew religion that is much older than both Christianity and Islam. In regards to history, Islam is the newcomer on the scene. Literally, a "Jew" can be of any race believing in Judaism.

On Freedom of Religion and First Amendment, an Essay of Common Sense

A Madison County school board voted unanimously to alter a monument at the entrance of a Georgia high school football stadium in order to remove biblical scripture. The monument was erected in August and two different groups sent letters to the school stating that the monument violates the separation of church and state, demanding it be removed. There were two references to scriptures:

Romans 8:31: If God be for us, who can be against us?

Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

 

Chapter 21: Book of Revelation

Book of Revelation

CHAPTER 1, Verses 1-10 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John [1] who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. [2] Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. [3] John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from his which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; [4] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, [5] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. [6] Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. [7] I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. [8] I john, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. [9] I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, [10] Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

Geneva Bible: Original English Translation for the People

The King James Authorized version of the Bible is familiar to many, but few know about the Geneva Bible, preceding the King James authorized translation by 51 years. It was the primary Bible of the 16^th century Protestants and used by William Shakespeare, Oliver Cromwell, John Knox, John Dunne, and John Bunyan (author of Pilgrim's Progress). It was one of the Bibles taken to America aboard the Mayflower. Oliver Cromwell had pocket editions printed for his soldiers at the time of the English Civil War.

Deification of Jesus the Christ

This essay is not intended to denounce the divine purpose or the holiness of intent of Jesus of Nazareth, called the Christ. It is to segregate facts and intentions as gleaned from the quoted words of Jesus that has been interpreted and reinterpreted from the days of the apostles to the founding of the Church as a religious organization intended to replace the established synagogue of the Hebrews called Jews who have been named in the Old Testament as the Children of God, God's chosen people. Jesus was a Jew whose mission was to reform, renew, and do away with the old ways of sacrifice of the lamb in the name of God. He never intended to replace God, which he referred to as the Father nor do away with traditions like Passover that had been established by ancient holy men.

Chapter 13: Sword of Islam

Phenomenology of World Religions ©

Chapter 13

Sword of Islam

ISLAMIC EMPIRE GROWS

Abu Bakr was the father-in-law of Muhammad and his first successor. He was given the command of the faithful as Khalifah (Caliph, meaning “deputy”). Several tribes refused to accept his right to rule and a war broke out called Ridda, fought by Abu Bakr and his general Khalid ibn al Walid. The success in that battle and battles thereafter against Persia and Byzantine initiated a series of war of conquest outside the Mohammed Arabian peninsula. Their army had become formidable with dedicated followers of Islam, swordsmen mounted on camels and able archers on horseback that came out of the desert and struck the heart of Persia and Byzantine empires. The two empires were already becoming weak and their army was not organized sufficiently to defeat the Arabs. The Arabs soon conquered Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Egypt, and Persia. The Caliph Umar conquered Jerusalem in 640 and guaranteed the preservation of the Christian holy places there.

Christmas: The Season For a Reason

The first Christmas was probably not on December 24^th – a cold, starry night with one particular star shining to guide those to witness the birth of a child who would be called “Messiah” and “Son of God” – the messenger of salvation, hope, promise that earthly life is not the end of one’s life, and the enlightenment of the soul. There is great debate upon the exact date or even time of the year.

Chapter 19: Anatomy of the Soul, Afterlife, and Reincarnation

Phenomenology of World Religions ©

Chapter 19

Anatomy of the Soul and Reincarnation

Death of Socrates, Giambettino Cignaroli

Death has several descriptions in both physical and spiritual concepts. I guess the most simplest description is at Plato, Stanford University’s Encyclopedia of Philosophy:

Death is life’s ending … However, life’s ending is one thing, and the condition of having life over is another. ‘Death’ can refer to either.

To me …

Death is a dream from which one cannot wake, the soul released from physical entrapment. It is a dream of chaos and all that which makes us fearful or which is pleasant. In that lies the true description and comparison of life after death and the difference between the concept of Heaven (Paradise) and Hell (Hades). It is all in the mind of the beholder, like beauty; the Dream Walker controls the dream and therefore may control their fate. If the soul be the spark of the divine, then we should protect it throughout our material lives. 

St. Thomas Choir: Over 800 Years of Tradition and Classical Music

St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig (Thomanerchor) is a boys’ choir in Leipzig, Germany founded in 1212. Today, the choir consists of 92 boys from 8 to 18 years of age. The members are Thomaner and live in a boarding school called Thomasalumnat, and attend a Gymnasium school with a focus on musical education.