Those of us who disagree with your obviously Christian slant do so, not because we feel threatened or are insecure in our beleifs. We disagree with you because you seem to want to deny the existence of truth in other religions. Other religions have the right to exist, and those who believe, to practice. Christianity is not the only TRUE religion, and other religious beliefs are valid as well, and deserve RESPECT, whether you believe in their practices or not. You don't seem to have much respect for the diversity of religious beliefs in this world; that is the problem I have. You ridicule and scorn things like reincarnation, and then turn around and say "Just kidding" and you think that makes it alright. It does not. That is lip service and nothing more. Please show respect for others beliefs. I will not make fun of your religious beliefs, you will not make fun of mine. It's a simple thing.
And I have been Pagan and believed in reincarnation since I was 15. I am 40 now. I follow no guru. Most Pagan's do not follow anyone. The majority of us are solitary practicioners who do not belong to covens. And covens are not headed by anyone. There are learneds who have more knowledge, but they "run" nothing.
No, I can't PROVE I have lived before. Can you PROVE Jesus rose from the dead? And no, citing biblical passages is not proof. It comes down to belief. I believe in reincarnation and you believe that Jesus rose from the dead. I have a right to my beliefs, and you have a right to yours. I don't have to prove my beliefs, nor do you have to prove yours. Simple respect, that is all I ask.
quote:Originally posted by TheWatchman:
violet Blue Horse, yes, I know Christine was speaking metaphorically. Especially because it is impossible to come back from the dead, much less into a butterfly. Jesus Christ is the only person to have come back from the dead. Can you give me another example? How many times have you come back? How old are now? Were you ever a famous person? Have you been both male and female in past lives? I'm not being sacastic, I am trying to learn more about this and what triggered your response.
SilverHeels, you have proven nothing. I was upset about you constantly playing the "armed guard" around here in regards to posting. Your comments on reincarnation did not offend me. Please re-read my previous post. Again, it is the constant comments about straying from the topic, not only in this thread but others going back months.
You gotta admit, the comment about the coffee cups and apples was funny. It was not meant to be taken seriously, obviously. If you can't laugh at yourself you are taking life to seriously.
I have had several debates with people who believe in such things and in the end, they are silent because you cannot argue truth. The truth is constant. People who believe such as yourselves change your minds all the time about your beliefs. It just depends on what some new guru giving a seminar you are listening to. You know I am right. Of course you will say no because I cannot "call you on this one" because I do not know you nor do I have a history of discussion about this with you. But I have known many, and in the end, they cannot argue. If you are wrong about your beliefs, you will spent eternity in a very undesirable place. If I am wrong, I have lost nothing at all. But maybe I will be punished and come back as a can of paint or something. 
I want to clear somethine up around here. I have been reading about chanting and all kinds of other practices written in "The Gordon Lightfoot" forum for over 2 weeks now. I have responded to none of these comments, up until yesterday. After reading about chanting the hell out of things for the upteanth time, I decided to say something. Although I am all for the freedon of speech, and I also live and let live, but shouldn't I be allowed to make comments as well? If you felt offended, those are your own insecurities surfacing. Shall I start a new thread and educate on psychology? I am the type of person that rarely discusses religion at all. I let people do and say as they wish as it in no way shape or form (no pun intended!)threatens me. However, those of you who have made comments attacking me on a personal nature obviously feel threatened because your "beliefs" are not sound and you cannot stand on them alone.
So SilverHeels, you are 100% incorrect about why I was upset. It is about you whining about others trying discuss openly about new topics as they present themselves. I think I was very to the point about that in my last post but you somehow missed out on it. I will take responsibilty for that as I was doing the writing and it is my job to convey to you accurately what I am trying to get across. Am I getting through this time?
[This message has been edited by TheWatchman (edited September 25, 2002).]