Thelandism - The New Religion For Losers.

[Theland1]

It struck me suddenly, right in me gob, and dripped down me chin and onto me soup encrusted shirt. Eureka!
I have been accused, or rather, credited, with all of the necessary attributes to become the founder of a new religion!
Slapping modesty in the chops and kicking him out into four foot of deep and crisp and even, I am settled on calling my new religion, "Thelandism."
You lot have told me that I already have dogma in spades, and with a few props like a smokey handbag, a portaloo for a confessional, and a couple of scoops to bring on the tongues, this could really take off in a big way.
A bit of your hard earned donated to this good cause may save your soul from the indignity of having your name scrawled on a few lavatory walls.
Thank you all for the inspiration.
Would you like to join?

[LazyGun]

No - I have no truck with any organised religion - except maybe Jedi.

That having been said, your just - created religion would have equal validity with any of the established ones, so good luck with that. Remember to apply for charitable status, and make emotional appeals to your supporters for cash donations in the wake of your emotionally-charged, righteously indignant sermons from the pulpit. :)

[naomi24]

Theland, no thank you - I don't want to join - but much good your God has done you.

[Theland1]

Don't think we will hit double figures by Xmas then.

[mibn2cweus]

//Slapping modesty in the chops and kicking him out into four foot of deep and crisp and even, I am settled on calling my new religion, "Thelandism."//

I think you've just thrown out the baby in favour of the bath water.

[mike11111]

I'll volunteer to be your first archbishop, if I get to wear a pretty frock and a pointy hat.

[Ankou]

theland, you;d better check your confessional.
i think someone has left you a message.

[wildwood]

Never mind about the eyebrows Rasman....... did you notice the nostrils?? Most unusual shape. I think she is an aliens and they have been painted on to fool us mere mortals.

[Theland1]

Sorry Wizmonde, I could not trust you with the holy vino collapso.
I was hoping to recruit a nun. A Nim-Nun maybe?
Ah the confessional! Somebody didn't flush it!
More tea vicar?

[mike11111]

Ah, the old ones are the best.
Bloke in confessional taps on grille.
Priest: "Yes, my son?"
Bloke: "Any paper your end, mate?"

[Theland1]

love the old'uns!

[naomi24]

You have no chance of recruiting a nim-nun Theland. I've got more sense than to fall for any religion.

[Theland1]

Maybe it is good sense to not follow any religion, but is it not a denial of the possible and indeed the probable to rule out completely the existence of a spiritual dimension?
Quantum mechanics has provided us with a brick wall beyond which we can never see. An interface between the physical and the spiritual maybe?
Even the much lauded phenomenon of the sudden existence and disappearance of pairs of sub atomic particles depend on the existence of pre conditions and universal laws of nature to accomplish their short lives. Does that not also hint at the possibility and probability mentioned before?
How often do you experience something spiritual that cannot be explained away by visual and aural tricks in the brain? The astonishing world of the micro particle is now becoming harder and harder to understand as mere observation destroys it processes. Surely we can never be comfortable with the notion that all will be explained in terms of this mid range three dimensional existence that we experience, which is only a dot on the great spectrum of the possible? So, spiritual matters eh?

[naomi24]

Theland, the short answer is the spiritual does not automatically equate to the God of Abraham. In fact that is as far from 'spiritual' as a human being can get. Ask a Buddhist - or, indeed, a 'pagan' - or even someone like me.

[mibn2cweus]

All that we can know must of necessity be based on and follow from that which we do know. There's simply no way to get around the limitations inherent in the process by which we acquire, assimilate and integrate our knowledge. Once we understand and except our limitations we find ourselves firmly reestablished on the path to progress. Ignorance is not a sin but it is a shame that we are not born with the knowledge essential to our survival and well being. Ignorance is not an excuse but its consequences are a reason to seek knowledge wherever it can be found. Responsibility is inescapable but acknowledging it and understanding the means by which we become able to embrace it is essential to acting responsibly. The only real evil is a consequence of assuming that we are invariably and irreversibly evil, a self-fulfilling prophecy if ever there was one.

[Nadis]

I'll Join.

[mibn2cweus]

The spiritual is not a separate realm that exists apart from the interdependent relationship between mind and body and the reality in which both become manifest and from which our consciousness and cognition arise. Spiritual fulfillment is a product of understanding this interdependent relationship, an integration of the mind and body that provide and promote the survival and wellbeing of both aspects of the whole within the wider context of the reality to which our existence provides value, meaning and purpose.

Excuses are not simply explanations but a reason to seek explanations for that which can not be excused.

[Theland1]

Thank you Nadis.
If you are a female, you can become the first nun, but no dirty habits eh?
If you are male, then you can try on the kecks and cloak in the cupboard, and if they fit, the prieshood is yours. If not, we need a car park attendant cum handyman, with a bit of PR thrown in.
Brave soul!

[mike11111]

Brave soul? More of an R soul.

[Theland1]

Mibs, you can seek all you like, but you can never understand that part of nature that is forbidden to us, and can only be accessed by revelation.
Try to explain some kind of process that would ever begin to demystify the phenomenon of particle pair entanglement over humungous distances?
Children cannot understand, and will never understand, as long as they remain children, the great issues that preoccupy adults, and only absorb and collate the knowledge necessary for dealing with such issues with the onset of maturity or by revelation from adults.
Now, in this great cosmos, we are the children, and there is nobody on earth who can enlighten us as to the great fundamental mysteries of nature. We cannot mature any further, as the grave is an awkward obstacle to further progress.
Only revelation remains. Some atheists on here would concur that they have had such revelation of a spiritual dimension, even if they dismiss the God of the Bible.
By the way, Mibs, I hope you and your family have a very merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.