Interview with ....

Me.

The daughter of one of my oldest friends (we go back to high school, I was best man at his wedding, etc...) asked me if I would participate in her school project. She's interviewing many family and friends on their views on..... Religion.

For what it's worth, and to feed my ever hungry blog.... here are my answers to her questions...
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1. What is religion to you?

Religion is an organized way to exercise his/her spirituality. Most religions are founded on the teachings of an individual (Christianity- Jesus of Nazareth, Islam - Muhammad, Lutheran - Martin Luther, and so on...). In my definition, Religion is man-made, spirituality is not.

2. What type of 'religion' do you do?

Well, I grew up Lutheran. Became an Athiest for a couple of years in the early to mid 80s... Now I consider myself quite spiritual but not subscribing to any organized religion. Having said that, I do have tremendous respect for those who choose to follow a religion. It's just not for me.

3. Do you have any sort of outlook on what a 'God' or 'Goddess' should look like and or represent?

Hmm... Never been asked that before - let me think...

Well, I don't think of god as an old man in a white beard.... I think of god as an entity, something warm, and undefinable. It's something you connect with from within, you feel it... and it's not externally seen or has a figure... It's a connection

That's the best I can describe it...

4. So what do you think of the other views of 'Gods' or 'Goddesses'? You've got God, Gaea, Laskshmi, Budha... what are you're views on other 'Gods' and or 'Goddesses'?

Well...none of us really know what god really looks like.... So, in that spirit, everyone's view is correct... If you think god looks like the Budha, then that is god. I will never, ever, argue to anyone on what god looks like - it's a pointless agrument... It's the belief that counts, not what god looks like.....

I'll say one more thing (that may clarifty where I''m coming from)... I'm a firm believer in one's life dictating what you should believe in. It is your experiences, background and journey that speaks the truth and is an input into your belief system...

5. Do you believe in heaven/hell?

No, I don't believe in Heaven or Hell in the traditional sense... I do believe that there is an afterlife where we all reside. I guess that could be called heaven... In a way, a life can be the hell if it's destined to be... perhaps not following your beliefs... but i'm still thinking that notion out...

6. So why do you think we're here? (On Earth I mean)?

Now we getting into some of my less than certain thoughts... ;-)

I believe all our souls "live" in the afterlife... and, like diving into the water, we enter a life for a reason or a purpose. When we're born, we don't remember anything but have spirit guides with us to help along the way... When we die, we reconcile everythign we learnt from the life... I also believe that each time we enter a new life, we carry with us stuff from a previous incarnation... For example, if you learnt to play the piano in a past life, then you might have the musical ability this ths life (where others may describe your piano playing as a gift from god). Also, if you died say from drowning in a previous life - you might be afraid of water in this life, etc...

7. So, in the way you have lived your life, how do you think others should live their lives?

I think everyone has their own internal spirituality that guides them and spirit guides to give you a kick once in awhile. BUT - life is choices and you have the choice to listen or not. If you choose not to listen, then you risk living a lost life.... And THAT becomes your hell.

I sound certain about all this - I am not. One's sprituality and beliefs are living things that evolve over time. So this in my belief today and it will evolve and change in the future, I have no doubt...

8. Why do you think bad things happen to us and the people around us?

Here, we're headng further into my less-than-certain thoughts... But here goes anyways...

If a person chooses (from the afterlife) to dip into another life, he/she enters for a purpose or purposes, This does not mean that this purpose is a happy or fun one. Perhaps they want to experience extreme sadness or the loss of loved ones or lonliness, dispair. They can be here for very dark reasons.

Also, life is very complex - even "a happy successful life" has misery and loss... So it's not all that simple and aligned with just your soul's purpose...
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Reading over my answers... I think I'm turning into a flake ;-)