Chit Chat

[Jean]

Great.....thanks for getting back to me.......How do I find out what the group is currently reading? And where do I go? Sorry, I know I'm a newbie......lol

[Lisa]

That is ok!! I'm happy to help! For starters, it's all a lot easier to navigate if you're on a computer instead of a phone or Tablet. The GR app is rather minimal and doesn't include all of the main features that us users enjoy about the site. So if you're on the desktop site, at the top of this forum page, you'll see a link title The Bibliophiles. that's our group and that link will take you to the groups homepage. From that page, you can access all of the group's stuff. The forums and threads, our bookshelf, members, active polls and, near the top, the book that the group voted on to read for the month. I have a thread for suggestions for each upcoming months book theme, then I make a poll so that everyone can vote on which book they'd like to read and once the poll closes I put the book up on the homepage. I try to always send out messages throughout this process so everyone gets a say in it as well. If you have any more questions let me know!

[Jean]

Lisa wrote: "That is ok!! I'm happy to help! For starters, it's all a lot easier to navigate if you're on a computer instead of a phone or Tablet. The GR app is rather minimal and doesn't include all of the mai..."

Thank you so much!

[Lisa]

You're so very welcome!

[Lisa]

Benjamin wrote: "How is everyone?"

Doing great! How about yourself?

[Lisa]

Awesome! If you have any questions, let me know! It can be a little confusing at first but once you figure it out, it's easy peasy!

[Dan]

does anyone post new writing on here?

[Books, Cooks, & Hooks]

Is anyone watching the Handmaid's Tale show on Hulu? How does it compare with the book? I have watched the show thus far, but I'm embarrassed to admit I have not read the book yet, which is a personal rule that I have broken! Interested to know what everyone thinks!

[Lisa]

Dan, I haven't seen any here but there are quite a few people with blogs and such that may have that material on there!!

[Lisa]

Books, I am the opposite! I have read the book but not watched the show. The book was very enjoyable. It had a quiet intensity to it. I have heard great things about the show though!

[Becca]

Hey everyone! I'm new to this group and am only just really discovering GoodReads groups- haha! I run a bookstagram called kissedbyafox and am currently reading The Power by Naomi Alderman.
Would be lovely to chat to some of you!
Becca x

[Lisa]

Becca wrote: "Hey everyone! I'm new to this group and am only just really discovering GoodReads groups- haha! I run a bookstagram called kissedbyafox and am currently reading The Power by Naomi Alderman.
Would b..."

That sounds awesome! Thank you for sharing! I have not read that book yet but I'll have to check it out

[Naomi-Lynn Marguerite]

Abii I copied this here so we could continue our discussion:

From: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I grew up in a Protestant family, both of my parents are ministers, and later converted to Catholic -- both Christian faiths (for those who don't realize this). My upbringing was different, focusing on the fact we were awoken with a kiss when He breathed life into humankind and Her only desire is to be in relationship with us and with each other, which should be the whole point of Christianity.

As Jesus says, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22.37-38 NIV

Cheers!

[Naomi-Lynn Marguerite]

First, my parents are still Protestant. They have been ministers with The Salvation Army for 30 years and are retiring this July. The Salvation Army is Wesleyan Armenian in theology and can be traced from the Catholic Church through the Church of England and then the Methodist church, founded by John Wesley. Although labelled a Protestant denomination, as it is not a ‘descendant’ of Luther’s movement, it is not technically protestant.

I was raised in a household where open conversation and questions were encouraged. There was never a topic not allowed. I was also raised with the everyday example of high morality but the reason for it being explained through how it was what was best for humankind, never for fear of retribution.

Due to my precocious nature, I had many questions and opinions growing up and my father, whose personality I have inherited, always discussed them with me as an adult. One of the main things is the dichotomy and distinction between God’s perfect will and God’s permissive will. The greatest gift we have ever been given is free will. And humankind’s free will impacts God’s perfect will continuously and has since Eden. This is how it should be. Which led to my realization of the dichotomy I must live by: as a Christian I have a moral obligation to ensure I upkeep what is best for society as a whole acknowledging our society is an amalgamation of many and no belief systems while ensuring I maintain a life in keeping with the morality of my belief system and support the upkeep of this within my parish as well. (This is a very brief explanation on something that I would probably require a book to explain in full.)

In answer as to why I became Catholic: I was called to. I have three years of a Theology degree and have studied widely on my own. I also have wide knowledge of other belief systems from research and friends. Through circumstances I chose to leave The Salvation Army but found with the Protestant churches I attended the focus was on Chicken Soup for the Soul sermons or Prosperity Religion. It wasn’t about worshipping God.

The entire Mass is worshiping God. The Rosary, often seen as a prayer to Mary, is actually a mnemonic that takes you through the life of Jesus. It was originally developed as a representation of the Psalms. When I drove past St. Matthews, the Spirit said, this is where you are to be. I’ve never looked back. And I have my family’s full support. As for my beliefs, they did not change. Some may have expanded and my knowledge certainly did. I always believed strongly in intercessory prayer, now it is a stronger drive. I did not give up anything of who I was before with the change, nor did I feel I was meant to. This was more a metamorphosis.

I hear what you’re saying about the hell fire and brimstone. I could go on for hours, or more likely a scholarly discourse, about the why’s and how’s of the issue, so I’ll leave it at I agree we should not be isolating or putting down any group but building people up and that we are commanded to love-even our enemies (and I believe we are to be building them up as well, not tearing them down). If we strive for this, the world will change.

[Lisa]

This conversation is so interesting!

I was raised as a Baptist and I always felt like, at least in my church, it was a denomination that felt like an old woman set in her ways, full of old habits and simple traditions. We met on Sunday morning, we sang old hymns, we listened to the sermon, we had a pot-luck once a month and that was that. And it still is that way. My parents still go every single Sunday. My parents were never very religious at home in that it wasn't usually a main topic of conversation. Growing up I didn't have many questions because everything seemed so straightforward and simple. It wasn't until I got older and out of my small town of 1300 people that I had my eyes really opened to the different religions and variations of Christianity. I started to realize too that, everything wasn't so straight forward and simple. I had so many questions that no one could seem to answer or that no one could answer the same as anyone else. As I've matured, I've come to believe less in what man has to say about God and what my heart has to say about God. There are things that come up in teachings that this little voice in the back of my head just says 'No, that's not right' and I have come to trust that voice, not just in my relationship with God but in most aspects of my life. I feel closer to God when I just open myself up and feel. I feel Him in the wind blowing through the wind chimes, I see Him in my daughter's face, I know He is there when I see videos of people rushing to the aid of other people or creatures in need. I feel much closer to Him in those times than I do when I am sitting in a church pew beside people who I know would spit in my face if I happened to be different in a way that they thought was wrong.

When it comes to teaching my daughter about God, I do not go the fire and brimstone path at all. I do not want her to be afraid of Him. Doing something good out of fear is not really doing something good in my opinion. It's just covering your ass so you don't get in trouble. I want her to feel fulfilled when she does something good and 'Christ-like'. I want her to do it because it makes her happy in knowing that she's doing the right thing. To her God seems to be a benevolent parent. He's always there, He always loves her and forgives her, and it's just an added bonus when you do something He would approve of. She sometimes has questions (we always encourage her to ask questions) and I always try to be totally honest with her even if it's 'You know honey I don't know and I don't think anyone really does. God is sometimes beyond our human understanding but one day, a long long time from now, you'll get to meet Him and ask whatever you want to ask.'

I don't think I'll ever know if what I feel and what I teach my daughter are 100% correct but I also believe that no one REALLY knows. But what I do know is that I trust my heart and I trust my gut and I feel like that is how He communicates with me.

[Naomi-Lynn Marguerite]

Lisa thank you for your post and Robert thank you for the quotes.

God wants us to love and to be in relationship, first with Him and then with each other. It is in the striving, in running the race as St. Paul would say, that we learn what that means. In The Salvation Army there is a song which is sung that says, "By the pathway of duty flows the river of God's grace." I believe that. When we do what we know is right, such as going out of our way to help those in need, to spread kindness and mercy instead of hatred, to see try to understand rather than being understood, it is God's grace--Her unmerited favour--that provides us what we need in each and every moment. That's why we are told each person has been saved by grace that no one may boast.

And Lisa, you are so right in that you see God in everything. The Bible tells us nature itself is a testament to God so even the Gentiles (non-Jews) know of Him, though they were not who She had revealed Himself to at that point. Think of the hymn How Great Thou Art.

C.S. Lewis is one of the greatest authors when it comes to imagery and in his Narnia series (I wish I could remember which book), he describes the saying of St. Paul, now we see dimly as thou through a mirror what at last we will see clearly. Much as you've told your daughter.

A God we can understand is a God too small for humanity. What we need to know is She created us in love, brought us to life with a kiss, gave us free will so we could love Him freely, gave us chances over and over to come and stay in relationship with Her, and when we simply weren't able, sent Jesus, His very own self, as a living sacrifice, the only innocent being capable of taking on our lack of innocence and making us new through His body and blood, so once again we may stand in relationship with God, adopted as heirs into sonship - the highest form of adoption possible in those days - coheirs with Jesus, Lord and God. Our individual names are etched on the hands of God.

We are the partakers of a cannibalistic necromancistic faith (see John 6). I wonder how many people would be shook up looking at Christianity from that point of view?

In the end, if we seek after God, and I believe including Church or Mass attendance is beneficial, live a life to please Her and place our relationship with Him first, then our relationship with our families, friends, world after and do our best to live by God's mandates of love, when we get to Heaven we may honestly say, "I do not understand everything, but I know You love me and will forgive me where I've failed." And She will.

[Wayne]

Lynn, this is an intriguing thread about God and Christianity. I was raised Catholic faith but had a wonderful great aunt who exposed me to the Baptist faith. I spent a whole summer in a Bible study program. Learn more about the Bible that summer than at Catholic school. Much mortgage comment about but I'll leave it this. Someone stated that all you have to do is look at the sun rising and know that God exists. Whatever term or nomenclature you may choose to use it is self-evident that there is a supreme power. How that is incorporated in her daily life is unique to each one of us. Denominational religion simply gives us an opportunity to participate in a community of beliefs.

[Wayne]

I have a premise – if man or woman can visualize a future then the seed of the potentiality is sown. How many science fiction authors have visualized future we are now experiencing? Whether a trip to the moon, Dick Tracy's wrist phone, television, airplanes, helicopters, from the magnificent to the mundane in my opinion, they were first envisioned by and exceptional group persons who chose to share their vision with us through writing. I am curious as to your thinking

[Lisa]

Very interesting Wayne. For me, I believe in the
'collective unconsciousness' This phrase was coined by Carl Jung and this is what he wrote about it in "The Significance of Constitution and Heredity in Psychology"

"And the essential thing, psychologically, is that in dreams, fantasies, and other exceptional states of mind the most far-fetched mythological motifs and symbols can appear autochthonously at any time, often, apparently, as the result of particular influences, traditions, and excitations working on the individual, but more often without any sign of them. These "primordial images" or "archetypes," as I have called them, belong to the basic stock of the unconscious psyche and cannot be explained as personal acquisitions. Together they make up that psychic stratum which has been called the collective unconscious.

The existence of the collective unconscious means that individual consciousness is anything but a tabula rasa and is not immune to predetermining influences. On the contrary, it is in the highest degree influenced by inherited presuppositions, quite apart from the unavoidable influences exerted upon it by the environment. The collective unconscious comprises in itself the psychic life of our ancestors right back to the earliest beginnings. It is the matrix of all conscious psychic occurrences, and hence it exerts an influence that compromises the freedom of consciousness in the highest degree, since it is continually striving to lead all conscious processes back into the old paths"

I feel that human beings are much more connected than we choose to believe. People often disregard the idea that we can feel each other emotionally as well as physically. For instance, have you ever walked into a room where two people had just been arguing? They could be showing zero outward signs but you can just FEEL it. You can 'cut the tension with a knife' as they say. Or have you ever been around a person that just makes you feel off? Nothing seems to be wrong but you can just feel something in your guts saying 'Nope, I don't like this person'. And to that point, think about being in a large room with people at a concert or a movie or something along those lines. It's so easy to get swept up in the excitement of it and to feel what everyone around is feeling vs. experiencing it alone. Same thing with church. Worshiping in a church with people around you singing, throwing their hands up to Jesus, closing their eyes and rocking back and forth in exultation is a much different experience than sitting at home reading your bible in a quiet environment. I believe that these things are shared thoughts. I wholeheartedly believe that when thoughts arise and catch on with a small group of people, those thoughts then spread almost like a virus in our unconscious minds. Look at ancient civilizations that had zero contact and yet had similar belief systems, traditions and even similar monsters. I have always found this concept extremely interesting and have tried to study it every chance I get.

Also, I liked your comment about the different denominations in churches. I do thing that it is good for people to have a community to worship with. It kind of goes to what I was saying above. I think that it is very helpful and keeps people encouraged when they have a like minded community to feel welcome in.

[Lisa]

Abii, what you say about churches is so understandable. My husband and I have an extremely hard time finding a church that we feel comfortable in because of our beliefs. I refuse to step foot in a mega church where they sell church themed tee-shirts and key-chains and have a built in coffee shop. A lot of small churches are often largely judgmental and very exclusionary. I don't know if that's just something that really happens here in the bible belt or if it's a common thing among all churches. But it really frustrates me nonetheless. I want to sit in a room and talk about God without all the extra fluff and personal judgements of the people there. Ugh! I could go on all day about that. That being said, over the years I have attended quite a few good churches. We have a Church of Christ church (That was the denomination my husband grew up as and he has family that attends.) that we go to when we can and its pretty good. I usually end up just sitting around with my husband while we discuss the bible, the history of religions and Christianity and our own beliefs and I almost always find that more interesting and fulfilling.

Naomi, I really liked what you said about a god we understand is too small for humanity. I completely agree with this statement and try to tell people this all the time. Around here, there are so many people who feel like they know everything about Him and I just think, 'If you, a human, could think like Him and understand Him completely, either you would be Him or we would never have come to pass because the human mind could never fully create something as beautiful and complex as this world and all of its inhabitants.'

[Lisa]

I totally agree with that Robert. I have always felt that one of the very core principles of Christianity was to welcome others with open arms, open hearts and open minds and to help guide others to the love and community that can be felt in this religion. But when I see 'Christians' protesting gay events, soldiers funerals or shunning those who look, act or talk different, or even, like you said, just worships in the same religion in very very slightly different ways, it just makes me want to scream 'You're doing it wrong!'. How do you expect to show people love and kindness and have them decide that your religion is the one for them when you're screaming in their face that the way they live their life is wrong? Or slowly shunning them through fake kindness and making them feel stupid and unwelcome? Ugh, I could go on about that for days. As for you, you keep that openness to others, show them kindness and love and I am sure that people will feel God's love through you so much more!

[Hannah]

Hi! I've just joined the group and wanted to get to know some of the other members. I have just finished Rageh Omaar's book 'Revolution Day', and I was wondering if anyone else has read it and has any thoughts on it.
Thanks!

[Naomi-Lynn Marguerite]

Abii wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I totally agree with that Robert. I have always felt that one of the very core principles of Christianity was to welcome others with open arms, open hearts and open minds and to help g..."

Every church will have its issues. It's impossible for them not to as they are run by people and we are all fallible. I think the secret is to be the change we envision and to remember we are to "build one another up in love."
If we rely on God, accept the salvation She's offered, put on the armour of God, and build everyone up as best we can, even our enemies, then we will develop the fruits of the Spirit. It may not change those around us but it will change us into the 'best' God intended us to be. And an example is worth a thousand homilies.
And I agree, God's love is for the whosoever. So should be His church.

[Lisa]

Hello Hannah and Michelle! We are glad to have you! Please feel free to discuss any books you'd like with the group!

Hannah, I have not read that book yet! Looks like I might need to add it to my To-Read Pile though!

As for the church talk, I know that every religion, every church, every faith has it's problems. I suppose the best we can all do is try to be the best example each of us can be so that, hopefully, at least a few people will see what it's really about. It is definitely comforting to know that there are some like minded people out there though! <3

[Allison]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this group (and really goodreads in general lol). I would love to have bookish discussions with others! I'm currently on book 2 of The Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I have a nice pile of TBR that I'm looking forward to getting a ways through sitting outside this summer and would always like some suggestions!

[Heather]

I wonder if the weathermen can predict the weather at all anymore. It wasn't predicted, but it is raining really are hard, and I'm worried about my new little garden. We planted tomatoes, lemon cucumbers (new variety) and yellow squash. Also, some flowers with a focus on ones for hummingbirds. Oh boy.... I hope they are not all beat to death.....

[Kacper]

I'll take the liberty to hop in :)

Reading your conversation I can see how some things are different in NA compared to Poland. I assume you are not that familiar with Polish history (concerning religion) and today's situation, therefore me sharing it with you could make you look at these subjects from broader perspective.

I probably should start from a short summary of my religious background. My parents met at a college student ministry and they are scholars in the field I may say I guess. My mother has always taken seriously to love everyone, she never reacted with aggression to any belief and always patiently discussed with me whenever I argued. My father on the other hand liked to tell others how to behave to be good Catholic, but didn't really care about his behavior. I also went to a Christian primary school where not only Catholics, but also many Baptists attended.

Your conversion very is fascinating to me, the fact that you were able to convert from a 'Protestant' religion to a Catholic one without changing your beliefs just amazes me. It makes me wonder more about what the teachings were of Church you in.

We had combined lessons of "Bible hour" and to be fair only from time to time the teacher said something like "here Catholics believe this and Baptists this". Generally it looked like religion lessons I had in later years. My best friend was Baptist and I even went with him on weekend to his church where we played some games and had some Bible talk. From my experience the differences where marginal. If I remember correctly mostly vivid difference was the approach to Mary, mother of Jesus. I guess Baptists living in Poland often could face a choice - go to Catholic church or don't go at all, because there is no Baptist church around. I don't think it would be weird for such Baptist to attend Catholic masses while being familiar of differences between the two.

By the way, aren't Protestant churches decentralized and therefore one Baptist church in Poland could differ significantly from Baptist church somewhere in US?

At the later age I went to Catholic high school where we had discussions on morality, other religions, philosophy on really high level. One day, when I was around 17 and just realized I don't believe in God anymore I had this long and emotional discussion with the priest (view spoiler)[(unfortunately he didn't do a lot for "priests are pedophiles" stereotype though, he's just got jailed for touching boys) (hide spoiler)] that in Poland it'd often be hard to say out loud you were an atheist. You know, there is love to fellow man, there is tolerance, but there is also this hatred and ignorance you were talking about, or tribalism as I'd call it. In the end we both were right and both were wrong ;)

My mother - tried to force me to keep going to church until 18, but my arguments about individual liberty in Polish tradition led to me not going to church anymore. From that moment every time they were leaving to church my mum was giving me tasks like "clean the kitchen". After few weeks I mentioned that since I stopped going to church I had much more responsibilities and that this against religious tolerance which is present in Polish tradition for centuries. She had no choice, but to surrender and leaving her irritated, but proud :D

Once my brother said to mum "you must have done something wrong since you raised three atheist children" where she responded "I believe I raised children obeying more Catholic rules than most believers and since I also taught you making your own choices that you don't believe in God is price I'm willing to pay".
My father - kept torturing me with ridiculous discussions like "I'm not real atheist, because atheists have no values, therefore I should kill people" and demanding me reading books of different theologists.

My grandmother (the best one) - called me with many bad words, said I'm son of Devil and I should be kept on chain with the dogs so I would not transfer Satan to other family members. Several talks with my mother and a priest made her chill out though.
Today's Poland is predominantly Catholic and in my early years that's generally the only religion I was familiar with. Generally people react to my atheism neutrally, intellectually (they keep trying to persuade me or prove me wrong), or with a pinch of disregard, sometimes with aggression.

Over time, I began to take notice of Christianity (the Christianity I knew) directing a lot of hate toward certain groups of people because of their differences. That is what drove me away from its doctrine for a period of time.
A lot of small churches are often largely judgmental and very exclusionary. I don't know if that's just something that really happens here in the bible belt or if it's a common thing among all churches. But it really frustrates me nonetheless. I want to sit in a room and talk about God without all the extra fluff and personal judgments of the people there. Ugh! I could go on all day about that. That being said, over the years I have attended quite a few good churches.

Almost every person I've met in my life up to my teens was Catholic - these loving people, the aggressive ones, these full of hatred, peaceful or judgmental etc. With regard to my experiences and above quotes what comes to my mind is - are you really talking about Christians? I mean wouldn't be more accurate to say some people are hypocrites, some people tend to hate other "tribes", some people are very judgmental and sure, some of them are Christians. These flaws you mentioned I believe are inherently human and where culture/religion counteracts biology in one person culture wins, in another the opposite.

The existence of the collective unconscious means that individual consciousness is anything but a tabula rasa and is not immune to predetermining influences. On the contrary, it is in the highest degree influenced by inherited presuppositions, quite apart from the unavoidable influences exerted upon it by the environment. The collective unconscious comprises in itself the psychic life of our ancestors right back to the earliest beginnings. It is the matrix of all conscious psychic occurrences, and hence it exerts an influence that compromises the freedom of consciousness in the highest degree, since it is continually striving to lead all conscious processes back into the old paths"

In Factoids thread I shared a link where you may read:

The Polish forces that had left Europe to restore order and free people in Haiti, found that they were instead being asked to quash a rebellion and return Haitians to slavery. Knowing what their own people were going through in Europe, fighting for freedom, the Polish forces could not fight against the Haitian slave army. Many of the 5,200 Polish soldiers deserted Napoleon’s army and refused to fight. .

Simple soldiers in those times were probably mostly brutal savages (especially those who went through hell), - just trying to get some money not to starve. I don't think those Polish soldiers (who actually went through hell ) were much different. How is it possible then they acted so noble? At the time many nationalities were present at Haiti, yet first Haitian constitution allowed only Poles and Germans to stay and posses land. I can't tell you anything about the Germans, but I could tell you why Poles acted like they acted, in my opinion - mostly the psychic life of their ancestors.

Just before Poland has lost it's independence it had several centuries of great individual liberty, multiculturalism and tolerance, much greater than most of the countries. Of course I'm not saying Poland was saint or at the time we could say that only about Poland - just I'm most familiar with Polish history. I'm going to say some details later, to prove I'm not talking out of my ass, but damn, right now I'm quite exhausted with tons of text I've just wrote.

I totally agree with that Robert. I have always felt that one of the very core principles of Christianity was to welcome others with open arms, open hearts and open minds and to help guide others to the love and community that can be felt in this religion. But when I see 'Christians' protesting gay events, soldiers funerals or shunning those who look, act or talk different, or even, like you said, just worships in the same religion in very very slightly different ways, it just makes me want to scream 'You're doing it wrong!'. How do you expect to show people love and kindness and have them decide that your religion is the one for them when you're screaming in their face that the way they live their life is wrong? Or slowly shunning them through fake kindness and making them feel stupid and unwelcome? Ugh, I could go on about that for days. As for you, you keep that openness to others, show them kindness and love and I am sure that people will feel God's love through you so much more!
During sermons in Poland priests often mention Parable of the Good Samaritan.

"A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he travelled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, 'Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.' Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbour to him who fell among the robbers?"
He said, "He who showed mercy on him."
Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

For those who don't remember: Samaritans were hated by Jews at the time.

[Kacper]

Should I finish or whatever?

[Michelle M.]

Lisa wrote: "This conversation is so interesting!

I was raised as a Baptist and I always felt like, at least in my church, it was a denomination that felt like an old woman set in her ways, full of old habits..."

I really love what you have said Lisa! I think feel just like you do in a lot of ways! I hope to teach my grand children about God's love.

[Lisa]

Kacper, if you have more to say, please say it! I haven't had time to reply much but I have been reading through your post and it's wonderful! Thank you for sharing so much of you life and your knowledge with us.

Thank you so much Michelle! I will never sit here and say that my opinion is more than an opinion but it makes me happy that someone else thinks the same as me! <3

[Naomi-Lynn Marguerite]

Kacper, I agree with Lisa. I've just been unable to get to the computer.

I believe everyone has the right to self-determination. That is why we were given the gift of free will. And the greatest freedom from free will is the right to be wrong (I mean no implication anyone has said anything wrong). The consequence of this right are the affects the ripples of these beliefs/decisions/actions have of those around them, from the micro to the macro level.

I love the parable of the good Samaritan. It should be noted the Samaritans were an off-shot of the people of Israel and there was no love lost going either direction. It was all over a theological dispute. The Jews believed God should be worshiped in the Temple in Jerusalem, the Samaritans believed God should be worshiped on the mountain. It's actually like many of the theological disagreements between denominations today where they miss the whole point - God wants to be worshiped.

The Samaritan had a habit of kindness and goodness. He did not ask the nationality, sexuality, gender, religion, &tc., of the injured man. He simply took care of him because he was in need.

Now, I do not believe in the human consciousness, although I understand why others do. I believe in discernment and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost, Paraclete, whichever name you choose to use. I also believe there are still miracles and angels fighting on our side in battles we cannot see but to affects we can see.

Lisa, I believe it was you who talked about the mass emotion in certain environments. I agree with you totally that we feed off of each others emotions. This is why concerts are crazy, mob mentality takes over sane people, yoghurt gets sold (LOL), sporting events can turn ugly, and sometimes the greater good wins when one person brave enough says enough and throws down his or her weapon, proverbial or not. I believe this is more taking the cues from those around us then a group consciousness. Otherwise we wouldn't have freewill.

Well, I have got to get on with over things, but I'm loving this discussion even though I'm not certain I'm staying on topic.

One more thing - Kacper, for certain denominations, the churches are the same around the word. For others they may be independent or have denominations within their denomination (I know, confusing). I went from The Salvation Army (primarily) to the Roman Catholic church. They are very different and quite the same. Also, The Salvation Army is the same worldwide as it has one governing body.

[Rachel]

On a lighter note... Is anyone a Neil Gaiman fan? I recently "discovered" his work. I loved The Graveyard Book and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. They felt so... magical. Does anyone have any books that bring out that feeling of wonder you had as a child. I guess I don't experience it too much anymore so it was amazing to find it in Gaiman's work.

[Naomi-Lynn Marguerite]

Rachel wrote: "On a lighter note... Is anyone a Neil Gaiman fan? I recently "discovered" his work. I loved The Graveyard Book and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. They felt so... magical. Does anyone have any bo..."

Personally I think his Norse Mythology and Stardust are the most magical.

[Wayne]

Love gaimen's approach to the Norse gods, he has a great way of twisting you into a be bemused reader. The opening paragraph of Stardust remains the best start to a novel that I have ever read. Just can't quote that line here.

[Ali]

Hi, I have just finished the Demon Road series by Derek Landy, does anyone have a suggestion on what I should read next? Thank you!

[Heather]

Ali wrote: "Hi, I have just finished the Demon Road series by Derek Landy, does anyone have a suggestion on what I should read next? Thank you!"

Ali, I don't know what you normally read, but here are some in the YA genre that I enjoyed.
The Hunger Games, there are 3 in the series.
Fablehaven, there are bunch of these.
The City of Ember, I read this one years ago and just recommended to a friend.
Cinder, a lot of my friends loved this series.
Inside Out, this is science fiction
Hope you like one or all of them!!

[Ali]

Heather wrote: "Ali wrote: "Hi, I have just finished the Demon Road series by Derek Landy, does anyone have a suggestion on what I should read next? Thank you!"

Ali, I don't know what you normally read, but here ..."

thank you, Heather, I will be sure to check these out!

[Kayla]

I just spent a bit of time reading through the religion discussion. I'm always very interested to talk to religious people about their beliefs. I love learning about religion. I think it fascinates me because I've never believed in any kind of a higher power or god, so I think I try to learn about it because I don't really have a true understanding of it? I grew up in Texas in a conservative Christian household, and my family went to church every Sunday and I did youth group activities, but I never really believed any of it and as soon as I found out that was actually an option, it was me in a nutshell. I'm going to be taking an Indigenous Religions class in the coming semester that I think will be really interesting.

[Tucker]

Does anyone here use the library or just buys books?

[Heather]

I still go to the library weekly! I couldn't afford all the books I read, and where would I keep them all if I could! If I really enjoyed a book and want to share it with family/friends, I will buy it. And I will buy it if I really want to read it and the local library isn't carrying it.

[Tucker]

I love my library system. I can get so many books for free.

[Michelle M.]

I too love the library! Wish I had more time to spend there!!!

[Whitney]

Whenever I move, it seems like the library is one of the first places I check out in my new town. I've had periods of time where I don't use the library as often, but that's just cause I'm not reading as much. I'm hesitant to purchase books I haven't already read and know I'm going to love.

I really like how much libraries are embracing technology. Part of why I got a library card when I last moved was because I had to commute for work and wanted access to audio books to listen while I drove.

My sister works as a librarian, and she tells me about so many interesting things. There are even some libraries that let you rent out novelty cake pans. If your library isn't one of them, you can try to get them on library loan. Libraries really are a community resource. :)

[Fatima]

Hey! Have any of you read any good sad book?? If so can you give me recommendations. It just seems that as hard as I try I can never find a good sad book that I like. So, if you could please help me I would really appreciate it.

[K.L.]

Tucker wrote: "Does anyone here use the library or just buys books?"

I visit the library, download eBooks and buy the books I adore or books of 'proven' (for me) authors

[Michelle M.]

Fatima wrote: "Hey! Have any of you read any good sad book?? If so can you give me recommendations. It just seems that as hard as I try I can never find a good sad book that I like. So, if you could please help m..."

I have read a few. The one that comes to my mind right now is The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks! I really enjoyed it and it made me cry! I will let you know which other ones as soon as I think of them.

[Michelle M.]

Michelle wrote: "Fatima wrote: "Hey! Have any of you read any good sad book?? If so can you give me recommendations. It just seems that as hard as I try I can never find a good sad book that I like. So, if you coul..."

Thought of another one. Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson is one that requires tissues!

[Lisa]

Fatima, Mystic River is pretty freaking heartbreaking. I haven't read many of them but I hear that Jodi Picoult are pretty good tear jearkers. If you're not really looking to cry but just looking for books missing any joy whatsoever and wonderfully depressing, I LOVE Gillian Flynn books for that. Her main characters are always totally messed up female characters and I just love it.

[Raghav]

Interstellar medley is nice if you need music to listen along while reading!

[Sarah-Grace (Azrael865)]

Rachel wrote: "On a lighter note... Is anyone a Neil Gaiman fan? I recently "discovered" his work. I loved The Graveyard Book and The Ocean at the End of the Lane. They felt so... magical. Does anyone have any bo..

Neil Gaiman: I just read Neverwhere. It was very good.

I also read The Graveyard Book and liked it very much. I'm looking forward to exploring more of his works. I was hooked after the Graveyard Book (my first by Gaiman)