Religion in America is stunningly complex. My experiences with religion, especially in the last few years, is a reflection of this nationwide complexity. I'm not even sure how to begin to talk about it, honestly. Some people even say religion in America is dying out. However, just check out the news story above.
Do I believe the story above? Not exactly; after all, this family is selling a book, gaining publicity, and commercializing an experience that simply can not be proven because it is religious in nature. However, that's not to say that this kid did not have a legitimate religious experience.
Should we write books (and blog posts) about our individual experiences? YES, I think people should examine their own beliefs more often. Should we go on morning talk shows to talk about these experiences? Well...probably, but.... Should we make money off of our experiences? Oh dear.... Folks have to make a living, but it makes me really uncomfortable that someone might make a buck off of something that is ultimately intangible.
What are your thoughts? Should people make money off of their religious experiences? What do you think about this kid and this book? The Amazon reviews are fascinating; why would people get so upset when someone else has a different idea of the afterlife?
4 comments:
Hi Diana,
Just happenned on your blog this morning and thought I'd comment about this book about the afterlife since I had seen the hype about it last week. Being a Christian, and believing the Bible as the Word of God, I have to disbelieve this whole thing. It doesn't line up with Biblical teaching at all. Your points about the commercialization of it and all the publicity on something that happenned some time back in this young kid's life are right on. Even if you aren't a Christian believer, there's at least plenty to be skeptical about, and above all, they ARE selling books.
Your job as a future mother is to learn the god's ways and to help your child understand despite the negative reinforcement and conditioning of today's society. Without consciousous parents the child will have no hope, and may even exaserbate their disfavor by becoming corrupted in today's environment.
Your ultimate goal is to fix your relationship wiith the gods and move on. You don't want to be comfortable here, and the changes in Western society in the last 100 years has achieved just that.
1000 years with Jesus is the consolation prize. Don't be deceived into thinking that is the goal.
The gods tempt people for which they are most weak. Artificial Intelligence will create desire in people's minds for the following sins:::
1. Alcohol
2. Drugs
3. Preditory "earning"
4. Homosexuality
5. Gambling
6. Something for nothing/irresponsibility (xtianity)
7. Polygamy/superiority over women/misogyny (Islam)
Much like the other prophets Mohhamed (polygamy/superiority over women/misogyny) and Jesus (forgiveness/savior), the gods use me for temptation as well. In today's modern society they feel people are most weak for popular culture/sensationalism, and the clues date back to WorldWarII and Unit731:TSUSHOGO, the Chinese Holocaust.
It has been discussed that, similar to the Matrix concept, the gods will offer a REAL "Second Coming of Christ", while the "fake" Second Coming will come at the end and follow New Testiment scripture and their xtian positioning. I may be that real Second Coming.
What I teach is the god's true way. It is what is expected of people, and only those who follow this truth will be eligible to ascend into heaven as children in a future life. They offered this event because the masses have just enough time to work on and fix their relationship with the gods and ascend, to move and grow past Planet Earth, before the obligatory xtian "consolation prize" of "1000 years with Jesus on Earth" begins.
The Prince of Darkness, battling the gods over the souls of the Damned.
It is the gods who have created this environment and led people into Damnation with temptation. The god's positioning proves they work to prevent people's understanding.
How often is xtian dogma wrong? Expect it is about the Lucifer issue as well.
The fallen god, fighting for justice for the disfavored, banished to Earth as the fallen angel?
I believe much as the Noah's Flood event, the end of the world will be initiated by revelry among the people. It will be positioned to be sanctioned by the gods and led for "1000 years with Jesus on Earth".
In light of modern developments this can entail many pleasures:::Medicine "cures" aging, the "manufacture" of incredible beauty via cloning as sex slaves, free (synthetic) cocaine, etc.
Somewhere during the 1000 years the party will start to "die off", literally. Only those who maintain chaste, pure lifestyles, resisting these temptations, will survive the 1000 years. Condemned to experience another epoch of planet's history for their ignorant pursuit of xtianity, they will be the candidates used to (re)colonize (the next) Planet Earth, condemned to relive the misery experienced by the peasantry during history due to their failure to ascend into heaven before the Apocalypse.
Never forget:::It is not a house of Jesus.
If this concept of Lucifer is true another role of this individual may be to initiate disfavor and temptation among this new poulation, the proverbial "apple" of this Garden of Eden. A crucial figure in the history of any planet, he begins the process of deterioration and decay that leads civilizations to where Planet Earth remains today.
Which one is it? Probably both:::
One transitions into the other, allowing the gods to wash their hands of obligation to their Chosen One.
You are faced with a lifetime to work and prepare for your next chance. Too many will waste this time working, etc.
I'm not sure we can be certain of what motivates these people to communicate their experiences - whether legitimately "religious" or not. If I ask them to show me their motives...what are they going to do? I am rather unsure of why we feel the need to communicate with each other - aside from the obvious challenges of securing our bodily needs of warmth, sustenance, and some degree of satisfaction that we are not going to be harmed in the immediate future. I think I share the blogger's interest in thoughtfully considering religious experiences and I share suspicion of those who feel the need to gain media attention - but I'm not sure which comes first...the desire for media attention or the desire for MORE media attention.
I just came upon your blog and applaud your thought process and instincts. I need not know your religious connection but it may be best to tell that I am not connected to any religion but strongly believe in God = however God is defined. This child believes what he believes and if his beliefs make him happy in his life then let him be. I understand he is a pastor's child. If this is true there isn't a lot of money in the family especially for college educations or to supplement aging parents' income or health issues that may pop up. One can never be sure of the circumstances of another's life. No one should be judging anyone for anything especially in the area of working to make money for a family. If the child wants to share his happiness with others - good for him. I would rather hear his happy experience rather than the fire and brimstone coming from so many others. Have a great, peaceful day.
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