Welcome to the Faith, Religion, and Spirituality Community on 7 Cups!
This community has been a lonnnnggggg time coming. People have been requesting a dedicated space to talk about faith, religion and spirituality for quite a while. Apologies for the delay!
There is a significant amount of research that suggests religion and spirituality can be therapeutic. William James (one of our first psychologists) suggested understanding religion is right up there with understanding how people think, feel, and relate to one another. Indeed, there are nearly 8 billion people on the planet and 85% of people are religious or spiritual in one way or another. Any one thing that 85% of humans do suggests it is pretty important!
So, at long last, here is a home for religion and spirituality on 7 Cups. We imagine this as a safe space for people of all faiths to explore and support one another. I think we'll see sub-forums for all of the major world religions, newer faiths, and all sorts of spiritualities. We are starting with a handful of world religions. If you would like to request a category, then please let us know in the comments. All are welcome!
I'll close with this interesting point about religion. Religion comes from the Latin word "religare" which mean to re-ligament, re-connect, re-new or re-bind. It indicates that there is something broken about humanity and that religion might be able to help us reconnect to something healing that we lost along the way.
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@GlenM
Thank you for the announcement, and for the team to continually try their best at nurturing the community!🌻
@GlenM Thanks for creating this sub community! I definitely agree - it is much needed! I hope this is a safe space for anyone wanting to share a little more about their beliefs
@GlenM
Thank you for creating this post and space. Religion, Spirituality, and Faith hold great importance to many individuals, and having a designated space to discuss and share views politely and respectfully is a wonderful idea. It provides an opportunity to learn from each other, understand diverse perspectives, and connect with people who share similar beliefs. This space can help to foster a sense of community and encourage respectful interactions among individuals with different religious backgrounds.
Hi Jenna, I agree. Well stated.
Thank you! and thank you @GlenM and @7cupscommunity leaders too! <3 Platy
@Jenna
Thank you Glenn - super important that a safe space is offered and equal opportunity to talk about faith ❤️
Doesnt matter the religion but i think we all agree going to a dedicated space (in my case a church) to pray feels really nice and terapeutic
@pyriophile Though I'm not much of a believer, I somewhat disagree. The choice of religion matters very much, for the simple reason that not every person is the same & so not everyone is equally suited for any religion out there. One person may find a home in Lutheran Christianity while another doesn't find fulfillment until (s)he walks into a Zen temple, etc. (There are also historical & political reasons but that's for a different thread)
@slowdecline48
well yes in my country many muslim churchs were converted to chatolic. but depends on waht you want from religion i guess im in for the art it might be weird.
@GlenM
As a Christian, I really appreciate this 💛 thank you so much for this post, Glen. :)
@GlenM
All religions are 100% correct that their god is the only true one making ever other one false.
How will 7 cups keep the different groups from fighting. This is why religion was banned as a subject in the other forums, or am I incorrect?
@Gettingbettertoday I definitely hear where you are coming from! I think with anything, arguments can start unless everyone is in agreement to be respectful to everyone and their belief systems.
For example, if I were to share my beliefs I can do so with out putting anyone else down because I believe that its everyone's choice in what they believe!
I do hope that this sub community can remain respectful and a healthy place for people to come to when they are wanting some support about their religion/spiritual beliefs and needs
@beck1
I agree! 💛
@Gettingbettertoday @Beck1
Hopefully, we can all act like mature adults and avoid sharing our beliefs on other people's posts unless it is to encourage and support them. We should mind our own business and try to avoid conflicts. However, we all know that human nature is unpredictable. We can only do our best to avoid negativity coming from ourselves and our community mentors or subcommittee leaders can help filter out any negative talk towards others. I totally see where you're coming from on this concern. May we use the space for more important things than debates.
@Gettingbettertoday I think that it will be necessary to allow people to discuss religion and spirituality if they allow others the space for their beliefs. So this is not a reason to exclude religion, but it needs to be monitored to make sure it does not become proselytizing.
@Gettingbettertoday I think this calls for update to chatroom rules: Don’t debate about what’s true or not or mock each other .
@Gettingbettertoday
"All religions are 100% correct that their god is the only true one making ever other one false. "
With respect to you, that's exactly how those arguments start. You see that right?
Still, I see what you're saying and I think they will need to heavily moderate it, which is perfect here because this is probably the most safe space I think I know of on the internet. I feel like I'm gonna get banned every time I say something lol
More than enough red tape to keep things civil
@CompassionateDetective
I do see it. That is why i posted it, So others would think about it too.
@Gettingbettertoday
When I say "it" I'm talking about the agenda that starts heated debates when people talk about topics of religion and spirituality.
From my perspective, it is as you suggest, the assumption that I'm right and others are wrong. Although it's not so much the assumption of being right, but the agenda to assert that assumption, and have other people accept your idea of what is true and false. Regardless of whether you are right or not.
The point is, objective truth is explored in a science forum, or a debate forum. Not a forum about ones personal, subjective, beliefs and perspective on life, which are relevant to how they cope and deal in life.
@Gettingbettertoday I just realized I was projecting (talking to myself) in my latest reply to you, so this is a follow up to that. I think I was trying to rebutt what you said. Actually, I think you're probably right, and only time will tell how it turns out.
@CompassionateDetective You called it. Also, I'd probably get banned myself for bringing up too many inconvenient facts.
@GlenM Thank you for the opportunity, allowing me to share what I've always wanted to communicate to my fellow human beings. As a devoted follower of Islam, I've delved deeply into humanity, spirituality, and the intrinsic nature of beings. This journey has illuminated the significance of these facets among fellow humans and all living creations.
@FeureVox
I am also a Muslim, and I guess the interesting thing is that it was from being a Christian that I ended up becoming Muslim and because I was wondering why there are so many religions in the world...or in the place I was in. I believed in Jesus and learned about the other prophets such as Moses, Abraham, and other biblical prophets in the Church and used to read the Bible. I already saw a relationship between Judaism and Christianity...then when I learned about Islam I realised that Islam explained why there are all these other beliefs and religions...in Islam we have to believe in all the prophets that came before prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and we believe in One God as the Quran asks us...this is why Jews and Christians are called people ofnthe book because they have accepted part ofnthe fevelation from God but did not accept Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him and the final revealtion....that is the only difference. In my university I learned about different religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism as well. We were told that at the essence of Hinduism is also a belief in One God called Brahman and Hindus worship other dieties or statues to reach this one God and theg believe he is in everything. As Muslims we believe the opposite that the Creator is not confined to time or space but is near to us in terms of His knowledge of everything and power over everything. Buddhists, we are told in essence see the wuestuon of God and thr afterlife as irrelevant because they are living in the moment for inner peace...they neither deny or confirm the question. As for science, which has become like a religion for some people, there is the acknowledgement ofm"intelligent design" as they call in in intellextual circles. The fact that science is gradually moving towards confirming that our world is too complicated to have come about by itself and that it must have had a Creator. Therefore, as Islam tells us the natural disposition for humans is to believe in a Creator. Most believe around the world share that belief. The differences seem to be in axcepting who was a Prophet, who was a messenger and whether a religious book is revelation or not. The Quran tells us that the Torah and Bible were indeed revelations in he beginning but in time were altered and changed and so Our Creator sent down the final revelation which is the the Quran and told us that this is the final revelation. The Quran tells us to invite people to believe in it with wisdom and beautiful preaching but at the same time tells not everyone will believe and we are not to insult other people's dieties because they will insult ours, also people of the book have specail rights to oractice their religion. I mean,, here in the Middle East there are Muslims, Christians, Jews, Druids, Alawis and others who all live in similar areas and have differences but get on. In the end only our creator can judge people. I had a Christian landlady before and we got on fine...we talked about how Jesus will return and about the virgin birth of Mary...I often see Christians hapoh we share similar beliefs and I think if we emphasise and discuss these similarities rather than the differences we can get along ok
@quietlistener2023 I'm sorry to have to tell you, but Intelligent Design ("ID") is nowhere near mainstream science. It's a fringe movement that originated in hard-line Evangelical circles in the United States, & is mostly known for being exposed as an effort to smuggle creationism into science teaching in American public schools...much of that exposure occurred as a result of a Supreme Court decision concerning events in Dover, PA, in the early 2000's. The vast majority of working biologists today do not subscribe to ID or to any other creationist doctrine.
The above does not, of course, mean that a god does not exist. (S)He may well exist & command the workings of the universe in any case. It only means that on Earth, evolution is real & continues to play out.
@slowdecline48 I personally knew an Episcopal priest pastor of a church he did not want people in general to know his past.
He was a molecular biologist worked for some names instant recognition. His WORK convinced him, his research, his science -- all this convinced him God is real!
Many scientists hold onto atheism past rationality. Pointing out mostly to say there is no consensus even on science about spirituality.
I had another friend an internationally famous PhD I met during his student days. For some years he would secretly come to me for his "Jesus Christ" fix like I am a shady religion peddler in the academic red light district!!
Hee hee hee people are interesting glad we both are here!
@quietlistener2023 and @FeureVox
May peace be upon you and on all brothers & sisters! I'm a follower of Islam as well and submit my will to Allah😊.
I came across both of your replies to this thread and I appreciate them very much and resonate with them. Thank you for being so articulate and sharing our beliefs.
I belief in oneness of God and I love Him and all the prophets he sent starting from Adam, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, Solomon etc and ending with Muhammad 😀
@GlenM thank you for this thread/forum I was recently thinking and talking about such a platform with a fellow listener and I'm so glad that we have one in a safe place like 7cups now. Religion can be a source of peace, tranquility and way of life for many and I appreciate that you are providing us an opportunity to connect with individuals and also learn about different perspectives!
Looking forward to a healthy, safe and mature place to learn and connect🌸
@quietlistener2023
Friend.
I want to say; Jesus Christ was much more than a prophet. He was/is a saviour who gave his life on the cross to save us from our sins so that we could be righteous in front of God. And he was raised from the grave 3 days after his death. He was called "the word" also as written in the Bible: John 1 The Word Became Flesh"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
And the Word - Jesus Christ - became flesh 2000 years ago.
@quietlistener2023
Hi friend.
I just wonder if you saw my answer to you.
All the best - Helga.
@FeureVox
i have an honest question about islam , how do you exacly see jesus . As the son of god or a "god" himself
None of the above.
He (Jesus or Eisaa AS) was a messenger of ALLAH (The God), just like Ibrahim, Ismael, Musa and Muhammad ( Peace be upon them all).
I have my own personal framework of understanding, from things I've heard or read, and from my personal experiences, which have scientific, spiritual, psychological, and philosophical aspects, and relates to reality, life, consciousness, existence, and the self.
Within this in an understanding of human psychology centered on the identity, and emotionally and socially driven. Which describes how defense mechanisms create a shadow self, which triggers isolation and depression, which serves to re-integrate the shadow, and adjust the identity and world view to changing circumstances.
The core of my understanding is about identity. And the core of that identity is spiritual in nature. Where the same identity is shared at the core between all identities in manifest consciousness, where ever it appears in a life form or person.
A certain hierarchy, or ranking, of things describes the rest, where an unmanifest absolute self sits behind what might be God, as a supreme doer, or doer of doers. Below those ranks, is the possible transcendent individual self or soul, if that's real, and then the manifest human self inhabiting this manifest mind and body. All of this is spread out on a gross subtle spectrum, or a objective subjective spectrum. But reality is thought of as subjective or consciousness based. Freewill is thought of a borrowed from the supreme will of God. Thus we have total free will, which exists within the supreme will of God which far exceeds our own. Our knowledge is borrowed from Gods omniscience. I experienced this once. There are not two copies of what you and God know, only one. It's Gods knowing, which is borrowed to us, along with everything about us, to make us, our minds and will a manifest thing. Our existence is Gods existence borrowed to us as individual manifest beings. Anyways... whatever it gets very messy the further into the deep end of the pool you go so I tend to stay near the shallow end where it's more or less objective, rational, even a little scientific.
@CompassionateDetective
pretty difficult words in english but i think you believe kinda the same as me . in my case i believe we are discovering the code that god used to create everything bit by bit
@pyriophile
I agree - that's science.
@pyriophile Thanks, I believe in all the scientific, psychological, rational aspects as coexisting alonside the transcendent, the spiritual, the subtle and even irrational or inexplicable aspects of our experience and knowledge.
The power of a human being, or of human consciousness seems to emanate from what's called the heart center. Science cannot yet explain why we experience pain in our chest when we experience heartbreak, so it shows us two things. They too recognize something there, and they have no idea what it is.
When this center is opened, unblocked, awakened, or whatever, it's an intensely emotional, or intensely profound, or a miraculous experience. It varies. It causes energy to flow. This energy I see as rooted in the nervous system, physiologically, but extends to the subtle realm in ways I'm not yet sure of. Maybe as mental projections.
It's like, this body and nervous system is a vessel to carry consciousness, or sentience (thinking and feeling). And in that sentience, we access other realms which are not physical or accessible (yet) to science which has a poor understanding of what consciousness even is.
Thus energy (sentience) flows in the nerves, and from the inside we experience a world of internal subtle feelings and things, like a virtual world.
When the heart cracks open, usually through heartbreak or loss and grief, and usually with weeping, that energy spins the heart center up like a tornado, and strange things are perceived. It could be something like the most beautiful perception of music you've ever experienced, or the most profound gratitude which surpasses everything in your experience, or the most uncanny awareness of serendipitous or miraculous co-incidences, or the deepest impactful insights and understanding, or the deepest stillness and breathlessness, or the most exquisite euphoria.
Thinking for long about how that heart center works, I had an epiphany while listening to love songs yesterday, that it might actually be a kind of resonator, or feeling center, or song. I saw that human joy seems very closely related to music and sound, but looking for the root of this connection, I saw that it's to do with singing, or song. And then I realized all the most ancient scriptures are songs. Some of the most powerful spiritual practices are just chanting (singing along with spiritual music), and the genre of music which most readily activates the heart center (even though it's not even my thing) is love songs, specifically the vocals. I saw that weeping strongly stimulates the heart, but only if you open up the blockage that forms in the throat by exhaling deeply, because this is a kind of silent "wailing, and it's this silent (or perhaps even vocal) wailing that activates it or cracks it open when weeping. Maybe when we sing and hit the love notes it causes the chestplate to resonate and so we feel it there, and so the heart center becomes located there.
Anyway, I'm rambling, it's just extremely fascinating to me, and the heart openings have been extremely impactful to my life.
@GlenM
I like this idea a lot!