gregorygarver.com

1HrBookkeeper · Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 3

allow me to start, about ISLAM:Islam is an Arabic word that is linguistically derived from silm or salamah; it denotes peace, wholeness, and submission. As a religion, Islam teaches us that it is only through submission to God's will that we can find true peace—peace within ourselves, peace with fellow humans, as well as peace with God's creation.The fundamental beliefs of Islam can be summed up as follows:1.Belief in the oneness and unity of God. This entails belief in God as the one and only Creator, Cherisher, and Sovereign Lord of the entire universe.2.Belief in God's angels. Angels are spiritual beings who are engaged in glorifying God and doing His bidding.3.Belief in the Scriptures (revelations) that contain God's communications to His prophets and messengers. Among the scriptures are [the original] Torah, [the original] Gospel, and finally the Qur'an, which confirms and preserves intact the pristine, perennial religion revealed to all of God's prophets and messengers.4.Belief in prophets and messengers. These were message bearers from God, who called mankind unto God; they were ideal Muslims (i.e., they submitted themselves wholly and totally to the will of their Lord). In this sense, the prophets are our true role models, as they represent the best of what humanity can aspire to and become.5.Belief that both good and bad are decreed by God, as He alone is in charge of the entire universe.6.Belief in the Last Day when all of humanity will stand before their Lord for final reckoning, where one's good as well bad deeds will be scrutinized by the One Who knows all.Besides the above fundamental beliefs, a Muslim observes the five pillars, and lives a morally and ethically exemplary life, according to the best of his or her ability.1.The first and foremost of these pillars is testifying to the oneness of God. By testifying to the divine oneness, one is recognizing God as the sole entity to worship, to attach one's ultimate loyalty. Such recognition frees one from bondage of matter and values that enslave, cripple, and dehumanize one.2.The next most important pillar is offering five daily Prayers at the appointed times: dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, dusk, and before retiring to bed. Prayer in Islam is a direct communion with God, without any intermediary; it bestows on us grace, serenity, tranquility, and peace.3.The next foremost pillar of Islam is offering charity. A believer parts with at least a minimum of two and a half percent of his or her wealth for the poor and needy, although he or she is encouraged to give more.4.Fasting in the month of Ramadan closely follows charity as the fourth pillar. It is an institution intended to teach empathy with the poor, besides inculcating in us the need to overcome and transcend our physical desires in order to deepen our spiritual awareness.5.Finally, pilgrimage (Hajj) to the house of God in Makkah, the house built by God's prophets Abraham and his son Ishmael. Pilgrimage brings us face to face with people of all races and colors, and challenges us to break the walls that separate us from one another and to embrace the true brotherhood of humanity as the sacred bond that unites all of us under the lordship of the one and only God.The above cardinal tenets and practices of Islam are intended to instill, nurture, and deepen the basic attitudes and values of submission to the will of God. Islam essentially means to lead a life of mindfulness of God while being compassionate to all of God's creation. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked what was the best teaching of Islam; he said, "To feed the hungry and to spread greeting of peace to everyone, regardless of whether you know the person or not" (Ibn Majah and An-Nasa'i).At the moral level, Islam teaches us to be truthful, honest, just, compassionate, virtuous; to shun all evils; to be ever bent on doing good deeds while sparing others of any harm or injury. Stated differently, it teaches us to think right, speak right, and act righteously.At the spiritual level, Islam teaches cultivation of mindfulness of God—being grateful to Him, patient in adversity, and content with His decree and ever willing to make our will conform to His will.

CharlieD · Joined: 02 Jan 2004 Posts: 3

Hi,I am an atheist that believes in live & let live.

SundA · Joined: 01 Aug 2004 Posts: 3

thou shalt not be brainwashed by any religion

Jdriven · Joined: 22 Jan 2004 Posts: 5

Us american have no attention span can you shorten this to the length of a short commercial?it all sounds good,, i agree with your religion as posted herewhat if i am gay or like a lot of sex is that ok?christianity in a nut shelllove your enemyturn the other cheeklet them crucify you as you ask god to forgive themhelp the poordo not worship money

JakeS · Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 6

My faith is that the Universe exists, is wondrous, is open to observation and human understanding, I am part of it; and that the scientific Method is the best we have to understand it -- and a very good best it is!///

imbored · Joined: 30 Nov 2005 Posts: 8

You are lucky to have such strong beliefs.As a non-believer I try to 'Do as you would be done by'.I think that is from Charles Kingley's The Water Babies. I read it when I was very young and it still sounds like a good code in life.

MichaelZ · Joined: 14 Mar 2004 Posts: 5

i dont believe in god etc. i believe in good people, who are born with a genuinly good heart, and evil people who, from an early age, are twisted human beings (eg murderers rapists) i believe that 'god' is sort of a 'symbol' representing good and 'satan' is supposed to represent the evil in people's hearts....everyone has the ability for both being evil and being good, it just depends on the person. I also believe that the twisted people cant go back to becoming innocent and good, but good people can become evil. thats all i believe in : people.

somefemale · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Posts: 2

this is Christianity in a nutshell:1. God created the universe and he is all-knowing and all-powerful2. Jesus was God's only begotten son and he died on the cross for mankind's sins. 3. If we ask God for forgiveness of all our past sins in the name of Jesus, we will be saved (in this context, it means saved from going to hell)4. God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are separate and yet one. 5. Jesus told us to love and respect others, and to not judge others because no one except himself is perfect.....i personally like knowing about other people's beliefs (i'm so curious how humans as a whole and individuals are)...this is a question i would ask! =]

Ursus · Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Posts: 5

I'm a Taoist, Determinist, Stoic, Chaos Theorist, Pantheist, Atheist. A lot of philosophies. Yes.Taoism.Derived from Lao Tzu's fantastic work the Tao te Ching. It teaches the three primary virtues, or jewels. Moderation, Humility, and Compassion. It teaches us not to contrive, and to appreciate causality. It teaches us that the best leaders aren't the most loved, but those whose subjects recognize their own accomplishments, and not the 'accomplishments' of the leader.Determinism. From the size of the big bang, everything was determined by the power and magnitude of its explosion. Everything. That there would be life. What life would be here, all of it. The only exception to this rule is the interaction of subatomic particles on a quantum level--which, indeed--has a profound effect.Chaos Theory: Elaborates on the Quantum mechanics uncertainty drive through determinism. It sums up both Taoism and Determinism wonderfully. The full scope of causality, the cause and effect nature of the universe, as well as the very slight impact of tiny, insignificant things which turn into major things as time goes on, eventually sweeping more and more up into their path as they take on new shapes of their own. This eventually explains a great deal of evolution, and why it took the paths it did.Stoic. That there's little point at getting upset about anything. It only makes things worse.Pantheist: The Universe is God, and it may or may not be as intelligent as it is beautiful and intricate.Atheist: There is no God, save the possibility of an intelligent universe.Those are my beliefs.

lremmell64 · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 7

As Salaamu Alaykum,Thank you so much for sharing that with us sister.May Allah bless me & you in this life and the Hereafter.Ma'a Salaamah

Raymond9886 · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 9

I am an Eclectic Pagan. - respect for nature- respect for the enviroment- learning natural skills that are lost in the *disposable* world- a belief in natural magic and that it should only be used for good- religion should be joyous

ethology · Joined: 15 Mar 2004 Posts: 3

The statement of the Christian faith in for an Anglican is the versions of the Creed which can be found in the Book of Common Prayer or the modern translations. The Church of Rome has the same thing with no material difference

Angie-RealEstateIsMyWAH17 · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 4

I believe in The LORD God and also in His son Jesus. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary by the power of God, therefore his Father was and is God.Jesus was born as the Messiah, the saviour of the Jewish people. Jesus came to offer salvation to his people Israel. Sadly, the leaders of the Jews mostly rejected him. So, as prophesied in the Old Testament, Jesus was falsely accused of being a troublemaker and crucified. The Jewish leaders were envious of his speaking the word of God with authority because the ordinary people flocked to listen to him. Jesus did many wonderful miracles for those people.Jesus came to of preach the Gospel, the Good News of the kingdom to come on earth. He taught that his Father, the LORD God, offered foregiveness for mens' sins.It is through the grace of God, an unearned blessing, that we are offered a place in God's coming kingdom. But only if we love God and wish to obey Him. Jesus, though tempted, did no sin we are told, so that when he died the tomb and death could not hold him. His Father raised raised him from the grave and the apostles and others saw him spoke to him and touched him. After teaching them more about the coming kingdom he ascended into heaven. There were angels with Jesus who told the apostles that Jesus would return in the same way he had gone into heaven.While Jesus had been with them he had taught the disciples and people about baptism (immersion in water and coming up to a new way of life), the kingdom, prayer to God, that we should be humble and love one another, and resurrection.Jesus taught from the Old Testament of the Bible about his Father. Jesus believed the prophesies in the Old Testament, and the Promises that God offered to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The promises spoke of God's chosen people, the Jews. This people were taken into the land of Canaan (Israel) by God and it was promised to them forever. Though the Jews were sent into exile because they often disobeyed God, they were to be regathered and brought back to their land.Zion is where the Bible tells us Jesus will return and set up his kingdom for his Father. This is where there will be true, peaceful and lasting government for everyone.It is a great hope and it is offered to everyone, whatever their nationality.

AngeloM · Joined: 17 May 2005 Posts: 6

I am a Born Again Believer, I believe that Jesus Christ came to earth in the form of a man, born of a virgin, and died on an old Rugged Cross at Calvery to take away the sins of the World. He was the Perfect Sacrifice, He is Almight God, the Prince of Peace, His Name is Wonderful, Everlasting and He is my Saviour. He puts a Joy and a Peace in my Heart I can't get anywhere else. It is Supernatural. I was Saved by His Grace thru Faith and now His Holy Spirit lives within me. I am now Sealed to the day of Redemption. Nothing can pluck me from my Fathers Hand. I am on my way to Heaven. While on earth I am trying to become more Christlike as I grow as a Christian, to walk worthy of the Salvation freely given to me by the death of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I know He washed my sins away, and though I can never repay it, and I still sin, He love me anyway unconditionaly. Wow. What a Saviour. It is my Prayer you find Jesus too. He is the Saviour of the World!!

slinkies · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 6

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 says, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”In a nutshell, that is the belief of Christianity. Christianity is unique among all other faiths, because Christianity is more about a relationship, rather than religious practice. Instead of adhering to a list of “dos and don’ts,” the goal of a Christian is to cultivate a close walk with God the Father. That relationship is made possible because of the work of Jesus Christ, and the ministry in the life of the Christian by the Holy Spirit.