Jainism after all

I do still feel compelled, however, to do as I said I would and explain why I don't  believe in Jainism.

A question that I believe to be a good test of any philosophy of life is does it bring life? In other words, does it lead to greater goodness, stronger and more genuine love, and revelation of truth in the lives of those who adhere to it, or does it lead in the other direction?

In Jainism, there is a concept known as Moksha where one annihilates all karma (good and bad) and become a Siddha (one that has attained the ultimate goal). They can then go on to Moksha where their souls are finally freed from the endless cycle of birth and death (reincarnation), and ultimately achieve it’s pure self.

That, in a nutshell, is what Jainism is all about. - www.modernjainism.com/testimony/

What I consider to be the primary problem with Jainism, as with all religion*, is that it is inherently selfish. In Jainism the point is to reach Moksha. Most religions have the idea that some sense of 'heaven' can be acheived - whether Paradise, enlightenment, Moksha, or the like, Some religions, such as Christianity and Islam, also believe in an alternative which involves eternal pain. This alternative, the consequence of failing to please God, then inspires fear in the members and drives them to work harder for their place in paradise.

How the Jesus-movement differs, is that once relationship with Jesus is entered, heaven (or 'salvation') is already secured, so there should be no more striving. All good deeds are not done in order to merit a place in heaven, or to outweigh the bad ones. Rather, good deeds are done because they are good, because they benefit another, and because as our love for Jesus grows so does our desire to be like him. This is love -  to give or do for the benefit of another, at cost to yourself and not for your own gain.

Unfortunately, members of the Jesus movement, those who know him and are known by him, very easily fall into a fearful religious mentality where they return to their old ways of trying to earn God's favour and their own merit and in doing so misrepresent who he is and what his love means. I am one of these, but I hope I will learn quickly to rest in his love and already-pleased-ness instead of striving for what cannot be earned.

* Religion -  a human system of serving a philosophy, person, God or another , usually in the interest of attaining a goal that serves personal interests.

Things My Children Say

God has a sense of humour.

I am recently very aware of this. It's not that He's doing ironic things to me and it's my job in the divine game to find something funny about my circumstances. Not at all. It's actually a joyous awareness of God's sense of fun and funny.

I realised upon reading John Eldredge's Beautiful Outlaw that Jesus had a sense of fun. This should actually be pretty evident considering how joyfully funny many born-again believers are. It was not evident to me because I didn't recognise Jesus's sense of fun in the Gospels until the events therein were read and explained from the point of view that Jesus was a funny guy (due respect intended but alas never attained).

So, God has changed my perspective of Him through this book. Where before if i had a silly struggle i would solemnly ask God's forgiveness and His help to change me into the perfect being He [sic] wants me to be, now I grin sheepishly knowing that He's just laughing at me like a dad laughing at His little girl that puts on His glasses upside down. [cool picture eh?]

it's so awesome. soo so so awesome.

it's life changing to think of God as happy and enjoying me. Enjoying me because I'm silly and prone to mistakes and misconceptions. I'm his little girl, for crying out loud!

My mother has these little books in which she wrote down funny things me and my siblings said when we were small and even sillier than we are now. I wonder if somewhere on God's bookshelf he has one titled "Things My Children Say".

keep your eyes on Me

In the lives of those that follow there is going to come a time When rhythm starts to stumble and singsong swallows rhyme When imaginations crumble, false foundations turn to dust Towers fall to piles of stones and girders into rust Til you let the blood of Jesus wash the rubble from your mind And your eyes again can see the one you almost left behind When theology's in tatters and reason is absurd Still your soul in silence and listen for His word So many turns, so many ways, so many voices cry Standing at the crossroads watching time go flashing by Indecision paralyzes, it's the fear of choosing wrong But waiting is a step itself, and you're wondering too long So again you search the scripture, and again you ask your friends But last of all the One who knows the beginning from the end In the clamor and confusion and the blindness of your choice Still your soul in silence, and listen for His voice.

by Don Francisco

us and them

It's ridiculous. Really, it is.

According to the SARPN (South African Regional Poverty Network), there are more than 25 people living below the poverty line. 57% of the population has been declared 'poor'.

This is one of the pretty slums - in the Western Cape (which is one of the 'richest' provinces in the country).

The people in the above situations often have no clean water, no sewage systems, lack of food and lack of space. The houses are miniscule, but they aren't bachelor flats. Large, often parentless, families live in these matchbox shacks, cramped together for lack of choice.

And where do the rest of us stand?

We, the affluent, stay in our spacious, comforatable, air-conditioned houses and put them out of our minds. We can go to restaurants and convenience stores and the movies and for some, the word budget is unheard of.

How many match-box houses can fit inside the average middle-class yard?

If every reasonably (and unreasonably) wealthy person were to give half their possesions in aid of what we call the poor, the world would be a better place.

That's probably the idea behind communism and socialism. (The reason it didn't work is because another idea behind it was power and control of the masses).

Did the King not have something to say on this matter?

⁸For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

⁴⁰And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,^[a] you did it to me.'

It would seem we have an obligation here, people. How on earth do we do it? Who do we help?

Some say we need only help those who cross our paths. If your path is restricted to suburbia, who will cross it?

Oh, what to do. What to do?

love story

Ha. Yes. 

Surprise!

This is actually not about a love story.

It's about.... dum dum dum dum...
A book. Which is also not a love story.

But it's a great book, okay. So bear with me.

In my not-so-humble opinion all young people should read it. Especially young Christian people because it will have an effect on them. Especially young, unmarried Christian people.

So if you don't comply to any of the above, go away.

No I'm just joking, hey. You can stay if you're old too.

To get to the point, or should I say to the book.

Even if you have it all sorted out in your head.
Even if you can recite the 'courtship rules' in your sleep.
Even if your really don't need help in this regard.

I implore you to read it. Okay, I suggest you read it.

I haven't finished reading it yet, but so far I can recommend it strongly.