family
As for your blog! WOW again! I agree with a lot of what you said about "what if" and for the most part I can say I believe in God, and I believe in living my life a certain way, but as for what the "organized" religions have taught us......well, like you said, it's all man made and no one really knows. I prefer to think of myself as spiritual, not religious, and I try to live in the moment and the here and the now, and not dwell too hard in the future (yeah, I fail miserably sometimes, but it's a work in progress).
Oh, and for the origin of that Spirituality vs Religion post......it started with Noelle67.....I blognapped it to keep it out there longer, and then a few more people kept it alive a few more days because it was just that thought provoking. Hmmmmm, I just noticed one of your tags had the term "milkyway" in it and now I'm hungry for chocolate! lol, ok, so now you know my mind is mush tonight!
I guess you have had quite a busy week this week. Multicolored 'fluffy butt', 'cubicle noise' and then a ill Dad (who I hope is doing much better). So . . . I guess you deserve a bit of rest and a night off.
As far as my blog post, I guess sometimes in my feeble twisted mind I get somewhat creative and inquisitive and just want to know what is really going on. Since I know of no one who has the answers (even if they say they do) and I know of no place to find the answers, all I have left is to search my own mind and ask myself questions. Who knows, maybe one day I will come up with an answer. 
We can't continue to be arrogant and naive and think we are the only show in the theater. For all we know there could be people or other beings out there looking for us. Maybe one day we will meet. 
Take care and enjoy your evening and weekend.
As for my blog
Oh, and if there are "other shows" in the universe looking for us, I guess I better close my blinds when I get undressed at night
Dad is better, but he's got to go back next week. So who knows? I'll just enjoy it if he has a few good days so I can rest up!
Yes, by all means you had better close your blinds. You don't want some one eyed 13 legged being from another planet ending up drooling all over his telescope. 
What if you're right?
What if I am right? Perhaps one day we will find out. I do have a little something to add to this about a recent discovery by scientists. Sort of a sequel. It doesn't prove or disprove anything (as of yet). The problem is that some of the recent 'possible' discoveries are several hundred million miles away. Verizon does not have coverage that far yet so I can't reach anyone there on my cell phone.
What do you think?
I think since you have been to the edge and back that you, perhaps, might have more insight than most.
And that you may possibly correct in your premise.
P.S. - You can also call me Ed. (If you so desire)
you know!
How many 'things' have been 'un-proven' so far from what was originally thought. I, myself, don't trust in 'men' and their thoughts and theories but rather choose to make my own deductions based on my own research
Which is exactly why I don't really believe in "prayer"
Because I am lumpy and bumpy
)
As for proof? I don't have proof that can be proven. What I do have is my experiences observing my mother 'passing'. And I can tell you...No matter how huge existance is, or all the "what if's"... I belive in God and Jesus.
It's not something I've blogged about. Although most of my online friends know that I am a Christian, they don't know why. I don't do a lot of personal blog posts. If you have an interest in the 'why', feel free to use my email address to ask. mindsaymamajo@yahoo.com
Blessings on you and yours, MamaJo
I also am a Christian and I am also a firm believer in God, guardian angels and a host of other things. The one thing that I do not have a lot of faith in is the 'church'. The bible itself goes against many of the beliefs and teachings of most churches. Since the beginning of my diagnosis with cancer (And even before) and my ongoing journey to live my life I have known there was something guiding me to make the right decisions and to survive. (That is all in my 5 or so 'Guardian Angel' posts).
As I also stated in my recent post "I would not even begin to say or think that there is no God." My basic intent with the 'What If ' was to examine or explore the possibilities that what we have been told to believe may not in all possibility be the way that God exists in our lives. It may be entirely different than what we have been told as no mortal being knows the real truth.
I examine the past. I look at the present. I wonder about the future. Exploring, examining and wondering is not a bad thing. It is how we learn about truth.
Thank you and bless you as well.
May I go back in your archives to read the Guardian Angel posts?
Blessings, MamaJo
Take care.
Just a thought.
It seems to me the issue is in the separation of spirituality & religion ... their definitions. As I use them, religion refers to a manmade structure of a religious doctrine. Spirituality, on the other hand, refers to the human need / expression of things of the spirit. These are intangible, invisible, and often immeasurable issues.
Religion, by its very definition, is governed by humans - imperfect and mortal. Because of this, it is flawed and often corrupt as those with power misuse and abuse this power.
Spirituality, on the other hand, is an individual thing. In my understanding, it is wrapped up in our individual seach for meaning, purpose and identity. I believe that each individual has access to God and is capable of hearing His "voice" in any number of personal ways.
<<SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT GOD IS WITHIN US, AND THAT WE DON'T NEED ANYONE ELSE TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION FOR US.
RELIGION SAYS THAT WE ARE SEPARATED FROM GOD, AND THAT WE NEED "THEM" TO MAKE THAT DIVINE CONNECTION. >>
We are made in God's image, and as such, the divine element is within us, but it is buried under the flawed human nature that tends toward self-indulgence. If no other entity was needed to make the "divine connection" would not more individuals rise above their base nature? We cannot bridge the gap alone, but it is not human assistance we require. It is God's! It is not "the church", i.e religion that is needed, but the Love of God to empower us to look higher.
<<SPIRITUALITY SAYS THAT WE ARE FREE TO MAKE CHOICES ON OUR OWN, AND THAT WE MUST TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS.
RELIGION SAYS WE MUST MAKE THEIR CHOICES, AND ACT THEIR WAY. >>
In this sense, religion supplies a "code of conduct" that varies from denomination to denomination, sect to sect. God says His law is written on our hearts, so we instinctively know when we stray from His way. He also does not condemn us when we falter, but offers us innumerable chances. Religion often seems like a straight jacket of rules and regulations that stifle life.
All this to say ... my spirituality doesn't depend on any priest or prophet other than Jesus. Religion is, as I said before, a manmade structure ... or at the very least, man interpreted structure. This is why each denomination has a slightly different way of self-governing. There seems to be something that happens to people when they band together in any organized way. There is a need for leadership and from there ... power breeds corruption. That's the catch 22.
Your "what if's" are yours to investigate. I know that the "heavens declare the glory of the Lord ... " To me they are more than sufficient evidence that we cannot be a cosmic accident, but rather the extravogant plan of a masterful and creative God who is so much bigger than any of us can even begin to imagine ... It does allow room for redemptive imagination!
Thanks for posting this ... I appreciate your perspective!
There is one other item that came to mind with respect to religion. As it is told in the bible there will be those who enter our lives or cross our paths who say they are 'of the lord' but in all reality are false prophets and would cause us to stray from God. I wonder also how many religions and their religious leaders have caused many to stop believing ? From the very extremist Jim Jones and David Koresh to the sublime Jim and Tammy. The 'church' as we are told is within us not some building produced by man for the benefit of man.
It is my daily endeavor to have NO expectations in any person - including myself - I have goals and dreams, of course ... but my expectations (ideally) are only in the divine presence of God and His universal and unconditional love for each of us.
Too many people Idolize to much as you say, Ministers, Entertainers, Politicians. I don't worship any of them. They are no better than you or I.
My thoughts as far as politicians go is that WE should make the rules and laws governing their actions and behaviors. If that were the case, George W would have been fired a long time ago.