Comments on: Crossroads at The Cross? http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/ dating advice, relationships, self-help, sexuality, empowerment, men, women, love, romance Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:34:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Country Girl http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-430 Country Girl Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:58:44 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-430 I'm caught in the middle of this right now. This guy I really like has problems with my religion. We're both very strong in our faith and respect that in the other person but he can't seem to get over the differences (though there aren't that many in my opinion) Sigh, he's confused, and dragging me into that mindset with every opportunity. :-P I’m caught in the middle of this right now. This guy I really like has problems with my religion. We’re both very strong in our faith and respect that in the other person but he can’t seem to get over the differences (though there aren’t that many in my opinion) Sigh, he’s confused, and dragging me into that mindset with every opportunity. :-P

]]> By: Mr. Geres http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-326 Mr. Geres Sat, 01 Mar 2008 09:08:33 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-326 I am currently in a relationship with a woman who was raised in the Buddhist faith, and I was raised as Lutheran (Protestant Christian). Even before I met her, I have concluded, through much contemplation, that all humans are flesh and blood. It is human nature to try to comprehend that which is incomprehensible, and in doing so apply an identity (or qualities if you will) to the incomprehensible that lends to the human's satisfaction. It is only natural that different humans will identify the incomprehensible on their own terms. It is only natural that many humans will find it easier to identify with those that are already "satisfied" so to speak, rather than truly question the incomprehensible "starting from square one." With all due respect, variety of religion is nothing more than variety of human satisfaction. As such I choose to accept ALL religions as my own, even those which my human brain may never have a chance to comprehend (which makes me sad, in a way, that I cannot exist long enough to have a complete understanding of all permutations). Unfortunately, many who adhere to one religion find it difficult to accept this notion. It is human nature to seek validity through exclusiveness (regardless of degree), and there is no denying that religion has always been promoted by humans. We are most recently able to physically experience true global awareness of humans. Since the dawn of human existance, many humans have and will deny others, almost all humans have and will accept others to a degree of their own choosing, and literally a handful (throughout time as humans define it) will succeed in refusing to be bound by human nature (even "success" is a human defined notion). I realize that I may strive to refuse to be bound by human nature, but the reality is that I am still human. So as long as I strive to the best of my ability to refuse my human nature, I believe that I can be tolerant and understanding of others. I believe a strong relationship is forged above religious differences, differences in traditions, and differences of opinion. However, others will forge relationships based on similarities of religious beliefs, of tradition, and of opinion (and I cannot judge this to be any less righteous than my own belief). Therefore I seek out a partner (or partners as the future may hold) who does not deny my belief system (note that I did not say "accept"), and I choose to experience life alongside them without resistance to their human qualities. Oh yeah, it helps if they're a good cook too. ;D I am currently in a relationship with a woman who was raised in the Buddhist faith, and I was raised as Lutheran (Protestant Christian). Even before I met her, I have concluded, through much contemplation, that all humans are flesh and blood. It is human nature to try to comprehend that which is incomprehensible, and in doing so apply an identity (or qualities if you will) to the incomprehensible that lends to the human’s satisfaction. It is only natural that different humans will identify the incomprehensible on their own terms. It is only natural that many humans will find it easier to identify with those that are already “satisfied” so to speak, rather than truly question the incomprehensible “starting from square one.” With all due respect, variety of religion is nothing more than variety of human satisfaction.

As such I choose to accept ALL religions as my own, even those which my human brain may never have a chance to comprehend (which makes me sad, in a way, that I cannot exist long enough to have a complete understanding of all permutations). Unfortunately, many who adhere to one religion find it difficult to accept this notion. It is human nature to seek validity through exclusiveness (regardless of degree), and there is no denying that religion has always been promoted by humans.

We are most recently able to physically experience true global awareness of humans. Since the dawn of human existance, many humans have and will deny others, almost all humans have and will accept others to a degree of their own choosing, and literally a handful (throughout time as humans define it) will succeed in refusing to be bound by human nature (even “success” is a human defined notion).

I realize that I may strive to refuse to be bound by human nature, but the reality is that I am still human. So as long as I strive to the best of my ability to refuse my human nature, I believe that I can be tolerant and understanding of others. I believe a strong relationship is forged above religious differences, differences in traditions, and differences of opinion. However, others will forge relationships based on similarities of religious beliefs, of tradition, and of opinion (and I cannot judge this to be any less righteous than my own belief).

Therefore I seek out a partner (or partners as the future may hold) who does not deny my belief system (note that I did not say “accept”), and I choose to experience life alongside them without resistance to their human qualities.

Oh yeah, it helps if they’re a good cook too. ;D

]]> By: Carol http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-324 Carol Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:09:38 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-324 No more than say....I don't know. Let's say a partner is all into eating insects. YOu can respect it, ask questions and embrace that unique-ness without sticking a cockroach in your mouth. We are not meant to share every single detail and the FULL experience. Atleast, I don't think so. Perhaps we are just meant to attempt to share...to grow and to learn. If any man did "my experience" only...he is no longer doing is own. I make sense in my 102 degree head. No more than say….I don’t know. Let’s say a partner is all into eating insects. YOu can respect it, ask questions and embrace that unique-ness without sticking a cockroach in your mouth.

We are not meant to share every single detail and the FULL experience. Atleast, I don’t think so. Perhaps we are just meant to attempt to share…to grow and to learn. If any man did “my experience” only…he is no longer doing is own.

I make sense in my 102 degree head.

]]> By: Ryan http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-323 Ryan Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:08:13 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-323 A buddy of mine, who's marriage is failing, is going through this very problem. Consulting a bible and a third party Christian, we've found that you have to be of the same faith to spend eternity together. (Not sure of the exact text.) However that became null and void when they took their vows......a good Christian woman should stand by her husband. (Again, not sure of exact text.) Things are further hampered because my buddy is an athiest, and we athiests burn in eternal fires for blasphemy.(Mark 3:29) "All this is why you shouldn't ask the Jehovah's Witnesses out when they knock on your door!" A buddy of mine, who’s marriage is failing, is going through this very problem. Consulting a bible and a third party Christian, we’ve found that you have to be of the same faith to spend eternity together. (Not sure of the exact text.) However that became null and void when they took their vows……a good Christian woman should stand by her husband. (Again, not sure of exact text.) Things are further hampered because my buddy is an athiest, and we athiests burn in eternal fires for blasphemy.(Mark 3:29) “All this is why you shouldn’t ask the Jehovah’s Witnesses out when they knock on your door!”

]]> By: Chris http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-322 Chris Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:43:47 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-322 I always liked the beginning of that chapter (1 Corinthians 13)... . "<I>1</I> If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." . "...<I>7</I> Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." . "<I>8</I> Love never ends;..." I always liked the beginning of that chapter (1 Corinthians 13)…
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“1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.”
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“…7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
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“8 Love never ends;…”

]]> By: Karri http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-320 Karri Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:20:30 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-320 I mean absolutely no offense by this, but decorating a tree doesn't mean that you would be fully experiencing the true meaning of Christmas the way a Christian partner would. We most certainly are able to grasp the concept of another's beliefs, but unless we're practicing the same principals it's only theory not reality. I mean absolutely no offense by this, but decorating a tree doesn’t mean that you would be fully experiencing the true meaning of Christmas the way a Christian partner would.

We most certainly are able to grasp the concept of another’s beliefs, but unless we’re practicing the same principals it’s only theory not reality.

]]> By: Karri http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-319 Karri Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:07:25 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-319 I will be the first to sign up for dating/marrying someone my complete opposite, I revel in the differences. That being said, if I'm not practicing another's beliefs or vice-versa we are only able to speculate rather than fully share the experience. Have I lost my mind...again? I will be the first to sign up for dating/marrying someone my complete opposite, I revel in the differences. That being said, if I’m not practicing another’s beliefs or vice-versa we are only able to speculate rather than fully share the experience.

Have I lost my mind…again?

]]> By: Karri http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-318 Karri Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:50:03 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-318 First of all, Congrats! You two are the success story that we all long for. I have to wonder if your mutual choice to "throw religion out the window" in some way created your own belief system? I truly appreciate that the two of you are united and living by your own rules! First of all, Congrats! You two are the success story that we all long for. I have to wonder if your mutual choice to “throw religion out the window” in some way created your own belief system? I truly appreciate that the two of you are united and living by your own rules!

]]> By: Karri http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-317 Karri Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:45:19 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-317 Sarahh, I'd venture to say that's because you and Vic share a mutual respect for one another's differences and accept your individual choices. Well done! Sarahh, I’d venture to say that’s because you and Vic share a mutual respect for one another’s differences and accept your individual choices.

Well done!

]]> By: Karri http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/comment-page-1/#comment-316 Karri Thu, 28 Feb 2008 21:41:28 +0000 http://eve-101.com/crossroads-at-the-cross/#comment-316 One would think it's common sense, however let's take a look at the paradox that surrounds God, the bible and oh, how about...Catholicism. In the first instance we have 1 Corinthians 13:8 which I've referred to. An excerpt that states "love never fails", and advocates all that love should be. Yet conversely, as even stated by Joe's comment below, the Catholic church will not perform interfaith marriages in it's churches. Hypocrisy at its finest, wouldn't you say? So to me, that's not advocating love and unity, but rather promoting segregation. Sadly, love does fail...it is not always enough! And experience has proved to me that couples who share a similar religious/spiritual foundation have a stronger bond than those who don't. That's not to say that those who differ can't make it work long term, I'm simply stating that those who are united in one more facet of their lives have an edge over those who don't. Removing religion from the topic, it's liken to a couple who enjoys playing racquetball, snow skiing or yes, even doing chores together...it's a commonality that brings them closer. One would think it’s common sense, however let’s take a look at the paradox that surrounds God, the bible and oh, how about…Catholicism. In the first instance we have 1 Corinthians 13:8 which I’ve referred to. An excerpt that states “love never fails”, and advocates all that love should be. Yet conversely, as even stated by Joe’s comment below, the Catholic church will not perform interfaith marriages in it’s churches. Hypocrisy at its finest, wouldn’t you say? So to me, that’s not advocating love and unity, but rather promoting segregation.

Sadly, love does fail…it is not always enough! And experience has proved to me that couples who share a similar religious/spiritual foundation have a stronger bond than those who don’t. That’s not to say that those who differ can’t make it work long term, I’m simply stating that those who are united in one more facet of their lives have an edge over those who don’t. Removing religion from the topic, it’s liken to a couple who enjoys playing racquetball, snow skiing or yes, even doing chores together…it’s a commonality that brings them closer.

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