Encouraging Individual Spirituality and World Peace
Gifts Received
stephanie has not received any gifts yet
stephanie's Page
Profile Information
- Relationship Status
- Married
- Values: What is most important to you in life? What is your purpose? Who are you, really? What do you value?
- I value faith, family and health... and everything else as secondary. (For example, if career supports family, then that is somewhat important, but not at the expense thereof. Activities - sports, trips, hobbies, social obligations, culture, etc. - are generally a part of health and wellness.)
- Beliefs: What do you believe in? Do you believe in God(s)? Karma? Saints? Why or why not?
- Personal experience, answered questions and prayers, and bible study led me to take a leap of faith and believe in God. I've had a lot of questions in the process, and will continue to have questions... While I once believed in karma or a universal scorecard to explain injustices and feel good about doing good to promote goodness, I now think of the idea as a bit self-serving. To me, to believe in a parental unconditional love is more freeing and powerful... Even though texts from different faith traditions acknowledge that Jesus existed, and some note the amazing things he did, I do believe in his divinity. I think God sent Jesus to express God's love for each of us in terms that we would understand, which, back in the day, was partly by sacrifice.
- Do you consider yourself spiritual? Do you identify yourself with a religion? Why or why not?
- I used to consider myself spiritual, but not religious, because I felt I didn't know enough about any one religion to commit to it. I know a lot of people hesitate to identify themselves with a religion for many other reasons. For me, I connect and identify mostly with the "catholic" Christian faith--I don't agree with everything the Catholic Church teaches or practices, and I prefer non-denominational Christian services (esp. with contemporary music, positive vibes)... It's true that sometimes rituals can be performed mindlessly, but I think sometimes they can also remind us of what's important, give honor to what they represent, and even be sacred. On the other hand, I've seen young people at non-denominational churches get really excited about their faith, love, and service. Now I'm one of them!
- Do you believe in after-life, heaven, reincarnation, a parallel universe, fate or destiny?
- Reincarnation and transcendence: appealing and encouraging? A parallel universe: a sincere attempt to explain déjà vu or a late night come-on? I'm not sure. Growing up in NY and studying abroad, subway proselytizing, contradictions, and strangers who sought to "save" me even at age 8, really turned me off and made me very skeptical. While who knows if it's true, the idea that there is only one way to salvation (or to know God) as some Christians believe (and some other faith traditions may teach), does not seem to me to follow Jesus' teachings of an all-loving God. However, I try to be open-minded and respectful, and continue to learn and grow. I would like to believe in an after-life, where "Jewish people... Muslims... those who... sincerely seek God and moved by grace strive by their deeds to do His will as it is known to them through the dictates of conscience... [and] those who, without blame on their part, have not yet arrived at an explicit knowledge of God and with His grace strive to live a good life" (Vatican II) experience a sort of heaven, while others experience what would be hell not to know God's love.
- Background / Spiritual Path
- My dad is Catholic and my mom is Buddhist. I always say that if anyone wants to share their religion without trying to convert me, that would be really cool.
- Inspiration (People, Places, Things)
- My parents, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Jesus Christ, my husband. Nature. Joel Osteen podcasts, peace, love. Multi-faith prayer and non-denominational service. Riverpark.
- Website
- http://www.stephoenix.com
- What are you thankful for?
- Water
stephanie's Photos
stephanie's Videos
-
-
Face to Face / Faith to Faith
Added by stephanie
Stephanie's Blog
happy diwali!
happy diwali! can we practice what we preach? go, world peace! send mithai boxes instead of bombs. ♥ thy neighbor as thyself.
random bible rdgs yesterday:"Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous."(Psalm 112:4)
Sal Mubarak! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sal_Mubarak
shalom, peace be with you, namaste, and السلام عل
A…
ContinuePosted on October 27, 2011 at 12:00pm
World Religion Day offers spiritual party BY JANE BOKUN, Shreveport Times
World Religion Day will be held Jan. 23 at The Highland Center. As a treat for many locals, keynote speaker will be neurosurgeon Dr. Anil Nanda.…
ContinuePosted on January 4, 2011 at 6:59pm
The Saint and the Sultan
Wednesday, September 29 · 6:30pm - 8:00pm |
| Church of St. Francis of Assisi 135 W. 31st Street
New York, NY…
|
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 10:00am
Photos
Disclaimer & Terms of Use
© 2012 Created by stephanie.
Comment Wall (3 comments)
On the other hand, if you don't believe in evolution, and instead believe that God created us more directly... then what makes you so sure that God did not put life anywhere besides on this tiny dust mite which we call our planet within this tiny speck of dust that we call our galaxy?
You need to be a member of Common Ground Dove project to add comments!
Join Common Ground Dove project