“Quit conforming to the Western way of thought.”? How can you say that when you have a Christian cross on you arm? That’s as western as you can get!

Very true if you want to debate semantics, but a deep love in God to me has no boundaries nor should he belong to any particular section of the world. I believe he is in all things and has his place in all religions whether it is Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shamanism, or even paganism. I relate to him more through Christianity, but other’s relate to him through other religions. In my opinion, spirituality should constantly be evolving and to limit yourself to eastern or western religions is ignorant because there’s truth in it all. So yes I took a Western symbol and an Eastern symbol to show who I am and what I was raised to be. But I am as uncomforming a Christian as you’ll find because I understand there is truth in all religions.

I don’t think he was debating semantics. It’s what you said. Would you say your a fake Christian because your not supposed to believe in other religions?

I said not to conform to the western way of thought but since when is christianity a strictly western religion? When early church leaders held counsels to decide which books were going to become canon and which philosophies were going to become “official,” there were many eastern philosophers and scholars who had their input on the council. It’s all relative.

I think he’s debating semantics because my personal belief in God is an amalgamation of many different culture’s religious philosophies and I feel that more people should stand up and have their own personal relationship with God.

I wouldn’t say I’m a fake Christian. Maybe I’m not a Christian in the “conventional” sense, but it would be very conforming of me to hold onto other definitions.

Here’s my thing: I don’t see why my pride in our people’s pass should even have started any kind of debate or accusatory argument.

And my true meaning behind the statement of not conforming to the western way of thought was only to tell people not to be afraid of getting themselves tattooed and learning more about our past in the old country. It just took a tailspin because Mario misinterpreted my meaning. I didn’t think I had to be that descriptive in my text because I didn’t think people with one love would want to debate over such trivial things.

That cross = the opression of our people. God does’t have to do anything with religion. Stating there’s truth in all religion goes against Chrisianity. By saying there’s truth in Islam makes you a half-baked Christian. Maybe it’s in style? lol

Saying there is truth in all goes against conventional christianity yes. Most Christians would call me a heretic or heathen. I do not care because I know what I believe. It’s unfortunate that there are so many people who want to put strict definitions to spiritual labels. A Christian is one who believes in Christ as the son of God and understands the great sacrifice he gave. What people don’t understand is that it was a metaphorical sacrifice. He died on the cross but that didn’t give people instant access to heaven (if such a ‘place’ exists). He died on the cross to let the world know that there’s someone out there with the strongest and purest of love in his heart who gave away his physical self so that his words and teachings would live. I can appreciate that and I appreciate his words and wisdom.

One thing the bible doesn’t do is acknowledge man’s ability to introspect. Buddhism does this. Man has the ability (gifted by God, in my estimation) to solve his own problems: anger, depression, etc, etc…traditional Christians say “look to God” and they find their peace that way. I say look to yourself because God’s given you the ability to analyze your decisions and your temperament to become a just human being. Buddhists wouldn’t like me. Christians don’t like me. But like I said, I do not care because I feel I have a deep understanding of human spirituality.

Cute guy, do you have a gf?

No girlfriend, Margot. Feel free to message me at estrada.jonathan@gmail.com

I think you should learn your history son. Christianity was used on our people to control us. Who would want to believe in a jealous god that needs people to worship him. And your wrong about buddhist because they don’t hate, they understand.

It’s funny that my words go straight over people’s heads because they have only one definition of what is.

True what you say about Buddhists. I type 100+ wpm and will often type things without thoroughly thinking them out.

About what you said about Spaniard repression, I already stated that the ONLY thing I meant regarding “going against Western thought” is the concept of amalgamation regarding tattoos. You guys blew things way out of proportion.

Christianity may have been used to suppress our people, it was used as a tool to control the majority of the Western world. But the concept of dying for what you believe in resonates with me. Christianity is the basis and foundation of my belief in a central sentient energy that controls this reality. For that I am thankful to it, regardless if an ethnocentric group of nomads 6000 years ago wrote the spirit of the universe out to be jealous. That is not my concern now that I have moved past that xenophobic concept.

Jason, if you wish to continue this discussion, please e-mail me at the above address. I do not check this often and I am always up to debating people about what I should and should not be grateful for and what a subjective thing like symbolism should mean to me.

Stop talking about western eastern belief religion can not save you except your self thats a fact, If you truely believe in god then you pretty much save if then your screwed.

God Bless You All