God has certainly reached out from Kolob or wherever He lives to create a lot of diversity in this world. I have heard that He hates nothing that He has made and that He has commanded us to love one another. But diversity of its nature does force us to disagree with as well as admire each other: Maureen's mutual admiration society can't be the whole story. But she must be right to say that there is always more to God, if there is a God, than we think, and that the Christian scriptures remind us of this.
The hymn Sacntus Sanctus Sanctus has been mentioned, though the Latin used is rough. In the Call Vision of Isaiah this hymn appears in a version rendered in Latin as 'Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus deus exercituum, plena est omnis terra gloria eius'. (We tend to soften the title 'God of Armies'.) God's glory is present not just in the Temple where the vision is set, but in its fullness everywhere, so all human beings must have some access to it: which presumably is what makes it possible for God later in the same book (all right, I know some people say it's not really the same book) to commission the Achaemenid Cyrus as 'christus meus'. Pressing on to the Fourth Gospel, we are reminded that only through Christ do we come to God, but also that Christ is universally generous in helping us in this journey, since He is the light that enlightens every person, so that from every normal mind something of value - something fit for Maureen's system of admiration - is set to emerge. I'm sorry to hear that the religion of Planet Kolob is exclusively Mormon.

Rather than being confined by the precepts of my Catholicism, I am liberated by my religion. While I try not to judge the counter-intuitive behavior demonstrated by proponents of abortion and homosexual marriage, it is important to recognize the existence of unforseen consequences for the same.

And while the author suggests, that all are equal before God, she does not appear to be able to discriminate that men and women may have more specific roles on this earth. Consider the special place women as mothers hold: for it is through our mothers that God brings Love into this world.

Pursuant to having personally orchestrated the first meeting between the Shiite executive clergy and the US Embassy in Baghdad, I had opportunity to gain audiences with grand ayatollah and senior-most ayatollahs.

At one such audience, I made opportunity to end it with a religious question: "What is the Muslim position on when a soul is imputed to a human being?" to which, the ayatollah responded with finger pointing in my face, "At conception!"

I replied that this value, amongst others, were widely held by countless millions of people in the West, but much of the information about your (Iraqi/Arab) culture and religion was compartmented amongst the military, religious, and political communities.

The ayatollah smiled and retorted,"You know, it's really the politicians w can't trust!"

Rather than being confined by the precepts of my Catholicism, I am liberated by my religion. While I try not to judge the counter-intuitive behavior demonstrated by proponents of abortion and homosexual marriage, it is important to recognize the existence of unforseen consequences for the same.

And while the author suggests, that all are equal before God, she does not appear to be able to discriminate that men and women may have more specific roles on this earth. Consider the special place women as mothers hold: for it is through our mothers that God brings Love into this world.

Pursuant to having personally orchestrated the first meeting between the Shiite executive clergy and the US Embassy in Baghdad, I had opportunity to gain audiences with grand ayatollah and senior-most ayatollahs.

At one such audience, I made opportunity to end it with a religious question: "What is the Muslim position on when a soul is imputed to a human being?" to which, the ayatollah responded with finger pointing in my face, "At conception!"

I replied that this value, amongst others, were widely held by countless millions of people in the West, but much of the information about your (Iraqi/Arab) culture and religion was compartmented amongst the military, religious, and political communities.

The ayatollah smiled and retorted,"You know, it's really the politicians w can't trust!"

There is only one God. He's a Mormon and lives on the planet Kolob. The rest of you will go to hell.

Sanctus, Jandd, Brambleton, and Truth is Absolute: I used to be in your camp, but having investigated, explored and tested the waters of the facts regarding religion, I am proud to say that I no longer am.

So many gods, so many doctrines, most of them mutually exclusive. Jesus, Adonai Elohim, Allah, Krishna, Vishnu, Buddha, the Book of Mormon--all claim to be the "truth," yet NONE of them has any more stronger proof of its claims than another. They cannot all be right, but they can all be wrong!

It is quite beautiful that God can reveal himself to many different people in many different ways. It's heartening that a variety of people are searching for God and finding a God of love, mercy, and justice.

The question is, who is this God, really? Can God make sense to us?

If you really take a look at all of the different "faith traditions" and their history, you do not find unity. As other people have pointed out, you find contradictions. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam start with radically different premises than the Eastern religions. Most Eastern religions started with a teacher who had his own view on spiritual matters, and wanted to teach this view in contradiction to other teachers around him. Christianity and Islam came out of Judaism originally, but their writings take great pains to stress their differences with Judaism and with each other. Hinduism simply tries to say that all of these different religions are different paths to God, while ignoring the contradictions.

So you have to make choices. I think the best choice is to listen to and follow Jesus. He clearly proclaims one God, who is full of love, mercy, and justice, and who reaches out to the whole world. He was a spiritual teacher devoted to living a simple and holy life like the teachers of Eastern religions, but he proclaims a clear and understandable God, the same God as the God of the Jews.

Best of all, Jesus teaches a spirituality that heals us by connecting us directly to God.

In truth - there's that word - you have not "met" a single gawd. Your imagination is no substitute for reality.

What Maureen Fiedler said sounds nice on the surface, but it is the sort of thing that someone who isn't religious says about religions.

History sure is stained with the blood of too many people who were killed in religious wars, but the answer is not to deny that there is truth, or that we can know it.

To say that everything is true is one step away from saying that nothing is true.

Ms. Fiedler's view will perish under pressure. On the large issues, and when confronted with a personal crisis, only a strong faith will survive.

I wish her the best, and hope that she returns to an orthodox view of the Catholic faith. The great thing about Catholicism is that it has so many faces to it - western, eastern, Asian, Latin American, African. All the diversity one needs is in the Church, but still remains one in Christ.

Neo,

Are you the measure of what is true?

You are not the arbiter of who God is the Scriptures make that clear. All the faiths you noted contradict each other and thus cannot all be true. You try to make God fit your 21st century relativistic world view but God does not bow to the latest whims. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,who came to the earth as the incarnate Son of God is the only true God and there are no others. He warns against the idolatry you speak of, the making of a false god in your own imagination. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The natural conclusion of what you wrote is that Jesus is a liar or maybe you really do not know what He said and then we could say that you are only guilty of ignorance. Do not lump the Judeo Christian God with all the other religions you speak of because God will not comport with your fanciful wishes. He is the the only true God and there is no other.

"She (or is it he?) revels in diversity!"

The he/she question can be laid to rest as soon as we realize that God has no need of sexual reproduction. Talk about "he" or "she" goes on only because many people want to have a personal relationship with God, and we are all used to the idea that a person has a gender.

Few Hindus care whether another Hindu worships the God Vishnu or the Goddess Durga. They are manifestations of something which is beyond words.

I don't believe in God but I think life talks to you and all you have to do is listen. I would agree with your observation regarding diversity but I don't think it ends with religion, it is necessary in all things to ensure balance: from eco-systems to culture. We should prevent the further degradation of diversity in all worldly things IMHO. I think it means we should sit still and be who we are where we are. Make things better where we are.

This god who loves diversity, also seems to demand that we all toe the line and worship him or he'll do something bad to us, regardless of the flavor of myth one follows. My goodness, what a misogynistic, manipulative twit. Truly, man was forged in his image.

Isn't it sad that people can't help being elitist snobs when it comes to their religious beliefs, as evidenced in some of the posts here. Religious handbooks like the bible were written by men to control humankind. Looks like it's working in many instances. Not that these volumes don't offer interesting guidelines to live by, but by and large they govern religion and it's followers by fear - do this or go to hell. As Mother Teresa said, "You know, God is a concept. This is about doing the right thing and taking care of people." And to quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"
Probably not. But it's worth a try.

Isn't it sad that people can't help being elitist snobs when it comes to their religious beliefs, as evidenced in some of the posts here. Religious handbooks like the bible were written by men to control humankind. Looks like it's working in many instances. Not that these volumes don't offer interesting guidelines to live by, but by and large they govern religion and it's followers by fear - do this or go to hell. As Mother Teresa said, "You know, God is a concept. This is about doing the right thing and taking care of people." And to quote Rodney King, "Can't we all just get along?"
Probably not. But it's worth a try.

Pamela,

You are correct in that God loves us all unconditionally, but that does not mean he doesn't hold us accountable or that we are all on the path to salvation. As someone raised in the Baptist (Christian) faith, I'm a little surprised that you've totally glossed over some of the main precepts or, instead, have chosen to ignore them completely.

The Book of John is very clear on Salvation.
John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"

John 17:3 "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord"

It might give mankind a very warm and fuzzy feeling to believe that God loves us all and that we are all on the path to Heaven. But the path to salvation is through a relationship with Jesus Christ only. It is not through good works nor is it through the worship of "false idols".

As a child, raised in the baptist tradition, I always sensed God was the God of all. On our way to church on a Sunday morning, we would pass many churches-Methodist, Bretheren, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, etc. On Friday, my friend Erica went to Synagogue and Saturday, Laureen went to Mass. They all worshiped God. Years later I would make friends who practice Hindu, Buddhism, Bahai,Yoruba, Wiccan, and even Unitarian Universalism. They all worshiped a diety or dieties which were differed.If loved them, God,who loves unconditionally, must too. Now as a soon to be ordained Interfaith Minister, I practice and hold a space for all. Ramakrishna, a Hindu saint stated " God made many different religions for different aspirations, but all paths ultimately lead to the Divine, God/Goddess."

As a child, raised in the baptist tradition, I always sensed God was the God of all. On our way to church on a Sunday morning, we would pass many churches-Methodist, Bretheren, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, etc. On Friday, my friend Erica went to Synagogue and Saturday, Laureen went to Mass. They all worshiped God. Years later I would make friends who practice Hindu, Buddhism, Bahai,Yoruba, Wiccan, and even Unitarian Universalism. They all worshiped a diety or dieties which were differed.If loved them, God,who loves unconditionally, must too. Now as a soon to be ordained Interfaith Minister, I practice and hold a space for all. Ramakrishna, a Hindu saint stated " God made many different religions for different aspirations, but all paths ultimately lead to the Divine, God/Goddess."

God has revealed Himself to only ONE nation, the nation Israel.
The god you describe Maureen Fiedler is a liar and NOT the God of the Hebrew Abraham is the father of all Jews and Born Again Christians. But believe what you want, you can call on any one of them on judgement day and see if they can save you.

As for me and my house we'll call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"But who am I to dispute anyone that holy."

What can be wrong, pagan? You don't know Mozart? How about Franz Schubert:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Cw517MI1o0

Or try this truly lovely interpretation by a Japanese woman playing by ear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l80_yqpV92o

Be sure to listen to the second part of her Sanctus in the related videos column to the right.

Sursum corda.

Great thing about Latin is, it can obscure how very little you're actually saying, Sactus, Sanctus, Sanctus. :)

Cheerleaders are expected to get a bit more involved than that. :)

But who am I to dispute anyone that holy. :)

Hillary Clinton is Now A-JEWISH-PRINCESS & no more a METHODIST QUEEN!:

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>))))2)0)0)8))))) "NO-SHARIA!"
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[ ?: +) http:///\ VOTE http://\Hillary )
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[ ?: +) http:///\ VOTE http://\Hillary )
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PEACE, PAZ, SALAAM, SHOLOM:........______________
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton МИР,평화, 和平:

VOTE:
NO' Sharia!
NO Hallakha!
NO Caste System(s)!
NO Rule By BiBLE, GiTA, QURAN!
NO Theocracy!
No Monarchist!
NO Putting Down Woman Anywhere!
MORE Protection For Kids!

THANK YOU! (American),

SHOOKRON! (Arabic) ,

SHOOKRIA (Hindi)!

KHUDA-HAFIZ (Poshtu)!

"Shame Shame John & Cindy McCAIN!! Kennedy's too!"

google- huma abedin

"sanctus sanctus sanctus, you are a troll from the dark ages"

Thanks for sharing William-

Sanctus

Benedictus, benedictus
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine

Benedictus, Benedictus
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine

Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli gloria.

Sanctus
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria tuas
Benedictus, benedictus
qui venit in nomine benedictus
In nomine
Domine

Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli gloria.

Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria
Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabbaoth
Pleni sunt coeli gloria.

Sanctus
Pleni sunt coeli et terra Gloria tuas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mTvbv-p9Q4

Thank you Maureen Fiedler.
Finally, some sanity and perspective.

I'm so sick of every self-centered lunatic schreeching about why everyone should share their irrational myths as fact.
sanctus sanctus sanctus, you are a troll from the dark ages.

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http:///\ VOTE http://\Hillary )
[][][][][]][][]][]][]]][]][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
PEACE, PAZ, SALAAM, SHOLOM:........______________
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton МИР,평화, 和平:

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Lillian says.."If we truly listen to each other we might actually begin to understand the greatness of God..."

I think if we TRULY listen to people we will find the greatness of humanity and the individual!

Life is precious, more precious than anything else!

Patrick

'muddy backwater' another sees as fertilizer.

I agree. You can say fertilizer or manure..but everyone knows what it is and where it comes from.

This brings up the central question: Is religion general or is religion particular. These are different concepts and have different applications....
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/02/16/religion-general-or-particular/

water flows in all different directions. and-what one considers 'muddy backwater' another sees as fertilizer.

There are infinite experiences of God. There are infinite truths of God that humans cannot begin to fathom.

Rejoicing in ones own experience while honoring the experiences of others will bring joy to God and peace to the world.

Maureen Fiedler-

Its been my experience that clear, life-giving water flows from the spring in ONE direction.

Please make sure you are not mistakenly standing in a muddy backwater.

JEREMIAH 17:13

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>))))2)0)0)8))))) "NO-SHARIA!"
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!
{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}}}{}}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}{}}
[ ?: +) http:///\ VOTE http://\Hillary )
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[ ?: +) http:///\ VOTE http://\Hillary )
[][][][][]][][]][]][]]][]][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
PEACE, PAZ, SALAAM, SHOLOM:........______________
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hillary_Clinton МИР,평화, 和平:

VOTE:
NO' Sharia!
NO Hallakha!
NO Caste System(s)!
NO Rule By BiBLE, GiTA, QURAN!
NO Putting Down Woman Anywhere!

THANK YOU!

I enjoyed delightful fellowship recently with a Muslim woman, Pakistani American, with whom I shared the common experience of coming out of the fundamentalist wing of each of our faiths; I from Christian fundamentalism, she from Muslim.

Our two roads would have previously never crossed, but now we walked side by side with respect for different traditions and compassion for shared experience in our journeys.

I believe that religion ( and I believe in God)in ortodox hands are bad news. Muslim´s extrime ortodox, are dangerous people, can compere them with terrorist type. Omaba is a Nuslim and for that reason i would think twice on vote for him. Why, because, maybe, if he becomes the President, he will be forced to do what the extremist-terrorist Muslims will order him to do o.... sufer the consecuences. Seems to me that we have a lot of good candidates and better,we are uppose no to take "chances" with Omaba
M.R.

Wonderful commentary. I believe it was St. Thomas Aquinas who said that God could not reveal the entire beneficence and grandeur of God with only one creature and that is why so many diverse creatures grace our planet. So too, it seems to me, with such beautiful diversity of human cultures, aspirations and experiences of the Divine!

Yes mam, could it be that the delightful acquantance that you meet in other people are the people themselves, and not a god reflected through them?

Spirit, "to breathe," can reflect something we all share: the air we breathe is substance, albeit a thin substance, but it has matter. Can the natural world, the beauty of nature also be a celebration of "spirituality" without an unseen, supernatural mediator?

Could it be possible that the virtues and values we share be uniquely and deeply human enterprises, and that being wholly human is enough to celebrate and share?

Is it so hard to see that "faith traditions," when examined by the letter, are mutually exclusive, divisive, and potentially and utterly destructive without the wisdom of human discernment and the capacity of evolution to change what we value and hold dear, our very ethics?

I do respect and understand your excitement when people can come together and appreciate the good things in this existance, and the simple sharing of human company and the bonds that creates. What I don't share anymore is the willingness to discount those things that are beautifully human, suggesting instead that they are of "God" and throwing the rest of the lot into the realm of "sinful man."

The world is a mysterious place enough, without the addition of the gods...

An excellent article.
If we truly listen to each other we might actually begin to understand the greatness of God and also the potential greatness of humanity who is loved by God. How wonderful if we do not claim ownership of God to the exclusion of others.