Scientific Views on Abrahamic Religions

Religious and Scientific Views Some religions — in particular, most Abrahamic religions — do not admit the existence of beneficial spiritual possessions; so, if they admit the concept at all, they automatically consider any spiritual possession as malign. Many of those religions have practices, often in ritual, to drive out such evil spirits, generally termed exorcism. Various forms and denominations of Christianity have developed practices for driving out spirits, most notably Roman Catholicism; there exists a Roman Catholic International Association of Exorcists. Father Gabriele Amorth is a Roman Catholic priest and noted exorcist.

Charismatic Christianity includes a tradition of individuals being 'blessed' by the Holy Spirit - either Speaking in tongues, or experiencing some other manifestation - but this is not traditionally considered possession by those who adhere to these beliefs. Many other creeds, including Shamanism and many African and Afro-American religions, teach that spiritual possession may be benign as well as malign, and their rituals often include incorporation: either of spiritual deities, such as the lwa of Vodou (related to Voodoo), the Orisha of the Yoruba, or of the ghosts of deceased people, as in Kardecism. Depending on the religion, the person who is possessed may be a priest, or a specially gifted medium, or a lay member. In Spiritism, incorporation of spirits is a key aspect of the practice. The existence of spiritual possession has not been scientifically proven. However, some psychologists acknowledge that occasionally, an individual exhibits behaviors that are consistent with possession as it is understood by the individual or the individual's religious/cultural tradition.

Believers hold that these cases provide evidence of spiritual possession, but most psychologists dismiss these claims as anecdotal evidence and suggest that there are other possible explanations for these cases, including delusion and malingering. Some cases may be considered consistent with the psychological-psychiatric category of culture-bound syndrome. Some cases of demonic possession may also be explainable by purely psychological or social causes, e.g. hysteria — roughly, a grown-up version of childhood tantrums or displays of anger. In fact this explanation was liberally mis-applied since the 19th century.

In the past, demonic possession may also have been alleged (by the subject or by others) for the purpose of excusing behavior which would otherwise be severely punished — similar to a defendant falsely claiming temporary insanity in a court of law in many jurisdictions today. Incarnations have been feigned by priests, religious figures, and mediums for fraudulent purposes, e.g. by pretending to communicate with a person's deceased relatives in exchange for "donations". The famous U.S. escape artist Houdini was instrumental in exposing several such frauds in the 1920s.

Belief in supernatural phenomena.

"The problem with terms like "supernatural" and "supernaturalism" ... is that they tacitly presuppose that nature is the fundamental reality and that nature is far less problematic conceptually than anything outside or beyond nature. The "super" in "supernatural" thus has the effect of a negation.
But what if nature is itself a negation or reaction against something else? For the theist (though not for the panentheist of process theology), nature is not a self-subsisting entity but an entirely free act of God. Nature thus becomes a derivative aspect of ultimate reality—an aspect of God's creation, and not even the whole of God's creation at that (theists typically ascribe to God the creation of an invisible world that is inhabited among other things by angels). Hence, for the theist attempting to understand nature, God as creator is fundamental, the creation is derivative, and nature as the physical part of creation is still further downstream.
C.S. Lewis argued in his book, Miracles, that it is inaccurate to define a miracle as breaking the laws of nature. Instead,
"The great complex event called Nature, and the new particular event introduced into it by the miracle, are related by their common origin in God, and doubtless, if we knew enough, most intricately related in his purpose and design, so that a Nature which had had a different history, and therefore been a different Nature, would have been invaded by different miracles or by none at all."
In connection with his writing about the appearance of Jesus Christ the Apostle Paul himself acknowledges that; "oppositions of science" will occur and so leaves a testimony in the Bible regarding a supernatural event to which many may struggle to attach a scientific explanation. This may also be viewed as a reference to Gnosticism, however, as the Greek word translated as science is ???s?? (gnosis).

The Power of Letting What is Be Okay

By Nancy Heimstra

Have you been in that “black hole?” That is the place that is so dark and keeps sucking you in. It can seem like there is no way out, so what is the use of going on.I just emerged from one recently. It was seemingly more distressing because I am such a “positive” person. The truth is I have fears and doubts like anyone else.I am a believer in creating my reality from the thoughts and feelings I send out. I know that the experiences I was having (and kept attracting) were a result of being stuck in a low vibration. I had a series of rushing into decisions and paying for them later. Even being aware of this did not prevent me from doing it all over again.I was fortunate enough to work through this with my life coach. I was able to see the underlying issue of lack of self-esteem and feeling on a subconscious level that I was not deserving of the abundance life has to offer, was a core issue for me.

The powerful part of the act of going through this was the fact that I felt it. I worked through it and experienced it on a deep level.There is so much today about the law of attraction (which does control your reality), but I feel there is a component of this that may be misunderstood. I am the first to agree that my job is to feel better and to raise my vibration. If I were to have just reached for the thought that felt better and not worked through the feelings, most likely they would have risen up at a later time.I was present in my feelings and experienced them on a physical level. I let them be in my body and work from there. It is a great gift to be able to process this and have someone there to guide me through it.I am writing about my experience because I believe it is a gift to those that are struggling with their own “black holes” and trying to change their point of attraction.

There is a fine balance in knowing when to “just get off it” and move on, and going deeper into it and moving through it. I know that a huge part of this process is letting what is be okay. Until you are at peace with the place you are now, you are stopping the process. So maybe that “black hole” you are in now is the gift to usher you into the next level in your life.I often think of the wise words of Byron Katie (www.thework.org) when she said, “Don’t be spiritual, be honest.” Be kind to yourself, allow yourself to be human and feel your truth.If you would like to work through your journey with a Life Coach, please contact me for a free ½ hour conditional consult.Warmly,Nancy Heimstra, Life Coach

Addiction to Complaining

By: Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

Complaining is a way of life for some people. It was certainly a way of life for my mother. I don’t remember a day going by without her complaining, endlessly. I don’t think I ever heard a word of gratitude out of my mother’s mouth. No matter how good things were, she would manage to find something wrong. No matter how perfect I was – and God knows I tried to be perfect! – she always found something wrong with me, as well as with my father. Over the years of counseling others, I’ve noticed that some people start every session with a complaint. They can’t seem to help it. Like my mother, they are addicted to complaining. Why do people complain? What is it they want or hope for when they complain? People who complain are generally people who have not done the emotional and spiritual work of developing a loving, compassionate inner adult self.

hey are operating as a wounded child in need of love, attention and compassion. Because they have not learned to give themselves the attention and compassion they need, they seek to get these needs met by others. Complaining is a way they have learned to attempt to get this. They use complaining as a form of control, hoping to guilt others into giving them the attention, caring and compassion they seek. Complaining is a “pull” on other people. Energetically, complainers are pulling on others for caring and understanding because they have emotionally abandoned themselves. They are like demanding little children. The problem is that most people dislike being pulled on and demanded of. Most people don’t want emotional responsibility for another person and will withdraw in the face of another’s complaints.
This is what my father did. He withdrew, shut down, was emotionally unavailable to my mother as a way to protect himself from being controlled by her complaints. Of course, he didn’t just do this in response to my mother. He had learned to withdraw as a child in response to his own mother’s complaints and criticism. He entered the marriage ready to withdraw in the face of my mother’s pull, while she entered the marriage ready to make my father emotionally responsible for her. A perfect match! My father’s withdrawal, of course, only served to exacerbate my mother’s complaining, and she constantly complained about my father’s lack of caring about her. Likewise, my mother’s complaining served to exacerbate my father’s already withdrawn way of being.

This vicious circle started early and continued unabated for the 60 years of their marriage, until my mother died. While my parents loved each other, their ability to express their love got buried beneath the dysfunctional system they created. Unfortunately, this is all too common in relationships. One person pulling – with complaints, anger, judgment, and other forms of control - and the other withdrawing, is the most common relationship system I work with. A person addicted to complaining will not be able to stop complaining until he or she does the inner work of developing an adult part of themselves capable of giving themselves the love, caring, understanding and compassion they need. As long as they believe that it is another’s responsibility to be the adult for them and fill them with love, they will not take on this responsibility for themselves

. Our inner child – the feeling part of us – needs attention, approval, caring. If we don’t learn to give this to ourselves, then this wounded child part of ourselves will either seek to get it from others, or learn to numb out with substance and process addictions – food, alcohol, drugs, TV, work, gambling, and so on. If, as a child, a person saw others get attention through complaining – as my mother did with my grandmother – and if complaining worked for the child to get what he or she wanted, then it can become an addiction. Like all addictions, it may work for the moment, but it will never fill the deep inner need for love. Only we can fill this need for ourselves, by opening our hearts to the Source of love. Only we can do the inner work of developing a loving adult capable of opening to the love of Spirit and bringing that love to the child within. People stop complaining when they learn to fill themselves with love.

About The AuthorMargaret Paul, Ph.D. is the best-selling author and co-author of eight books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By You?" and “Healing Your Aloneness.” She is the co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Learn Inner Bonding now! Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: http://www.innerbonding.com or mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com. Phone Sessions Available.

Spiritual new years resolutions

Resolutions For New Years - Let's Change The World

by: Terry Vermeylen

We are all human. Be it short, tall, white, black, poor, rich, angry or sad, we all have bodies, minds and hearts. We all feel. We are all capable of love, hate, envy, joy, sadness and compassion. As you see, we share many remarkable common bonds. Another astounding bond is this big beautiful planet we all live on. It is home to all of us. We use its water, farm its land, climb its mountains and walk its woods.
When the tsunami of December 26th smashed into our lives, and the images of huge ocean waves sweeping away villages and people entered our living rooms, our egos quickly fled and we realized how frightfully frail and precious life is. Many of us opened our wallets and hearts, trying our best to help people thousands of miles away. These fellow humans had a different culture, skin colour and religious belief. We never met these fellow humans and probably never will. Yet as the news of the tsunami invaded our comfortable living rooms our differences didn’t matter. The heart pounding images of Mother Nature wiping out entire villages with horrific ease made us drop our petty problems. At that moment we shared the realization that sometimes life just isn’t fair. Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes life is brutal. At that moment our hearts were enveloped in horror, sadness and finally compassion.

Spiritual new years resolutions #1

Give something back. What is the purpose of life? To give something back. If no one gave back, what kind of world would we live in?
We humans have evolved over millions of years. And as the “supreme” animal on earth we have sprouted something fantastic, which we now refer to as our conscience. Our conscience separates us from the rest of the animal species. We do not live on instinct alone. We understand the difference between right and wrong. We have spent thousands of years philosophizing about right and wrong, whether it be in religious or non-religious circles. But conscience is a double-edged sword. Our conscience holds the seeds that flower into beliefs and ego. Beliefs and ego can become twisted, corrupt, and self-serving. Beliefs and ego allow brutal dictatorships to flourish where civilians are subject to poverty, torture and, finally, death. Wars continue to rage on, with technology instantly bringing us the latest body count, political dancing and endless philosophical debate. Life is unfair to many on this planet. But hope is in the fact that we do have a conscience. And that conscience can be the catalyst to life affirming beliefs creating remarkable acts of thoughtfulness and compassion.

Spiritual new years resolutions #2
Let compassion become part of your daily ritual. Whether it is for the world, the nation, the city, the community, the self or your neighbour’s pet dog.
We are plugged in, tuned out, surfing, Blackberrying, beeping and booping. We are becoming like the Borg of Star Trek fame, marching blindly along on the never-ending road of technology consumption. We are subject to advertising assimilation, a constant bombardment of ads -- and the ads are now becoming frighteningly sophisticated, as they are a developed for us by our very own keystrokes. We install anti-spyware on our computers, in our own homes, to combat the constant battering of technology and advertising assaulting us everyday. Corporations will be unrelenting in the future as their IT machines mass produce tools of consumerism trying to snare us all in a web of technology purchasing. Technology is definitely a double-edged sword.

Spiritual new years resolutions #3
Get out and look up at the beauty of the ever changing and expansive sky once in awhile. There is a whole world of natural wonders waiting for you out there. Communing with nature will help you realize that we’re all in the same boat – or, on the same planet, as it were. Looking at Earth from space, you can’t see borders, you can’t see skin colour, you can’t see religion, and you can’t see wealth or education.
In the words of John Lennon
You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one
Please consider this article for your website, blog or ezine. Permission to reprint if by-line stays intact and links are activated on the Internet.

About The Author
Terry Vermeylen is one of those rare people that is passionately driven to help others unlock their own barriers toward fulfillment, meaning and purpose. He is the founder of http://www.mylifechanges.com/, an Internet value identification and goal setting enterprise.
terry@mylifechanges.com

Spiritual formation forum denver

The Spiritual Formation Forum (SFF; formerly the Center for Personal and Relational Growth, CPRG) is a nonprofit organization increasing collaboration among leaders in Christian ministries worldwide who are committed to biblically defined and Holy Spirit energized spiritual formation within and through their ministries. This ministry stimulates genuine spiritual formation in the various ministry arms of the church as a means of helping Christians fulfill their calling to be salt and light in the world through living a Christ-like life. The SFF sponsors spiritual formation discussion forums, articulates models of spiritual formation, provides training opportunities for ministry leaders, and encourages them to implement appropriate models in their spheres of ministry (e.g., in local churches, denominations, Christian colleges and seminaries, international ministries, soul care, campus ministry groups, and other para-church ministry

organizations).The Forum is committed to in depth biblical spirituality in the lives of those who have put their trust solely in the pure Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone in Jesus Christ our Lord. At the core of this spirituality is intimacy with God through the presence of the Holy Spirit who also works in us and among us to conform us to the image of Christ, bind us together in community, and empower us as servants of God to spread the Gospel and live as salt and light in the world."Spiritual Formation" is increasingly becoming a term used in many different kinds of evangelical ministry settings for building depth and commitment into the lives of individual Christians and their communities of faith.

This common ground between ministries offers us an opportunity to unify evangelicals and their ministry institutions in pursuit of true godliness of life and effectiveness of ministry in the church worldwide.The Spiritual Formation Forum intends to provide an open forum discussion and fellowship context in which we can meaningfully pursue this unity together based on our common concern for spiritual formation in the various arms of the church.

http://www.spiritualformationforum.org/index.cfm?go=c.home

Spiritual gifts personality traits

Description Of The Spiritual Gifts

by Lambert Dolphin

Natural talents and personality traits are natural human resources which all of us have. These are not the same as spiritual gifts which are given by sovereign choice, by the Holy Spirit, at the time we become Christians. These are supernatural enablements so that we may serve God more effectively in the world and in the church. Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift, many are given more than one gift. All Christians are called to the work of the ministry and distinctions between "clergy" and "laity" are foreign to the New Testament.

Both spiritual gifts and natural talents must be employed in the power of the Holy Spirit and not in the self-energy of the flesh in order to please God and bring positive results.
The various spiritual gifts are listed in Romans 12, Ephesians 4, I Corinthians 13-15, and elsewhere. Commentators differ as to whether the list totals 22, or fewer, gifts. The gifts are divided into (1) teaching/leadership gifts, (2) service gifts, and (3) sign gifts given to authenticate the work of apostles and prophets, particularly at the beginning of a new age (dispensation) when God does something new and different in the world.

Here is a rather complete list:

1. Apostle (apostolos). The Greek word means "one sent forth" (on an official errand), i.e., an ambassador. In addition to the twelve original disciples who became apostles, Paul was added to the list of those commissioned by God to lay the foundations of the Christian church and impart a full body of truth which would guide Christian faith and conduct. There were also other apostles, for example, Barnabas, Acts 14:4,14; Andronicus and Junia, Romans 16:7, 2 Corinthians 8:23; Philippians 2:25. The need for apostles diminished as the church became established. If there are any apostles today they might be found among pioneer missionaries who establish churches in foreign lands where the gospel has not yet been proclaimed. Christians today are under apostolic authority, however there is no Biblical reason to believe in the so-called apostolic succession of authority in the church. Ray Stedman likens the apostles in the Body of Christ to the skeleton and musculature of the human body.
2. Prophet, prophecy. (prophetes), lit: "to speak forth," to proclaim the mind and counsel of God, i.e., the gift of preaching. Differs from pastor-teacher in scope. Ray Stedman compares the role of the NT prophet to the nervous system of the body. NT prophets do not make predictions about the future as the OT prophets did, but gather their message from the Scriptures. Nor is God giving the church new revelation through such individuals today. The gift of prophecy is likewise not for giving secret messages from God to individuals in the church. Prophets vigorously stimulate and challenge the Body of Christ, pastor-teachers patiently feed the sheep and care for their needs. Prophets are to edify, exhort and console, (see 1 Cor. 14:3).
3. Evangelist, evangelism. (evangelistes) from eu = well, plus angelos = messenger. The gift of bringing the good news of God to unbelievers individually and in groups. The content of the message is outlined in I Cor. 15. Ray Stedman compares this gift to the digestive apparatus of the human body which has the ability to take material which is not a part of the body and transform it into parts of the body. Evangelists are also to teach other believers how to lead people to the Lord Jesus. Timothy evidently did not have this gift but Paul nevertheless urged him to "do the work of an evangelist".
4. Pastor-teacher (poimenes kai didaskalos), shepherd and teacher. Ray Stedman describes this gift as analogous to the circulatory system of the human body which "cleanses and feeds" the members of the body. Ray Stedman once said he believed this was a this is a common gift, given to perhaps a third of Christians.
5. Administration. (kubernesis = government). To pilot, guide, or steer as one steers a ship. To preside over the assembly and guide the proceedings. In order to preserve order in Christian meetings the person in charge should know how to direct the course of events towards a spiritual goal as led by the Spirit.
6. Leadership, (proistemi) "to stand before" that is attend to with care and diligence, as the head of a family does. Perhaps this also includes setting the pace, imparting direction and goals in a ministry since sheep are lazy and helpless and prone to wander off course. Most people like to follow a good leader. God's leaders are not only visionary they lead by serving.
7. Faith. (pistis), Faith-vision: the ability to believe God for new direction and power---visionary faith that sets in motion events others can join in and follow. All Christians have some faith because "without faith it is impossible to please God." Also anyone's faith grows as it is exercised. However there is also a gift of "faith-vision" which pioneers new ministries, encourages others and helps them to grow in faith. "Without a vision the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18).
8. Knowledge. (logos gnoseos), lit: "word of knowledge," systematic understanding of truth in broad, sweeping terms so that others may be trained and instructed. Not supernatural utterances from God. All Christians have some knowledge, but there is also a gift of knowledge given to some so they may teach and edify the Body. The ability to sum up lots of information or pieces of knowledge so as to give a clear concise overview.
9. Wisdom (logos sophias), lit: "word of wisdom." The ability to make wise choices and decisions at critical forks in the road. Very valuable to an individual or a group when it needs to choose but has no specifically clear information on the best choice. All Christians can grow in wisdom as they make a series of wise choices over a life-time, however there is also a gift of wisdom given to some in the Body of Christ.
10. Exhortation, encouragement. (paraklesis), to call alongside, comfort, strengthen, to counsel, exhort, bring aid, admonish. The same Greek word describes the Holy Spirit's role in our lives.
11. Discernment (of spirits) (diakriseis pneumaton), is a gift to judge or evaluate the spirits so as to distinguish whether something is from God or from an evil source. Similar to the natural talent of intuition but of course more reliable and consistent.
12. Ministering (diakonia), to serve (hence our word deacons). A wide variety of activities one performs with the help of God to comfort, encourage, support and build up God's people. Also, (huperetes), an under-rower or servant as distinguished from an ordinary seaman on a Roman galley.
13. Service (helps) (antilempsis), "to lay hold of (and support)", especially the weak and needy. To minister to others and meet their needs.
14. Giving, (metadidomi), is the gift of sharing and imparting, not only money but other resources. All Christians should learn to give generously since "God loves a 'hilarious' giver", however certain individuals are given the gift of giving so they can act as stewards over material resources in the Body of Christ.
15. Tongues (that is, "kinds of languages") (gene glossan). The ability to speak in other languages not previously learned, but known languages to men. The gift is for the purpose of praising God. It must be directed to God, not to be used to pass a message from one member to another or from one member to the congregation. Not a means of communication from the Lord to the flock. A sign to Israel especially to mark the beginning of a new dispensation. A sign to unbelievers.
16. Interpretation of Tongues. The ability to translate unknown languages so as to edify and instruct others regarding what has been said.
17. Miracles. (energemata dunameon) The ability to raise men from the dead, call fire down from heaven and otherwise present signs that authenticate the power of God in certain situations.
18. Healing(s). (charismata iamaton) (plural). Ability to heal at the physical, emotional and spiritual levels. The word is plural in Greek, probably suggesting that the ability to heal refers to all three levels of man. Today, God sometimes heals physically, but more often emotionally and spiritually. A valuable gift for a counselor.
19. Mercy (eleos) An ability to touch inwardly with compassion. To be exercised with "cheerfulness".
20. Hospitality. (philoxenia), lit: "love of strangers." May not be a spiritual gift but definitely a Christian virtue. Those who believe this is a separate gift also hold that all believers are to practice hospitality.
Note: A Christian's service involves the entire Trinity.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the sovereign choice of the Holy Spirit.
The place of our service is chosen by the Son of God, and
the workings, or style, of our ministry is determined by the Father.
This is made clear by the following passage:
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord (Jesus Christ); and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God (the Father) who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:5-