BlackwaterPower wrote:The Bible says that there is a rapture to come ...
Just to clarify, the expression 'rapture', as implied by born-again Christians, is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. It is a relatively new expression invented by the so-called chosen few who believe they will be saved in the End of Days which, apparently, is now (although the End Times have been coming since the day Jesus was killed ... one day, I guess, they'll be right).
Check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture
The Rapture is an event in certain systems of Christian eschatology (the study of the end times) in which it is believed that all born-again Christians will be taken from Earth into Heaven by Jesus Christ. Although almost all forms of Christianity believe that those who are "saved" will have eternal life, the term "rapture" is usually applied specifically to the belief that Christians will be "taken" into Heaven at a specific moment. Its introduction and popularization in Christian belief is relatively recent, and the teachings of older Churches do not include any such doctrine.
Emphasis is mine.
Sorry if I appear 'picky' by swooping on this one line, but I think it's important to be clear - it's too easy to accept things as read - I know I have been guilty of that as much as anyone.
Bastian wrote:anonymousbeing wrote:It is what you can understand from it which is important. Can you buy spiritual progress? I think this discussion is useless.
… Is the story false because he asked for money? When I bought my copy of Michel's book, where did all that money go? It went to Dr. Chalko I suppose and maybe some of it went to Mr Desmarquet... but did that invalidate the message? Chalko and Desmarquet both have to eat, pay bills, etc. I don't mind that I paid them money..
Bastian, you make an important point.
There are many people who have it in their heads that if you’re a spiritual person dispensing spiritual ‘products and services’ – be they books, such as TP, or energy healings or even guidance / instruction – then you should provide these freely.
That’s a lovely gesture – especially when someone who wants something for nothing expects it – but it’s not very practical since spiritual people have to eat, pay bills, just like everyone else.
No doubt I am opening up a can of worms by discussing this. Those of you who have ‘regular, non-spiritual’ jobs (the majority I suspect) would not think for a moment of going to work for free. You want to get paid, you
need to get paid because we all live in a material world and that comes at a cost.
The same, of course, applies to spiritual people.
Michel always charged for his books as well as for his lectures. The prices were not absorbent but fair – and they allowed him to continue his work – sharing his message. Tom gives people the opportunity to buy or gain his books freely but he still charges for his chakra shirts and his weekend retreats. And so he should.
In fact, both he and I and Michel and I have discussed this very subject some time ago: Too often, things that are given away for free are considered worthless which actually defeats the purpose of giving them away – if you can afford to do so.
Having said that, there are many free things that are worthless – be it marketing hype or maybe a freebie to get you in the door.
I agree with earlier posts – we need to be mindful of clear rip-offs – people who are just in it for a buck. But we also have to be mindful that there are genuine people who have not only chosen a spiritual path but have also given up well-paying jobs in many cases so that they can help others find the Way.
Man cannot live by bread alone – and even if you could – you still need money to buy the dough.
No, actually I do agree with you :O
