Ideas and Opinions from Donald Trump and TrumpU Faculty.
Americans and Religion
I know it’s never safe to talk about religion and politics, but it certainly hasn’t stopped me before.
Are you religious? There’s a good chance you don’t practice the same faith you were raised in. Perhaps you’ve either switched allegiances or abandoned religion altogether.
When it comes to faith, nearly half of Americans have changed faiths or given up. It’s no surprise since we’re a society that’s used to change - whether in careers or where we live or in our personal lives. Religion is just one more thing we alter.
Some people are saying the religious economy is like a competitive marketplace. There are winners and losers, but no one is complacent. Denominations are jockeying for members just like businesses are working to gain clients.
People are losing confidence in organized religion and traditional religion, but still say faith is at least somewhat important to them. So they experiment until they find a denomination they like...at least for awhile. Then they’ll try something else.
It certainly sounds a lot like politics to me.
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26 Comments
You are right that religion and politics are subjects that need to be handled with discretion if you don't want to allienate people. They are very similar and political, but then, so are many professions such as education.
To be new aged, some would argue is the same faith...in God. But, is it. Faith...in the traditions or just giving up on God. The new generation has a much differnt perspective, that carrys into their own path in business and personal lives.
To stand up for your conivictions and honor your faith needs a conviction to be independent in leadership when called upon.
At last, I can converse with someone whom is not one bit scared to confront such issues.
I myself am not really religious, my wife is a catholic. I asked her to question her religion in November 2008 out of curiosity, as I said, the more you question it the less it seems plausible, still, this fell on death ears as is her right.
For myself, I remain ever dynamic and wish you all happy holidays!!
http://martinmckay.blogspot.com/
Working with youth and exchange students, requires you to be knowledgable about many different faiths. Whether we agree with any of them or not, we all actually have more in common than we have different. Don't you feel the true spirit of most religions comes from a place of love, and the one universal thread is the golden rule "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" It is worded differently by each religion, but it is a timeless principle. I will not condemn anyone for believing differently than me. I will love them and try to show them by example, but not from an elevated egoic self-righteous space, instead, a place of humility and acceptance.
The Holy Christmas Time is almost over in this year and I it is nice to be here in the Trump Blog. When I am here with you Americans and with you Mr. Donald Trump in this Trump Blog I feel myself relaxing and I am proud about this privilege to be here. I feel comfortable. I am also amazed how much time you Mr Donald Trump are using to be in this blog with us and that is why it is so "easy" to come here to discuss about all kind of things.
This Religion is in the other hand quite delicate thing to discuss, because you cannot say what part is right or wrong. I respect everyones sight about life and relation to Religion and especially in worklife you are not allowed to ask about individuals outlook on life. I think it is lifes richness that we have different sights so it brings also richness to teamwork and you are questioning how you managed to get along with different people and to respect them.
I hope you all warm and happy end of this year and be your year 2009 happier than this ending year !
However there should not be any religion that promotes hate or allows something like a holy war. Just as religion should not have any influence on politics.
I am a catholic but if I look at the history of my religion I can see what negativ outcomes it has when a religion gets too much power. Here in Europe the inquisition costed us thousands of innocent woman lives who were named witches. Even in seemingly very peaceful religions like the indian one you have things like the cast system.
So religion is good for many people but it has to be regulated.
But I always try to respect peoples different believes. As long as it doesn't get evil. Don't get me wrong though, I wouldn't like to see this world without beliefs, people need something to believe in, I do to.
DEAR MR. TRUMP:
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE REASON YOU WOULD BRING UP THIS SUBJECT. IT IS A GREAT TOPIC. MAYBE YOUR MOTIVE IS TO GET PEOPLE TO SOUL SEARCH AND WHEN OR WHO TO BRING THESE SUBJECTS UP. I NOTICE THAT YOU MADE THE TRUTHFUL POINT THAT PEOPLE SEARCH FOR A CHURCH OR BELIEF THAT FITS THEIR NEEDS, YEAH KIND OF LIKE DECIDING WHO TO VOTE FOR WITH THEIR NEEDS UPPER MOST IN CONSIDERATION.
FOR ME IF YOU HAVE A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD OR CHRIST OR BOTH PEOPLE WILL WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. THAT IS WHEN TO SPEAK UP NOT SHUT UP. WHEN YOUR SPIRITUALITY LUMINATES OUTWARDLY THAT IS WHEN TO TALK, WHEN YOUR ASKED.
IF SOMEONE DEBATES RELIGION, THEY ARE NOT SPIRITUALY MATURE. AND WHO IS RIGHT VERSES WHAT IS RIGHT COMES IN TO PLAY.
I WANT TO REITERATE THE RESPECT I HAVE FOR YOUR CHILDREN. TO BE HONEST COMING FROM A PRIVELEDGED FAMILY YOU DID A SUPERB JOB.
HAPPY NEW YEAR,
TERESA
If you want to fantasize about magic, gods, angels and superstition, play a game of Dungeons and Dragons or watch Harry Potter, but don't delude yourself into thinking it is true.
But I guess that is what you get when everyone is forced to attend government welfare schools
To change from one's first exposure to religion doesn't mean anything. It doesn't mean you don't believe in Spiritual progress. It doesn't mean your parents or school were trying to teach you something that is harmful. And it doesn't change the fact that humans are born with "free will."
A newborn knows nothing about being a Jew ; or a Christian ; a Governor ; or a Scientist..
All of these words have been taught from one generation to the next.
Who you choose to identify with or not is your choice. Some people would rather be killed than surrender to a belief they don't agree with. Many religious wars were fought because of these disagreements, and many governments were over-thrown.
People know when they are doing something wrong. They know when they feel happy.
All religions teach ideals, and the consequences for not living up to these ideals. The same is true for governments.
If you are a team player, you understand the need for opposition. In Sports, how can you cheer for your favorite team if there is only one team? Does that mean the Yankees will win every game?
In religion, evil teaches you what good is. In Politics, it lets you feel the difference. And when you die,
who knows?
So far, nobody has proven anything.
Do your best for the good of others, for as long as you can and you won't have to worry about your choices.
I Love this topic. Thank you.
Religion...Faith..
An excellent time to ponder these topics especially in light of the conversion of someone so near and dear to you.
From my earliest recollections I have always had a very strong faith, a belief in a supreme being - THE creator of the universe and all that is in it. There are as many names for the Creator as there are religions, though I choose to use the name "Creator" here only as a reference. I separate all that is faith from all that is religious. Man in his limited wisdom has tried to corral all that is infinite into a finite form of knowledge called religion.
In my opinion, the massive destruction of peoples and cultures in the name of religion is an ever present reminder that religious zeal is prompted by man's agendas and certainly not those of a Creator whose only motive is love.
I have been inside churches in your fair city that have enough riches (gold) to feed every man, woman and child in New York for the next century. And yet, when I walk the streets near those same churches, I see people who are hungry and destitute. Some might ask, "How can this be?" The truth has been written for centuries, ..."those with the faith of a mustard seed"... Mother Teresa is a perfect example. She gave from pure love and having nothing (monetarily) gave more than most organized religions combined.
I am not against organized religion per se. There are many organizations who give to the communities they serve, but mostly from individuals who have a heart of faith. The danger with organized religion happens when an individual gives up their heart of faith and surrenders to the collective "religion" as we are ever mindful of Hilter's so called religious persecutions and annilation of the Jews.
WE have witnessed this same kind of mindless destruction most notibly since 911. Young people who have surrendered their their own identity in favor of a religion that can never satisfy or sustain itself because it's only motive is destruction not love. Religion is finite, Faith is infinite.
Many blessings to you and your family throughout this new year!
Thxxx For a Chance To Change
In The Box Thinking
Learning Life 101
Americans and Religion?
"The Donald" You don’t say what religion you follow? Be it s it may, I do not profess to be part of any happy clapper clan.
You tie the subject to "Americans" and I am not an American, only a 3rd generation Englishman, trapped in a Godfors@ken country. Oh yes. I can use words like that when the Government in this country uses witch doctors to cleanse their buildings and the Police Force is fast becoming Gang related.
It’s time to get out of ZA.
Religion and Politics
Religion is now only moneymaking scheme. One can jump up and down in church, clap their hands and be joyful but at the end of the day, it means little if they have no faith.
Politics is also going by the wayside as much damage is being done globally because many people in the US are ignorant to the true facts of what’s going on.
Religion and politics should go hand in hand. Do you Americans really know what other nations think of you? Needless to say, you still feed them and give them astronomical funding all for simple hopes that they will change. You just don’t get it though; they will never change.
I am fortunate since I know Yahweh exists. Don’t ask me why he chose to show me and not others. I am still trying to figure out if I am scared or relieved and what to do about it.
What surprises me is that all you millions of Americans and only 4000 have taken an interest in what you write. Only 16 have actually given a response to a man who has the courage to "spell it out".
I really enjoy your topics.
Anchor Guy
*********************
You are so interesting. Revealing this spiritual side of you is delightful! I really don't know what all of the hoopla is about religion and such and I have been an explorer since the early days of my life. I am grateful that God created me to appreciate the full spectrum of the creation. Just as there are numerous varieties of plants, mineral and animals, there are varieties of methods to recognize deity. It is inherent in humans. From the beginning of ages, before Christ, Bhudda, Mohammed, Abraham or any other religious discipline, humans sought some sort of worship. It is innate to our species. So in what form is really irrelevant.
It is interesting that the principles of religion such as love thy neighbor as you love yourself, does not enter into many conversations about the intellectual pursuits of understanding God. There is so much condemnation and judgement by people who have no clue about what God thinks. Did you know we have discovered 50,000 galaxies? and that's only what we know about, we have no idea how many more there are... how could we possibly fathom what God thinks.
My search has led me to explore forgiveness, understanding, and love, and that will take me a lifetime. I have no interest in what other people believe. If I come close to exercising fully any of the three above, I think I can look God in the face and smile a little bit when I die.
There is a difference in being religious and spiritual. To me religious is more of the format and actions taken and spiritual is being in the right frame of mind and in tune with mind, body, and soul. Many are religious in actions and traditions but are not in tune with their whole mind, body and soul. That is why so many fail our expectations of "being religious". I have been so disappointed in some of our leaders for having outward traditons but no real spiritual attributes. Of course, sometimes I fall short myself and no doubt disappoint someone out there watching me. But in the true case of courage, I admit my shortcomings, get up, dust myself off, and start again.
David's Wife, Carolyn
If you want to portray religion like a business then man would be at fault for marketing it that way. God proclaimed "he was not the author of confusion" so the only logical conclusion is that only man would be the author of confusion.
Of course, religion has ALWAYS been inseparable from power. The prime example that most of us can relate to is the Catholic Church. It was part of the late Roman nation-state, and worship was spread to the lands conquered by the Romans, throughout most of Europe. Only later did other Christian sects evolve. Of course, the Anglican Church was founded by King Henry VIII primarily as a way to legally divorce, as well as political frustrations with Catholic lands, and similar popular currents in England. Continental European Protestantism developed almost simultaneously in the German lands....oddly enough, lands that had resisted Roman control and resisted Catholicism the most in the first place. Protestantism there, the idea of a "genuine" religion, is most closely related to paganism. A variety of religions, particularly Christian sects and Judaism, have been a part of U.S. history from its inception. That's why although we supposedly have religious "freedom," the freedom NOT to see life through the lens of formal religion, or even of God, does not exist. All people in power are expected to be some sort of Christians or at least (but less preferable to the mainstream), Jews.
The paganism was ancient. Why did paganism exist?? Well, worship of a higher power is indeed a human need. I have an infant, and was quite surprised to learn that babies have a sense of spookiness and wonder. To me, this is related to paganism, and the human need to worship a god or higher power. It makes evolutionary sense...how else would babies bother to pay attention, to learn, and to love...why else should they exist? The process of birth and death is, indeed, profound, but the more the human race learns, the more we should be aware how LITTLE we know!
So, in this way, political forces and human needs have always been and always will be intertwined. Religion that has developed out of a basic human need has been harnessed for millennia by those seeking money and power. How about L. Ron Hubbard, a science fiction writer who bet a friend that he could start a religion and earn millions of dollars, and proceeded to follow through on it (built a modern religion based on an idea of extra terrestrials which he essentially admitted, to confidants, is false!)
Once religion becomes strictly codified, such as strict bible worship (remember...the Bible was written down and passed down by humans!) or even looking back to the static, stubborn Pharisees as portrayed in the New Testament, it represents stasis and unwillingness to change. Although I am an atheist, I consistently look to appreciate religion and what it offers humans with regard to ethics and outlets for spirituality...what it can say to people about how to lead their lives (although I prefer a secular humanist approach.)
As you know, Mr. Trump, since you are a skilled entrepreneur, if a person changes, they die...they will not make progress in money or life. Creativity in religion is greatly related to the ability to be innovative in other areas of life. Perhaps this is why people tend to skip around between different sects...sticking with one religion represents lack of creativity. If you stay in one place, you will get shot down, basically. People want change in religion just like they want progress in life. Religious institutions are far too static, and one of them alone will not satisfy the human need for worship.
If people stuck with one tradition, they would also be forced either to confront or ignore the fact that each religion itself is limited and false. People switch, thereby fulfilling spiritual needs and social norms, and networking, without having to confront ultimate truths (or untruths.) It is like politics. It would be interesting to compare term-limit societies to religious habits of autocratic societies/
There is a forgotten Tenth Century Islamic Poet named Abu’l-Ala al Ma’arri, that once said "The inhabitants of the earth are of two sorts. Those with brains and no religion, and those with religion, but no brains." A believe in a supreme being a.k.a. God does not equate to a religion. A religion is the kidnapping of ethics and moral beliefs and the renunciation a of freedom and free will. These are the reason why one should never talk about religion. As for politics, goverment is a part of the original church when church and state were one. So politics and religions are basically the same thing.
Is it true that American schools are not allowed to teach the evolutional theory but instead teach a kind of religious idea called intelligent design?
The intention is probably a good one, aiming at giving us a feeling of security on our journey.
But the result is the opposite. In my eyes we are all evolving human beings and the failure to recognise this truth leads to a lot of confusion and disappointment about the world we live in.
Dishonesty in education is the first step to a world as described in the dystopia Fahrenheit 451.
Looking forward to receive your replys.
This ever changing world has had people alter their belief systems to suit their dynamic world.
Many are now talking about religion vs faith vs reality vs fact
I've changed too....a couple of times......for many different reasons. But all in all I still can't deny the work that GOD keeps doing in my life. It's tangible.