The discourse presented within this podcast episode delves into the intricate relationship between faith, programming, and personal belief systems. It commences with a profound assertion regarding the origins of faith; most individuals do not actively select their faith, but rather inherit it from their familial and cultural backgrounds. This observation serves as a prelude to a deeper exploration of how societal programming instills fear, particularly the fear of questioning established doctrines. The speaker, embodying a spirit of inquiry, recounts their own journey of challenging this programming, revealing a personal evolution that transcends traditional religious confines. This journey is marked by a courageous confrontation of fears surrounding sin and authority, leading to a reevaluation of not only their faith but the very concept of divinity itself. As the narrative unfolds, the speaker articulates a radical departure from conventional interpretations of hell and sin, positing that these constructs are often misrepresentations designed to maintain control over believers. This perspective is further enriched by the speaker's candid admission of having once approached atheism, only to later embrace a belief in a higher power, albeit one that diverges significantly from the frameworks imposed by traditional religious teachings. The speaker's engagement with astrology serves as a catalyst for this transformative experience, prompting a reexamination of symbols and narratives that have shaped religious thought over millennia. The discussion transitions seamlessly to the notion that the story of Jesus, often viewed through a singular lens, is in reality reflective of a universal human experience. In a compelling analogy, the speaker likens the transmission of religious narratives to a game of broken telephone, suggesting that the essence of such stories has been altered through centuries of interpretation. This leads to a provocative assertion: the capabilities attributed to Jesus are not exclusive to him, but rather, accessible to all individuals. The episode culminates in an invitation to listeners to expand their understanding of faith and divinity, urging a critical examination of religious symbols and their meanings. By encouraging the exploration of alternative narratives, such as those surrounding figures like Horus, the speaker advocates for a more holistic understanding of spirituality that transcends dogmatic boundaries, ultimately fostering a sense of empowerment and personal agency in the spiritual journey.
Takeaways:
The majority of individuals do not actively select their faith, but rather inherit it from familial or societal influences.
We are often conditioned to perceive questioning our beliefs as sinful or wrong, instilling a pervasive fear of dissent.
The concept of programming extends beyond religious faith, encompassing our entire existence, including societal norms and personal conduct.
Questioning established beliefs has the potential to reveal profound insights and alternate pathways in one's spiritual journey and understanding.
The narrative surrounding Jesus is not exclusively about him, but rather reflects universal themes that resonate with all of humanity.
An exploration of symbology is crucial in comprehending the deeper meanings embedded within religious texts, which are often overlooked.
Most people don't choose their faith, it's given to them.
Speaker A:
Then we're taught it's wrong or sin to even question it out of fear.
Speaker A:
Most people will obey their programming.
Speaker A:
By the way, programming doesn't just pertain to religious faith, it goes deeper, as in your way of life and how it works and how you should work.
Speaker A:
I push past the fear of sin and burning in the pit of fire forever and the programming to respect authority.
Speaker A:
And I did the very thing I was told not to do, question my faith.
Speaker A:
This questioning has led me down a few different pathways, but I ended up here with it.
Speaker A:
Where's that?
Speaker A:
Here is another out of the circle comment.
Speaker A:
There is no hell and there is no pitchfork devil from trying to put you in a pit of fire for eternity for missing church last Sunday, or flipping off that driver the other morning that kept blowing their horn at you.
Speaker A:
One of the most common questions I get asked when people find out I'm an astrologer is do you believe in God?
Speaker A:
To be totally honest with you, there was one point in my life that I was starting to lean towards the atheism route.
Speaker A:
But this was long before I started studying astrology.
Speaker A:
I will go ahead and get it out the way since I know I made the statement there is no hell or devil.
Speaker A:
You're probably thinking, well that must mean he doesn't believe in God either.
Speaker A:
If you thought that, you would be wrong.
Speaker A:
I do believe in a higher power, but it's not in the form I was programmed into believing.
Speaker A:
Here is another out of the circle comment.
Speaker A:
I met God.
Speaker A:
Okay, this dude has really flipped his noodle.
Speaker A:
Yes, I know you may be thinking I've gone crazy, but the only reason you're thinking that is because that thought comes from inside your circle.
Speaker A:
I'm not in your circle.
Speaker A:
So what did I tell those ladies?
Speaker A:
Lets get to the meat and potatoes.
Speaker A:
I used her understanding to try to explain it.
Speaker A:
Have you ever played that game?
Speaker A:
When a few people sit in a circle, one person begins the story and tells the person next to them.
Speaker A:
By time it gets to person number 10, the story is all changed.
Speaker A:
Well, the story of Jesus is the story of all of us.
Speaker A:
And after 2,000 years, you.
Speaker A:
You've been programmed to believe it's the story of just that one dude, when in fact it's the story of everybody.
Speaker A:
Then I said, do you believe Jesus was the son of God?
Speaker A:
She said yes.
Speaker A:
Well didn't he say we was his brothers and sisters?
Speaker A:
She said yes.
Speaker A:
Can your brother or sister do anything?
Speaker A:
You can't do?
Speaker A:
She said, no.
Speaker A:
The things you believe Jesus did, you're actually capable of doing as well.
Speaker A:
People have a hard time with this one.
Speaker A:
I also said if you have not studied symbology, you are missing out on a lot of what the Bible is really about.
Speaker A:
The example I use is trying to read a text message from a teenager.
Speaker A:
If you don't know the codes and symbols, you will miss the whole message.
Speaker A:
No, I didn't study symbology.
Speaker A:
I didn't have to.
Speaker A:
There are quite a few scholars out there that has done the work for you.
Speaker A:
If you just look for it, which I have here is another out of the circle statement.
Speaker A:
If you will look at the big picture of all the orthodox traditional religious belief systems, the stories are all pretty similar.
Speaker A:
Most are too stuck in their way to even look at it.
Speaker A:
If you looked, you may say, wait a minute, something is kind of fishy here.
Speaker A:
Here is a news flash you may not be aware of.
Speaker A:
They have books from philosophers and writers predating the Bible and all the other religious texts.
Speaker A:
You do know some of these people were leading thinkers at the time when Jesus was on Earth.
Speaker A:
Have you ever looked to see what they had to say about the matter?
Speaker A:
By the way, Jesus is not the only one with the virgin Birch story.
Speaker A:
I really like pointing people in the direction of the story of Horus.
