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Final Thread / Spirituality PDF in Feedback & Suggestions · Oct 7, 2011

This thread will remain locked until we moderators reach a consensus—which we feel is necessary given the actual value of this discussion.
We’ll get around to it when our schedules allow, alongside certain other circumstances that we aren't obligated to disclose to the users!

Besides, Susan Price30, there is an old American saying:
Don't count your chickens before they hatch!
So, once the thread has been cleaned up and reopened, only then can you start throwing your critiques at it!

Spirituality and Tarot in Spirituality · Oct 6, 2011

Daniel Castillo11;36097822 said:First off, I'm not female, and second...[/B]

We clearly had a misunderstanding here. I don't actually use Tarot at all—I was simply pointing out one of its lesser-known applications for meditation and contemplation. That said, I do utilize something quite similar: emblematic meditations on specific sequences of alchemical and Kabbalistic symbols. The same "rules" apply to this kind of practice. Sure, it’s just paper and ink, but these images serve as symbolic representations of various facets of the human inner being. Just as the physical body has its anatomy, the soul has its own, too. By grasping these archetypal images, one gains an understanding of the Self. But understanding is only half the battle. In fact, not only is this esoteric practice standard fare within inner circles of initiates, but it's also a core component of Jungian depth psychoanalysis. Jung was a massive proponent of using alchemy, Tarot, and Kabbalah as systems to map the human psyche and the Self. Active imagination, contemplation, meditation—all facilitated through visual tools. The process of internalizing these symbols, emblems, and sequences is brilliantly explained in the link I provided.

Nobody is glorifying anything. I haven't seen anyone glorifying Tarot for contemplative purposes anywhere. Have you?

All I see is "will I win the Powerball lottery" and the rest of that nonsense.

😂
......and for some reason, Daniel Castillo11 sounds female to me.....😉
my apologies...!

Unfortunately, I am!
There are far too many people who believe that Tarot itself provides a guaranteed shortcut to spirituality and enlightenment!
As if reading a few booklets, staring at certain cards long enough, and then suddenly identifying with one—usually from the Major Arcana (the Magician, the Priestess, the Pope etc.)—is enough!
And suddenly, all the doors to spirituality swing wide open for them!😂

Then you have the others—the commercial crowd—who are a whole different story..
not to mention everything else that gets slapped with the "Tarot" label...

Spirituality and Tarot in Spirituality · Oct 6, 2011

Daniel Castillo11 said:Think of Tarot as a contemplative instrument designed to help us align ourselves with that very "Kingdom," or perhaps more accurately, to serve as a compass in our search for it. When someone approaches the cards merely as a tool for fortune-telling or divination, they essentially strip away its contemplative essence—that profound, quiet dimension that allows one to actually engage with their own inner being.

🙂

At the end of the day, Tarot cards are nothing more than scraps of paper covered in symbols.
Behind all of it, there is always a human being using them!
And that’s the point—if a person isn't even aware of their own inner being, or hasn't reached that level of consciousness, then Tarot and any other similar tools are completely useless. They won't contribute a single thing to spiritual growth!
For years now, I've been entertained by this constant mystification and glorification of Tarot.
Which is exactly what you're doing here in this post!😉
But hey, it's good that you realize Tarot is just a tool—assuming that's actually what you need it to be.

wearyowl29 said:Honestly, I’ve yet to hear of anyone using those cards to unite with the Kingdom of God or any other kingdom! It’s a bit backwards, isn't it? You have to find your own center and figure out who you truly are first. Only then can you actually head out on that journey to connect with the Source.

Precisely!

Can't send PMs until I hit 100 posts? in Feedback & Suggestions · Sep 26, 2011

mistyhound94 said:Look, if you actually take the time to dig through the PDF—which, let’s be honest, is just like most other files out there—you'll find that the topics aren't exactly groundbreaking. They're old news. But that's actually the point, isn't it? It’s incredibly easy to stumble upon a thread that mirrors your own situation, giving you the perfect opening to jump in and ask about your specific issue. The real headache comes when you consider that a lot of the moderators here are quick to hand out sanctions just for bumping old threads—so we’re going to have to figure out a way to navigate around that.. ☕

Bumping an old thread isn't a crime—not if you’re actually bringing something to the table, like new evidence or a solid argument that adds value to the conversation. It’s about progress, right? Now, if someone digs up a dead thread from five years ago just to snap back at a comment made half a decade ago? Yeah, that’s where I draw the line. That’s just being petty. I completely agree with the sentiment here—it's common sense, really. Honestly, that's exactly how I see it too. 🙄
And every single PDF out there is filled with these self-proclaimed "professionals" who think they’re being profound just by dragging up the same exhausted topics over and over again!😉

Can't send PMs until I hit 100 posts? in Feedback & Suggestions · Sep 26, 2011

James Chavez91 said:Your suggestion would be much more effective if applied to how we handle new threads.

The way things are now, people get harassed via private messages—while the rest of us, the entire forum community, gets harassed by a constant stream of spammy, brainless threads...

You feel me? ☕

Exactly, Mike!
You hit the nail right on the head...😉

Someone joins with zero posts or maybe just a couple, then immediately opens a thread like:

"What do you guys think about this?" followed by some random link to a news article...
Honestly, I am fed up with having to delete these telegraphic, low-effort "threads" that usually don't even have a remote connection to the actual PDF content!☕

Is everyone just becoming more selfish these days? in Spirituality · Sep 16, 2011

What is actually going on with this socially glorified selfishness?

It feels like we’re running into this trend at every single turn lately—especially when it comes to family dynamics!
The irony is that most people being forced into these situations usually feel a deep sense of guilt about what they're doing in the first place!

Blood draws at the clinic in Health · Sep 14, 2011

Paul Johnson said:It just paves the way for private labs to thrive. No crowds, everything stays pristine, and you get a polite smile along with your results delivered straight to your inbox the same day.

🙂
Then you end up taking those results straight to a private doctor to actually make sense of them—because why bother waiting in line at a local clinic or seeing a specialist through the public system? It doesn't matter; either way, you're out a few hundred bucks minimum...
all coming out of your paycheck or your Social Security checks (if you even have any left)....😂

Laughing at myself in Spirituality · Aug 23, 2011

electricdriver33 said:How did this thread even end up in the Spirituality subforum anyway? 🤔
...

Keep thinking that way, HorseThief!
😂
Honestly, you need a healthy dose of spiritual self-awareness just to be able to laugh at yourself...
But tell me—do you never laugh at your own behavior?
Or maybe even your own thoughts?
For me, it happens all the time—I'll look back on something I did or said from a few years ago and I can't help but burst out laughing... plus, there are moments right in the middle of a situation where anyone else would probably be spiraling into despair, but I'm just standing there cracking up...

How to distance yourself from someone in Psychology · Aug 13, 2011

Thomas Davis6 said:Yeah, honestly, what you did was pretty selfish and just plain low. You really think it’s okay to just ghost someone without any explanation and leave them spinning their wheels, wondering what they even did wrong? I mean, being direct might sting at first, but ignoring someone and cutting ties like that... it doesn't exactly scream "good character." People always say they can't "look someone in the eye and tell the truth," but most of the time, that's just a cover for being too cowardly to face the music.
Thomas Rodriguez14, you should definitely just be upfront with that girl. Like, totally straight up. No need to play games or beat around the bush.

👍

Very few people actually have the backbone to do that—especially when it requires being both sincere and polite. Most of us struggle because, deep down, we’re all obsessed with maintaining this carefully curated "good person" image in our own heads!

The "Father" sticky on the religion board is racist! in Feedback & Suggestions · Jul 22, 2011

It’s been nine years since those posts were made—back when we were all debating the world trial...
In that time, public opinion has clearly shifted—and it isn't just the moderators or the site staff who have changed their minds. So, before we set a dangerous precedent where any user can dig up ancient history to demand deletions whenever they feel like it, I suggest the administrators step in and make a final call.

Complaint regarding the religion subforum moderator (removing Christmas and the Pope) in Feedback & Suggestions · Jun 21, 2011

The issue isn't about the PDF files or the moderators—it's much deeper than that. It’s about users failing to distinguish between political or social activism and religious belief. When people try to drag religion into the realm of politics, they are stepping exactly where they don't belong!

Complaint regarding the religion subforum moderator (removing Christmas and the Pope) in Feedback & Suggestions · Jun 19, 2011

If you're going to file a complaint, you really ought to stick to the actual moderator explanations provided—instead of just partially copying them.
Within a single 24-hour window, we had six identical threads popping up about the pope's visit, two of which actually had the exact same title.
Three were merged into one, while the others were wiped out because they were from the same users—who, in record time, managed to derail every single thread with off-topic nonsense.
And let me be clear: that religion PDF isn't intended exclusively for Catholics!

For kids of religious fanatics in Psychology · Apr 30, 2011

gentlefalcon said:How is it not? If people are trying to force me to sit in church pews, observe religious holidays, and go through confession, then it's religious.
It isn't a topic for psychology either, I'm certain of that; I’d appreciate being placed in the appropriate section, because I don't feel comfortable under the umbrella of psychology—I feel labeled and judged there.

So, if a child refuses to go somewhere, they must have a psychological issue. That's the logic, right?
The word "psyche" comes from the Greek for soul. My situation is being imposed from the outside; it doesn't originate from my own inner self. I would much rather be over in the Religion subforum than in Psychology.
I am asking to be moved back to Religion, because psychology is a science that deals with the human interior, whereas religious topics can't fall under science since they are rooted in faith. At the very least, put me under Spirituality. Labeling people like this just triggers a backlash in me. This kind of labeling is one of the evils of the 21st century. 👍

It feels as though my path is predetermined and others get to dictate where I belong.

"You have to go to school, you have to go to Church, you have to get vaccinated at school, you have to eat leeks, you have to shower regularly, you have to go to the Psychology forum"—it's a vicious circle, if you ask me. 🙂

NO, it isn't a topic for Religion, because everything coming out of your posts points to a psychological issue regarding your relationship with your parent(s)—regardless of the cause.
Your mother's religious beliefs—or her fanaticism—aren't the subject of discussion within the scope of the Religion forum, unless she herself brings them up because she wants to discuss them from a standpoint of faith.

For kids of religious fanatics in Psychology · Apr 30, 2011

Brandon Adams46 said:gentlefalcon

To be completely honest, if I were in your shoes, I would have absolutely lost my mind by now.
You hold your ground and you don't let anyone sway you. If you didn't, you would have been brainwashed ages ago. People like her are best handled by simply ignoring them. My family isn't particularly religious or active in a church, but they do believe in God. It didn't bother them one bit when I came out as an atheist three years ago.
I honestly wonder what your mother would say if she could see how things are now; there are hardly any believers left. There are over 1,500 people here who aren't religious and don't practice any faith. Everything feels much easier without all that pressure. Granted, you still run into the occasional zealot spitting venom, but generally, those types are just ignored.
I think it would be best for you to just move on.😁

🙂
If I were in your position, I’d certainly give some thought to the kind of advice you're handing out here.
The reality is simple: regardless of whatever issue is at hand or what the circumstances are, a 23-year-old is perfectly capable of leaving their parents' house and putting in the work to survive on their own.
And frankly, it doesn't matter whether they have an apartment waiting for them, whether they need to work to make ends meet, or if they have to sacrifice certain luxuries along the way.
Thousands of college students and young adults prove every single day that this is entirely doable!
Independence—or even the desire for it—hasn't actually been expressed by the OP based on everything they've written so far.
It seems to me that the mother's religious fanaticism is nothing more than a convenient excuse for the author to avoid taking charge of their own life!

Why are religion threads being closed for no reason? in Feedback & Suggestions · Apr 3, 2011

You aren't being objective, Busta!
Between the plants, the insults, and the blatant twisting of words—not to mention the facts themselves being skewed—there’s plenty of toxicity coming from both sides, whether you're religious or not. We've had enough of it already.

And which "side" are these moderators supposedly favoring?
Sanctions are handed out to everyone across the board—surely even you've noticed that by now.
Are you actually falling for that false equivalence trap? It's a tactic used to highlight moderator bias, but it incorrectly equates a user's opinion with their standing as a forum participant—which, regardless of their role as a moderator, should still grant them the right to speak as a regular user.
What exactly are we talking about here? Should a religious moderator ban atheists from voicing their views? Or vice versa?
That’s precisely why we need rules in place—to rein in anything that crosses the line of civilized dialogue.
I don't know where you stand—if you've been labeled a fundamentalist or if you even subscribe to that definition yourself...
but I can't shake the feeling that you have this very specific, personal vision of the Religion subreddit that bears almost no resemblance to how it was actually designed, implemented, and approved. Honestly, you need to settle that conflict within yourself and decide if you actually want to be part of this community.
As for this "empire" business...
I’d say the entire Reddit is essentially a new empire—one where you either agree to follow the rules, written or unwritten, or you simply walk away.

Why are religion threads being closed for no reason? in Feedback & Suggestions · Apr 2, 2011

Basta;32752858 said:
cut

Quote

What kind of promise are you talking about, and when exactly did that happen, Basta?
There have been suggestions and debates—sure—but zero concrete decisions made.
You’re playing the "clueless outsider" card here, even though you know perfectly well that moderators don't just make unilateral calls regarding the layout of the site or its subreddits.
Every major structural change is decided by the owner and the admin team of this Reddit!
And as for what you’re claiming (or rather, trying to frame as the collective desire of all users)—subreddits based on religious affiliation haven't been approved, and frankly, I think they're unnecessary. The religion this forum PDF wasn't designed according to the concept you're pushing; the moderator blue bird already made that clear.
You're working overtime to paint the moderators as tyrants who just do whatever they feel like, acting like you can't stand the rules—even though you conveniently cite them whenever someone else's comment gets under your skin. How would that PDF (or any document, for that matter) look without rules????

What do you mean, "deleting legitimate complaints" in the Suggestion Book and Appeals?
The purpose of those sections was explained ages ago (try actually reading it), and
everything gets an answer (except for trolling and spam). Resolved threads are cleared out at the end of the month because we can't allow the place to get clogged up with old posts.
Your deleted post was pure spam, because you didn't offer an unbiased suggestion—instead, you jumped into a dialogue between another user and a moderator just to throw accusations and grievances at the staff.

Bottom line, Basta: if you're really this dissatisfied with the current Religion PDF concept, then lay out your vision for changes clearly, logically, and without the (unnecessary) bitterness right here (this is the place for it), and then maybe the decision-makers will actually consider your proposals.

Milka or Milka? in Miscellaneous · Feb 6, 2011

Since the brand name Milka actually has German roots, the pronunciation should be quick and snappy.
But when you're talking about the female name in America, people tend to stretch out those vowels depending on their regional accent!

Why on earth would the American language be some special exception to the rules of the rest of the world?
"Milk" and "Milka" aren't even remotely the same thing—one's a product and the other's a person's name.
It’s pretty obvious this point completely flew over your friend's head!

Karma vs. Free Will in Spirituality · Jan 13, 2011

Gregory Jackson said:I guess there are just some events that are completely out of our hands—things where the probability is basically 100% no matter what we do—which is what most people call fate. It’s probably like karma, you know, something that just has to play out. Everyone deals with a different amount of these moments, but it feels to me like people also try to label a lot of things as "destiny" even when they aren't necessarily preordained.

Gregory Jackson isn't going to win anyone over here... 😉

The truth is, people constantly hide behind "fate" to justify their own screw-ups—whether they missed an appointment or made a disastrous choice—when, in reality, they had every opportunity to act differently or choose a better path.
But if we start diving into that, we’ll end up wandering into the territory of clairvoyance and precognition, which is clearly not what we're here to discuss.

Karma vs. Free Will in Spirituality · Jan 13, 2011

Peter Cruz15 said:Hmm, taking a layman's view here. People usually label "fate" as those events they felt completely powerless to influence. I don't necessarily see it that way, though... I tend to think that free choice builds upon karma rather than acting as its alternative.

A cliché example: deciding whether to work or go back to school? Karma is the fact that I found myself facing that specific dilemma in the first place, while the subsequent decision is my own free will. Ugh, now I'm getting tangled up in my own logic... 😁 Basically, my take is that karma "delivers" us to a crossroads where we are then presented with two or more paths to choose from through our own volition.

It seems to me that, say, in India, people equate karma with a sort of "it was meant to be" mentality, which creates this pervasive sense of lethargy and passivity. It feels like people stop trying to improve their own situation or build a better tomorrow. Or perhaps I'm just misreading the room...

I should emphasize, I'm just an amateur when it comes to these things. I don't claim any real expertise. 😁

You're wrong.
There is a whole string of events in a person's life that simply cannot be altered—regardless of how much free will, effort, or sheer grit you throw at them, even when those events are known in advance.
I can't speak to the Indian mindset since I'm not familiar with it, but I know plenty of stories—including my own—where predetermined events were impossible to change. Even when people were warned ahead of time, they fought tooth and nail for long periods to try and prevent, divert, or alter
what was coming.

Karma vs. Free Will in Spirituality · Jan 13, 2011

Benjamin Taylor6 said:Is this just some cosmic karma at work, or is it strictly Murphy's Law when life decides to hit you with one disaster after another? And I don't mean minor inconveniences—I mean a relentless string of nonsense that all follows the exact same pattern. Take my family, for instance:
1. My father was a highly successful captain who, quite suddenly at age 52, decided he was done with the grind. He moved back to his hometown and, instead of finding actual employment, started playing around with local landscaping projects. He ended up clashing with the local city council, and out of pure spite, he began renovating the waterfront—completely for free. Even professionals have noted that his labor was worth something like $45,000. All of it done just because he was being stubborn. By the end, he had turned the house he lived in into a total pigsty. You wouldn't even recognize him as a decorated sea captain from ten years ago. He passed away at 72.
2. Then there’s my father-in-law—my wife's dad—who also spiraled into becoming a massive slob. Honestly, no better than my own old man. Just a decade ago, he was a respected retiree, but now? He’s an 81-year-old eccentric who looks like he should be living in a barn.
3. My mother worked herself to the bone to build a three-unit house all on her own. She moved in seven years ago, and lately, she’s been descending into these strange paranoias. It isn't even about cleanliness; it's about the neighbors—or rather, it's about her. She won't talk to anyone; she finds everyone annoying and refuses to see or hear a soul. Now she’s started claiming she sees swarms of mosquitoes that aren't actually there. I try to reason with her, but it's useless. I actually get criticized for being "blind" because I can't see the imaginary clouds of bugs! I’d love to move in closer since I'm an only child, but there is absolutely no way. She can't fathom anyone else living under her roof, even though she has three separate apartments in the house.
She doesn't even think about renting them out, despite having a steady Social Security check of $600. She won't even turn the heat on in the house; she’d rather save money for some nonsensical whim. She’s 70, for heaven's sake.
It feels bizarre to have this many eccentrics concentrated in one family unit. Is this karma, or is it dharma? Or maybe it's just bad luck hitting me all at once? 😂

Note: From my perspective, all these situations were economically detrimental. My only wish was for my family to be decent, polite, and sociable—for us all to live well. But none of that happened. Living with these people was impossible. In fact, sometimes you just have to RUN.

It seems like the anti-law of attraction is working in my case. I rub the magic lamp, but instead of a genie, out pops venomous poison!!!!! 😂

Anyway, I've laid out my situation here, blending it somewhat with various stories from acquaintances:

I only just noticed this thread and your post.
I really hope you've managed to get your mother to a doctor in the meantime.
Seeing insects in your field of vision can be a sign of cataracts or even a brain tumor. The latter would certainly explain the sudden shifts in your mother's personality.