I'm very thankful for the communication medium of the internet as a whole. All of its individual parts and components combined make it what it is. Like jecasc I too am I very grateful to all those people out there contributing their time and expertise to Open Source Software. Without their selfless contributions we would not have access to the library of human knowledge that was for far too long suppressed and controlled by many "holier-than-thou" entities hell-bent on owning the rights to our souls. The dogmatic controlling institutions will be exposed and it would not have been possible without the internet. For that I am very thankful. In particular for forums like WebmasterWorld who set aside a small portion of topic space to allow us to unwind and discuss matters unrelated to our all-consuming work (most of the time :p), with like-minded people. I can share a fuller understanding instead of only the working side of me. All work and no play makes Jack and Jill lifeless people.
Nothing religious about thanksgiving. Think of it as a celebration of the fall harvest
I totally agree with wheel here. I'm amused by all the anti-religious stances taken here! Personally I've never thought of Thanks Giving as a religious celebration. I too have always seen it as a celebration of the Harvest that Mother-Nature has provided us with, an abundance of food to keep us fed throughout the winter (pre-global transportation capabilities). But of course, for those who are aware of the source of all life that provides that nourishment, it is a natural extension to give thanks in that manner. Even Mother Nature requires nourishment to nourish us. Whether the thanks come from believers or non-believers it is still heartfelt as long as it is acknowledged in whatever form one is comfortable with. As long as you aren't burning the bird on some sacrificial alter -- that offering is intended to be for your body-consciousness state, not the poor defenseless animals! I think the different times that this is celebrated in Canada and the USA is proof that it is intended to be a harvest celebration. Canada celebrates it on the second Monday in October because of the shorter growing season due to cooler climate whereas for Americans it is on fourth Thursday in November to correspond with warmer climate and later harvest.
Humanists and atheists are special. We can celebrate any festival we want and no one can tell us to do any different.
I agree 100%! That's not a typo. Humanitarians are the ones we have been waiting for (as per the Hopi Elders). Others have said it in deeper esoteric terms such as: "Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him". That is a statement referring to the time we are now entering into -- the Age of Aquarius. The harmonious vibrations of nature inherent in this coming day of creation will begin to influence us in beneficial ways as we enter into the dawning of a new day. As for the atheists I respect and admire your tenacity to not have allowed yourselves to be owned by any one of the self-serving intolerant ignorant institutions. Courage and determination is yours. I have more respect for atheists than I do for radical left-wing or right-wing "believers". But truth be known, there is no such thing as an atheist. That is just a label you apply to yourselves as intelligent individuals who intuitively know the truth. Whether you realize it or not, deep within, you are the truth. Indeed you are free to celebrate any festival you want and no one can tell you how you can or cannot behave or think. Free will is yours.
I am an atheist/humanist and think we should have a "one life day" where we give thanks for the one life we have.
I know I cannot push the envelope here but I sure wish I could think of how to respond to that in a neutral scientific manner without offending anyone. Please, please moderators, have mercy on this posting, it is for our collective well-being.
How's this; what do you think the composition of your body is? What I have learned is that we are multi-dimensional beings. We have seven energy centres wrapped in three layers, a physical body, a light body, and a casual body (the metaphorical three days in the earth). That existence is animated by opposite polar energies, positive consciousness and negative consciousness (everything is or it could not exist). At various times of existence we only have two or sometimes one body, if and when we succeed in circumcising ourselves (it's not about that loose skin you silly-willies)!
So going back to the essence of 3 body layers (koshas) and 7 energy meridians. It is best explained to us by the metaphysical story of Job and his 3 Daughters and 7 Sons. That was one incarnation, then he was destroyed by delusion (death if you prefer). In spite of his immense faith, body-consciousness still had a firm grip on him. So when asked where he came from, his darker side spoke on his behalf; "I've been going to and fro, back and forth" (that much he remembered!). And so because that is who he still thought he was -- back he went -- reincarnate on earth (he once again had 3 Daughters and 7 Sons). He was then provided with a better existence than the previous one (twice as many of everything) as a reward for his perseverance of trying to better himself. But of course along with it comes double the temptation. It takes tremendous strength of soul to not be forgetful of the pure essence of your composition. We are created in "their image". We receive our Daughters from our Holy Mother; nature. We receive our Sons from our Holy Father, consciousness.
As for me. I'm thankful that for most of my life I was atheist/agnostic. That was a safety buffer I needed until I finally reverse engineered the Holy Bible. It guaranteed that I would continue to be receptive to all possibilities as I studied all sources of Sacred Scriptures searching for clues to answer my compelling question; "where did I come from"...that I would need to be able to provide proof of something that I intuitively knew was always right there inside of me.
Now if only when I get to the gate this time, I can remember to say; I'm your lost child that was wandering around in darkness and ignorance but now I have finally awakened to my true self. That deep sleep in the garden I fell into when you took nature out of my pure consciousness (the metaphorical rib), created in your image and then placed me in my own self-created delusion -- you were right, I know nothing of what's good for me! Please, may I come home and enjoy the Thanks Giving feast of the fatted calf with my brothers.
This rant is scientific in nature. It is technical so I surely hope it will be allowed to stand this time. If this stuff appeals to you I had even greater insight to share in a previous post going back a few months ago that was deleted because it was wrongly interpreted as religious.
By nature I think as a Taoist philosopher. By example I live as a Buddhist. The tools of understanding were given to me by Yogis. And I trust in The Christ (our Creator's Consciousness, His only Begotten Son) to lead me home just as Jesus did oh so long ago, at age 33, when The Engineer descended into darkness then extracted himself to make sure all would be smooth for us when we ascend. Those 33 miners in Chile recently -- all a metaphor. 69 days in darkness of the duality of yin-yang. I am becoming one through Self-Realization, unowned by any, I will not be labeled.
On this day, and every day throughout the year, I am thankful for the gift of life.
Note to moderators: if this post cannot stand in truth and witness and gets deleted, please delete my account along with it.
