Spiritual Aspects of Trading
- Thread starter algorythm
- Start date
Surprisingly interesting thread...
Many of the posters have used the terms "religion" and "spirituality" interchangeably and this is a huge mistake.
Religion = an organized body of individuals set up with an agenda that may or may not have a spiritual aspect to it and is usually dogmatic, with man-made rules and dictates that suit the people who are at the top of the "food chain" in that particular religious body - most also own assets such as church real estate and/or related business (televangelism, etc.)
Spirituality = an individual person attempting to live their life by practicing (imperfectly, of course) spiritual principles in their daily affairs such as:
Honesty, Hope, Faith, Courage, Integrity, Willingness, Humility, Love, Discipline, perseverance, Awareness, Responsibility, etc. etc.
People who attempt to live a spiritual way of life may or may not have a belief in a God or Higher Power - and most find that living by these principles is essential for having some peace and serenity.
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Historical fact is that most atrocities, mass murders, genocide, etc. committed against other human beings have been done in the name of religious belief.
So let's not confuse religion with practicing spiritual principles. These 2 things are often polar opposites.
There are plenty of religious people who also have a fit spiritual condition but that is not a requirement to join a religious group.
There are many horribly sick and twisted people hiding their angst and pain underneath the mantle of being "believers".
Many of the posters have used the terms "religion" and "spirituality" interchangeably and this is a huge mistake.
Religion = an organized body of individuals set up with an agenda that may or may not have a spiritual aspect to it and is usually dogmatic, with man-made rules and dictates that suit the people who are at the top of the "food chain" in that particular religious body - most also own assets such as church real estate and/or related business (televangelism, etc.)
Spirituality = an individual person attempting to live their life by practicing (imperfectly, of course) spiritual principles in their daily affairs such as:
Honesty, Hope, Faith, Courage, Integrity, Willingness, Humility, Love, Discipline, perseverance, Awareness, Responsibility, etc. etc.
People who attempt to live a spiritual way of life may or may not have a belief in a God or Higher Power - and most find that living by these principles is essential for having some peace and serenity.
------------------------------------
Historical fact is that most atrocities, mass murders, genocide, etc. committed against other human beings have been done in the name of religious belief.
So let's not confuse religion with practicing spiritual principles. These 2 things are often polar opposites.
There are plenty of religious people who also have a fit spiritual condition but that is not a requirement to join a religious group.
There are many horribly sick and twisted people hiding their angst and pain underneath the mantle of being "believers".
i asked my guru, an indian monk, once if it is alright that i have a
computer program that makes all the money and i do nothing but
watch it. and that it would make most of its money in crisis, buying
grains when prices go up and things of that kind. he was like: "keep
it going, perfect thing."
i must add, he is a very caring hard working person.
computer program that makes all the money and i do nothing but
watch it. and that it would make most of its money in crisis, buying
grains when prices go up and things of that kind. he was like: "keep
it going, perfect thing."
i must add, he is a very caring hard working person.
Jesus whipped the moneychangers out of the temple because they were defiling God's house by making it a house of mechandise; not because moneychanging itself was anti-Christian.
If you read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25: 14-31 you will also note that Jesus praised the man who employed his talent ( 3000 shekels of silver) and doubled it by TRADING in the marketplace. He said "well done thou good and faithful servant." I don't believe Jesus would have cited a parable that illustrated the rewards and praise for increasing one's wealth if it had been contrary to his doctrine.
Making money can be righteous or unrighteous depending on the motives behind it. If the money is made by legal tricks or by taking advantage of the poor it is evil. If it accrues from some service to mankind it is not. From a trading perspective, one's profits can bless mankind directly or indirectly or it can be used for selfish glofification of one's person. Money can be good or evil depending on the motive for attaining it or using it.
If it turns out that there is a God, I don't think that he's evil. But the worst that you can say about him is that basically he's an underachiever .
Jesus is more communist than the Communists. Check out Acts 4, everyone is selling everything they had and giving it to the apostles. Not that they had much choice. In Acts 5, when Ananias and his wife decide that they want to keep some money to themself, the Holy Ghost kills him and his wife! Socialism with God to kill the trouble makers.
It isn't that the moneychangers were doing business, but that they were doing the wrong business.