... Religions of the World ...

One item of interest - the four letters containing the name of G-d, and called the "tetragrammaton" are ... in Hebrew-JHVH (JeHoVaH) ... in Scandinavian-Odin, in Greek-Theo, in Latin-Deus, in French-Dieu, in Assyrian-Adat, in Portuguese-Deus, in Dutch-Godt, in German-Gott, in Danish-Godh, in Swedish-Goth, in Persian-Soru, Arabic-Alla, in Spanish-Dios, in Brahmins-Joss, in Italian-Idio, in Peruvian-Lian, in Tahitan-Atua, in Turkish-Addi, etc. ... could this be a mere coincidence?

Bible Gateway seen above is "Chapter and Verse Online" ... a search tool that lets you search online Bibles for particular passages or words. You can easily restrict your search to one of six English versions of the Bible, just by selecting from a drop-down list ... Bible Gateway even lets you search the Bible in nine languages other than English ... these include: German, French, Spanish, and Tagalog ... it's interesting, but just make sure you come back, you all.

The Unbound Bible seen above is a way to prevent a sacred saying stumping you. Here you can find its source, and search any of a whopping 28 versions of the Bible. Heck ... you can even download a free Hebrew font and use it to search a Hebrew version of the Old Testament. Or just visit semi-regularly, peruse the "verses of the day," and try to weave one into the discussion at your next wedding or social.

That'll put your friends in their places.

PROLOGUE

This page will be the most difficult ... not because the information isn't out there, it certainly is ... but because a certain amount of objectivity will have to prevail.

Another difficulty is that to understand the real depth of this subject (and the word "subject" is most inappropriate), means that one must give this "subject" application.

It is here, in this world, how one lives one's life ... with real people ... having the emotions, drives, lusts, jealousies ... and all the "shortcomings" that befall the human race ... it is in this practice, in the application ... where the word "religion" comes to life.

Without the application religion becomes just a "subject" ... with only a cerebral understanding ... which though necessary, is not sufficient for any full appreciation.

The challenge is to be a real person, a common word for that is ... "mensch" ... an example of a noble person in the true sense. And that is not easy ... In fact, the challenge is to use those very shortcomings mentioned above, so that they even assist us in rising above the rest, or in becoming better than we ever imagined we could be become.

When that happens, when we can use those vices in more constructive ways, then even those very shortcomings become a blessing, in that they helped us move up.

I'll stop here for fear that the preacher/teacher instinct will take over, and then chase my guests away ... except to say that I sure can use some help in Catholicism (like Judaism, there is sooooo much out there, and selectivity has to rule) ... so onto the links ... or return to ... Menu ... your choice.

Agnostic Church ... what does one worship in the Agnostic Church ... the Agnostic Bible?
Agnosticism.com - "dubito, ergo sum" - I doubt, therefor I am - not quite Rene Descartes.
Agnosticism ... Glenn Everett of Univ. of Tenn. and George P. Landow of Brown speak out.
Agnostics ... an essay by Madalyn Murray O'Hair ... see library in upper left-hand corner.
Clarenc Darrow ... he tries to make a case for it ... I leave it to your good judgment.
H. J. Blackman ... What is Agnosticism ... an essay with various arguments from the past.
Left Hemisphere ... contains dozens of links to various skeptical religious and secular sites.
Jeffrey Lowder ... why I am an Agnostic ... and he delivers a 27 page printout to answer.
RoHarry Ingersoll ... an active Agnostic who offers various links with the pros and cons.
Return to ... Menu

American Atheists ... civil liHarryies of Atheists, and separation of government and religion.
American Rationalist ... mental attitude ... unreservedly accepts the supremacy of reason.
American Atheists NJ ... you think I'd forget my neighbors across the Hudson? ... Never.
Atheism Web ... a shared resource for atheists, agnostics and freethinkers on the Internet.
Atheisms ... Internet Infidels site maintains the Secular Web like we saw in Agnosticism.
Atheism, Christianity, and SubGenius ... contains many links to atheism home pages.
Atheist and Agnostic quotes ... 11,244 quotes ... honest, I mean it ... I counted them.
Cult of Atheism ... comes with a warning: "if you are religious and Christian, turn back."
Infidels.org ... "Nonbelief and Evil" ... two arguments for the nonexistence of G-d.
NTCF ... North TX Church of Freethought-"fellowship of nonbelievers" - it's what it says.
The Celebrity Atheist List ... a list of celebrity atheists, agnostics and other non-theists.
The Net Atheists ... an enormous list of hundreds of web pages by Atheists ... oh well.
Return to ... Menu

BAHA'I - FAITH ...
The names of the pages are quite simlar so I just list the hyperlinks.
Yes, it means you can click them; I'm trying to make it easy for you.

http://www.bahai.com/
http://www.us.bahai.org/
http://www.bahai-faith.org/
http://www.bcca.org/bahaivision/
http://www.northill.demon.co.uk/bahai/
http://www.warble.com/Bahai/BasicFacts/
http://www.religioustolerance.org/bahai.htm
http://www.safnet.com/bahai/introduction/momen.html
Return to ... Menu

BUDDHISM ...

BuddhaNet ... a Buddhist information network and Buddhazine.
Buddhist Resource File ... groups and societies, journals, mailing lists, news groups and more.
Buddhism in Ottawa ... local activities as well as more links to sites around the world.
Dhammapada ... selections from the Sayings of Buddha... also a discussion group.
Buddism in Toronto ... provides a directory of Buddhist temples, centers, and organizations.
Buddism in Canada ... contains directories of temples and centers by province.
Access to Insight ... describes various sites supporting Buddhism's Teheravada meditation.
Fundemental Buddhism ... oldest surviving written record of what the Buddha actually said.
Buddhism for the Lay Practitioner ... good material for the beginner in this study.
Vietnamese Buddhism ... attempt to synthesize some of the varied and fascinating history.
Return to ... Menu

CATHOLICISM ...

CHRISTIANITY ...

57 Links ... to the study of Christianity ... those below are some additionals I found.
Assemblies of G-d ... see the link (New&Info), "What We Believe", for an understanding.
Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church ... had its beginnings Scotland, 1560, John Knox.
Baptists ... your online Baptist community with a link to the Baptists Today Website.
Catharism ... the term Cathar comes from the French "Cathari" the word for "purified".
Celtic Christianity ... this site is the basis of a Celtic Christian webring.
Christadelphianism ... the name means "brothers (and of course sisters) in Christ".
Church of Latter Day Saints ... the church was organized in 1830 in New York State.
Christian Reformed Church ... committed to being "the salt of the earth" ... see homepage.
Christian Science ... "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy.
Church of Christ - shhh, skip to "WebMaster's Corner" - links for Webpage construction.
Church of G-d ... their "Ten Commandments" is an effort to convert Jews ... it won't work.
Church of G-d 7th Day ... a gospel-centered, Sabbath-observing community of Christians.
Church of the Nazarene ... their stated mission is to "go and make disciples of all nations.
Evangelical Free Church of America ... exists to glorify God by spreading the good word.
Evangelical Lutheranism ... Luther: "The Small Catechism: Morning and Evening Prayers".
Episcopalianism - USA branch of the Anglican Communion - roots: the Church of England.
Foursquare Gospel - download holiday sermons, illustrations, devotionals, and scripts.
IFCA International - follows the New Testament example of early Christian congregations.
International Church of Christ - calling out for a meaningful, vibrant relationship with G-d.
Mennonites - rooted for more than 475 years, with a wide variety of practices and people.
Messianic Judaism - Jewish believers in the Messiah Yeshua ... an oxymoron, for sure.
Metropolitan Community Churches - where homosexual Christians could freely worship G-d.
Moravian Church ... rooted in the pre-Reformation era with John Hus of Bohemia.
Orthodox Christians ... excerpts from "The Faith We Hold" by Archbishop Paul of Finland.
Orthodox Presbyterian Church ... system of doctrine is also called Calvinism.
Presbyterianism ... evolved during the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
Quakers ... 17th century England, many were questioning the established beliefs of the age.
Reformed Church ... established on this continent l50 years before the Revolutionary War.
Reformed Episcopalians ... founded by Bishop George David Cummins in 1873.
Salvation Army ... the practical spirituality for which the Salvation Army is famous.
United Church of G-d ... to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of G-d.
United Methodist Church ... rooted in 1939's merger and a 1968 union of churches.
United Pentecostal Church ... emerged out of the Pentecostal movement, Kansas, 1901.
Universal Leben ... no ceremonies, rites, dogmas, creeds, priests or pastors ... freedom?