Alternative Religion

Energy Therapies for Healing

Most Alternative therapies hold that human beings are not only physical, but consist of a “subtle energy” system that relates to the mental, emotional, and spiritual self, all of which may be addressed in diagnosis and treatment. Though not yet scientifically proven, the concept of a sort of invisible “subtle body” appears to have some support in the latest theories in modern subatomic physics.

The idea that we have a “subtle energy body” or “aura” is not new. It has been traditionally recognized by Eastern medicine and most religions for centuries, and some psychics claim they can see it. According to these traditions it consists of a series of energy fields around the body, moving out from the “etheric” or electromagnetic field through the emotional and mental bodies, to the spiritual.

What religion is energy healing therapy based on?

Energy healing therapy can be based in many different religions. How the energy healing therapy is approached, what the purpose is, and the effect it has on the patient’s mind and body will all play a part in which religion a particular energy healing therapy is based. While they are all spiritually based, the religion they represent will vary.

Energy flows within the body through channels called “meridians,” and seven main energy centers aligned down the spine. These energy centers or chakras (a Sanskrit word for “wheel”) absorb and emit life force. Each chakra governs an area of the body together with specific emotional issues. Thus the “root” or “base chakra” connects with the adrenal glands, the hips, and one’s security in the world, and the “brow chakra” to the pineal gland, intuition, and will.

Good health depends on the free flow of energy, and ill-health is caused by energy blockages or imbalances resulting from physical causes such as bad nutrition, drugs, or injury, and/or mental and emotional causes such as shock, grief, or negative thinking.

Energy-oriented therapies include acupuncture, uiodynamic massage, color and light therapy, craniosacral therapy, crystal healing, homeopathy, kinesiology, polarity therapy, chi kung, shiatsu, sound therapy, spiritual/psychic healing, and zero balancing.

Alien
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/energy-therapies-for-healing-299114.html

Enemies of Reason – Slaves to Superstition(1 of 5)

A documentary by Richard Dawkins.

http://richarddawkins.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3&zenid=50f50cbf1c197cd2ad9471ae6c30d3f2

Part 1 of 5 – You’re watching this part.
Part 2 of 5 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n2LktpT8tY
Part 3 of 5 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOzXm6KoMTU
Part 4 of 5 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-JWGiliOfY
Part 5 of 5 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfySPHYXLpU

Duration : 0:9:47

Read more…

Banking Alternatives: Do you Need a Bank?

Although using a bank is the most common method of storing and accessing your money, there are some alternatives you should consider. If you feel that your bank isn’t giving you what you want, then perhaps it is time for a change. Here are some banking alternatives that might be able to offer you the features and services that you require.

Why use a bank?

Of course, the main reason to use a bank is the fact that banks are widely available, and they are the first option that comes to mind when dealing with finances. In fact, some people aren’t even aware that there are alternatives to banking apart from keeping your money at home. Although banking has its uses, it can cost you money for day-to-day financial matters that you can get for less. Bank fees can be extremely expensive, but there are some alternatives.

Credit unions

Credit unions are one alternative to using conventional banks. Unlike banks, credit unions are not for profit organisations that are run by their members. Credit unions are used by people who share a workplace or occupation, or even a religion. They offer many of the same services as banks, but because profit is not their main function they can offer lower fees and higher interest rates on savings than normal banks. Credit unions can be fairly large and organisations, and some offer similar levels of convenience to a regular bank. If you are looking for cheaper fees and better interest rates on savings then a credit union might be right for you. However, credit unions are still small compared to banks, and you cannot simply join the credit union of your choice. You have to meet their specific requirements or be related to someone who is already a member in order to join. Also, you generally have to save money with a credit union before you can have access to other financial products.

Online banking

Perhaps the best alternative to traditional banking is online banking. There are many banks that operate solely online, and there are a lot of benefits to this sort of bank. Although you might not be able to get money as easily as you could with a normal bank, you can transfer funds and pay bills much more efficiently. Also, online banks usually operate all day every day, meaning that you can access your account and carry out transactions whenever you want. For paying bills and transferring money, you can’t really beat online banking

Combining accounts

Although there are viable alternatives to traditional banking, perhaps the best way to save yourself time and money is to have a combination of accounts. If you are eligible for a credit union, then saving with them is probably the best option as you can get great rates and you might be able to borrow money at a much more reasonable rate if you need to do so in the future. You could combine this with an online account to pay your bills, as this allows you to pay bills quickly and manage your money more effectively so that you always pay on time. Thirdly, having a traditional bank account is usually a good idea, because if any problems arise you can go to your bank and speak to someone face to face. If you look around at all the alternatives to regular banking then you could save yourself money and make banking work more effectively for you.

Peter Kenny
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/banking-alternatives-do-you-need-a-bank-60545.html

Homeschool ID Cards

The number of homeschool students grew from 1.2 in 2003 to a staggering 2.4 million in 2006 according to the National Home Education Research Institute. With this type of growth you have to wander what is the cause for the amazing increase in homeschool attendance.

Based on surveys, there are three primary reasons children are being trained at home instead of the government funded solution. The primary reason parents have chosen to train their kids is to incorporate religion into their curriculum. Tied closely are other parents that have decided to incorporate moral training into their courses. Both of these have been continuously removed from the education children receive when trained publicly. The third reason parents have chosen to train their own children is because the alternative is viewed as an inferior education in comparison to the education they could receive at home.

When reviewing the results of the education being provided these kids are commonly testing up to thirty percent higher than publicly educated students while saving taxpayers an astounding 16 billion dollars annually.

One of the major challenges these 2.4 million students and their teachers are faced with is being able to prove their status as homeschoolers. When students and teachers come from a public or even a private school they are provided with school ID cards. Alternatively homeschoolers are forced to seek out a solution for themselves when it comes to school identification.

There are several reasons homeschoolers need identification cards starting with the need to prove they are not breaking the truancy laws of the country. Commonly home schooled students are not on the same schedule as publicly educated kids. Having the ability to produce a school ID card would be a simple solution, but without one it appears the kid is ditching class.

Another reason homeschool students want identification cards is to receive the benefits that many retailers offer to kids in school. Even the local theater offers discounted ticket prices to students and teachers carrying their school identification card. Parents that have become homeschool educators can receive discounts from both office supply and school supply stores if they can prove they are teachers.

Other reasons for needing ID cards range from boarding a plane since 9/11 to even being able to take college entrance exams such as SATs. The reasons are numerous why teachers and students need an answer.

Creatively these homeschoolers have found their answer by printing ID cards on their home/office printer and then laminating them at the local office supply store. Others have found solutions to produce plastic ID cards. Plastic or PVC identification cards are obviously of a much higher quality than laminating paper cards, although until recently it has been an expensive alternative. One of the main reasons plastic ID cards have been expensive is because of minimum order sizes and setup charges often charged by vendors.

A new vendor, FullIdentity.com has developed an affordable plastic ID card solution that works well for homeschools. Students or teachers can design their school ID card online as well as upload their own pictures. Orders can be made easily for even just one ID card if that is all that is needed.

Allen Richardson
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/homeschool-id-cards-112149.html

Where can I find info re: alternative spirituality- not necessarily Wiccan, but not organized religion either?

Went to a new age expo over the weekend & didn’t know where to start! Too many different directions and too much information. I’ve read some things but seem to have lost my way!

Unitarian Universalists usually embrace all religions and is more spiritual than religious.

…if I remember correctly. I could be off.

Are there any other Conservative Republicans out there with a "alternative" religion?

Basically, I mean non-Christian. I am a Conservative Republican, and am a practicing Pagan. Most people assume that because I am a Republican, I am a Christian. What about you?
I also have the belief people have the right to their own religious beliefs..or lack their of.
Lack *there of, it should read.

Well I am a conservative Christian, but I do not attend church and I feel everyone has the right to believe what they want to believe.

I think alot of times we are assumed to all be bible thumping southern racist hicks who think everyone shouldl believe what we believe.