Ecumenism
the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity -- wikipedia.
Religion
concept: God's punishment
"Instead of punishment, God disciplines His children as a loving Father corrects and trains His sons and daughters. This discipline is described as corrective and preventative, aimed at fostering spiritual growth, maturity, and holiness, rather than inflicting pain for wrongdoing" -- Brave AI.
concept: test of faith
Request: wondering at what level this paradigm is experienced as true, the idea that God tests us to see if we will believe in Him, even in bad circumstances. You see it a lot in Christian teachings as a way to explain the hardships and vicissitudes of life.
Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska
"It reflects her thoughts, prayers and reported visions and conversations with Jesus on Divine Mercy" -- wikipedia.
surrendering one's life to Jesus Christ
Priority request: when I contemplate this, it brings peace.
Godliness and suffering, combined
The spiritual trap of thinking you're getting closer to God by suffering, such as by endless dark nights of the soul.
Pali Canon (tripitaka)
The standard collection of scriptures in the Theravada Buddhist tradition, as preserved in the Pāli language. It is the most complete extant early Buddhist canon — wikipedia.
T/F: Jesus can take one to enlightenment
Request: It would be comforting to know...
Prayer life Stink? A short guide on how to talk with God, not to God
YouTube video embedded.
Summa Theologica, by Thomas Aquinas
Request: Since he had a major effect on Catholicism, e.g. the fonts of morality, I figured his work would be of great value to calibrate.
Mary Magdalene
"She was mentioned by name twelve times in the canonical gospels, more than most of the apostles and more than any other woman in the gospels, other than Jesus's family" -- wikipedia.
SRF Self-Realization Fellowship
"A worldwide spiritual organization founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920 and legally incorporated as a non-profit religious organization in 1935, to serve as Yogananda's instrument for the preservation and worldwide dissemination of his writings and teachings, including Kriya Yoga" -- wikipedia.
T/F: Bible was edited multiple times particularly to remove mention of reincarnation
By request.
T/F: yoga (asanas, pranayama) opens the door to demonic spirits
A former ashram yoga teacher claims they do: "Even though most yoga advocates are deeply desirous of a true experience of the spiritual world, what actually happens is demonic deception and possession." By request.
Dhammapada
Request: Collection of sayings of the Buddha in verse form and one of the most widely read and best known Buddhist scriptures.