Comments on: ABOUT MY FAITH http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/ Official Site Sun, 14 Mar 2010 21:27:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Cheryl http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-10933 Cheryl Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:32:03 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-10933 I look forward to the opportunity to learn the ways in which your faith has altered your day-to-day experience. I am fascinated by your description of your initial exposure to Christianity in a practical as well as an emotional sense. Your search for the meaning of life and the anguish you experienced along the way is no doubt shared by many. However, your willingness to invest the effort necessary to forge an enhanced path to God rather than adhere to the dictates of established religion or discipleship will undoubtedly enrich your experience. Whether this particular instance is yet another expression of your creative spirit or merely an extension of a skill set developed on a stage that enabled you to fully experience and express any written word - it is to your great benefit that you engage completely the resources at hand in order to maximize this great experience. I and other readers I am sure would like to read of the impact of your experience on your your interaction with the world at hand. After all, you have been granted a stage much grander than ours and you interact with a much more extensive cast of characters. I look forward to the opportunity to learn the ways in which your faith has altered your day-to-day experience. I am fascinated by your description of your initial exposure to Christianity in a practical as well as an emotional sense. Your search for the meaning of life and the anguish you experienced along the way is no doubt shared by many. However, your willingness to invest the effort necessary to forge an enhanced path to God rather than adhere to the dictates of established religion or discipleship will undoubtedly enrich your experience. Whether this particular instance is yet another expression of your creative spirit or merely an extension of a skill set developed on a stage that enabled you to fully experience and express any written word – it is to your great benefit that you engage completely the resources at hand in order to maximize this great experience. I and other readers I am sure would like to read of the impact of your experience on your your interaction with the world at hand. After all, you have been granted a stage much grander than ours and you interact with a much more extensive cast of characters.

]]> By: Gina http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-10695 Gina Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:05:11 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-10695 Dear Jane - Ever since I found your blog today, I've spent a great deal of time reading your various expressions. This entry was amazing to read. The thing that struck me the most was how brutally honest you are in expressing the spiritual journey you are on. There is no arrogance. You simply make a gentle statement of what you believe, what has resonated in your soul and more importantly, what has not. I've been a Christian since the age of 13. And I use that term in it's literal meaning - trying to be Christ-like in my actions and speech. In all my years of studying scripture it has been the compassion and love Christ has for people, whatever walk of life they are in, that has confirmed my belief in His divine existence. I have often pondered how frustrating it must be for Christ to watch us alter His beautiful truths. To distort them in order to oppress and rule a people. To use Christ’s words to forge judgments on others in order to feel superior. To employ Christ's words as an excuse to kill others. To take the beauty of all Christ is and with our blood stained hands, re-write scripture to fit our global views. It must break Christ's heart to watch us get it so tragically wrong. As I'm sure you know, when you read the New Testament you will not find one place where Christ's condemns another person. The harshest words Christ spoke were towards the religious zealots of the day. He called them vipers. An animal which sucks the blood from its prey. Pretty strong imagery for those religious individuals who were using God's laws to oppress and rule a nation. But what did Christ say to the woman at the well? [John 4: 1-42] The woman who was shunned by the public because of her questionable life style - living with a man who was not her husband and having been married to five men previously (which in that day was viewed as being a whore). She was a Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews didn't normally converse with one another as Samaritans were viewed as being a low class citizen. She was a woman - meaning she had no civil rights and could be legally abused, raped, sold and killed. What were Christ's words to her at the well? He had been hanging out with 12 men mentoring them in truths and He didn't give them what He gave her. In fact she was the first person He revealed this particular truth to............and what was the truth? He revealed He was the Son of God, the Messiah. This is who Christ decided to reveal the greatest truth to. A Samaritan woman - whom society had forgotten. And why? Why her? I believe Christ wanted to demonstrate to the world then and now, how deep and vast His love is for all of us.....regardless of our backgrounds, social/economic standing, regardless of our failures or how the world judges us.....the God of the universe, who is the beginning and the end...who holds all things together....loves us all.........just as we are. What a gift of truth to give to the world.......and to every soul who desires to have a friendship with Christ. We have strayed so far away from the simple truth of God's love. And so I stand with you in your journey. You are seeking God with all your heart. And I know, having experienced it first hand, God will not hide from you. God will reveal truths to you in a way that speaks to your soul. God has promised all of us He will never leave nor forsake us. God's love is too vast to let any soul wander aimlessly. There is joy in the journey Jane and I pray you continue to bathe in its beauty! May God continue to give you wisdom, strength and courage in your endeavor. Respectfully, Gina Dear Jane -

Ever since I found your blog today, I’ve spent a great deal of time reading your various expressions.

This entry was amazing to read. The thing that struck me the most was how brutally honest you are in expressing the spiritual journey you are on. There is no arrogance. You simply make a gentle statement of what you believe, what has resonated in your soul and more importantly, what has not.

I’ve been a Christian since the age of 13. And I use that term in it’s literal meaning – trying to be Christ-like in my actions and speech. In all my years of studying scripture it has been the compassion and love Christ has for people, whatever walk of life they are in, that has confirmed my belief in His divine existence.

I have often pondered how frustrating it must be for Christ to watch us alter His beautiful truths. To distort them in order to oppress and rule a people. To use Christ’s words to forge judgments on others in order to feel superior. To employ Christ’s words as an excuse to kill others. To take the beauty of all Christ is and with our blood stained hands, re-write scripture to fit our global views. It must break Christ’s heart to watch us get it so tragically wrong.

As I’m sure you know, when you read the New Testament you will not find one place where Christ’s condemns another person. The harshest words Christ spoke were towards the religious zealots of the day. He called them vipers. An animal which sucks the blood from its prey. Pretty strong imagery for those religious individuals who were using God’s laws to oppress and rule a nation.

But what did Christ say to the woman at the well? [John 4: 1-42] The woman who was shunned by the public because of her questionable life style – living with a man who was not her husband and having been married to five men previously (which in that day was viewed as being a whore). She was a Samaritan. Samaritans and Jews didn’t normally converse with one another as Samaritans were viewed as being a low class citizen. She was a woman – meaning she had no civil rights and could be legally abused, raped, sold and killed. What were Christ’s words to her at the well? He had been hanging out with 12 men mentoring them in truths and He didn’t give them what He gave her. In fact she was the first person He revealed this particular truth to…………and what was the truth? He revealed He was the Son of God, the Messiah. This is who Christ decided to reveal the greatest truth to. A Samaritan woman – whom society had forgotten. And why? Why her?

I believe Christ wanted to demonstrate to the world then and now, how deep and vast His love is for all of us…..regardless of our backgrounds, social/economic standing, regardless of our failures or how the world judges us…..the God of the universe, who is the beginning and the end…who holds all things together….loves us all………just as we are. What a gift of truth to give to the world…….and to every soul who desires to have a friendship with Christ.

We have strayed so far away from the simple truth of God’s love. And so I stand with you in your journey. You are seeking God with all your heart. And I know, having experienced it first hand, God will not hide from you. God will reveal truths to you in a way that speaks to your soul. God has promised all of us He will never leave nor forsake us. God’s love is too vast to let any soul wander aimlessly.

There is joy in the journey Jane and I pray you continue to bathe in its beauty! May God continue to give you wisdom, strength and courage in your endeavor.

Respectfully,

Gina

]]> By: P. Turner http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-10096 P. Turner Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:26:38 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-10096 Hello Wynette- You know, there are those who believe, like myself, that the soul does not enter the body until one draws one's first breath and does not leave the body until we breathe our last. Having said that, I was wondering if there is ever a time when you think that it's appropriate to take another's life? Do you believe in war, capital punishment, killing in self-defense, etc? I am not being accusatory, just curious. Hello Wynette- You know, there are those who believe, like myself, that the soul does not enter the body until one draws one’s first breath and does not leave the body until we breathe our last. Having said that, I was wondering if there is ever a time when you think that it’s appropriate to take another’s life? Do you believe in war, capital punishment, killing in self-defense, etc? I am not being accusatory, just curious.

]]> By: Cissy http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-9810 Cissy Sun, 03 Jan 2010 05:28:53 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-9810 Your experience confirms my own experience and what I hear from many of the young Christian women I work with. The male oriented, left-brain dominant, belief/thinking approach to faith leaves us empty and looking for something more. In my own search in feminist spirituality, yoga, meditation, art and other realms outside of the Christian church, I found what I was looking for -- embodied experiences of God's love, wisdom and joy. Now I offer retreats, workshops, health coaching programs and other resources to support others in discovering that too. Thanks for sharing your experience here Jane. Since you've gone public with this, I'd like to quote your story and share it with the women I work with. I look forward to passing this on to others and hearing more from you on this topic. Blessings of love, wisdom and joy to you in 2010. Your experience confirms my own experience and what I hear from many of the young Christian women I work with. The male oriented, left-brain dominant, belief/thinking approach to faith leaves us empty and looking for something more.

In my own search in feminist spirituality, yoga, meditation, art and other realms outside of the Christian church, I found what I was looking for — embodied experiences of God’s love, wisdom and joy.

Now I offer retreats, workshops, health coaching programs and other resources to support others in discovering that too.

Thanks for sharing your experience here Jane. Since you’ve gone public with this, I’d like to quote your story and share it with the women I work with. I look forward to passing this on to others and hearing more from you on this topic.

Blessings of love, wisdom and joy to you in 2010.

]]> By: Carol M. Carreon http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-9412 Carol M. Carreon Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:16:59 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-9412 This is probably not a comment. I just want to extend my congratulations to Ms. Jane Fonda for being a fine actress consistently. I have been a fan of Ms. Fonda way back her movie They Shoot Horses don't they? and until now she showed a great love to her craft. I just hope that she will continue to do more movies so that I can see her more often. Happy Birthday and may God bless you and what you do for Him. Sincerely, Carol This is probably not a comment. I just want to extend my congratulations to Ms. Jane Fonda for being a fine actress consistently. I have been a fan of Ms. Fonda way back her movie They Shoot Horses don’t they? and until now she showed a great love to her craft. I just hope that she will continue to do more movies so that I can see her more often.

Happy Birthday and may God bless you and what you do for Him.

Sincerely,
Carol

]]> By: Carol M. Carreon http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-9324 Carol M. Carreon Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:23:23 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-9324 Hi Miss Jane, I am just so blessed to know that you are spending eternity in heaven. I like what was said about in the book of Matthew that being perfect is not like God because He is the only one who is perfect, but being whole for Him without any reservation so He can use us for His Gospel to go out. I am also a born again Christian love God with all my heart,soul and might in fact I answered the call to go out and preach the good news, right now I am in the Philippines doing His will and I am happy. Also, we don't have to through all those religious experts, just read your Bible and believe what it says and pray everyday the word of God you will go places you have never dreamed off. God bless you and take care. Hi Miss Jane,

I am just so blessed to know that you are spending eternity in heaven. I like what was said about in the book of Matthew that being perfect is not like
God because He is the only one who is perfect, but being whole for Him without any reservation so He can use us for His Gospel to go out. I am also a born again Christian love God with all my heart,soul and might in fact I answered the call to go out and preach the good news, right now I am in the Philippines doing His will and I am happy.

Also, we don’t have to through all those religious experts, just read your Bible and believe what it says and pray everyday the word of God you will go places you have never dreamed off.

God bless you and take care.

]]> By: sam http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-9117 sam Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:18:29 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-9117 thank you jane for saying yes to jesus now we can spend eternity together thank you thank you thank you thank you jane for saying yes to jesus now we can spend eternity together thank you thank you thank you

]]> By: Wynette http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-9054 Wynette Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:33:09 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-9054 Dear Jane, I ask this with all my heart, not to be mean or rude, but just seeking to understand... You say, "I feel like a Christian, I believe in the teachings of Jesus and try to practice them in my life.", but how could Jesus condone the killing of innocent unborn children, the Least of His, afterall "Thou Shall Not Kill" is a fairly clear Commandment of God the Father. You say, "My faith is a work in progress (as am I) but I will plant my flag on the belief that God lives within each of us as Spirit (or soul)." When does a human being get a soul? Does a baby only receive a soul once she exits her mother's birth canal? You say, "Lots of folks go to church every Sunday and spend the rest of their time avoiding dealing with the question of consciousness. They try to pass time with pastimes, possessions, prestige." Yes, so exactly how does your conscience justify killing unborn human life for the sake of pastimes, possessions, or prestige? You say, "That is what Jesus meant when he said that God is within us." Yes, God is within us and when we kill one another, we are in essence killing our Lord and Creator. I sincerely hope to continue this intriguing discussion with you and wish you the very best. Dear Jane, I ask this with all my heart, not to be mean or rude, but just seeking to understand…

You say, “I feel like a Christian, I believe in the teachings of Jesus and try to practice them in my life.”, but how could Jesus condone the killing of innocent unborn children, the Least of His, afterall “Thou Shall Not Kill” is a fairly clear Commandment of God the Father.

You say, “My faith is a work in progress (as am I) but I will plant my flag on the belief that God lives within each of us as Spirit (or soul).” When does a human being get a soul? Does a baby only receive a soul once she exits her mother’s birth canal?

You say, “Lots of folks go to church every Sunday and spend the rest of their time avoiding dealing with the question of consciousness. They try to pass time with pastimes, possessions, prestige.”
Yes, so exactly how does your conscience justify killing unborn human life for the sake of pastimes, possessions, or prestige?

You say, “That is what Jesus meant when he said that God is within us.” Yes, God is within us and when we kill one another, we are in essence killing our Lord and Creator.

I sincerely hope to continue this intriguing discussion with you and wish you the very best.

]]> By: Kevin Collard http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-8739 Kevin Collard Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:40:44 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-8739 read the late Georgia Professor Elisabeth Fox Genovese's books on feminism and God...the sad truth is, as big a star as you are...GOD RULES. and we his creation kinda have to listen to his requests of us...things like denying ourselves and loving our neighbor may be abhorrant to our flesh/selfish nature but that is ultimately what God requires...when you try to force God into an ideal formula for YOUR life you might as well have made him up and have him available at your disposal...what good is a God like that ? on a side note I happen to be in charge of the audio archives of a former Detroit columnist named SHIRLEY EDER...Shirley interviewed your dad and YOU many times and if you ever need a refresher on a period of your life for another book about your life get ahold me...in one interview with Shirl you actually say you would NEVER write a book about yourself...funny ain't it ? Godspeed Ms. Fonda read the late Georgia Professor Elisabeth Fox Genovese’s books on feminism and God…the sad truth is, as big a star as you are…GOD RULES. and we his creation kinda have to listen to his requests of us…things like denying ourselves and loving our neighbor may be abhorrant to our flesh/selfish nature but that is ultimately what God requires…when you try to force God into an ideal formula for YOUR life you might as well have made him up and have him available at your disposal…what good is a God like that ? on a side note I happen to be in charge of the audio archives of a former Detroit columnist named SHIRLEY EDER…Shirley interviewed your dad and YOU many times and if you ever need a refresher on a period of your life for another book about your life get ahold me…in one interview with Shirl you actually say you would NEVER write a book about yourself…funny ain’t it ? Godspeed Ms. Fonda

]]> By: jamie trimble http://janefonda.com/about-my-faith/comment-page-3/#comment-8493 jamie trimble Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:56:29 +0000 http://janefonda.com/?p=2792#comment-8493 Jane - I loved your autobio. SECONDLY, i just read your “ABOUT MY FAITH” blog. . i read it nervously -scared you were going to conclude with 'christianity is B.S. . . god is in every religion . . bla bla bla' BUT thank God you didn't - & are still on the right path. doesn't he provide such comfort? - that nothing else on earth can. much love jamie trimble belfast, northern ireland Jane – I loved your autobio.

SECONDLY, i just read your “ABOUT MY FAITH” blog. . i read it nervously -scared you were going to conclude with ‘christianity is B.S. . . god is in every religion . . bla bla bla’
BUT
thank God you didn’t – & are still on the right path.
doesn’t he provide such comfort? – that nothing else on earth can.

much love

jamie trimble
belfast, northern ireland

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