So I found a link to this group by chance today: http://www.adf.org/core/index.html . While their reading list looks very helpful and I may look for these books by myself, I could not help but tense up at the mention of fees. If any of us is a member of ADF, I mean no offense but seeing as I am still new to my path I am always looking out for Snake Oil salesmen.
What is are some tips to help a novice tell between honset groups and a con job?
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All religions ask for money, even though they say it is the root of all evil...
Shy away from those who want monitary compansation for the rights to your soul, spirit or being...
You and your god know the path you should take and it should not involve money .
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One can not profess to be of "GOD" and show intolerence and prejudice towards the beliefs of others.
Am fear nach gleidh na hairm san tsith, cha bhi iad aige n am a chogaidh. He that keeps not his arms in time of peace will have none in time of war.
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Beasts feed; man eats; only the man of intellect knows how to eat well.
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Is iomadh duine laghach a mhill an Creideamh. Religion has spoiled many a good man.
I have to agree with shadows. All of the religions do have to deal with the bill paying end of the world so they eventually will end up asking for money. Another good rule is to look for a path of faith that will encourage you to explore-both yourself and your beliefs-even if there is a risk involved. Don't be afraid to ask the hard questions.
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QUOTE (Shadows @ 10-Aug-2007, 03:53 PM)
All religions ask for money, even though they say it is the root of all evil...
Shy away from those who want monitary compansation for the rights to your soul, spirit or being...
You and your god know the path you should take and it should not involve money .
Not to nitpick here, Shadows, but I have never said that money is the root of all evil and neither does the Bible. Scriptures state that the love (emphasis mine) is the root of all evil (I Timothy 6:10).
If a church or any faith based group is not willing to be accountable with folks money and open with their books, I would shy away from them. I don't give to my church for any other reason than obedience to the Scripture and love for my Lord. There are fakes and phonies out there, to be sure. But I'm not going to let the fakes and phonies rob me of a blessing.
By the way, any belief system that does not encourage study and personal growth is just not worth my time.
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Anyone have Led Zeppelin in their head about now? I find sense in what has been said. I may not be one to talk much here, but seems to me that what Haynes said could be one good way to help avoid the con artists. I guess you can't just go by if an organization asks for membership dues or whatnot. Every group is going to have expenses if they plan to survive, it's a sad fact of life. Do your research. Can you see where the money is going? Ultimately you have to make your own call. And don't forget to ask the divine for their opinion as well
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QUOTE (Shadows @ 11-Aug-2007, 11:13 AM)
haynes9, I also dispise belief systems that do not let one grow in their spirituality and humanity! But money is not going to get one there.
Don't disagree with you at all, Shadows, but consider this.
Others have already touched on this, but there are expenses that need to be paid for. For example, our church has an electric bill, propane, van insurance, etc. Now, having said that, we don't force people to give. Very few of our people actually tithe, even though I personally consider it a command of Scripture (another thread for another day). Whether people give or not, they are welcome and encouraged to come. We don't send out pledge cards or bill anyone.
We also encourage people to give above the tithe to help support missionaries. Again, this is not a requirement. Going to Heaven has nothing to do with finances.
You are wise to point out, though, that the giving of money does not make one spiritual. Not trying to be contentious, just doing some clarifying. Have a good one!
Be careful and consider carefully any group, guild, coven, study group or whatever other name they may slap onto themselves.
Now I'm of the opinion that anyone who is giving of their time and resources, not to mention their knowledge, can and should be compensated in a reasonable manner. That goes for producing newsletters, coding websites, teaching classes (particularly if there is travel involved), maintaining a meeting place, etc.
What you should be wary of are those who hold their hands out for every step of your "training". "Yes you've done well, but you won't possibly be able to get any further until you pay for your next degree..." There is a huge difference between making sure materials and class/meeting expenses are met with perhaps some extra for the benefit of the group and keeping Lady Snotmancer in a new H2.
Any group who repeatedly remind you of how much of a drain you are to their resources and keep track of every tiny expense you may or may have racked up are probably not going to get you anywhere.
If at one point you look around and notice that the newbies are the only ones paying for anything, there's a problem.
Check any potential group out for awhile before committing financial resources and time to them. See if they have a good reputation in the community, read up on them if possible, ask questions early and often. If something feels off, don't do it.
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Haynes is a Christian and the Christians have had it seems to me more than their share of hucksters and charlatans, money grubbers like Oral Roberts, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, Pat Robertson, and a host of others too long to name. So it seems that having a Christian post among us on that topic is a good thing he better than most should know. But indeed all groups rely on finances to keep going even CelticRadio.net asks for funds should we then be cautious of CelticRadio...I think not! Money is needed but in the Local Grove the needs are few in the National/International front they are in more need but if they do not ask for support they would simply cease to exist.
Borrow the books on their reading list from your local library. Practice the techniques on your own at home. If you have any questions, ask them at a druid forum or some such. Most will answer for free, thus by-passing the need to pay any fees.
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Tha mi'n dochas gu bheil an eadar theangachadh ceart!
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