My (Grimes’) Philosophy

Laws of Philosophy:

n., pl. -phies.

1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.
2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.
3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume.
4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.
5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.
6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.
8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

Where it all began.

My life as a Catholic, Christian began two weeks after my birth in Dec. 1970.  I  was Cristian in the southern countryside of Spain. The church was a mere six hundred years old. The Catholic Service was spoken completely in Latin with a very strong Spanish accent. I don’t believe my parents understood a word. Julie Ann Marie is named after the Saint Ann and the Saint Mary of the Divinity. In Spain it is customary to have two middle names. I was raised from the age of 9 under Methodism. Being a new member, of the United Methodist Church, was a blessing for me. I think I was craving purpose and reason. My little soul was starving for knowledge and spiritual guidance. The United Methodist Church gave me an escape from my tortuous meek life and for three hours each Sunday, I was immersed in love and peace. At the age of 11, I completed Confirmation classes and was confirmed in front of my Church’s fellowship. By my own self will, I was finally a Christian and true believer of Jesus Christ. I have always felt the presence of God and Jesus in my life. Even in the awake of molestation and physical abuse. Christ would protect my mind and allowed my thoughts to wonder off. I did not feel the effects of being raped, battered and bruised. He shielded me from the physical pain and laid inside me at the moments of sexual abuse. I clearly remember Christ’s presence, more than I remember why my panties were bloody. For thirty eight years, I have never blamed God or Jesus Christ for the my personal trials and tribulations. I believe most people would say, “If they are truly God and Lord- why did they let terrible things to happen anyway?” So often we forget that God gave MAN free will. I do consciously believe that Christ and God shielded me from these men and walked with me every step of the way. When I was 20 I had drifted away from God and Christ. But they soon called me back.

My Personal Game

I was by myself in my bedroom when it happened. I inhaled my last line of cocaine and had just popped a beer. Then a voice started shouting at me in my head. I thought I was hallucinating. But the voice in my head kept repeating the same message. I fought the thoughts, and even shouted out loud, “What! Am I going crazy?” But the voice would not give up. I finally allowed myself to listen and do what was told of me. I went about tearing up my room to uncover where I had laid my great grandmother’s bible. After an hour or so I found the bible buried under a stack of magazines and old newspapers. I knelt beside my bed and prayed, “Oh God what are you trying to say to me?” I drop the bible on my bed and the pages opened up.
First Corinthians, Chapter 15:33-34 which reads,

“Do not be led astray;Bad company corrupts good morals. Become sober as you ought and stop sinning. For some have no knowledge of God; I say this to your shame.

Naturally flabbergasted with shock, I thought to myself for a bit. I soon got up from my knees to find a pen. I had to write this down. After writing the scipture verse to paper; I took a moment to pause and reflect at what had just happened. I said to myself, “If this is for real lets try it again.”
I dropped the bible on my bed. This time the page left showing was from First Peter. My eyes were immediately drawn to read the verses.
First Peter, Chapter 2:16-17

Be free, yet without using freedom as a pretext for evil, but as slaves of God. Give honor to all, love the community, fear God, honor your king.

By now, I was pass thinking “what” and onto another idea. I decided to play a game with God.
I said to God, “How do I know this is real or not?”
Before I could get a chance to pick up my bible & throw it open, something else occurred. The pages started fluttering. I thought to myself this is weird; but, chalked it up to the breeze from my ceiling fan. But, the pages stopped on Second Corinthians again. This time my eyes peered directly at these words; Final Warnings, Chapter 13

“This will be my third visit to you!”

I choked on my own spit. I was in shock. It wasn’t my drug induced imagination. Christ was really speaking to me. I slammed the book shut and the next day I called my Aunt Kathy. On a bright, beautiful, sunny Sunday morning in July, 1991- I was fully submerged in the love of Jesus Christ. Along with the birth of my son Zachary, that will forever resonate as my fondest memory.

Raised Methodist

The Christianize belief system of the United Methodist Church founded by John Wesley in the 18th century. John Wesley’s founding principles were:

1. Salvation was only granted through Jesus Christ.
2. Strict Self-Discipline and structure
3. Absolute adherent to Strong Morality

John Wesley was an Anglican Priest who attended Oxford. The United Methodist Church was once a model that mimic the Church of England. The organizational operation of the United Methodist Church consists of levels; Minister, Board, District Bishops, Bishops and Arch Bishops. My step grandmother once said to me that in order for me to be a good Methodist I must know, agree and believe the doctrine as John Wesley believed. I broke with the Church a few weeks later and in time went back to my roots of Catholicism. After the death of my soul-mate, I found the presence of being in a Church too over-whelming and had to decrease my activity. I am a constant student of Religious Philosophy and lettered in the field of Theories. Theory development and discovery is more of a hobby of mine. I am after all on a quest for enlighten understand and moral fortitude.

The core theory of my own philosophy is deep intimate evolution. The purpose of this evolution is to become an enlightened Buddhas, by following the doctrines of many religions. The profound goal of following the principles of my philosophy; is to complete a journey to be Christ-like, in the lifetime you are now living. The fundamentals of the philosophy coincides with the notion; that we as reincarnated humans are to live by God’s will here on earth. The philosophy’s principles are built on varying levels of spirituality, religion and historical doctrine. The basic theory  is to start encompassing the laws of science, evolution, and religious doctrine into one.