Concerning the dogma of TOTJO

Do i need to write my journals on the prescribed dogma or can i incorporate my own thoughts on different philosophies?

The journals, as I understand it, are to be a mix of both the prescribed materials and your personal thoughts. I utilize the script spoiler to mark out my personal thoughts, but it's all up to you.

You need to address the material in the IP, demonstrate that you understand it, but you can also incorporate your own thoughts and perspectives as they might be influenced by various philosophies. You are also not limited to only writing about the lessons in your journals. You can write supplemental entries about your life, thoughts, a book you read, a movie you watched, whatever.

You can discuss anything you want in your journal, BUT if your journal does have anything aside from the IP lessons, please ensure that the IP responses are clearly titled so that the IP team and Knights know what to review.

Your journal is yours to use as you see fit. It just also happens to be where you record your thoughts on the IP material. You are not required to agree with all or any of the IP material, but to be considered for an apprenticeship you do need to have gone through it and explain your thoughts on it.

lOL dogma hu? Ivebherd things called that before. You are encouraged to form an opinon. You are encouraged to form many. You are encouraged to have opinions. You will find manyndiffrent way of thinikn in the IP. Enter with a open mind and you won't regret it friend. If u like read my IP journal if you like. Take your time and see what you find. May the Force be with you

Seriously, I'm just now finding this out? I thought it was strictly abut the IP.

rrhodes67 wrote: Seriously, I'm just now finding this out? I thought it was strictly abut the IP.

I had everything together in one journal, but split them off after I finished my IP. Now I have one for apprentice work, one for seminary work and one for personal thoughts.

You can do what you want, really

Now you know and I think some one once said knowing is half the battle......smiley face!

And everytime I hear that quote, I have to add a silent "G.I. Joe" at the end.

Glad to share some "light" with youyou, even if its a smile light !

That was what set my decision to join in motion, after just sitting and reading and getting a general feel for things here for so long. The freedom to express myself the only way that is natural to me. I don't "do" dogma. I find it insulting to be demanded to fit into a tiny box when I've already gone through its contents by virtue of spending every waking moment, and most sleeping ones, buried in every religious/spiritual/scientific subject I've had access to. I will; however, happily follow along a course of study for the sake of personal growth, or to gain a degree. I will not subject myself to groupthink. Done that, nearly died, not doing it again.

Personal sake: instructions don't need to be clear. It's more fun than serious, but it is still very reverent for me.
Degree: I'm unable to comprehend it if it isn't literal and minutely specific - which is beyond the scope here. I've found the lesson questions in the IP a bit hard to understand by the common parlance used.

So I figure this place is somewhere in the middle of personal choice and degree/dogma, as religion is personal and cannot be dictated, but there are attempts at rules.

I'm certainly hoping the disarray of my current journal is "good enough," but I won't lose sleep if this is another social construct I'm unable to abide by.