Do you think you have 'chosen sides'? (page 4)

Anti-Christ

I like what Narkissos said.

This topics makes me think of a Slayer song, " I made my choice, 666 "

AK - Jeff

Interesting how this thread has evolved.

The basis for my finding no reason to choose a side [like Christian] is the circular 'support' used to insist on it's correctness. I appreciate so much comments like StAnn's - pretty rare.

There is a scripture that says something like 'faith follows the thing heard'. But shouldn't the thing heard be provable before we follow it? In 3000 years from now, what if someone 'uncovers' a dusty old copy of Chilton's Engine Repair, and decides it is 'inspired', translates it into the current tongue? We might have a world of Chiltons worshipping overhead cams, and telling others to have faith because this book tells them to do so.

When someone asks them to prove it's authenticity, the answer is Ad Hominem suggesting that those without faith simply have flawed reasoning.

I actually have faith. But not in a book that is so full of holes - or in the God supported within those flawed writings. Funny how I am still be 'quoted' verse though. The Chiltons will be doing the same:

"Ye of little faith: It says in Volkswagen 93, that 'increased horsepower will be achieved by use of higher torque cams and racing lifters'."

Jeff

Priest73

Jeff,

I found that arguing with any fundamentalist group turns into a giant game of "I know you are but what am I" a la Pee Wee Herman. It's no longer worth it to me, unless I'm bored. Then I love baiting. I'm the master.

Warlock

Well, I did the last time I went to KFC.

Does that count?

Warlock

OnTheWayOut

I posted this on another ex-JW forum. I think it will help you out, AK-Jeff.

Human beings search for meaning in life. We create many "ornaments" in our lives.
Since human beings have been in this world, we have decorated our lives with lots of ornaments in order to make life seem more meaningful. We have developed amazing civilizations of culture, politics, beauty, and pleasure. We created and continue to analyze and manipulate intellectual disciplines such as history, economics, science, philosophy, and psychology. We have created the idea that a spiritual life is meaningful, so we have latched onto meaning with beliefs and practises tied to God, Buddha, Jesus, universal energy, the last judgment, life after death, paradise, theology, mythology, morality, ethics, etc.

We depend on our "ornaments" to make us feel that life is worth living. We defend our investment in our ornaments.

What if it is all meaningless? Or What kind of meaning is there in a life defending or searching for meaning?
What if the meaning in life is the life itself? What if life is about making the most of life?

Ornaments are our life, so don't abandon them. (I know many of you were about to, on what I said above.) But find meaning in the ornament itself. If you enjoy science or philosophy, then enjoy it. But if it has become a burden, a panic- then just sit under your fig tree or see a good movie. Same with the rest.

AK - Jeff

Kinda sums my general opines at this point in my journey, Jerry. Thanx

Jeff

OnTheWayOut

In 3000 years from now, what if someone 'uncovers' a dusty old copy of Chilton's Engine Repair, and decides it is 'inspired', translates it into the current tongue?

Maybe a better one, because people would be smart enough to see that Chilton's doesn't encourage worship or offer hope, would be a series of Spiderman Comic Books discovered 3000 years from now.

The city is real enough, the setting is based on reality. It may even contain current stuff to show that the writings are accurate. The miracle man is good, triumphs over evil, suffers for his good deeds. The people 3000 years from now don't know that it was just "stories" for sale and entertainment. They develop the entire Spiderman Cult.

AK - Jeff

Yep. Spiderman would be a better one for the example. I already worship him.

Jeff

BabaYaga

Satanus said: Everyone is light and dark.

Exactly. In Jungian psychology, one's dark self is called "the Shadow". A bit from Wiki on it here:

In Jungian psychology, the shadow or "shadow aspect" is a part of the unconscious mind consisting of repressed weaknesses, shortcomings, and instincts. It is one of the three most recognizable archetypes, the others being the anima and animus and the persona. "Everyone carries a shadow," Jung wrote, "and the less it is embodied in the individual's conscious life, the blacker and denser it is." It may be (in part) one's link to more primitive animal instincts, which are superseded during early childhood by the conscious mind.

According to Jung, the shadow, in being instinctive and irrational, is prone to project: turning a personal inferiority into a perceived moral deficiency in someone else. Jung writes that if these projections are unrecognized "The projection-making factor (the Shadow archetype) then has a free hand and can realize its object--if it has one--or bring about some other situation characteristic of its power." These projections insulate and cripple individuals by forming an ever thicker fog of illusion between the ego and the real world.

Jung also believed that "in spite of its function as a reservoir for human darkness—or perhaps because of this—the shadow is the seat of creativity."

Chalam

Hi,

Got to answer some of these...

What if it is all meaningless?

If so, nothing really matters. There is no truth, no right or wrong, no good or evil, no value in life, no afterlife, no God.

Or What kind of meaning is there in a life defending or searching for meaning?

If we are not here by chance, then that explains a lot of things to me, why I feel there is value in life, why I do feel there is good and evil, why I do think there is truth and falsehood, why I do see there is more to this life that even the years we have on this planet. I believe that good is worth defending as is truth which is what actually is the meaning to life.

What if the meaning in life is the life itself?

That is circular reasoning and makes no logical sense. However, see below!

What if life is about making the most of life?

I assume this question is an extension of the previous one? If so, I agree, there is value in life and we need to make the most of it. As to what the later is depends on one's mindset or beliefs!

All the best,

Stephen

Do you think you have 'chosen sides'?

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