Do you really care? (page 3)

talesin

LouBelle, I agree. I think it's healthy for people to discuss things, and I dislike the smarmy "you're stupid" attitudes of some posters.

For years though, I have been an advocate for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. I will speak to this issue, adamantly, if I feel disinformation is being spread.

As for the theological arguing; and science lovers making fun of people who question conventional medicine, science, and those who think there are grounds for conspiracy theories, I think it *is* all about ego, and it's quite tiresome. Discussion is fun - nasty, sound-bite type put downs are boring.

xo

tal

kurtbethel

I don't have much need to have anyone else share my worldview, nor for my view of it to be absolutely right. I do need my model of reality to be accurate enough so that I can interact with my environment and not get harmed from being too wrong. This requires constant updates on conditions in my surroundings and what everything means. I am more of a concrete thinker, so I tend to relate to actions and things and how they are related. Abstractions like Judeo-Christian sky daddy and spirits are interesting, but more so about what they teach me about the human mind than about solving concrete daily problems.

Since ideas are part of the model of reality, and not reality itself, I recognize people are going to use different models than I do when they are forming their reality model. It seems odd to want someone to think like me, I have a unique background and experience. I am only concerned about when people want to use coercion on me, and then I might push back, but I don't care what they believe or why they do.

As for you, Miss LouBelle, living on the opposite side of the globe from I do, I would expect that you view many things a lot differently than I do, and that is fine by me.

Sam Whiskey

LouBelle, I think I've just become tired of the wretched drama of it all. That's it, that's all. I still believe in the Bible minus physically going to the meetings. I'm not torn over it, I just HATED the never ending drama. I think of the great mercy of love displayed by Jesus when he was here and can't help but think that he will be merciful toward me. After all, I am not perfect and without his mercy I am nothing.

It may sound strange to many of you who choose not to acknowledge God or Jesus and bow to their will, but it brings me great pleasure to know and recognize that I am nothing but a grain of sand in their eyes. Yet...still loved. For me, that's how it works, for many of you, you have no need to acknowledge God or his son. Each must make their own decision.

LouBelle

thank you all for the sincerity in which you answered. I'm so glad you shared and it's refreshing to know that more and more people are "letting go", that there is no NEED to be this or that / wrong right.

Yes, I have found my spiritual nirvana - definately.

jgnat

"What I'd like to know....do you care if there is a god or not?"

This is the one part of your question that I have a visceral reaction to. As for the rest, I am content to let people believe what they want. Except if their beliefs lead them to harm others.

I am working through years of agonizing self-examination. It's like I've turned on the switch on the rational side of my brain, and I've concluded that there is no objective evidence of an afterlife. I've also reduced my reverence for the bible to that of a great compilation of historical literature. This, of course, has led to more questions. I am settled that I will be living with questions to the end of my days. That is all right. Puzzling questions keeps me sharp.

Where my rationalism fails is in attempting to construct a new belief system. I find the liberal and intellectual churches to be somehow sterile and lacking zip. My favorite church would be a black gospel meeting without the bible thumping.

I still love to sing, embrace my local community, and see a benevolent God watching over me.

So I live with two minds, unreconciled, and both more fully reawakened. It will be a rollicking ride, I am sure.

You've triggered a heart-felt confession, LouBelle. I'm not sure why now it all comes bursting forth, but there you are. Thanks for the opportunity, and my deepest respect for your choices.

slimboyfat

Thanks for sharing Jgnat it's been an interesting journey.

finally awake