Andi, whoa, deeeeeeeeeeeeep thoughts.
I wish I knew more concretely what I believe than I do, but then there is this thing called "faith" you may have heard about. (Not a big fan of the old "faith")
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You said:
So even though their “reality” of a spiritual life is totally different from mine, does that mean they’re wrong? Or does that mean I’m wrong?
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I can see as a Christian why you would pose this question. In the Bible study I attend at my job, it was one of the first topics I put on the table to get feedback on. If you ask your question to a typical Southern Baptist fundamentalist, the typical answer you will get is "Of course they are wrong. They don't profess to believe in Jesus. Therefore, they go to hell." I've heard this many times. I do not agree with it. However, I would bet dollars to doughnuts it is the prevailing opinion at your church.
Of course, this opinion comes from organized religion which has a narrow view of what is professing belief in Christ. What's more important? Professing belief in Christ, or being a loving principled person? Actions speak louder than words. Even Paul recognized this when he said of non-Christians in Romans 2:14: "Indeed, when the Gentiles, who do not have the law, do things by nature required by the law, they are a law for themselves even though they do not have the law since they show that the requirements of the law are written upon their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness"...
You could just as easily reword the above Scripture and change Gentile to non-Christian. Paul says what is important isn't the law, it's the heart.
The rest of that chapter of Romans is interesting because Paul bemoans the fact that the Jews, who bragged they had the law and were superior to the Gentiles around them, weren't keeping the law. And they were the cause of God being spoken of abusively by the Gentiles by their poor conduct. You could say the same thing about people who claim to be Christians today. (Re: Look at what the Catholic Church is in trouble for currently.)
*My reality* is that any person, who professes Christ or not, who lives by the two principles (love God and your neighbor) is a Christian. Again, most Christians would argue against this, but that's because they have been taught otherwise. Taught by who, I say.
Organized religion didn't work in the Bible. I mean, how many times did God allow the Jews to be destroyed by their neighbors? The ones who heeded Jesus' words of warning to "get out of Jerusalem" before the Romans destroyed it left all organized religion behind and scattered.
I still remember what COMF said at the first apostofest: "I am open to believing in God. If he wants to call, I'll pick up the phone. Until then, I have a life to live." Which sounds a lot like what you said, Andi: "For some people an answer right now is necessary in order for them to live their lives. For others, waiting to hear an answer in the future, but continuing to live a rich life is sufficient. I’m probably more like the latter"
Sounds like you're saying the same thing. I agree with you.
I believe in the Bible because for me (and, yes, I know I'm in the minority here) it sounds completely logical in its *basic framework.* I don't know if the writers of the Bible got everything right. I don't know if it's all factually true. I do, however, agree with everything Jesus said, and I agree with you that you do have a life you can be proud of if you live by those standards he taught. I respect the principles that Christ layed down. I agree with them. It is "true" enough for me.
But what would I like? I would like more confirmation of my faith.
How will that come? A vision? Seeing a miracle? Speaking in tongues? Being stricken by a bright light while driving to work in Dallas? Hearing voices in my head? None of these things have happened to me. Oh, well, maybe the voices, but not much since the meds kicked in.
All I can say is that my belief feels like a knowing. That's not much proof for a sceptic, but it is enough for me to believe. That is, of course, combined with my views on the Bible.
My experience in the Watchtower was a bitter one. But I since I don't believe the Watchtower has any connection with Christ, I won't let them taint my view of him and steal *my truth* away from me just because they lied to me using Christ as their con. Jesus isn't organized religion. He was about being loving, fair, and rightious, no matter what the cost.
