Posts by Believer

63

Video: Dear Believer, Why Do You Believe?

by Believer in

i was asked to view the video “dear believer, why do you believe?” i said i would and i would publish my comments about it.

so here are my comments.

after my post, i hope other believers will post theirs comments about it.

Believer

Doesn’t look like nonbelievers can stay on topic. Oh well. I kept my word and responded to the video.

63

Video: Dear Believer, Why Do You Believe?

by Believer in

i was asked to view the video “dear believer, why do you believe?” i said i would and i would publish my comments about it.

so here are my comments.

after my post, i hope other believers will post theirs comments about it.

I was asked to view the video “Dear Believer, Why Do You Believe?” I said I would and I would publish my comments about it. So here are my comments. After my post, I hope other believers will post theirs comments about it. Here’s the link to the video. (I don’t yet know how to embed videos here.) https://youtu.be/xl_TrvIIcBY

To me, this video is an example of how atheists confuse religion with God. They cannot seem to make the distinction. On the one hand, atheist ex-JWs deride active JWs for not being able to distinguish the difference between the GB and Jehovah, yet videos like this show that many atheists suffer from the same blindness.

So while not saying much about the existence of God, this video IS a wake up call for religion in general. It shows the problems that arise when we divide ourselves into separate camps and promote ourselves as superior to all others. That kind of thinking is the root of all religious dysfunction. In my opinion, the division among religions are obstacles we have placed in our own way. It was not the doing of God. So in many ways, I agree with many of the problems inferred by the questions posed in the video. But the solution is not to abandon God. The solution is to abandon dysfunctional religious practices.

I have no problem with the idea that religion was created by our ancestors as their expression of a need to worship something greater than themselves. But religion has evolved and continues to evolve. Thankfully some of the things people used to do in the name of religion are no longer done in modern society. I think that growth will continue. Just like science has evolved, politics has evolved, entertainment has evolved, so will religion. Videos like this will help us along that path. Like many believers have said here, the nonbelievers challenged their beliefs and made them better. Refining through the fire. But that refining doesn’t have to destroy faith in God.

For me, I have chosen to believe in a loving, all wise Creator of all of us. And I chose to follow the teachings of Jesus because they are the best principles I have come across so far, and I’ve found the same principles are part of most religious ideals. Jesus simply taught that God is our loving and wise Father, that every man is your brother, that this life is not all there is, and that after death, we will live again in some place other than earth. To me, that’s not a religion. It’s a philosophy of living. It does not harm myself or anyone else and I can’t see why others would find these simple teachings offensive.

In the video, it says:

We do not blame our ancestors for inventing religion there is no shame whatsoever in stumbling when you are blind, or failing to properly construct a puzzle in the dark.

I agree. And I think God feels the same. Surely he knows many of us are trying to construct the puzzle of life in the dark. Faith is a toughie. I think that’s why Jesus said only a mustard seed of faith is required. Just keeping an open mind about God and continuing to seek, knock and ask.

At the end of the video, it says:

Perhaps it is time to stop telling ourselves that we are the reason the universe was made. That our culture is somehow better than other cultures. That our tribe was chosen over all other tribes. It is time to learn how the universe really is. Even if that deflates our conceit, wounds our pride, humbles our point of view and forces us to admit that we do not have all the answers.

I think this is good advice for believers as well as nonbelievers. Neither group has all the answers. Both groups need to humble themselves and admit that, instead of dogmatically declaring that they know it all. There is no concrete empirical proof that God exists and there is no concrete empirical proof that he does not. That’s probably why God only asks that we have faith that he exists, and he’ll take care of the rest.

So that’s my take on the video. If any other believers have viewed the video, what do you think about it? Did it shock you? Did it make you want to abandon your faith in God? What effect, if any, did it have on you?

20

UPDATE: My existential crisis comes to a close

by Freeandclear in

jw
friends

in case you read my other thread regarding my existential crisis and how it was making my life miserable and left me feeling hopeless, purposeless and joyless i though i'd share what's recently happened to me and my way of thinking and have i've for the time being resolved my existential crisis.

i write every day in a journal.

i've been doing this for years.

Believer

FreeandClear, you demonstrated what I was trying to explain in another thread, but you articulated it so much better. An existential crises is such a personal matter that the answer is also to be found personally, inside you, just you and your thoughts. And as you said, the answers will come. Not everyone will come to the same conclusion, but at least all who do it will be living their own truth.

You also described the way I see worship. Its not doing any sacrificial thing or begging for anything. Worship is just being thankful. Just looking at your life and acknowledging the beauty and wisdom of it all. A God that is able to create all that we see is surely not so insecure that he needs us to harm ourselves in order to please him. Worship and believing in God is as simple and as easy as breathing.

So Bravo! I think you will help a lot of people to go inside and find their own answers. And welcome to the “Nones” – those of us who love God, but religion, not so much!

P.S. – I also appreciate all the nonbelievers who have given you support in your decision. I think that’s the highest ideal of human behavior, no matter your personal views.

50

Sometimes I feel like I Should Believe something...

by freemamaof3 in

has anyone else felt like they should believe something after leaving wt?

i am an agnostic atheist and its so so hard for me to believe in a god or higher power.

it just doesn't make sense.

Believer

Epistemology. Great word! Never heard of it before. Thx.

50

Sometimes I feel like I Should Believe something...

by freemamaof3 in

has anyone else felt like they should believe something after leaving wt?

i am an agnostic atheist and its so so hard for me to believe in a god or higher power.

it just doesn't make sense.

Believer

Sparky1 you said:

Quick question Believer: Are you drawing the conclusion that I am thin-skinned?

It seems like you might be based on what you wrote:

Believer, maybe you need to look into one of these once in awhile. I mean this with all due respect: Sometimes what you post and the manner in which you present yourself could try the patience of a 'SAINT'.

But I could be mistaken. Perhaps you are just looking out for the saints. If I'm wrong, I apologize.

25

Why do people need religion in this century?

by sweetgrass in

i think people need religion because of fear.

fear of death and what will happen at death if they have been good or bad.

people say it gives them hope but is this not born too out of fear of not seeing dead loved ones again, or having a better life in the afterlife?

Believer

I've noticed that some posts are being deleted. Have the posters changed their mind, or have they been censored? Either way is fine with me since I'm not the administrator. But I would like to know why they are gone.

50

Sometimes I feel like I Should Believe something...

by freemamaof3 in

has anyone else felt like they should believe something after leaving wt?

i am an agnostic atheist and its so so hard for me to believe in a god or higher power.

it just doesn't make sense.

Believer

Sparky1, I'll share with you the same counsel I received when I first joined. Don't be thin skinned.

133

Why Are You Here?

by Believer in

i'm wondering why believers remain members of this forum which is clearly hostile to believers.

as one member said, nonbelievers pounce on any semblance of belief like piranhas on prey.

as former jws we should have had our fill of judgmental know-it-alls, but here we are.

Believer

She? Okay.

50

Sometimes I feel like I Should Believe something...

by freemamaof3 in

has anyone else felt like they should believe something after leaving wt?

i am an agnostic atheist and its so so hard for me to believe in a god or higher power.

it just doesn't make sense.

Believer

Sorry Cofty. My vision is not what it used to be.

50

Sometimes I feel like I Should Believe something...

by freemamaof3 in

has anyone else felt like they should believe something after leaving wt?

i am an agnostic atheist and its so so hard for me to believe in a god or higher power.

it just doesn't make sense.

Believer

LoisLane looking for Superman

I’ve really hit a nerve with you! You know this is cyber space. I’m not really in your computer looking at you. I’m probably in a whole different country or a whole different state. And I’m just responding to the OP and sharing my views, just like Coffy is sharing his, and others are sharing theirs. That’s what happens on a public forum.

When I joined a few days ago, I was told by many people here that I can’t be thinned skinned. I offer you their counsel. Of course, if you’re that offended, perhaps you should click way and read something that doesn’t disturb you so much. A lot of new threads were started today that might be more suitable for you. Just a thought.