before i address the paradox (a statement that contradicts itself) i want to insert a fact from history.. .
the romans used a malleable (and highly poisonous) metal (lead) for water pipes and conduits.
as snows melted into pure water, it was channeled into sluices and pipes made of lead that ran through the cities as drinking water.. .
Perhaps the problem is that an inner spiritual experience cannot be accurately relayed or reveal through words. Words are the lead piping.
Only the person having the insight can truly understand and be transformed. Second and third-hand spiritual experiences have no value.
i just wanted to take a survey.
let's not let this get into the same old same old debate of atheism vs belief.
just respond with "atheist" or "believer" or "maybe god exists".
I'm somewhere between found and lost and lost and found.
peace to you!
i wanted to get some thoughts out there on this subject, because there are so many people who look to the bible as the image of god.
to the point that they do not look to christ at all, but rather they look to the law or to moses or to the ot as the image of god... over... christ.
On page 3 Terry delivered an excellent clarification of how worshiping a living god is different to worshiping the image of a god as found in a book. He makes no judgment, just explains the difference and sums up what Tec is seeking to explain. I’m amazed that an ace can be laid on the table and ignored.
Here it is again for those that missed it:
“We stand or fall in our response to the God we know.
Worship is man's natural reaction to an encounter with the living God.
For humans unacquainted with anything but a book or a prayer or a seat in an arena where "god" is spoken of no reality exists.
Idolatry becomes necessary. What better way to serve an unknown and unknowable except by erecting an IMAGE?
The IMAGE of "god" has no effect on the life of the idolator. None at all.
But, the transformation in the life of someone who has God living inside is a beacon so bright there is a glory reflected of how real such a god must be.
The goodness in any of us is attracted to such light so compelling is the majesty of such reality.
The sin in any of us wrenches away in the cynical mockery which is the only refuge of disbelief.
Those for whom such a God is undeniable no explanation is necessary. No image is required.
Those for whom such a God is impossible no explanation is possible. Only the image is real.”
i just wanted to take a survey.
let's not let this get into the same old same old debate of atheism vs belief.
just respond with "atheist" or "believer" or "maybe god exists".
Belief or non-belief are simply states of mind and alter nothing in reality.
My position is that I don’t actually wish to be defined or hold beliefs about things of which I know nothing.
you know, to fit in....to be a part of our own family or group and not be a total nerd or contrarian.. we hold our tongue.
we smile and nod.. but, then....there is at least one thing we just can't go along with because it is too important.. why?
because we are a total snob.
Mmm, among other things, I am a speech snob. When I am conversing with an adult who is too lazy to string together a coherent sentence I get snobbish. Foreigners in the UK speak perfect English as their second language, yet people born and raised here struggle to pronounce words properly or make sense; s tarting the same sentence three times w hilst sniffing and grimacing.
I'm like kinda left to like sort of ya now wot I mean fill in the blanks cos they kinda cant like expess emselves so im left like guessing an struggling. F*** language woo needs it wen we like got mobile fone language nah.
belief is spackle.
you can't see the crack in your thinking when you exercise faith.
consequently, a person of faith can not, must not, will not allow others the option of non-binary references.. .
Faith is not separate from reality but is what the mind has accepted as true and placed its trust in. Often faith in someone or something will be vindicated. Sometimes faith or belief will prove to have been misguided.
The mind is capable of playing tricks on itself in order to achieve emotional comfort. Often just having a faith in something brings comfort and security in the present, so it serves a real purpose even if the object of the faith does not actually exist. The tragedy occurs when faith constantly takes precedent over reason and results in a wasted and unfulfilled life. Jehovah's Witnesses are an example of this.
Provide faith is used in moderation I think it has its uses, alongside alcohol, movies, novels and other forms of escapism that help to soften the harsh realities of life.
Given the choice I would rather have not been a Jehovah's Witness. Then again I learnt some valuable lessons that enabled me to avoid mistakes that people with a different experience were unable to. The past no longer exists but it got me where I am now, so it served its purpose.
I save my wishes each today and the future.
ok folks,.
gen.18;1-8 the lord appeared to him by the oak tree.. gen.18:5 he fetch a morsel of bread for his guest.. gen.18;6 sarah makes meal, knead it and made cakes.. gen.18:7 abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender.
and good.. gen.18:8 he set it before them and he stood by them under.
Well jam - it must have been 'spiritual food at the proper time.'
inside my head is a tangled ball of wool when it comes to what i believe.
i have days where i believe in a creator and other days when i don't.
then there are times when i refer to this as believing in 'something' but what exactly this something is, i have no idea.
Many people have not come to a specific conclusion. I was a Jehovah's Witness but no longer have a belief in a personal god, on the basis, fool me once shame on you - fool me twice shame on me. On the other hand I have had experiences that confirm there is more going on than that which is obvious on a physical level. Another dimension or perhaps a different understanding of the one we live in.
Our present understanding of how the universe and our world operate is incomplete. As others have said, reading philosophy, others experiences, scientific advances and spiritual writings can help you gather enough information to gain your own understanding of what is taking place in this amazing universe.
