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Experience -- that almost makes sense to me
If you are saying that an individual must draw from themselves all that they are capable of. Be that in the form of understanding that all individual efforts should not detract from the greater societal good or be it in the form of developing one's awareness and compassion towards the plight of others. I can buy into this ideal. It matters not if one feels this growth is derived or influenced by a supreme being. In the case of each member of society doing their part to make this world a better place to live in......it ain't how .....it's if.
posted by
gomedome
on February 13, 2005 at 12:00 PM
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Bibles
I believe man changes history threw the years. And the bibles has changed translation a few times already. I believe God controls and that what he wants you to learn for his purpose will be taught in you. Not with books. We all need History books to learn about the history but as far as the soul. God teaches in you what he want you to learn.
posted by
Experience
on February 13, 2005 at 8:30 AM
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durango -- I don't know what to make of what you are saying in that comment
It's vague enough that it could either be a compliment to my inherent integrity, articulated from a believer's perspective ....or you actually think that someone imposing their version of God when I am clearly unreceptive is somehow a worthy and noble pursuit on their part......it's hard to tell....care to elaborate?
posted by
gomedome
on February 12, 2005 at 1:39 PM
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Hello
At least someone has bplanted the word into your heart.
posted by
durango
on February 12, 2005 at 12:01 PM
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Hammertime -- that is a pretty good response
One thing I should clear up is that I am not an athiest, I choose the word agnostic for lack of a better definition. Though you never suggested otherwise, remarking that I spend a lot of time thinking about God implies that either it is strange for a non believer to do this or that you assumed that I was a complete non- believer or athiest who shoudl therefore have no interest in God .
My non belief is entirely in the traditional definition of God, that is the only thing I feel I am certain of. Following ancient history, especially focusing on mythology, distinctive patterns emerge. It becomes obvious to the objective observer that the bible for example is a concoction of unoriginal works that far pre-dated it. This is not news to some, it is however still heracy to others. That is the problem in it's entirety. Anyone putting forth these observations was silenced for the first 2 millenia of the bible's existence. What mankind has manufactured as a set of diverging belief systems over that period of censorship would be comical if it weren't so detrimental to our collective well being.
posted by
gomedome
on February 12, 2005 at 9:35 AM
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My goodness! It really was just an observation. Nothing snide intended although my sarcastic sense of humor does tend to seep through sometimes without me knowing it.
As to the sense of familiarity, don't we all feel connected to everyone in some way? No matter how different we all are, we are all inherently the same. How many times have you made a comment (or an observation) and someone else says, "That's exactly how I feel!" Or you hear something that someone said or did and you are amazed that there is another human being on this planet that thinks the same way you do on a particular subject? We are all not so different that we can't relate or feel "familiar" to someone...even if we've never actually met before.
As to the amount of time you spend thinking about God...it just struck me as ironic that you probably put more effort and brain power into this issue than many so-called believers. That's all. I always considered myself a believer but I used to go months, even years, without giving God a second thought.
Please don't misconstrue my words. I appreciate the fact that you took the time to question my intentions without jumping to your own conclusions. I also want to thank you for challenging my faith and making me "think" deeper than I probably would have. Now don't be upset or anything, but your challenges to God's existence have strengthened my belief in Him. When I defend my beliefs I am reminded why I became a believer in the first place. And those are really good memories. Peace.
posted by
jmhtribulas
on February 12, 2005 at 8:24 AM
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SlyCy -- except for one little nagging thing
I've never claimed to be an athiest.
posted by
gomedome
on February 12, 2005 at 8:08 AM
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DarrkeThoughts -- I can't disagree with that other than the fact that
it is more a nuance of definition, the same events have been called miracles.
posted by
gomedome
on February 12, 2005 at 8:07 AM
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Hammer's observation sounded okay to me. Its not
the worst thing for somebody to say to an atheist that he thinks a lot about God. Take care.
posted by
SlyCy
on February 12, 2005 at 5:52 AM
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But there is magic. Not that I can disagree with you about the Bible, especially not the way many people choose to use it for their own adgendas, but that does not mean there is no magic in the world.
Look at a sunset, listen to a child laugh, think about what it feels like to be in love. There is definately some magic there...the question is can the Bible, or any other book help a person find it easier or more often?
posted by
DarrkeThoughts
on February 11, 2005 at 9:45 PM
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Hammertime -- let us take a quick look at your comment
Is this supposed to be a snide comment? The closing thought: "just an observation"... is that level of familiarity, which we do not share (yet) supposed to remove any implied condescention from your comment? Or is your comment just as simple as it seems? A person who claims to be a non-believer in the traditionally defined biblical God is not necessarily devoid of thoughts on this subject. Or are you saying that others do not put any thought into what they say and write about religion and God?
posted by
gomedome
on February 10, 2005 at 8:36 PM
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For someone who claims to be a non-believer, you certainly spend alot of time writing and henceforth, thinking about God. Just an observation.
posted by
jmhtribulas
on February 10, 2005 at 4:14 PM
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