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Re: ZenMon, did you read that info...
rather late response to this but have you actually checked out the CREDENTIALS of one Vance Ferrell, author of info. of the link your provided (pathlights) I can't seem to find out very much about him other than he is a 7th day adventist.......
posted by
ZenMom
on January 11, 2008 at 12:48 PM
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The Questions
1. How can an average person break down the "I" factor to finally know true joy?
By consistently considering one’s actions and words – Are they of some good use? If not, don’t do/say
them. Are they hurtful? Don’t do/say them. If it seems like the only course of action – wait. The right
course/words will usually present itself if you calm your emotions.
2. Do you believe there is a Heaven and a Hell? Why?
No. Except as a state of mind. The concepts of heaven and hell are linear. You go there – forever. I
believe everything in the universe is cyclical.
3. Do you believe that God is not the cause of harm to anyone on this earth?
No. Only because I don’t believe in God – as in a ‘Supreme Being.’ We are all potentially godlike or
not. It is a matter of choice and striving to live in a manner skillful, harmonious and conducive to
mutual understanding and cooperation with all life.
4. Do you believe that Satan is in charge of our existence now as most Bibles would indicate?
No. Because I don’t believe in Satan. Evil, like goodness, is in the mind and actions of all.
5. Is there any possibility of man coming together as one as long as we have different beliefs of God's
message?
It would be quite easy – if we can agree that being free of persecution can be achieved by granting
freedom from persecution to others.
6. Is there anyway the Islamic terrorists will ever change their ways and stop their merciless killings?
All acts of hatred are brought about by a fundamental fear of some kind. If Islamic terrorists – or any
other kind of terrorists have no fear, then they will do no more acts of terrorism. Misguided religious
and secular leaders instill fear in their followers, and so they do acts of terrorism. Paradoxically, most
people who do acts of terror are trying to reach a place of safety in their hearts and minds – they do
what
they do because they have been taught that it is the only way to achieve this. When a man, woman or
child is taught that another man, woman or child is evil, they will do whatever they can to destroy that
evil – it is very logical if you think of it that way. But men, women and children are not inherently evil
– though they may say and do evil things. If you come to understand such people you will see that
their actions are motivated at last by fear. If you can find a way to banish their deep, crippling fear,
you will find that their hatred will dissolve as well – and they will lose the desire to hurt others. But
this requires long, careful dialog in and atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation. This can be the
most difficult task we face as human beings at this time.
7. How can those who don't believe at all be accepted without prejudice by most?
By coming to understand that it is as vital for believers as unbelievers to be accepted as we are,
regardless of our understanding of spiritual matters.
8. Is there any way to actually prove God's existence and plan for mankind?
No. I believe that is a matter of faith. You either have it or you don’t. Personally, I don’t. But then I
also feel that it is unnecessary. I simply strive to live a good life – physically, mentally, morally and
spiritually.
Thank you.
posted by
kakaratchi
on January 9, 2008 at 6:33 PM
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If anyone would like to converse on this in...
...more depth, please email me. I'm discussing religion now with another blogger and we have had some interesting discussions, all very pleasant and respectful. That's the way I like it. I'm writing a book about this, among other things, and different perspectives are needed as different individuals in my book. Thanks guys.
posted by
b2008
on January 8, 2008 at 11:29 AM
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Xeno-x you are so right...
...but remember, we are imperfect, we cannot be as God until we are reborn. So with our imperfections, anything can happen to us and by us. And, as you say, we are absolutely responsible for our own destinies. If you're in the wrong place at the wrong time, sorry charlie!
posted by
b2008
on January 8, 2008 at 10:31 AM
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God is neutral -- Jesus said so.
he "makes his rain to fall on the good and evil alike."
there's a lot to that -- and it explains why "bad things happen to good people". There is not that "protection" that many attribute to God.
Also, people make a lot of bad things happen. Each individual is the highest expression of God on Earth. We have a responsibility to be God to others in respecting others as God.
Too many haven't learned to do that.
There's a lot more to say on the subject.
posted by
Xeno-x
on January 8, 2008 at 10:10 AM
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Re: Redstatesman, yes it is...
I've got you b-girl. I know what you mean but I could not resist jumping in on the obvious. You go girl. Preach it baby! Preach the truth!
posted by
RedStatesMan
on January 7, 2008 at 7:21 PM
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thoughfulness, you have proved my point...
...God showed himself to you personally, and that can't be denied by anyone. It might be a point of discussion, but it can't be denied because no one experienced it other than you.
posted by
b2008
on January 7, 2008 at 2:05 PM
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Redstatesman, yes it is...
...but remember, there are those who
do not believe in the bible or its creator, don't ya know! So, it's their opinion I seek because I'm curious in who they believe is causing all this chaos, other than God, who they want to blame everything on! Understand?
posted by
b2008
on January 7, 2008 at 2:03 PM
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NightMajik, life is confusing...
...don't you think:), but I understood every word you were saying. You can only say you know something when you have experienced it for yourself. That's why people say what they feel they know about God because they have personally experienced God in some form or fashion. And their experience cannot be denied by anyone, ever, because one's own personal experience is just that, personal! But when one says they know from no experience at all, then that's questionable.
posted by
b2008
on January 7, 2008 at 2:00 PM
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ZenMon, did you read that info...
...and how did you feel about it personally? Check this out: http://www.pathlights.com/ce_encyclopedia/sci-ev/sci_vs_ev_TOC.htm
...for every scientific study, there is another study that proves the opposite, I have found. So I don't rely on any specific one analysis. I absorb all I can and make my own analysis of the information I received. But in my heart, I know the true answer. My quest is to find other people's answers.
posted by
b2008
on January 7, 2008 at 1:57 PM
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I will write a blog.......
posted by
star4sky5
on January 7, 2008 at 5:42 AM
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Jut wanted to say--
--the whole 'agree to disagree' thing, because people believe what they will, is right. It's interesting because when it comes to religion--to many things, but spirituality in particular--many people pass the point of just believing in something, to the extent that they *know* it to be true. They believe and know with utter conviction, and thus nothing can be said to sway them. While this certainly creates conflict, I also think it's quite amazing and beautiful, that I can *know* in my heart one thing, and be friends with someone who says they *know* something else to be true. It's like there a hundred or a thousand little realities, the things we believe and know, instead of just one reality.
That was probably confusing, sorry. =)
posted by
NightMajik
on January 7, 2008 at 3:14 AM
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#4 The Devil In Charge?!
Your #4 question about is the devil in charge of this earth is an interesting question, in the fact that it was even asked. Look around you, don't you think the devil is in charge? Kinda obvious he is but this too is all in the Bible, now isn't it?
posted by
RedStatesMan
on January 6, 2008 at 8:08 PM
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corbin
If you decide to SEEK further info/knowledge re: "where did it all come from", you will find an enormous amount of this info/knowledge in "The Portable Athiest"......In it you will find an essay entitled Cosmic Evidence by Victor Stengor. In it, Prof. Stengor advances the argument that WE NOW KNOW ENOUGH to discard the god hypothesis of creation. The knowledge/answers ARE out there. One must DESIRE to seek these answers rather than fall back on age old myths, stories, etc.
Zen
posted by
ZenMom
on January 6, 2008 at 12:18 PM
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Proving God exists
I can't prove to anyone of his existence but he proved to me his existence. I felt a hard shove on my arm once that prevented me from having an accident that would have surely been devastating as I was in a semi and they were in a little car. I felt that shove plain as day and know positively he exists. Most people are skeptical of a story that involves the supernatural and would need to have an experience themselves to believe. If there were proof, we wouldn't need faith and that's the whole point.
posted by
thoughtfulness
on January 6, 2008 at 11:52 AM
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Corbin Dallas...
...so many on blogit have varying beliefs of where everything came from. I believe in Creation insofar as where man came from. I believe that God(s) created everything else.
posted by
b2008
on January 6, 2008 at 9:40 AM
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I'll answer with a question.......
If not......"Where did everything come from?"
posted by
Corbin_Dallas
on January 6, 2008 at 8:41 AM
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