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David1Spirit - it really makes us wonder how it has come to this
How have we come so far in scientific discovery, technological advances and general practical knowledge, yet more than half of our species still wants to cling to so many preposterous notions? It is fair to refer to these types of inconsistancies or ideas as "preposterous" simply because; if they were not passed along through the centuries, force fed to generation after generation via indoctrination and lauded as being sacred truths they would simply be dismissed as ridiculous.
posted by
gomedome
on April 19, 2007 at 1:49 PM
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gomedome, that question will continue to remain unanswered
I have, on many an occasion, asked the same kinds of questions. Doesn't matter the questions I ask, because the results are always the same.
It usually starts out with some half-baked (unbelieveable) explanation that I quickly shoot down with simple logic. Then it's on to terms that state (like Talion says) one of the "great mysteries of God". Of course those are explanations that a semi-aware 8th-grader can take apart. When all else fails they play the last card in the deck, the "devil card". I don't have to tell you how that goes, because you have heard it many times too I am sure.
What it comes down to is when you have a belief sytem based on "blind faith", and you let that faith guide your entire being; you may as well play deaf and dumb to boot. Anything requiring the least bit of logic can become too much I am afraid.
posted by
David1Spirit
on April 19, 2007 at 1:03 PM
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mysteria - adhering to "the truly fantastic" is the part that is really
hurting the advancement of our species.
It is rather amazing that confession, attrition or repentance can overcome a lifetime of misdeeds, no matter how grievous. It is equally amazing that with simple relentless indoctrination, a fully grown person with a college education can believe that for example; some guy named Moses parted a sea with a magic stick? Modern day organized religion has degenerated into maintaining irreconcileable feats of the supernatural to what we know cannot happen. When is the human race going to collectively stand up and say these incredible and ridiculous stories exist and have been passed onto us for only one reason; ancient man was ignorant, did not know any better, believed that these things could happen . . . but we should know better.
posted by
gomedome
on April 19, 2007 at 12:42 PM
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Sunnybeach7 - that one falls into the "free will" theme
Which basically suggests that if we don't make the right choice of what to believe and get on with worshipping these specific entities, it is our tough luck. It is a safe bet that anyone who thinks that simply coming of age immediately allows the individual to make informed choices that are free of societal influence and pressure, has not spent a second in another culture. Based on this thinking; the young person growing up in Iran for example, is supposed to all of a sudden eliminate all of their lifelong influences and make the "right" choice. This doesn't even consider how ridiculous the notion of "choosing" what to believe pertaining to God actually is. No one chooses anything in this regard, other than the ignorance of not seeking further answers.
posted by
gomedome
on April 19, 2007 at 12:29 PM
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Gome I found it most interesting when I learnt that even the foulest, the
most vile, wicked, evil and contemptible of those among us can save their soul with a last minute death bed confessional.
I think that what amazes me the most about religion is the way it is so widely received, what with all its roots in the truly fantastic.
posted by
mysteria
on April 19, 2007 at 12:21 PM
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Gome
Are you saying that the mothership isn't coming for us?
I friend of mine in the past, a born-again Christian had told me that once you are born into this world and reach an age of being able to seek information on your own, that one is supposed to be able to "seek out" God and Jesus. Or something like that.
Imagine that, seeking out something that you have no knowledge of. But I guess the view is that God provides the knowledge if you want it.
posted by
Afzal_Sunny7
on April 19, 2007 at 12:03 PM
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Gomedome
Thank you so much! I’m honored by your words! NewMoon 
posted by
syzygy
on April 19, 2007 at 11:58 AM
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Talion - that has always been my problem
Catch phrases designed to eliminate enquiry instead of aswering it are used far too many times for me to ever adopt "faith". I guess it beats being clubbed over the head with a ruler by sexually frustrated nuns when presenting a "good question" but still, enquiring minds need to know. Non answers or throwaway lines designed to deflect the questions just ain't good enough for some folks.
posted by
gomedome
on April 19, 2007 at 11:47 AM
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NewMoon - congratulations on your recent blog popularity
It looks like you are in the top ten to stay and high time I might add.
posted by
gomedome
on April 19, 2007 at 11:43 AM
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LoL
There are nothing but "given" perspectives, Christian or otherwise. I find people here writing what I consider to be trite and wishy-washy wishful thinking all the time. I would find the notion of the north american indians as presented to you to be very foolish as well.
posted by
Kripayne
on April 19, 2007 at 11:37 AM
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gomedome
While I like to think I'm open-minded, honestly, I doubt anyone can give me an explanation I find satisfactory. It's that old faith thing. Some things simply must be accepted without it completely making sense. Some can do that. Some can't. Of course there's also such a thing as having unwavering faith, but not believing everything found in ancient texts are irrefutable facts. If I was a Christian, I'd assume that the kind and loving God I believed in would not create human beings and cast them into hell simply because they were born before the spread of the "official" religion. So how did God pull it off? I'd fall back on the old
God works in mysterious ways explanation and leave it at that. If I was a Christian, that would be good enough for me.
posted by
Talion
on April 19, 2007 at 11:11 AM
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Gomedome
I hesitate to dip my toes into these waters (really, Moon?, then why are your commenting?) BUT, and I’ll be vague (as I don’t care to be excoriated or crucified; well excoriation I expect – crucifixion? that’s a bit drastic) …….how do I say this?........hmmmmmmm……….I think the whole thing is a misunderstanding. 
And, by the way, I like the title of this post. 
NewMoon
posted by
syzygy
on April 19, 2007 at 10:51 AM
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Kripayne - I think I have heard most of the answers from a:
"given Christian perspective"
I have yet to hear anything that makes any sense. The North American continent as an example, did not hear of Jesus Christ until 1,500 years or so after his death, a full 1,200 years after his elevation to diety status. I've had persons try to suggest that North Americans did in fact hear of Jesus Christ in dreams or other similar inspirations prior to the arrival of the first settlers. Unfortunately, this type of answer can only be considered as contrived as there was absolutely nothing in the way of a similar messiah based religion existing on this continent when the first settlers arrived.
posted by
gomedome
on April 19, 2007 at 10:28 AM
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I could certainly answer
the question from a given Christian perspective, since that is the religion I was raised in, but really the answer would amount to a blog in and of itself or would be a very long comment. Since I'm not out to change your mind and am only interested in the philosophical nature of religion, I'm not sure explaining it would be a valuable use of your or my time.
posted by
Kripayne
on April 19, 2007 at 10:02 AM
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