Originally posted by karoly aczelWhat does it matter if you believe in God? How will this change your life if you do?
Point blank question: Do you believe in "God" (with a big "g" ) in any way shape or form?
I do, but my concepts of "God" do not seem to coincide with any other posters here except maybe a few who seem to deny the existence of "God".
I feel I am all alone in my beliefs and yet no one can come close to explaining to me why I am wrong.
But lets just keep it simple to start with, eh?
I suppose this is the difference between those of faith and those who are not.
Originally posted by whodeyWhodey, are you a practicing Muslim ?
What does it matter if you believe in God? How will this change your life if you do?
I suppose this is the difference between those of faith and those who are not.
Do you know some Forums you attend where Moslims and Christians dialogue with each other civilly ?
Originally posted by VoidSpiritYes, many.
is there someone, a philosopher or theist maybe who has more clearly articulated the concept of god that you believe in?
But most of our communication is non verbal.
There are many levels of understanding, but full understanding doesn't require words. Although I believe it doesn't hurt to try, as I have done on a few occasions
If I had to throw out a name I would go with Aldous Huxley. The Zen poets have also been a huge influence on my early development
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Originally posted by JS357Indeed.
It sounds you are drawn toward Apophatic theology. Edit: Although not completely, as no outside definition can be expected to hit the mark as to what is internal. It seems paradoxical to think that words for what is inside such an approach, can fully apply.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apophatic_theology
[quote]In brief, negative theology is an attempt t tudinal content, where one's choice of attitude is not subject to proofs and argumentation.
I would like to find the easiest way possible - like water. I dont want words to become a hinderance, as useful as they are.
As for "Truth" all I know is what is true for me. And even though we are all said to be made of the same stuff (quantum, buddhism 🙂 ), I would never try to put my "truth" onto another because I may know something they dont.
I look forward to a world we we are all masters and there are no students any more
Originally posted by whodeyI have made many choices related to my beliefs. Many of them detremantal to my Earthly life.
What does it matter if you believe in God? How will this change your life if you do?
I suppose this is the difference between those of faith and those who are not.
It matters a great deal if I believe in "God" or not. I'm sure I would not be here, I would look different etc. I would be a completely different person
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Reason I started this thread is because an elderly man asked me a few days ago whether I believed in God. I told him that I was not a christian. He said "Yes, but in general, you do believe in something more, like a god like principle". (not the exact words but that sort of meaning).
To communicate with him as best as possible I said "Yes". This thread is now somehow trying to put into a few words that "belief", because , as Voidspirit, I dont feel the need to believe in anything. It's just another useful word ,like "god".
Originally posted by karoly aczelThe only intellectually honest stance is, in my view, to be agnostic about God. Since, again in my view, there has never been any overwhelming evidence to support his existence, (i am an evoltionary) the only sincere position is one of disbelief with the proviso that if he were to suddenly revel himself then I would be open to belief.
Point blank question: Do you believe in "God" (with a big "g" ) in any way shape or form?
I do, but my concepts of "God" do not seem to coincide with any other posters here except maybe a few who seem to deny the existence of "God".
I feel I am all alone in my beliefs and yet no one can come close to explaining to me why I am wrong.
But lets just keep it simple to start with, eh?
Originally posted by Pianoman1I am also evolutionary 🙂
The only intellectually honest stance is, in my view, to be agnostic about God. Since, again in my view, there has never been any overwhelming evidence to support his existence, (i am an evoltionary) the only sincere position is one of disbelief with the proviso that if he were to suddenly revel himself then I would be open to belief.
I believe some of "God" has been revealed to me. Most people just think I'm tripping. Thats ok. Better to have tried and failed.
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Originally posted by jaywillThose practicing Muslims are practicing their faith. Personally I view it to be a faith that is misplaced, but they try to walk the walk nonetheless.
Whodey, are you a practicing Muslim ?
Do you know some Forums you attend where Moslims and Christians dialogue with each other civilly ?
My only point here is that those who believe in something and do nothing with their believe are no different than those who do not beleive.
A member of the French Academy of Sciences stated: “Natural order was not invented by the human mind or set up by certain perceptive powers. . . . The existence of order presupposes the existence of organizing intelligence. Such intelligence can be none other than God’s.”—Dieu existe? Oui (Paris, 1979), Christian Chabanis, quoting Pierre-Paul Grassé, p. 94.
New Scientist magazine said: “The lay view persists—of scientists having ‘disproved’ religion. It is a view that commonly expects scientists to be nonbelievers; that Darwin put the last nails in God’s coffin; and that a succession of scientific and technological innovations since have ruled out the possibility of any resurrection. It is a view that is wildly wrong.”—May 26, 1977, p. 478.
Originally posted by Pianoman1No, not really.
Would you expand on this, please.
Just remember it is not an Abrahamic god or any other sort of god separate from creation.
What would I tell you anyway?
Dont you guys dream? Sheesh.
Then again maybe I'm being a little insensisitve here.
What do you reckon , Pianoman?
Do you think I could put the ineffible succinctly into words?
Originally posted by karoly aczelGod, like music, is, of course, beyond the humble word.
No, not really.
Just remember it is not an Abrahamic god or any other sort of god separate from creation.
What would I tell you anyway?
Dont you guys dream? Sheesh.
Then again maybe I'm being a little insensisitve here.
What do you reckon , Pianoman?
Do you think I could put the ineffible succinctly into words?
As soon as we begin to describe God, we lose him.
I could say God is the reflection of the moon on a still lake.
I would be wrong, but also right..
I could say God is the sussuration of a butterfly's wings at sunset.
I would be wrong, but also right.
I could say God is all around and in and out and up and down and through and through.
I would be wrong, but also right.
That's the problem with words. They limit, imprison, judge, mislead.
An old silent pond...
A frog jumps into the pond,
splash! Silence again.