Originally posted by AlgernonOkay.
Right. These are all symptoms which, in your thinking, you associate with an emotion you label 'anger.' Anger is a reference point created by our intelligence. So, for that matter, is 'I.'
This is not an argument that 'anger' is meaningless, or that it is bad to feel anger, or anything like that. Just pointing out its nature: the product of thinking.
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Originally posted by AlgernonI agree this is a great discussion,
Great story and discussion.
It is as if we walk around with this Greek chorus in our heads, constantly crying "Hooray!!" or "Boo!!" as our immediate situation changes. This Greek chorus creates 'good,' 'bad,' 'lucky,' 'unfortunate,' 'auspicious,' and 'right' or 'wrong.' It is the product of thinking.
Even in the reasonable posts ...[text shortened]... ciousness.
A brief summation like that doesn't really do the subject justice; my apologies.
How does doing what you feel is right (trusting on your natural instinct) involve thinking?
Example: for some reason or maybe without one nature gave us all the same instinct that it is wrong to kill another human. To me it seems impossible to come to this conclusion using reason/thinking.
Originally posted by LordOfTheChessboardDoing you feel is right involves checking your feelings - who does that? Zen talks about dropping that watcher. It's in the Heart Sutra: "In emptiness, no form, no feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness."
How does doing what you feel is right (trusting on your natural instinct) involve thinking?
Example: for some reason or maybe without one nature gave us all the same instinct that it is wrong to kill another human. To me it seems impossible to come to this conclusion using reason/thinking.
Any conclusion about killing, because it is a conclusion, involves checking one's thinking. What have we learned is the right thing to do, versus what I do when "I" am not acting.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungSince I cannot know what is good, and God does, then logically I have to cling to His Word and do what He commands.
First you tell us what is good, as though you know what you're talking about. Then you tell us you cannot know what is good because only God does. Do you know or don't you?
The reason I posted the story, which is an old story(author unknown) is because man really doesn't know what is good for him.
My theory is that if we had never had the bible, if there was no God, the world would be a worse mess than it is right now.
If darkness is an absence of light, then this world would be a very dark place.
So you see, without us Christians, you guys wouldn't have any fun...😉