Your Purpose in Life

Originally posted by Fetchmyjunk
Just because a wave can supposedly be shown to have dual properties, doesn't means the statements "Jesus died" and "Jesus didn't die" can both be true.

The comment was like a koan, merely suggesting that some contradictions do coexist. But of course some contradictions cannot be resolved. The one you mention however is super easy to resolve. Try it! Assume there is a resolution, what can you come up with.

Originally posted by Fetchmyjunk
You can't seriously think that 'acceptance' and 'rejection' of highly abstract and deep down things like spiritual ideas or faith happens by way of 'realizations' rather than 'decisions'. It would mean a total lack of rationalization.

Yes. I can, and do, seriously think that faith - as it pertains to the supernatural and stuff like immortality - is all a matter of "realizations" (about what one thinks/dreams/hopes/fears is true and real) rather than "decisions" (as in simply choosing to believe things).

I think these "realizations" and internalized assumptions are rooted in experience and exposure to influences, in socialization and one's identity in a given human environment. I think it may often be a case of dogmas appealing to or coinciding with gut feelings.

I think it's the kind of thing that some people - sometimes - can't shake free of, even if all the rational reasons they thought they had for believing something disappear.

I think if someone has a faith, they cannot just "decide" to not have it, and I think if someone does not have that faith, they cannot just "decide" to adopt it regardless.

Originally posted by FMF
Yes. I can, and do, seriously think that faith - as it pertains to the supernatural and stuff like immortality - is all a matter of "realizations" (about what one thinks/dreams/hopes/fears is true and real) rather than "decisions" (as in simply choosing to believe things).

I think these "realizations" and internalized assumptions are rooted in experie ...[text shortened]... d I think if someone does not have that faith, they cannot just "decide" to adopt it regardless.

So a person who says they 'decided' to become a Christian because it 'made sense' to them is lying?

Originally posted by apathist
The comment was like a koan, merely suggesting that some contradictions do coexist. But of course some contradictions cannot be resolved. The one you mention however is super easy to resolve. Try it! Assume there is a resolution, what can you come up with.

So are you saying that two contradictory statements can both be true?

Originally posted by Fetchmyjunk
So are you saying that two contradictory statements can both be true?

Yes. They would be built on different foundations. The particle/wave duality of light should make this crystal clear. So hey, did you even try to open your mind enough to resolve the contradiction bothering you?

Originally posted by apathist
Yes. They would be built on different foundations. The particle/wave duality of light should make this crystal clear. So hey, did you even try to open your mind enough to resolve the contradiction bothering you?

Either Jesus died on the cross or he didn't die on the cross. The evidence suggests that he did. So I'm sticking with the Bible. Thanks.

Originally posted by Fetchmyjunk
Either Jesus died on the cross or he didn't die on the cross. The evidence suggests that he did. So I'm sticking with the Bible. Thanks.

That's not wrong, its just incomplete. You aren't into thinking outside of little boxes, are you.

Originally posted by Fetchmyjunk
So a person who says they 'decided' to become a Christian because it 'made sense' to them is lying?

I'd say the word "decided" misrepresents or misperceives what actually happens. Someone who realizes that they believe in the Jesus story didn't "decide" to believe it, just as they can't "decide" not to. I think using the wrong words to describe things as complex as arriving at faith and personal certainty [regarding supernatural phenomena that can't be proven to exist], is not tantamount to "lying". No, not at all.

Originally posted by chaney3
Does anyone on this forum actually know what their purpose in life is? If you are spiritual, does your spirituality impact your purpose?

I personally have not figured out my purpose in life, and was just curious if anyone would care to comment.

Spirituality is the only thing that brings "purpose" to my life but I put quotation marks around 'purpose', because that usually means there is something to be learned or strived for or found or whatever whereas I don't see any of the worldly, material meanings of the word "purpose" that could be applied to spirituality

Originally posted by twhitehead
I do not have a purpose, nor want a purpose. The word implies some special use of my life to someone else superseding my own desires. Sounds like slavery to me. Some of your posts talk of having purpose, which is a slightly different usage of the word which implies goals you set for yourself. I can certainly be purposeful and do set goals for myself, but have never had one overarching goal that supersedes all others, nor do I think I need one.

Sounds like you don't like mincing words like "purpose" with "spirituality" either

Originally posted by Fetchmyjunk
There is the Bible and the historical accounts of Jesus. As well as countless testimonies of believers.

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

There is more about the life of the Buddha than JC, who only has 3 and a bit years of "testimony"compared to anothers whole life.

My point being that there are other religions who have the same points that you have raised here about Christianity- and usually they are stronger with their "countless testimonies", etc.

Originally posted by karoly aczel
There is more about the life of the Buddha than JC, who only has 3 and a bit years of "testimony"compared to anothers whole life.

My point being that there are other religions who have the same points that you have raised here about Christianity- and usually they are stronger with their "countless testimonies", etc.

Three years with the living messiah compared to a whole life with an ordinary, now dead man.

Originally posted by FMF
I'd say the word "decided" misrepresents or misperceives what actually happens. Someone who realizes that they believe in the Jesus story didn't "decide" to believe it, just as they can't "decide" not to. I think using the wrong words to describe things as complex as arriving at faith and personal certainty [regarding supernatural phenomena that can't be proven to exist], is [b]not tantamount to "lying". No, not at all.[/b]

So everything you or anyone else believes is out of their control. How convenient. Sorry but I don't believe you.

Originally posted by apathist
That's not wrong, its just incomplete. You aren't into thinking outside of little boxes, are you.

Complete it then.

Originally posted by Fetchmyjunk
So everything you or anyone else believes is out of their control. How convenient. Sorry but I don't believe you.

Plenty of things are within our control. We control what we expose ourselves to, who we talk to, and things like how long we pursue such things. But, as I said, when arriving at faith and beliefs regarding supernatural beings and phenomena [like immortality and "sin"] ~ things which cannot actually be demonstrated to exist ~ I don't think starting to believe is something that one can "decide" to do; I think it is more like a realization. I think people, after considering whatever information or 'testimony' is available, find themselves believing certain things rather than choosing to do so.