Why all the history? (ritual, Creator, Earth, dinosaur, experience)

[Phasmid]

If I'm honest with myself... I think there probably is a God. I've had religious experiences, which manifest themselves as moments of total peace and joy and an understanding that this world is just the surface of a much grander reality.

I know that's as clear as mud and probably makes some of the non-believers here cringe, but it's hard to describe. I also can't describe how I know it's linked to God.

I've tried to rationalise it away... but when it comes down to it, reason isn't always right. I don't think universes just happen... and I don't think the theist belief that "God did it" is as redundent as a lot of militant atheists make it seem. If God created the universe, He's far beyond our intellectual scope... we should try to understand, by all means, but I can understand and respect, the theistic perspective.

The reason I left Christianity, is I'm a nit-picker. Christianity leaves me with so many questions, which I haven't been able to find satisfying answers to. God is in my heart, metaphorically or otherwise. I miss the love I felt as a Christian... strange... as I typed that I felt love in my heart... anyway, I can't just jump right back into Christianity. That'd be dishonest. I'm still questioning... and forever will. Right now I'm just going to accept that love is what keeps my hope in God alive. And I honestly hope to find God... whether that means a literal relationship with Him, or a concept in my mind, which I can relate to and draw strength from.

Atheist or not, I believe everyone has a spiritual side. A part of us, which is linked to something deeper than that which we can see and experience with our senses.

I didn't actually mean for this post to go on for so long... my main question was going to be one of the things I've struggled to understand.

Why, if there is a God, did He create such a huge amount of archaeological, biological and general natural history? Why dinosaurs? Why Neanderthals? Why the Ice Age? Why such a huge universe?

[Wandered Off]

Why not? Maybe it's not really all about us.

[Ringer]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

Why, if there is a God, did He create such a huge amount of archaeological, biological and general natural history? Why dinosaurs? Why Neanderthals? Why the Ice Age? Why such a huge universe?

I'm not sure of the answers to your first few questions. I guess in the long long, dinosaurs, the Ice Age, or Neanderthals will have nothing to do with what happens to me when I fade from this earth. The universe though is different for me. I can't help but wonder when I look up on a clear night how there cannot be a God. Just the immensity of it all of those things happening millions of light years away that we have no idea about. Yet, there is a God that cares for us more than anything else out beyond our galaxy. I'm from Wisconsin and I don't get a chance to see the sky littered with stars. It wasn't until a fear years back when I was camping in the Rocky Mountain National Park when I was able to look at the sky for the first time in amazement.

I agree with you that we all have a spirtual side to us and I think we all can look at the universe with awe and wonder how it got here. For some of us, it points to a God and I don't think that was by accident. But, there's an even greater work that can come from within and that's where the true miracle happens. I and many others on RF have been lucky enough to experience that.

[Frank Castle]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

The reason I left Christianity, is I'm a nit-picker. Christianity leaves me with so many questions, which I haven't been able to find satisfying answers to. God is in my heart, metaphorically or otherwise.... anyway, I can't just jump right back into Christianity. That'd be dishonest. I'm still questioning... and forever will. Right now I'm just going to accept that love is what keeps my hope in God alive. And I honestly hope to find God... whether that means a literal relationship with Him, or a concept in my mind, which I can relate to and draw strength from.

BRAVO.

Originally Posted by Phasmid

I didn't actually mean for this post to go on for so long... my main question was going to be one of the things I've struggled to understand.

Its never too long when it all makes sense.

Originally Posted by Phasmid

Why, if there is a God, did He create such a huge amount of archaeological, biological and general natural history? Why dinosaurs? Why Neanderthals? Why the Ice Age? Why such a huge universe?

In the unread book will you find the answers to the Unknown GOD.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by Ringer

I'm not sure of the answers to your first few questions. I guess in the long long, dinosaurs, the Ice Age, or Neanderthals will have nothing to do with what happens to me when I fade from this earth. The universe though is different for me. I can't help but wonder when I look up on a clear night how there cannot be a God. Just the immensity of it all of those things happening millions of light years away that we have no idea about. Yet, there is a God that cares for us more than anything else out beyond our galaxy. I'm from Wisconsin and I don't get a chance to see the sky littered with stars. It wasn't until a fear years back when I was camping in the Rocky Mountain National Park when I was able to look at the sky for the first time in amazement.

I agree with you that we all have a spirtual side to us and I think we all can look at the universe with awe and wonder how it got here. For some of us, it points to a God and I don't think that was by accident. But, there's an even greater work that can come from within and that's where the true miracle happens. I and many others on RF have been lucky enough to experience that.

Indeed. That's another point to God in my view. The universe and the living world is beautiful... if the universe didn't have a creator I wouldn't expect it to be so breath-taking.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by Frank Castle

In the unread book will you find the answers to the Unknown GOD.

Now that is interesting... thanks

[matthew.william]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

If I'm honest with myself... I think there probably is a God. I've had religious experiences, which manifest themselves as moments of total peace and joy and an understanding that this world is just the surface of a much grander reality.

I call them moments of clarity. I had one the other day while I sat outside my home. I was watching the clouds pass slowly overhead as the sun cut through them and an overwhelming sense of joy and peace made me stop thinking about everything but how damn beautiful the whole human affair is. I don't suppose I ever really thought of them as "religious experiences" until you used that term. Glad to know somebody else experiences that because it's one of those things you can't really put into words for other

Originally Posted by Ringer

I'm from Wisconsin

Hu-zah! A fellow Wisconsinite! What part are you from? I'm from Appleton, although I live in England for the time being...

~matthew.william~

[Tau]

Originally Posted by Phasmid

If I'm honest with myself... I think there probably is a God. I've had religious experiences, which manifest themselves as moments of total peace and joy and an understanding that this world is just the surface of a much grander reality.

I know that's as clear as mud and probably makes some of the non-believers here cringe, but it's hard to describe. I also can't describe how I know it's linked to God.

I've tried to rationalise it away... but when it comes down to it, reason isn't always right. I don't think universes just happen... and I don't think the theist belief that "God did it" is as redundent as a lot of militant atheists make it seem. If God created the universe, He's far beyond our intellectual scope... we should try to understand, by all means, but I can understand and respect, the theistic perspective.

The reason I left Christianity, is I'm a nit-picker. Christianity leaves me with so many questions, which I haven't been able to find satisfying answers to. God is in my heart, metaphorically or otherwise. I miss the love I felt as a Christian... strange... as I typed that I felt love in my heart... anyway, I can't just jump right back into Christianity. That'd be dishonest. I'm still questioning... and forever will. Right now I'm just going to accept that love is what keeps my hope in God alive. And I honestly hope to find God... whether that means a literal relationship with Him, or a concept in my mind, which I can relate to and draw strength from.

Atheist or not, I believe everyone has a spiritual side. A part of us, which is linked to something deeper than that which we can see and experience with our senses.

I didn't actually mean for this post to go on for so long... my main question was going to be one of the things I've struggled to understand.

Why, if there is a God, did He create such a huge amount of archaeological, biological and general natural history? Why dinosaurs? Why Neanderthals? Why the Ice Age? Why such a huge universe?

But we are not the be all and end all, the zenith of creation.
The mind of God reveals itself in many forms.
You are right about one thing, that the world we perceive is just the surface of a greater reality...this universe is not Elucidean.
There is more to it than we yet know about thats for sure.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by Tau

But we are not the be all and end all, the zenith of creation.

Indeed. But I can see how God would care for us. I think we have a part of God in each of us - love. We don't need to be the zenith of creation... if you've ever helped a snail get to shelter as it struggles along a dry pavement, you'll know how God could love us.

I think that's why animals like dogs make such good friends (not just pets) - because they're capable of love. We know we mean something to them, even if they're not nearly as intelligent as us.