I really wish I believed (reincarnation, God)

[michel]

Originally Posted by Lintu

I don't think I believe in God anymore, but I really wish I could. I particularly wish I could believe in an afterlife. I find death extremely scary now that I don't

Hi Lintu!

I reacted much the same way as some of the members here; I thought why be afraid of something of which you are not going to be aware of ? I can understand being frightened of the pain of dying, but, if you believe that there is no afterlife, I can't see what there is to be concerned about.

Originally Posted by Lintu

Yes, I was once a believer. But then once I started believing that it wasn't possible for one religion to be right (at the exclusion of others), most of the theologies started to fall apart. (If that makes any sense). And it just started seeming to me that God was invented over and over again by different groups of people, sometimes for good purposes and sometimes for bad. So then God became less of the humanlike father and more like an underlying spirit. I still believe there could be an underlying unifying spirit, but not a God that comforts and punishes and leads us all into an ultimate goal.

I can understand what you are feeling; it is tempting (or maybe logical) to think what you are thinking.

My way of looking at it though is not to be overly concerned about what others believe; I am open to anything, but at the end of the day what is right for me is 'right'.

The other belief I have is that all paths lead to 'God'; if you think about the fact that Religion must have been 'exported' to various parts of the world and, (as in Chinese whispers), the message became distorted as it travelled, it is hardly surprising that there is a plethora of confusing thought out there.

It seems to me that it is easy to become side-tracked in this rushed material world. If you can, take time out and go somewhere quiet and 'commune with Nature' - to me that is the essential 'grounding' mechanism. See if that brings anything.

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by michel

Hi Lintu!

I reacted much the same way as some of the members here; I thought why be afraid of something of which you are not going to be aware of ? I can understand being frightened of the pain of dying, but, if you believe that there is no afterlife, I can't see what there is to be concerned about.

I definitely think it is fear and sadness, then. Or maybe selfishness, to want to have the people you love always around for you to love!

My way of looking at it though is not to be overly concerned about what others believe; I am open to anything, but at the end of the day what is right for me is 'right'.

Absolutely makes sense, and that's how I felt for awhile (and still do feel--whatever fulfills you spiritually and helps you live life the best way you can is right). I think some of us just need more structure in life, more guidance. Kind of a "reason to be" or a purpose. My husband attended Catholic schools his whole life, and he said he was always told the purpose of life was to love God and do his will. I think that's pretty powerful and meaningful to a lot of people, hence why I wish I could have that kind of faith.

[robtex]

Lintu congraduations on your marriage!!! You were still engaged when you left RF last time. Also, if you find God or don't find God, you don't need any God(s) to construct a system of morality. Don't worry about the God thing too much and don't be in a hurry to figure out of there is one or isn't one. Use judical restraint in interacting with your mother. Being a bible-belter like you I can tell you there is great wisdom in picking and choosing your battles. You got the best vantage point so you make the call but think it through first. Telling them your religious views sometimes is a wise decision and sometimes it is not.

Since you obviously got a lot of muddle in your head right now about God I am overtly hoping you will throw your muddle to the wolves in the relgious debate section!!!

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by robtex

Lintu congraduations on your marriage!!! You were still engaged when you left RF last time. Also, if you find God or don't find God, you don't need any God(s) to construct a system of morality. Don't worry about the God thing too much and don't be in a hurry to figure out of there is one or isn't one. Use judical restraint in interacting with your mother. Being a bible-belter like you I can tell you there is great wisdom in picking and choosing your battles. You got the best vantage point so you make the call but think it through first. Telling them your religious views sometimes is a wise decision and sometimes it is not.

Since you obviously got a lot of muddle in your head right now about God I am overtly hoping you will throw your muddle to the wolves in the relgious debate section!!!

Oh thanks! Yeah, we got married about 2.5 months ago

I definitely understand that God isn't necessary for morality, but I'm a "play by the rules" kind of girl. I like it when rules are set by an outside source.

Then again, if I were living in a strictly religious area, I'd probably hate the rules and want out ASAP

Pick your battles is right...I don't talk anything controversial with my mom anymore. That's what my dad is for!

[robtex]

Lintu not a good reason for believing in God but to give you an alternative incase you need it one day.....oh and there is secular judiasm too. I don't know so much about it though.

http://www.secularhumanism.org/
http://www.secularhumanism.org/index...main&page=what

[SoliDeoGloria]

Yes, I was once a believer. But then once I started believing that it wasn't possible for one religion to be right (at the exclusion of others), most of the theologies started to fall apart. (If that makes any sense). And it just started seeming to me that God was invented over and over again by different groups of people, sometimes for good purposes and sometimes for bad. So then God became less of the humanlike father and more like an underlying spirit. I still believe there could be an underlying unifying spirit, but not a God that comforts and punishes and leads us all into an ultimate goal.

This most definitely makes sense!!!!! The Philosophy that "truth is relative", which is what you have basically explained, is so contradictive to theistic christian theology, and I might add judaism to that catagory, that I experienced absolutely no suprise at all that you claimed this to be the origin of the conflicts you have stated in the OP. I would love to have a discussion with you over this philosophy but don't know if this would be the right thread to do so.

As far as the "afterlife" goes, Hank Hanengraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute, wrote an interesting book about it titled "Resurrection" which I would recommend as a good read about the subject. The only negative criticism I have seen about the book is that it consists, almost entirely, of borrowed material from other apologists which I found to be true, but non-the-less is still a good book and might spark further research into the subject matter.

Sincerely,
SoliDeoGloria

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by SoliDeoGloria

This most definitely makes sense!!!!! The Philosophy that "truth is relative", which is what you have basically explained, is so contradictive to theistic christian theology, and I might add judaism to that catagory, that I experienced absolutely no suprise at all that you claimed this to be the origin of the conflicts you have stated in the OP. I would love to have a discussion with you over this philosophy but don't know if this would be the right thread to do so.

Well I'm definitely up for that, wherever the correct place is to discuss!

[SoliDeoGloria]

Well I'm definitely up for that, wherever the correct place is to discuss!

Well, would you like a strictly one on one discussion or would you like others to get involved, where it could very possibly get a bit ugly?

Sincerely,
SoliDeoGloria

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by SoliDeoGloria

Well, would you like a strictly one on one discussion or would you like others to get involved, where it could very possibly get a bit ugly?

Sincerely,
SoliDeoGloria

I don't mind if other people get involved. I don't get insulted too easily when it comes to religion. However, I have found it can be very frustrating once it gets into a debate, since it can't be proven (of course).

[SoliDeoGloria]

I don't mind if other people get involved. I don't get insulted too easily when it comes to religion. However, I have found it can be very frustrating once it gets into a debate, since it can't be proven (of course).

Well, don't get your hopes up too much for it not to turn into a debate. I'll try to get something started in "general rligious debates" titled "right & religion". I'll do my best to be nice. I probably won't be able to continue it too far due to the fact that my wife and I are celebrating our ten year anniversary tonight but will add to it when possible.

Sincerely,
SoliDeoGloria