Who am i, where do i belong, and who is my god?

[s2a]

You know you could always try to convince me of an atheistic point of view. Not sure how having faith in no God would help my inner pain but I'm willing to consider it though of course my preconceived notion is that a God or gods exist. Or a God like force anyway.

I could, but atheists don’t evangelize, and an atheistic view is hardly one from which to seek any hope of an eternal existence in a “Happy Place”.

I’ll only tender the notion that seeking a “meaning” or “purpose” in existence by whatever “explanations” or “beliefs” predicated upon invisible space entities or “magical thinking”...will not satisfy anyone that desires rational and evidenced based “answers” over any claims of “the universe/god/forces/spirits care about you, especially, and most personally”. That notion is quite comforting, and it's appeal is quite understandable, especially from what is observable today.

You need only ponder your own vanities, and estimations of self-importance.

300 years from now…who will know of your time here and now? Who will care? Who will fondly recall your deeds, good works, valiant meaningful efforts, intriguing hobbies, or unfaltering loves?

If you can accept an answer to be “no one”, you might/could be an atheist at some point.

If not, well, there are many other options available here within REF to investigate…

 

[Breathe]

I could, but atheists don’t evangelize,

HAHAHAHAHA, are you serious?!?!

 

[HonestJoe]

I said it was perfect in its function with laws, checks, and balance, or at least that is what I was trying to portray. Mankind is not perfect.

I think that's a misuse of the word "perfect" then. Maybe "internally consistent" would be more accurate. Regardless, I don't see how that concept automatically implies any form of creating intelligence, let alone a specifically defined one.

As for the core of your reply, I think that just emphasises my suggestion that you look wider than religion to improve your situation. Some form of counselling could well be beneficial (even if you're as dismissive of it as I once was) and while that could come from a religious context, it certainly doesn't need to I always feel that, in some circumstances, a religious angle can do more harm than good.

You never did say why you're specifically seeking God. I hope it's a question you at least ask of yourself.

 

[Quagmire]

The warriors path, its funny because I used to use that same term. Not sure where you got that from,

Borrowed it from Carlos Castaneda. If you aren't familiar with his books, I would highly recommend you check them out. Here's one of my favorite excerpts: Carlos Castaneda's don Juan's Teachings

I got it from my heart

Another thing that Castaneda calls the Warriors path (or rather Don Juan through Castaneda) is the Path with Heart.

one day while sitting under a dogwood tree in the woods near my house. I used to escape there frequently as a child. Went back years ago and I searched for days and couldn't find it anymore.

It went on somewhere ahead of you. Probably waiting for you to catch up.

I even accepted a warriors name that came to me one day while under that tree. Ah, the fantasies of youth.

Sometimes kids understand things that we don't because they haven't learned yet that they're not supposed to.

The fact is chivalry is dead and simply the desire to do justice to force the world into your constraints of what you consider right, all that is obsolete.

All ideologies, chivalry included, become obsolete on the path that I'm talking about. All of them, even the most noble, are concepts of the mind. The Heart doesn't have any need for them. In fact, most of the time they just get in the way.

The concept of chivalry the desire to protect others seems to be just a bad self serving emotional reaction to my past and.

All emotions are self-serving. That doesn't necessarily mean they're bad.

The thing about warriors is that happily ever after doesn't exist for them they normally die on that path

If they're lucky, they always do.

and when they don't and they grow old they regret that they didn't die on that path.

Anyone who regrets any phase of their life has strayed off the path. To someone on this path, nothing is a blessing, and nothing is a curse. Everything is just a challenge, which is all the warrior ever really wants.

I've charged straight at people who have pulled guns and knives on me and on others, only reason I haven't died doing that is normally the person is shocked that you haven't frozen in fear. Seems pretty wild until you understand two things. I react that way because a person trying to intimidate another really ****** me off and my psychological response is stronger than my intellectual response again relating to my father intimidating me before hurting me.

Anything that allows you to get your mind out of the way so the rest of you can do what needs to be done is a gift.

Two subconsciously I must hold my own life in little esteem to react in that way. That again is a sign of someone really screwed up in the head.

According to who?

Has my reactions in such cases helped others? Yes. Have those reactions help me or healed me in any way? Has it helped my self esteem, allowed me to develop health relationships with others? No, it just led me to even more depression and self destructive behavior to the point that I was drinking 400 to 600 dollars worth of booze a week getting into bar fights and crying into my drinks.

According to Don Juan Matus, a born Warrior only has two choices in this world: he can either become a "man of knowledge", or an imbecile. He can never be a "normal" man. If he tries, he'll only succeed in becoming an imbecile. Reason for this is that a born warrior has more energy and passion driving him and his life than "normal" men do.

Without the discipline to control and direct that energy, he'll only wind up hurting himself with it, or spend his time in a vain effort trying to smother it or drown it.

 

[Looncall]

Borrowed it from Carlos Castaneda. If you aren't familiar with his books, I would highly recommend you check them out. Here's one of my favorite excerpts: Carlos Castaneda's don Juan's Teachings



Another thing that Castaneda calls the Warriors path (or rather Don Juan through Castaneda) is the Path with Heart.



It went on somewhere ahead of you. Probably waiting for you to catch up.



Sometimes kids understand things that we don't because they haven't learned yet that they're not supposed to.



All ideologies, chivalry included, become obsolete on the path that I'm talking about. All of them, even the most noble, are concepts of the mind. The Heart doesn't have any need for them. In fact, most of the time they just get in the way.



All emotions are self-serving. That doesn't necessarily mean they're bad.



If they're lucky, they always do.



Anyone who regrets any phase of their life has strayed off the path. To someone on this path, nothing is a blessing, and nothing is a curse. Everything is just a challenge, which is all the warrior ever really wants.



Anything that allows you to get your mind out of the way so the rest of you can do what needs to be done is a gift.



According to who?



According to Don Juan Matus, a born Warrior only has two choices in this world: he can either become a "man of knowledge", or an imbecile. He can never be a "normal" man. If he tries, he'll only succeed in becoming an imbecile. Reason for this is that a born warrior has more energy and passion driving him and his life than "normal" men do.

Without the discipline to control and direct that energy, he'll only wind up hurting himself with it, or spend his time in a vain effort trying to smother it or drown it.

By the way, all hearts do is pump blood.

 

[Quagmire]

By the way, all hearts do is pump blood.

Uh huh, but see, for the last several millenia people have been metaphorically referring to that part of the human mind which deals with emotion as "the heart". Common practice among poets, psalmists, philosophers, politicians, pedestrians,. . .even psychologists (pretty much anybody who's profession or practice begins with a "p" for some reason) It isn't actually the heart anatomically speaking, it's merely easier and more romantic than saying "That part of the mind which deals with. . .". Would be really hard to make that rhyme anyway.

Btw? If you ever hear anyone say "It's raining cats and dogs out there"? No need to call the animal control unit, just so you know.

 

[FearGod]

Uh huh, but see, for the last several millenia people have been metaphorically referring to that part of the human mind which deals with emotion as "the heart". Common practice among poets, psalmists, philosophers, politicians, pedestrians,. . .even psychologists (pretty much anybody who's profession or practice begins with a "p" for some reason) It isn't actually the heart anatomically speaking, it's merely easier and more romantic than saying "That part of the mind which deals with. . .". Would be really hard to make that rhyme anyway.

Btw? If you ever hear anyone say "It's raining cats and dogs out there"? No need to call the animal control unit, just so you know.

Also the heart may have emotion,not only pumping,how could we know?

For example the skin have a sensation beside as protection layer.
the nose for breathing,beside smellings and all of these are kind of illusion which is much similar to emotions.
the tongue as well not just for speaking,but as well for tasting,which also kind of illusion.

 

[Quagmire]

Also the heart may have emotion,not only pumping,how could we know?

For example the skin have a sensation beside as protection layer.
the nose for breathing,beside smellings and all of these are kind of illusion which is much similar to emotions.
the tongue as well not just for speaking,but as well for tasting,which also kind of illusion.

My opinion: doesn't really matter as long as it's working.

 

[gseeker]

Hmm, ill have to check that out. You had great answers and it does seem to portray my life well. How ever the term heart would actually refer to the primal brain but you also refer to a path of knowledge which would seem to be a contradiction since that is governed by a completely separate part of te brain. As for regret, haven't you ever wondered about potentiality in life, who you could of been? I do have regrets and one is that I haven't died charging those who have tried to intimidate and hurt others, after all I'm so screwed up what else do I have to look forward to other than a glorious death? The energy you mentioned does exist, its always there and if not used turns negative. About the tree and the naming, what did you mean? That and some other odd occurrences from child Hood have alwaysseemed beyond normal.

 

[s2a]

HAHAHAHAHA, are you serious?!?!

Yes.

My principal objections to any theistic believers of any faith-based practices is only when those most avid and radical adherents seek to impose their beliefs as a matter of civil or criminal law upon any and all.

It's really that simple.

If you would care to illustrate or provide evidential and veritable example(s) of atheistic "proselytizing":

["To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith."
sources: here and here ]

..you need only then demonstrate how "unbelief" is a "religious faith", wherin those "converts" might then congregate to worship nothing in no religious observances or practices...

If you are successful in doing so, I might then reveal the atheist's secret handshake and brownie recipe.

 

[Breathe]

Yes.

I'm a mod. I see posts preaching irreligion practically on a daily basis here.[/QUOTE]

If you would care to illustrate or provide evidential and veritable example(s) of atheistic "proselytizing":

["To induce someone to convert to one's own religious faith."
sources: here and here ]

Sorry, but that's not the only definition. Even in your links:

: to recruit someone to join one's party, institution, or cause

2. To induce someone to join one's own political party or to espouse one's doctrine.
To convert (a person) from one belief, doctrine, cause, or faith to another.

..you need only then demonstrate how "unbelief" is a "religious faith", wherin those "converts" might then congregate to worship nothing in no religious observances or practices...

See above. Nice try, but that limited definition of proselytism isn't the only one. That's like saying that the Biblical, literalistic God is the only definition of God. While people wish it was, because it makes their opponents look dumber and them look smarter, it's not the only one at all.

Even if we were to use the definition you gave from the dictionary, then it can be said that attempting to remove someone from their philosophical viewpoint and give them an atheistic viewpoint, by use of claims against the existence of god/s, would be proselytism.

Atheism is a viewpoint on the non-existence of gods. It's not a religion, but it is a world view. Neither is theism a religion, and there are both theistic and atheistic religions.

Here's a few examples of atheistic "preaching":

"God doesn't exist, you know"
"God is a fairytale"
"God is a figment of imagination"
"God is an imaginary friend"
"All wars, ever, have been started by religions"
"The world would be better off without religions"
"Religious people are stupid and blind and atheists are smarter than them and the only ones who use reasoning or can be freethinkers are obviously the irreligious since the religious are so blind and never question anything ever at any point"
"When will you wake up and realize God doesn't exist and religion is a sham?"
"Religion is just a tool to oppress the masses"
"The Bible is a book of fairytales"
"You believe in God?! HAHAHAHAHA you must be stupid, the Bible is false and Noah didn't exist and blah blah blah blah blah" (even if the person isn't a literalist, or even a Christian, for some reason a lot of atheists go on against Christianity instead of asking what religion.)

And so on and so forth.

If you are successful in doing so, I might then reveal the atheist's secret handshake and brownie recipe.

I already have those, I was an atheist.

 

[gseeker]

Oh SNAP!!! lol

 

[jasonwill2]

I am 31 years old and lately I've been questioning my belief in the Bible, not the moralistic values just the Biblical truth relating to God and salvation.
About my solid belief: there is a God the perfection of the universe makes that evident to me.
Background: Abused as a child, raped and almost killed by my father multiple times, extreme emotional abuse that led to self mutilation and extreme mistrust of man kind. Multiple suicides within my family including my father and multiple instances of alcohol abuse.
Ran away at sixteen and have been moving and working from state to state ever since. I.Q. of 144, I'm former military trained in 4 martial arts was a licensed armed guard and unarmed guard for two states and a bouncer on Bourbon street for six years. I have a high school diploma a GED a trade certificate in business can build a house from the ground up candidates have a class a cdl, electrical and machinical engineering training in the navy geological studies in college ect.
Premise of belief: might must see an intellectual bases of a religious belief I cannot accept on faith without evidence.
Reason: spiritually and emotionally I am damaged. I am always in control and cannot allow myself to be vulnerable for any period of time which has exponentially hurt any relationship I could have with others. I can not drink without ending up in tears wanting to take my pain out on others. I need healing.

The argument: What God should I seek after and why? What evidence of that belief exists.

Before I look at what is probably hell in the below posts, I should note that we do have a seeker's DIR.

Also Dark Blessings in your journey for your new god. I was abused as a kid too, but I can't say that I went through all that you said there. So for some of that stuff I know what it's like, and well.. it can be hard. I wish you luck in finding your path.

 

[gseeker]

Before I look at what is probably hell in the below posts, I should note that we do have a seeker's DIR.

Also Dark Blessings in your journey for your new god. I was abused as a kid too, but I can't say that I went through all that you said there. So for some of that stuff I know what it's like, and well.. it can be hard. I wish you luck in finding your path.

There are so many faiths and beliefs, by posting here it gives me an idea of what to look up in the dir. Without the replies on here I would have a clue where to start my search. You said you suffered abuse? How did you deal with it and did your faith help?

 

[jasonwill2]

There are so many faiths and beliefs, by posting here it gives me an idea of what to look up in the dir. Without the replies on here I would have a clue where to start my search. You said you suffered abuse? How did you deal with it and did your faith help?

Ha-Satan made me face myself. I have found that my religion helps me draw strength from within myself. Not to say that Ha-Satan doesn't inspire me at ttimes, he ultimately wants me to do all the heavy lifting though. This is part of how he empowers me, even if he does provide some support.

More currently, the lessons I am going through are to teach me to love and accept myself without feeling dread. I won't lie, sometimes i will play back something I recorded myself doing, like some speech I kept for myself, or listen to some audio recording I made, and just hate that awkward guy I'm listening to/watching. Satan is apparently trying to get me to get over myself as my poor self-image is getting in the way of a productive life. Before I got stuck in bravado, and it took a long time for Satan to reveal to me that it wasn't real growth but just a facade. I tricked even myself with it as I didn't want to admit weakness when everyone around me was condemning my religion. But now I'm back on the path of overcoming and spiritual growth. As well the LaVeyan attitudes I learned from teh Satanic Bible wern't really helping at around that time either. Though Some stuff from Setianism seems to really appeal to my current set-up.

 

[gseeker]

Hmm I might have to look into that. What is your idea of Satan though? Doesn't sound like the deity a lot of religions make him out to be.

 

[jasonwill2]

Hmm I might have to look into that. What is your idea of Satan though? Doesn't sound like the deity a lot of religions make him out to be.

Really complex. First thing you should know about Satanism: it is diverse to as well be many differerent religions with the same label. But if I had to suggest any branch based on what your looking for, I'd say Setianism. I'm not a Setian though, I don't even think all consider themselves Satanists even in teh liberal meaning.

 

[jasonwill2]

Hmm I might have to look into that. What is your idea of Satan though? Doesn't sound like the deity a lot of religions make him out to be.

Really complex. First thing you should know about Satanism: it is diverse to as well be many differerent religions with the same label. But if I had to suggest any branch based on what your looking for, I'd say Setianism. I'm not a Setian though, I don't even think all consider themselves Satanists other than in a liberal meaning though. The Temple of Set at least no longer identifies as Satanic.

 

[gseeker]

Folks, due to my change in religious belief and reminding my mother of the abuse I suffered as a child to explain why I have changed my belief she has now disowned me. I have no family anymore. As such I am dealing with a little bit of pain so I'm likely not going to be posting for a little while. Bbs

 

[Breathe]

Take care, gseeker.