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Your God is too small

IndigoChild5559

Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
Sometimes people form a very narrow view of God. Perhaps they think of the God of Abraham as an angry vengeful God. Perhaps they see God as a old man with a beard who grants wishes the way Santa gives presents. Perhaps they see God as nothing but a giver of endless rules that bring them no joy in life. And then, they reject this God, because it is awful, or childish.

I say to them, your God is too small.

Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search.

Don't you agree?
 

stvdv

Veteran Member: I Share (not Debate) my POV
Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.
:)

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search.
For me there is no other pursuit so worthy as "Seeking God" or as I call it "Self Realization" meaning "Seeking God within"
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
Seeking God makes me idealistic minded. And then looking around i find nothing ideal. With love comes possibility for things. Without love, nothing results. So i have that candle, but the desire for God leaves me unfulfilled. I feel like i am talking only to myself, and nobody else this way.
 

Twilight Hue

Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Sometimes people form a very narrow view of God. Perhaps they think of the God of Abraham as an angry vengeful God. Perhaps they see God as a old man with a beard who grants wishes the way Santa gives presents. Perhaps they see God as nothing but a giver of endless rules that bring them no joy in life. And then, they reject this God, because it is awful, or childish.

I say to them, your God is too small.

Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search

Don't you agree?
I like to have conversations with myself, the universe. Whether listening or not. ;O)
 

Shantanu

Well-Known Member
Seeking God makes me idealistic minded. And then looking around i find nothing ideal. With love comes possibility for things. Without love, nothing results. So i have that candle, but the desire for God leaves me unfulfilled. I feel like i am talking only to myself, and nobody else this way.
Seeking God is not a futile exercise: He comes. It just that you do not have proof that He has come into your life. To seek that proof one has to devote a third of your life at the very least.
 

Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
Sometimes people form a very narrow view of God. Perhaps they think of the God of Abraham as an angry vengeful God. Perhaps they see God as a old man with a beard who grants wishes the way Santa gives presents. Perhaps they see God as nothing but a giver of endless rules that bring them no joy in life. And then, they reject this God, because it is awful, or childish.

I say to them, your God is too small.

Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search.

Don't you agree?

No, you're somewhat wrong.
 

Epic Beard Man

Bearded Philosopher
No, I don't agree.
Why waste time pursuing falsehoods, instead enjoy life to the full. Enjoy the beauty of our planet, music, painting, people and the wonder of science, Family and friends.

Life is too precious and short to throw away.

You're wrong as well. You see, whether the OP is right or wrong it doesn't matter from our individual position. you calling the pursuit of an incorporeal deity false is just an opinion similarly the denial of an incorporeal deity without any evidence (which is something like proving a negative which is utterly impossible) is equally as ridiculous. I think I have lived life long enough to believe that one of us is wrong. It could be me or you."mythologies" could actually be right. Similarly the Greeks could be right. But I take this as approaching life the way that is best for me.

I think you can enjoy the beauty of this planet, the music, the food, and the wonders while in pursuit of God. There is nothing wrong with the thought of believing God (or whatever deity or deities) you believe in is the author of that. In my theological belief, God is the author of all of this because God sees the wondrous variety of the human spirit through its cultures and traditions. Whether it is right or wrong does not matter I would like to think what matters is these traditions are foundational to the human development.
 

Altfish

Veteran Member
You're wrong as well. You see, whether the OP is right or wrong it doesn't matter from our individual position. you calling the pursuit of an incorporeal deity false is just an opinion similarly the denial of an incorporeal deity without any evidence (which is something like proving a negative which is utterly impossible) is equally as ridiculous. I think I have lived life long enough to believe that one of us is wrong. It could be me or you."mythologies" could actually be right. Similarly the Greeks could be right. But I take this as approaching life the way that is best for me.

I think you can enjoy the beauty of this planet, the music, the food, and the wonders while in pursuit of God. There is nothing wrong with the thought of believing God (or whatever deity or deities) you believe in is the author of that. In my theological belief, God is the author of all of this because God sees the wondrous variety of the human spirit through its cultures and traditions. Whether it is right or wrong does not matter I would like to think what matters is these traditions are foundational to the human development.
I didn't say the OP was 'wrong' I just said I didn't agree with them.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
No, I don't agree.
Why waste time pursuing falsehoods, instead enjoy life to the full. Enjoy the beauty of our planet, music, painting, people and the wonder of science, Family and friends.

Life is too precious and short to throw away.

Because you do not understand something doesn't make it a falsehood. There may be beauty and joy beyond what you perceive.

There are those that enjoy life in pursuit of divinity. Who are you to judge them? Who are you to deny them?
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
You're wrong as well. You see, whether the OP is right or wrong it doesn't matter from our individual position. you calling the pursuit of an incorporeal deity false is just an opinion similarly the denial of an incorporeal deity without any evidence (which is something like proving a negative which is utterly impossible) is equally as ridiculous. I think I have lived life long enough to believe that one of us is wrong. It could be me or you."mythologies" could actually be right. Similarly the Greeks could be right. But I take this as approaching life the way that is best for me.

I think you can enjoy the beauty of this planet, the music, the food, and the wonders while in pursuit of God. There is nothing wrong with the thought of believing God (or whatever deity or deities) you believe in is the author of that. In my theological belief, God is the author of all of this because God sees the wondrous variety of the human spirit through its cultures and traditions. Whether it is right or wrong does not matter I would like to think what matters is these traditions are foundational to the human development.

I would have given this post a 'winner' had it not been for the opening sentence.
 

BSM1

What? Me worry?
Sometimes people form a very narrow view of God. Perhaps they think of the God of Abraham as an angry vengeful God. Perhaps they see God as a old man with a beard who grants wishes the way Santa gives presents. Perhaps they see God as nothing but a giver of endless rules that bring them no joy in life. And then, they reject this God, because it is awful, or childish.

I say to them, your God is too small.

Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search.

Don't you agree?

And some find that "God" is not as elusive as once imagined when they truly seek.
 

Audie

Veteran Member
Sometimes people form a very narrow view of God. Perhaps they think of the God of Abraham as an angry vengeful God. Perhaps they see God as a old man with a beard who grants wishes the way Santa gives presents. Perhaps they see God as nothing but a giver of endless rules that bring them no joy in life. And then, they reject this God, because it is awful, or childish.

I say to them, your God is too small.

Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search.

Don't you agree?

I say yours is too non existent.
 

Earthling

David Henson
Sometimes people form a very narrow view of God. Perhaps they think of the God of Abraham as an angry vengeful God. Perhaps they see God as a old man with a beard who grants wishes the way Santa gives presents. Perhaps they see God as nothing but a giver of endless rules that bring them no joy in life. And then, they reject this God, because it is awful, or childish.

I say to them, your God is too small.

Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search.

Don't you agree?

No, I don't think so.

You mention the God of Abraham and that's fine, but then you take the concept of a god, which precedes Abraham, and generalize that in a way which basically means what? Either go with Abraham or some archaic contemporary of Jehovah in the days of Abraham or one prior to that, or make up one of your own which means what?

Then you go on to describe what a god or God is. Well, what the hell you going to base that on? Abraham's God?

All of this sounds like a really groovy hippie pad - without the drugs. Likely. Maybe an orgy like those dudes Abraham came across in his travels from ancient Ur . . . but not really has changed much has it?

Probably an orgy of sex and other hedonistic pleasure seeking, which means what you really are saying is seek out the god of Abraham even if you have to do it through religious masturbation.

It's all the same, dude. You look for Jehovah, if he's too small for you then you take that rather than settle for deus ex machina. But don't make up some god in the likeness of "GOD." Be a little bit more original.
 

TransmutingSoul

Veteran Member
Premium Member
Sometimes people form a very narrow view of God. Perhaps they think of the God of Abraham as an angry vengeful God. Perhaps they see God as a old man with a beard who grants wishes the way Santa gives presents. Perhaps they see God as nothing but a giver of endless rules that bring them no joy in life. And then, they reject this God, because it is awful, or childish.

I say to them, your God is too small.

Be open. Seek God. Experience Him whatever way he comes to you, whether it is through sacred texts or the beauty of a sunset. God is infinitely bigger than our finite minds can comprehend. He can't be boxed in by any of our preconceptions. He is not worried by our questions, nor do they anger Him. He cares about us just the way we are, and calls us to something higher. Some people experience God as an intelligent being (I do). Others experience Him as the source underlying all existence. It's just turning the apple around and seeing things from a different direction.

I cannot think of any other pursuit so worthy as the seeking of God. He is the origin of everything else that is good and true and beautiful. Such an important question as the existence of God at least deserves our sustained and heartfelt search.

Don't you agree?

Yes I agree, God is beyond our mind and computation.

There is a tradition quoted by Abdul'baha in the 'Tablet of the Universe';

"..Consider the following well-known tradition and examine its meanings indicative of the vastness of the cosmos and its awesome limitless expanse: 'God, exalted be He, fashioned one hundred thousand, thousand lamps and suspended the Throne, the earth, the heavens and whatsoever is between them, even Heaven and Hell -- all of these in a single lamp. And only God knows what is in the rest of the lamps.' The fact that philosophers and sages have posited limits and restrictions for such matters is to be explained by the limitations of people~s minds and perceptions and the blindness of the followers of allusions, whose natures and intellects have been rendered dull and inanimate by the interposition of many veils...."

All that we can imagine is in but one lamp and we still have not approached God.

Regards Tony
 

IndigoChild5559

Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
No, I don't think so.

You mention the God of Abraham and that's fine, but then you take the concept of a god, which precedes Abraham, and generalize that in a way which basically means what? Either go with Abraham or some archaic contemporary of Jehovah in the days of Abraham or one prior to that, or make up one of your own which means what?

Then you go on to describe what a god or God is. Well, what the hell you going to base that on? Abraham's God?

All of this sounds like a really groovy hippie pad - without the drugs. Likely. Maybe an orgy like those dudes Abraham came across in his travels from ancient Ur . . . but not really has changed much has it?

Probably an orgy of sex and other hedonistic pleasure seeking, which means what you really are saying is seek out the god of Abraham even if you have to do it through religious masturbation.

It's all the same, dude. You look for Jehovah, if he's too small for you then you take that rather than settle for deus ex machina. But don't make up some god in the likeness of "GOD." Be a little bit more original.
I actually have no problems with the God of Abraham. I only have a problem when he is limited to "angry, vengeful" things. Any reading of the sacred texts shows a pattern of a father disciplining children--because of your idolatry I will punish you terribly but then I will restore you and bless you and the wolf will lie down with the lamb, etc. The psalms presents a transcendent God. The Torah makes sure that this God is not represented by anything on earth or in heaven.

But I also have no problem with other experiences of God. For example, I have no problems with the Native American Spirituality of God as the Great Spirit. Or the Eastern concept of Tao.

Like I said in my OP, it's like turning God around and seeing Him from different angles. Each view of God is incomplete, but correct.

There is a story from India about a bunch of blind men and an elephant. One blind man feels the elephants ear and says, "Oh this is a fan." One feels the leg and says, "Oh, this is a pillar." One feels the trunk and says, "Oh, this is a snake." And one feels the tail and says, "Oh this is a rope."

Enough said.
 
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