Are we wasting our lives?

[Skwim]

The apex of knowledge for both science and faith, is to know and Love God.

Just because you say so certainly doesn't make it true. Where's your evidence?

If this is not our goal, are we wasting this life?

Nope. It's not our goal. Maybe your goal, but not our goal.

If this is our goal, are our own actions wasting this life?

Nope. It's not our goal. Maybe your goal, but not our goal.

So again, this is about what is Truth?

Is this a question or a statement?

The thread has no intent but to explore what is truth and my side of the debate is that Truth is all of God.

As I see it truth pretty much equals fact, so if you want to claim that fact is all of god you've got a lot of explainin' to do.

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[Milton Platt]

This thread is in Science and Religion as it is about Truth and how each of us chooses to find, 'what is Truth'?

I seem to attract quite a few warnings for trying to convert people to my faith, even when I say repeatedly that I can not, do not have the ability to convert any person and do not want to convert any person.

My stance is that I acknowledge a higher power that gifts knowledge to any heart that power chooses to give knowledge to. My part is to share the knowledge given to my heart. The issue for me and me only, is to determine what is the gifted part and what is from my own self.

Thus the topic of the thread 'Are we wasting our lives'. To give it context from a faith side, it is said the entire purpose of our lives and of all knowledge is so that we can come to know and Love God. Our own choices and actions determine if we progress towards that goal, in this life.

The topic.

The apex of knowledge for both science and faith, is to know and Love God.

If this is not our goal, are we wasting this life?

If this is our goal, are our own actions wasting this life?

So again, this is about what is Truth?

The thread has no intent but to explore what is truth and my side of the debate is that Truth is all of God.

Regards Tony

That knowledge is the apex of life is a subjective opinion. No that it isn't a good one, but it isn't a hard fact and others may have different opinions.
As to the god question, if it can ever be established that one exists, then that can be added to the equation.

 

[blü 2]

This thread is in Science and Religion as it is about Truth and how each of us chooses to find, 'what is Truth'?

I use the 'correspondence' definition of truth : a statement is true to the extent that it corresponds with / accurately reflects objective reality.

I acknowledge a higher power that gifts knowledge to any heart that power chooses to give knowledge to.

What real thing do you mean to denote when you say 'higher power'? Or is 'higher power' a personification of an ideal, wholly conceptual?

My part is to share the knowledge given to my heart.

Does this knowledge ever tell your heart to do things your heart thinks is wrong? Or is there no difference between the two views, and if that's the case, does it strike you as a remarkable coincidence?

'Are we wasting our lives'. To give it context from a faith side, it is said the entire purpose of our lives and of all knowledge is so that we can come to know and Love God. Our own choices and actions determine if we progress towards that goal, in this life.

I can see an anthropological and psychological interest in looking at and comparing concepts of gods, but as far as I can tell they're never more than concepts.

If there's such a thing as a real god then it exists in reality, in nature, and it has defining features like any other real thing; accordingly there should be a description of a real God such that if we found a real candidate we could tell whether it was God or not, just as we can tell a dachshund, a sequoia, iron, and so on.

But (again, as far as I can tell) no such description / definition exists.

So I can't take your idea further than conceptual gods.

to know and Love God.

If this is not our goal, are we wasting this life?

I don't think so. The 'purpose' of any living animal is to survive long enough to propagate. We humans have evolved emotionally to have built-in appetites and rewards for doing our version of this. The rest isn't completely optional, since we H sap saps are gregarious primates, who derive great survival benefits from cooperation; so we're also instinctively social and we seek a place in the peck order, and are naturally inclined to do other things that relate to the basics like these.

After that we're ready to consider the add-ons. You suggest knowing God is important. I incline to agree with the old Greeks, γνῶθι σεαυτόν, Know thyself; but I don't end it there; as far as possible, be curious about everything.

So again, this is about what is Truth?

So again, a statement is true to the extent it corresponds with objective reality.

 

[sealchan]

This thread is in Science and Religion as it is about Truth and how each of us chooses to find, 'what is Truth'?

I seem to attract quite a few warnings for trying to convert people to my faith, even when I say repeatedly that I can not, do not have the ability to convert any person and do not want to convert any person.

My stance is that I acknowledge a higher power that gifts knowledge to any heart that power chooses to give knowledge to. My part is to share the knowledge given to my heart. The issue for me and me only, is to determine what is the gifted part and what is from my own self.

Thus the topic of the thread 'Are we wasting our lives'. To give it context from a faith side, it is said the entire purpose of our lives and of all knowledge is so that we can come to know and Love God. Our own choices and actions determine if we progress towards that goal, in this life.

The topic.

The apex of knowledge for both science and faith, is to know and Love God.

If this is not our goal, are we wasting this life?

If this is our goal, are our own actions wasting this life?

So again, this is about what is Truth?

The thread has no intent but to explore what is truth and my side of the debate is that Truth is all of God.

Regards Tony

Although it is incredibly hard to do, we must admit that there are few moments where we are making any sort of lasting difference. We take up time and space prey on plant and/or animal life, pollute...and all for what? What do we do to deserve this great gift called life which is so expensive in terms of the lives of others and what they must do to sustain us.

But who are we to set this gift aside? And if we dare to dream, to take a chance and suffer the cost, then who do we owe that to?

Chances are when we take a risk for a dream we do more for others than we can ever do for ourselves. And that is not a waste of anything. To take whatever you have been given and to make of it a shadow of a dream is to give the power to dream to others and to lift the spirit of the whole world.

Carry your suffering and your passion together and do not let go.

 

[loverofhumanity]

This thread is in Science and Religion as it is about Truth and how each of us chooses to find, 'what is Truth'?

I seem to attract quite a few warnings for trying to convert people to my faith, even when I say repeatedly that I can not, do not have the ability to convert any person and do not want to convert any person.

My stance is that I acknowledge a higher power that gifts knowledge to any heart that power chooses to give knowledge to. My part is to share the knowledge given to my heart. The issue for me and me only, is to determine what is the gifted part and what is from my own self.

Thus the topic of the thread 'Are we wasting our lives'. To give it context from a faith side, it is said the entire purpose of our lives and of all knowledge is so that we can come to know and Love God. Our own choices and actions determine if we progress towards that goal, in this life.

The topic.

The apex of knowledge for both science and faith, is to know and Love God.

If this is not our goal, are we wasting this life?

If this is our goal, are our own actions wasting this life?

So again, this is about what is Truth?

The thread has no intent but to explore what is truth and my side of the debate is that Truth is all of God.

Regards Tony

Hi Tony.

Just a few comments I’d like to make. I think that the main reason we are born is to receive God’s gifts because I believe that God created us for that very purpose, to share His love with us.

Everyone on this planet whether believer or not receives the greatest gift which is life itself and everything that goes with it.
People have the gifts of family, friends as well as knowledge and science and so many material things to enjoy.

Where people are deprived or suffer it is always man made but I believe such people are compensated either both in this world and the next or either one. God, I believe is just and compensates.

I fully agree with you that everything comes from God. He endowed us with creativity and intelligence so we could make our own lives comfortable and even luxurious.

Did God want anything in return? Of course not. He only seeks our worship because if we turn towards purity we shall become uncorrupted and pure and by developing a good relationship with God that will assist us in developing good relationships with each other.

If we look at most of the teachings of any religion, their main focus is on treating other people with love and kindness. To develop ourselves as a person that treats other people kindly, that serves the community, helps the poor and becomes of upright character honest and truthful to all so that this world may become like a paradise.

God’s Intention for us is for us to be happy, have peaceful and loving relationships and enjoy life to its fullest,

There is nothing in it for God except that He wants to share His love, gifts of knowledge and blessings with us.

My biggest burden in life is I want to thank God for all He has given to me but can’t find any deed that could fully express and repay my gratitude.

It was said that the best way to thank God is to love one another so even He wants our thanks to be directed towards loving each other. What a wonderful Being!!

To just live and enjoy ones life is a gift of God. Of course if we misuse or abuse the gift of life then we bring suffering upon ourselves. God then sends Messengers to encourage and educate us in how to best use our lives for our happiness.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

The apex of knowledge for both science and faith, is to know and Love God.

And what does that entail on a day to day basis

 

[sayak83]

The apex of knowledge for both science and faith, is to know and Love God.

Certainly not for science and also not for many faiths (like Buddhism and Jainism).

If this is not our goal, are we wasting this life?

No. Many people live fulfilled meaningful lives without needing to know and love God.

If this is our goal, are our own actions wasting this life?

This would vary from person to person. For me, the spiritual experiences that connect me to the presence of Brahman provide useful guidance and wisdom regarding how to act and what things are important enough to pursue in life. But my actions are not for the purpose of knowing Brahman or loving Brahman...but for the purpose of decreasing suffering and enhancing the well being of the beings that call this planet their home.

So again, this is about what is Truth?

The assumption that there is one Truth will not be accepted by many I feel. For some would say that there are many Truths, as many as there are beings experiencing the process of living.

The thread has no intent but to explore what is truth and my side of the debate is that Truth is all of God.

Which may make Truth a singularity (monotheistic view) or an infinity (pan-entheistic view) and everything in between.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

Just because you say so certainly doesn't make it true. Where's your evidence?


Nope. It's not our goal. Maybe your goal, but not our goal.


Nope. It's not our goal. Maybe your goal, but not our goal.


Is this a question or a statement?


As I see it truth pretty much equals fact, so if you want to claim that fact is all of god you've got a lot of explainin' to do.

.
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I see that you are free to offer that view and that I have no obligation to prove to anybody what I see is Truth. It is proven fact to me.

I see that the Truth will always shine and I see the virtues are the light of this world. We even make movies where evil is darkness and good is the light that all like to see win in the end. The evidence of God could be the need to do what is right over what is wrong.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

That knowledge is the apex of life is a subjective opinion. No that it isn't a good one, but it isn't a hard fact and others may have different opinions.
As to the god question, if it can ever be established that one exists, then that can be added to the equation.

I see some have found all the evidence needed to emabrace God, I m not sure what others would need to embrace that Truth. It would be up to them to look if they choose to.

Regards Tony

 

[frbnsn]

This thread is in Science and Religion as it is about Truth and how each of us chooses to find, 'what is Truth'?

I seem to attract quite a few warnings for trying to convert people to my faith, even when I say repeatedly that I can not, do not have the ability to convert any person and do not want to convert any person.

My stance is that I acknowledge a higher power that gifts knowledge to any heart that power chooses to give knowledge to. My part is to share the knowledge given to my heart. The issue for me and me only, is to determine what is the gifted part and what is from my own self.

Thus the topic of the thread 'Are we wasting our lives'. To give it context from a faith side, it is said the entire purpose of our lives and of all knowledge is so that we can come to know and Love God. Our own choices and actions determine if we progress towards that goal, in this life.

The topic.

The apex of knowledge for both science and faith, is to know and Love God.

If this is not our goal, are we wasting this life?

If this is our goal, are our own actions wasting this life?

So again, this is about what is Truth?

The thread has no intent but to explore what is truth and my side of the debate is that Truth is all of God.

Regards Tony

I believe there is a superior mind. If your actions are in line with the purpose of this life granted to you, you have found the truth.
I think the purpose of life is to get to know God, to remember it all the time, and to be nice to all that God gives.
I hope it has been a good answer.

 

[TransmutingSoul]

I believe there is a superior mind. If your actions are in line with the purpose of this life granted to you, you have found the truth.
I think the purpose of life is to get to know God, to remember it all the time, and to be nice to all that God gives.
I hope it has been a good answer.

I see it as a good answer, others may not.

Regards Tony

 

[TransmutingSoul]

No. Many people live fulfilled meaningful lives without needing to know and love God.

I see that people see that may be possible.

I personally see that life has no meaning without God and a purpose that extends beyond this mortal life. We can give life all we have, but that has no purpose if death overtakes.

Regards Tony

 

[SomeRandom]

Honestly I think we're wasting our lives pottering around on RF

 

[ChristineM]

My reality is that the spirit actually exists and the body will decay. That the brain plays a very brief part in life.

It is what it is. The dreamworld has going haywire lately.

Regards Tony

You are entitled to your belief even if it does not gell with reality

 

[Vinayaka]

Honestly I think we're wasting our lives pottering around on RF

I often have the same thought. But for many it's just idle relax time. I come here and read over morning coffee, much like reading the newspaper.

It's an illusion to think you might be affecting someone's life or improving the world.

 

[80s fashion girl]

I stopped wasting my life on religion 13 years ago.

 

[SomeRandom]

I often have the same thought. But for many it's just idle relax time. I come here and read over morning coffee, much like reading the newspaper.

It's an illusion to think you might be affecting someone's life or improving the world.

Oh I agree with you. But I grew up on forums. So it has a tiny bit more meaning to me. Not much, mind. But sites like this, its like a playground for me.

 

[Revoltingest]

It's an illusion to think you might be affecting someone's life or improving the world.

Illusion though it be, it's still possible.
I like that.

 

[Vinayaka]

Illusion though it be, it's still possible.
I like that.

I was thinking of you being an exception to the rule ... as humour does add to the life of others. Even when it's tasteless.

 

[Left Coast]

I see that people see that may be possible.

I personally see that life has no meaning without God and a purpose that extends beyond this mortal life. We can give life all we have, but that has no purpose if death overtakes.

Regards Tony

This idea that life has no meaning if it's temporary is a terrific sales pitch for religions to sell you a contrived problem to which they, of course, are the solution.

A different, I think more grounded approach, is -

The reason life is meaningful and valuable is because it is temporary. I should make the best of every moment I have in this life because it's the only one I'm sure I have. There are no do-overs guaranteed in another life, no evidence of a heaven or future where a hero will save us or all things will magically be made right. The work of making our lives and this world a better place is ours, here and now.