I believe in God...but I'm a non-religious deist/theist. I don't believe in religion. I'm merely thankful for the creation of the universe and life. It works for me. God may be benevolent, malevolent, indifferent, etc. I don't claim or presume to know, understand, or comprehend the nature or will of God.
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I want to b elieve
- Thread starter Sand Dancer
- Start date
sealchan
Well-Known Member
What you are looking for can be found. What stories or teachings or experiences do you find most intriguing and rewarding? What hopes or dreams do you most want to pursue? If your life were the subject of a novel, what next thing might you choose that would really hook the reader into wanting to see what would happen next?
Ask yourself these types of questions and wait and listen for a response.
Milton Platt
Well-Known Member
In other words, whether it is true or not isn't the goal here?
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
I have good news for you, Thirza. Whatever kind of God or Goddess you want to believe in, Hinduism has them.I believe that this is your problem right there....You want God....but only on your terms.....I have bad news....you have to change to suit God because he will never change to suit you.
Thief
Rogue Theologian
Salvador
RF's Swedenborgian
Believe in the truth, which Christianity lacks. As I've noted elsewhere in some other discussions about Christianity, Jesus's family tree has a time span of 77 generations listed between his generation and Adam whom the Bible claims was the "first man". Reference: ( Luke 3:23-38 )
However, the Australian aborigines have evidently been in Australia for over a thousand consecutive generations. Reference: Aboriginal Australians - Wikipedia
There have been hundreds of generations of Native Americans between the time their common ancestry migrated from Asia until the time of Christ.
Reference: Native Americans in the United States - Wikipedia
The Bible falsely claims there were only 77 generations between Christ and the first man; when people have indeed actually existed for thousands of generations, which proves the Bible and Christianity as being false.
Adam as being the first man and perpetrator of "original sin" is an important premise of Christianity. If Adam wasn't the first man, then there isn't actually any "origin sin". Jesus supposedly died on the Cross to save humankind from "original sin". If there isn't any "original sin" from which to be saved, then Jesus Christ's death on the Cross is pretty pointless and meaningless. Evidently, there were many generations of people prior to the 76th generation before Christ spawned by Adam. So then, Adam, Eve and original sin are mythological. There is neither any "first man" nor "original sin" throughout human evolution. Thus, Jesus Christ having died on the cross to save mankind from "original sin" is not reality but is rather quite mythological.
However, the Australian aborigines have evidently been in Australia for over a thousand consecutive generations. Reference: Aboriginal Australians - Wikipedia
There have been hundreds of generations of Native Americans between the time their common ancestry migrated from Asia until the time of Christ.
Reference: Native Americans in the United States - Wikipedia
The Bible falsely claims there were only 77 generations between Christ and the first man; when people have indeed actually existed for thousands of generations, which proves the Bible and Christianity as being false.
Adam as being the first man and perpetrator of "original sin" is an important premise of Christianity. If Adam wasn't the first man, then there isn't actually any "origin sin". Jesus supposedly died on the Cross to save humankind from "original sin". If there isn't any "original sin" from which to be saved, then Jesus Christ's death on the Cross is pretty pointless and meaningless. Evidently, there were many generations of people prior to the 76th generation before Christ spawned by Adam. So then, Adam, Eve and original sin are mythological. There is neither any "first man" nor "original sin" throughout human evolution. Thus, Jesus Christ having died on the cross to save mankind from "original sin" is not reality but is rather quite mythological.
PureX
Veteran Member
And what do you see as being the advantage to oneself in doing this?
PureX
Veteran Member
No, because there is no way for any of us to determine what the truth is about the nature or existence of "God". From the human perspective, God exists as a human ideal. What exist of God beyond that is a mystery. And pretending that we do know when we don't is just dishonest self-delusion.
However, accepting that we do not know, but choosing to trust in the ideal, anyway, is an act of faith. And acting on faith can and does provide us with positive options in life that we would not otherwise have. So the goal in not the dishonest pretense of knowledge masquerading as "faith". The goal is to employ actual faith in the face of our unknowing.
Koldo
Outstanding Member
I am afraid I can't properly answer your question because I don't frame accepting/rejecting truth claims as a matter of 'What's in it for me?'. The closer I can get to answering it is by saying that truth itself is the advantage. Truth is not a mean to an end, but rather an end by itself.
I think with religion, one of the key components is seeking to discover what is actually true. In lieu of just trying to figure out what feels best or you like the most, I think the pursuit of God should start with the question of: What is true? (And following: Who is God? What are the sources of knowing who God is? What are the different religions? What are the evidences for each? Which is most plausible? Which are based in truth? ) The discovery process that is unveiled as you begin to investigate that question can be incredibly beneficial in moving you towards a religion.
Serpent Child
Member
Maybe study and explore each religion before you make a decision? Christianity is not the only religion...
PureX
Veteran Member
Ah, you're a "true believer", then. "True believers" believe they already have the truth, via 'scientism' or religion, makes little difference.
Koldo
Outstanding Member
Far from that. I don't believe I already have the truth. Unless by truth you mean knowing there is a lot I don't know.
Honestly I am bemused you interpreted it that way.
PureX
Veteran Member
If you think that what you believe to be true, is true, because you believe it is, then you are a "true believer". Same as any religious fundamentalist is. It's the new religion of 'scientism' wherein facts masquerade as 'truth' because that's the way the ego wants it.
Koldo
Outstanding Member
I suggest you read again what I have written. What I have said has absolutely nothing to do with what you are saying. Take your time and read it as many times as you need.
Hint: I have never said that what I believe is true because I believe it.
Well i am not into "believe" "not believe" or "agnosticism". I sort of understand it but not really. Cant help you but, i do know that is not the only thing there is .....
idea
Question Everything
I think a lot of people are choosing to be known as "spiritual but not affiliated" right now. It allows you all the benefits of spirituality without any of the baggage that comes with religious organizations. Personally, I like to contemplate many different books, and address my prayers to any benevolent loving spirits out there who are kind enough to take pity on little old me, to guide and direct my paths for good... I figure that is all that is really needed.
Best wishes to you!
can you clarify this?
the tyranny of choiceI have good news for you, Thirza. Whatever kind of God or Goddess you want to believe in, Hinduism has them.