The GOD Thread~

[Mole]

God bless them for trying.

They say an American is never more American than when they are alone.

And here you are alone with the sky and the sea.

Are you trying to be an American?

 

[Alea_iacta_est]

Answer my question first, then maybe I'll answer yours.

Nah, I don't think (s)he should, I think you should stick with his or her question a bit more to realize what you have walked into. Polytheism traces its roots back to before any of the organized monotheistic religions (meaning that it has a valid argument for being the first explanation for natural phenomena) and their deities have specific domains associated with them. For them, thunder was a sign of Thor's anger, any storm at sea was Poseidon's wrath, etc. In an objective perspective, the deities of polytheism are a tad more grounded in reality than the sole deity of monotheism's dominion over every aspect of nature.

 

[Coriolis]

Open letter from God/dess

The item below used to be online, but the website where it was posted seems to be gone now.

From: God/dess
To: Our Children of Earth
Re: Idiotic Religious Rivalries

Dear Children (and believe us, that’s all of you),

We consider ourselves pretty patient folks. For instance, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell, and gene by gene.

We’ve been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take Us for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again. We want to let you know about some of the things that are starting to tick Us off. First of all, your religious rivalries are driving Us up a wall. Enough already!

Let’s get one thing straight: These are YOUR religions, not Ours. We’re the whole enchilada; We’re beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there is only one of Us (which by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s Our favorite one. And each claims it’s scriptures were written personally by Us, and that all the other scriptures are man-made. Oy Vey. How do We even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense?

Okay, listen up now. We’re your Father AND Mother, and We don’t play favorites among Our children. Also, We hate to break it to you, but We don’t write. Our longhand is awful, and We’ve always been more of doers anyway. So ALL of your books, including those Bibles, were written by men and women. They were inspired, remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. We made sure of that so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living heart.

You see, one human being to Us, even a bum on the street, is worth more than all the Holy Books in the world. That’s just the kind of folks we are.

Our spirit is not a historical thing. It s alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath. Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with Us.

Which brings Us to Our next point about your nonsense. You act like We need you and your religions to stick up for Us or “win souls” for Our sake. Please, don’t do Us any favors. We can stand quite well on our own, thank you. We don’t need you to defend Us, and We don’t need constant credit. We just want you to be good to each other. And another thing, We don’t get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging Our names into your dramas.

For example, We swear to Us ::::::, that We never threatened Oral Roberts. We never rode in any of Rajneesh’s Rolls Royces. We never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and We’ve never, EVER had a conversation with Jim Baker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgment Day, We certainly intend to....

The thing is, We want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to Us. The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can become more aware of Us, not the other way around. Believe Us, We know you already. We know what’s in each of your hearts, and We love you with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy Us. That’s what religion is best for. What you seem to forget is how mysterious We are.

You look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, Well, if THIS is the truth, then THAT can’t be! But instead of trying to figure out Our Paradoxs and Unfathomable Nature, which by the way, you NEVER will, why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in all religions. You know what We’re talking about. Love and respect everyone. Be kind, even when life is scary or confusing. Take courage and be of good cheer, for We are always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear Our still, small voice. (We don’t like to shout).

Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are Our Own Children. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry, be happy. (We stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin.) Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you’re always looking for an excuse to be upset. And We’re very tired of being your main excuse.

Do you think We care whether you call Us.... Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Diana, Wakantonka, Brahma, Cerridwen, Father, Mother, God, Goddess or even the Void of Nirvana? Do you think We care which of Our special children you feel closest to, Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Gerald, Mohammed or any of the others? You can call Us and Our Special Ones any name you choose, if only you would go about Our business of loving one another as We love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?

We re not telling you to abandon your religions. Enjoy your religions, honor them, learn from them, just as you should enjoy, honor, and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs? Your religion, like your parents, may always have the most special place in your hearts, We don’t mind that at all. And We don’t want you to combine all the Great Traditions in One Big Mess. Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can find the best path for themselves.

Know that Our Special Children, the ones that your religions revolve around, all live in the same place, (Our heart), and they get along perfectly, We assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is none.

Our blessed children of Earth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotries and confusion. The whole planet is connected by air travel, satellite dishes, telephones, fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns. Get with the program! If you really want to help, then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry, clothe your naked, protect your abused, and shelter your poor. And just as importantly, make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor. We’ve given you all the resources you need, if only you abandon your fear of each other and begin living, loving and laughing together.

We’re not really ticked off. We just wanted to grab your attention because We hate to see you suffer. You have free will to choose your own paths, and We just want you to be happy.

In Perfect Love and Perfect Trust,
Us

 

[Mole]

The item below used to be online, but the website where it was posted seems to be gone now.

Yes, there is probably no God, so we can relax and enjoy life.

 

[Alea_iacta_est]

Yes, there is probably no God, so we can relax and enjoy life.

As if we weren't going to do that anyways?

 

[á´…eparted]

Answer my question first, then maybe I'll answer yours.

This is actually really quite simple:

 

[ndovjtjcaqidthi]

They say an American is never more American than when they are alone.

And here you are alone with the sky and the sea.

Are you trying to be an American?

I'm trying to be myself, Mole.

And they say all men are never more themselves than when they are alone.

And here I am, alone, with the sky and the sea.

 

[Mole]

I'm trying to be myself, Mole.

And they say all men are never more themselves than when they are alone.

And here I am, alone, with the sky and the sea.

Consider: how can you try to be yourself?

I mean, if you are not yourself, who is?

And if you are yourself, it would seem to be ridiculous to try to be what you already are.

Trying to be yourself, I would think, would be very trying.

 

[ndovjtjcaqidthi]

Consider: how can you try to be yourself?

I mean, if you are not yourself, who is?

And if you are yourself, it would seem to be ridiculous to try to be what you already are.

Trying to be yourself, I would think, would be very trying.

I have considered your post.

And it is my position that trying to remain true to myself does not mean that I am not being myself.

By the way, Mole, how ya goin'?

 

[Zangetshumody]

Enjoy your "discussion."

Potential disagreement's cannot be dealt with in actual discussion, potential disagreement can only be contained by developing some doctrine including political authoritarianism.

I'm not a National Socialist, I'm not a Utopian Communist; so I don't fall into the above pitfall.

 

[Zangetshumody]

For No true Scotsman click on http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/No_True_Scotsman

This fallacy seems to be based on the faulty assumption, that everyone calling themselves by a certain term, must all be accepted as being part of the same group, irrespective of how they define that term.

I feel your effectively saying, it's not how I choose to define Christianity that must necessarily be wrong, it's that I'm not allowed to exclude other people who lay claim to the same label.

I feel I am allowed to exclude other people's labels, because I don't believe in other people; I will believe on other people because that's what my heart of understanding allows, that is the essence of real trust.

In conclusion:
I won't [accept and] understand another person to be Christian just because they know how to pronounce or spell the word "Christian".

 

[Zangetshumody]

Yes, that is the 'wise' according to worldly definitions.

It is man that thinks seeking knowledge is the holiest of endeavors. God tells us that the only knowledge we need is knowledge of Him.

1Co 1:10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

So knowledge of him, is having the same mind as Jesus, which will only happen when you understand things like Jesus did; so you will then know what to do perfectly. That gives you peace, joy and righteousness.
God doesn't want to live in a book, he wants to live in your heart of understanding; so he can fulfill this promise:

Joh_15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

 

[Avalon]

There are many things that shouldn't exist, spontaneous human combustion, plasma orbs, God etc these things exist irrespective of our beliefs. Humans are too arrogant, we don't know anything, for what reason does these things exist, only my father in heaven knows. We should sit back and see things from a greater perspective. Our galaxy is nothing more than a spec in a sea of universes, with something greater than hyperspace at the apex. This tug and war of atheist vs theist vs thenotsosure could continue indefinitely. The only thing that will prove God and everything else, is death....

 

[Zangetshumody]

There are many things that shouldn't exist, spontaneous human combustion, plasma orbs, God etc these things exist irrespective of our beliefs. Humans are too arrogant, we don't know anything, for what reason does these things exist, only my father in heaven knows. We should sit back and see things from a greater perspective. Our galaxy is nothing more than a spec in a sea of universes, with something greater than hyperspace at the apex. This tug and war of atheist vs theist vs thenotsosure could continue indefinitely. The only thing that will prove God and everything else, is death....

Death of what exactly? Many things may be said to have died if you have a spiritual mind.

2Co_4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

 

[AphroditeGoneAwry]

Knowing and being Known by God

The Purpose Driven Life says:

Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God's greatest pleasure.

"If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me....These are the things that please me." ~Jeremiah 9:24

and

Prayer lets you speak to God; meditation lets God speak to you. Both are essential to becoming a friend of God.


love that. You?

 

[Avalon]

Death of what exactly? Many things may be said to have died if you have a spiritual mind.

2Co_4:11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

All our earthly limitations disappears upon death of the body, we'll be able to gain access to information from the cosmic computer...

 

[Zangetshumody]

All our earthly limitations disappears upon death of the body, we'll be able to gain access to information from the cosmic computer...

Without a soul, there is nothing that can experience quickening, and so you might be immortal, but your are spiritually dead.

Rom_8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1Co_15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

This is what eternal life means, as opposed to immortality, in immortality; the will is no longer free; because only mortal bodies are subject to "quickening".
We are a sort of meat machine, but it is not our thinking that should be housed by unreal hardware, we just need to erase the viruses by uploading the right software (the first of which can be called: the discerning spirit)

Scriptures dealing with the discerning spirit:
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

This is cultivating the gift of Jesus, which is the gift of the Brother/Sister (or the male spirit in all of us that gives).

Further addition:
What you say is not untrue, I just wanted to expound in an elaboration that expressly excluded a 'hollow soul' or 'hollow/empty spirit' situation.

 

[Zangetshumody]

The Purpose Driven Life says:

Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege, and being known and loved is God's greatest pleasure.

"If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and understand me....These are the things that please me." ~Jeremiah 9:24

and

Prayer lets you speak to God; meditation lets God speak to you. Both are essential to becoming a friend of God.


love that. You?

Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Which I guess brings it all back to the all important condition of our hearts of understanding.

Isa_11:2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

That scripture from Isaiah is what it means to have the spirit of the LORD. Whereas the scripture from Jeremiah expresses how its performed.

 

[AphroditeGoneAwry]

Without a soul, there is nothing that can experience quickening, and so you might be immortal, but your are spiritually dead.

Rom_8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1Co_15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

This is what eternal life means, as opposed to immortality, in immortality; the will is no longer free; because only mortal bodies are subject to "quickening".
We are a sort of meat machine, but it is not our thinking that should be housed by unreal hardware, we just need to erase the viruses by uploading the right software (the first of which can be called: the discerning spirit)

Scriptures dealing with the discerning spirit:
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

This is cultivating the gift of Jesus, which is the gift of the Brother/Sister (or the male spirit in all of us that gives).

Further addition:
What you say is not untrue, I just wanted to expound in an elaboration that expressly excluded a 'hollow soul' or 'hollow/empty spirit' situation.

I do love me some John.

 

[Mole]

By the way, Mole, how ya goin'?

I am poised between excitement and fear.