Religion

You're right Mike. We were brought back into light. We do tend towards darkness. Does man really have an empty spirit? Because of our sins, are we really human or are we devils? This is what I used to ask myself, Is it ok to hate the world? Are these neccessary questions?

 

I was brought up Christian so a lot of my moral settings lean that way but then again other religions seem to have moral settings that are like minded to an extent (e.g. don't kill)

And I do believe in God however I don't trust -nor do I like- most of the [organized] religions today. I think they might have God all wrong and although they are trying to do good by bringing humans together in harmony, they tend to screw up by forcing their beliefs on other people. (E.g. You'll burn in Hell for not following our ways) At the moment though I'm studying Zen and I'm reading Descretes, after which I'll read other philosophy books within my reach.

 

I think Mike might have answered this already, but I might as well too. Yes, God knows. He knows everything. Everything that has happened, everything that will happen, and everything that could've happened. Truly infinite knowledge.

 

lol I was too late to edit...I was actually meaning to ask dark knight Genesis what his religion was.

I personally don't think 'conversions' are right...here's my outlook on the whole thing (I suppose it's about time I set the records straight, I have been playing the neutral party or 'devil's advocate' for much of these discussions).

Here are my beliefs (These aren't really for discussion purposes...I'm just sharing since you did):

1) I find I fit best with Roman Catholicism...although there are always things you have to question in any religion (but as I've been saying numerous times, the flaws of people such as exploitation or being unable to answer a question, say nothing about God). Why Catholicism? Well first and foremost, I like the Christian message. I'd like to believe God, first and foremost, exists...and also that He loves us enough to make such a sacrifice for us. It 'makes me feel nice' basically. I also feel slightly compelled to believe this, for whatever reason. The reason I click with Catholicism and not a different Christian denomination is that I believe we should honour saints and ask them for help...like an extended family. This includes Mary, since I believe God follows his own rules (and 'honours his mother'). Again, this 'makes me feel nice.' I sometimes question whether or not following the Pope is the right thing to do (and considered an Eastern Orthodoxy denomination at one point). This is the source of a good chunk of political issues with the church...but I do think in the end I agree with it, much like going to see a brain surgeon (specialist) when you have a specific problem...and you can't 'pick and choose' the rules you want to follow.

What I particularly like about Catholicism, is that in the 'Cathechism' (basically like a Catholic 'rule-book' for good living), it says no one has the right to force their beliefs on another who is unwilling...however when an innocent party is being wronged, then you are to stand up for it (such as abortion, for example). This means no Catholic should be trying to convert anyone, and instead should trust God knows what He's doing...but of course some Catholics don't follow this philosophy, which in my opinion is wrong...it's this philosophy that makes a whole wack of sense to me.

2) The way I differ from many (or even most) Catholics however, is that I don't really live bound by the religion itself (this is a question which plagues me..."Am I just making up exceptions for myself? Or am I actually making sense?" Some nights I stay awake at night, fearful that I'm doing bad in this world, and that I'm just being duped). I live by some simple principles:

-God exists
-God is perfection
-People are flawed, and dumb...essentially, limitations are in place which prevent us from knowing the whole story...probably for a good reason.

If this ever contradicts Catholic teachings, I assume that I am flawed and that I simply can't see how my logic is wrong.

3) For these reasons, I believe that either Hell does not exist, or is temporary...and that the word 'eternity' has a different meaning than we think (we simply can't comprehend it). I believe God created the universe perfectly, so that everything works out in the end.

-Suppose one being (like say the devil) was bound forever in Hell. God knew well in advance, prior to his creation that he would turn and fall into Hell...but then how could God make him, in good conscience? Wouldn't God be willfully creating something just to suffer? Why then, couldn't God have created the universe so that he did NOT just suffer? (Maybe for some amount of time, and then gets his in the end) God can do anything right?

-Furthermore, why didn't God just create everyone in heaven? Because everyone would have to be completely identical...don't think that has quite the same effect, right? If anyone was any different, ingratitude, and jealousy would ensue, and it wouldn't be heaven. "This person has blue eyes! I want blue eyes!" So how do you rectify this, and make everyone unique? Well, exactly as He has done...give us different paths, which ultimately wind up at the same end result, so that no one questions another's pleasures in heaven.

4) I do not know why God created us, nor can I ever hope to understand it in this lifetime...I simply hope it is out of his agape (Ah-gah-pee), his pure love.

 

My religion is Methodist. and could you answer my questions?

 

Unfortunately, any answer I give (by my own philosophy even haha) would be far from the truth...because I don't really get the big picture. No one does.

That's why you have to follow your instincts...your gut impulses. If God is real, then He communicates with you through your impulses. You believe what you believe for a reason...embrace those feelings, and you'll be fine.

The questions are not necessary for everyone...but for you, they may be of utmost importance.

 

Ok, but is it ok to hate the world? I ask this Mike because I hate the world for trig become complete. Its an complete world and it will never be better.

 

I have the same struggle... But I think people have some good in them...something worth loving.

"Love your neighbour as yourself."

I'm having a hard time looking past the bad things people do too...you're not alone in that. It's not ideal, but it's understandable.

 

Thank you Mike. Maybe one day I can look past the darkness and further into the light.

 

Just saying in here, Mary is a big role model (For lack of a better word) in the Muslim world. The Qur'an actually goes in depth into Mary's life and pregnancy, and there was no John/Paul/Matt/Whatever the hell his name is with her.

 

The Quran doesn't mention Joseph...doesn't mean he wasn't there. It never explicitly says "There was no Joseph."

The Quran doesn't mention all 12 sons of Israel either...it only names a few. Does this mean there were not 12 sons of Israel?

Besides, the Quran is supposed to be taken in addition to the bible, not in lieu of it.

 

Amen. Amen.

 

Hare, I don't know if people that you saw be forcing their religion on you, but I'm not one of those christians or catholics who be doing that. I only give you help from the bible so you can take that & have a better life, not to just "IF YOU DON'T STOP DRINKING LIQUOR YUKOU, GOD WILL DAMNED YOU BY THE NAME OF JESUS!" or anything like that. I don't do that. Either I give you something to help you or try a different approach to help you while I still don't force my belief on you. I just tell you what I've learned. That's all.

I don't know if they find this all wrong about God, but I do know that there is a God who created us & is our father. Also, Mike, even though it's hard to love someone else even though they did do something cruel unto you, you still have to love them, because if you do, it says something about coals of fire falling on evil in the bible if you do good unto them instead of evil for evil. Um... what's a Methodist?

 

Why you got to use me as an example? Huh?

 

I have nothing against you Yukou. I have a big love for you regardless of what you do,but seeing that guests & googlists be watching these threads, some of those who are christians who do force their religions on others may be like "Yukou is a terrible person. He must repent for his ways or he'll be damned! he do too much cursing & he's a atheist. He must be healed!" -_- Think about that Yukou when someone force that on you. As for me, I don't force any religion on you because I care about you. ^^

 

our choices are our weapons in our own internal struggle.
we are battleing our sin. That is life's mission.

 

theres a thread about the meaning of life...but on the real topic, you really cant explain gods power, i do belive in him, but how can scientist say that this was made this way in space, how the world was made from a explosion, a destroyed planet? form atoms, no, god. i'm a JW(Jehovah wittiness), so i thnik that how scentist try and figure out is not beacuse they dont got faith.

 

In the bible, it's very simple: "Love your neighbour as yourself." It's part of the ten commandments...it's a very black and white issue.

In the real world however, people struggle, people sin, and people have hardships. Some people have problems trusting in a higher power for instance, and they flipflop between being believers and nonbelievers.

Personally I don't have a problem with that, and instead have an issue trusting people.

As I posted above, a Catholic is supposed to trust others, and God above all. You're supposed to trust that they are following 'their path' so to speak, that they know what they're doing spiritually. You aren't supposed to take it upon yourselves as a personal mission to convert someone who is unwilling (but of course everyone is capable of going a bit overboard).

As for myself, I don't trust people...I don't trust that they will make good decisions for their bodies and their souls (infact, I'm convinced they won't).

So shouldn't I be taking it upon myself to convert people/help them to make good decisions?

No...because my sin is: I don't give a damn.


Like I said...I'm trying to change this, trying to love people and hope for the best, but as it stands now, quite frankly, I think people (in general, no one specific) are stupid and incapable of doing things right. I don't have this love of people I'm supposed to...

I can believe in an all-powerful God, but I can't bring myself to believe in people...because I can see what they're like.

 

I believe that categorizes as Sloth lol

 

Again Mike, your wisdom shows through your words. I agree with you all the way. In God I trust, but people no. We are all to sinful to even trust ourselves, so then how should we trust others?

No, that categorizes as Truth.