Divine Hiddenness

[sexysadie]

True. Anyone who is respectful of others deserves respect in return regardless of what they believe. Imo Christians are more guilty of disrespecting someone because of his belief (or lack thereof) than atheists are (although I could be biased). This is not because Christians are bad people, they're not. I think most people are basically decent people. But for some reason Christians seem to have difficulty separating a person from their beliefs. While I think all people deserve respect, I do not think all beliefs deserve respect. Even cherished beliefs are fair game. In the end I can make a case that a particular belief is unreasonable or even silly. But I would never wish to tell someone what they are allowed to believe. I believe in free thought.

I will not apologize for starting religious threads. I like to encourage people to think about their beliefs. I like to encourage critical thinking in general. It's good for the mind. It's good for society. It's why many people such as myself come to forums in the first place.

I agree, that's what I was trying to say in an earlier post, I think it's healthy and a good thing to discuss this topic but the disrespect I'm talking about is just this doll. You don't believe, ok, that's your choice, but I DO.....isn't that MY choice...am I to be labelled pyscho or insane because of it? Examples...

So yeah, any notions of God as pushed by religion has been proved to be utter nonsense.

God, as worshipped in organised religion, is just insanity.

As far as speaking with God the conversation is one way. As far as God speaking to you, anything that happens in you head is suspect.



Now you tell me how I would get the idea that I'm being disrespected?

I'd have to get Jesus himself to stand in front of you all and part the atlantic ocean before I'd get any one of you to budge. You want miracles as an argument....and since I personally am unable to perform miracles .........I'm left with my faith alone and the knowledge that He does exist, and not only in my mind like most of you seem to want to use as an excuse to commit me....lol...the sad part here is that you know this and thats where your conviction begins and ends. But that's also where faith comes into play and the ability to admit and to open your mind to the idea that there are some things out there that just can't be explained away.

Don't you see.....my earlier point about me not starting threads like this says it all....think about it. YOU started this thread....why? If God is total nonsense they why not just ignore those who believe in Him? You could, but you don't.....do you want to know what that says to me?

Ohhhhhhhh you don't wanna know mista!!

 

[sexysadie]

tell that to all the starving people in the world! There's a lot of people born into impossible circumstances. By saying we create our own circumstances, you're simply blaming them for their plight...

I do like the idea behind the secret. I read the book a couple of years ago. I don't believe in the law of attraction per se. It does encourage you to work towards something, and it will come. That kind of makes perfect sense, but I don't think there isn't anything mystical about it tho.

Wouldn't it be easy for God to reach down and solve all of the worlds problems? But what would that teach us? Yes, we'd all be believers......what choice would we have right? ( and then what???)

Myself, I think that God is disappointed in the lot of us for not getting it. It's not God's fault that there are starving people in the world, he's given us the resources we need to live.... Perhaps He's waiting for me to reach out and do something....perhaps He's waiting for you ed.

 

[Minor Axis]

Several of those questions are the same ones I have, especially the first.

I don't believe in luck. I think we create our circumstances. Law of attraction kind of thing. http://thesecret.tv/living.html

Luck is an interesting word. It connotates good or bad fortune. The question one must consider is if this is a randomized occurrence, being lucky or it is being directed at you by some unknown power. It also depends upon how it is applied. If you work your butt off in school, get great grades, and are hired at a great job, some of this you made happen, but what if there are 100 applicants for your one job and you get picked because the interviewer liked that you are female and black because they are looking for diversity? Did you earn it or were you lucky or maybe a little of both? The other application of luck is that you are stopped at a stop light and a speeding semi looses it brakes behind you and runs over your car. Bad luck? Purely in the wrong place at the wrong time? Or were you out of favor that day with the higher power?

I submit that individual effort will get you ahead, but there are still factors of an unknown origin working upon you. I think "luck" is a valid concept although I can't say how much it directs your life. I believe you can make your luck as far as increasing your odds of success but this does not assure success. In other words you can't totally mitigate forces beyond your control. It could simply be random roll of the dice chance.

 

[Peter Parka]

Wouldn't it be easy for God to reach down and solve all of the worlds problems? But what would that teach us?

What does letting people suffer pain and misery teach us? From what I've seen the innocent are the ones who get hurt by it and the evil dictactors ect are the ones who learn nothing because living the life of riley, they dont need too.

 

[edgray]

Wouldn't it be easy for God to reach down and solve all of the worlds problems? But what would that teach us? Yes, we'd all be believers......what choice would we have right? ( and then what???)

Myself, I think that God is disappointed in the lot of us for not getting it. It's not God's fault that there are starving people in the world, he's given us the resources we need to live.... Perhaps He's waiting for me to reach out and do something....perhaps He's waiting for you ed.

perhaps.

I think if there is a God, a creator, I very much doubt he even knows that we exist.

You know, humans are coming close to creating a universe of their own in a laboratory. Does that make them Gods over everything in their new universe?

 

[sexysadie]

perhaps.

I think if there is a God, a creator, I very much doubt he even knows that we exist.

You know, humans are coming close to creating a universe of their own in a laboratory. Does that make them Gods over everything in their new universe?

I think they'd like to think so.

 

[sexysadie]

What does letting people suffer pain and misery teach us? From what I've seen the innocent are the ones who get hurt by it and the evil dictactors ect are the ones who learn nothing because living the life of riley, they dont need too.

Maybe it teaches us compassion for others. If a man is drowning I wouldn't wait for God to come along in a dingy to save him, I'd do something about it myself, and maybe, just maybe thats what it's all about.

 

[edgray]

I think they'd like to think so.

but the point is, they would be Gods by our definitions, no? Creators of the universe?

 

[Peter Parka]

Maybe it teaches us compassion for others. If a man is drowning I wouldn't wait for God to come along in a dingy to save him, I'd do something about it myself, and maybe, just maybe thats what it's all about.

I'm sure that people being tortured in other countries are so grateful to god because in his infinate wisdom, he's decided that providing people with someone to feel sorry for is more important than a just society.:sarcasm

 

[sexysadie]

but the point is, they would be Gods by our definitions, no? Creators of the universe?

I guess that would depend upon your definition.

 

[sexysadie]

I'm sure that people being tortured in other countries are so grateful to god because in his infinate wisdom, he's decided that providing people with someone to feel sorry for is more important than a just society.:sarcasm

He didn't torture anybody....

 

[edgray]

I guess that would depend upon your definition.

Well, being able to create a universe would be one I guess.

So would that make them Gods?

 

[Minor Axis]

What does letting people suffer pain and misery teach us? From what I've seen the innocent are the ones who get hurt by it and the evil dictactors ect are the ones who learn nothing because living the life of riley, they dont need too.

What would we learn if we led a spoiled (spoiled as in carefree) life and had no challenges? If there is a creator who cares, I don't believe he micromanages our lives. However there could be unknown forces which act upon us to alter outcomes. Considering how little we know, I'm not going to limit my considerations to the obvious.

 

[sexysadie]

Well, being able to create a universe would be one I guess.

So would that make them Gods?

Is there one among them who is eternal?

 

[sexysadie]

What would we learn if we led a spoiled (spoiled as in carefree) life and had no challenges? If there is a creator who cares, I don't believe he micromanages our lives. However there could be unknown forces which act upon us to alter outcomes. Considering how little we know, I'm not going to limit my considerations to the obvious.

Well said.

 

[Peter Parka]

He didn't torture anybody....

But seeing he's all powerful who could have prevented it, no? Oh wait, being a genocidal maniac, he likes people who torture others

What would we learn if we led a spoiled (spoiled as in carefree) life and had no challenges? If there is a creator who cares, I don't believe he micromanages our lives. However there could be unknown forces which act upon us to alter outcomes. Considering how little we know, I'm not going to limit my considerations to the obvious.

Big difference to leading spoilt carefree lives than being tortured to death in concentration camps ect, I'm sure you'll agree

 

[edgray]

Is there one among them who is eternal?

how do you know God is eternal?

 

[Peter Parka]

how do you know God is eternal?

Because she has faith. lol

 

[sexysadie]

how do you know God is eternal?

He's created the Heavens and the Earth. He's existed throughout history before time began. Everything that I know and love about God is eternal.........otherwise He would not be God. I won't sit here and suggest that I totally understand the concept of eternity, nobody really does, and God doesn't expect us to understand it. To you and I, time and it's limitations MUST exist....otherwise we have no choice but to deem ourselves vulnerable to something we don't understand. We consider ourselves strong and independent not to mention wise beyond words....we look at ourselves and what we are capable of, what we contribute and then we look at God and what he's done and suddenly we feel weak and powerless....Sometimes I believe our egos are the only thing standing between us and God.

 

[sexysadie]

Because she has faith. lol

You say that like it's a terrible thing. You're wrong of course..lol...but faith is not so bad, I'm proud of mine...it took me to Hell and back to gain it. You don't know me, I know, so perhaps it's easy for you to sit there in judgement of me. You laugh at me because of my beliefs.....where do you get the gaul? If I were to laugh and make fun of you because you DON'T believe then you'd in turn question my Christianity.