t_BuckeyeScott;962719; said:
BKB,
I'm not going to find the quote but you asked something like why would God give us all the choices if only one right, referring to the other religions. God gave us only 2 choice as he sees it. His way or not. To Him Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam are all the same choice.
I can certainly live with that. But, I would suggest your remark is not a belief held by many (at least not many whom I've come in contact with). Likewise, it is my contention that God doesn't really care what brand of religion you choose, so long as you truly believe in him and love him.
BayBuck;962682; said:
I'm really not trying to insult you personally, though I admit to likewise taking shots at your brand of religiosity, of which I am familiar with many other adherents--as a belief system formed within one's own mind (and without any form of eternal penalty) is indeed attractive to many people.
I cosign Gator, but would add that, saving the obvious with regard to us being our minds, I find my religion in the system of reality that surrounds us, and don't just sit by and try and make up a comfortable and pleasing belief system. That is to say, by exploring the reality around us, in every degree it can be explored, and to the extent that one can explore it, tells us about God (and, as a man who believes in God, what else could it possibly teach?). In areas like Psychology, I look for God's footprint. In anthropology... physics... whatever discipline you name, I seek what it is that is the expression of God and what it means to the "big picture" if you will.
I don't understand how in one breath a allegedly religious person will say no one man can know God, and in the other throw his entire belief system in to the hands of other men (be them an individual Priest, or writer such as CS Lewis or Muhammad, or even a group of several writers like those of the Bible. For me, it is obvious that God is there for all to see and threats of damnation and displeasing him sound in the wishes of man, not God. I am wary, I guess, of people manipulating the idea of God to control man. Hammurabi did it to gain political power, so did the Catholic church way back when... and as such, I cannot accept that which I conclude to be man controlling man through fear as the Word of God. And, while I should surely have much to learn on the issue, it's been my conclusion to this point that the Bible is filled with such stuff. Not to say there is not good in the Bible, there is..... But, I can't look past the politics. Hell, I can look at my son's eyes and know easy enough that we should Love. And if God is, so too should I love him. To the extent that the Bible says that, I agree... But, as I've tried to contend throughout all these discussions, one doesn't need the Bible to figure it out. Indeed, I think it's much easier the way I do it, because you don't even have to worry about the politics.... well, assuming you're not intent on intentionally deluding yourself.
jwinslow;962673; said:
So are there any spiritual/eternal consequences for one's actions in your belief system? Or do you simply have a more aware/spiritual life? Sort of like getting a bonus part of life the nonbelievers don't?
Well, first, the distinction between believers and non-believers - in my philosophy - is exactly no difference at all. There is no alternative to the reality that surrounds us. To me, that reality includes what I think you'd call an afterlife. So, it doesn't matter if you believe in an afterlife... if there is one, you're going to have it regardless of what you think now.
As far as spiritual/eternal consequences go, I'd guess the short answer is no. The longer answer begins with the idea of infinite amount of time to "figure it out" which, ultimately, I believe "life" is. (Life in the metaphysical sense of the word, not the human sense of it). So, I'd say the way you said "or do you simply have a more aware/spiritual life" is close to what I'd say. That is, we go through the infinite realities to learn lessons, to become God-like... to gain wisdom... to gain grace, and whatever God deems "good." At the "end" of the road, well.... I can't say I know what happens... I'm torn between the idea that we "become one" with God (and thus cease to be as a separate entity, or if something else happens.... I admit that I find the losing my separate status distasteful and that's why I don't call that idea a conclusion of mine. And, maybe that's what I'm here to learn this time....
Who knows... point is, there's no particular hurry. When I say I look in to the stars and see God, part of it is the contemplation of all the other things that exists that I should know. I believe that each of us will expirience every possible thing, in time.... And, of course, getting back to the resolution I tend to avoid (becoming one with God and losing consciousness of self), I believe that we are ourselves, as entities within nature, nothing more than God himself. Indeed, what else could we ever be, assuming there is an infinite God?
And, of those questions I cannot answer now, in time I will... and they will become as obvious to me then, as it is obvious to me now things which were so mystical when I was 10.
