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I am NOT Religious, I just Love G-D

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I am NOT Religious, I just Love G-D

Simple, But the truth of things

from JoeUser Forums

I subscribe to NO RELIGION in particular, even though I Identify with being a JEW because simply enough I was born one.

I find all Religion an anthema, For one very easy reason, they all subscribe to the following " OUR WAY IS THE ONLY WAY TO G-D'S HOUSE"! As soon as I hear this one statement from any religion they lose me completely. My personal belief is there are many paths to G-D's house after death and for any ONE religion to lay claim to know G-D's mind in this matter is hypocrisy to the nth degree.

No human can possibly know G-D's mind or how he feels about what it takes to get to his house. We must remember the bibles,  both old and new were written by man not the hand of G-D, far as I can tell nothing of this earth was written by G-d him or herself, so this leaves out all this religious wars in HIS name as a reason, truthfully religious wars are made because of men trying to impose their interpretation of what other men wrote on other men and women. there can be no war in G-D's name because no one can understand what G-D wants in the first place. I hear many people say their way is the only way to G-D's house; what a crock! How dare anyone think they can exclude billions of people from a loving G-D's home because they are not of the same "religion" yet I see and hear this constantly! all I have to say is world? get a clue; no one religion has locks on how to get to G-D's house after death. not a single one!

religion
36,739 views 266 replies
Reply #26 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Sodaiho, reply 23
Good Morning Everyone,MM, thank you for this article and, Zoo, for that question.  And thank you, as well, Leauki, for your question. How do we "know" anything?  Epistemological questions are one thing when directed at the empirical world, but a wholly other when directed at the metaphysical or religious worlds. Some of would say that our experiences in the world can be held as empirical evidence of God.  When we say this, however, we are still left with the epistemological question of how do we know the "evidence" is "of God"? Or, the "truth" of any one religion. I take the position of symbolic interactionism.  I believe that we are subjective creatures who create our worlds through symbols and the interaction of symbols between and within groups. This is a phenomenological approach which denies empiricism of its ground.I do not believe, therefore, that empirical evidence as such, is possible.  We know what we "think" we know, but that knowledge is always limited to our own conceptual frame of reference and the symbols we use.It is therefore possible to have multiple truths. I do believe it is possible to "know" God or "the Infinite" however.  But this "knowing" is intuitive and experiential: as soon as we create a thought or word about it, we have actually lost it. Zen practice is all about this: we practice to stop using our mind's eye to see and instead experience directly the universe as it is prior to knowledge.Be well.     

all good points, the only thing I find difficult is your use of really big words. makes it hard for this poor tenth grade educated fellow to follow. :cylon:

Reply #27 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Leauki, reply 22
but there is the religion of God... I agree with you that humans distorted His religion in many ways but it is still there.And how do you know, not believe, _know_ which religion and which god is true? 

And there is the crux of the whole situation, every "RELIGION" thinks their way is THE ONLY WAY" no proof needed. they just "KNOW!"

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Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top

And there is the crux of the whole situation, every "RELIGION" thinks their way is THE ONLY WAY" no proof needed. they just "KNOW!"

Judaism makes such claims only about Jews.

Islam accepts and respects other monotheistic religions as true (enough).

Buddhism is very tolerant towards other faiths.

Zoroastrianism traditionally accepted any religion in the Persian empire.

Hinduism makes no claims about other people's beliefs.

Until the Romans insisted that their emperor is a god people must worship the pagan religions accepted each other and everyone followed their own god.

I think we are too used to Christianity (and modern day fanatical Islam) to appreciate that GENERALLY religions were local to specific tribes or nations and made no universal claims.

 

Reply #29 from Stardock Forums Top

You see that's the problem RELIGION has led to was to many times to count with people of one religion killing anyone of a different religion in the NAME OF G-D, what a joke! IF I had my way all religion wiould be banished from the planet.

And there is the crux of the whole situation, every "RELIGION" thinks their way is THE ONLY WAY" no proof needed. they just "KNOW!"

I think it is clear that we disagree on one very simple point. You think that religion IS the problem, i think PEOPLE ARE the problem.

and let's assume All religions were banished as you wish? then what? ...

You know better MM !!! people will find a way to do their miserable fights ... and if they cant find it ... i can assure you that they will invent it ...

I personally think religions are keeping those fights to a minimum !!!

At least no one can deny that religions are giving all of us very similar codes of morality ... can you imagine what kind of mess we would have if every group invented their own code????

 

Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top



At least no one can deny that religions are giving all of us very similar codes of morality ... can you imagine what kind of mess we would have if every group invented their own code????




That's what they did. That's what the different religions are.

 

Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top

MM,  my sincere apologies.  In my classes at Temple, Zen Center, and colleges, people have said the same thing.  I forget I am one of those "pointy heads" :) and that I need to remain mindful and define terms.

Epistemology is the branch of philosophy which addresses how we know what we think we know.

Phenomenology is a later philosophical school that argues for the subjectivity of things and asks us to investigate the thing for itself.

Empiricism is that school of philosophy which argues for the "objective" nature of things and says that what is true is only what we can test and verify through our senses.

Symbolic Interactionism is a sociological theory that derived from phenomenology and that argues for the subjective nature of our understanding of each other and our world through symbols we assign to various aspects of that world.

I hope this helps.  Again, my apologies.

Be well.

 

Reply #32 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Sodaiho, reply 31


MM,  my sincere apologies.  In my classes at Temple, Zen Center, and colleges, people have said the same thing.  I forget I am one of those "pointy heads" and that I need to remain mindful and define terms.
Epistemology is the branch of philosophy which addresses how we know what we think we know.
Phenomenology is a later philosophical school that argues for the subjectivity of things and asks us to investigate the thing for itself.
Empiricism is that school of philosophy which argues for the "objective" nature of things and says that what is true is only what we can test and verify through our senses.
Symbolic Interactionism is a sociological theory that derived from phenomenology and that argues for the subjective nature of our understanding of each other and our world through symbols we assign to various aspects of that world.
I hope this helps.  Again, my apologies.
Be well.
 

No apoligies needed, tis my own fault that I remain so lacking in education. I need to use the dictionary more so I can keep up with you. Please do NOT stop using big words.

Reply #33 from Stardock Forums Top

hey mm..

check your private messages! :D

Reply #34 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting KellyW0498, reply 33


hey mm..
check your private messages!

will do right now.

Reply #35 from Stardock Forums Top

KellyW0498on Nov 17, 2008

Check your PERSONAL E-mail.

Reply #36 from JoeUser Forums Top

OUR WAY IS THE ONLY WAY TO G-D'S HOUSE

Introduction of Legalism?

My personal belief is there are many paths to G-D's house after death and for any ONE religion to lay claim to know G-D's mind in this matter is hypocrisy to the nth degree.

Fundamentally there is only one way: Faith.  Where I see the error is in what 'one' thinks that looks like.  There isn't an objective view of faith it is purely subjective.  I think religions confuse holiness (observance of set of laws/rules) as faith. 

Salvation can only be found in Faith in G-D.  Salvation is the key that lets you into G-D's house.  There are no man made laws/rules that one can do to replace faith.

Reply #37 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Adventure-Dude, reply 36
OUR WAY IS THE ONLY WAY TO G-D'S HOUSEIntroduction of Legalism?My personal belief is there are many paths to G-D's house after death and for any ONE religion to lay claim to know G-D's mind in this matter is hypocrisy to the nth degree.Fundamentally there is only one way: Faith.  Where I see the error is in what 'one' thinks that looks like.  There isn't an objective view of faith it is purely subjective.  I think religions confuse holiness (observance of set of laws/rules) as faith. Salvation can only be found in Faith in G-D.  Salvation is the key that lets you into G-D's house.  There are no man made laws/rules that one can do to replace faith.

Yep pretty much how I feel about the subject.

Reply #38 from JoeUser Forums Top

I like this quote from R.Scott Bakker's Thousandfold Thought:

 

They excuse themselves and heap blame upon others. They glorify their
peoples over other peoples, their nation over other nations. They focus
their fears on the innocent. And when they hear words such as these,
they recognize them -- but as defects belonging to others. They are
children who have learned to disguise their tantrums from their wives
and their fellows, and from themselves most of all...

No man says, 'They are chosen and we are damned.' No worldborn man.
They have not the heart for Truth.

 

Still, though I'm pretty much an ardent secularist as well as atheist/agnostic, my girlfriend - one of the strongest women I will ever know - believes in God. I do wonder how someone could deal with all the things that have happened to her and still believe not only in the goodness of people but also forgive.

One of the most incredible moments was when praying with her, she did the usual think of your family, think of your friends, etc. Then she ended with "Let us pray for our enemies". It was pretty intense and I still think about it a lot, this idea of loving your enemies. I know its not a knew idea but coming from her it really hit home.

Reply #39 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting grokTheSystem, reply 38
I like this quote from R.Scott Bakker's Thousandfold Thought: They excuse themselves and heap blame upon others. They glorify theirpeoples over other peoples, their nation over other nations. They focustheir fears on the innocent. And when they hear words such as these,they recognize them -- but as defects belonging to others. They arechildren who have learned to disguise their tantrums from their wivesand their fellows, and from themselves most of all...No man says, 'They are chosen and we are damned.' No worldborn man.They have not the heart for Truth. Still, though I'm pretty much an ardent secularist as well as atheist/agnostic, my girlfriend - one of the strongest women I will ever know - believes in God. I do wonder how someone could deal with all the things that have happened to her and still believe not only in the goodness of people but also forgive.One of the most incredible moments was when praying with her, she did the usual think of your family, think of your friends, etc. Then she ended with "Let us pray for our enemies". It was pretty intense and I still think about it a lot, this idea of loving your enemies. I know its not a knew idea but coming from her it really hit home.

Just the fact that she can pray for her enemies shows how deep her faith runs, you are a lucky man to have her in your life.

Reply #41 from JoeUser Forums Top

Fundamentally there is only one way: Faith. Where I see the error is in what 'one' thinks that looks like. There isn't an objective view of faith it is purely subjective. I think religions confuse holiness (observance of set of laws/rules) as faith.

Salvation can only be found in Faith in G-D. Salvation is the key that lets you into G-D's house. There are no man made laws/rules that one can do to replace faith.

Excellent AD.  Well said. 

 

Reply #42 from JoeUser Forums Top

Just the fact that she can pray for her enemies shows how deep her faith runs, you are a lucky man to have her in your life.

Ditto.

Reply #43 from JoeUser Forums Top

I believe in ALL the Gods. (Long live the Gods, all the Gods that are dead.)

I also believe that all the Gods are ONE God. We just call him/her/it different things.

The main message, as George Carlin once pointed out, is the same no matter which God you worship..."Don't be a dick."

I believe that there are so many paths to God that any decent human being would have to try *very* hard not to be on one, even unwittingly.

Walk on, my brother. You're headed in the right direction.

Three of these statements started with the word "I."  Have you ever read Isaiah 14? 

Where does Satan fit in as the "god of this world?"  Certainly you can't believe he and Jesus are both leading us in the same direction? 

Also, how do you reconcile what you said with say....."Have no 'other God's' before me" which we all know is the very first commandment?  How about Joshua 24:14-15? 

 

Reply #44 from JoeUser Forums Top

Also, how do you reconcile what you said with say....."Have no 'other God's' before me" which we all know is the very first commandment?

That's weird, KFC. I took it for granted that LW is neither Christian nor Jew nor Muslim and therefore doesn't believe in those commandments.


Are you praying towards Mecca five times a day just because somebody else's religion says you should?

 

Reply #45 from JoeUser Forums Top

An excellent point, subtly discerned, Leauki. God is far larger than any one religion. We cannot use text in one faith's revelation to prove or disprove another faith's revelation. He says His name is "I Am that I Am"  or "I will Be what I will Be".  Every group has its own capacity for understanding and appreciating God; He speaks to each in His own way that will be acceptable to them. So how is one true and the other not?

 

Be well.

Reply #46 from JoeUser Forums Top

So how is one true and the other not?

I have no problem admitting that G-d might have sent other prophets to other peoples (like Zoroaster to the Iranians). I don't even have a problem not distuingishing between truth told by a self-declared prophet with no contact whatsoever with G-d and the word of G-d.

If G-d created this world, then everything true said in it is G-d's own words, created by Him and unchanged by humanity's free will; just like characters in a book an author writes speak only what the author wants them to speak.

Zoroaster, for all I know, told the truth. So the question of whether he was a prophet or not is academic.

 

Reply #47 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting Leauki, reply 45
Also, how do you reconcile what you said with say....."Have no 'other God's' before me" which we all know is the very first commandment?That's weird, KFC. I took it for granted that LW is neither Christian nor Jew nor Muslim and therefore doesn't believe in those commandments.Are you praying towards Mecca five times a day just because somebody else's religion says you should? 

Plus the Idolatry part of Catholicism always gets me, so many Catholics bowing before a graven image of Christ on the cross and statues of Mary. This is a big no no according to the ten commandments.

Reply #48 from JoeUser Forums Top

Plus the Idolatry part of Catholicism always gets me, so many Catholics bowing before a graven image of Christ on the cross and statues of Mary. This is a big no no according to the ten commandments.

Belief in a trinity is already a violation of the first two commandments. The images are a violation of the third. Assigning a "son" to G-d is a violation of the fourth.

Changing the day of rest from Saturday to Sunday is a violation of the fifth.

Rephrasing the sixth commandments as "kill" instead of "murder" is a violation of the principle that G-d's law doesn't change.

None of this matters as the commandments are neither ten nor for everyone.

Little-Whip's interpretation appears to be that the commandments are a Jewish thing, possibly very intelligent and good laws, but she is not Jewish and hence they have no particular legal meaning for her. I see it the same way.

 

 

Reply #49 from JoeUser Forums Top

The main message, as George Carlin once pointed out, is the same no matter which God you worship..."Don't be a dick."

I think that sums it up quite nicely.

Reply #50 from JoeUser Forums Top

Quoting little-whip, reply 43
The main message, as George Carlin once pointed out, is the same no matter which God you worship..."Don't be a dick."

Maybe in monotheism, in my religon you sometimes have to be a dick.