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Post by Dubious Disciple (xdc) on Dec 29, 2015 19:27:00 GMT -5
Let's pull it together. I scanned the pages and found this (please pardon my masculine language)
1. God is felt by many, not felt by many. Those who feel God may have wildly different opinions about him, but it does not seem to matter to God. It is the type of person, not the religious background they come from, that determines whether they experience God.
2. We feel God in times of high emotion. Writings (like the Bible) seem to have little influence. This apparently is a heart thing, not a head thing. Emotions can wash over us and leave us dizzy or crying or ecstatic or filled with a sense of universal purpose and connectivity. A common word used to describe the experience is "love".
3. We didn't talk about purpose, but it's long been observed that the common denominator of all surviving religions is compassion. Somehow, believers link compassion to God.
4. Some say God doesn't interfere in our lives; others say he is a source of comfort and strength. The obvious common denominator among those who obtain strength from God is belief in something greater and more meaningful than us alone. We didn't talk about this either, but maybe I can include it: Such people become so convinced of God's presence that no amount of logic will persuade them otherwise, and it might be helpful to believe in an omni-everything God.
5. Does prayer really work? There may be a slight power in prayer if the person being prayed for is aware of it. It certainly works on the mood of the person doing the praying.
6. May of us seem to WANT to find God. It's not just that materialism feels wrong, it's that we want there to be a purpose. On the other hand, others think the whole concept of a higher power or universal spirit or whatever is laughable and deserves derision.
So...what or who is God? Do we have enough to argue for a conscious being? How about just a "presence out there?" A mindless universal spirit? A gene? A chemical reaction? Total delusion and the power of persuasion?
We haven't delved much into science. We sucked at discussing the creation of the cosmos from a purely logical approach. Are we able to tackle other hard questions: NDE's, creation of life, consciousness?
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Post by Hmmmm on Dec 30, 2015 8:36:37 GMT -5
Might study about the one described in Acts
It seems they had honored many gods
They even honored a god they hadn't
yet encountered , not wanting to offend any God/god
that were as yet "unknown" to them .
Would this profit them to know there might
be an "unknown" God that was superior
to the gods they were aware of?
In this case it was likely that this GOD was looking
for them, right? (even though He knew were
they were "living")
GOD that is Looking for fellowship/family with those that are also looking
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Post by Dubious Disciple (xdc) on Dec 30, 2015 16:43:08 GMT -5
I think, "Hmmmm", that it's pure speculation to try to figure out whether anyone was profited 2,000 years ago by considering an "unknown" god. I certainly can't see any reason to think that the unknown god was looking for them. What gave you that idea?
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Post by Hmmmm on Dec 30, 2015 18:14:07 GMT -5
Acts 17: 22-34
Verse 34 says there were some that believed/cleaved
to this message from Paul
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Post by Hmmmm on Dec 31, 2015 11:05:22 GMT -5
Like to see what the culture says about
Athenian Greeks.
Seems an interesting subject how they
Arrived at the thought there 'might/is' God
be unknown to them. Obviously if
they were not aware of, they were thinking
in a sort of agnostic view, but with considerable
Reservation (enough to erect a temple in honor)
Almost like trying to take out an insurance
Policy , in case they r wrong or mistaken
about what they believe??
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Post by bubbles on Dec 31, 2015 13:44:30 GMT -5
DD
In the aftermath of all the threads have produced.
This scripture is left with me.
Matt 18:3
"Truly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
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Post by bubbles on Dec 31, 2015 13:47:08 GMT -5
I think, "Hmmmm", that it's pure speculation to try to figure out whether anyone was profited 2,000 years ago by considering an "unknown" god. I certainly can't see any reason to think that the unknown god was looking for them. What gave you that idea? What about all the verses that refer to the need of reconciliation with the father? It is him that wants the relationship renewed with his creation. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2016 4:51:57 GMT -5
DD In the aftermath of all the threads have produced. This scripture is left with me. Matt 18:3 "Truly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Yep, having that innocent trusting spirit of a child. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 2, 2016 5:00:48 GMT -5
I think, "Hmmmm", that it's pure speculation to try to figure out whether anyone was profited 2,000 years ago by considering an "unknown" god. I certainly can't see any reason to think that the unknown god was looking for them. What gave you that idea? Maybe a speculation that is rooted in deep faith might have germinated that idea/vision.  ? |
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Post by rational on Jan 2, 2016 9:52:44 GMT -5
DD In the aftermath of all the threads have produced. This scripture is left with me. Matt 18:3 "Truly I tell you unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Yep, having that innocent trusting spirit of a child. Isn't it the case for many that having the unquestioning and innocent trusting behavior of a child led them down a path with which they were not completely satisfied? Of course, complete unquestioning trust is what the leaders of any religion would like to see in their followers. |
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Post by Dubious Disciple (xdc) on Jan 2, 2016 10:13:20 GMT -5
Matthew 18:3 may be on to something. It's consistent with our findings. The innocent trusting spirit of a child may help a person experience God, even if their religion's guesses about the details of God are way off base. Rational, I'm suggesting that many people leave their religions not for lack of feeling God but for the inconsistencies of the belief system. Then, they grow to miss God ... I suppose like a grown-up misses the safety and security of being a child.
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Post by bubbles on Jan 2, 2016 12:51:15 GMT -5
Yep, having that innocent trusting spirit of a child. Isn't it the case for many that having the unquestioning and innocent trusting behavior of a child led them down a path with which they were not completely satisfied? Of course, complete unquestioning trust is what the leaders of any religion would like to see in their followers. To try to understand is futile. The word is powerful to do its own work. The discussion is not about 'leaders' it is about an unfathomable invisible power trying wanting desiring to communicate with created beings. Us. People. Humans with a soul and spirit. Not wanting that relationship and arguing debating spiritual understanding about the process wont give you understanding and how can the knowledge help you? When minds are already concluded. Not interested in change? To reach agreement on this topic there has to be experiential spiritual development. It isnt a case of being high and lofty its a case of actually humbling yourself under the mighty hand of god seeing your need of him in your life and responding accordingly. Living your life guided by scripture relationship and prayer with him. Benefiting from that in ways impossible for a non believer to grasp. The words of my mouth cannot convey the impact the blessing the comfort the joy the hope that i have in knowing him. Ive been reluctant to comment but why should I? I love the fact that there are scriptures that tease my intellect eg:' I am fearfully and wonderfully made.' So are you. Im not exclusive and neither is he. Or 'Look to the hills where your help comes from' what is there? He is there. You denying him? It does grieve him. His love has more power in it than anyone can grasp. |
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Post by rational on Jan 3, 2016 12:55:51 GMT -5
To reach agreement on this topic there has to be experiential spiritual development. It isnt a case of being high and lofty its a case of actually humbling yourself under the mighty hand of god seeing your need of him in your life and responding accordingly. Or perhaps coming to the realization that you have created an entity that you then believe you need. Which scripture? Oh, but you are exclusive. How many gods do you believe in? How many do you reject? Where do you see this demonstrated? You believe and I do not. How is life different for you, as a believer, than it is for me? Can you speak about a single event in your life that demonstrates this power that would be impossible for me, as a non-believer, to experience as well? |
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Post by Yes on Jan 3, 2016 23:56:38 GMT -5
Knowing an eternal GOD that wants us to
know Him, Whom it is to know is to receive
Everlasting Life. But to receive it we need to believe
He is, and He rewards them that diligently seek Him.
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Post by rational on Jan 4, 2016 13:38:43 GMT -5
Knowing an eternal GOD that wants us to know Him, Whom it is to know is to receive Everlasting Life. But to receive it we need to believe He is, and He rewards them that diligently seek Him. Ahh yes, the promise of eternal life. I have promised myself eternal life as well. Of course, I can't prove I can deliver on that promise. Do you have proof of the promise made to you? |
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Post by Yes on Jan 4, 2016 14:24:38 GMT -5
Yes
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Post by rational on Jan 4, 2016 15:10:17 GMT -5
Is it reproducible? Verifiable? |
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Post by Yes on Jan 4, 2016 15:47:28 GMT -5
I believe it is
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Post by rational on Jan 4, 2016 16:29:14 GMT -5
Care to share? Many would be interested in reproducible, verifiable, proof of life after death as well as the entity that made the promise. |
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Post by Yes on Jan 4, 2016 16:51:55 GMT -5
He certainly will be glad to hear/read that!! ? Your wish will be granted, that is also a promise ! Now I. will have to prove that I believe it too and that proof takes a lifetime of faith to prove . |
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Post by dmmichgood on Jan 4, 2016 18:15:40 GMT -5
Like to see what the culture says about Athenian Greeks. Seems an interesting subject how they Arrived at the thought there 'might/is' God be unknown to them. Obviously if they were not aware of, they were thinking in a sort of agnostic view, but with considerable Reservation (enough to erect a temple in honor) Almost like trying to take out an insurance Policy , in case they r wrong or mistaken about what they believe?? |
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Post by rational on Jan 4, 2016 18:32:01 GMT -5
He certainly will be glad to hear/read that!!???? Your wish will be granted, that is also a promise ! Now I. will have to prove that I believe it too and that proof takes a lifetime of faith to prove . Bottom line - you have no proof of the promise or the entity that promised it. There is nothing wrong with admitting your belief is faith-based. |
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Post by Hmmmm on Jan 4, 2016 18:37:38 GMT -5
Making predictions, eh? Where is Jimmy the Greek when we need him? ? |
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