[analogbear]

Originally Posted by TKDmasterZ

Analogbear, glad that you've taken and continued to pursue the path, and that you have yet to conclude your search. I am very deeply involved with learning and teaching martial arts, and even within this discipline, there is a component of human trying to reach the deeper self, to find the meaning of life and transcend the superficial nature of what we perceive as our physical world. Although there is nothing biblical or religious about my martial art practice, there are so many common factors that helps both discipline. In fact, I am also finding that even riding the motorcycle has religious and spiritual component to it. It is a perspective on life and the things in it.

Although I see many holes in your view on religion, and feel your prejudice against Christianity, I do not judge any one human being to be superior than other just because of their view on God. I feel no different than you about so many things of this world and even Chritianity. The difference is that I found God in my own way and there is nothing in this world will turn me away from the faith, as it has become the most valuable part of my life. You can call me whatever you like, but I know I am nothing without God.

Good luck and ride safe!

Good luck, god bless and take care. Just know my "prejudice" as you call it is not just against christianity (which, in some of its historical forms, was much more akin to what I believe), but is in fact against all modern organized religions that claim to represent the "truth" of the supernatural aspects of the divine...

All my best,
ABear

[leatherlilly]

Originally Posted by Lothring

The Interview With God Presentation

Have you seen this presentation? And what you think about it? Why are we always unsatisfied?

I saw this presentation a while ago and foudn it to be a gentle reminder to embrace the day as though it weremy last one not to waste a bit of time on unecessary stressors and disagreeable things. I was reminded to forgive those that are truly too ignorant to know the peace of belief in a greater being.

It matters not to me what you call that higher power...essentailly the majority of religions agree that ther eis a higher power...but choose to call that power alternative names..... a rose by any other name is still a rose

[dicknose]

Originally Posted by leatherlilly

It matters not to me what you call that higher power...essentailly the majority of religions agree that ther eis a higher power...but choose to call that power alternative names..... a rose by any other name is still a rose

Actually it does matter.
The big 3 might technically have the same God, but all 3 say that they are the only way. If you are in one of the other religions you are either worshiping a false idol or arent acknowledging the "one true way"

How can a Jew go to Christian heaven if they dont accept Christ?
How can a Christian go to jewish heaven if they are worshiping a person as God.

They are incompatible and at most only 1 of them (and possibly none) are correct.

And the religions themselves say it matters what you call God.

[analogbear]

Originally Posted by dicknose

Actually it does matter.
The big 3 might technically have the same God, but all 3 say that they are the only way. If you are in one of the other religions you are either worshiping a false idol or arent acknowledging the "one true way"

How can a Jew go to Christian heaven if they dont accept Christ?
How can a Christian go to jewish heaven if they are worshiping a person as God.

They are incompatible and at most only 1 of them (and possibly none) are correct.

And the religions themselves say it matters what you call God.

But, that is the only area where these religions really differ...In the qualification of god's divinity, and any divinity of his prophets. That is why I think ALL of them are wrong on this point. It is not essential to the life lessons of each, and frankly, any human attempt to describe the nature of an infinite being/presence, etc. would be futile at best, and just flat out wrong at worst. Humans, whether now (with some degree of sophistication) or 'then" (absolute ignorance abounding in the population) are limited. That limitation, OBVIOUSLY will limit the sense of understanding of any infinite construct. So, why waste time? Live, love, and stop arguing about the ONE part of ALL religions that is most unproveable!

[leatherlilly]

Originally Posted by leatherlilly

I saw this presentation a while ago and foudn it to be a gentle reminder to embrace the day as though it weremy last one not to waste a bit of time on unecessary stressors and disagreeable things. I was reminded to forgive those that are truly too ignorant to know the peace of belief in a greater being.

It matters not to me what you call that higher power...essentailly the majority of religions agree that ther eis a higher power...but choose to call that power alternative names..... a rose by any other name is still a rose

dicknose if you read my post i wrote that it matters not to me.....for a rose is still a rose....I care not what others think....and well as far as the difference between christianity and judiasm....it is my understanding that judiasm doesnt believe in an after life (heaven so to speak) at least that was what my patients who were jewish and dying told me... and who am i to argue with a dying persont hat is religious??

[Got Fast?]

One quick statement before my reply. What the hell is this conversation doing on a motorcycle site..seriously wheres the relevance aside from that these machine send some of us off to our propietary gods.

But i did see one thing that ilicited a reply in my mind. Why do we need to believe in a god that has no relevance to our world. This statement adresses te very core of the issue. Given i am a bit Marxist in my beliefs but still.. God is purpose, hope, relief. Fore the few of us that are priviledged enough to adress ur wants, having all our needs taken care of God is more of a burden of guilt a restriction perhaps. After all once you have one thing that you want you move on to the next. However, for the vast majority of the population, working class and below theres not much. They are what they are with limited social mobility, income potential and security of life. They are essentially working to die nothing more than survival. This is a very bleak outlook, and it is well known how our psyche can affect our physical life, depression can lead to illness and happiness can help cure it. This majority that works essentially turning the wheels that run our societies basic functions allowing those more priviledged to pursue their goals and professions. How would they trudge through thei existence, simple a promise of better things to come. Work hard be honest dont be lazy or greedy and heaven awaits. Seeing religion from a functionalist point of view one can easily see why religion is. aside from that there are many other points to cover but im not out to write a term paper here just my 0.02$

[analogbear]

Originally Posted by Got Fast?

One quick statement before my reply. What the hell is this conversation doing on a motorcycle site..seriously wheres the relevance aside from that these machine send some of us off to our propietary gods.

But i did see one thing that ilicited a reply in my mind. Why do we need to believe in a god that has no relevance to our world. This statement adresses te very core of the issue. Given i am a bit Marxist in my beliefs but still.. God is purpose, hope, relief. Fore the few of us that are priviledged enough to adress ur wants, having all our needs taken care of God is more of a burden of guilt a restriction perhaps. After all once you have one thing that you want you move on to the next. However, for the vast majority of the population, working class and below theres not much. They are what they are with limited social mobility, income potential and security of life. They are essentially working to die nothing more than survival. This is a very bleak outlook, and it is well known how our psyche can affect our physical life, depression can lead to illness and happiness can help cure it. This majority that works essentially turning the wheels that run our societies basic functions allowing those more priviledged to pursue their goals and professions. How would they trudge through thei existence, simple a promise of better things to come. Work hard be honest dont be lazy or greedy and heaven awaits. Seeing religion from a functionalist point of view one can easily see why religion is. aside from that there are many other points to cover but im not out to write a term paper here just my 0.02$

Well, sure. The famous quote "opiate of the masses" by other words...Cool. What I meant by relevance was speaking directly to the universal failure of all major religions: a reliance on the unproveable supernatural as a bona-fide, and disputing all other religions' unprovable supernatural bona-fides... That part is not really relevant, if people can take the life lessons to heart. Why do we humans keep perpetuating interpersonal conflict over the nature of the boogey-man, vampires, invisible men, aliens, etc...All of which have the same amount of evidence.

[bladerunner02]

"I find it interesting that religious folks don't ask the (silly-sounding, I know; but still a reasonable) follow-up question...Who created god? Seriously. Where did god come from? See, as I see it, if god was always there, there is no explanation for the existence of the universe, but something created god, there is something to discover"

I think that may be the simplest question to answer....... we did.

[Got Fast?]

I think in that context its more of a matter of comfort. Obviousl enought all humans and in deed all societies sturucture their realities. these structures provide boundaries methods and a general sense of order. Perhaps the supernatural is a systems natural reaction to the unlikely. More simply put we use these incarnations to fill in the gaps that our respective system cannot explain. As far as the conflicts generated by these beliefs well, thats just an unavoidable component to human nature surfacing in yet another facet of our beeing. Not too sure whether this answer hit the mark but if not feel free to elaborate more.

[Got Fast?]

Im sure weve all asked who created god, but that is just so beyond human comprehesion in my opinion. I always thought it one impossibillity cancelling another out. I.E. we cant exist , no origin vs nothing can't exist. B takes A. Still thats a very inadequate attempt at explaining existence. The big problem here is that its all semantics. As long as we have this limited evidence all we say is theory and no one can be right butt we still all think we are

[analogbear]

Originally Posted by Got Fast?

I think in that context its more of a matter of comfort. Obviousl enought all humans and in deed all societies sturucture their realities. these structures provide boundaries methods and a general sense of order. Perhaps the supernatural is a systems natural reaction to the unlikely. More simply put we use these incarnations to fill in the gaps that our respective system cannot explain. As far as the conflicts generated by these beliefs well, thats just an unavoidable component to human nature surfacing in yet another facet of our beeing. Not too sure whether this answer hit the mark but if not feel free to elaborate more.

You are on the mark, it iremains an emotionally fueled question, and perhaps, as I have posited, it really has no relevance. Why don't we drop all the supernatural; and, trust that any infinite being, whether personal or impersonal, would be so great as to care little about what certain creatures on one small planet among the infinite others thinks about the nature of the universe and the infinite nature of god, and just try to live well.

[lanbrown]

We'll see if god shows up:
The Associated Press: Nebraska State Senator Sues God

[Got Fast?]

I bet you he will file an appeal, you know God he's a squirly one.