Searching for GOD...

[Leonard James]

You have got nothing worth getting Len...In comparison to what Alan has.

I have more than Alan has. I have a fulfilled life, but no false hopes for an after-life. 

[Alan Burns]

It probably depends upon what an individual considers the mind to be.  In some spiritual traditions it relates to a collection of states and activities like thinking, remembering, conceptualising, and some associated the heart with the emotional mind.  Conscious stillness of mind is generally associated with bliss, ecstasy etc. rather than mental efforts to try to create it.  When it 'arises' from apparently nowhere it can often feel empowering.  If that 'power' feeds into say unresolved mental/emotional states it can inflate those states, which is perhaps why the expression 'purity of heart' is often emphasised as a necessity.  The word enthusiasm come to mind .... en-theos-iasm (god within) .... religious enthusiasm can often drive others to distraction.

Mankind has made many and varied efforts to reach some form of spiritual fulfilment, but most Christians I know will verify that it was God who called them into the knowledge of His presence.

[Shaker]

You have got nothing worth getting Len...In comparison to what Alan has.

I have more than Alan has. I have a fulfilled life, but no false hopes for an after-life. 

Beat me to it!

[Alan Burns]

It goes under various names like spiritual inebriation, divine madness, ecstasy, bliss and in Hinduism, ananda.  It's not exclusive to Biblical religions.  Be careful that your recommendations are not counter productive to others and that your experiences do not inflate your ego.

From the outside you can make assumptions and apply whatever labels come to mind, but when you experience God's calling yourself you will come to realise the truth.

[Alan Burns]

You have got nothing worth getting Len...In comparison to what Alan has.

I have more than Alan has. I have a fulfilled life, but no false hopes for an after-life. 

Sorry Len, but you have no idea what you are missing.  I gave up on you many years ago, but God hasn't, and He seems to have delegated me to finish the job I started all those years ago. (I feel lots of sympathy with Clarence from "Its a Wonderful Life"      )

[Shaker]

What a special little cupcake that must make you; but do you think that it's having any effect?

[Leonard James]

What a special little cupcake that must make you; but do you think that it's having any effect?

As far as Alan, and his "God" go, no effect at all. I guess that "Satan" is too strong for either of them! 

It's a wonderful life, even more so as I'm not saddled with a name like Clarence. 

[Walt Zingmatilder]

It is a joy which I do not deserve,

Why, have you done something particularly awful? 

The first thing which struck me when God revealed His love to me was that it was far too much to fully take in - I felt that I was just getting a glimpse of it.  I had not done anything awful, but I knew that I had not done anything good enough to deserve such love.  It overwhelmed me and brought me to tears.  It was a profound revelation which has been experienced by many other Christians I know, but I also know that there are still a great many Christians who have not had this experience yet, so I would reccommend to them to keep up the prayers and read the scriptures, then see what comes.

How do you know this was not some mental episode?

Apparently it also happened to the writer of Psalm 139, several hundred years before Christ:

Psalm 139 verse 6:
Too wonderful for me, this knowledge.
Too high, beyond my reach.

Quite possibly.

People can suffer with mental health.

Statistically, not having an awareness of a greater power or authority is the abnormal........should we refer to that as suffering mental health I wonder?

[Alan Burns]

As far as Alan, and his "God" go, no effect at all. I guess that "Satan" is too strong for either of them! 

It is never too late, Len.  I still live in hope.

[savillerow]

 Sam Harris made an interesting point, it was along the lines of a guy going for a job and he told the interviewer that he spoke to Elvis the night before about the job interview prospects. Sam Harris then said this guy immediately "paid a price" in the eyes of the interviewer. What im saying is that in the future people of a faith when making "claims" should "pay a price" IE be considered a little odd. Not overly indulged because its all a bit too wierd for the modern world.

[Leonard James]

As far as Alan, and his "God" go, no effect at all. I guess that "Satan" is too strong for either of them! 

It is never too late, Len.  I still live in hope.

Whatever makes you happy, Alan! 

[torridon]

It goes under various names like spiritual inebriation, divine madness, ecstasy, bliss and in Hinduism, ananda.  It's not exclusive to Biblical religions.  Be careful that your recommendations are not counter productive to others and that your experiences do not inflate your ego.

From the outside you can make assumptions and apply whatever labels come to mind, but when you experience God's calling yourself you will come to realise the truth.

But from the outside we can still appraise your system of explanatory logic that you use to rationalise your experience.  That has to stand to reason on its own merit and it is only by assessing the credibility and coherence of your rationalisation that 'outsiders' can form an opinion on the validity of your claims.

[ekim]

Alan

Mankind has made many and varied efforts to reach some form of spiritual fulfilment, but most Christians I know will verify that it was God who called them into the knowledge of His presence.

From the outside you can make assumptions and apply whatever labels come to mind,

Your second statement appears to conflict with the first in the sense that from the outside you are making assumptions about 'most Christians I know will verify that it was God' etc.  Also this past statement of yours 'I do not think the human mind is capable of comprehending the true nature of God,' appears to nullify both of the above quotes.  How do you judge the inner experience of others, whether Christian or non Christian, and decide whether it is 'divine presence' or not, rather than some form of self delusion or the result of religious egotism?

but when you experience God's calling yourself you will come to realise the truth.

It could also be said that when you realise the truth yourself it has nothing to do with experiencing a god's calling.  You appear to be making yourself the authority over others.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

One begins to wonder if Alan is actually jealous of us heathen, and has to keep up his mantra in order to try and convince himself his POV has any credibility!

I've rather perceived that it is the antitheists who have been driven to cack their views all over the forum to the point of it dripping off ''the boards''.

[ippy]

One begins to wonder if Alan is actually jealous of us heathen, and has to keep up his mantra in order to try and convince himself his POV has any credibility!

I suspect much the same as you Floo, you're as near as.

ippy

[Alan Burns]

Sam Harris made an interesting point, it was along the lines of a guy going for a job and he told the interviewer that he spoke to Elvis the night before about the job interview prospects. Sam Harris then said this guy immediately "paid a price" in the eyes of the interviewer. What im saying is that in the future people of a faith when making "claims" should "pay a price" IE be considered a little odd. Not overly indulged because its all a bit too wierd for the modern world.

It has been well prophesied that Christian believers will be considered odd and suffer rejection and persecution.  It is part of the price we pay for proclaiming our faith in the living God.  Yet despite all the media hype, persecution and ridicule we have to endure, the Christian faith is still growing in this modern world.

[Alan Burns]

It goes under various names like spiritual inebriation, divine madness, ecstasy, bliss and in Hinduism, ananda.  It's not exclusive to Biblical religions.  Be careful that your recommendations are not counter productive to others and that your experiences do not inflate your ego.

From the outside you can make assumptions and apply whatever labels come to mind, but when you experience God's calling yourself you will come to realise the truth.

But from the outside we can still appraise your system of explanatory logic that you use to rationalise your experience.  That has to stand to reason on its own merit and it is only by assessing the credibility and coherence of your rationalisation that 'outsiders' can form an opinion on the validity of your claims.

I am certain that my attempts to explain my faith in words fall far short of the reality I feel inside.

[Alan Burns]

One begins to wonder if Alan is actually jealous of us heathen, and has to keep up his mantra in order to try and convince himself his POV has any credibility!

It is not jealousy but profound sadness that I feel for those who have not discovered God's love.

[Alan Burns]

Alan

Mankind has made many and varied efforts to reach some form of spiritual fulfilment, but most Christians I know will verify that it was God who called them into the knowledge of His presence.

From the outside you can make assumptions and apply whatever labels come to mind,

Your second statement appears to conflict with the first in the sense that from the outside you are making assumptions about 'most Christians I know will verify that it was God' etc.  Also this past statement of yours 'I do not think the human mind is capable of comprehending the true nature of God,' appears to nullify both of the above quotes.  How do you judge the inner experience of others, whether Christian or non Christian, and decide whether it is 'divine presence' or not, rather than some form of self delusion or the result of religious egotism?

My comment about other Christians is based on conversations I have had with many fellow Christians.  When they witness to their faith story there is often a common theme that they felt it was God calling them - they were not actively seeking Him.

Our human mind is not capable of comprehending the full nature of God, but we can comprehend the message given to us through Jesus Christ, who I believe to be God made man.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Sam Harris made an interesting point, it was along the lines of a guy going for a job and he told the interviewer that he spoke to Elvis the night before about the job interview prospects. Sam Harris then said this guy immediately "paid a price" in the eyes of the interviewer. What im saying is that in the future people of a faith when making "claims" should "pay a price" IE be considered a little odd. Not overly indulged because its all a bit too wierd for the modern world.

As it has been for decades.........what's new is that instead of just thinking we are a little odd those people are straining at the bit to call us to account for Torquemada, the 21 bishops, the crusades or, if that unbeliever is Harris, thinking of us as an aider and abetter to unspeakable deeds and potential target for a preemptive swivel-eyed nuclear attack........So who did you say was weird? 

[Leonard James]

It is not jealousy but profound sadness that I feel for those who have not discovered God's love.

You mean the love of the "God" that stands by watching and doing nothing for the poor wretches whose life here is a purgatory, either through sickness, natural disasters or genetic defects, etc.?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

One begins to wonder if Alan is actually jealous of us heathen, and has to keep up his mantra in order to try and convince himself his POV has any credibility!

It is not jealousy but profound sadness that I feel for those who have not discovered God's love.

WHAT LOVE? It doesn't display any in the Bible only hatred, Satan couldn't be any worse!

I disagree.

[ippy]

Sam Harris made an interesting point, it was along the lines of a guy going for a job and he told the interviewer that he spoke to Elvis the night before about the job interview prospects. Sam Harris then said this guy immediately "paid a price" in the eyes of the interviewer. What im saying is that in the future people of a faith when making "claims" should "pay a price" IE be considered a little odd. Not overly indulged because its all a bit too wierd for the modern world.

It has been well prophesied that Christian believers will be considered odd and suffer rejection and persecution.  It is part of the price we pay for proclaiming our faith in the living God.  Yet despite all the media hype, persecution and ridicule we have to endure, the Christian faith is still growing in this modern world.

"Christian believers will be considered odd", only because they are Alan.

ippy

[torridon]

From the outside you can make assumptions and apply whatever labels come to mind, but when you experience God's calling yourself you will come to realise the truth.

But from the outside we can still appraise your system of explanatory logic that you use to rationalise your experience.  That has to stand to reason on its own merit and it is only by assessing the credibility and coherence of your rationalisation that 'outsiders' can form an opinion on the validity of your claims.

I am certain that my attempts to explain my faith in words fall far short of the reality I feel inside.

That's modest of you, and more appealing imv than clunkily trying shoehorn ineffable feelings into gaps in scientific knowledge.

[floo]

It is not jealousy but profound sadness that I feel for those who have not discovered God's love.

You mean the love of the "God" that stands by watching and doing nothing for the poor wretches whose life here is a purgatory, either through sickness, natural disasters or genetic defects, etc.?

But some appear to regard that as 'loving'!