Author Topic: Searching for GOD...  (Read 3897594 times)

bluehillside Retd.

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7575 on: January 07, 2016, 06:16:46 PM »
AB,

Quote
I was lucky to be born into a Christian family, so I have had exposure to Christian literature and practices for most of my life.  Unlike many of my peer group, I embraced Christianity and started growing in my faith, particularly from my mid twenties.  As my interest in religion grew, I looked at other faiths but found them lacking the core foundation of my Christian faith which makes God the centre of my life.  Throughout my spiritual journey, I constantly felt it was God calling me into an ever increasing relationship.  Like many fellow Christians I felt I was not actively seeking God, but was called by Him.  I believe the other religions are genuine efforts by humans to seek God, but my Christian faith came about by God seeking me.

And yet people born into other faiths entirely often also feel themselves to be "lucky", often have looked at other faiths (yours included) and found them less convincing, and often think their various gods are calling to them as well.

Funny that - it's as if the beliefs that are given to you when you're very young prove almost impossible to shake off in later life, despite the poverty of rational argument for them. After all your desperately poor efforts here to reason others into your beliefs only to have those reasons shown to be hopeless essentially all that's left to is the personal faith into which you were indoctrinated before you had the critical faculties to reject them.

I think perhaps the saddest part of that is that you actually think yourself to have been "lucky" to have had that happen to you.

As you show no signs of even attempting to explain how you propose anyone else verify your religious claims, I'll leave you to it.
   


« Last Edit: January 07, 2016, 06:21:31 PM by bluehillside »
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God

Rhiannon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7576 on: January 07, 2016, 06:17:27 PM »
Because it emphasises the great value of using your gifts to be of service to others, rather than the modern emphasis on self centred personal development.

The insinuation within that being that a belief in God is necessary to a life of genuine service.

bluehillside Retd.

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7577 on: January 07, 2016, 06:21:13 PM »
AB,

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Because it emphasises the great value of using your gifts to be of service to others, rather than the modern emphasis on self centred personal development.

Just to note that actually thinking Jesus wants you for a sunbeam, judging that some people "sin" because they've been led astray by a "devil", asserting that the universe was created just for little old you and that heaven awaits thereafter because you've been specially "chosen" suggest someone who's about as solipsistically self-centred as it's possible to be.
"Don't make me come down there."

God

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7578 on: January 07, 2016, 06:23:01 PM »
The insinuation within that being that a belief in God is necessary to a life of genuine service.
Of course you do not need Christian faith to be of service to others, but it does help.
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Rhiannon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7579 on: January 07, 2016, 06:25:00 PM »
Of course you do not need Christian faith to be of service to others, but it does help.

Because...?

Gordon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7580 on: January 07, 2016, 06:26:11 PM »
Of course you do not need Christian faith to be of service to others, but it does help.

How, exactly?

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7581 on: January 07, 2016, 06:26:25 PM »
AB,

Just to note that actually thinking Jesus wants you for a sunbeam, judging that some people "sin" because they've been led astray by a "devil", asserting that the universe was created just for little old you and that heaven awaits thereafter because you've been specially "chosen" suggest someone who's about as solipsistically self-centred as it's possible to be.
But I believe in love and compassion.
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7582 on: January 07, 2016, 06:29:01 PM »
How, exactly?
Through prayer, God gives me strength and discernment to do His will.
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Gordon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7583 on: January 07, 2016, 06:29:36 PM »
But I believe in love and compassion.

Me too!!!

bluehillside Retd.

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7584 on: January 07, 2016, 06:29:46 PM »
AB,

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But I believe in love and compassion.

Ah, love the sinner but hate the sin eh?

Have you any idea how contemptible that is?

Anything?

Oh, and pretty much everyone "believes in love and compassion" - it's part of the human condition, a legacy of your evolutionary history.

And no gods are needed for that.
"Don't make me come down there."

God

Gordon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7585 on: January 07, 2016, 06:34:23 PM »
Through prayer, God gives me strength and discernment to do His will.

So, am I, not being a Christian, disadvantaged by default in terms of being of service to others compared to you Christians?

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7586 on: January 07, 2016, 06:34:50 PM »

Oh, and pretty much everyone "believes in love and compassion" - it's part of the human condition, a legacy of your evolutionary history.

And no gods are needed for that.
But that is the way God made us
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7587 on: January 07, 2016, 06:36:35 PM »
So, am I, not being a Christian, disadvantaged by default in terms of being of service to others compared to you Christians?
I am just saying that with God's help and guidance, one's efforts will bear more fruit.
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Shaker

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7588 on: January 07, 2016, 06:36:41 PM »
But that is the way God made us
Assertion roolz OK in AlanLand.
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

bluehillside Retd.

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7589 on: January 07, 2016, 06:42:04 PM »
AB,

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But that is the way God made us

Only in your head Alan, only in your head.

Even if we enter the hall of mirrors reasoning of Alanism though, if the Christian god did this and most people aren't Christians...

...then why bother with believing in that god at all when it turns out we all "believe in love and compassion" in any case?
"Don't make me come down there."

God

Aruntraveller

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7590 on: January 07, 2016, 06:50:32 PM »
This whole free will thing gives me a headache.

It has however put me in mind of the saying:

"A difference that makes no difference is no difference at all"

About sums it up for me. First heard this used by Spock on Star Trek in my youth - but then found out it was plagiarised from William James (If I recall correctly).
Before we work on Artificial Intelligence shouldn't we address the problem of natural stupidity.

Gordon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7591 on: January 07, 2016, 07:02:23 PM »
I am just saying that with God's help and guidance, one's efforts will bear more fruit.

So, in effect you are saying I'm forever doomed to lag behind Christians in the 'service' department no matter how hard I try or how altruistic my motives might be: not very nice Alan.

Shaker

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7592 on: January 07, 2016, 07:03:41 PM »
So, in effect you are saying I'm forever doomed to lag behind Christians in the 'service' department no matter how hard I try or how altruistic my motives might be: not very nice Alan.
... but marginally nicer than the "fact" that according to Assertionmeister Alan you're under the sway of Satan.
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

Rhiannon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7593 on: January 07, 2016, 07:30:34 PM »
... but marginally nicer than the "fact" that according to Assertionmeister Alan you're under the sway of Satan.

But he's asserted it whilst believing in love and compassion, so that's fine.

Shaker

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7594 on: January 07, 2016, 07:31:43 PM »
True. I did forget that bit, I admit.
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

Gordon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7595 on: January 07, 2016, 07:36:01 PM »
... but marginally nicer than the "fact" that according to Assertionmeister Alan you're under the sway of Satan.

Well that would explain my being dragged into Ladbrokes earlier, but then again I did get a result in the first at Chelmsford this evening - so fair play to Satan!

I find it hard to believe that in this day and age an otherwise rational person would take 'Satan' seriously.

Shaker

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7596 on: January 07, 2016, 07:37:39 PM »
My only issue with your post is with the use of the word 'otherwise.' It implies that Alan's belief in Satan is an exception, an aberration in somebody who is in other respects sane, rational and logical.
Pain, or damage, don't end the world. Or despair, or fucking beatings. The world ends when you're dead. Until then, you got more punishment in store. Stand it like a man, and give some back. - Al Swearengen, Deadwood.

Walt Zingmatilder

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7597 on: January 07, 2016, 07:39:34 PM »
AB,

Just to note that actually thinking Jesus wants you for a sunbeam, judging that some people "sin" because they've been led astray by a "devil", asserting that the universe was created just for little old you and that heaven awaits thereafter because you've been specially "chosen" suggest someone who's about as solipsistically self-centred as it's possible to be.
I feel this is a piss taking misrepresentation from somebody who thinks its ok to humiliate certain people. No doubt you will reply glorifying the majesty of your oratory. That may wash with some denizens of this forum but not amongst those with any decency .Please take your offence elsewhere and take some of the others with you.

Happy New Year.

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7598 on: January 07, 2016, 07:46:34 PM »
So, in effect you are saying I'm forever doomed to lag behind Christians in the 'service' department no matter how hard I try or how altruistic my motives might be: not very nice Alan.
Wrong.
I am just saying that your own efforts will bear more fruit with God's help.

I am certain that there are many non Christians whose service towards others are better than mine.
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Gordon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #7599 on: January 07, 2016, 07:47:53 PM »
My only issue with your post is with the use of the word 'otherwise.' It implies that Alan's belief in Satan is an exception, an aberration in somebody who is in other respects sane, rational and logical.

There is that: but then I'm sure he doesn't try to walk on water, is happy to fly in aeroplanes, checks the traffic before crossing the road and, generally speaking, uses clever modern technology (like the device he uses to post here) - and yet he believes in ancient superstitious myth such as 'Satan': how Alan and his cronies reconcile this beats me!