What is Your Personal Experience of Your God?

[Walt Zingmatilder]

I would just like to say that of all the many people I have met, Richard Holloway impressed me as simply good and loving. If we all be such Blunts this world would be a much better place.

No, He was an agnostic very shortly after ordination but went on with the charade rising to become a Bishop for goodness sake.

[Andy]

It's surely a deadly riposte to those who argue that personal experience is an argument for God.   I'm not sure how many theists do make this argument, and some are content to say that they have such experiences, without translating it into an objective state of affairs.

But then people who don't, must also count, and as NS said, those who once did, but now don't, also.   The argument is feeble.

And then there are those who like to play at the objective game, yet when it comes to the crunch, would fall back on their personal experience regardless:

http://youtu.be/2C3T17aKPCI

It's as if they start with their conclusion...

[Jack Knave]

So what is your faith founded on, then? How do you know that what you believe is true; and all that it says and claims, if you haven't had a fundamental experience of it itself?

Yes, experiences are subjective but without experiences how do we judge and make any assessments of anything? One can't just sit in an armchair, in closed off room, and ponder about what life is all about without experiencing the world around you. That is how we create some idea of what meaning is by having experiences of the world. How can one have a faith of a God and not have had an experience of that God directly? That would be like pondering how sand feels without ever feeling it but just trying to guess at it.

My walk with God is very much experiential, but my faith is not built on experience. My faith is built upon Christ and the word of God, which I have found to be trustworthy. Like I said before experience has to have a yardstick by which it can be measured. Relying solely on experience imo leaves one open to deception - after all it is said the Satan manifests as a being of light.

But like experience judging that some book is trustworthy needs personal experience in judging such material, and hence your yardstick. How have you judged that your word of God is trustworthy?

[Jack Knave]

My experience of God was very real and personal. I confess I never heard him speak, but he always helped me and answered my prayers, sometimes positively and other times negatively because that was what was best for me. I felt his presence often in many deeply beautiful moments.

The rest you already know.

So what made you become an atheist?

The recognition of the cruelty of the prey/predator system. I didn't understand how a God of love could have created such a heartless and vicious form of life. I prayed  to God many times to make me understand why it was so, but received no reply. My faith began to dwindle, and I finally realised that I had been taken in by the whole story.

For a while I was devastated and disorientated, but gradually everything became clear and fell into place. That was indeed a wonderful experience.

And yet what you said in your initial post above has been thrown aside, and yet you had positive experiences of 'something'; experiences that can't surely be ignored, Leonard? Experiences that need some form of explanation.

[Leonard James]

And yet what you said in your initial post above has been thrown aside, and yet you had positive experiences of 'something'; experiences that can't surely be ignored, Leonard? Experiences that need some form of explanation.

The explanation is simple, JK. I just misinterpreted the experiences as God's presence, when in fact they were the natural awe that we feel at deeply beautiful moments, like listening to wonderful music or seeing a fantastic sunset. My childhood indoctrination in Christianity was the reason for my misinterpreting.

[Rhiannon]

I would just like to say that of all the many people I have met, Richard Holloway impressed me as simply good and loving. If we all be such Blunts this world would be a much better place.

No, He was an agnostic very shortly after ordination but went on with the charade rising to become a Bishop for goodness sake.

Because he knew that reflected the experience of many of those he was ministering to. As Ian Hislop once said, it's a feature of Anglicanism to sit in the pew one week and think, 'this is all shit' and the next, 'this is all there is'. I've known Anglicans whose faith is more Holloway than Carey. Are you saying that the church shouldn't cater for them through having priests and bishops that reflect their beliefs and experiences?

[Andy]

It's surely a deadly riposte to those who argue that personal experience is an argument for God.   I'm not sure how many theists do make this argument, and some are content to say that they have such experiences, without translating it into an objective state of affairs.

But then people who don't, must also count, and as NS said, those who once did, but now don't, also.   The argument is feeble.

And then there are those who like to play at the objective game, yet when it comes to the crunch, would fall back on their personal experience regardless:

http://youtu.be/2C3T17aKPCI

It's as if they start with their conclusion...

If you hadn't noticed the OP specifically asked for posters personal experience.

It says nothing about trying to convince others of the validity of their personal experience.

Do you have another setting other than mock?

Have YOU got anything of value to this thread? Or are you just going to mock people?

How about you get back in bed and then get out the right side this time.

[Nearly Sane]

I would just like to say that of all the many people I have met, Richard Holloway impressed me as simply good and loving. If we all be such Blunts this world would be a much better place.

No, He was an agnostic very shortly after ordination but went on with the charade rising to become a Bishop for goodness sake.

For goodness sake being the operative words. He did good, you witter on and do nothing.

[Shaker]

Do you have another setting other than mock?

Have you got one other than whine?

[floo]

Do you have another setting other than mock?

Have you got one other than whine?

Auntie Rose seems to see it as her place to correct 'naughty' posters, since when did she become a MOD?

[Shaker]

I've the same right as anyone else to stand up for myself and defend my own POV.

If only it ended there.

[Shaker]

I've the same right as anyone else to stand up for myself and defend my own POV.

If only it ended there.

It would if you didn't create so much mileage over everything.

You do like to butt in and stir.

Oh really? And who butted in and started threatening to squeal to the mods about a recent thread of Keith Maitland's because even though Keith had merely found a passage of writing for which he was soliciting comments from those interested, you decided people were encouraging him to commit suicide?

[Andy]

If Andy hadn't sarcastically included a link to one of my posts to mock, he wouldn't be getting this response.

I think there are some crossed wires here. If you're talking about the link I posted on the "food for thought" thread, I was actually linking to one of my own posts.

[floo]

Do you have another setting other than mock?

Have you got one other than whine?

Auntie Rose seems to see it as her place to correct 'naughty' posters, since when did she become a MOD?

I've the same right as anyone else to stand up for myself and defend my own POV.

I give as good as I get!

Oh! I forgot!

Only "some" posters are allowed to do that and get away with it.

It's ok for certain members to gang up on individuals but not ok when those individuals give as good as they get.

If Andy hadn't sarcastically included a link to one of my posts to mock, he wouldn't be getting this response.

Presumably he is a big boy and doesn't need coddling by Auntie Floo.

Temper, temper, Rose!

[Rhiannon]

If Andy hadn't sarcastically included a link to one of my posts to mock, he wouldn't be getting this response.

I think there are some crossed wires here. If you're talking about the link I posted on the "food for thought" thread, I was actually linking to one of my own posts.

I think you owe Andy an apology, Rose.

[Andy]

If Andy hadn't sarcastically included a link to one of my posts to mock, he wouldn't be getting this response.

I think there are some crossed wires here. If you're talking about the link I posted on the "food for thought" thread, I was actually linking to one of my own posts.

I think you owe Andy an apology, Rose.

Na, no need. It happens, though even if I was referring to her OP of that thread, I don't see where the mockery would be.

[Rhiannon]

That's gracious of you.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

I would just like to say that of all the many people I have met, Richard Holloway impressed me as simply good and loving. If we all be such Blunts this world would be a much better place.

No, He was an agnostic very shortly after ordination but went on with the charade rising to become a Bishop for goodness sake.

For goodness sake being the operative words. He did good, you witter on and do nothing.

You haven't got a clue what I do when I'm not on here.

[Sebastian Toe]

I would just like to say that of all the many people I have met, Richard Holloway impressed me as simply good and loving. If we all be such Blunts this world would be a much better place.

No, He was an agnostic very shortly after ordination but went on with the charade rising to become a Bishop for goodness sake.

For goodness sake being the operative words. He did good, you witter on and do nothing.

You haven't got a clue what I do when I'm not on here.

If I had to guess...........

http://calendarcustoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/IMG_7900.jpg

 

[Jack Knave]

It's surely a deadly riposte to those who argue that personal experience is an argument for God.   I'm not sure how many theists do make this argument, and some are content to say that they have such experiences, without translating it into an objective state of affairs.

But then people who don't, must also count, and as NS said, those who once did, but now don't, also.   The argument is feeble.

And then there are those who like to play at the objective game, yet when it comes to the crunch, would fall back on their personal experience regardless:

http://youtu.be/2C3T17aKPCI

It's as if they start with their conclusion...

If you hadn't noticed the OP specifically asked for posters personal experience.

It says nothing about trying to convince others of the validity of their personal experience.

Do you have another setting other than mock?

Have YOU got anything of value to this thread? Or are you just going to mock people?

Exactly, Rose. The idea was to hear about what really personal direct event and experience made it absolutely clear to them that their God was there, and as such confirmed for them internally that it was true. I find it odd how many present chapter and verse or some academic argument for what should be an affirmation of life for them and as such conditions there future conduct and behaviour. So far I've had nothing. And sadly many atheist have tried to misuse the threads purpose.

[Shaker]

You haven't got a clue what I do when I'm not on here.

Does it involve lots of green ink?

[Rhiannon]

It's surely a deadly riposte to those who argue that personal experience is an argument for God.   I'm not sure how many theists do make this argument, and some are content to say that they have such experiences, without translating it into an objective state of affairs.

But then people who don't, must also count, and as NS said, those who once did, but now don't, also.   The argument is feeble.

And then there are those who like to play at the objective game, yet when it comes to the crunch, would fall back on their personal experience regardless:

http://youtu.be/2C3T17aKPCI

It's as if they start with their conclusion...

If you hadn't noticed the OP specifically asked for posters personal experience.

It says nothing about trying to convince others of the validity of their personal experience.

Do you have another setting other than mock?

Have YOU got anything of value to this thread? Or are you just going to mock people?

Exactly, Rose. The idea was to hear about what really personal direct event and experience made it absolutely clear to them that their God was there, and as such confirmed for them internally that it was true. I find it odd how many present chapter and verse or some academic argument for what should be an affirmation of life for them and as such conditions there future conduct and behaviour. So far I've had nothing. And sadly many atheist have tried to misuse the threads purpose.

I've given you a brief account of my experience . If you want me to elaborate just ask.

[Leonard James]

The idea was to hear about what really personal direct event and experience made it absolutely clear to them that their God was there, and as such confirmed for them internally that it was true. I find it odd how many present chapter and verse or some academic argument for what should be an affirmation of life for them and as such conditions there future conduct and behaviour. So far I've had nothing.

I think the reason for that JK, is fairly obvious.

[Jack Knave]

It's surely a deadly riposte to those who argue that personal experience is an argument for God.   I'm not sure how many theists do make this argument, and some are content to say that they have such experiences, without translating it into an objective state of affairs.

But then people who don't, must also count, and as NS said, those who once did, but now don't, also.   The argument is feeble.

And then there are those who like to play at the objective game, yet when it comes to the crunch, would fall back on their personal experience regardless:

http://youtu.be/2C3T17aKPCI

It's as if they start with their conclusion...

If you hadn't noticed the OP specifically asked for posters personal experience.

It says nothing about trying to convince others of the validity of their personal experience.

Do you have another setting other than mock?

Have YOU got anything of value to this thread? Or are you just going to mock people?

Exactly, Rose. The idea was to hear about what really personal direct event and experience made it absolutely clear to them that their God was there, and as such confirmed for them internally that it was true. I find it odd how many present chapter and verse or some academic argument for what should be an affirmation of life for them and as such conditions there future conduct and behaviour. So far I've had nothing. And sadly many atheist have tried to misuse the threads purpose.

I've given you a brief account of my experience . If you want me to elaborate just ask.

As Outrider pointed out in reply #1, which I had not considered and would not personally include in the class of being God, are those who see God more in the community psyche and its connection which is the idea I have of where you are more likely to be situated. I was hoping to hear from those more in the monotheistic, and perhaps gods/spirits, arena. Sadly, their testimonies have been disappointingly non-existent.

[Jack Knave]

The idea was to hear about what really personal direct event and experience made it absolutely clear to them that their God was there, and as such confirmed for them internally that it was true. I find it odd how many present chapter and verse or some academic argument for what should be an affirmation of life for them and as such conditions there future conduct and behaviour. So far I've had nothing.

I think the reason for that JK, is fairly obvious.

I had hoped for some testimonies but it is now looking as likely as the second coming.