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What’s the worst that can happen?

Ken-1122

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so is that considered an agnostic? I can't ever remember what all the titles mean.

No! Agnostic is the claim that there is no way of KNOWING weather or not God exists which IMO is a totally different animal from Theists or Atheist.
Example; if I were agnostic and you asked me if I believe in God and I replied in typical agnostic fashion; “there is no way of knowing” I haven’t answered your question because the question was about what I believe; not what I know.

I suspect many theists are also agnostic, (believe God exists but don’t really know for sure) and many atheists are agnostic (don’t believe God exists but don’t know for sure)

As for myself, if someone asked me if I believe God exists, I will first ask the person to define God. I could assume they are talking about the Christian God, but that isn’t always the case, so I must know what you define as God before I can give you an answer. Example; Wiccan’s worship nature, Christians worship Jesus, I heard one guy claim that he worships his money (he was probably kidding though) etc. so it would be ridicules for me to claim that which they call God doesn’t exist; of course they do! (maybe in the case of Jesus)I just don’t call them God! I call money currency, nature, our environment, and Jesus a person some people claimed was something he was not.
But because what I would consider God, I don’t believe exists; people call me Atheist, even though I prefer the term “skeptic”.
Hope that clears that up for you.

I don't think people should 'beleive' in God... to me that sounds like a fairytale. I think it's a decision that you make to live your own life as one who personally beleives there is a connection to something much bigger than themselves. The force of life itself, knowlege, wisdom... AKA God. It's not a group thing IMO. You seem irritated with the buttinsky's that want to direct what you must do and think. I don't blame you... that's why I am trying to get you to find your own answers. That is the way it must be IMO.

First of all I must say; I appreciate your kind demeanor. I realize there are many on this fourm that are trying to help me, but the reason I am not asking for their help is because I am convinced that when it comes to religion; I already have the answers.

This is not something I came up with over night, I spent many years searching and studying in this area, and even though the answers I came up with are in direct contrast to the majority of opinions on this fourm, they are my answers; and that's what I will stick with until proven otherwise to my satisfaction.

Anyway thanks for listening.

Peace
Ken
 
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Ken-1122

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Hi Ken, in response to this you never acknowledged the idea that I presented, here it is copied from post #131:

I would like to know what you think about that.

Yes you are right! You are one of the few people who did answer my question.
I think you do have a point that a voice from the sky may cause some people to worship him out of fear; which I would say is a good thing. If a few micro seconds (70-80 years compared to eternity) of fear will keep someone out of eternal punishment and torture (assuming you believe in Hell) then I say bring on the fear! Fear or even forced worship would be a good thing IMO
I also believe any religion that incorporates the concept of Hell as punishment for those who don’t follow their rules, that religion is based upon fear; and whatever fear that may result from a voice coming from the sky is nothing compared to the threat of Hell fire and torture.

Ken
 
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Reine

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But because what I would consider God, I don’t believe exists; people call me Atheist, even though I prefer the term “skeptic”.
Hope that clears that up for you.
I understood everything accept for this. What would you consider to be God that you don't think exists?
 
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Ken-1122

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I understood everything accept for this. What would you consider to be God that you don't think exists?

What I would call God is based upon what I was taught about God as a Christian. It would have to be an intelligent being that is none evolving, and is responsible for all that exists. It doesn’t have to be good, all powerful, or all knowing.
I realize there are some religions who believe in Gods that are advanced beings who are born, die, and even evolve. I wouldn’t consider those beings Gods, just an advanced being; maybe something like an advanced race from another planet.
There are some who would call God an unknowable powerful force that is greater than us; and maybe such a force exists but again; I wouldn’t call it God; I would call it an unknowable powerful force that is greater than us.
Hope that explains it

Ken
 
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Reine

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What I would call God is based upon what I was taught about God as a Christian. It would have to be an intelligent being that is none evolving, and is responsible for all that exists. It doesn’t have to be good, all powerful, or all knowing.
I realize there are some religions who believe in Gods that are advanced beings who are born, die, and even evolve. I wouldn’t consider those beings Gods, just an advanced being; maybe something like an advanced race from another planet.
There are some who would call God an unknowable powerful force that is greater than us; and maybe such a force exists but again; I wouldn’t call it God; I would call it an unknowable powerful force that is greater than us.
Hope that explains it

Ken
Yes, that explains it. You said that you don't think God would be evolving, and that part does sound like Christianity's version of God... but, it could be possible that God evolves at the same time we do. Have you ever considered that God is the entire space and universe we exist in, and we are part of God. This is just speculation on my part, but if it were true, then God would evlolve as the universe and we evolve.
 
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Reine

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I could see a force evolving in such a way, but something would have to be much more than a force for me to consider it God

Ken
Sometimes I think God may be more distant from us than we think. I am not sure about this... but here are some thoughts I have sometimes. God could be the living force of all existence, and we exist in God. God would be concerned with his own self preservation, and while evolving be adapting to strategies that are beneficial for his continued existence. Being we are part of God, our continuted existence to the highest functioning would assist God in this endeavor. Jesus would have manifested into the flesh as God's remedy to keep his own functioning healthy. Jesus spread the message of truth for this proper functioning and those who apply this truth would become healthy working members of this body of God. We would be replenished cells by the message and application of the message of correcting errors, forgiveness and love. Love is the antibiotic for evil which is error that is destructive.
 
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Ken-1122

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Sometimes I think God may be more distant from us than we think. I am not sure about this... but here are some thoughts I have sometimes. God could be the living force of all existence, and we exist in God. God would be concerned with his own self preservation, and while evolving be adapting to strategies that are beneficial for his continued existence. Being we are part of God, our continuted existence to the highest functioning would assist God in this endeavor. Jesus would have manifested into the flesh as God's remedy to keep his own functioning healthy. Jesus spread the message of truth for this proper functioning and those who apply this truth would become healthy working members of this body of God. We would be replenished cells by the message and application of the message of correcting errors, forgiveness and love. Love is the antibiotic for evil which is error that is destructive.

Is this your actual opinion of God? or is it just a thought.

Ken
 
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Reine

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Is this your actual opinion of God? or is it just a thought.

Ken
I have mixed feelings about this... because I realize for some that it may make God sound like a callous monster. The physical realities of God as the Universe (if that would be true) would bring Deistic qualites to thoughts of a God like this. I mean, God seems to be 'hands off', letting us learn through evolution and trial and error. I think this fits pretty well. I'm not one of those people who stubbs their toe and says that God let the devil do that to me... I think I just stubbed my toe. However, as far as that diagram that I showed you... I seem to be able to tap into God frequently. So, that would indicate to some that God 'cares'... but to me if I try to think logically, wouldn't it mean that God's energy is just there in the space like an available network? As far as Jesus goes, yes.. he did love us. But Jesus is truth, and the truth (mind of God) is that love will correct whatever is wrong when it is done impartially as and act of will for the benefit of others without selfish agendas attached. I guess I do tend to think God is objective and not interested in every little thing we think he is. I think that it is still awesome though, to be able to be here and participate in life and then eternity. It's up to us... whether or not we accept this.

I could be wrong about this, it isn't set in stone. Does it sound off to you?
 
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Ken-1122

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I have mixed feelings about this... because I realize for some that it may make God sound like a callous monster. The physical realities of God as the Universe (if that would be true) would bring Deistic qualites to thoughts of a God like this. I mean, God seems to be 'hands off', letting us learn through evolution and trial and error. I think this fits pretty well. I'm not one of those people who stubbs their toe and says that God let the devil do that to me... I think I just stubbed my toe. However, as far as that diagram that I showed you... I seem to be able to tap into God frequently. So, that would indicate to some that God 'cares'... but to me if I try to think logically, wouldn't it mean that God's energy is just there in the space like an available network? As far as Jesus goes, yes.. he did love us. But Jesus is truth, and the truth (mind of God) is that love will correct whatever is wrong when it is done impartially as and act of will for the benefit of others without selfish agendas attached. I guess I do tend to think God is objective and not interested in every little thing we think he is. I think that it is still awesome though, to be able to be here and participate in life and then eternity. It's up to us... whether or not we accept this.

I could be wrong about this, it isn't set in stone. Does it sound off to you?

No it doesn't sound off to me. Thanks for your perspective

Ken
 
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oi_antz

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;) A Holy thing, that Communion stuff ...

Indeed, and not without consequences:

Matthew 12

For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
 
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Reine

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Hi :)

I think in a very simple conceptual illustration... God would be like a plant dropping seeds to the earth. The light of his truth and love nourishes our roots (motivations). We can grow large leaves from holiness and this is the outward signs of a living faith... when we grow into a strong healthy plant, the result of that pushes the weeds back so the smaller plants also can grow. We must pass this love of God onto others, it is like Ween N Feed.. LOL
 
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What’s the worst that can happen if God were to address the entire world at once, in an audible voice; in a language that each of us can understand to clear up all the misunderstandings we humans have of him?
Why doesn’t he do it?

Ken

I bet a lot of fundamentalists would get extremely ticked off...
 
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