Why seek "God"?

[ananda]

i don't judge/condemn you, but i think we have brought nothing to the world, nor can we take anything out of it, so why must we worry about/hurry to receive our comfort by following world religions instead of "hungering/thirsting" for righteousness?!

What is your definition of "righteousness"?

, if buddhism is of this world, how will it be possible that you take it out of it and enter the Heaven with it?!

I have no direct knowledge regarding heaven (an issue regarding speculations about the future), or why it should be my goal.

On the other hand, the observable problem in here-and-now is dukkha, and Buddhism has provided me a verifiable solution which addresses it.

- not everything that shines is gold, and the promised prize could turn out to be false

Perhaps. What if your faith is exactly as you describe?

you/your expectations were disappointed by christianity, but do you think you had practiced the faith properly (enough) for all those years if there had been no results such as there had been with Jesus and His true disciples presented in the Bible?!;

What does practicing "the faith properly enough" look like?

i had bitter experience with indic religions (and not only with indic religions) for many years and would say that following sects is a waste of time and cause of great destruction for humankind, hinduism is a greatest satanism and there have also been many other ostensibly sacred religions that are actually satanic, and unfortunately, the popular christianity, albeit somehow last in the black list/considered least dangerous, has also been full of heresies...

Blessings

I do not speak for Hinduism.

 

[toLiJC]

What is your definition of "righteousness"?

I have no direct knowledge regarding heaven (an issue regarding speculations about the future), or why it should be my goal.

On the other hand, the observable problem in here-and-now is dukkha, and Buddhism has provided me a verifiable solution which addresses it.

Perhaps. What if your faith is exactly as you describe?

What does practicing "the faith properly enough" look like?

I do not speak for Hinduism.

too many questions, too little interest in the true faith - you both ask questions about the true One/His truth and aren't interested in seeking Him/His truth?!, if you don't realize so many things about Him/His truth, i don't know who will be that oracle that will be at your disposal at any time to answer all your questions

the biblical word "righteousness" indicates the perfection of love, IOW, there is love, but there is also (pure and perfect) love for all human and other (be)souled beings and souls that saves and provides them with abundant and eternal life, to put it another way, one thing is to take care of some(not of all) people, another thing is to be solicitous and take good care of all souls, because all of them need salvation and abundant/eternal life - God is the system Administrator/Provider of life and, as such, is kind of obliged and constantly working to save and provide all souls with abundant and eternal life, therefore His spiritual servants have also to take all people/souls into account when they serve Him (in their prayer and fasting)...

according to the biblical scriptures, there are two places, "heaven" and hell, so that the soul (whichever it may be) can go either to the "heaven" or to hell and there are no other options

every religion puts and holds its followers/worshipers in its matrix - we all live in a multiverse containing many matrices - and only the true One releases us from their snare, so if you are still thinking buddhism is not such a matrix, you are certainly deceiving yourself (more or less)...

Isaiah 1:29 "You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen."

that is why i don't (dare) have any religion, but (dare only to) believe in the One That is really the true Lord God of course being careful not to commit spiritual unrighteousness

practicing the faith properly (enough) is a matter of careful attitude

all indic religions have the same root i.e. basis, which is why each of them believes in karma, samsara and other doctrines of the kind

Blessings

 

[ananda]

too many questions, too little interest in the true faith - you both ask questions about the true One/His truth and aren't interested in seeking Him/His truth?!,

Certainly, I am interested in truth. However, I have little interest in paths which neither promises nor provides direct feedback, due to the simple fact that I do not have an infinite lifespan to extensively test all such paths.

if you don't realize so many things about Him/His truth, i don't know who will be that oracle that will be at your disposal at any time to answer all your questions

I have no interest in alleged oracles or other intermediaries - I want direct knowledge.

the biblical word "righteousness" indicates the perfection of love, IOW, there is love, but there is also (pure and perfect) love for all human and other (be)souled beings and souls that saves and provides them with abundant and eternal life, to put it another way, one thing is to take care of some(not of all) people, another thing is to be solicitous and take good care of all souls, because all of them need salvation and abundant/eternal life - God is the system Administrator/Provider of life and, as such, is kind of obliged and constantly working to save and provide all souls with abundant and eternal life, therefore His spiritual servants have also to take all people/souls into account when they serve Him (in their prayer and fasting)...

according to the biblical scriptures, there are two places, "heaven" and hell, so that the soul (whichever it may be) can go either to the "heaven" or to hell and there are no other options

every religion puts and holds its followers/worshipers in its matrix - we all live in a multiverse consisting of many matrices - and only the true One releases us from their snare, so if you are still thinking buddhism is not such a matrix, you are certainly deceiving yourself (more or less)...

Isaiah 1:29 "You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen."

that is why i don't (dare) have any religion, but (dare only to) believe in the One That is really the true Lord God of course being careful not to commit spiritual unrighteousness

practicing the faith properly (enough) is a matter of careful attitude

all indic religions have the same root i.e. basis, which is why each of them believes in karma, samsara and other doctrines of the kind

Blessings

I have no need for belief in kamma or samsara, since I possess direct knowledge about both.

 

[toLiJC]

Certainly, I am interested in truth. However, I have little interest in paths which neither promises nor provides direct feedback, due to the simple fact that I do not have an infinite lifespan to extensively test all such paths.

I have no interest in alleged oracles or other intermediaries - I want direct knowledge.

I have no need for belief in kamma or samsara, since I possess direct knowledge about both.

which of the true Saints (presented in the Bible) had lived eternally in this world?!, even the only begotten firstborn Son of the true One lived briefly(33 years) in this world, but They knew that more important is how a person lives/spends their lives, which is why the true Saints have worked for overall salvation in the true One throughout their serious spiritual lives, and there has been no world religion in them, nor have they been in such a religion (that can ensnare them in the vicious circle of non-salvation/destruction's works), because here is how such a worshiper as you is inclined to think he/she is on the right track with their religion, while the truth may be far above that, and they may not even know...

there is a right practice of faith for direct revelation, because if a person doesn't receive direct revelations from the true One, then the right practice of faith in Him is the way this is possible

karma/kamma and samsara/sansara are misleading doctrines - there is not such a thing in the true One, nor can there be, nor is it necessary - why must every soul be passed through many births, forms of existence and deaths within one (single/little) eternity?!, there is just no point in multiplying sufferings, one life under "sin" and "death" is enough for the soul within the (single/little) eternity...

Hebrews 9:27 "people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment"

Blessings

 

[ananda]

which of the true Saints (presented in the Bible) had lived eternally in this world?!, even the only begotten firstborn Son of the true One lived briefly(33 years) in this world, but They knew that more important is how a person lives/spends their lives, which is why the true Saints have worked for overall salvation in the true One throughout their serious spiritual lives, and there has been no world religion in them, nor have they been in such a religion (that can ensnare them in the vicious circle of non-salvation/destruction's works), because here is how such a worshiper as you is inclined to think he/she is on the right track with their religion, while the truth may be far above that, and they may not even know...

I do not know of these "true saints".

there is a right practice of faith for direct revelation, because if a person doesn't receive direct revelations from the true One, then the right practice of faith in Him is the way this is possible

I do not know of such a "right practice of faith".

karma/kamma and samsara/sansara are misleading doctrines - there is not such a thing in the true One, nor can there be, nor is it necessary - why must every soul be passed through many births, forms of existence and deaths within one (single/little) eternity?!, there is just no point in multiplying sufferings, one life under "sin" and "death" is enough for the soul within the (single/little) eternity...

Hebrews 9:27 "people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment"

Blessings

Having endless opportunities to "get things right" seems far more just and righteous to me, than having only one chance during one, relatively short, physical lifetime.

 

[toLiJC]

I do not know of these "true saints".

I do not know of such a "right practice of faith".

Having endless opportunities to "get things right" seems far more just and righteous to me, than having only one chance during one, relatively short, physical lifetime.

it is not righteous to multiply sufferings - what good/use would it be if every soul had to go through thousands of consecutive painful births, forms of existence and deaths within the single/little eternity?!, what kind of god must one be if he causes or allows the souls to be passed through such a senseless hell (or is inclined to do it)?!, such a god is not a true God, but a devil, and the spiritual/religious people that serve such a "god" actually serve the "death"...

Blessings

 

[ananda]

it is not righteous to multiply sufferings - what good/use would it be if every soul had to go through thousands of consecutive painful births, forms of existence and deaths within the single/little eternity?!,

We all suffer or enjoys pleasures according to the causes & actions we create - I find that reasonable.

what kind of god must one be if he causes or allows the souls to be passed through such a senseless hell (or is inclined to do it)?!, such a god is not a true God, but a devil, and the spiritual/religious people that serve such a "god" actually serve the "death"...

Blessings

I have no direct knowledge of "God". It seems unreasonable to me that an intelligent, acting, personal God actually exists.

 

[Leslie B]

Because apart from Him I can do nothing. And when you seek God you look for His presence and he give you rest. When you seek God you turn your heart towards him in prayer and look for his ways.

 

[ananda]

Because apart from Him I can do nothing. And when you seek God you look for His presence and he give you rest. When you seek God you turn your heart towards him in prayer and look for his ways.

Thanks for sharing.

I found even more rest in Buddhism

 

[Leslie B]

Thanks for sharing.

I found even more rest in Buddhism

Why did you stop having faith in Jesus, if you dont mind me asking?

 

[ananda]

Why did you stop having faith in Jesus, if you dont mind me asking?

I was a Christian for 3 decades, and served as a teacher of children and adults for many years, including an apologetics class. I was asked questions I could not adequately answer at the time, so I dug deeper into the Bible, to the point that I studied Greek (and some Hebrew). The questions and concerns multiplied in my own mind, and I came to the realization that I could not prove that any of the stories in the Bible actually happened. That was my turning point.

Thanks for asking!

 

[Leslie B]

I was a Christian for 3 decades, and served as a teacher of children and adults for many years, including an apologetics class. I was asked questions I could not adequately answer at the time, so I dug deeper into the Bible, to the point that I studied Greek (and some Hebrew). The questions and concerns multiplied in my own mind, and I came to the realization that I could not prove that any of the stories in the Bible actually happened. That was my turning point.

Thanks for asking!

Hey thank you for replying and being so open about your experience.

Forgive me if this is an annoying question but I'm a curious person lol.. but can I ask you a question? When you used to be a Christian, do you remember the moment or the time when you first believed in Jesus? When you were walking with God did He bless you with joy and peace and hope? Or was it not like that for you? Did something happen to make you start doubting?

Hope my questions dont come across wrong but Im curious! Also have you ever had a dream about hell?

 

[ananda]

Hey thank you for replying and being so open about your experience.

Forgive me if this is an annoying question but I'm a curious person lol.. but can I ask you a question? When you used to be a Christian, do you remember the moment or the time when you first believed in Jesus? When you were walking with God did He bless you with joy and peace and hope? Or was it not like that for you? Did something happen to make you start doubting?

Hope my questions dont come across wrong but Im curious! Also have you ever had a dream about hell?

I was raised in Christianity, so "Jesus" and "God" were always a part of my life from an early age. I don't recall a time when I didn't believe in "Jesus" (until recently, of course). When I was a Christian, I certainly felt many moments of joy, peace, and hope, which I attributed to these personages.

My doubts did not come all at once; looking back, I understand it was instead a process that progressed over a number of years. I'm a questioner by nature, and I like to study everything in-depth ... especially faith, religion, and philosophy. My unsatisfied questions eventually grew into a mountain of doubt.

I have not had dreams about hell. Why do you ask?

 

[toLiJC]

We all suffer or enjoys pleasures according to the causes & actions we create - I find that reasonable.

I have no direct knowledge of "God". It seems unreasonable to me that an intelligent, acting, personal God actually exists.

even if you have not committed spiritual unrighteousness since you began to lead a spiritual/religious life, your spiritual level is seemingly low, and there is a lot more to be realized...

Blessings

 

[ananda]

... there is a lot more to be realized...

Blessings

Indeed, and I'm following a path which promises and delivers immediate results in regards to realization.

 

[toLiJC]

Indeed, and I'm following a path which promises and delivers immediate results in regards to realization.

i meant overall salvation as a main/ultimate goal, not just some knowledge

Blessings

 

[ananda]

i meant overall salvation as a main/ultimate goal, not just some knowledge

Blessings

Do you have personal, direct knowledge, of "salvation" (in the Christian sense)?

 

[toLiJC]

Do you have personal, direct knowledge, of "salvation" (in the Christian sense)?

why must the worshiper necessarily have knowledge?!, what if we have knowledge but not power to save humankind?!, (maybe) you know that buddhism has existed for more than 2 millennia, but buddhists have never managed to save humankind, though they have acted/worked as worshipers/clerics for so many years generation after generation - haven't they had knowledge?!, they have had knowledge, but haven't had power to save the world (if they had power to save all humankind, then all people would be saved and would have/live a paradisaical life without there being suffering or insufficiency for any of them any longer), the spiritual tradition of the Prophets/Saints presented in the biblical scriptures is the most ancient holy tradition in the world, and it says that if there were/are enough true Saints in this world, then humankind would/will be saved, and that we could at least (seek to) work for overall salvation even if there is ultimately no salvation for some souls - in most cases of unsuccess the ones that didn't succeed were those who didn't keep seeking, which is why in biblical scripture there is speech about hope

Hebrews 6:9 "beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation"

in short, the more seriously we work for salvation for humans, the more there may be overall salvation, just as those who achieved the most were the ones who worked seriously the most - in any case we have nothing to lose if we are committed to the overall salvation in the true One (at least as far as it is given to us), but buddhism has been one of the world religions following traditions that allow there to be all kinds of woes/ills/sufferings for millions and even for billions of people, and even if christianity has also been such a religion, i don't think that buddhism hasn't been one of those religions - the world is still full of many evils/sufferings affecting many humans as well as of many (albeit popular) religions that do not save humankind, which is quite an obvious fact...

there are not-a-few things to be realized, such as, how can a man live fully contentedly in a heavenly paradise if there are (still) suffering people in the world?!, which is why St Paul said:

1 Timothy 6:3-7 "If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment(i.e. by unfeigned contentment). For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either."

Blessings

 

[ananda]

why must the worshiper necessarily have knowledge?!,

If there is no need for knowledge, one might as well worship Zeus in the hope for entrance into Elysium.

what if we have knowledge but not power to save humankind?!, (maybe) you know that buddhism has existed for more than 2 millennia, but buddhists have never managed to save humankind, though they have acted/worked as worshipers/clerics for so many years generation after generation - haven't they had knowledge?!, they have had knowledge, but haven't had power to save the world (if they had power to save all humankind, then all people would be saved and would have/live a paradisaical life without there being suffering or insufficiency for any of them any longer),

Buddhism recognizes that the power resides in the individual.

the spiritual tradition of the Prophets/Saints presented in the biblical scriptures is the most ancient holy tradition in the world,

It depends on how you see it. The Buddha claims that there have been countless past Buddhas from aeons past, so in that sense, Buddhism is the most ancient.

and it says that if there were/are enough true Saints in this world, then humankind would/will be saved, and that we could at least (seek to) work for overall salvation even if there is ultimately no salvation for some souls - in most cases of unsuccess the ones that didn't succeed were those who didn't keep seeking, which is why in biblical scripture there is speech about hope

Hebrews 6:9 "beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation"

in short, the more seriously we work for salvation for humans, the more there may be overall salvation,

What is "overall" salvation?

just as those who achieved the most were the ones who worked seriously the most - in any case we have nothing to lose if we are committed to the overall salvation in the true One (at least as far as it is given to us), but buddhism has been one of the world religions following traditions that allow there to be all kinds of woes/ills/sufferings for millions and even for billions of people, and even if christianity has also been such a religion, i don't think that buddhism hasn't been one of those religions - the world is still full of many evils/sufferings affecting many humans as well as of many (albeit popular) religions that do not save humankind, which is quite an obvious fact...

"Save humankind" in what sense? Buddhism offers a concrete path & a way out of the daily dukkha we all experience.

there are not-a-few things to be realized, such as, how can a man live fully contentedly in a heavenly paradise if there are (still) suffering people in the world?!, which is why St Paul said:

1 Timothy 6:3-7 "If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment(i.e. by unfeigned contentment). For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either."

Blessings

I have no personal knowledge of this heavenly paradise.

 

[toLiJC]

If there is no need for knowledge, one might as well worship Zeus in the hope for entrance into Elysium.

and what guarantee is there that "zeus" is a true God/not an idol and (that) 'waiting for entrance into elysium' is not a heresy?!

Buddhism recognizes that the power resides in the individual.

if the power to save humankind has resided in the individual, then why has no human managed to save humankind from all ills/woes/sufferings?!

It depends on how you see it. The Buddha claims that there have been countless past Buddhas from aeons past, so in that sense, Buddhism is the most ancient.

according to biblical scripture there had been zillions of eternities (like this that began 5-6 millennia ago) since beginninglessness of the time's infinity, and each of them had been elapsing in exactly the same way i.e. with exactly the same events in exactly the same sequence and with exactly the same personalities, from this perspective there had been not only zillions of buddhas but also zillions of all personalities (that have been known in the current eternity) for all those (single/little) eternities - zillions of you, zillions of me, zillions of everybody, but no soul could remain in the same personality/position for two or more consecutive eternities...

What is "overall" salvation?

how many times did i explain this to you?!, and it seems as if you even forget english or (as you call it) 'have no knowledge of' english spontaneously or i also don't know how, but it seems more and more as if you are deliberately insolent...

"Save humankind" in what sense? Buddhism offers a concrete path & a way out of the daily dukkha we all experience.

of course i was talking about saving humankind from evils, ills, woes, sufferings, death, hell, etc.

I have no personal knowledge of this heavenly paradise.

you demonstrate great dullness, which is seemingly a tricky way you try to circumvent the encounter with the truth, and it seems that you just try to impose your teaching on others rather than there be faithfulness to the truth in you, you are proof of one thing for sure, namely that if most buddhists are like you, then buddhism is certainly a means only of a boring and vain waste of time of others...

Blessings