Final Part, Why Believe in God?

by jst2laws 13 Replies latest jw friends

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  jst2laws

  Why Believe in God, Final part

  Bear with me a moment while I inter the forbidden territory of explaining what I believe to be the spiritual message.

  Everything in the Hebrew scriptures are an object lesion to show us what God does not want. Able and Cain offered sacrifices as well as Noah without God asking for it. He never wanted this. He gave Israel a King and a kingdom against his own will (1 Sam. 5). He gave bloody victory to the Jews at wars, although He himself hates violence. (Ps.11:5) Why did God, Jehovah, manifest in the Hebrew scriptures do things that He did not want to do? To serve as an object lesion that would point to the real thing. All the disturbing events of the Old Testament are fulfilled and explained, even cancelled in the life, death and message of a man who claimed to have come in God’s name, the mirror or image of the True God.

  This man did not establish a religion, nor create an organization to replace the nation of Israel. He did not establish any rules except to love God and to love people (after loving yourself). Although he claimed to be assigned as judge of the world, he condemned no one except religious leaders who controlled and condemned others. He recognized we were burdened down and oppressed. He recognized the source of the oppression. RELIGION!

  He offered relief. As if to say shed that oppressive yoke religion has put on you, he said “take my yoke, for my yoke is kindly and my load is light.” Of course it is light – shed the burdens of organized religion and settle into a comfortable relationship with, not Jehovah (name never used by Jesus), but with a father.

  I do not need proof of his miracles or even proof of his existence. I believe his message. It suits me, liberates me and gives me the sense that there is “something out there”.

  Much more could be said, but you’re probably saying enough already! I welcome your comments.

  Jst2laws

  Of the semi-philosopher, looking for abuse class
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  Marvin Shilmer

  Hi, Jst2laws

  Now that we have the final installment of why you believe in God, let me say that watching your journey is a beautiful thing. Now on to the subject.

  At the end of the day I think your reasoning boils down to the following:

  1. You believe humans have a unique spiritual need that is inherent, and

  2. You believe in the God of the Bible because that source nurtures that spiritual need in a unique way.

  Is summation correct?

  As for what you assert about teachings attributed to Jesus, that is more about how you are nurtured than the fact that you are nurtured. You conclude that Jesus’ moral distinctions and teachings are the ultimate nurturance and that failing to learn from their simplicity leads men astray and into the very thing Jesus was saving his listeners from, organized religion.

  Is this summation correct?
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  gumby

  I believe his message. It suits me, liberates me and gives me the sense that there is “something out there”.

  I'm a little different.
  I also want to continue believing when it is all I've known, and come to trust. However........

  There have been some really good points made on this board to at least consider on the authenticity of the Bible, and the person of Jesus

  This is the point I am at...(real fun)

  I am going to fing out for sure WHO, decided what would be scripture as it has been brought out the Catholic big wigs did.
  Also that it was written in the 2nd century, as the original letters do not exist.

  I want to find out about the SIMILAR stories that ancient legend and mythology have with the bible.

  Also if the Trinity is not true...........how does God feel about the millions who believe it and SWEAR non-trinitarians will lose out.

  How does God let people remain blind as to WHO he is?

  I HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS THAT NEED ANSWERS BEFORE GO ANY FURTHER WITH MY BELIEFS

  Even CONSIDERING the fact I could BE FOOLED ...again...ANGERS ME and BREAKS MY HEART
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  jst2laws

  Hello Marvin,

  Yes, that is a fair summary. I seem to have spent more time on why the demand for "evidence" should not be allowed to invalidate belief in God than I intended. But then, to spend too much time on what might appear to be evangelizing would not go over too well.

  Much more could have been said, but it was good to get my own thoughts organized on the issues.

  Thanks for responding, Marvin.

  Jst2laws
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  terafera

  He recognized we were burdened down and oppressed. He
  recognized the source of the oppression. RELIGION!

  Very interesting! It's something I wouldnt have considered before coming to this site.. but it certainly makes me think. Like the Bible does state, his yoke is light. Yet so many of the harsh burdens put upon man (esp by the jws) are not light.

  Thanks for an interesting post!

  
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  U.2.K.

  Hey 1st2lawz, satan got you Turning away from'the truth, you just cant see that, also whatever Jehovah Did It's his business, you cant Question your Creator in a bad way! just know that Jehovah God is Watching....
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  SYN

  Hey 1st2lawz, satan got you Turning away from'the truth, you just cant see that,
  Agreed, no one has ever seen Satan. Apart from a few fruitcakes in mental institutions, that is.

  you cant Question your Creator in a bad way
  Interestingly enough, you can't question the Watchtower Society either (at least, if you want to remain within it's clutches). Is this a coincidence U2K? I think not. Any person or entity that cannot be questioned deserves extreme suspicion, dontcha think?

  "If men were like their personal ads, they wouldn't need personal ads."
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  Pathofthorns

  I do not need proof of his miracles or even proof of his existence. I believe his message. It suits me, liberates me and gives me the sense that there is “something out there”.

  Many people who are not Christian also find much wisdom in much of what Christ said and did.

  Your comments above seem to be an admission that you believe things because they make you feel good. This seems to be a potentially risky way of evaluating matters and could lead to one being misled down the road.

  It is true that many things cannot be proven and I don't think all beliefs that cannot be proven are harmful or necessarily "wrong". I do think that you will need a more solid foundation for your belief structure or at least a more convincing line of argument to help others share your viewpoint. Many people feel as you do, but some need more than a feeling to convince them.

  I find that someone who states they believe in God is not necessisarly unreasonable. It is where they go from there that seems to lead to the speculations about who god is, what he wants us to do and what he is planning for us that seems to get many into difficulty. And if you need God to tell you how to live, much of that is just common sense that trancends all cultures and religions and beliefs.

  Path
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  Carmel

  The condemnation of "RELIGION" without definition leaves one to wonder and wander. Is everything done collectively in pursuit of socio/religious goals condemned? Surely "religion" is not purely bad. When used to control and supress, it has the same outcome as those that use electricity to torture and maim. When used for collective good and for personal development, no other force can have the civilizing effect as a common belief put into action.

  Perhaps you could be a little less inclusive in your condemnation of "religion" unless you are more specific about what it is you are railing against...

  carmel
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  blindfool

  Just2laws,
  I've very much enjoyed your posts on this subject.
  I do have a question, however.
  If Jesus's message did not include an organized religion, how do you explain the Christians of the first century?
  These early Chistians were divided on many aspects of their beliefs, but did remain organized.
  I've been chastised here before for suggesting that religion can be organized. I'll probably get it again. I do think that a group of Christians can come together to support each other and keep their personal relationship our savior intact.
  The WTBTS has turned many people away from God altogether and many more against any kind of organized religion. In my mind, this is one thing the JW leaders will be made to answer for.