by Chimene 154 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
There may be a higher power but, if it exists, I don't think it is a hands-on sort of being. We seem to be left to sink or swim on our own here.
I also don't think any of the "holy" writings are anything more than myth, legend, history, outright fraud, and wishful thinking in various combinations.
I don`t know about the Bible, it`s hard to believe in it when you have spent some time on this forum and learned all these things about it from the excellent minds here (about its development, polytheistic beginnings, failed prophesies, revising, later editing etc). But I do believe in a "universal" morality, objective, everlasting moral standards. Right and wrong, true and false. It`s not all "a state of flux", it`s not all relative. There are universal constants, and you can call them God if you want to. As for the rest, afterlife and all that, I have no clue, but I doubt much will happen after they lower my box down and throw dirt on top of it.
I still believe in people.
After my life experience, it has taken compassion and understanding to not give up that faith. God can wait his turn as I am presently dealing with life on earth.
All that would be of significant interest to me would be if God believed in me. When I say that I am takin a swipe at the personal male deity type of God that the Bible describes.
To believe in people, appreciate life and strive to be the best we can, is to me, the highest form of respect that can be demonstrated to the source of life.
We are such an advanced species that we haev developed these moral codes (murder is bad, etc.) in order to protect and benefit our kind. If anything causes social upset between members, that cause is demonized and animalized - reminding ourselves that we are better (top predators) and more powerful as a species.
Since I left the Dubs I have had very mixed feelings, sometimes believing, and sometimes thinking its all hogwash.
What I have really enjoyed though is being able to consider all the possibilities, and even consider that there may be no god, without being forced and pressured into one belief. Its exhilarating to be able to listen and consider all possibilities now, and actually weigh it up myself and choose what I think makes most sense to me.
At the moment, after watching 'March of the Penguins' I think there is a creative force. But I dont think there is a god. And if there is, im REALLY mad at him.
WOW!!! People, please go back and reread JamesThomas's post a page back on becoming the buddha. What he is pointing to in his characteristically lucid way is available right now, in this very moment. Reread it again and again - let the words lead you to where there are no words, just being - there is where freedom is found, where peace is dis-covered, where your true nature abides. Then look into the eyes of the picture he posted - what you see streaming form is not other than what you are in reality. Look into a mirror, at a tree, at your neighbor, at a flower - you will see yourself everywhere.
I concur with those who resonate with Adyashanti as well. If there is a resonance with JT, Adyashanti, and The Power of Now, I would also recommend checking out Gangaji (don't be thrown off by the "eastern" sounding name, she is an American woman).
http://www.gangaji.org/index.asp
You will find on this site a listening library as well.
For those who are more inclined to approach awakening from a completely different angle I would recommend reading "Loving What Is" by Byron Katie.
http://www.thework.com/index.asp
Make that "what you see streaming forth..." in my above post. Wish I could edit, but this Mac won't let me.
Eh... I'm not really down on all that Buddha shit. I've read Sidhartha and all other Hesse novels and I don't think that guy really figured out a thing when it comes down to it. Reminds me of the worst movie of all time "What The Bleep Do We Know?" Bullshit, in my opinion. I guess I'm just a realist - don't need any flowery, mysterious prose to explain the meaning of life. Just give me a cup of coffee, a good book, and I'm happy.
The Messiah is what you say he is in all the religious books which is both good and bad and always just and truthful. Its not the Jesus of yesterday you are trying to find its the Jesus of today. Robin Hood and Jesus may have been exagerated or understated due to poor documentation, but a man like Jesus today would know his mission and be well documented. I suggest you look at the documentation and talk to the witnesses which prove that todays Messiah is exactly like Jesus of 2000 years ago only a million times more accomplished at performing miracles. You either believe a man like Jesus walks the Earth right now or you don't.
daniel said, "I don't think that guy really figured out a thing when it comes down to it."
There is no THINKING in knowing what you are in reality. He didn't "figure" anything out at all - he left that behind, along with all thoughts about everything else.
"I guess I'm just a realist - don't need any flowery, mysterious prose to explain the meaning of life. Just give me a cup of coffee, a good book, and I'm happy."
That's right, you don't need any of those things - even drop the book - you don't need that either.
