Random Thought

[nailit]

If I *need* (why would I need?) to believe in a God for whatever reason (Eternal life. Avoiding eternal hell etc) then how could I be sure that the God that I believed in would be the one?
If 'God' himself appeared to me how could I be sure that this entity would indeed be the God of truth and not some impersonating spirit/delusion/demon/ etc?
Ive sometimes been asked what would turn me into a believer.
The answer is that I don't know.
But any God who cares enough about me WOULD know.
After 53 yrs on this Earth, I can only conclude that
1) God doesn't want me (or he would show me that he exists...no questions asked)
2) God doesn't exist

Either way, the problem is not mine.

[naomi24]

David, thank you for answering. Odd things do happen, I have no doubt of that, but it seems to me contradictory to asvise nailit to abandon all previous beliefs and then claim to have been touched by God. The notion of God is, in itself, a product of your previous religious education.

Did it ever occur to you that your experience may have been
caused by something else entirely?

[david small]

I understand your premise naomi24, I have considered the source of my religious, for want of a word experience.
Since childhood I searched for evidence of Gods existence. Read widely, concluded nothing except mans interpretations felt just wrong. My revelation came from deep within my own psyche. That of course could be interpreted as self delusional. It’s a personal experience, and I can only relate it inadequately. To my understanding I know God is love, and within us to find, or not. Just tried to help nails believe in the possibility of experiencing that intangible spiritual mystery.

[Bazile]

People who don't believe in God sure do spend a lot of time talking about the subject

[douglas9401]

Address to impress.

[naomi24]

David, I’m not knocking your experience, simply questioning your certainty of the source. That certainty, I would suggest, emanates from an ingrained notion of the Abrahamic God - something you’ve advised nailit to ignore.

Had you been born into a different society and experienced something similar, I wonder what you would have attributed it to?

[david small]

Nirvana?

[sandyRoe]

We need to remember, 'The devil can cite scripture for his purpose'.

[david small]

The devils in the detail, there’s the rub.

[naomi24]

Steady in there David! Nirvana isn’t a ‘cause’. It’s an ultimate state of being. I doubt any soul that had achieved nirvana would be posting on the AnswerBank!

[Old_Geezer]

I thought that they were headed by Kurt Cobain ?

Preaching load up on guns, bring your friends. It's fun to lose and to pretend.

[naomi24]

Wrong Nirvana OG. :o)

[david small]

‘Twas just a jest naiomi24.

[Baldric]

For what I believe is the first time ever I agree with the post/poster @ 0045.

[nailit]

Bazile & Baldric,
Please feel free to ignore (as lots of other ABers manage to do) to ignore threads that you have no interest in.

[Theland]

In a nutshell, your loss my gain.

[nailit]

//In a nutshell, your loss my gain//
How so?
Hope ur well Theland. Did you see the FAO Theland in B&S?

[Theland]

Very unwell. No did not see it.
"Either way, the problem is not mine."

[nailit]

//"Either way, the problem is not mine." //
Quoting me does not answer my question of how my 'loss' (?) is your gain?

[Theland]

I am saved by my Lord Jesus Christ. I am at peace with what I know and experience.
You do not have what I have, therefore your loss.

[nailit]

//You do not have what I have, therefore your loss.//
No I don't, I don't have shingles for one. Don't think that Ive lost much.
Im trying to be friendly Theland but your self righteous pomposity is a poor testimony to your faith.
I like you as a person and all the years that ive known you on AB has been a pleasure but your constant derogatory remarks to those that question you makes you come across as a thoroughly unpleasant personality. You belong to no church but your own. Your Christian views are right and all others are wrong. Christendom is wrong but you (and you alone) are right. You belong to no church. You are not averse to calling intellectuals like Richard Dawkins misguided fools and atheists in general fools. I know many fine Christians who seek to do good in the world and even though I disagree with their theology I can see that their heart is in the right place. I just don't see that in you. I see someone who demands that others agree with them OR ELSE!!
Have a close look at your own psyche because you are going downhill. People like myself and naomi (others from years ago, no longer seem to be active) are not your enemy. We might disagree but that doesn't make us your nemesis. Its a discussion/Q&A site.
Every answer you give is defensive when you are not been attacked...just questioned. Just why do you have to say that something is my loss when I was been friendly towards you???
Where the hell did that come from. Its irrational.