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bookofdaniel
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The God of the Bible
#28371705 - 06/23/23 07:08 PM (7 months, 1 day ago) |
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Hey Shroomers.
Quick introduction I have been scanning the forum a few hours today, going over the hunting of wild mushrooms, and spiritual beliefs and questions in particular. I have been familiar with the forum for a long time. I think it is great. I love the debate and the asking of life's big questions.
I had to look hard, like really hard and long before I found my first species of wild magic mushrooms. There is a lesson in there somewhere. Then there was a time I was on holiday and in company and they were everywhere, and I was too embarassed to pick them in front of those people.
Recently I have been struggling with losing my Christianity. I have Christian parents. I resolved to read the whole of the Bible, believing as I did that it was the 'word of God' and would reform me as a person. I would 'meditate' on scripture, i.e. recite verses till I could quote them at will.
But doing so only made me very close minded. I felt it necessary to preach the gospel at all times, as it says to do in the Bible, but I didn't always feel comfortable doing it, and sometimes it felt stupid.
When I look back on it the main reason I turned to the Bible was I felt guilt for something bad I did. I felt like there must be an answer, and that Jesus was it. After all, he said 'I am the way, the truth and the life.' It's crazy, I have been a Christian 8 years, after being an atheist, and before that an agnostic. And now I have reversed again. The Bible is full of contradictions, as I found out from reading it. So many times when talking to a Christian friend we would have different sides of a question at hand and both have scriptures to back it up.
For example, how do you square 'love thy neighbour' with the verse about hating thy mother and thy father, and yea indeed thy own life? This is just one example, but there are many. Also, are we judged according to our works? According to the Bible depending on the part which you read, the answer is both yes and no. Does God test us? If no, then why did God test Abraham? Has no one ever seen God, as it says in John 1:18? What then about Abraham who spoke with God, or Moses, or Jacob who wrestled with God? Are we sinners, in need of a savior, or are we born again that sinneth not?
Then there is the fact that the God of the Old Testament can seem so petty, capricious, revenge-hungry and even evil. Wiping out whole populations, men women and children. Things like slavery, rape, incest, and murdering babies in the narrative. In fact I don't want to think about it.
Nonstampcollector on Youtube does a pretty good job of exposing some of the Bible contradictions. Bible quiz
In some of his other videos this 'angel' does a good job of exposing the idiocy of some of God's actions. God comes across as really dumb and impetuous.
But what good does all this railing against a contrived and imaginary God do? It satisfies emotionally for a time at least, but leads to more questions. Perhaps then there is no God. I believed this for a time. But I couldn't account for morals as an atheist, or absurdist. Maybe I could. It can be shit at times, but I can't believe that life is pointless. It can also be quite good.
I regret that God told me what to do with my dick. I passed up pussy because I feared God would judge me for fornicating. I believed I had to stop masturbating as a single man. Jesus was my master and I was his slave. I had to deny myself or I was going to hell.
But I came to resent this, and Nonstampcollector's videos gave me some relief, to laugh at God. If God was perfect, why create hell? Why command people what to do, yet give them free will? Why be a hypocrite, commanding people not to lie while sending lying prophets? Why 'thou shalt not murder', if God himself was the most prolific murderer of all time? If satan is the source of evil, why did God create him?
Basically, I looked to the Bible because I wanted to know how to live. But how can I get anything from it when it is contradictory in nature?
More questions than answers as ever. Maybe. But the weird thing is I do feel as though I have had prayers answered. So perhaps God exists, but he is not the God of Israel. Perhaps he is a she.
The universe could be God, I don't know. I know that I have tried really hard to believe the God of the Bible, but I can't say I like him.
The universe tells me things, I believe. I get feedback all the time. You could call it 'God', but that word doesn't help because I don't believe in a controlling, vindictive and cruel God, like the one in the Bible.
I'd like to believe that my God is gentle and kind and loving, if he exists at all. Perhaps God is just a way of describing the unknown.
Jesus commands us 'Be perfect, just as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.'
But who amongst us can be perfect?
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DividedQuantum
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This thread was moved from Philosophy, Sociology & Psychology.
Reason: Better suited here.
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Buster_Brown
L'une


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It's "A long, strange, trip," we are on.
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VP123
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You may want to read "The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love". This was written by Bishop John Shelby Spong. I have not finished it but I am amused how this Bishop kept his faith in view of his analysis of the bible.
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syncro
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I like to find what is common and sensical in religions, and forget the rest. Things like kindness, good will, and the internal.
Edited by syncro (06/23/23 08:01 PM)
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FishOilTheKid
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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: syncro] 2
#28371842 - 06/23/23 08:42 PM (7 months, 1 day ago) |
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Quote:
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Isa.45
...on approaching perfection: perhaps one of the secrets to God-realization and Godhood (ascension) is accepting that 'God' IS both polarities!
Hail, Baphomet!
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bookofdaniel
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Registered: 06/22/23
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Quote:
Buster_Brown said: It's "A long, strange, trip," we are on.
Seems that way.
Quote:
VP123 said: You may want to read "The Sins of Scripture: Exposing the Bible's Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love". This was written by Bishop John Shelby Spong. I have not finished it but I am amused how this Bishop kept his faith in view of his analysis of the bible.
Sounds interesting. Yes it's such a dastardly text. Am I ok with a God who lies?
Quote:
syncro said: I like to find what is common and sensical in religions, and forget the rest. Things like kindness, good will, and the internal.
It's a shame we have to be selective, I feel.
Quote:
FishOilTheKid said:
Quote:
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. Isa.45
...on approaching perfection: perhaps one of the secrets to God-realization and Godhood (ascension) is accepting that 'God' IS both polarities!
Hail, Baphomet!
I am familiar with this verse. I can't work out whether God is my enemy or my friend. I suppose he is a dictator either way.
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Buster_Brown
L'une


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Quote:
bookofdaniel said:
Am I ok with a God who lies?
When your eyes really see you may agree that everything is a metaphor which is intrinsically fiction, a lie.
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syncro
Registered: 01/14/15
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"It's a shame we have to be selective, I feel."
In ourselves we have to be selective between the sane and insane. Why not also with religion?
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connectedcosmos
Neti Neti



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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: syncro]
#28372367 - 06/24/23 07:33 AM (7 months, 1 day ago) |
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Maybe check out the book, Original sin is a lie My wife just bought it and it's an extremely interesting book wrote by someone who has been studying comparative religion , they have quotes from all kinds of different religions in that book , and it goes on to explain what the Bible is how it was wrote , tweaked thruout time , etc
I saw it even has quotes from ACIM @ syncro
Many quotes from Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Shankara, Sufi poets you name it I'm going to likely read it when I get a chance
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 54. The true nature of things is to be known personally , through the eyes of clear illumination and not through a sage : what the moon exactly is , is to be known with one's own eyes ; can another make him know it?
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bookofdaniel
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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: syncro]
#28372914 - 06/24/23 03:22 PM (7 months, 16 hours ago) |
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Quote:
syncro said: "It's a shame we have to be selective, I feel."
In ourselves we have to be selective between the sane and insane. Why not also with religion?
People telling me that the Bible was the word of God really hot my hopes up.
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Buster_Brown
L'une


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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: bookofdaniel] 1
#28373125 - 06/24/23 05:35 PM (7 months, 14 hours ago) |
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The deck is stacked
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syncro
Registered: 01/14/15
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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: bookofdaniel]
#28373682 - 06/25/23 05:25 AM (7 months, 2 hours ago) |
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Quote:
bookofdaniel said:
Quote:
syncro said: "It's a shame we have to be selective, I feel."
In ourselves we have to be selective between the sane and insane. Why not also with religion?
People telling me that the Bible was the word of God really hot my hopes up.
A few diamonds in a field of rocks is wealth nevertheless. I don't mean to dash hope. Then some will say hope is a distraction which is fine, as in the hoped for is found, or just to be still beyond hope which is rest.
Edited by syncro (06/25/23 05:26 AM)
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syncro
Registered: 01/14/15
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Quote:
connectedcosmos said: Maybe check out the book, Original sin is a lie My wife just bought it and it's an extremely interesting book wrote by someone who has been studying comparative religion , they have quotes from all kinds of different religions in that book , and it goes on to explain what the Bible is how it was wrote , tweaked thruout time , etc
I saw it even has quotes from ACIM @ syncro
Many quotes from Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Shankara, Sufi poets you name it I'm going to likely read it when I get a chance
Looks interesting. On the list.
Quote:
"Original sin" is a lie. Jesus, a deeply profound teacher of Love and Unity, never said a thing about "original sin". It's a doctrine invented by Augustine of Hippo over three hundred years later.
Quote:
Augustine of Hippo ChatGPT
Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine, was an influential Christian theologian and philosopher who lived from 354 to 430 AD. He was born in present-day Algeria and is considered one of the most important figures in the development of Western Christian thought.
Augustine's writings had a profound impact on various theological topics, including original sin. He developed and articulated the concept of original sin in his works, particularly in his book "Confessions" and his treatise "On the Literal Interpretation of Genesis." Augustine believed that through Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden, all humanity inherited both a sinful nature and guilt.
According to Augustine, the original sin of Adam and Eve corrupted human nature, making every person inherently prone to sin. He argued that as a result of this original sin, humanity lost its original state of righteousness and communion with God. This understanding of original sin influenced subsequent Christian theology, particularly within the Western Church.
Augustine's teachings on original sin emphasized the fallen state of humanity and the need for divine grace and redemption. He believed that humans could not attain salvation or righteousness by their own efforts but rather through the grace of God. Augustine's views on original sin and his emphasis on divine grace played a significant role in shaping the theological doctrines of sin, salvation, and human nature in Western Christianity.
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bookofdaniel
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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: Buster_Brown]
#28374070 - 06/25/23 12:17 PM (6 months, 30 days ago) |
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Quote:
Buster_Brown said: The deck is stacked

Yes I thought this was the answer. A good answer too.
Sucks that we can't apply human logic to God. What use is our brains anyway? I used to think I had a good one. Can't see the point of applying it anymore.
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Buster_Brown
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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: bookofdaniel]
#28374217 - 06/25/23 03:06 PM (6 months, 30 days ago) |
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With the meaning of life as entertainment for unassigned supportive elements your intelligence may be rewarded by a resolve problems in a way you like to be treated environment.
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Hartford
Lawful Good



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Re: The God of the Bible (moved) [Re: bookofdaniel]
#28374348 - 06/25/23 04:59 PM (6 months, 30 days ago) |
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You're right about the Bible and the God of Israel.
Here's my 2 cents about how things work:

Hopefully we won't be born into a Christian family next time.
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Lucis
Nutritional Yeast

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I read some things which said that when you read a bible and it says that something is/was commanded it was translated that way when the King James bible was written because it was more political to do things that way.
If you wanted someone to listen to the king and the king's religion, then saying things are commanded makes sense, it was essentially just someone preying on the serfs, which is kind of messed up!
I am not for or against any religion, I find Omnist interesting because it's easy to find truth in so many things.
I don't hate Jesus, I think he was just a philosopher who got a bad rap because he had some progressive views for his time.
Christ consciousness is interesting because you don't have to be Christian to enjoy it.
I think with all things it's best to think for yourself and figure out what works best for you,
Anyway, I am not an atheist or theist, in the past I have found what many religions promised I found while dosing, which actually led me to being mostly sober these days.
I rarely consume things to alter my consciousness because I find It easier to alter my consciousness from a sober state. I had a life changing trip a while ago and the saying goes "if you get the call, hang up the phone", I wouldn't want to abuse something which has so much power.
Why I say this is that some people in certain communities find that religion helps them make sense of certain experiences up until a certain point, for some it's makes things more confusing.
Just trying to help!
Sometimes it's just good enough to let it all go and live in peace with ourselves and others to the best of our ability and see what happens in life.
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