If you know god, then what?

dilettante said:
Really?

How about Panspermia? It comes in different flavors, such as spread here by comet dust or introduced by ancient aliens or even mechanical intelligences.

Or the different forms of Abiogenesis?

I'm sure I've left out several others.
Click to expand...
Yes. Science says that we came from the stars.
 

gruntlabor said:
But isn't The (real) Truth true for everyone?
Click to expand...
No, I don't think so. The real truth is whatever one believes as the real truth to them personally. I don't get hung up on the specifics of other peoples thoughts and beliefs because I alone am responsible for my thoughts and actions, right or wrong I am responsible.That is the way it has to be.
I cannot judge. a person for thinking differently than I do but that seems to be a problem for some people. Truth is no one can prove god, however, proof is not a problem for people who believe.

I will argue religion and Christianity but never will I argue the presence of god in my life except in defense. God is personal and no one can force their beliefs on another person. Acceptance and applying one's belief to their life makes a belief come true for that individual.

I believe there are numerous ways or pathways to whatever concept of reward we seek in life. There are no right or wrong answers to the big question what ever that may be because you decide the truth you seek.
 
I am not convinced that we have free will. There are some prominent respected people who explain that nothing can happen in this world without it being completely conditioned to happen. No matter what happens we only believe we have free choice. That sweater you picked out after choosing between 4 different one's, was not a choice but the only thing you could possibly choose because you were conditioned to pick it. Can someone prove this theory wrong? :)
 

Paco Dennis said:
I am not convinced that we have free will. There are some prominent respected people who explain that nothing can happen in this world without it being completely conditioned to happen. No matter what happens we only believe we have free choice. That sweater you picked out after choosing between 4 different one's, was not a choice but the only thing you could possibly choose because you were conditioned to pick it. Can someone prove this theory wrong? :)
Click to expand...
I don't believe in free will either. Do you suppose the Bible made that up?
 
No, I have read about free will being part of the way our brain interprets information. It can seem like a feeling or a personal insight. That gives us the feeling of being a person. A living soul, that is just living in our bodies until we die. So much in ancient writings let us know that man thought he had choice. Between God and the devil, or good gods and bad gods.
 
I don't believe that to be the whole truth though. My view is that we are extremely conditioned but our behavior can be generated by the absence of the conditioning, which is also part of reality. That absence is the eternal silence of the beginning and it is free will.
 
Paco Dennis said:
That sweater you picked out after choosing between 4 different one's, was not a choice but the only thing you could possibly choose because you were conditioned to pick it. Can someone prove this theory wrong? :)
Click to expand...
Alternatively, can someone prove that theory right? Our conditioning predisposes us to act in certain ways, and the people in Madison Avenue would agree, but to say that negates free will, is a big leap. I think the free will debate belongs in the philosophical realm, at least for now.
 
JustDave said:
Alternatively, can someone prove that theory right? Our conditioning predisposes us to act in certain ways, and the people in Madison Avenue would agree, but to say that negates free will, is a big leap. I think the free will debate belongs in the philosophical realm, at least for now.
Click to expand...
Your right. The OP asks what do you do if you know God. It don't matter how. But the elements that led to the belief will carry the behavior afterwards.

Example. Because of the Hare Krishna movement, you would follow their example.

Because of a miracle of some kind. The person would act elated over God's love and healing power.

So it matters. The conditions in which the person comes to believe will continue to influence their behavior according to those with similar experiences.
 
Paco Dennis said:
I don't believe that to be the whole truth though. My view is that we are extremely conditioned but our behavior can be generated by the absence of the conditioning, which is also part of reality. That absence is the eternal silence of the beginning and it is free will.
Click to expand...
Habit can be an irresistible force in our lives. Overcoming our conditioning requires much thinking ahead, living by rote until the new habit is established.
 
Mr. Ed said:
if you know god, you may want to know god better, or be close to god, have a relationship with god and so on? Becoming a believer is only part of deal, you can reap god‘s love and blessings to pass along to others who you care about.

As a believer what part do you play in this Holy Alliance? Some people read the Bible and attend worship services, some pray for gods will to be done while others pray for financial gain and wellbeing?

My life and the way I live is how I am with god. Traditional methods of worship do not work for me the way other people seem to derive food for the soul.

Some people love Jesus but I didn‘t get to know god that way. I turned to god when I lost everything and nothing to lose. In my darkest hour submitting my life to god was the only sensible thing to do. God taught me how to live and I became one with god. I trust god as I live moment by moment in faith that whatever happens god and I have it covered.

it wonderful living this way without a care what may happen. Faith gives me the freedom of total reliance on god.
Click to expand...
I thought I had a satisfying relationship with God for many years until my life became increasingly difficult and God seemed nowhere or unresponsive. It felt like he was an imaginary friend and I just lost it. :sneaky: :sneaky:
 
Paco Dennis said:
I am not convinced that we have free will. There are some prominent respected people who explain that nothing can happen in this world without it being completely conditioned to happen. No matter what happens we only believe we have free choice. That sweater you picked out after choosing between 4 different one's, was not a choice but the only thing you could possibly choose because you were conditioned to pick it. Can someone prove this theory wrong? :)
Click to expand...
That sounds like some of Robert Sapolsky's theories. :)

I'm not sure I agree with something as mundane as choosing what to wear is beyond our control, as you (and probably Sapolsky) would suggest, although whether or not you care what you wear or what you look like may be due to factors beyond your control.

For example, Albert Einstein would often be so preoccupied with his work that he would go without a haircut or wouldn't comb his hair, and sometimes he'd even forget to put on his pants when he'd leave the house!

We have priorities in life that are determined by forces beyond our control. For Einstein, he really liked solving physics problems and obviously, was good at it. So what made him good at it? Whether it was nature or nurture, it was just something that happened; it wasn't of his choosing.
 
Paco Dennis said:
I am not convinced that we have free will. There are some prominent respected people who explain that nothing can happen in this world without it being completely conditioned to happen. No matter what happens we only believe we have free choice. That sweater you picked out after choosing between 4 different one's, was not a choice but the only thing you could possibly choose because you were conditioned to pick it. Can someone prove this theory wrong? :)
Click to expand...
This always struck me as a way to avoid taking responsibility for decisions and actions, and to assume that existence is pointless.

It is inherently nihilistic.
 
HermitHogan said:
For Einstein, he really liked solving physics problems and obviously, was good at it. So what made him good at it? Whether it was nature or nurture, it was just something that happened; it wasn't of his choosing.
Click to expand...

Maybe it is like surfing. You can't show what you can do beyond what a wave offers. Perhaps Einstein, in addition to being an accomplished 'surfer', got some great waves?
 
Is it strange that Christianity was introduced world by using Christmas as a tool of manipulation?
what I am saying, at an early age children are introduced to Christianity as a holiday for gifts combined with the birth of Jesus. Talk about mass indoctrination.

Personally I don’t believe in Jesus because my imagination does not stretch that far.
 
Christmas was basically remarketed Saturnalia, and that probably has its precursors as well.

"One God" but there is a "Trinity." And a Devil. And various castes of angels and demons. And beast-headed giants. And on and on the deeper you look.

I'm not pointing fingers at any one religion though. Look at them all.
 
"Traditional methods of worship do not work for me the way other people seem to derive food for the soul."

My brother's son-in-law was deep into religion for financial success. He co-owns a construction company and was a part-time self-ordained preacher who literally prayed for contracts/money.

He makes several hundred-thousand a year, but his life is in shambles. He was divorced twice and had 9 kids, and most of the kids are really messed up.

One of his sons and 1 of his daughters got in with bad people and were murdered
2 daughters had multiple children out of wedlock and live on welfare
1 daughter and 2 sons are currently homeless drug addicts
and 3 of his sons cut all contact with him years ago. Interestingly, 2 of them have been very successful in life.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Is it strange that Christianity was introduced world by using Christmas as a tool of manipulation?
what I am saying, at an early age children are introduced to Christianity as a holiday for gifts combined with the birth of Jesus. Talk about mass indoctrination.

Personally I don’t believe in Jesus because my imagination does not stretch that far.
Click to expand...

I don't think Jesus has exactly the significance Christians assign to him but I do think he was a real person who attained great insight. But when he says "I am the way" I believe he meant his manner of being was the way. No one comes to God except by that way. It shouldn't be about idolizing the man he was.
 
Mr. Ed said:
Is it strange that Christianity was introduced world by using Christmas as a tool of manipulation?
Click to expand...
Christianity was introduced to the world via the martyrdom of Christ.

But....
Mr. Ed said:
what I am saying, at an early age children are introduced to Christianity as a holiday for gifts combined with the birth of Jesus. Talk about mass indoctrination.
Click to expand...
The Christian families I've known told their kids that Christmas gifts are to celebrate Christ's "birthday" and that they represent Christ's love of children. But that's just in my personal experience.
(my dad's side of the family are Christians; mom's side are Jews)
 
Paco Dennis said:
I don't believe that to be the whole truth though. My view is that we are extremely conditioned but our behavior can be generated by the absence of the conditioning, which is also part of reality. That absence is the eternal silence of the beginning and it is free will.
Click to expand...
Where does our conditioning come from?
 
Paco Dennis said:
This is my experience and it is others as well, that our surroundings including our body, senses, have an influence on us. We effect each other and we adapt our behavior for survival reasons. We are all dependent on our environment. :)
Click to expand...
Okay, thank you. Something to think about.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top