If you know god, then what?

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? :)
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My beliefs are inclined toward what you've said. It seems to me that God is either everything or nothing at all (I use "God" in a higher power sense, not from any particular religion). How could it be any other way. If not, where does my will stop and God's will start? Or the reverse.

I think "good" and "evil" are human constructs. There is no distinction if one leans toward either pantheism or panentheism. Both circumstances are intended to happen. I've forgotten the philosopher who opined that God brings the murderer and his victim together. Sobering but illuminating.
 

Olivia said:
Where does our conditioning come from?
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Good question I don’t have an answer. You have to admit given the amount of effort pushing Christianity somebody or something went to a lot of trouble
 
MarkD said:
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.
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I do not believe Jesus is the way to know god.
 

Mr. Ed said:
Good question I don’t have an answer. You have to admit given the amount of effort pushing Christianity somebody or something went to a lot of trouble
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If l'm understanding you correctly l would have to agree that He did. Just from my perspective l hasten to say.
 
Mr. Ed said:
I do not believe Jesus is the way to know god.
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So it won't be for you. It isn't for me either. If I wanted to be Christian I'd have to be a unitarian. But I'm pretty sure it plays a big role for many. I don't believe ..

Mr. Ed said:
I believe god can be anything we choose god to be.
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.. because I don't think god belief is based on an arbitrary creative act on our part. There would be no religious traditions if that were true. Belief in god is like belief that you understand the meaning of a poem or myth. You don't just pick whatever you like at random you use your imagination and past experience to feel your way toward what feels right.
 
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.
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There is nothing wrong with 'tools of manipulation' except for the word 'manipulation' which carries negative connotations.
 
ChiroDoc said:
I think "good" and "evil" are human constructs. There is no distinction if one leans toward either pantheism or panentheism. Both circumstances are intended to happen. I've forgotten the philosopher who opined that God brings the murderer and his victim together. Sobering but illuminating.
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I don't know about that, but I know that what is 'evil' for the molested and murdered child is 'good' for the molester.
 
Belief in "god" can have a placebo effect. If you believe he's going to help you, you'll have more confidence. It will have a calming effect, so you're more likely to experience a positive outcome for whatever you're trying to do.

It's like the kickers in American football who make the sign of the cross on their body when they're about to kick a field goal. The pressure must be intense when their kick could determine the outcome of the game. But if they can go off in their own little world where it's just them, the ball, and their "god," it must be a lot easier. Some kind of meditation would have the same effect.
 
HermitHogan said:
Belief in "god" can have a placebo effect. If you believe he's going to help you, you'll have more confidence. It will have a calming effect, so you're more likely to experience a positive outcome for whatever you're trying to do.

It's like the kickers in American football who make the sign of the cross on their body when they're about to kick a field goal. The pressure must be intense when their kick could determine the outcome of the game. But if they can go off in their own little world where it's just them, the ball, and their "god," it must be a lot easier. Some kind of meditation would have the same effect.
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Sometimes I found that the opposite happened. I prayed for calm and strength before I was to pitch in an important baseball game. Game time comes and I feel great, and full of confidence. I get hit so badly than I am taken out of the game after 2 or 3 innings. Some of my best games were when I felt like I didn't want to be out there.

Life happens in unpredictable ways. Our feelings of confidence or even fear does not necessarily guaranty good or poor results, respectively.
 
MarkD said:
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.. because I don't think god belief is based on an arbitrary creative act on our part. There would be no religious traditions if that were true. Belief in god is like belief that you understand the meaning of a poem or myth. You don't just pick whatever you like at random you use your imagination and past experience to feel your way toward what feels right.
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I always liked Aldous Huxley's comment when asked, what is God.
He replied, "God is the inner experience of principles applied."
 
ChiroDoc said:
I always liked Aldous Huxley's comment when asked, what is God.
He replied, "God is the inner experience of principles applied."
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So the principles come first and then God? What about believe like a little child?
 
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The principles do not come first. It is really very simple. Sit down, clear your mind and pray. Finish your prayer and go about your day.
When things happen to surprise you remember your efforts to reach God. Then reach out to HIM again.
Most times we talk more then we listen. He doesn't have to explain himself to you. You need to explain yourself to him. He is GOD, you are his creation.
 
ChiroDoc said:
I always liked Aldous Huxley's comment when asked, what is God.
He replied, "God is the inner experience of principles applied."
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I liked your post because I'm a big fan of Aldous Huxley but, like rbtvgo, I wonder what exactly he meant by that. My favorite book by him is The Perennial Philosophy which has much that would apply in this thread.
 

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