A God that watches over us-real or imagined?

musicismylife78

i posted about this about 6 months ago, but its an interesting topic to me, as i have become more spiritual not religious over the past few months. As a marxist, and fan of hitchens, and dawkins, and a fan of bands who question the veracity of such a being, like Tool, or Radiohead, or PJ, or Modest Mouse.

I still love to watch youtube clips of hitchens and dawkins and Carlin discussing the ridiculous nature of organized religion, I see no danger in spirituality, personal spirituality.

I do like to think there is a god watching over us. Guiding us. And in terms of religion or whatever, i always have gravitated toward not necessarily a god in the clouds, but more the idea of god existing in a blade of grass, or an oak tree, or in a hawk. So much in the world is so magical. Just watching Planet Earth or Life the tv shows, how can one not wonder about how all of it.

Its comforting to think of such a being, and I seem to have developed a belief in one. Dont think i will be joining the 700 club or joining the Kirk Cameron crusade or anything but I think one can be spiritual and also keep ones sanity and wits about them. Certainly much in the realm of organized religion is completely ridiculous. the molestation, the cover ups, the racism, the patriarchal nature of it all, the rigidness of the religion, the wars religion starts. All that should and needs to be called into question and discussed.

I still have doubts and questions, who doesnt, but i think i have changed, and i would like to think i have changed for the better. So I believe in a creator, a god, a being.

Whats everyone else's take on the idea of god religion and a guy in the clouds?

PureandEasy

I choose to believe there is a higher power, it's extremely comforting to me.

Plus I was raised a catholic, it's against my religion not to believe.

musicismylife78

its pretty hilarious i was on the opposite end of this discussion a few months ago.

MayDay10

with me, its not necessarily looking at whats here on Earth, to me the wonder is in the Cosmos

megatron

something is going on. my life is too coincidental and intertwined with certain things and people ...

LikeAnOcean

That's my problem with religion. People believe because it is a comforting thought.

People need an explanation for the unknown, because the unknown is scary. They make up an explanation so its comforting, unfortunately.

It's like walking through the woods at night. It's scary, right? So, instead of just accepting that we can't see what's in front of us, we just say magical elves are guiding us and we won't run into a tree or get eaten by a bear. Those magical elves are a comforting thought.

Why can't we just accept the fact that there's things we can't explain? Why does everything need an explanation?

Because explanations are comforting, even if we make them up and convince ourselves they must be true.

musicismylife78

jones wrote:

something is going on. my life is too coincidental and intertwined with certain things and people ...

i agree thats what pushed me to believe. i do feel like as crazy as it sounds, god does care about us. little old me. that indeed wars go on, the climate is in crisis, oil spills, but that in all of that, the creator, cares whether i am happy or not.

To me coincidences are not coincidences but sort of the creator showing the way.

musicismylife78

LikeAnOcean wrote:

That's my problem with religion. People believe because it is a comforting thought.

People need an explanation for the unknown, because the unknown is scary. They make up an explanation, so its comforting unfortunately.


It's like walking through the woods at night. It's scary, right? So, instead of just accepting that we can't see what's in front of us, we just say magical elves are guiding us and we won't run into a tree or get eaten by a bear. Those magical elves are comforting.


Why can't we just accept the fact that there's thing we can't explain? Why does everything need an explanation?

i agree in some respects. my version of the creator doesnt really tell me what to believe. I dont really understand the relgious folks who are good or nice merely for fear of going to hell. my version of spirituality, the one i cling to right now, is partly the idea that my dreams, goals, desires are what god wants for me. so for instance i paint, draw, write. And I think god wants that for me as well, and will create coincidences or synchronicity as jung called it, serendipity, whatever you call it to instruct you on your way.

Its hard to talk about religion without sounding like Bush or something. This idea that God told him to invade Iraq. Thats not what I am talking about. I dont want to be like him, or those folks.

the point is, even as a now believer in a creator, i cant explain anything.

CJMST3K

I hope there is... but I'm not wagering there is.

LikeAnOcean

musicismylife78 wrote:

LikeAnOcean wrote:

That's my problem with religion. People believe because it is a comforting thought.

People need an explanation for the unknown, because the unknown is scary. They make up an explanation, so its comforting unfortunately.


It's like walking through the woods at night. It's scary, right? So, instead of just accepting that we can't see what's in front of us, we just say magical elves are guiding us and we won't run into a tree or get eaten by a bear. Those magical elves are comforting.


Why can't we just accept the fact that there's thing we can't explain? Why does everything need an explanation?

i agree in some respects. my version of the creator doesnt really tell me what to believe. I dont really understand the relgious folks who are good or nice merely for fear of going to hell. my version of spirituality, the one i cling to right now, is partly the idea that my dreams, goals, desires are what god wants for me. so for instance i paint, draw, write. And I think god wants that for me as well, and will create coincidences or synchronicity as jung called it, serendipity, whatever you call it to instruct you on your way.

Its hard to talk about religion without sounding like Bush or something. This idea that God told him to invade Iraq. Thats not what I am talking about. I dont want to be like him, or those folks.

the point is, even as a now believer in a creator, i cant explain anything.

I don't think there's anything wrong with using it as your own reasoning for the unknown, its just when people push it on others as fact. When is effects laws, like gay marriage and such, then its a problem.

Speaking of marriage, why is marriage even recognized legally? Isn't it a symbolic religious thing anyways?

michelleelise

I usually don't discuss religion because I have a hard time putting into words what I believe. I believe we each have a soul, a consciousness that extends beyond ourselves which existed before we came into this world and survives our death in this world. I also think that there is a part of our individual souls that guides and creates our experiences here while also interacting with and being influenced by the consciousness of others (meaning your life and destiny aren't set in stone from the beginning). And that many of the things we attribute to God(s) are really a matter of our own soul's will. I know a lot of people who grow up with organized religion find that blasphemous and recoil at the idea of taking credit for one's own successes and also question the idea because if that were true then why would so many horrible things ever happen - who would ever choose to participate in those situations. But for me the answer is that we choose to come into this world to experience all those physical things and relationships, both good and bad, as a form of our soul's growth.

I know I didn't express that well and will probably regret writing it. But it's so ingrained in me at this point that I never ask God for anything anymore like I used to when I was young. When my Mom was dying last year, and my brother and I were sitting by her while she slept, I know my little brother was praying to the God we were raised with. I guess I was "praying" to my Mom in that I was trying to send all my love and good wishes for her straight from my soul to hers, if that makes sense. I don't believe there was a God making the decision for her to move on.

I also admit that I'm never quite sure. A part of me wonders if I'm wrong and this is all there is. I guess I'll find out

So,no, I don't believe there is a God that is watching over each of us. And I definitely don't believe he or she takes sides in sports games

LikeAnOcean

michelle822 wrote:

So,no, I don't believe there is a God that is watching over each of us. And I definitely don't believe he or she takes sides in sports games

While I don't believe in god, I am very spiritual. I don't believe there is an all powerful being, because power is a primitive human trait. I don't believe in good or evil, however in the sense we are human, I agree you should treat others how you'd want to be treated and conform to societies laws and restrictions for the most part.

I think we're all part of some greater awareness.(not greater as better or bigger, but greater as in uncomprehendable by our minds).

pandora

Yes I believe in God, not raised in religion, but Gods world has always been my source of peace.
From a little girl I found solice alone quiet there amongst the greenery. It was what I thought was most important, that was Gods gift to me the beauty I saw.
Its easy to believe there too.
The night sky, the rain, a rose.
Beautiful snowflakes falling without sound to the ground.
A random bunny sighting, the wind, my beloved birds. A forest path.
Lately though something has been added to this beauty. Its actually more of a feeling of completion to my beliefs, to my life.
I realize just as beautiful as all that I love in Gods world is that person right next to me.
To look into their eyes, share a smile, a laugh. To really care, and listen and know a story.
To feel some pain or know their happiness.
To share a moment, a memory. I believe God created us for this connection and through that we know God and Love.

arq

I don't believe, i used to believe but after a lot of meditation and i came to the conclusion that there's nothing there, but if it's there, "it" doesn't care.

catefrances

imagined.

JaneNY

Imagined. And I'm not at all spiritual - don't really know what that means.

Jo

I have always grown up believing there is a higher power watching over us and have always prayed to them to enhance my day to day wellbeing and for all those in my life. God and prayers are not too far removed from meditation....you concentrate on anything long enough and you'll get it.
therefore, there is no secrets and everything is already known and just needs finding.

knowing there is something bigger than me watching! keeps me looking out for the good fight.

I sleep really good at night :P ,

eyedclaar

Imagined, but that only means you should put more fun and creativity into your various religions. Thus my deity, Waffle. Cool cat if ever there was one. However, I do believe in a certain cosmic energy, but that would take more time that I am willing to devote right now to even partially explain. Hell, just go eat about a quarter of shrooms and lose yourself in a forest. When you get back, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Dissidentman

eyedclaar wrote:

Imagined, but that only means you should put more fun and creativity into your various religions. Thus my deity, Waffle. Cool cat if ever there was one. However, I do believe in a certain cosmic energy, but that would take more time that I am willing to devote right now to even partially explain. Hell, just go eat about a quarter of shrooms and lose yourself in a forest. When you get back, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Thou shalt not worship false idols. I am the Waffle. I am the Way.

chadwick

Dissidentman wrote:

eyedclaar wrote:

Imagined, but that only means you should put more fun and creativity into your various religions. Thus my deity, Waffle. Cool cat if ever there was one. However, I do believe in a certain cosmic energy, but that would take more time that I am willing to devote right now to even partially explain. Hell, just go eat about a quarter of shrooms and lose yourself in a forest. When you get back, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Thou shalt not worship false idols. I am the Waffle. I am the Way.

ya know... my waffle iron is a real piece of shit.
it's small and it must be old or some shit.
it can fuck up a nice waffle in a matter of just a few moments.

what can i do to have nice wonderful godlike waffles?

Dissidentman

chadwick wrote:

Dissidentman wrote:

eyedclaar wrote:

Imagined, but that only means you should put more fun and creativity into your various religions. Thus my deity, Waffle. Cool cat if ever there was one. However, I do believe in a certain cosmic energy, but that would take more time that I am willing to devote right now to even partially explain. Hell, just go eat about a quarter of shrooms and lose yourself in a forest. When you get back, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Thou shalt not worship false idols. I am the Waffle. I am the Way.

ya know... my waffle iron is a real piece of shit.
it's small and it must be old or some shit.
it can fuck up a nice waffle in a matter of just a few moments.

what can i do to have nice wonderful godlike waffles?

Prayer is the answer, my son.

That, and Denny's.