Is your god loving or wrathful? (believe, belief, exist, philosophical)
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I think someone got millions of dollars for a research grant to tell us nothing.
I think the OP makes some very valid points and I do see a clear difference in the philosophies of various believers on this forum and how they interact with both other believers as well as nonbelievers. The believers who fall into the hellfire and damnation camp appear to have been strongly influenced by their belief in a wrathful God and I don't think that influence is very positive. The believers who are grounded in their perception of a loving God are always the ones whose posts are upbeat, thoughtful and attempt to have a harmonious conversation with other members. Blue and ILNC clearly fall into this category. I won't mention any names in the first category but you know who you are. After reading hundreds of posts by members you really get a sense of who they are and I believe that this forum is very persuasive that the concept presented in the OP is valid.
I thought about the people I know who believe in a god, and this seemed to fit their dispositions pretty accurately.
That's been my experience with Christians as well. And it may also help to explain the difference between peace-loving Muslims vs. extremists of that faith.
As I've said before, I wish I could erase my Baptist upbringing. God is still wrathful to me. He rains down fire and brimstone on anyone who doesn't do as they're told. Sometimes, from a religious standpoint, I'm so afraid to do anything that I go for long stretches and do nothing. I fear offending God but then I offend by my inaction.
I can't win with a vengeful, wrathful God but that is the God of my upbringing.
I agree. When you are raised with this understanding of God, it is easier to go atheist than it is to reconstruct God in a loving, merciful image. I can't go atheist myself so I am stuck in a very confused religious state.
I agree. When you are raised with this understanding of God, it is easier to go atheist than it is to reconstruct God in a loving, merciful image. I can't go atheist myself so I am stuck in a very confused religious state.
I know where you're coming from. I was born into Southern Baptist, fire and brimstone type of Christianity. It was hard to leave, because I always thought people like me burned in hell. It took a lot of courage just to be able to question.
For me, it all started by reading about how the bible was put together by the Catholic church. After understanding that, it's hard to think that process was perfect, and everything that is in what we call a bible is true. From there, it starts to unravel pretty fast.
I agree. When you are raised with this understanding of God, it is easier to go atheist than it is to reconstruct God in a loving, merciful image. I can't go atheist myself so I am stuck in a very confused religious state.
You and me both. I tried to go athiest but the scientist in me won't let me go there (My education is in chemical engineering and teaching). I look at science and I see the fingerprints of God all over the place. So, I'm stuck in a very confused religious state as well. If you find the answer, let me know. I envy those who can just believe. Things need to make sense to me and hell fire and brimstone don't make sense when coupled with a loving God.
I know where you're coming from. I was born into Southern Baptist, fire and brimstone type of Christianity. It was hard to leave, because I always thought people like me burned in hell. It took a lot of courage just to be able to question.
For me, it all started by reading about how the bible was put together by the Catholic church. After understanding that, it's hard to think that process was perfect, and everything that is in what we call a bible is true. From there, it starts to unravel pretty fast.
I came to the conclusion long ago that the bible is a collection of religious writings written by men in man's attempt to understand God. I believe they are inspired in the sense that any writing that seeks to explain the unexplainable is inspired but I don't believe it is infallible.
May I recommend a book that has helped me immensely? If you haven't already read it, get the book "The Case for Christ". Lee Strobel (sp?) uses forensic type investigation to determine if the storr of Christ is true. I've already purchased "The case for faith" and plan on reading it this summer when I have time to digest a good book.
You and me both. I tried to go athiest but the scientist in me won't let me go there (My education is in chemical engineering and teaching). I look at science and I see the fingerprints of God all over the place. So, I'm stuck in a very confused religious state as well. If you find the answer, let me know. I envy those who can just believe. Things need to make sense to me and hell fire and brimstone don't make sense when coupled with a loving God.
Same here. For most people in my generation, science convinces them there is no God. For me, it re-enforces my belief in God. I too tried the atheism thing in college.
If you must follow the money, remember there are many many more who owe their livelihood to preaching and converting.
I'd challenge that. I think there are a relative few that live like kings. But I think there are millions of men that make a pauper's wage scraping by. In any event, it doesn't change the fact that a lot of "research" is done simply so someone can stay employed by getting more grants.
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