As a Christian I find the writings of Richard Dawkins interesting. In the Bible, God states that He wishes people were either hot or cold when it comes to faith, not lukewarm. (Revelation, chapter 3)Why? Because at least those who oppose faith are seriously considering it.
Aside from Greene - a friend mine claims to be an atheist who is culturally Jewish. Her strength is her guiding principal and belief in the history of her people is strongly rooted. She is my favorite atheist.
In my humble opinion, saying you're an atheist is like saying you're a Muslim is like saying you're a Christian is like saying you're a single celled amoeba. In the end, we're all just interstellar dust blown to the zillion corners of the universe, each grain of dust indistinguishable from the next.
'WISE ONE': Gracias for your input. We are all 'indistinguishable' in the sense that we are all EQUAL/ in the sense that we are all 'BROTHERS'/ in the sense that we all have originated from ONE SOURCE (not many sources!) name that source as you will. (Atheist's call that 'Source' a 'gravity-sucking black hole of Nothingness. Read your Stephen Hawking!)
God's name is 'LOVE' and so's the reader's. Fear is the 'culprit', the mistake that makes readers not see or comprehend this.
Amapola -good point! We certainly can't put 'God' back into Buddhism since it wasn't there in the first place, but can Buddhism fit into the concept of a Nameless Source like 'God'? I think there's room. Read your Buddha, boy!
Buddhism, as I know it, has a lot of parallels with science. I've heard the Dalai Lama say (I was there, yes), that what can't be proved can't be confirmed as existing. In any case, he also says that you don't need to be religious or believe in anything to practice loving kindness and compassion. And yes, that fits EVERYONE who believes in these principles, god or no god. That is why, for me, it's pointless to argue about the existence of a God. It's all in the quality and intention of our actions...!
On a pure level of Reality, pain & suffering actually DON'T exist.
Read my backstory to my (Question) memoir 'Canya' walk on COALS OF FIRE?'
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Comments
marymc says,
My husband.marymc says,
My kid.Believe says,
A student.KharisJo says,
As a Christian I find the writings of Richard Dawkins interesting. In the Bible, God states that He wishes people were either hot or cold when it comes to faith, not lukewarm. (Revelation, chapter 3)Why? Because at least those who oppose faith are seriously considering it.Dhani says,
Kharis: Very good point.Rabbit: What the hell is 'a Catholic atheist'? Didn't Greene recognize the label is oxymoronic?
MsKillie says,
Moi.Wench says,
My grandmother. I miss her.accidentaltourist says,
In truth, with the exception of the self-proclaimed among the sixers, I don't think I know any.Dhani says,
Thank you rabbit for your humble recognition of my modest achievements on this Planet. (so far)Dhani says,
Yeah, Walt Whitman said it (paraphrasing) 'Am I a contradiction? Then I am a contradiction.'ctgoods2 says,
Aside from Greene - a friend mine claims to be an atheist who is culturally Jewish. Her strength is her guiding principal and belief in the history of her people is strongly rooted. She is my favorite atheist.marymc says,
ct just summed up the hubby.Loon says,
myselfDhani says,
Loon: you must be pretty lonely...Sagacious says,
In my humble opinion, saying you're an atheist is like saying you're a Muslim is like saying you're a Christian is like saying you're a single celled amoeba. In the end, we're all just interstellar dust blown to the zillion corners of the universe, each grain of dust indistinguishable from the next.ba_miracle says,
The character Ricky Gervais plays in the movie“The Invention of Lying”
Dhani says,
'WISE ONE': Gracias for your input. We are all 'indistinguishable' in the sense that we are all EQUAL/ in the sense that we are all 'BROTHERS'/ in the sense that we all have originated from ONE SOURCE (not many sources!) name that source as you will. (Atheist's call that 'Source' a 'gravity-sucking black hole of Nothingness. Read your Stephen Hawking!)God's name is 'LOVE' and so's the reader's. Fear is the 'culprit', the mistake that makes readers not see or comprehend this.
Amapola says,
Bhudda - there's no 'God' in Buddhism.Dhani says,
Amapola -good point! We certainly can't put 'God' back into Buddhism since it wasn't there in the first place, but can Buddhism fit into the concept of a Nameless Source like 'God'? I think there's room. Read your Buddha, boy!Amapola says,
Buddhism, as I know it, has a lot of parallels with science. I've heard the Dalai Lama say (I was there, yes), that what can't be proved can't be confirmed as existing. In any case, he also says that you don't need to be religious or believe in anything to practice loving kindness and compassion. And yes, that fits EVERYONE who believes in these principles, god or no god. That is why, for me, it's pointless to argue about the existence of a God. It's all in the quality and intention of our actions...!Dhani says,
No, no, no! It makes ALL the difference in the world if one believes in 'God' or or one doesn't believe in God. All the difference...TheProsperousArtist says,
The Dalai LamaDhani says,
The Dalai Lama....hmmmm...Technically you're right PROSPERO, but I doubt if this great teacher sees himself as purely 'an atheist'...TheAngstyPoet says,
Me. Hands down.Sagacious says,
Dhopi, if God's name is LOVE, then love obviously means pain, suffering, torture and stacks of other nasties. Your kinda guy, right?Dhani says,
On a pure level of Reality, pain & suffering actually DON'T exist.Read my backstory to my (Question) memoir 'Canya' walk on COALS OF FIRE?'