tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708869473090553990.post5777131623654187731..comments2023-08-29T08:40:17.364-04:00Comments on Lilypad: On AtheismLa Décorateurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08129417674205756579noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708869473090553990.post-22256979178457401922009-09-28T18:19:45.859-04:002009-09-28T18:19:45.859-04:00I have really never believed in God. Neither of my...I have really never believed in God. Neither of my parents did, and once when I was young I asked them why they didn't tell me there was a God, because I felt that believing in one would be comforting. (I was a pretty anxious kid). I think they just said they couldn't tell me something they didn't believe. <br /> Of course there came a day when my kids asked me the same question and I answered it a little bit differently but maybe not too much. I said I didn't believe in what most people seem to mean when they say God. But I did believe in people, in the power of love, and in nature, the natural world, the web of life (including the universe). So at least I told them something I did believe in and not just what I didn't believe in.<br /> One thing that I have liked about Buddhism is that most of the many books I've read don't dwell on God, they often don't mention that at all. <br /> Although, I don't believe in reincarnation either, but that hasn't prevented me from getting a lot from Buddhist teachings and meditation.<br /> Do you get people talking to you a lot about God in your programs? Are you in a 12 step program? (I've lost track). My uncle was an alcoholic for many years, but in his 50's or 60's joined AA and stayed sober. The God talk was a problem for him too, I believe, but I think he was able to find some groups where that was not so central. <br /> I, too, have faith in myself, as you mentioned... it took a long time and many years of therapy to get there, though. Having a particularly caring church community is the other thing I lean on emotionally - it'll always be there for me. It took me years to get that degree of trust, too. There were times when I felt extremely alienated at church, but I felt if I kept going my trust would come back, and it did.Mrs. Goldwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06047873121260213533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708869473090553990.post-83919671283704068622009-09-28T12:51:12.385-04:002009-09-28T12:51:12.385-04:00I don't have a personal relationship with God....I don't have a personal relationship with God. I don't have shouting matches with it, or any sort of conversation. But I do believe in a switch in our minds that allows us to see in 4d, to some degree.<br /><br />I like what you said about the universe, and how not to take things personally. Part of why I reject the judeo-christian God is that whole supporting cast thing - it's a bit solipsistic, and that's way too isolating.<br /><br />I think there is a sort of universal consciousness that we can tap into when we need a bigger picture, that's sort of what I mean by 4d vision. I feel like there's no reason why we should be stuck in our limited eye-perception in one moment in time, there's no mechanism keeping us frozen in the present with each moment being a specific amount later than the last. I definitely believe there is a type of perception that is more than what we commonly accept as all there is.<br /><br />But I don't personify it, I don't think I can ask it questions. I just think of it as another part of me, and as myself as another part of it, a shared consciousness of sorts. I feel like there is no higher power than the individual, but there is a certain shared undercurrent that can help us with our radical acceptance, 'wise mind' and greater vision.La Décorateurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08129417674205756579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708869473090553990.post-15182579817215587302009-09-28T09:40:23.356-04:002009-09-28T09:40:23.356-04:00> Why should I trust the same creature who I...> Why should I trust the same creature who I'm told put me through all<br />> these "tests of faith" that have had such horrible lasting effects on <br />> me, just because he wants to see if I can trust him afterward? <br />> That is an abusive relationship, and so I am avoiding it and <br />> having faith in myself instead.<br /><br />Who told you that? :) That had me going, too. I went into earth-centered spirituality for a number of years because I refused to believe any theology that tried to justify God behaving like an abusive parent. <br /><br />One of the many things that I learned from that sojourn was that it didn't work for me because I'd already been in contact with my maker. It started as a shouting match in a big empty place when I was a teen and ended up as a deep friendship. <br /><br />I should have known better than to listen to people slandering my friends. I should have believed in myself, my own experience, instead of theological hearsay. The notion that God heaps all this shit on us personally makes me really angry. God isn't like that. Plus, it's so self-absorbed - the rationalizations inevitably treat other people like "supporting cast" in some epic personal morality tale. Wrong, wrong, wrong.<br /><br />Shit happens. The universe works as it works - overall a pretty cool design but with a bunch of edge cases. Nothing is built for forever. Asteroids, germs, and genetics aren't taking you or me personally. Plus, other peoples' bad dreams can kill you. Sometimes it all breaks people. None of it pretends to be fair. It just is like it is and we muddle through it together half-broken most of the time.<br /><br />So where do I fit God into all that? I count on walking with God to find my way through the confusion, to clear my vision so I can find my way out of the burning building, catch my breath, and then lend a hand in putting out the fire. Even if it means going in again, I'll be better equipped. <br /><br />Am I deluding myself? Maybe but it has helped me stay on my feet for a few years. Have I learned anything in the middle of all that smoke? Absolutely - but I don't think the fires were set to teach me those things. <br /><br />The sort of faith that starts with having faith in yourself is a lot stronger than a faith based on gossip. I'm not trying to convert'cha :) - you know that - but I just wanted you to know that not all faith means embracing an abusive relationship. Mine doesn't.Lupestrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09760479709494617008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708869473090553990.post-60951269611642577172009-09-28T06:17:18.252-04:002009-09-28T06:17:18.252-04:00this is so interesting, something I have thought a...this is so interesting, something I have thought a lot about over the years. I'll try to get my thoughts together for a real response.Mrs. Goldwaterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06047873121260213533noreply@blogger.com