Who is God?

BTW Greatnan, which order of nuns were they? It doesn't chime with my experience at all.

Marelli - I really get your last to one post. From trees to bloody-mindedness -

They were the FCJ - Faithful Companions of Jesus. It was an Irish order and the mother house in England was in Liverpool.

Butternut....it's working so far, anyway.....just got to look out for a suitable tree, now!

It is not death that frightens so much, more the process of dying.

I hope you are not trying to tell us something, Marelli!

Oh no, Greatnan! Hale and hearty to say the least!

Ah. Now if you had been at Loreto....

Loretto was our big sports rival. We weren't allowed to play the non-catholic high schools because the girls wore navy blue knickers which the nuns considered to be indecent. (Not that I would have been involved - I hated sport)

Hi Nanaej, and others,
I have no worries re. dying, but I do not want a painful end! (like sitting on a pin cushion!)
My only worry is maybe leaving my dear "Missus" to cope by herself. - Yes, we have grown up children, who have their own lives to lead!

For as long as I can remember I've known that there is more to this life than we know of! (Shakespear put it much better than me!)

Over the years I've made my own investigations, and am convinced in an after life. No, I can't prove it to any other person, as it is a very personal quest. Each person must make their own "journey", with an OPEN mind, and reach their own conclusion.

I agree with an earlier posting on here that to prove a theory, you must try to disprove it!

Learning is a long, hard road to follow - but the process is worth it. (to me anyway!) I'm still learning!

Whatever you believe, or not, The Universal God's blessings on you all.

We'll find out eventually whether there is another existence - or not!

'We all die a little bit every time life throws something at us' how true Johanna. In the words of the song 'in my soul there is a hole that can never be filled'.

gramps I agree. It is very likely there is more to this world than we know off. Lots more probably.

I spent years thinking getting into such as psychology, Buddhism and then, extensively, Christianity.

I don't actively believe there is a God though how can I be sure there isn't? Don't really care one way or the other though if there is one I would prefer it not to be the capricious cruel one mentioned in the Old Testament.

As for an after-life, not bothered about that either. Probably prefer there not to be one, especially if we have to go on through eternity with a human identity.

Oh blast! Posted without editing properly. Hope it makes sense.

Nonu I am not afraid of death but I am anxious about the process of dying. Long, drawn-out and painful is not an appealing prospect but so often happens.

I have a pretty good life and am not ready for it to end yet, but once is quite enough.

Hi Petallus, yes it makes sense!

Personally I believe in the continuation of life after death, but altered in someway! There is nothing to fear, I think we will be met by "friends" in the next world. I know this from my own "personal" experiences - which I shall not discuss on here!

Anyway, it is an unknown factor as far as many folk think. So why worry. It is, or it aint like. Innit?

Exactly gramps

Gramps, you obviously 'feel' your sense of a spiritual presence very strongly and derive great comfort from it, which is good. I wonder if you can try to understand those of us who feel equally strongly that there is no supernatural dimension to our lives? It doesn't make me feel that I am missing anything. I am deeply moved by some music, or a lovely view but I accept that my aesthetic sense is the product of my past experiences and the memories they invoke. Perhaps an appreciation of beauty in all its manifestations has some survival factor to it. I believe cows give more milk if Mozart is played to them, but not pop music. Good judges,cows!

I have had some strange experiences which makes me believe there is more to this life than we can imagine. Doesn't make me religious though, I would prefer to watch paint dry than be preached to.

Hello Greatnan,
Yes,My faith (which is not exactly orthodox) has helped my wife and myself through many a traumatic time during our 60 years together!
I never try to persuade people to alter their way of thinking. That is why we have free will.
Of course I accept that not every one has the same way of life or belief and i respect your thoughts and reasons for non- belief in a higher power

There are many atheists and non-believers who probably live a more moral life than "Believers!"

If you follow the moral code laid down over thousands of years, you are leading a "good"life. And i respect you

Many aspects of "religion" have caused untold misery, but that is man making up his own rules, for power and gain.

I enjoy reading these comments, but don't like to see the bickering that goes on , which I think is unnececery and demeaning. (now I've put my foot in it!)
Thank you Greatnan, and a happy , long life to you.

Some royal personage some centuries ago is supposed to have commented on Mozart 'too many notes'.

I know what he meant!

Thank you, Gramps - I didn't think for one minute that you would doubt my ability to lead a good and useful life (although I have had some odd questions from some believers?)
I have had some very dark patches in my own life (I have one great sorrow at the moment) but I have been able to draw on my own inner strength and the support of most of my family and a host of friends, including many on Gransnet.
My best wishes to yourself and your wife and I am so glad we can respect each other's right to believe or not.

I send thoughts for your great sorrow, and hope that your inner strength will sustain you Greatnan! xx

Thank you, Gramps, that is much appreciated.

Have stayed up until silly o'clock reading this thread and now I'm too tired to comment.