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Who is God?

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gramps Tue 28-Aug-12 16:49:17

Dear friends,
This is the article which I mentioned on the Spiritual page yesterday.
Please keep an open mind while reading it, and remember that we should always respect another persons beliefs, even if you don't agree with them!

We all have our own views on such a sensitive subject as "Religion"!

Who is God?

Well folks, this is my idea on God!
I hope it does not offend anyone, but it may give something to think on!
I think that God, as we are taught, is a Spirit, We have been led to believe in God as a person, whom we take after ; - This makes it easier to explain, as people in general cannot accept a more ethereal being that is not bound by time or space,.
God is the Spirit of life; it runs through all living things. Therefore we are part of God and the God Spirit is part of us!
(I trust that this does not sound like blasphemy to anybody. These are my own thoughts expressed here!)
Life is sacred, and we all have free will. We have a moral code, laid down by wise leaders over many thousands of years.
Ideally, we use our conscience to behave and live by that moral code.
I believe in a power, much stronger than we can imagine, whose strength we can call upon to strengthen and help us when we ask. This is always available to all, no matter whether you have a faith or not, Of course, as with all things, if you have faith, you are a more positive person which uses your stronger inner strength!
I call that powerful Spirit GOD!
Many religions recognise God in different ways, and I think that each of us has their own pathway to tread. We should not force our own thoughts upon other people.
I am proud to be a Christian, but I respect other points of view!
Jesus is widely recognised as a great Teacher in other religions and respected as such.
As for natural disasters, I have no answer. For crimes of war, brutality, injustice, etc. I bring in the argument of "Free Will" again!
, This does not address all of the points raised, i.e., sickness, but this again is a natural phenomena caused by environmental and other conditions, some of which are man made! - Free will again!
Nature has a way of protecting itself, which is not always in our best interests!!
Sorry if I've gone on a bit with my ramblings. It may provoke a bigger discussion!

Gramps
Feb 2010

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Ceesnan Fri 07-Sep-12 07:30:10

Nothing wrong in being anonymous.

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deserving Fri 07-Sep-12 08:46:30

Approaching 13, the number associated with a coven, i believe?
What change will be made next by the "Church", neglecting the fact that the church are the people not the clergy,to ensure that the coffers will continue to be filled? I reiterate, it is a business.
hmm

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JO4 Fri 07-Sep-12 09:18:22

The church I'm connected with can't be called a business deserving. Any money in the coffers goes into funds for helping people in need in the community, or to overseas work.

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Elegran Fri 07-Sep-12 09:57:51

Which church is that, deserving ? There are a lot of different ones, with their finances not all held in one central account, so they are not all one big business. Some of them are exceedingly poor, but still manage to support aid programmes for those worse off than them in their own countries and overseas.

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nanaej Fri 07-Sep-12 10:06:55

Not all churches are as commercialised as others but they need to run as a business as books have to balance: payment for church building (rent or otherwise) , maintenance, utilities, cost of clergy, communion wine etc etc have to be paid for before money is available for church works!

I think all the major denominations have a huge business department, e.g C/E Church Commisioners http://www.churchofengland.org/about-us.aspx

Some churches have a tithe commitment which has to be managed... some 'churches' have brought this system into disrepute by the 'church' leader living a very comfortable lifestyle whilst the congregation struggle to pay the tithe and no evidence that the funds have gone anywhere they were supposed to!!

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nanaej Fri 07-Sep-12 10:09:00

www.churchofengland.org/about-us.aspx in case anyone wanted to look!

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Elegran Fri 07-Sep-12 10:24:27

As in many things, a few bad apples make the whole barrel suspect. But that is no reason for blanket condemnation of apples as a fruit.

I am not sure what is the target of the thirteen remark either, but as it has the air of an insult I will not enquire too closely. (Yes I do get the reference, but not not the relevance)

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nanaej Fri 07-Sep-12 10:51:45

elegran that is why I put ' ' around the word church because they are not genuine!
I do not attend any place of worship but am aware of the wide variety, among all faiths, and that in the mix there will be a few bad amongst those trying to to good.

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Elegran Fri 07-Sep-12 12:48:11

Yes, Nanaej there are churches and "churches" - and some of the genuine ones can give their clergy an insuitably opulent lifestyle!

I was not doubting your discrimination, or saying that it was you who was going in for blanket condemnation.

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gracesmum Fri 07-Sep-12 12:58:23

I am confused (nothing unusual there) and have been flicking back through the thread to find WTH deserving is talking about, the reference to 13 and all the verbosity (s)he seems to think will either impress or shut us up. Or is it irony? Bottom line is that I am now sensing that this thread might have run its course and all its plots are lost. Am I alone?

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Elegran Fri 07-Sep-12 13:05:33

I agree, gracesmum . There is a natural life span beyond which the posts just get silly.

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