Does God exist? I'd like to be clear in my mind

TwiceAsNice same for me.

I try to live my life by a moral compass, with care, respect and compassion for others ie to "to treat others as I would like to be treated". I am frequently moved emotionally for example by music, sunsets, babies, and in spiritual spaces such as grand cathedrals.

In fact I feel much affinity with those who have a religious faith, but I do not believe in a supernatural God, benevolent and judgmental, watching over me.

I am a Humanist. I believe that this is the only life we have and therefore it is important to live it in the best way I can.

I believe that evolution, and increasingly science and neuroscience can provide rational explanations, for our world, and us.

In the 1930s my mother remarked to the minister of her church some people go to church to show off their new hats . The minister replied laughingly he'd put that into a sermon.

That was a very moving post TwiceAsNice.

I believe that there is a higher power or higher intelligence. I do not call that god because I do not belong to a religion but I do believe that there are mystical realms and I can see why people want to believe in god.

Thank you Annie and Smileless2012. It is just how I feel. It is hard to describe faith to others but I am glad I have it

pikquartz what you call "a higher power" or "higher intelligence" is what many of us refer to as God.

I happen to be a christian who finds it difficult to find a church that is not corrupted by norrow minded clerics and/or priests. However that does not impact upon my christian beliefs.

I am very disturbed when I hear from a pulpit that Muslims are the anti-christ. It is such views that damage societies and flies in the face of Christ's teachings, whether one views him as a good moral teacher or as the Son of God. He taught tolerance such as in the parable of the good samaritan, in which a person that could have been described as a heathen was far closer to God than the many "good jews" who walked by but displayed their "virtuousness" for all to see.

I think that it is stupid and thoughtless to attack the religious views and beliefs of others even when I may find their beliefs conflict with mine.

I agree with you absthame that it is intolerant to attack the religious views and beliefs of others when they do not accord with our own.

My only concern would be when some extreme views incite violence, but I think we should all have the freedom to follow the religion we choose.

Sadly this freedom is not available in several countries, we are lucky in this country (UK).

I was also moved by your post TwiceAsNice. What a devastating thing to happen. Life can be so tough, and we all need support to get through, whichever way feels right and sustains us.

I have always found in life that when things are really bad that God has put something in place to help. As for the Old Testament telling of creation. It was written by men of faith and not scientists. It was their way of explaining it.
It is difficult to explain or understand God and faith can waver when terrible things happen. I always pray to a Father and I have always felt that although I no longer go to Church.

Ministers of religion do as well as can be expected I suppose. They are paid to tell stories as if they are historically true. Many people are comforted by these stories . I hope they don't lose their faith!

Ministers of religion feel they have to please everyone in their congregations and so those people who are willing to intellectually explore are neglected, and leave the church and even declare they are atheists.

For those interested in statistics, there is a long term trend in Britain of more people stating they are not religious. For example according to data from the British Social Attitude Survey 2017, 53% describe themselves as having no religion. This drops to 40% in the over 65 age group.

Rather obvious by the churches which are closed and are closing.

Such a pity that so much has gone with them, youth clubs,
discussion groups, companionship in the communities.

My parents were of different religions so they decided to bring their children up without a religion.

I am very spiritual but do not belong to a church or anywhere else.
I don't use the word god because it has too many connotations and causes a lot of grief in wars and discrimination.

I think it is a shame that people are not so interested in the less tangible and less materialistic aspects to being alive.

Spirituality has been a journey for me- Thus far nothing totally set in stone but ongoing, yet at the same time anchored to continued learning and unlearning-

The prosperity gospel is very popular in the US-

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosperity_theology

I am a Christian and believe in God’s goodness but, there is also evil, accounting for wars and atrocities. We were given free will and choose to misuse it.

I think that some bible stories are illustrations rather than simple fact. Remember that the first OT stories were written approximately when humans were recently emerging from the Bronze Age. Before that, the stories were by word of mouth and simplified to aid understanding.

The explanation of the beginnings of life in Genesis, do match the scientific view, if the word ‘day’ is taken to mean an unspecified period of time rather than what we know as 24 hours.

Genesis is my favourite read.

I agree with Anniebach it's a pity churches are closing, for the reasons she says and more, because people need a spiritual home.

What is to be done?

I also agree Anniebach that it is a pity that the many church run groups have been lost to the community. However some churches although fewer in number are still active in the community providing for example, lunch clubs, drop in centres and food banks. Of course many secular groups provide similar but without the religious aspect. I think there is a lot to be learned from the support and fellowship which many churches offer. Apparently churchgoers are happier and live longer!

Is the latter true churchgoers??

Well in our congregation there are a number of 90 year olds, alas not many young people, oh and we have two 100 year olds.

The churches in the small area where I live in N Ireland do all this and much more for the whole community. There is no shortage of volunteers and they run mother and toddler groups, free or very cheap lunches, craft, exercise, friendship groups , youth activities, Christmas lunches and more, fundraising for charities, something for everyone.
All the denominations share and have joint services.
Actually as I write this I realise just how wonderful they are.

Thank you Lazigirl

As a Gnostic Christian, I would have to say yes, but not a supernatural god.

We are all children of god, in a sense, and all just need spiritual maturity.

God here should be defined as the best rules and laws we can envisage.

To think of god any other way is just speculative nonsense of a supernatural realm that we have no access to.

Regards
DL

I am really interested in what you say- and your name Gnostic.I understand Gnosticism in the early centuries after Christ but could you explain about modern Gnostic Christians.I am a Christian but agnostic about many many things.

Greenfinch

Gnostic Christianity is an evolving religion. Whenever we think we have found god, as defined as the best rules and life to live by, we raise the bar of excellence and remain perpetual seekers. That prevents us from becoming idol worshipers of what we see as a vile Yahweh.

If you can begin by being a free thinking esoteric ecumenist and naturalist, you might be able to say you are a Gnostic Christian.

God was always meant to be a mystery, and we keep god that way.

Let me give you a thing I wrote on the name of our god, I am, and yes I mean me.

Modern Gnostic Christians name our god "I am", and yes, we do mean ourselves.

You are your controller. I am mine. You represent and present whatever mind picture you have of your God or ideal human, and so do I.

The name "I Am" you might see as meaning something like, --- I think I have grown up thanks to having forced my apotheosis through Gnosis and meditation.

In Gnostic Christianity, we follow the Christian tradition that Christians have forgotten that they are to do. That is, become brethren to Jesus.

That is why some say that the only good Christian is a Gnostic Christian.

Here is the real way to salvation that Jesus taught.

Matthew 6:22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Allan Watts explain those quotes in detail.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=alRNbesfXXw&feature=player_embedded

Joseph Campbell shows the same esoteric ecumenist idea in this link.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGx4IlppSgU

The bible just plainly says to put away the things of children. The supernatural and literal reading of myths.

Regards
DL