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

I am absolutely clear in my mind and the answer is a resounding NO!

Lots of advice and others thoughts about Christianity and God on the internet. Worth looking at if you have questions.

I agree with Gnostic,if indeed Gnostic means we make god as we go along living and seeking truth, goodness, and beauty.

I agree about the importance of kindness, and I would also add compassion. I think that it's how we behave towards each other counts most.

Not that I am perfect by any means, but as I believe that this life is the only one we have then I think I should try and live it as well as I am able.

If anyone else shares the idea that this universe is a natural phenomenon with no supernatural side have a look at humanism.org.uk.

Wouldn’t we all

Mother nature is my “God”and a powerful thunderstorm is very spiritual to me ......

It is worth remembering that all religious texts are written by fallible human beings reflecting the culture and prejudices of their own times; and sometimes written long after the events. Certainly not the words of any god one might postulate.

I say again - all that matters is kindness. Any god worth their salt could ask no more. There is nothing to stop anyone getting on and being kind rather than embroiling themselves in the inevitable controversies about religious doctrines. Whether there is a god or gods matters not.

Thanks Gnostic.I shall read through your words carefully and endeavour to understand them.

Tweedle

"We were given free will and choose to misuse it."

Your own bible says that you do not have a free will to think as you want due to god hardening, or not, our hearts.

Why does god harden hearts against his own wish to be believed to be god?

In 2 Corinthians 3;14 - 15 God hardens Jewish hearts against their believing in Jesus as their messiah.

John 12;39-40 says about the same. The same applies to Romans 11;25, 2 Corinthians 4;3-4,

Why are you disagreeing with the scriptures?

Regards
DL

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

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.

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

Thank you Lazigirl

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.

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.

Is the latter true churchgoers??

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!

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?

Genesis is my favourite read.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.