Okay, I was born and raised a Roman Catholic (christian). Even as a child, I had trouble with prayers to Jesus, saints and Mary. It seemed silly to me. (Of course, to say so would result in being chastized). I prayed only to God. Why would one of His children need a middle man or an interpreter?
Was Jesus (pbuh) the son of God? Of course he was. But then again, so was Muhammed (pbuh), Buddha, and you, too, the reader are equally one of God's children. The Trinity made no sense. Original sin made no sense. Many of the rites and sacraments seemed like so much "fluff". I always believed Isa was better seen as a direct intention of God's will and message. Christians love the verse from John 14:6, and in one aspect I wholly agree: The "way" as described by Isa is God's way. I do not call myself a Christian anymore; instead, I try to be as "Christ-like" as I can.
So, in rejecting the notion that Christ IS God, I explore Judaism....but that didn't sing for me either.
I do like that, in Islam, you have ONE, KNOWN author. (Not to mention that cool, backwards squiggly arabic script!)
In the Bible, texts were deleted and those that were kept were often altered. For instance, who wrote Dueteronomy? No one really knows. The early church had many options for their "end days" book (revelations) but opted for the one written by a scholar named John, a man no one knows much about. What are his credentials?
I took a long look at Deism. I agree with Deism in that there is a Creator, but I disagree in knowing the Creator is involved, imparts knowledge and strength, and answers prayer.
Maybe some of you well-versed in religion can assist me in a label:
*I believe in one God/ Supreme being that is synonymous with love and peace.
*I believe humans are born believing and submitting to God.
*I believe God speaks to us, if we know how to listen
*I do not believe in evil or in a Satan. These things manifest themselves when we allow ourselves to be separate from God of our free will, which he has granted us.
*I am not a fan of following texts that are thousands of years old. To follow any religion, one must hold that these writings are, without question, a priori, not to be questioned. I simply cannot do this.
*I believe that, through rejecting one's ego and listening, God's will for us becomes apparent. It will be different for us all. This is what Dr. Naik has refered to as "God-consciousness". I know that I am better at this than I used to be....and I continue to improve, God willing.
*I love. I love God. I love all his wonderful creations: human, plant and animal alike. I strive daily to put a smile on my fellow mans' face. I sow peace and understanding wherever I can. This has nothing to do with me, but I have submitted myself as God's instrument and this is the path He has chosen for me. I am blessed.
Hmm, the last time I checked, Roman Catholics are baptizing babies and illiterate people. For adults, all that is asked is to commit to absolute truthfullness/goodness and reject evil, believe in God (absolute truth and love) and reject Satan (absolute liar and murderer). Writings are a matter of articulations and is updated overtime, even the Creed has been updated over centuries in Councils, and I am sure it will be updated again in the future.
The only permenant thing is the certainty that God is absolute love and truth and the formula of baptism and this too is from Tradition, not writings really.
Where in the Bible does it say that Satan is absolute liar and murderer?
Okay, I was born and raised a Roman Catholic (christian). Even as a child, I had trouble with prayers to Jesus, saints and Mary. It seemed silly to me. (Of course, to say so would result in being chastized). I prayed only to God. Why would one of His children need a middle man or an interpreter?
I'm glad you were intelligent enough to figure that out.
format_quote Originally Posted by GodIsAll
Was Jesus (pbuh) the son of God? Of course he was. But then again, so was Muhammed (pbuh), Buddha, and you, too, the reader are equally one of God's children. The Trinity made no sense. Original sin made no sense. Many of the rites and sacraments seemed like so much "fluff". I always believed Isa was better seen as a direct intention of God's will and message. Christians love the verse from John 14:6, and in one aspect I wholly agree: The "way" as described by Isa is God's way. I do not call myself a Christian anymore; instead, I try to be as "Christ-like" as I can.
Again... you were able to sort out stuff and figure out what was nonsense.
format_quote Originally Posted by GodIsAll
So, in rejecting the notion that Christ IS God, I explore Judaism....but that didn't sing for me either.
I do wonder what didn't sing.... but glad that you didn't find satisfaction there and continued with your search.
format_quote Originally Posted by GodIsAll
I do like that, in Islam, you have ONE, KNOWN author. (Not to mention that cool, backwards squiggly arabic script!)
Oh yes! Absolutely! This is a very important point you've observed. Everything we know about Islam, Allah, the messengers of Allah, the Day of Judgment etc.. is through Prophet Muhammad (saws), the man who was given the title of Al-Amin (The Trustworthy One).
format_quote Originally Posted by GodIsAll
In the Bible, texts were deleted and those that were kept were often altered. For instance, who wrote Dueteronomy? No one really knows. The early church had many options for their "end days" book (revelations) but opted for the one written by a scholar named John, a man no one knows much about. What are his credentials?
Very good, Godisall. I love the way you have observed these critical points. To be sure of anything we have to be 100% convinced that we can trust the source. Since we do not know much about John, we really do not know whether we can trust him or not, believe him or not. You are a thinker alright. I wish more people were like you.
format_quote Originally Posted by GodIsAll
I took a long look at Deism. I agree with Deism in that there is a Creator, but I disagree in knowing the Creator is involved, imparts knowledge and strength, and answers prayer.
I don't know what Deism is and I don't really care. You believe that a Creator exists.... so all that remains for you to do is use your intelligence to figure out for yourself what the Creator is like. I think you would do pretty well if you have already figured out for yourself so many good things.
format_quote Originally Posted by GodIsAll
Maybe some of you well-versed in religion can assist me in a label:
*I believe in one God/ Supreme being that is synonymous with love and peace.
*I believe humans are born believing and submitting to God.
*I believe God speaks to us, if we know how to listen
*I do not believe in evil or in a Satan. These things manifest themselves when we allow ourselves to be separate from God of our free will, which he has granted us.
*I am not a fan of following texts that are thousands of years old. To follow any religion, one must hold that these writings are, without question, a priori, not to be questioned. I simply cannot do this.
*I believe that, through rejecting one's ego and listening, God's will for us becomes apparent. It will be different for us all. This is what Dr. Naik has refered to as "God-consciousness". I know that I am better at this than I used to be....and I continue to improve, God willing.
*I love. I love God. I love all his wonderful creations: human, plant and animal alike. I strive daily to put a smile on my fellow mans' face. I sow peace and understanding wherever I can. This has nothing to do with me, but I have submitted myself as God's instrument and this is the path He has chosen for me. I am blessed.
So, what am I? A simple kaafir? Some other label?
You are right. One must not accept everything blindly, without questioning. Asking questions is necessary if we want to know the answers. Please keep up this attitude of yours. I don't think you need to worry about labels but if you insist on one, this is one I'd like to give you: An Intelligent Man.
Er... yeah it does actually. It doesn't make sense. Because there is more than one religion and they contradict each other. You can't have several "truths" that contradict each other. Only one can be right.
Hope you are doing fine. Do not be bothered by what people might label you. In Islam, Allah has only one name to label the believers, and that is Muslim. When faith enters the heart, Allah will put a 'nur' (light) in your heart. And with that light, the heart can see what the eyes can't see inshallah.
If you have read the Quran, you would know that Allah mentions in Surah Al-Imran verse 19: Inna dinna innallahil Islam. Translation: The most certainly, the religion at the side of Allah is Islam.
Not pushing you to be a Muslim though, just some of my thoughts. It is not my job to convert you brother, if Allah wills it, it will happen (:
Do you really need a label? If you like Psygoscelis's term of "free-thinking theist" use it. If you are looking for a more historical term, what you described fits within the general understanding of Unitarian/Universalist. They are so diverse that they try to include a little bit of everything under their banner -- a little too much for my understanding, I guess some time in the 1970s they tried to pass a statement of faith that they believed in God (which most do) but it failed as they didn't want to offend those members who didn't.
*I believe in one God/ Supreme being that is synonymous with love and peace.
Like i said earlier, your a free theist. You dont have a real sense of God in a singular or omnipresent sense. Your basically a Hindu. Hindu's are monotheist unlike what others think. They believe ALL Gods are the same and lead to one being and his/her name is Brahman (the one supreme being). They are not real idolaters also i may add.
Do you really need a label? If you like Psygoscelis's term of "free-thinking theist" use it. If you are looking for a more historical term, what you described fits within the general understanding of Unitarian/Universalist. They are so diverse that they try to include a little bit of everything under their banner -- a little too much for my understanding, I guess some time in the 1970s they tried to pass a statement of faith that they believed in God (which most do) but it failed as they didn't want to offend those members who didn't.
I have some friends who are unitarian and I have considered joining that myself. It is basically church without religion. You get all the social aspect and ingroup belonging etc, without any of the woo woo.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Quote
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Bookmarks