@Israelite007,
Israelite007 wrote:my intentions are to help others to see the truth in hopes they would pursue it
The thing is, if we're being
philosophical, then we can't be too confident about assumed truths. We may individually assume certain truths, but in
this setting the whole idea of "see the truth" is completely different than, for instance, in Church.
I'm Jewish (though not an especially observant Jew). Because of this background of mine, however, I would
never ever accept the dictates of Christianity as religious truth -- nor will you
ever accept it from a Jewish point of view, in which Jesus is not even part of religious "truth". The point is that there is PLENTY of room for mutual understanding between us if we intellectually discuss certain topics. But convincing each other of the truth of our religions should not even be a project or an effort of ours. I respect your beliefs enough that I don't seek to "enlighten" you with mine. Similarly, you should respect mine, even inasmuch as I often make a case for atheism.
Quote:it comes to a point that I am wise in my own eyes
We all are, but that's why it's so helpful to talk things out. Just as I love my mom more than I love your mom, and you love your mom more than you love mine, our personal religious beliefs (however strong they may be) really
are relative, and shouldn't be a target.
Quote:I know I said I wanted to be a warrior but now I just want to be a student of life and learning from everything around.
That's a very mature statement, and I'm glad you feel that way. That's the kind of environment we want here. Bob Dylan, in his phenomenal song "My Back Pages", criticizes his former angry 'protest' years with the line
"But I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now."
Quote:Okay so I am going to dream and wonder and ponder and study and come back then maybe I can share insight into my faith
A good exercise would be the following. Picture an atheist, someone who rejects religion, rejects God, in fact doesn't really care, who lives his life humbly, helping people, advocating for people, giving to people. Someone whose true enemy is suffering. Someone who doesn't care if other people believe in God or not, he just wants them to be healthy and safe enough that they can choose for themselves.
In other words, I'm trying to present you someone
good, even if that whole idea of "good" is founded only in our approval. But this is someone who doesn't derive "good" ideas or "good" motivations from God.
How do you reconcile this with your strong religious spirit? And how would you reconcile this with a
monk who devotes his life to praising God but never helps another person?