@Ticomaya,
Quote:@Moment-in-Time,
Moment-in-Time wrote:
Yet, I realize there are those among us who still need the god they created out of a need of necessity. God came into being because there was a need for him. Many have outgrown this crutch, but many also still need to believe in a god. Some of us proceed at a faster pace than others; therefore, we should not belittle those who still cling to their religious beliefs where in time a belief in god is their only hope!
Ticomaya wrote:
Quote:It's interesting how you fit Believers into the cubbyhole you've defined for them (us). You clearly think all Believers are in "need" of a "crutch," and "need to believe" out of "necessity" (necessity of what, you don't articulate, but I reckon you picture them huddled together, afraid that the sun will fall from the sky and smite them), and they "cling" to their faith because that's "their only hope".
On the contrary, I was/am attempting to explain our species' raison d'être to invent his god and why the necessity to create such was so badly in need. Man, initially, needed a father protector, although it was not defined this way, it was just abstract in thought. Our species was so all alone, so unprotected…so afraid. Out of emotional and mental necessity, we created "gods." There were many gods worshipped by our species prior to monotheism's appearance, which, btw, was conceived by the Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten, who prior to his conception of the one-god theory, had worshipped the Sun and stars. Many of our species believed we were preordained to be on earth by some higher power.
There have been many forms of idol worship, some worshipping Mars, the ancient Roman god of war and agriculture, identified with the Greek god Ares. Some worshipped Jupiter, etc. The most enduring spiritual concept to survive down through the ages has been Monotheism which gave birth to the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, the religion of the Jews; the Christian religion...including the Catholic, Protestant, and Eastern Orthodox churches; and Islam, the religious faith of Muslims whose absolute submission is to a unique and personal god, Allah, aka God.
Ticomaya wrote:
Quote:But, no, you're not belittling anyone, are you?
I sincerely hope not, Ticomaya, as that certainly is not my aim. I'm particularly unhappy that you perceived my explanation that way….If I have offended you, please do accept my apologies.
There are many among us whose personal Faith is deep, unshakable and I can empathize. When I experienced my first family death, my grandfather, whom I thoroughly adored, cased me much emotional distress; I thought I would never get over it. The first thing I did was pray, asking God why he would take my grandpa?!? We, humans, are weak, seemingly alone in this vast universe, and often frightened in our darkest hour; that is why we created gods in the first place….there was a human need for this belief. When we are at our lowest point in life, unprotected, we need to believe there is a power greater than ourselves, an omnipotent power who will understand, watch over us, and in the finality make everything alright.
I began to grow up when I commence to question the Bible, (I taught Sunday School) reading the cruelty, atrocities, and violence meted out by God. During the Holocaust, where 6 million Jews, Gypsies,Homosexuals, Jehovah_Witnesses, etc. were annihilated, where was God? The Jews were one of the most faithful of followers, and you tell me this *merciful* God could not intervene? Could not hear the anguish, the nightmarish hell these people were suffering?! What the hell did the people do to deserve such punishment?!?!? Or why should I "burn in hell forever and ever" when I've just lived one life time? In Sodom God kills everyone (men, women, children, infants, newborns). He's causing the plagues. He's torturing the Egyptians with pestilence. What kind of insecure and cruel God murders first-born children -- - What kind of God says: "Have no other God before me for I am a jealous god"? If god is omniscient and omnipotent, having unlimited and unrestricted power, why would he be jealous?!? What brought about his insecurities?
By my questioning so much inside the "Holy Bible" the New Testament and the Old Testament, I reached the conclusion that there is no preordained purpose to human existence. We have contributed human characteristics to this fathom god. "Homo Sapiens is born...we live...we die"...End of story. There has to be empirical data to prove something exist outside of death and so far I have not seen it.
If worshipping God makes one's life more meaningful, then I respect one's right to do so, by all means. For many, life without their god would be empty, because they give their hearts, mind and soul to this belief. There is certainly nothing wrong with one's faith that gives meaning to their existence....it is only when religion seek to impose this institution's values into the world of politics, into social behavior or governmental decisions, that I find a problem. Religion has been the root cause of so many unnecessary deaths.
