"A real pietist, like a true lover, cannot explain what force or what reason brings him into the fellowship of God. Love knows no reasons and when it reasons it is no longer true love. Both religion and love belong to the realm of mystery. Neither can be fully explained. Both are inward feelings which defy reason and explanation."
[Samuel Umen]
2006-08-04 15:06:25 · 21 answers · asked by 99 ways to smile 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Althoug I agree that fellowship with God and love can be put in the same realsm , i don't believe relgion and love can be. religion is simply a system of belifs, traditions, and laws set up by man. even athiesm is a religion. So this word is what botehrs me about this quote. simply goping to church every sunday, eating the crackers, and doing what the priest/pastor tells you, does not constitute a relationship with a God. Thus, religion is not an inward feeling which defies reason and explanation. it is simply an outward expression of what you may or may not believe.
2006-08-04 15:16:34 · answer #1 · answered by Chris K 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe religion is a mystery, one thing that is not a mystery is the Bible. God is not a mystery. All you have to do is get an accurate knowledge of God to see what is true. You can do this through the Bible. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 says- All scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in rightiousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work. Hebrews 4:12 states For the word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of the joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Love is a feeling, we cannot always explain why we love. But religion and God can be explained. Does that mean that we do not love Him? I don't think so. Those that do know that they do because we love our creator. You love your parents, can you explain why? Some people can't they just know they do. God is everyone's Father. We love our Father.
God is not an inward feeling, He is the creator and does exist.
2006-08-04 15:31:38 · answer #2 · answered by tessababyboo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's nice, but I don't think it's totally true... I don't think love or religion are mysterious; neither are they only feelings; neither do they defy reason or explanation. The force that brought me into fellowship with God was that of God drawing me to Himself. To me, that's not mysterious... except the wondering of why a perfect God would choose to love someone like me? That part does remain a mystery!
2006-08-04 15:12:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm.... I feel similarly except that I can reason and explain more that he apparently can. I have experienced a couple of miracles in my life which have given me a peek into the fellowship of God and love. I don't think I could share it, though. I probably couldn't put it into words adequately. It would be like trying to explain a view of the grand canyon to someone only to have them picture a grainy, distorted black and white photo when you're done.
'nuff said?
2006-08-04 15:17:53 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Peachy® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I disagree. God created us in His own image and part of that is the ability to reason. Yes there are mysteries but we know and can reason about our fellowship with God in Christ. Read 1 John and see how often he says "by this we know".
2006-08-04 15:18:43 · answer #5 · answered by beek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree entirely. You can reason out religion, everyone comes to their belief in God, or a lack of God in their own way. Intellectual people come to it intellectually, Emotional people come to it Emotionally.
I can explain why I believe Christianity to be the true explanation of our existence and purpose and it does not defy reason.
2006-08-04 15:12:03 · answer #6 · answered by Dane_62 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh I think it's ok. When it talks about both being inward feelings which defy reason and explanation. I don't think love and faith are just feelings. I think they are something that we know. Love and faith are also a commitment, weather we feel like it or not, we love, and have faith.
2006-08-04 15:12:28 · answer #7 · answered by trainer53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both love and religion can be explained. That's the dumbest quote I have heard in a long time.
2006-08-04 15:11:51 · answer #8 · answered by CaptWags 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It shows Samuel thought alot about what reasons people Love and follow God.
For those that like to make witty 'preaching' type comments...AHA
I don't need to sound like a minister to believe in Christ.
2006-08-04 15:11:38 · answer #9 · answered by o0twiggles0o 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Completely True.
2006-08-05 14:41:53 · answer #10 · answered by A*n*o*n*y*m*o*u*s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋