I went to one of those "mega-churches" for many years. Everyone always babbled about having a "relationship" with God. I gave it a go.
Heres what 'a relationship with God', in reality, amounts to.
If you are insane (manic, psychtz, etc..), you claim to actually hear his voice.
If you are not mentally ill, then its always the 'tea-leaf' sequence. Example, the thunderstorm came 5 minutes after you were thinking about whether God wants you to dump you girlfriend...so you did.
Under the tea-leaf sequence, you feel perfectly justified in claiming that God is talking to you and thus tell people you have a neat relationship.
So it amounts to mental illness or selective interpretation of normal coincidence.
What I say is true...and you know it on some level...conscious hopefully...but sunconscious otherwise. Why did God let you read this anyway?
2006-08-12 12:41:24 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It doesn't seem like you are really asking a question, but rather venting some anger. I hope you find peace.
2006-08-12 12:44:00 · answer #1 · answered by mrhackman 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In this age, the real image of God has been hidden beneath all the crap promiting Him. I was an atheist for a long time because I thought that's what Christianity and Judaism and the rest of the world religions were about. But they're not. It's okay to doubt God's existence, and be religious in a quiet way. Once I realized that, I converted back to Judaism. I doubt God's existence on a daily basis, but I believe in Him more than not. I just try to be the nicest person I can, and hope that's enough.
2006-08-12 12:48:13 · answer #2 · answered by Kyle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free will. I find it interesting that so many athetists and agnostics ask a question but really want to make a statement, usually insulting believers.
Okay, if it's snake oil, and I buy, what do you care? It's my time, my life. Is it necessary to call me mentally ill or weak willed or whatever term one chooses? If I were asking you to pay for it, or give me gas money to get to church or buy me a Bible, I could see you would have a problem with it, but I just want to believe what I believe and I offer you that same courtesy.
Why does it bother you so much for some to believe? Could you know it's true on some unconscious level?
2006-08-12 12:48:34 · answer #3 · answered by chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Human intelligence is generally measured by the ability to find patterns.
As you point out in your "tea leaf" example, people will find a pattern that suits what they believe and ignore patterns that don't suit what they believe.
And, to them, that proves what they believe is true.
Religion is based on fear (of the unknown), superstition and selective ignorance (ignoring patterns that do not fit the belief).
That's why it's called "faith." Others can see the patterns that don't fit the belief, the believer can not, i.e., "blind faith."
Atheism is the only logical choice. But, humans do not typically operate based on logic.
2006-08-12 12:48:55 · answer #4 · answered by Left the building 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What preacher? The Lord God Jesus Christ is the only light of the New Jerusalem. Read Swedenborg - get educated.
2006-08-12 12:43:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used snake oil but nothing happened to me.
2006-08-12 12:44:20 · answer #6 · answered by john_0502000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"What I say is true...and you know it on some level...conscious hopefully...but sunconscious otherwise."
Afraid not Guy.
2006-08-12 12:44:28 · answer #7 · answered by rangedog 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cause he's a jerk who likes reality television? XD
2006-08-12 12:44:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Steve, I hope that you find peace.
2006-08-12 12:44:41 · answer #9 · answered by whirled_queen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just live and let live...
2006-08-12 12:43:13 · answer #10 · answered by MaryBeth 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋