As Robert A. Heinlein once said: "Theology is never any help; it is searching in a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there. Theologians can persuade themselves of anything."
I agree with R.A. Heinlein do you?
2007-10-22 15:55:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Tom E: You say you "know that our consciousness survives death"... care to provide evidence for that or are you using "I know" as a metaphor for "I wish"?
2007-10-22 16:27:07 · update #1
... and for most, also wearing sunglasses.
Theology is an artful dialogue about the nonexistent. Biblical theology is an artful dialogue about ancient people's beliefs in the non-existent.
How else can you get phrases like "a leap of faith" (Kierkegaard), "the ground of our being" (Tillich) or "We know that God is He whom we do not know, and that our ignorance is precisely the problem and the source of our knowledge" (Barth).
For more information, see "mythology."
^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^
2007-10-22 15:59:11 · answer #1 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I admire Mr. Heinlein and his work. Would that I could be so pat about my philosophy, but events in my life that transcend 'normal thinking' have convinced me there is much more going on than will fit in a test tube. I don't believe every word of the Bible, as useful and revered that source of knowledge is. but to write my own, so to speak, would leave me as one crying in the wilderness as well. It seems that we need to approach life on a 'one-on-one' basis, with our own experiences teaching and guiding us as we go. I know that our consciousness survives death and believe that many more answers are to be found there. Don't sweat the here and now too much, just be honest and keep your eyes open.
2007-10-22 23:15:26 · answer #2 · answered by Thomas E 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Theology is the study of religions.
If you read the bible honestly and sincerely you will find all the fallacies therein contained. Common sense will then set you free from a religious mindset that was inculcated in your innocent young mind when you were a child.
If you want to remain religious - don't read the Holy Bible.
It's all there for you to read.
2007-10-22 23:07:41 · answer #3 · answered by Jonathan 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
From C.H. Spurgeon, sermon 7January 1855:
"It has been said by someone that 'the proper study of mankind is man.' I will not oppose the idea, but I believe it is equally true that the proper study of God's elect is God; the proper study of a Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.
There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned inits infinity. Other subjects we can compass and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-content, and go our way with the thought, 'Behold I am wise.' But when we come to this master-science, finding that our plumb-line cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought that vain man would be wise, but he is like a wild ***' colt; with solemn exclamation, 'I am but of yesterday, and know nothing.' No subject of contemplation will tend more to humble the mind, than thought of God...
But while the subject humbles the mind, it also expands it. He who often thinks of God, will have a larger mind than the man who simply plods around this narrow globe...The most excellent study for expanding the soul, is the science of Christ, and Him crucified, and the knowledge of the God-head in the glorious Trinity. Nothing will so enlarge the intellect, nothing so magnify the whole soul of man, as devout, earnest, continued investigation of the great subject of the Deity.
And, whilst humbling and expanding, this subject is eminently consolatory. Oh, there is, in contemplating Christ, a balm for every wound; in musing on the Father, there is a quietus for every grief; and in the influence of the Holy Ghost, there is a balsam for every sore. Would you lose your sorrow? Would you drown your cares? Then go, plunge yourself in the God-head's deepest sea; be lost in his immensity; and you shall come forth as from a couch of rest, refreshed and invigorated. I know nothing which can so comfort the soul; so calm the swelling billows of sorrow and grief; so speak peace to the winds of trial, as a devout musing upon the subject of the God-head."
I agree with Spurgeon.
2007-10-22 23:27:38 · answer #4 · answered by paulyaranon007 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, but looking for your brain is like searching a dark cellar at midnight for a black cat that isn't there!
2007-10-22 22:59:12 · answer #5 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Can a theologian persaude themselves there is no God? I would think if Heinlein were more creative he could have come up with a better analogy, oh, right, no imagination...
2007-10-22 23:00:15 · answer #6 · answered by keri gee 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
no
no
narrow minded u r .
when R.A. Heinlein (whoever the heck that is) stands before GOD, he will be talking out of the other side of his (know-it-all) mouth....who ya gonna believe then son?
2007-10-22 22:58:48 · answer #7 · answered by maozSFCU 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No.I don't search for anything in the dark without a candle.I would open a can of tuna and if fluffy don't show up fluffy don't get fed.
2007-10-22 22:58:56 · answer #8 · answered by mortgagegirl101 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yeah. And, if you live with black cats long enough, you start to see them darting all around you out of the corner of your eye. Even when they aren't there. Haha
2007-10-22 22:59:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
How can you be sure the black cat isn't in the cellar?
2007-10-22 22:59:15 · answer #10 · answered by bobanalyst 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋