How do you distinguish between imagination and revelation? Think about it. If it feels right? If you are in prayer? If it's a 'miracle' or something 'supernatural' ? How do you know you aren't just living in imagination? Religion can be reasoned to a certain degree. Most will say religion cannot be reasoned but I disagree. There is probably a God, but He is still a mystery. The whole story of the torture-god needing blood money so he commits suicide/kills his son whatever so his thirst is quenched is just bizarre. 2000 years from now do you think your religions will be in English texts along with Zeus?
2007-11-29 12:59:26 · 16 answers · asked by 12th 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well, I still consider myself to be "religious," but have recently (within the past 2 years) been set free from the vain and foolish imaginations of man--many of which I was a part of--living in imagination.
I read 2 books that explained the truth. They just "felt right." They made sense--so much common sense.
Here are a few quotes:
Society has reached a point where the majority is lead by a few (“locusts”) who control every aspect of life. They draw the borders of the land, issue and determine the value of money as well as the value of human life, and also decide what laws should and shouldn’t be established to control those whose values they have set. The societies are set up in such a way, that in order to survive, every person must look out for him or herself––completely ignoring an environment of peace and joy guaranteed by following the Royal Law of Christ.
The emotional torment caused by the way humans are led by their leaders has truly “hurt” them. The leaders know they need those who follow them and give them power; thus (without killing them), they make the people dependent upon them (“given that they should not kill them”). People “hurt” others to stay alive in pursuit of their own personal desires in life as well as in consequence of serving their leaders. Because of their leaders and the way societies are set up, humans torment each other, they being the “tail” that John describes that “striketh a man.”
...These “locusts” are the kings, presidents, popes, priests, general authorities, worldly leaders, and any other humans who control the actions of their followers and subjects, either by teaching or by command. They are “given power” by those who follow (“tail”) them whether by devotion or decree. A tail always follows the commands of the creature, and in the case of “scorpions,” it has a devastating sting. With the power given them, and their proficiency in manipulating those who follow or who are otherwise compelled to execute their commands, these leaders have caused incredible sorrows and torments upon the earth by using their “tails” to hurt and torment others.
...Religion is worse than science in its speculative efforts to satisfy the human ego. Religion has created the impetus for people to search how, why, and who they are without having the proper tools to help the people discover the truth for themselves. Religious leaders have convinced their followers that they (“the locusts”) are chosen by God to teach people truth and lead them on the right path. Yet, neither the religions of the world nor any of their leaders have been able to fulfill the covenant of the Father in providing the earth’s inhabitants with the happiness and peace He has promised them. Religion and science destroy peace and happiness because of the action and precepts of their “locusts and horsemen” who torment the people.
There is no precept of religion or science that comprehends or properly explains reality—which is things as they were, as they are, and as they are to come. Science is a type of religion, just as religion is a type of science, wherein the mystery of life remains a mystery to those who don’t understand it, but pretend to. The aim of both science and religion is one in the same in trying to come to a logical conclusion about why, how, and when humans came into existence.
The only ones who have known true reality and can teach it properly, are those whom others have so named “prophets of God”:
Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. (Amos 3:7)
These prophets were not received or appreciated by the religions of the world, and science would have nothing to do with their simple message of what the human race needs to do to find the peace and happiness it desires.
Whether their message of truth was given in the Orient by the Buddha, the Middle East by Mohammed, to the ancient Greeks by Socrates, or to the arrogant Jews by a young man, it was the same. This Jewish man, who owned nothing, and was killed because he spoke against the religion to which he and his family belonged, taught the very same message: in order to realize peace and happiness, we must do unto others what we would want them to do unto us—nothing more, nothing less.
End of quotes.
And yes, the as-you-call-Him "torture-god" is not reality. It is just foolishness to believe. And in 2000 years, we will all know the truth. In fact, everyone will know the truth in about 138 +/- years. All people will see religion as it truly is--and understand truth and reality.
I was about as religious as they come. I now understand truth and reality and logic and common sense. The two books I read taught me the truth. The one I quoted above can be read for free at the site below.
It set me free. It is John's revelation of what he meant by what he wrote in the book of Revelation in the Bible. And it is not what people think. All the truth is revealed in plainness. It explains God, the atonement, 666, the beast, the dragon, etc, etc. It is truth and reality, and it changed my life and what I believed.
2007-12-03 04:49:55 · answer #1 · answered by smallone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
*ahem*
My ape-like associate, please remember that there are religious persons on here who worship Zeus....
One does not have to worship the God of the Bible to be religious.....
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Now for the answer to your question, I test an Unusual Personal Gnosis received through meditation or prayer by researching various aspects of it. Sometimes I find that I am not the only one to have the same UPG and when this Personal Gnosis is shared by others who I have not had contact with on the subject previously, it is more likely to be revelation rather than simply imagination.
For example, there are very few classical referances to the Lioness being sacred to Hera, but I know of at least 3 people scattered around the US who have that Shared Personal Gnosis with me.
2007-11-29 21:18:25 · answer #2 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems alot of pple misundertand you're saying/asking. I think I get you for the last part. and the truth is that Christianity can very well end up in books as "mythology" just and Greek religion has. Time changes much.
2007-11-29 21:09:29 · answer #3 · answered by princenore 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask yourself.........
how do you establish imagination from realization??
I can see / feel / hear / smell ............
And God is part mystery,
but to a Believer that mystery has been revealed
Read this
1 Timothy 3:16
"" WITHOUT controversy great is the mystery of godliness: GOD was manifest in the flesh ( JESUS) , justified in the Spirit , seen of angels , preached unto the Gentiles , believed on in the world , recieved up into glory "
HE GAVE HIMSELF
for YOU
so that through HIM
YOU
could have everlasting life
2007-11-29 21:07:28 · answer #4 · answered by hghostinme 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The revelation is backed up by the inspired written Word of God. The revelation IS the Word of God, byway of the Holy Spirit who reveals Him (Jesus Christ)
2007-11-29 21:02:35 · answer #5 · answered by i_12_bright 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why would it not? Judaism is still here, Christianity is still here. Religion has stood the test of time for a reason.
2007-11-29 21:02:45 · answer #6 · answered by Tasha 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
if this was all in my imagination, then it would look totaly different and i would super powers. and there is no tourture god in the bible. because of the sin, there had to be a price paid so we could be reconciled with God. it was to high of a price to pay on our own so God had to pay the price himself. its like if someone runs into your car and dameges it and they cant pay to repair it so you pay for it yourself.
2007-11-29 21:04:18 · answer #7 · answered by aj 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe imagination is revelation.
maybe the point is spiritual connection that's right for one's self, not necessarily a one-size-fits-all sort of "right."
maybe the idea of there being one "correct" way to approach spirituality is as ridiculaous as on "correct" flavor of ice cream or one "correct" favorite song.
that's my philosophy. It's right for me. It doesn't have to be right for you.
peace.
2007-11-29 21:04:54 · answer #8 · answered by kent_shakespear 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When my religion disappears, the earth and heaven goes with it.
2007-11-29 21:06:34 · answer #9 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Holy Spirit gives you the power to distinguish.
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
2007-11-29 21:03:36 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋