How is something that is 'spiritually discerned' distinguishable from something that is purely imaginary?

Question

the Boss: Surely anything imaginary could have as much relevance and connectedness as you care to imagine... couldn't it?

Answer 1

Very good point and I am of the opinion many do not even take it into consideration prior to forming an opinion.

The Bible does teach all who will learn the good lessons contained in it to continue to test and retest everything to avoid being led astray or arriving at the wrong conclusions. Many fail to learn this lesson

I find it great that you an Atheist are the one called upon to remind all to heed the words of the Bible. Thank you for that and this question.

Do have a good day knowing you were used by My God my friend.

Answer 2

Something that is purely imaginary cannot be spiritually discerned by the power of the Holy Spirit. Only those spiritual truths concerning things that actually exist can be spiritually discerned. I know by the power of the Spirit that Jesus Christ is the Savior. The Prophet Joseph Smith said: "A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas … and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus."

Let me ask you if you know what salt tastes like. You would probably respond with, "Of course I do."

Then I would say, "Assuming that I have never tasted salt, explain to me just what it tastes like.”

After giving it some thought you might say, "Well, I, uh, it is not sweet and it is not sour."

“You’ve told me what it isn’t, not what it is.”

After several attempts, of course, you would not be able to do it. You could not convey, in words alone, so ordinary an experience as tasting salt. I know there is a God. You may ridicule that testimony and say that if I did know, I would be able to tell you exactly how I know. My friend, spiritually speaking, I have tasted salt. I am no more able to convey to you in words how this knowledge has come than you are to tell me what salt tastes like. But I say to you again, there is a God! He does live! And just because you don’t know, don’t try to tell me that I don’t know, for I do!

You may be saying right now "I don't need your religion for a crutch! I don't need it." Very well. But it is more than a mere crutch. It is a reality.

Answer 3

I think the difference is the relevance and connection that it has to us. In one sense it is imaginary, but in another sense it is primary.

To respond to your additional details: You can have a random dream that takes you places but it doesn't connect to anything at the core of your being. The significance of spiritual experience is that it does illuminate what matters, even if it's somewhat in the form of a puzzle or not completely clear. Imagining may be part of the experience, but it points to a mystery that has deep meaning to us and it is not just on the surface.

Insofar as we are thinking beings, imagination is not a purely negative thing. It can be visionary, creative, and yes, spiritual. So, I don't have a problem with you saying something is imaginary, because imagination is at the root of great thought. I think Einstein said something to that effect.

Answer 4

Imagination is imagination.

Things of the spirit are real but not seen with the eyes.

Of course, only those with spiritual discernment can discern the spiritual... so, as Jesus said, Only those born of the Spirit can have understanding about the things of the Spirit.

god bless

Answer 5

If you are using the word 'discern' to mean 'to recognize differences; discriminate', then the answer to your question is: all discrimation is illusory. You may equate illusory with imaginary if you'd like.

Whether it is spritual disernment or logical or stream-of-consciousness discernment doesn't make any difference. All discernment (discrimination) is illusory.

Answer 6

Personal conviction

Icarus,
don't tie that poor boy's brain in a knot.

Aurthur, the taste of salt isn't imaginary, I can describe the taste in terms maybe you could understand, it taste like semen. if that isn't good enough for you, i can take you in the kitchen and allow you to taste it for yourself. Can you show me the god like I can let you taste salt?

Answer 7

Something which is 'spiritually discerned' carries 'certainty of knowlegde' as compared to something purely imaginary

Answer 8

Profit motive, plain and simple. People of faith are the only delusionals to get tax exempt status when they beg you for your money.

Answer 9

I do believe that it has alot to do with personal convictions, but those convictions must be able to stand up to biblical teaching, after all even bad people have sincere beliefs

Answer 10

It's like trying to tell a stranger about rock-and-roll....

http://youtube.com/watch?v=eaqRwFyoGgQ

Do you believe in magic?