So it's 12 minutes to go until 2008 (well at least here in PA, and the entire Eastern Time Zone hehehe). I've gone from being a Creationist Protestant, to a doubting Agnostic, to Wicca, to Atheism, and am now going back towards Protestant Christianity again.
Decisions, decisions... Which side is right? *facepalms* Who wants to wrack their brain this late in the night anyway??!!
2007-12-31 15:53:26 · 13 answers · asked by Rapunzel XVIII 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well it was 12 minutes when I started typing and then stopped to answer a text message from my sloshed sister in law...
2 minutes to go now!!
2007-12-31 15:59:43 · update #1
The Gnostic one.
Early Christian writings were editted c. 352 - 500 AD by the Roman Emperors to suit their purposes.
The Gnostics, such as one finds in the writings of the Nag Hammadi Bible and The Apochrypha, provide a much better insight into the originating approach of Christians, before Constantine declared, bloody sword in hand, the Empire's religion was "Now Christianity!".
Which is not surprising, since they were the originating Christians, at least on the Northern Mediterranean coast.
2007-12-31 21:17:50 · answer #1 · answered by Master Anarchy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is no "fence." There is a broad landscape on all sides of you, with no barriers to trip you or stop you in any direction, other than fear and deeply-ingrained habits.
If you have been dissatisfied with the old "answers" provided by Christianity or Wicca, and if you still doubt the truth claims of the basic elements of Christian doctrine (that there is an all-knowing god who "loves" human beings and listens to prayers, etc., that human souls are immortal), try adopting a stance that combines simple skepticism (demanding evidence) and critical thinking. If you have found "atheism" to be too cold and antiseptic, and insufficiently rich and life-affirming, then try returning to the rituals that you have enjoyed from Christianity or Wicca, but just participate in them as aesthetic or dramatic or emotional experiences, without accepting the truth claims of the mythologies behind those rituals.
Eventually you will find the way through the landscape, and the position that will be your new "home" there.
Best wishes for the new year.
2008-01-01 05:34:51 · answer #2 · answered by Jeff D 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an unshakable agnostic, I really can't understand how you can be so vacillating in your belief system, but, to quote John Lennon, I say, "Whatever gets you through the night is all right!" There is no "right" so far as far as your philosophy of life or religiosity are concerned; so long as you are comfortable with your chosen ideology that is all that matters! A certain amount of introspection, however, couldn't hurt! Are you sure what you believe?
2008-01-01 00:40:37 · answer #3 · answered by Lynci 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In all honesty, I'd have to say that as long as you view it as a "which side" issue, you're never going to find peace -- even if you're on the right side!
The Christians are going to tell you that you should choose God, while the atheists and agnostics will tell you to choose your own logical faculties and "healthy skepticism". Why? Because people believe things that they think are true, and if they think they're true, they're not going to tell you to do the opposite.
Unfortunately for many though, "Truth" by it's very definition is singular and specific, meaning that a statement cannot be both true and not true at the same time in the same sense. Example: Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Me." Either that statement is true, or it is false, but it cannot be both, much to the chagrin of many ecumenically-minded folks who have chosen to tout tag lines such as "Everyone can believe whatever they like and still reach heaven."
You have to come to the decision on your own, it's true, but you should recognize that the reason you feel a longing at all is because something personal is what's missing. Every Christian has times of wondering "well what about this?" or "what about that?", just as many atheists and agnostics wonder if God really is real (though most would never admit it). Most of the greatest Biblical examples we have of spiritual giants have had times of asking God tough questions and having their faith shaken by circumstances, but you know what else unites them all?
They all got their answers. :)
In His service, and yours,
jason
2008-01-01 00:13:20 · answer #4 · answered by .:WFJF:. Jason 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What better way to spend the last minutes of 2007 :)...thinking sounds far more productive than drinking or counting backwards from 60 LOL.
About your choice, have you considered trying just plain Christianity sans any denominational ties. Start with what Jesus had to say and use that to discover what it means for YOU to follow his example. When you begin to understand that, then you're in a position to decide what kind of church can support you in your walk!
I ask because I rejected many of the protestant denominations for years...if someone had told me just two years ago that I would actually join a Baptist church, I'd have laughed myself silly! I've never joined any church as an adult...heck, if my church had included the word "Baptist" in their name, I never would have attended the first time...and I would have missed out on one of the greatest blessings in my life. The right answer for you may be a protestant church...or it may be a non-denominational church, a pentacostal church, or a home-based small fellowship group. God knows what you need to strengthen your walk with him and if you ask, he will lead you where you need to be!
2008-01-01 00:10:55 · answer #5 · answered by KAL 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In my opinion, the constant argument about the existence of God implies that the universe and/or morality would somehow be different if God did exist than if he didn't. I don't believe that is true.
You have probably seen that black and white picture which looks like either a chalice or two faces depending on which color you focus on. Regardless of your color preference, the underlying picture is exactly the same. It is your brain that picks the image to identify, not the picture.
That is how I see atheism and theism. Some people see the universe as mechanical and logical. Others anthropomorphize it to have a deity in control. But the universe behaves in an identical manner either way.
Logic and empathy are the true basis of morality, not faith in the dictates of ancient mythology. Empathy allows us to care how our actions affect the rest of the universe. Logic allows us to figure out how they do so.
God is irrelevant.
2008-01-01 00:06:03 · answer #6 · answered by scifiguy 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know that there's doubts in your mind saying that there is no God. That is not true. Pray to Jesus and ask Him to come into your heart. Look at the evidence around you. Everywhere, there's evidence that God's hand crafted this universe. Christianity is not a religion- it's a relationship. Please think about this.
2008-01-01 00:02:51 · answer #7 · answered by Sue 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Protestant Christianity again?
Just be a Gnostic Christian... problem solved.
2008-01-01 00:02:08 · answer #8 · answered by Automaton 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus rose into the sky and became a god.
But before he did that he said to his guys "Except ye eat my flesh." It was his subtle way of calling them maggots, but they didn't get it.
.
2008-01-01 00:02:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try using critical reasoning. I think then you will have your answer.
2007-12-31 23:59:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋