Om

A central question for all to ponder. I would say that only once I had a satisfactory answer to this question was I fully able to shuck off atheism. It's not a simple answer and I don't think I can muster my full thoughts to answer it. I don't think that article fully answers it, Nik. But thanks.

ok here's what I know....There is only one god in terms of....numbers. But there are different 'ways' to worship him. For example, I know in Islam the word 'deen' is often translated as 'religion' in English but it actually means 'way' or 'path'. Islam is a 'deen'. According to Islam there is only one God but there are different 'paths' to worship him. There are different laws because times have changed and are changing. However Islam also states that it is the last complete religion and the only one which has not been 'edited' or meddled with and therefore the right and final 'way' to worship him. for example - I remember seeing a Bible in its 10th edition. Some might argue that because times are changing religions needs to change and adapt- hence why the Bible has been edited so much. However Islam asserts that society should adapt to God's will - if they believe in God, and not the other way round. Islam also asserts logically how can you claim to believe in God and follow his 'words' and his 'book' - and yet meddle with it and take out stuff and put in stuff. I hope this isn't going to become one of those detbates. I want a peaceful day.

ok here's what I know....There is only one god in terms of....numbers.

Really? You know for an absolute fact that there is only one single god?

Hmm. That is a question I have asked many times. Similarly, I always wonder why if there is one Heaven and one Hell, then why does everyone who has a near death experience, or dies and comes back, have a different experience? Should they not all be the same, or at least contain similar things, at least for those who believe in the same religion? One time we watched 2 different documentaries in Christian Ed, and both men died and came back to life a few days later. They were both Christian. They both went to Hell before being shown Heaven. One of them went to a place where people ate their own skin if they once were a witch, and all there were doomed for all eternity. The other went to a place that was simply empty and dark apart from a voice that was angry. Then, one went to Heaven, where he saw the castle of God, heard Angels and Saints and saw them, heard flowers singing, but didn't get to meet anyone higher than a Saint. The other went to a golden lit room, where he talked to God, but was unable to see his face because light came from it. It's just things like that that make me doubt the idea of religion. It doesn't mean I don't believe in anything, I just refuse to join any religion, because I don't see why other people should tell me specific ways to connect with and talk to a God.

In response to Dark Muse - please sense the tone at the beginning 'Here's what I know' - very casual. Perhaps it is my fault and I used the wrong verb, perhaps 'heard' or 'learnt' would be better. I dont remember mentioning any 'facts' but it is futile and silly to even mention the word 'fact' with reference to anything supernatural/God etc. With the exception of figures and statistics I'd say very little is an 'absolute fact'. You limit yourself when you start categorising like that.

I tend to stay away from topics like this for the precise reason - and I know many here feel the same - that no one is here to learn, no one is here with an open mind in the true sense, to expand on their ideas or share them - but instead 'attack' other people's opinions, be incredibly picky about the smallest thing and misinterpret - most often intentionally. That's why I said at the end 'I hope this isn't going to become one of those debates. I want a peaceful day'. Maybe you didn't get that far.

Sigh.

This is my last response on this topic because I really don't want to get into one of those debates. Sorry. Right, back to things I can cope with ....

Hello all- sorry for taking so much time to respond. Virgil- I will of course not try to pry it out of you! :)

Opti- I cannot speak for others but I do not have any problems with what you said. I agree with you although I am not Muslim. In my religion it is also more considered a path (sanatana-dharma, or the eternal way of the soul) than a religion. Although, I don't have a problem with the word religion, it simply means something different to me than church. I thank you for writing. I've also been affected sometimes by negativity on this forum, but I find solace in the people who do have open minds. You are always welcome if you wish to post again. Simply, I've been ridiculed for saying God is real and I understand if you don't wish to post again.

Sprinks I was an atheist when I was younger, and I studied philosophy for several years before I finally decided I believed in God. Sometimes you find something that amazes you. I remember thinking years ago that whenever you read something, you added something to it. And then I just was reading Emerson's essay History and I find he wrote the same thing I had thought! He phrased it like whenever you read some act of heroes, or great acts, you feel like you were there; or it resonates with you and you make it yours. You don't read it like something you don't understand but you read it as something you do understand, and this was exactly the same thing I had thought; that whoever, whatever we read, we read it as something we understand. It was a fascinating thing when I discovered it, fascinating to read Emerson's description of it- and mindblowing that I had the same thought before I ever read Emerson.