Christian Baggage

[evenpath]

I've manged to bury the idea of Jesus as the savior of man very deep within myself.

I am what some might refer to as a struggling christian, because while I no longer identify myself as “christian,” the baggage of that birthright and indoctrination is something that is still very much a part of me. It is excess baggage in that I really don't need it, yet I find it very difficult set down. It follows me from place to place, but I am unable to walk away from the baggage carousel. The problem with excess baggage is that if you carry it long enough, it will eventually become a real burden. It will chafe at your hands and become heavier and heavier, slowing down your journey and effecting your ability to move or “think” freely.

My personal struggle to know god and understand my connection, as well as my academic investigations of religious philosophy in general, have resulted in a complete polar shifting of my personal belief in god. My new position is simple. God is perfect. God is pure. God is love. In this trinity, there is no place for anger, wrath, jealousy or murder. In this trinity, there is no home for hatred, intolerance and disharmony. It's simply impossible.

The bible is terrifying. The Quran is terrifying. Even parts of the Gita are drenched in fear and violence. At what point will human-kind become tired of these useless narratives? Even a child knows that there is nothing to be gained from fear. Why do people continue subject their children to a birthright of violence and human suffering and call it religion? Why must we make them afraid of god? What is the point of their trembling?

The god in my heart, that exist everywhere, without form or specified substance, weeps at their trembling. The god that I wish to know, suffers for human-kind without exclusion, loves without conditions and is incapable of causing harm to any living thing.

There is no “one people” in this divine kingdom. There is no loyalty and there is no wrath. In this kingdom there is only unity and equanimity.

 

[viole]

I've manged to bury the idea of Jesus as the savior of man very deep within myself.

I am what some might refer to as a struggling christian, because while I no longer identify myself as “christian,” the baggage of that birthright and indoctrination is something that is still very much a part of me. It is excess baggage in that I really don't need it, yet I find it very difficult set down. It follows me from place to place, but I am unable to walk away from the baggage carousel. The problem with excess baggage is that if you carry it long enough, it will eventually become a real burden. It will chafe at your hands and become heavier and heavier, slowing down your journey and effecting your ability to move or “think” freely.

My personal struggle to know god and understand my connection, as well as my academic investigations of religious philosophy in general, have resulted in a complete polar shifting of my personal belief in god. My new position is simple. God is perfect. God is pure. God is love. In this trinity, there is no place for anger, wrath, jealousy or murder. In this trinity, there is no home for hatred, intolerance and disharmony. It's simply impossible.

The bible is terrifying. The Quran is terrifying. Even parts of the Gita are drenched in fear and violence. At what point will human-kind become tired of these useless narratives? Even a child knows that there is nothing to be gained from fear. Why do people continue subject their children to a birthright of violence and human suffering and call it religion? Why must we make them afraid of god? What is the point of their trembling?

The god in my heart, that exist everywhere, without form or specified substance, weeps at their trembling. The god that I wish to know, suffers for human-kind without exclusion, loves without conditions and is incapable of causing harm to any living thing.

There is no “one people” in this divine kingdom. There is no loyalty and there is no wrath. In this kingdom there is only unity and equanimity.

So, what is He waiting for to correct this suboptimal state of affairs, if He is supreme goodness?

Ciao

- viole

 

[Akivah]

The god that I wish to know, suffers for human-kind without exclusion, loves without conditions and is incapable of causing harm to any living thing.

Your personal philosophical and religious journey is your own. I just have one question about your OP. Looking at the world around us, no life forms are immortal. Many species survive by killing and consuming other species. How do you figure that a creator god should be incapable of causing harm (or death) to living things?

 

[Baladas]

I've manged to bury the idea of Jesus as the savior of man very deep within myself.

I am what some might refer to as a struggling christian, because while I no longer identify myself as “christian,” the baggage of that birthright and indoctrination is something that is still very much a part of me. It is excess baggage in that I really don't need it, yet I find it very difficult set down. It follows me from place to place, but I am unable to walk away from the baggage carousel. The problem with excess baggage is that if you carry it long enough, it will eventually become a real burden. It will chafe at your hands and become heavier and heavier, slowing down your journey and effecting your ability to move or “think” freely.

My personal struggle to know god and understand my connection, as well as my academic investigations of religious philosophy in general, have resulted in a complete polar shifting of my personal belief in god. My new position is simple. God is perfect. God is pure. God is love. In this trinity, there is no place for anger, wrath, jealousy or murder. In this trinity, there is no home for hatred, intolerance and disharmony. It's simply impossible.

The bible is terrifying. The Quran is terrifying. Even parts of the Gita are drenched in fear and violence. At what point will human-kind become tired of these useless narratives? Even a child knows that there is nothing to be gained from fear. Why do people continue subject their children to a birthright of violence and human suffering and call it religion? Why must we make them afraid of god? What is the point of their trembling?

The god in my heart, that exist everywhere, without form or specified substance, weeps at their trembling. The god that I wish to know, suffers for human-kind without exclusion, loves without conditions and is incapable of causing harm to any living thing.

There is no “one people” in this divine kingdom. There is no loyalty and there is no wrath. In this kingdom there is only unity and equanimity.

Have you read the Tao te Ching?

 

[Baladas]

I ask because I am a former Christian. It seems to me, from what you posted, that we share a similar intuition regarding the Divine.
It was one of the main reasons I left Christianity.

I don't claim to know any "right" path, but I have found a lot of joy in Taoism...just an idea, as their writings are non-violent.
I could very well be wrong, or deluded, but I am no longer worried about being right.

 

[George-ananda]

Your philosophy sounds pretty good to me. Why concern yourself so much with the baggage. In my view, this world is meant to include the dualities; fear/comfort; good/bad, etc. (I believe in reincarnation and eventual salvation for all). But the positives you discuss are all that will last in the end. So just focus on living through the world with compassion and drop the baggage. Train your mind to think right by telling yourself to STOP negative thinking. If you keep doing that you will slowly make progress.

 

[evenpath]

Have you read the Tao te Ching?

Very nice thank you Akivah

Your personal philosophical and religious journey is your own. I just have one question about your OP. Looking at the world around us, no life forms are immortal. Many species survive by killing and consuming other species. How do you figure that a creator god should be incapable of causing harm (or death) to living things?

Well, I guess because I don't believe god is a species so therefore He is above the rules the govern the animal kingdom.

 

[evenpath]

Your philosophy sounds pretty good to me. Why concern yourself so much with the baggage. In my view, this world is meant to include the dualities; fear/comfort; good/bad, etc. (I believe in reincarnation and eventual salvation for all). But the positives you discuss are all that will last in the end. So just focus on living through the world with compassion and drop the baggage. Train your mind to think right by telling yourself to STOP negative thinking. If you keep doing that you will slowly make progress.

Thank you Ananda. I shall try and do so!!

 

[evenpath]

Have you read the Tao te Ching?

Yes, beautiful logic. Thank you.

 

[Baladas]

I agree with George. Follow your inner convictions. I think they will serve you well.

 

[evenpath]

So, what is He waiting for to correct this suboptimal state of affairs, if He is supreme goodness?

Ciao

- viole

I don't know the answer. Let us both continue looking!

 

[George-ananda]

I don't know the answer. Let us both continue looking!

I think the answer might be that some people judge the masterpiece of creation from their one quadrillionth view of the whole masterpiece. Any bigger picture or bigger plot then eludes them.

 

[Vinayaka]

A ton of people have 'baggage', but either don't know they have baggage, or are too proud to admit they do. But we all do. It's called the subconscious mind. One cannot wave a magic wand and make it go away. The samskaras (impressions) that were put into it remain until replaced with something else.

 

[evenpath]

I think the answer might be that some people judge the masterpiece of creation from their one quadrillionth view of the whole masterpiece. Any bigger picture or bigger plot then eludes them.

I like that! One quadrillionth part of an expanding universe. Indeed, we are not so significant.

 

[Baladas]

Have you read the Tao te Ching?

I am sorry if I appeared to be proselytizing. I assure you, that was not my intention.

I couldn't give a rip what path you take, so long as you find fulfillment in it.

I was just wondering whether you had read it, since you mentioned several other religious texts being bloody.

 

[Akivah]

Very nice thank you Akivah


Well, I guess because I don't believe god is a species so therefore He is above the rules the govern the animal kingdom.

Well, it could be considered that a god "kills" people, when they die in various ways such as disease or natural disasters. Do you consider that your god kills people in these ways?

 

[George-ananda]

I like that! One quadrillionth part of an expanding universe. Indeed, we are not so significant.

Right, but I even meant more than that......that there are realms/realities to this cosmic drama that are beyond even this three-dimensional physical plane. And my point is people see just one sliver of the physical layer of this multi-realm masterpiece and think they are in a position to critique the masterpiece.

 

[evenpath]

Well, it could be considered that a god "kills" people, when they die in various ways such as disease or natural disasters. Do you consider that your god kills people in these ways?

Well, first of all I'm not claiming he's my my god. It was just a thought process regarding violence and human suffering. If I had to choose my personal definition of god then it would be a nonviolent, loving sort.

With regards to human death. We are born, we get sick and the we die. Is "god" a part of that? I don't know. I guess if you believe god created the miracle of life then you would have to believe in the miracle of death as part of a divine plan. I don't
know.

 

[evenpath]

Right, but I even meant more than that......that there are realms/realities to this cosmic drama that are beyond even this three-dimensional physical plane. And my point is people see just one sliver of the physical layer of this multi-realm masterpiece and think they are in a position to critique the masterpiece.

Thank you. People believe there are realms of different realities. There is no scientific proof. Some believe heaven is a realm or moksha is a realm, becoming atman etc... I say consciousness is a realm and I believe that is what you probably meant to say. No one can say with definitive proof that these things exist, alternative realms and such. Earth is our realm, we are humans. We can only expand our consciousness. Do humans understand their plane of existence in the wider scheme of an expanding universe? Most do not. Should we? Probably.

 

[Akivah]

Well, first of all I'm not claiming he's my my god. It was just a thought process regarding violence and human suffering. If I had to choose my personal definition of god then it would be a nonviolent, loving sort.

With regards to human death. We are born, we get sick and then we die. Is "god" a part of that? I don't know. I guess if you believe god created the miracle of life then you would have to believe in the miracle of death as part of a divine plan. I don't
know.

Lol. These are YOUR beliefs as stated in your OP. I'm just trying to nail down what you meant when you said:

The god that I wish to know, suffers for human-kind without exclusion, loves without conditions and is incapable of causing harm to any living thing.

Does the god you wish to know (gywtk), have any part in the death of its' creations? Since nothing is immortal, then the gywtk must have created everything with a finite life span. Is the gywtk therefore responsible for the death of its creations? All sorts of living things are being harmed in various ways in the world, such as old age or calamity. Is the gywtk not responsible for any of it?