Christian Urges: What do you think?

[The Sum of Awe]

Recently, in fact for about a month now, I've been having random times I wanted to be with Jesus, like I wanted to be a Christian, just for Jesus (not God).

And far more recently, been a couple days now, I realized I could use the concept of a God as a motivator. Trick my mind into believing in God, subconsciously, and thinking how God wants me to get my homework done or get off my laptop and hang with friends or something. It worked a couple of times, but I haven't used it quite enough yet.


Anyways, what do you think? Signs from God or just me thinking Jesus is a really nice guy?

Probably the second one... I do think a personal God is very much absurd but I really don't know, I mean I could probably put faith in one, but really I don't know if I could actually believe it to my fullest. Let alone I always told myself if I some day believed in God, Christianity would be one of my last choices.


I haven't seen reasoning against what I have been for a long while now, but just urges I guess...



Oh yeah, another question: anyone ever had any really strong urges like this?

 

[ron4711]

I have played solitaire on my computer many times. So as I play I think it would be nice to have a specific card come up, so it would fit and I could win. And lo and behold sometimes that card comes up, perhaps not the right suit but still the right color. Did god just answer my prayer right then. It is funny to think that he did. But then there is that sombering realization of how horrible it would be that god would answer my prayer for a 5 of clubs but deny the prayers of a family whose infant has just lost the fight for his life. And wouldn't it be horrible of me to pray for a 5 of clubs instead of for food for some hungry family.

Fantasizing about being with Jesus is like fantasizing about winning the lottery. It might be nice, but its not going to get you there. You cannot trick yourself into being a good person. You have to understand what is good and work to bring out the good in yourself and be an example to others.

If you feel you must follow Jesus, at least follow his good examples, not the bad ones. Here again you need to understand the difference between good and bad.

 

[ChristineES]

When my mother was an atheist, she used to tell me that "Jesus was just a good man".

 

[Bob Dixon]

You know you can believe in Jesus without believing in a personal God, right? Impersonal works just as well.

 

[ForeverFaithful]

Maybe God has elected you unconditionally, go ahead and try Christianity, you can always apostate later.

 

[Breathe]

Anyways, what do you think? Signs from God or just me thinking Jesus is a really nice guy?

Jesus is a pretty cool guy.

Probably the second one... I do think a personal God is very much absurd but I really don't know, I mean I could probably put faith in one, but really I don't know if I could actually believe it to my fullest. Let alone I always told myself if I some day believed in God, Christianity would be one of my last choices.

Perhaps you should have a read of Why Christianity Must Change Or Die by Bishop Spong. It's a good read. It's Christianity without the personal theistic God. From what I've read so far (I'm currently reading 7 other books at the same time, so I'm not as far as I would like), it seems to hint at panentheism.

Have you considered something like panentheism, or Deism, and merging them with Christianity? There are even Christian atheists:

Christian atheism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nontheist Friend - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oh yeah, another question: anyone ever had any really strong urges like this?

I guess... sort of?

I would have little problem with Christianity if I could get rid of the Tanakh, with its history and myths that are alien to me as a Gentile. In addition, I would want to do away with the previous prophets; I don't care for, say, Moses, Abraham, Revelation, etc. Problem is I would not really be left with much to go with.

It would probably be easier on me if I was a Christian, but I don't think it's for me, spiritually speaking -- but I never say no. I did enjoy my time at church; I was pretty happy.

Damnit, now I feel bad.

 

[blackout]

And far more recently, been a couple days now, I realized I could use the concept of a God as a motivator. Trick my mind into believing in God, subconsciously, and thinking how God wants me to get my homework done or get off my laptop and hang with friends or something. It worked a couple of times, but I haven't used it quite enough yet.



I haven't seen reasoning against what I have been for a long while now, but just urges I guess...



Oh yeah, another question: anyone ever had any really strong urges like this?

Purpose'fully making personal USE of an egregore is one thing.
Getting 'sucked into it' is another.

(a) Reason is one thing.
Urges are another.

 

[Willamena]

Sum, what does "be with Jesus" mean to you? Is it like having an invisible friend, or something more profound?

 

[predavlad]

The placebo effect is very powerful. If you think a divine entity is helping you do something, you will be a lot more motivated to do it. This is true for suicide bombers as well.

It wouldn't make it true though, that's why I find it so funny when people, for example, see the face of Jesus in a grilled cheese sandwich, and start praying to it. If I'm not mistaking, one of these sandwiches was taken into a church and people are praying to it.


About Jesus - since he was the main topic - I don't think he was such a nice guy. I would say that some of the things he said are actually a moral abomination.

First off - he introduced the idea of hell - which is highly immoral, and here's why:
What crime can you commit that it deserves eternal punishment? What good can you commit that it deserves eternal bliss? It implies that a finite crime receives infinite punishment, and that is the pinnacle of unfairness.

And the second thing I consider not very moral is sacrificing himself for the evils of humanity. At first glance it may seem a noble action, but the whole idea of vicarious redemption is immoral, and Christopher Hitchens talked about this.

I found a short video here that would explain this, but can't link it. But you can google "Christopher Hitchens - Vicarious redemption IS immoral"


These are some of my ideas on what you wrote, I hope it helps slightly

 

[SageTree]

Recently, in fact for about a month now, I've been having random times I wanted to be with Jesus, like I wanted to be a Christian, just for Jesus (not God).

And far more recently, been a couple days now, I realized I could use the concept of a God as a motivator. Trick my mind into believing in God, subconsciously, and thinking how God wants me to get my homework done or get off my laptop and hang with friends or something. It worked a couple of times, but I haven't used it quite enough yet.


Anyways, what do you think? Signs from God or just me thinking Jesus is a really nice guy?

Probably the second one... I do think a personal God is very much absurd but I really don't know, I mean I could probably put faith in one, but really I don't know if I could actually believe it to my fullest. Let alone I always told myself if I some day believed in God, Christianity would be one of my last choices.


I haven't seen reasoning against what I have been for a long while now, but just urges I guess...



Oh yeah, another question: anyone ever had any really strong urges like this?

God is a big word man....
Try reading about pantheism or Spinoza's idea of God....
It's less form related and more concept related, imo.

That's pretty personal stuff really... and the more that is said it God the worse off the idea is I think.

Paul Tillich has an interesting quote and you can do more reading here if you want.

"God does not exist. He is being itself beyond essence and existence. Therefore to argue that God exists is to deny him."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nontheistic_religions#cite_note-6

But as far as the Jesus thing goes... I'd say look into it man.

Deepak Chopra actually wrote a good book called 'The Third Christ' that is more about the essence body of Jesus, and less religious/historical.

Paramahansa Yogananada has some good stuff too.

Thich Nhat Hahn wrote 'Living Buddha, Living Christ'... this is one of my favourite reads and also is a fav of the Priest at the Anglican Church I went to in Toronto.

The Spong book that Odion mentioned is good, here is a video on the same topic:

[youtube]TWU3hH9K5gA[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWU3hH9K5gA&feature=player_embedded

Pretty REAL look at it from a rational point of view, I think.


Having God or Jesus as a Higer Way of Living, or at an Ideal you want to touch and actualize it alright man..... that WAY is real, even if the Forms aren't.


Way to not be worried about the past labeling of yourself and getting to know your Self better man. That is brave and very in the moment. Good on ya.

 

[OfniOfni]

Recently, in fact for about a month now, I've been having random times I wanted to be with Jesus, like I wanted to be a Christian, just for Jesus (not God).

There is no evidence that Jesus even existed.
The term Jesus might only have represented a concept.
The term Jesus could also have been given to a collective sharing the same ideas.

 

[MysticSang'ha]

Meh, I get 'em too. I don't doubt it or announce it or demean it or think it's a triumph or feel ashamed of it. Jesus is a fella I'd invite in and have a cup of tea with while having hours of conversation.

I'd invite Faramir in from Lord of the Rings too.

 

[waitasec]

you gotta be true to yourself...