Merciful God?? I think not.

[Runewolf1973]

I can worship trees, and rocks, and the sun and the moon for in doing so I worship what "God" really IS. ALL those things. The only thing I should not give power to is in false idols. Satan is a false idol. Before that there was only knowledge. Humans misuse and manipulate that knowledge into something that can only be defined as "evil". That is why I don't believe in Satan. I only believe in "God". Not "God" as an idol or separate being, but "God" as that energy and consciousness which is ALL things.

Even in believing that "God" is some separate entity from everything else that exists is to believe in a false idol. If "God" IS ALL things, then how could "God" be separate from ALL things? "God" IS truly omnipotent for "God" IS everything that exists. Only in believing that "God"and "Satan" are separate from us, do we create false idols to worship. ALL is ONE.

Christiany tends to turn even Jesus Christ into an idol. I don't think Jesus ever intended for humans to worship him as an idol. Jesus was the Son of "God" correct? Are we not all "God's" childeren? We are no different. Jesus was a great healer and shaman in his own right. Humans should have listened to him. But deep down, even he is still inside of us all. Jesus is part of us. Part of the ALL of what "God" is.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I find it very interesting to note that even Satanist's don't believe in or worship a deity or "idol" of an actual Devil. They are atheists. Their belief is such that the term "satan" or "devil" is used to express the side of the human ego or self consciousness as merely an expression of "individuality". They do not believe in "God" as a separate Entity or Being distinct from everything else that naturally exists. Satanists do not worship any false idols or gods. They worship life, nature, and themselves. The reason they worship themselves is because they believe that they are part of that ALL of existence and in that, worthy of self-worship. In a sense, we are ALL part of that which could be called "God". We should have more self-respect and respect for nature. So if Satanists don't worship any gods or even believe in "Satan" for that matter, but christians believe SO strongly in Satan and God as separate entities, who then are the REAL devil and idol worshippers and believers?

But this is just an opinion. Don't take it in a bad way. Sometimes our intentions are good, but our search for Truth is misguided. It is only human to make mistakes. We all do. I am no different.

Sometimes even arch-enemies can be the bearers of wisdom.

 

[Runewolf1973]

It is a flawed perception of reality to think there are only two sides to a coin. There are actually three sides. One side is in the light, the other side is in shadow, but the side or "ring" which goes all around the outside "sees" and "knows" both sides. That is the middle ground. That is where you will find Oneness with "God". It is the balancing point. "God" "sees" both sides of the coin and is an equal part of both. A coin spins perfectly when spun on it's edge. Too much to one side and it will faulter and drop. Now try and take one of those sides of the coin away. It is not physically possible is it? Both sides are dependent on and interconnected with each other. Both sides of the coin come together to make ONE. Without both sides, there would be no balance. There would no "coin".

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf1973,

Without Judas, Jesus will not be so rich. Cut Judas out of the Bible and the Bible loses much. Drop Judas out of the Bible and where is Jesus? and what is Jesus? Judas gives contrast; he creates the background.He becomes the dark cloud in which Jesus becomes a silver lining. Without the dark cloud there are no silver linings.

God/satan both are required to complete the picture.
One cannot eat only *SWEETS* or *BITTERS*

Love & rgds

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf1973,

Without Judas, Jesus will not be so rich. Cut Judas out of the Bible and the Bible loses much. Drop Judas out of the Bible and where is Jesus? and what is Jesus? Judas gives contrast; he creates the background.He becomes the dark cloud in which Jesus becomes a silver lining. Without the dark cloud there are no silver linings.

God/satan both are required to complete the picture.
One cannot eat only *SWEETS* or *BITTERS*

Love & rgds

 

[Runewolf1973]

Friend Runewolf1973,



God/satan both are required to complete the picture.
One cannot eat only *SWEETS* or *BITTERS*

Love & rgds

So I guess you would agree with my "coin" analogy?

Perhaps this all correlates to the concept of Body, Mind, And Spirit. Think of it in terms as though the "light" side of the coin was the Spirit, and the dark or "shadow" side of the coin was the Body. That leaves the ring around the middle for the "Mind". It is the "Mind" which allows us to know both sides of the coin. The knowledge of both good and evil. The "Mind" helps us to keep the balance in other words, but if we are not careful in how we use it, the "Mind" can also throw us off balance. Does this make sense?
There will come a time when our "Mind" no longer throws us off balance. We will no longer have a fear for the "other side" or a fear of dying. We will be able to see both what is in front of us and what is behind us clearly without that fear of the unknown, for EVERYTHING will be "known" to us.

I honestly don't know where I come up with all this stuff. It just sort of flows out of me.

I appreciate all your wise words. Thank you.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf1973,
Yes, your understanding is balanced.
Like you have the magnet analogy.
A magnet has two poles.
Keep cutting to separate the north and the south poles; still you will find the two poles.
a magnet comes with two poles; it is a package.
God cannot copme alone, Satan has to come with him to complete the picture.
Love &rgds

 

[Runewolf1973]

It is amazing how everything seems to fall into place and everything begins to make perfect sense. It is all so simple!

To be perfectly honest, I've never had a calling or interest towards Zen or Buddhism, but that won't stop me from learning more about it now. Through you, I have come to realize that those beliefs hold very much truth. It is odd though, that even though I have never studied those beliefs before, that I have such similar opinions and ideas. Perhaps it stems from way back sometime when all beliefs were as ONE. Are we really that old?..................Oh yeah, I guess we ARE.

 

[Runewolf1973]

I hope what I was saying earlier came in clear. I always understood the duality of God and Satan, but I believe that they are One Consciousness. "God" is both the good and the bad (evil), just as I said in my opening post. I just believe that in making separate and distinct entities out of God and Satan, we are making false idols. Christians seem to believe rather strongly in "idols". In ALL "God", there can be no idols. All things that exist are part of what "God" is and are part of that Total Consciousness. There is no separate "God" idol with gray hair and a beard sitting up in Heaven waiting for us. There is no "Satan" idol with a curly pointed tail and horns waiting for us in Hell. I just don't buy it. These are all man-made concepts. Designed to put the "fear of God" into people. I may as well believe in Santa Claus and the Grinch.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf,
Now let the wolf in you run!
hahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[just joking]
Yes, whatever you have stated are correct.
We are ancient connect from the past when everything started from that ONE and everything through this play of dualities goes back to its original place.
As a friend and fellow traveler a always here to to share what ever way can.
Love & rgds

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf1973,

If all I could be was a tree, it would be good enough for me.

We have been that too.
We are a BEING.
Love & rgds

 

[Runewolf1973]

Friend Runewolf1973,


We have been that too.
We are a BEING.
Love & rgds

You know, that kind of reminds me of a thought I had about reincarnation once....

The idea was that as in even the Big Bang theory, we ALL start out from the SOURCE as pure energy "enlightened" or awakened" in ONE great energy form. The energy became so great that it could not even contain itself. There was a Big Bang! All that energy dispersed itself throughout the entire universe in the forms of matter and other energy. We are part of ALL of that energy. We are all connected.

Now consider this.... our lifetimes or each "incarnation" is kind of like a raindrop that forms in the clouds. When it forms and falls from the sky it's potential is "realized" and it comes into Being. That is when we are in our physical body form and living on this earth as individuals. We "realize" our Being. We are those individual "raindrops". Then when that rain hits the ground, it is like when our physical body "dies". But that raindrop did not disappear, it only changed form and became One with all the other raindrops and formed the rivers and the oceans. This is almost like when we achieve "stillness of mind" and realize we are ALL ONE. Eventually all those "raindrops" begin to evaporate again and return to the sky only to form yet another cloud and more "rain" so that as "individuals" , we can "realize" our Being yet again.

But there is a Bigger Picture. Eventually ALL the energy of the Universe will draw back unto itself and realize the ONE. All the stars and planets will come together and form yet another great Big Bang only to reincarnate itself all over again. Energy in a sense "realizes" itself when it forms solid matter and comes into Being.

But that is just metaphorically speaking how I believe reincarnation works.

This is how as in natural weather cycles, water and rain always comes together to eventually form yet another cloud and more rain. That energy is drawn together just as humans are drawn to each other. We are born of the same "cloud" you might say.

It seems that energy tends to follow similar patterns. It has cycles. It goes from one form into the next. The summer changes into the fall and the winter, then back into spring. In constantly following patterns, it is almost as if nature develops it's own "instinct" through doing this.

ALL energy naturally reincarnates itself. It cannot be created or destroyed, only change form. It is only natural that our own "spirit" energy reincarnates as well.

 

[Falvlun]

Well, to bring this a little back to the original topic:

Many things in this world are here for whatever reason ,but we are given the freedom to choose and the will not to, but in teh midst of that we ,as christians have the power of God through his Holy Spirit to overcome the temptations.
(my emphasis).

So, when we fail to overcome temptations, is it really the power of God that has failed? It does not seem fair that God should get all the credit when we do good and overcome evil, and we get all the blame when we sin.

Good question!!!!...but if you understood scripture and a relationship with him you would know, God is a spirit and he sent his son in the flesh to become like man, to identify with us in flesh...

Actually, according to traditional Christian theology, God is a Triune God, which means he is three parts: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. To say that God is a spirit is a bit simplistic. You also word it so that Jesus appears to be a separate entity from God, when he is really one and the same.

How else could God identify with us and we with him if he remained a spirit.

I hear a burning bush is quite popular.

Will people ever take responsibility for their choices...it's always easy to blame God ro other things!!

Say you market yourself as the strongest man in the universe. No man can stand in your way. Then lets say you gather to yourself all these puny guys; in exchange for their service, you offer to protect them. Well, one day, one of your puny guys picks a fight with a another strong guy. Dumb move, right? Well, he is has the strongest man in the universe fighting with him. BUT HE LOSES THE FIGHT! Does this not cast doubt as to your claim of being the strongest man? God, as he is described by most monotheistic religions, is omnipotent and omniscient. He should have been able to see all of this coming AND have had the power to prevent/fix/thwart etc.

Questions that God wants to answer I'm sure ,but in his time and when your ready to accept the answer. One must lay down their preconceived ideas and notions and by faith come to God, seeing their sin and immediate position before God.

Most if not all people who come to God do not get all their questions answered, they come to God because they see their sin first and then when they get right with God, he begins to reveal his truth to you.

In other words, you must have faith that something is true before you can believe in half-baked proofs.

 

[Falvlun]

It does hold all the truth since Jesus Christ said that he is personally the truth. What he says goes. Many myths, but only one Jesus who divided time when he was born. No matter who changed the calendar it was changed.

Just saying that something is True does not make it so. Where's the Beef?
As for you preoccupation with Jesus and AD/BC, well, he didn't do this, man did. And it wasn't even for his birth, but corresponds more closely with his death. And Jesus wasn't the only deity to have affected the language we use for marking the passage of time. Six of the twelve months were named for Roman gods or goddesses.

Only one truth is needed. This is that there is hope for us beyond this life.

Many religions and beliefs offer this hope. If this is the only truth needed, then Jesus is neither the original nor unique author.

From Genesis to the Revelation of Jesus Christ the Bible tells one story; the story of Jesus Christ.

I do believe the Jews would disagree. You do know that the Old Testament is their Holy Book, don't you? Furthermore, could you explain what the book of Esther has to do with Jesus? Or all of the so-and-so begat so-and-sos? Or the Old Testament injunctions not to eat pork or shellfish?

First let us get one thing straight. The devil is a LIAR, THIEF and MURDERER. That is it. He has no power except what is given him by God. Then he has to beg for it.

Why would God give the devil power in the first place? From what I remember, Lucifer was original one of the best and strongest of the angels. No begging involved for his power. Then, through arrogance, he tried to overthrow God, and lost. I don't get the part where he comes to God and begs for power and God gives it to him. And if he does, what does this say about God? Do you give a drug addict heroin? Do you give a murderer a gun, knowing that he is a murderer?

He is a nice God, but not one who messes with evil. He destroys it.

But he's the one who gives devil his power....
Nice destroying power there. At the very least, it looks like God's playing some sick game.

God can create something and not like it. He hated Esau. Anything that opposes God has to go. He will not tolerate it.

The whole reason God created mankind was so that He could have creations that CHOSE to obey and love him; he wanted something with the free-will to oppose him, and the free-will to love him. Angels didn't cut the mustard because they had no choice.
If God creates something and not like it, isn't that like making a mistake? I thought God was infallible?
Why does God tolerate the devil, and give him power when he begs, but can't tolerate the human purposefully created with the freewill to oppose him?

 

[Germ]

"God",in a christian viewpoint,is not merciful.He is a mixture of contradictions.

 

[zenzero]

Friend Runewolf,

The idea was that as in even the Big Bang theory, we ALL start out from the SOURCE as pure energy "enlightened" or awakened" in ONE great energy form. The energy became so great that it could not even contain itself. There was a Big Bang! All that energy dispersed itself throughout the entire universe in the forms of matter and other energy. We are part of ALL of that energy. We are all connected.

Now consider this.... our lifetimes or each "incarnation" is kind of like a raindrop that forms in the clouds. When it forms and falls from the sky it's potential is "realized" and it comes into Being. That is when we are in our physical body form and living on this earth as individuals. We "realize" our Being. We are those individual "raindrops". Then when that rain hits the ground, it is like when our physical body "dies". But that raindrop did not disappear, it only changed form and became One with all the other raindrops and formed the rivers and the oceans. This is almost like when we achieve "stillness of mind" and realize we are ALL ONE. Eventually all those "raindrops" begin to evaporate again and return to the sky only to form yet another cloud and more "rain" so that as "individuals" , we can "realize" our Being yet again.

But there is a Bigger Picture. Eventually ALL the energy of the Universe will draw back unto itself and realize the ONE. All the stars and planets will come together and form yet another great Big Bang only to reincarnate itself all over again. Energy in a sense "realizes" itself when it forms solid matter and comes into Being.

But that is just metaphorically speaking how I believe reincarnation works.

This is how as in natural weather cycles, water and rain always comes together to eventually form yet another cloud and more rain. That energy is drawn together just as humans are drawn to each other. We are born of the same "cloud" you might say.

It seems that energy tends to follow similar patterns. It has cycles. It goes from one form into the next. The summer changes into the fall and the winter, then back into spring. In constantly following patterns, it is almost as if nature develops it's own "instinct" through doing this.

ALL energy naturally reincarnates itself. It cannot be created or destroyed, only change form. It is only natural that our own "spirit" energy reincarnates as well.

It is surely a beautiful story. unfortunately could not frubal you
It is like the old testament but modernistic; maybe you could go over the old testament and write it all over again but this time ONLY from your stand point.
If you are good in writing, do give it a shot; am sure it will be a best seller.
*BIBLE of OUR TIMES* could be the name of this book.

Just letting my imagination going wild; as am always talking to myself.
There is no doubt that we understand the same language so does friends ben d and ranjana. Yes, none of us know about our past lives but surely we would have crossed paths many many times.
Love & rgds

 

[Runewolf1973]

Do any of you believe that spirits really exist and some peope are able to see them? I do. They are no different than our thoughts and our emotions and our consciousness, but just in a disembodied form. They are that energy which has not disappeared, but just changed form. That energy cannot be destroyed, only change form. Very few people have the ability to actually "relate" to and "see" that energy frequency. Energy has many different frequencies. We need to "tune" into it in order to know it's there.


Anyways, my wife is one of those few people with the gift to "see" spirits. But she sees them a bit differently than a psychic or medium would. She literally sees through her own eyes, not through her "mind". I was a skeptic before, but after time I came to realize that she was not just "making it up" in her head. She actually sees these things and can speak to them. Not all of them are nice. Because some of them died in not so nice ways, they frequently bare scars or signs of how they would have died. We got a few that hang around our house. Spirits are literally everywhere! We don't all see them. Nor would we really "want" to. My wife feels cursed with this "sight" of the dead she has, but I keep telling her it's a gift. Everyone has some kind of "gift". They may not even know it is there. Mine is the gift of healing. Shamanism.

To bring this back to the topic......

One day I decided to ask my wife the question....."do spirits or ghosts believe there is a God?".
Her reply was that from all the spirits she has spoken to, not even one of them has ever seen, nor do they believe in God. They are simply "there", but they don't always know why. Some come back for specific purposes as guides and teachers in both human and animal form. But none of them believe there is a God. Is that not strange?

Even the dead don't believe in God, but they know there is an afterlife. Some have found that Oneness with the Source, but not all. Some wait around until they can reincarnate and "live" again. Many of them were actually "believers" of God in their previous lives. They later came to a much different realization.....Interesting.

 

[Germ]

"God",in a biblical christian sense,is not merciful.He is a mixture of contradictions.

 

[Falvlun]

It is like the old testament but modernistic; maybe you could go over the old testament and write it all over again but this time ONLY from your stand point.
If you are good in writing, do give it a shot; am sure it will be a best seller.
*BIBLE of OUR TIMES* could be the name of this book.

Well, s/he might get some death threats from the ones that like the old one better.
Also, I don't like the title. If it is written simply from one wo/man's standpoint, then how can it be the Bible of Our Times? It would have to be the Bible of My Time, otherwise it is just presumptuous.

 

[Runewolf1973]

Friend Runewolf,



It is surely a beautiful story. unfortunately could not frubal you
It is like the old testament but modernistic; maybe you could go over the old testament and write it all over again but this time ONLY from your stand point.
If you are good in writing, do give it a shot; am sure it will be a best seller.
*BIBLE of OUR TIMES* could be the name of this book.

Just letting my imagination going wild; as am always talking to myself.
There is no doubt that we understand the same language so does friends ben d and ranjana. Yes, none of us know about our past lives but surely we would have crossed paths many many times.
Love & rgds

I do appreciate any critisizm you have to offer. It helps to set my balance straight. I do have quite a vivid imaginaton sometimes. Sometimes it makes sense, sometimes it doesn't. We may ALL have different views on what reincarnation and spirituality is, but ultimately, they ALL serve the same purpose. Oneness with the SOURCE. Thank you, friend.

There is some truth to be found in ALL things. I can't just leave something out of the picture.