Religious Experience

[sojourner]

I think we have to make it a date Soj. :yes:

I'm free on the 7th...at 7!

 

[YmirGF]

Yes, I see a lot of overlap between the second and third categories.

I found myself thinking the same thing. I know Michel and I have both stated that we don't believe in the "supernatural" per se and view it as something that is perfectly natural. What dawned on my pea brain was it doesn't matter how I personally look at it, if I start talking about different aspects of my experience, that IS exactly how people will likely interpret what I am saying. "Ohhh, he's one of those noodnicks!"

*sigh*

Mind you, I always did think that Casper, the friendly ghost, was a pretty cool guy.

 

[lunamoth]

I found myself thinking the same thing. I know Michel and I have both stated that we don't believe in the "supernatural" per se and view it as something that is perfectly natural. What dawned on my pea brain was it doesn't matter how I personally look at it, if I start talking about different aspects of my experience, that IS exactly how people will likely interpret what I am saying. "Ohhh, he's one of those noodnicks!"

*sigh*

Mind you, I always did think that Casper, the friendly ghost, was a pretty cool guy.

Well, if supernatural is something More than can (ever) be objectively measured, I also accept the supernatural. I think the God of the gaps is a rather bankrupt idea, but the idea that there is Something More...that I can get into.

 

[Willamena]

Well I see I voted wrong. I would have voted Supernatural experience, but it said superNATIONAL so was confused and went with personal/psychological which really is not the same thing.

Haha I didn't even notice that.

 

[Willamena]

To me, there is no objective evidence as to the existence of deity. It all boils down to personal belief.

While I too believe that is true, it's not the question that was asked in the poll.

The question asked was "most objective," which offers an out that allows you to compare the options presented and choose one.

Okay, I'm being pedantic again. Will stop.

 

[Buttercup]

While I too believe that is true, it's not the question that was asked in the poll.

The question asked was "most objective," which offers an out that allows you to compare the options presented and choose one.

Okay, I'm being pedantic again. Will stop.

I understood that but it's still not how I chose my religion when I had one. The idea of objectivity didn't even enter my mind at the time.....It was more, which story I liked best and how the whole thing worked. Christianity fit the bill for me. I hope that answer helps the author of the OP more.

 

[Comprehend]

Of these three, which do you feel offers the most objective evidence for the existence of divinity, and which of these three have played the largest role in your own religious experience.

I should have voted none of the above. I think the best objective evidence is easily that so many people and societies around the world and throughout recorded history have believed that divinity exists. While I do not think this is the best personal evidence, if you are looking for outwardly verifiable recordable measurable evidence that a divine something exists, I think it must be that belief in one has been so universal.

 

[Buttercup]

I should have voted none of the above. I think the best objective evidence is easily that so many people and societies around the world and throughout recorded history have believed that divinity exists.

May I ask how this is evidence for deity? Remember that prior to the middle ages humans were positive the earth was flat. Did the fact that millions of humans believed that to be true make it true?

 

[sojourner]

May I ask how this is evidence for deity? Remember that prior to the middle ages humans were positive the earth was flat. Did the fact that millions of humans believed that to be true make it true?

I don't think that's a fair comparison. The issue is the existence of God, not the character of God. The flat earth issue already assumes the existence of the earth...it merely claims a knowledge of earth's characteristics.

 

[sojourner]

I should have voted none of the above. I think the best objective evidence is easily that so many people and societies around the world and throughout recorded history have believed that divinity exists. While I do not think this is the best personal evidence, if you are looking for outwardly verifiable recordable measurable evidence that a divine something exists, I think it must be that belief in one has been so universal.

I agree. While I still don't think that objective evidence is at all in play in religious belief, the best objective evidence would have to be socio/cultural experience.

 

[Comprehend]

May I ask how this is evidence for deity? Remember that prior to the middle ages humans were positive the earth was flat. Did the fact that millions of humans believed that to be true make it true?

evidence is not proof, evidence makes a thing more or less likely to be true. Certainly you would agree that the long history of belief in diety along with its thousands of recorded instances of divine interaction would tend to make the existance of a God more likely.

 

[Buttercup]

evidence is not proof, evidence makes a thing more or less likely to be true. Certainly you would agree that the long history of belief in diety along with its thousands of recorded instances of divine interaction would tend to make the existance of a God more likely.

I can say the same thing about UFO's though. Certainly you can agree that the many recorded instances of alien abduction make aliens more likely to exist right?

But, still the problem for me is that these divine interactions didn't happen to ME. Why should I have to base MY beliefs and MY salvation on what other's see? How is that fair? Why should I believe what someone saw 1,000 years ago? Or 2,000 years ago? I didn't even know them nor could know them. How do I know they weren't crazy like David Koresh?

 

[YmirGF]

I can say the same thing about UFO's though. Certainly you can agree that the many recorded instances of alien abduction make aliens more likely to exist right?

But, still the problem for me is that these divince interactions didn't happen to ME. Why should I have to base MY beliefs and MY salvation on what other's see? How is that fair? Why should I believe what someone saw 1,000 years ago? Or 2,000 years ago? I didn't even know them nor could know them. How do I know they weren't crazy like David Koresh?

It will come as no surprise Rhonda, but I wholeheartedly agree. This is largely why I tell people that I will just hold out until my vision of god tells me that sin and evil exist. So far I haven't seen any direct evidence myself.

*YmirGF's brain goes running off*

God: Paul, we need to talk.
Paul: 'Sup, your Infinitude?
God: Well, it appears I forgot to mention something to you, you really ought to know.
Paul: Hmm. Is this going to take long?
God: No, not likely.
Paul: M'kay, let 'er rip, oh glowy One.
God: I didn't mention it before because I assumed, I know, I know, I assumed that you already knew.
Paul: Well, that in itself is a bit of a revelation. God forgot something. Sheesh.
God: Now look, don't give me a hard time. Do you have the slightest idea how many calls we get on a given day from your brothers and sisters? Even on a light day, it is very heavy. That might explain why we have trouble getting back to folks sometimes. We are thinking of out-sourcing though. Anyway, what was I saying?
Paul: Um. God? That is two in a row.
God: Look you little weasel. *God takes a swipe at YmirGF* :slap:
Paul: Now that wasn't very nice. *rubs his forehead*
God: Look Paul, I have been meaning to tell you about sin and evil. Plus there is someone you need to know about who goes by the name of Satan.
Paul: Have you been drinking again? :areyoucra
God: You sorely are testing my patience.
Paul: Yes, but you’re the king of mercy, no? :bow:
God: Indeed, but don't push it. Oh, hang on; I've got an incoming call.
God to the caller: Look I don't care if you are bored witless. Shut up and go do your homework. If your get your answers right, I let you go out to play again when you are done. NO! Dammit, I'm God, get it straight! Homework, then play. Capiche?"
*Got slams his cell phone shut* Jesus. Why are firstborn so difficult? *said rhetorically*
God: I'm beginning to wish I never gave him my unlisted number.
Paul: So, after all this time and after showing me around your "secret digs" you dump all this crap on me, eh?
God: Yeah, sorry 'bout that, sun.
Paul: Well, I don't know what to say? You realize that blows most of my theories to kingdom come and back?
God: *starts giggling* Yes, but you were never quite as bright as you thought you were.
Paul: Oh, now we are getting insulting too. I have half a mind to become an atheist. *begins to pout*
God: Stop pouting! You know I hate that. Please... stop pouting.
Paul: *Lower lip begins to tremble* *tears artfully well up in his eyes*
God: Look, just forget it. Obviously you can't handle the truth. Come here and give me a hug.
Paul: *Secretly puts on his hand-zapper* Ok, I guess your right. You're always right. C'mon, let's shake on it and I'll just have to deal with it.
God: *leans forward to shake YmirGF's hand* *ZZZZzzzzzzottttt*
God: Why you little... *begins chasing YmirGF all over the room*
YmirGF: *looks to the hidden camera* I always love it when he plays with me. He's such a kidder. It's always hard to tell when he is serious.

*fades to black*

God: Gotcha!
Paul: Eeeeek.
God: *begins tickling YmirGF mercilessly*
Paul: Please stop. Please… *giggles incessantly* Stop it, you’re killing me. Got… to… breathe… :sad4:

*really fades to black*

 

[!Fluffy!]

I can say the same thing about UFO's though. Certainly you can agree that the many recorded instances of alien abduction make aliens more likely to exist right?

But, still the problem for me is that these divine interactions didn't happen to ME. Why should I have to base MY beliefs and MY salvation on what other's see? How is that fair? Why should I believe what someone saw 1,000 years ago? Or 2,000 years ago? I didn't even know them nor could know them. How do I know they weren't crazy like David Koresh?

Why should you? You sound defensive here, maybe just my imagination though.
Seems to me one can't believe much of anything about God based on somebody else's sayso and remain intellectually honest.

No one expects you to, least of all God (who created your magnificent rational brain and gave you a thirst for truth and curiosity about your universe).

If you pretend to believe something you don't believe, that is true hypocrisy.
However if you pretend not to believe something you suspect may be true, and then deliberately close your mind, that is also hypocrisy.

It's some people's lack of interest or curiosity that I can't understand. Some people seem not to even care what happens when they die, or why people exist, or anything which to me is very weird. But that's just me.

 

[PureX]

I voted "none of the above" as I don't believe there can be objective evidence of divine deity.

 

[Buttercup]

Why should you? You sound defensive here, maybe just my imagination though.

No, I'm not being defensive....merely questioning.

No one expects you to, least of all God (who created your magnificent rational brain and gave you a thirst for truth and curiosity about your universe).

If you believe in a God that has a book to go along with him you ARE told what to believe....with threats issued if you don't believe in that particular book. Has God visited you personally? If not, and you ascribe to a religion, you are taking the word/s of those that went before you.

It's some people's lack of interest or curiosity that I can't understand. Some people seem not to even care what happens when they die, or why people exist, or anything which to me is very weird. But that's just me.

What do you mean lack of interest? Anyone who is a member of this forum is curious about God, religion or the hereafter. Some people have merely figured out their path or worry about the here and now because that's known. The hereafter is all speculation.

 

[arielmessenger]

"The existence of mutuality between God and man cannot be proved, just as God' existence cannot be proved. Yet he who dares to speak of it, bears witness, and calls to witness him to whom he speaks- whether that witness is now or in the future."

Martin Buber

One of the reasons I post my stuff is to let people see how prophesy bearing happens, and how it is happening in our times where intense scrutinization of the phenomena is possible.

One of my religious visions, the longest one that began in 1989 and is still continuing eventually took me to Israel and the West Bank. God had me fashion a Gift for humanity, one that will eventually change all the Abrahamic faiths because it is the new Word of God and clear Sign of the Messiah's spiritual return. This Gift was received and myself honored by over 500 Palestinian Christians in Nazareth at the end of their annual Easter procession in 2003 through the ancient streets of Nazareth.

I have been invited back to again join the Easter procession next year and once again I will be bearing the Gift through the streets of Nazareth showing Nazareans, Muslims too, as they too honored the Gift and threw candies and flower petals at me as I carried the Gift along. The Gift that miraculously "speaks" without any words exactly what God wants of humanity in order to bring peace on earth, goodwill to all.

I have been struggling with a decision whether or not to open my website up that contains all my religious visions, revelations, and God-guided research that has produced two brand new religions, my own personal gnostic Solitary path one, and the new Religion of Peace.

The problem with opening up my website is that in it one finds End Times prophesies predicting the demise of all traditional Abrahamic faiths as supreme spiritual or moral authorities. Zionist Judaism comes in for tremendous criticism and there are Internet search engines looking specifically for "anti-semitic" postings.

The Gift of God was sent to Israel in 2001 and was confiscated by Israeli customs authorities in Jerusalem. This was supposed to happen because it created a problem that only God could solve which God did and in 2003 the Gift sailed right through Israeli customs.

Search engines pick up anything you post on the Internet. But there's a delay factor in when they discover a new site or changed information.

So, I have decided to open up my website for a few days only. Then I will close it down again and talk about specific contents. This time around prophesy bearing is transparent. You can see exactly how a religious founder goes about founding a new religion since in this case there's to be no formal organization but only the new Word of God put out for all to see unincumbered by threats of hellfire if they choose not to believe. No coersion in this religion unlike one that makes the claim but doesn't keep it.

Stay tuned. I will be announcing when I will open up my website.