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First sign that it's a scam and not the truth:
Negative consequences for NOT BELIEVING IT. As per Joe's post about revelations.
That's an awfully simplistic view on the world, Rick.
There are TONS of negative consequences for many things in the world. Not a one of them takes into account your (or my) feelings on the matter. As a Christian, I look at that as one more reason God *WANTS* us to look into things - to be educated in the ways of the science he used in building the universe. He doesn't want anything bad to happen to us anymore than any of us do. But ultimately, the choice is ours.
Is it really Joe, name a religion that tells you it's ok to belive what you want with no adverse consequences. Religion is about coercion, it has to be, since it IS short on the TRUTH!
As a human being, I'm sure that God wants us to grow and develop- there is a purpose to life and existance after all, but you aren't going to find it in a book!
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Everything you need, has been provided for you, all you have to do is work to maintain your life.
A task at which, ultimately, everyone fails. What promise is there after that? And who is guaranteeing it?
I'm sorry, Rick, but while you may see this as a great "religion," while I certainly see the values in the attitudes your religion espouses, ultimately, what this does is make each person out there in the world valueless (valueless as in "of no value" rather than "having no (moral) values"). I can't believe that people get a brief moment in infinity, and then it's all gone. I can't believe that there's no purpose to me...to my friends...to my colleagues...to the folks I know here...than to indulge ourselves in some of life's pleasures while not hurting anyone else, and then to drop into nothingness. There has to be a purpose for us - a "higher calling," if you wish to call it that.
Where do you get that Joe? I didn't say we were on the road to nothingness, and nor did I imply that in any way. To the contrary, I'm advocating respect for each individual and his innate intelligence. Which ever way you choose to look at it, life is a mystery and our steps towards understanding is what makes life worth living, not the material wealth you acquire.
In the end, we all die. At least in the physical world. What happens beyond that is open to discussion and debate and speculation, but like you I agree that existence does not end with life. As for the ulitimate purpose yet, we're not ready to know or even have the capacity to understand it. There's nothing wrong with being honest and saying it remains a mystery, and it's a hell of lot better than someone telling you you're going to rot in hell, because you don't belive in Jesus.
I simply can't believe life is as insignificant in the grand scheme of things as your proposed religion makes it seem.
Is this simply a crutch, for the weak-spirited Joe Vancil to lean on? Perhaps; perhaps not. But in a simple prayer - maybe one of confession, maybe one of petition, maybe one of thanks - I feel an emotional tug at my heart - as if talking to an old friend. I look at treasured possessions or think of old friends who passed away, and I don't get that "emotional pull." That's something that only someone real and present in your life can give you. And it's not something "self-contained" (using the best word I can to describe it).
Life is not simply feelings Joe. I am somewhat mistrustfull of them, since many people rely on their feelings and do stupid things continuously. They are however, necessary, without feelings or a sense of the right, all life is, is pragmatic logic. And it's much more than that.
I believe God is real. I believe he hears me when I pray to him. And I believe he answers me in the things that happen in my life.
That's ok, but you have no evidence. And where is your ego that the creator of the universe makes time for you, but excluded so many others?
But most importantly, he's not distant or unknowable. To me, he seems understandable, reasonable, and consistent though I don't always understand his reasons and have to take some of them on faith. But how many times have our human friends asked us to do the same kind of thing? I don't see God as being any different. And in his love for me, he treats me like as equal - even though, deep down in my heart, I know I'm not.
I see it very differently. Not that he's distant or unknowable, but he is well beyond our understanding or capacity to conceptualize his existance. I'd say that if there is a creator who put the universe together, there's nothing I could tell him that he didn't already know! I don't think he's capricious or unthinking in how he deals with us, but I do think he permits evil in the world as an extension of free will.
I know you think your religion sounds great, Rick, but I'd give all that up in a heartbeat for an ever-present, ever-reliable, all-powerful friend who loves me.
Sounds good Joe, but there is no such being, and God is not going to put himself out for inferiors like us. Evil happens in this world as man inflicts himself on other men. God won't protect you, but he will make it possible for you to find ways to protect yourself.
