Posted by emmanuel98 on May 21, 2012, at 21:00:33
In reply to Re: There is always hope » emmanuel98, posted by Dinah on May 20, 2012, at 14:37:53
Yes, but you're assuming the term god has some meaning for me, that I have some belief in a loving entity who looks out for me. I don't. I never have. I believe in the good will of other people. I believe we can add to that good will or detract from it based on our own actions. I find that the only organized religion that speaks to me at all is Buddhism and Buddhism has no real belief in a god. I once asked a Buddhist friend of mine (we were talking about AA's emphasis on finding a higher power), What if I could make Gene (a crazy, difficult guy we knew) my higher power? He said then you'd be a saint. You'd be Mother Theresa.
I like that song, what if god was one of us, just a slob like one of us, just a stranger on a bus, trying to make his way home. To me that means, not that god is some kind of supreme being disguised as a stranger on a bus, but that the slob on the bus is as godlike as me and has the right to as much grace and light and dignity as I have.
> I read a book about the ten commandments that makes the case that "Thou shall not take the Lord's name in vain" isn't all about cursing. That it refers to people who do evil in God's name. Which makes sense to me....
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> You're describing the acts of man, and I daresay that God wouldn't be too happy with those who caused such an association in your mind. I know I'm angry about it.
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> My experiences with religion were largely positive. Growing up Mormon did wonderful things for my sense of self worth and self respect. I grew up with a bone deep understanding that God loves me, as he loves all his children. That what I did mattered to God.
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> The difference between my experiences of religion and yours didn't derive from God. The difference was man. People act out their own personalities and issues as much in church as they do anywhere else.
poster:emmanuel98
thread:1017999
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20120518/msgs/1018434.html