Off Topic: My Spiritual Beliefs
October 16, 2007 by J.C. Hewitt
I’m not usually one to open myself up for a religious discussion, especially on a site that is not about religion. Because it is coming up in the comments though, I will give in this one time and write a post about my beliefs. I want to point out that these are my beliefs, and as such, I would appreciate it if people show them the same respect that they would want their own beliefs to be treated with. It is all right to disagree with me or with others, but please do so with respect and kindness.
My beliefs
- I believe that God is infinitely wise and intelligent.
- I believe that because God is infinitely wise and intelligent, God knows that even if God wrote down for us exactly what we should and should not believe or do, we would misinterpret it.
- I believe that because God knows this, God has never written a single word of guidance for us.
- I believe that humans, inspired by the presence of God, have written many words about God. Sometimes those words are wise and sometimes they are not, but those words are interpretations of God by humans and not the word of God.
- I believe that God is very interested in us, but that we are not God’s sole concern. The Earth and mankind are a tiny part of a much larger creation with goals that the human race will probably never fully understand.
- I believe that God occasionally steps in to guide or help the human race, or even individuals, but that God does so quietly and it is impossible to know for sure whether something was God’s work or our own work or blind chance.
- I believe that because it is always possible that God did step in and help out in any given situation, it is all right to be grateful when you think God has helped you or others.
- I believe that overall, God prefers that we fix our own problems.
- I believe that the universe, while a creation of God, was built to follow rules of science.
- I believe that because God’s creation of the universe followed the rules of science, the scientific explanation of the creation of the universe does not in any way require a discussion of God’s role, which we cannot fully understand anyway.
- I believe that when science and our interpretation of God are at odds, science is generally right and our interpretation of God is generally wrong.
- I believe that religion, like most intoxicating things, is fine when used in moderation but dangerous when used in excess.
John,
(”I believe that religion, like most intoxicating things, is fine when used in moderation but dangerous when used in excess.”)
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!
Respect
(means Yes,I agree)
I… agree.
Also,
No one can ever judge you because they are not an expert, no one is. We only have opinions and beliefs. There for if someone trys judging you, they are only trying to cover up for what they don’t believe or what they don’t know. That makes judging, Well, unresponsive.(?) Unreliable.
I have a wonderful movie to watch that has something to do with getting to know others and helping others to respect who you are, it’s also kinda funny!!!
The Ant Bully
Also a movie to watch about issues with others life:
Freedom Writers
Please check these movies out.
John,
I really enjoy reading this page, thanks. I know that this won’t happen again though. I suppose I might have opened a can of worms, sorry.
Again, love reading others beliefs, it helps me get to know others. And so far I see nothing but beautiful souls in this website.
Respect!!!!!
as an aetheist I find that the most convincing set of beliefs set down by a believer: moderate, informed , intelligent, and largely untainted by religion.
Oscuridad- I like your name. You sound very aetheist. : )
John
I found your list of beliefs to be the most rational interpretation of Gods existence I have had the pleasure to absorb. I myself am still unsure of exactly what I believe and tend to focus on teaching my children respect of all things, a compassionate heart and social responsibility. If there is an omnipotent one, I figure that whether we acknowledge ‘its’ existence or not, our conduct thoughout our lives will count.
WK,
Thank you for the kind words. I tend to think that morality and ethics should be studied and followed for their own sake rather than because a religion demands them.
My basic moral compass comes down to four questions:
Do my actions make the world a better or worse place as a whole?
Do my actions attempt to deceive anyone or allow anyone to be deceived?
Do my actions allow the gain of a privilege or advantage to which I would not otherwise be entitled?
Would I be satisfied by the outcome if I were on the receiving end of my actions?
Goodness gracious! Turn my back a few hours and suddenly there’s this whole other discussion blooming.
Pagan meself – and our only moral rule, “Do as you will so long as it harms none,” is the most rigorous of all because you have to consider each case on its merits as best you can, and there are huge grey areas like self-defence.
A rationalist friend once said to me, “So, you adopt a religion and then take on board that moral rule because it tells you to?” That made me laugh. No, people in these days tend to embrace paganism because it a makes sense to them, adopting the religion because of its views and not the other way about.
I would also like to concur that – as others here have also suggested – whatever our beliefs, I don’t think they absolve us from trying to do our bit to “leave the world a little better than we found it” as my Dad used to say.
And if there is a heaven (whatever model) or if there is reincarnation (ditto), either might be a reason to do good – and if there is nothing after death, surely that is all the more reason to do the best we can while we’re here.
As for God and science – well if there is a Creator, then the demonstrable rules of science must be part of His/Her/Its creation, right? I never understand how people can see a conflict! (Unless of course they believe that some dogma written down by fallible human beings is the Word of God, and then have to torture the facts to fit.) That being said, science is always making new discoveries in the light of which we must re-interpret the old, and quantum physics is now getting close to things us New Age freaks have been saying for yonks.
My philosopher friend, Prof. Robert Pope of the Science-Art Centre near where I live, thinks science took a wrong turn a long time ago and is at present working on a way to express in mathematical terms the idea that God is evolving to infinity (rather than the universe heading for inevitable destruction). My husband Andrew and I interviewed Robert for Andrew’s Blog Action Day post and here is the reference: http://andrewlifemagic.blogspot.com/
So there are some of my ideas whether you wanted them or not. I guess we’re all passionate about our spirituality. Me, I interpret “spiritual” broadly, as whatever fulfils one’s own inner soul – which brings me right back to poetry!
And btw, if I sound as if I think words shape existence and everything is a matter of interpretation – yes, you bet!
PS And the reason I went into such detail is to not have to discuss the matter here any further, if possible (unless it comes up in verse, of course). Not that I wish to inhibit others; but I’m done.
I think that everyone has something to learn from everyone here. Thank you and again sorry if I started something.
That was definatly not my attempt. I love everyones answere here, and I love that everyone is passionate about what they believe. It makes me happy, and Rosemary, your an amazing person. I learned alote from you thank you.
Oscuridad Yes I like your name too
Respect……
Well said, Rianon, we know you care!
Fire!
Religion, Politics, Race:
If a lively discussion you want,
Just drop a hint on one some time…
But your words you should watch:
Insulting comments are the match,
friend’s feelings a powder keg.
The blaze may burn too hot;
Some things will ne’er be forgot:
Religion, Politics and Race.
Rosemary, you’re Pagan? My respect for you just jumped up a notch! Now, is being a Pagan the same as being Wiccan? I could just wikipedia this but I’d rather hear it from someone personally involved with the practice. I’ve been considering becoming Pagain (Wiccan?) since I’m pretty much a non practicing Catholic.
When my mother would take *coughdragcough* me to church I would sneak a Stephen King book in with me to hold between the pages of the hymn book. If I wasn’t reading I was walking along the empty pews and just look at the lighting, breathing in the smells, or dipping my fingers in the holy water wondering how it always managed to stay so cold.
Needles to say, the last time I went into a church I was in New York and wanted to visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, but not to join mass, just to feel the faith of the others their. Churches and Cathedrals are incredible but my true church has always been nature itself.
And thank you John for kicking “someone” out. What a stupid question they posed. Hello, the topic is about SPIRITUAL BELIEFS….
Very Interesting — by the way, I am playing the Dumb Blonde in our community theatre’s Laugh In production. Being Goldie Hawn is a hoot, certainly changes MY point-of-view. I was also mauled by my dogs last week, my hands were injured and one of the fellas had to be put down. I’m just now able to use my hands. Something saved me ? ? ? ? I went through a couple of days of just wondering, what the hey, and grief, augh, terrible, awful, guilt and grief . . . . It’s good to listen to our inner self, if you will, to that voice that gives us a little nudge here or there. That’s evidence of something at work.
Yes, we human beings in our dependence upon language need labels to communicate with one another to be able to discuss a point. I believe the term “Negative Capability” is about being able to not label, or judge, or force closure . . . . I think it is human nature to NEED closure, and the label does that in some fashion, and even if the subject is to be left open, for discussion, we’ve got to have the silly thing. It’s really a catch 22, red herring, chicken or the egg, a cliche of our infinite limitations.
Science: I think that science is really defining creation, but man is frightened, and it is the fear that passes judgement of that which is not known. It becomes necessary then particularly to label this, so that it can be avoided.
The law of cause and effect seems apparent in this consideration. What we hold in mind has no choice but to become, to manifest. You can call it magick, or prayer or affirmations but it is a law of that realm, if you are christian, you affirm this with statement like “as a man thinketh, so he is.” Pagan’s say as above so below. Everyone is probably familiar with the Magician Card of the Tarot. It symbolizes this in pictures. He holds his wand to the heavens, his gesture to the earth.
When I assigned essays in my English class, I surveyed students beliefs about a subject, and then asked them to write from the other point-of-view. I think we can’t over come objections until we understand them. “walking in the other guys mocasins”
What am I, hmmm, I have my own system. It is continually expanding, changing, becoming, blending, opening, I am inspired and awed by belief systems, all of them. I find ritual (positive ritual) an emotional experience, whatever the pantheon. The christ consciousness lies in the center of almost all religions.
I often wonder if the four corners of the earth really is talking about the elements — and that’s a rhetorical question.
But above all, even when we have faith, even when we practice our belief systems, I don’t think anyone really knows, we just know it works.
Ah, Connie! Again, as you are so wont to do, you write something and I’m awestruck and wish I’d said it just that way.
Dear Sandra, As I said I wouldn’t go on any more about this topic here, I’ll be happy to continue the discussion elsewhere, and you will find messages from me next time you log in to your profile page. Meanwhile, “my true church has always been nature itself” sounds Pagan to me!
The short answer to your question is: All Wiccans are Pagan but not all Pagans are Wiccan.
John, it’s not pleasant to have to block someone. What an uncomfortable choice to have to make. But necessary – “someone” had absolutely nothing to say. There are a lot of different positions here but everyone is able to recognise the common thread in all of them. Whatever the foundations (or supports) for our values are, considering the impact of our behaviour on others is paramount.
To Rianon, I’m agnostic and I have to say that I have found the inclusion of your faith in your comments uncomfortable. I have no response when someone says, “God bless” because trying to explain my philosophical rejection of those words would be like throwing the intention of those words back in your face. It is a case where I have to examine closely the purpose of what is being said. Sometimes, the assumption that such faith-based (any faith) wishes are acceptable to everyone can create an environment where people who think and feel differently feel their own beliefs are not respected or tolerated.
Having said that, however (and it is a big however), making you censor yourself would make you feel your beliefs were not respected or tolerated.
It is a very difficult balance and I can think of no society which has managed it yet. So I can live with a little discomfort, for the sake of respecting your faith and, most importantly, your intention.
Thank you! Your statement of belief mirrors my own and you put it so logically and succinctly. Thank you!
I feel like putting it on a pamphlet and handing out to the zealots that ring my doorbell every weekend.
Thank you, again.
Joni
Cerebralmum,
I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable, I will not say “God Bless” because I feel as thought if it makes people uncomfortable it is not necessary to do so. I can live without typing it in here. No worries, thank you so much for bringing this to my attention. I really apreciate it, Thank you and Peace.
In this I wish that we would borrow from the Arabic:
As-Salamu ‘Alaykum
which translated means peace be upon you.
The proper response is: wa ‘Alaykum As-Salam”
which translated is and upon you pease.
In hebrew you find ‘Shalom Aleichem’ and ‘Aleichem Shalom’ with the same sense and meanings. These are common in the middle eastern culture. Yes, I know: the epitome of religious tollerance and cooperation
James,
I’ve always wanted to learn Arabic only because it seems interesting. Thank you. Also I’ve always wanted to learn italian because I was hoping to go to italy some day. ‘Alaykum As-Salam”
I didn’t know that that smile was there cool!!!
Similarly the respectful Hindu greeting “Namaste” which lots of New Agers also say.
I rather like the Trekkie “Live long and prosper” which is supposed to be a Vulcan greeting (you know, like Mr Spock).
No need to apologise, Rianon, and thank you. And peace. Or As-Salamu ‘Alaykum. Or live long and prosper…
Rosemary,
Yes, thank you
Cerebralmum,
Live long and prosper…
I apsolutly love learning different things such as languages, it’s so much fun. !!!!
Thank You.
Namaste