So good to see a single man's interpretation of religious "truths" held up as gospel (pun intended.) As a former ordained minister and student of theological matters, I could go on all day about this, but to what end? People believe whatever they choose and usually what best fits their own personal needs and comfort zone.
I Agree. People need comforting, and faith provides that. It allows us to forget about the "I'm doomed" scenario each one of us faces some day. I don't know how many of you here dwelled deep into your mind to confront that general concept of being dead, but for me it's a terrifying proposition. To think that one day I will cease to exist for the rest of eternity is extremely distressing.
The deeper I go into it, the more I try to understand it, the more alarmed I get. Knowing there is a countdown towards non-existence is an excruciatingly painful thought, up there with home invasion, muggings at gun point and the prospect of being eaten alive by wild animals. I've managed to accept it, but I don't like going to that place because that darkness can easily suck you in and ruin your day. Anyway, I totally get people that use faith to bypass that thought and think of the good things in and at the end of life. At the end of the day, I think most of us strive to be a better person, some of us dwell on our past, and others dwell on the future. How we manage to deal with these feelings is really up to us, and no one should judge us based on our faith.
Hopefully my comment didn't come off as a judgement. Apologies if it did. I definitely have some serious religion baggage, but I've evolved to a place where I strive to understand and be tolerant of all faiths and belief systems and hope that others will treat me and my beliefs (or lack thereof) with the same respect.
So good to see a single man's interpretation of religious "truths" held up as gospel (pun intended.) As a former ordained minister and student of theological matters, I could go on all day about this, but to what end? People believe whatever they choose and usually what best fits their own personal needs and comfort zone.
I Agree. People need comforting, and faith provides that. It allows us to forget about the "I'm doomed" scenario each one of us faces some day. I don't know how many of you here dwelled deep into your mind to confront that general concept of being dead, but for me it's a terrifying proposition. To think that one day I will cease to exist for the rest of eternity is extremely distressing.
The deeper I go into it, the more I try to understand it, the more alarmed I get. Knowing there is a countdown towards non-existence is an excruciatingly painful thought, up there with home invasion, muggings at gun point and the prospect of being eaten alive by wild animals. I've managed to accept it, but I don't like going to that place because that darkness can easily suck you in and ruin your day. Anyway, I totally get people that use faith to bypass that thought and think of the good things in and at the end of life. At the end of the day, I think most of us strive to be a better person, some of us dwell on our past, and others dwell on the future. How we manage to deal with these feelings is really up to us, and no one should judge us based on our faith.
Hopefully my comment didn't come off as a judgement. Apologies if it did. I definitely have some serious religion baggage, but I've evolved to a place where I strive to understand and be tolerant of all faiths and belief systems and hope that others will treat me and my beliefs (or lack thereof) with the same respect.
Heck no, I was just expanding on your comment :)
That's what I hoped. Never know how touchy things can get with certain subjects (like this one).