Why do people say they find their own god?

[Nagual]

Which is better?  Finding out God by yourself or being told about it by others?

[GhostRider]

So very well said Nagual!  

jc84corvette... he has a major point, what is your preferred mode of learning?  Having it served up to with an extra heaping of personal bias and hidden agenda or do you want to read those words of truth and/or see it, hear it with your own eyes and ears, by your own hands?

And not just that, since most of us see things differently (we can't help it, I can't be you and you can't be me...) we'll automatically have a different take on the "truth".  Now, while facts are black and white (2+2=4 , the sun rises in the east, death and taxes, etc...)  they're all hard-as-nails facts.  But the truth my darling is such a different thing all together.  Fundamentalists adore it because it bespeeks of such finality and has such a permanent ring to it, scientists see it as an almost eternally ellusive creature and most just stick to facts, distrusting the "truth" even though they know it's there.

You can almost boil down the answer to this, truth is that which the facts fear to point to, but nevertheless, help to point out just the same. The truth is the inevitable conclusion you will come to after gathering all the "facts" around you and assembling them in an order that makes sense to you.  That's why so many people, and so many organized (and some un-organized) institutions hate it and love it sooo much.  

I hope this makes sense.

[Hiebreed]

As humans, we each have a different relationship with God and how we see God. To me God is everything and nothing, older than time and greater than space, the Alpha and the Omega, the end and the begining. Everyone sees God differently, and it is more rewarding if you find God by yourself, rather than having something shoved down your throat and only believing a fraction of it.

[jc84corvette]

Thanks for the reply's, more are needed

The way I see it is we are being told what god looks like, what he does, how he acts, judges and what not. The thing that really pisses me off is how we have to go to church for a scedualed mass and time.

So basicly the church is telling us what to belive.


How do you people find god for your self? How does that happen?

[jc84corvette]

Another question. I hear people say they find god in their dog, their friends, a homeless person, what does this mean? How do they see god? Is it they look past their negative aspects and look at the positive?


Another question. The Bible says to attend mass weekly to fufill a sacrement and confession etc... Does that apply to you people that found your own god?

[WalkerInTheWoods]

quote:Another question. The Bible says to attend mass weekly to fufill a sacrement and confession etc... Does that apply to you people that found your own god?

I think that this was said because at the time most people could not read and/or did not have access to the religious texts. No printing press at that time ment few books. So the only way for people to hear the texts was to go to the temple, church. Today things are different, most people have a copy of atleast one religious text if not more and they can read them.

God is not only in a building certain times during the week. God is everywhere and in everything. So if you can study the text anywhere and God is everywhere, why confine yourself to a buidling to find God?

[jc84corvette]

Good point about the building and god! Thank you

[beavis]

It doesnt matter if "their own god" is "better than church" or worse. It only matters which one is more true.

[Beth]

Hey all![]

This is what the New Testament says about this:

On "what the Church actually is."

I Corinthians 3:10-17

10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work.

14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

16Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.



On when and how to pray:

Luke 5:16
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Luke 9:18
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"

Mark 1:35
35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 6:45-46
Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Mark 12:38-40
As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

Matthew 6:5-8
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

                          **********

So you see--Church is wherever you and God are together in study, silent meditation, prayer, or most often--together "in thought."  Church is "whatever" and "whenever" and "wherever" we make it...and we can "be in church" anytime, anyday, for however long we choose.

Peace,
Beth

[jc84corvette]

Wow Beth!

Very good sayings. One or two made no sense.[xx(]

[Mustardseed]

I thought Church comes from the greek word eglisia = the called out chosen people. Meaning a group of people not a building. >??

[GhostRider]

 That would make quite a stir down here as most folks would argue with you on that.  I checked it up and I am sure you are right Mustardseed.  That would mean then that going to church (as we know it) is somewhat confusing and completely wrong. Because if you are the choosen and you are gathered with others, you are already ARE a church and the building is just a nice little add-on.

[jc84corvette]

So the church is just an extension eah?

[Mustardseed]

Yep thats the truth thats what it means. It also states "The most high does not dwell in temples made with hands" So its bach to the drawing board for those who believe in Gods House being a physical place. God is everywhere. A drunk I met in a bar said to me I would rather be here in the bar thinking about God than in church thinking about being here. He had a lot of life wisdom and though marred by the life he had chosen he was a wise and sweet man. This has always been the problem for the church. The moment they went into the building they became the white washed sepulchers only fit for dead mens bones. "For I desire a Church built by living stones, not wood hay and stubble but hearts and minds and a desire to find my truth" .
Regards MS

[jc84corvette]

quote:Originally posted by Mustardseed

Yep thats the truth thats what it means. It also states "The most high does not dwell in temples made with hands" So its bach to the drawing board for those who believe in Gods House being a physical place. God is everywhere. A drunk I met in a bar said to me I would rather be here in the bar thinking about God than in church thinking about being here. He had a lot of life wisdom and though marred by the life he had chosen he was a wise and sweet man. This has always been the problem for the church. The moment they went into the building they became the white washed sepulchers only fit for dead mens bones. "For I desire a Church built by living stones, not wood hay and stubble but hearts and minds and a desire to find my truth" .
Regards MS

Thanks MS for the reply! Yes I read one of beths post and it had exerpts from the bible. Now your information backs it all up! Thanks!

[Mustardseed]

I thought this was common knowledge but you sure are welcome

[Mustardseed]

Wonder what happens at 400 posts[?]

[Mustardseed]

401 then?

[Mustardseed]

Nope still just grey[]

[jc84corvette]

You get another star and all of the stars you have turn gold at 500.

[jc84corvette]

I do not get it. Explain why it is better than church etc