This is perhaps The Biggest Question, for all humanity.. for all time. ..second only, perhaps, to, 'What's for dinner!?' Human beings have forever grappled with trying to discover the reason or purpose for our existence. We're here, but why? For millennia philosophers, gurus, wise men, crack pots and charlatans have attempted to discover and convey their perceptions for the mystery for our existence. There are 3 basic possibilities. 1. A Supreme Being, or Intelligent Force 'Caused' our existence. 2. Everything came from natural processes, with no directive guidance from any intelligent Designer(s). 3. Reality is a dream. We do not exist. For simplicity, and to keep the concept in sound bites, let's call these, 1. Theism 2. Atheism 3. Absurdism The ONLY one that could have an answer for the Big Question, is the first possibility. ONLY if there is a Creator/God can there be a 'reason' for our existence. With the other 2 possibilities, it is a meaningless question. There is no, and cannot be any 'a priori' purpose. So this question, 'Why?', only has meaning IF.. this is a God made universe. And, since we humans seem to be embedded with existential angst, over this question, i will make the assumption of #1, as the basis for this inquiry. God is, and the question is: How do we find Him? This is no simple task. It has obsessed humans for millennia. I do not pretend to have Absolute Authority, on this topic, but can only provide reason, history, and my own observations. For many decades i have groped about this planet, and this is what i have learned regarding discovery of the Almighty. First, some observations. 1. God has, for unknown reasons, shrouded Himself in mystery. He is not readily available to our natural senses. 2. Opinions abound, about the nature and agenda of God. We are not seeking to define God, here, just to find Him. 3. It seems reasonable, that if the Creator put within us a longing to find Him, AND to discover the 'why?' for our existence, He would also give us the means to do so. THEREFORE, the quest for God, and understanding for our existence is most reasonable. It is also a typical human exercise. God would certainly not discourage us from asking the most difficult and gripping Questions, since He seems to have placed them within us. Drum roll, please.. How to find God? Seek Him, with all your essence. This is not as easy as it sounds. There can be no half hearted, drive by seekings. ..no formulas, or gimmicks. If God is God, He knows your heart, and is not fooled by bargaining or manipulations. Do you want to understand the Meaning of your existence, or not? An hour a week, while watching tv, or doing crossword puzzles is not 'seeking with all your heart.' Sincerity and a GENUINE DESIRE TO KNOW, are prerequisites, for this Most Holy Quest. A community college course in comparative religions will not cut it. Reading a book will not bring spiritual Enlightenment. Only a sincere, open minded, dedicated search for the Creator can bring discovery. There are passages in many religious texts that illustrate this principle: Heb11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. “If you search everywhere, yet cannot find what you are seeking, it is because what you seek is already in your possession.” ~ Lao Tzu Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. ~ Lao Tzu To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue; these five are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness. ~Confucius “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” ~ Jesus There are competitors for this quest. 1. Desires 2. Ambition 3. Agenda driven ideologues 4. Deception 5. Laziness 6. Dogmatism and propaganda 7. Pleasures 8. Misguided passionate intensity 9. Self absorption 10. Noise and commotion These things will deter and distract you from the Quest for God. Some are within, some are without. They will have to be dealt with, if you are to engage in a sincere quest for God. They are enemies of your soul. Do not let them deter you from your quest. Jer29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Don't leave us hanging. Since you've done the work and found God what is the answer to what is the purpose of our existence or why are we here?
If you actually have a strong genuine desire to know, don't you put yourself at risk of thinking you know things that aren't actually true? Isn't it so that for any other endeavour, a genuine desire to know just biases you towards half-baked solutions, and jumping to conclusions?
That sure would explain why those who have followed the OP's advice have come to so many, mutually-exclusive conclusions.
I have concluded that our Creator.... is first and foremost an Inventor ... an Engineer..... a Scientist who just happens to be composed of fundamental energy that has existed from infinite time in the past. Former Atheist and near death experiencer Mellen Thomas Benedict was shown an infinite number of Big Bang type events going back to infinite time in the past..... far, far, far, far, far more than merely thirteen point seven two billion years as the present Big Bang Theory asserts. https://www.near-death.com/experiences/exceptional/mellen-thomas-benedict.html#a05
I just did, and i have. Keep trying. Sincerity and perseverance are essential elements in any quest for Truth and understanding. That is better discovered between the individual and their Creator. I am just a fellow traveler, on the road of life. No, i disagree. Seeking the Truth, or a solution to some perplexing problem does not necessitate laziness or self delusion. Mathematicians have solved many problems, over history, through tireless dedication, and a desire to 'know the truth.' Medical researchers strive for vaccines, or cures for disease, and are not content with declarations of faith. There may be some humans, who prefer the comforts of self delusion, but i do not see this as a universal human trait. I would say the application of the 'self delusion principle', applies equally to those who have given up the search for spiritual meaning, and have convinced themselves there is none. The PERCEPTIONS of spiritual reality are not the issue, here. The PRESENCE of this reality, is. See, 'The Blind Men and the Elephant,' for a good word picture of the inadequacies of man's perceptions.
That is correct and yet you would base your entire world view on faith alone, see the contradiction? Would you allow a someone to operate on you based on only their faith that they know how to do surgery?
That's a Jainist story that stands in direct contradiction to your claim that one can find God through sincerely seeking.
@usfan I should also point out that the Jains, the very people who wrote that elephant story, reject the idea of a creator God. They see "godliness" in man, and they believe in other beings called daevas (though they reject the worship of them and see them as mortal beings as well), but they don't believe in God.
That was not the intent of John Godfrey Saxe, who wrote this poem, based on a Hindu parable. Even polytheism is a 'perception', as well as atheism. The poem stands, as an insightful commentary of the human condition.
It's originally based on a Jainist parable. From people who reject the idea of a creator God. The poem's "insightful commentary" directly contradicts your claims in the OP.
Your claim is about "How to find God," but the whole point of the parable is that no individual person ever finds the truth/God, even while seeking. Your argument is that no one has to be blind. The whole point of the parable is that even the best of us are partially blind. The two are incompatible.
..not at all. If you would read and reflect on the poem, it is about PERCEPTIONS of God, and the petty dogmatism of man. It is not saying, 'There is no God!!', as you imply.
..you seem to just want to bicker. Read the poem.. ignore it, attack it, or consider it. I don't care.
I've read the poem. The parable predates the poem. The parable came from non-theists. The parable also directly contradicts your OP claims. If you don't care about your OP or you don't care about the poem, then you shouldn't post them and you certainly shouldn't complain when people show an interest in discussing them.
Conclude what you will. ..or give up and assume atheism. Everyone has to do 2 things: 1. Their own believing. 2. Their own dying. ~Martin Luther ..sounds like hissing disdain to me!! ..along with accusations of 'Liar!!'
Either claim to have evidence and be willing to discuss it or quit pretending to have evidence. You've already given up and assumed your version of theism. You've claimed to have evidence to support that assumption. You've created several threads about it, but all have failed to actually support defend said assumptions. They have all crumbled under even the gentlest scrutiny, and you have steadfastly refused to respond to any scrutiny.
Bicker away! Deflect and disrupt all you want. Ask the mods to ban me, or delete my posts! They love that! ..I'm kinda tired of this exchange. Say what you want, but i doubt I'll reply..
