Thread: For An Intelligent Conversation On Spirituality/Religion

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Ogie,
Your views are not unusual. I will say though that my views were identical not that many years ago.
I am basically an engineer/scientist by trade and need to see proof of everything.....but then one day everything was different. I can't explain it but my way of thought and being turned 180 degrees.
Tony

Tony,

The bottom line is that everybody EDIT: should be happy with what they've got. I don't feel pained or empty because I lack a relationship with a higher power. And you feel great because you do have that relationship. Everybody wins, nobody loses, and we'll all just continue being friends.

That's the way I look at most things (besides religion, too). It makes everybody's life easier.

Thanks,

Ogie

Originally Posted by Oglethorpe

Tony,

The bottom line is that everybody EDIT: should be happy with what they've got. I don't feel pained or empty because I lack a relationship with a higher power. And you feel great because you do have that relationship. Everybody wins, nobody loses, and we'll all just continue being friends.

That's the way I look at most things (besides religion, too). It makes everybody's life easier.

Thanks,

Ogie

Thank you. I hope I didn't imply in any way that you should believe, or be any less happy because you do not. I simply wanted to say I once thought as you did and by some odd twist of fate something changed. I was quite happy before and didn't expect it. I didn't go into this searching for religion, one day I felt a need to start reading the bible and later felt I wanted to start attending church again. It then became something I wanted, but I still did not fully believe and wondered why. As I posted earlier, that one day I felt a higher power speak to me through a fellow church member....almost saying now or never, trust this request, trust your will.

We each follow a path that is right for us and is uniquely ours. The path may change, it may stay the same. If you, and you alone are happy with it then that is where you should be. My wife and I are quite different in what we believe even though we are both Christians. She feels the Scripture is more of a guideline, I take it quite literally. While she never expected she would wind up worshipping in Mennonite and Brethren churches she has found quite a home there. My beliefs closely follow the anabaptist theology which is quite opposite of our Catholic unbringing.

Thanks,
Tony

Jimmy- some interesting videos. Joseph Goldstein had some good stuff to say. Honestly reminds me of TED: Ideas worth spreading but on a smaller scale in terms of what is discussed.

Originally Posted by Philadelph

Jimmy- some interesting videos. Joseph Goldstein had some good stuff to say. Honestly reminds me of TED: Ideas worth spreading but on a smaller scale in terms of what is discussed.

Thanks for that site Alex. I wasn't aware of it.

My personal view on religion is that if it improves your quality of life, without infringing on anyone else in any way; then it's well worth doing.

Wow, what a cool thread. It has been truly (pardon the pun) enlightening.
Thanks a lot to Jimmy for starting it and moderating with a surprising array of links in support for all arguments. You're a gentleman, and apparently quite the scholar.

Special thanks to those who shared the intimate details of your journeys, especially Elliette and Tony whom I find equally inspiring. I only hope that as an agnostic, I some day am blessed with the certainty either of you have.

Very cool.

Another old quandary struck me as I was heading off to sleep. We haven't heard much from our Catholic friends here. In the spirit of this thread, I've always been curious how Catholic Dogma explains how worshiping saints is not a direct violation of the 2nd commandment. Anyone?

Originally Posted by kenneyty

Another old quandary struck me as I was heading off to sleep. We haven't heard much from our Catholic friends here. In the spirit of this thread, I've always been curious how Catholic Dogma explains how worshiping saints is not a direct violation of the 2nd commandment. Anyone?

well, they are clearly polytheists. so are most Christians, if they believe in angels and demons and a devil and such.

Originally Posted by kenneyty

Another old quandary struck me as I was heading off to sleep. We haven't heard much from our Catholic friends here. In the spirit of this thread, I've always been curious how Catholic Dogma explains how worshiping saints is not a direct violation of the 2nd commandment. Anyone?

Being of Italian ancestry I was raised as a Catholic. I went to religious school and collected three stars on my Holy Sacrement card (my confirmation name is Barnabas because Dark Shadows was on TV then. The Bishop never figured out I chose the name of the evil undead Barnabas Collins). I asked the question about worshiping Saints and the answer was that we don't worship saints, we petition them. It is like calling to speak to the CEO of a major corporation but ending up dealing with a Director or VP. You hope the VP will be able to help or at least be a liason to the CEO.

Okay, now I will add that I do not believe any of that stuff. I think the Nicene Creed is nonsense (,,,seated at the right hand of the Father...oh puleeze!).

Brad

Originally Posted by kenneyty

Another old quandary struck me as I was heading off to sleep. We haven't heard much from our Catholic friends here. In the spirit of this thread, I've always been curious how Catholic Dogma explains how worshiping saints is not a direct violation of the 2nd commandment. Anyone?

ME TOO