Do you believe in God?

[jaxc]

I beleive in....something. The closest thing to describe it would be "God" but I don't beleive in the bible, koran or tora and I am not religious in that way. I beleive in an aspect of God that is my own and sepperates whatever that is from the typical religious version of it.
I am very spiritual and I enjoy philosophizing about it but bottomn line is that I beleive through my heart alone and I encourage everyone to beleive in what they beleive is right, not what a "divine religious individual" claims is true.

just some pointless fact to point-out, the Torah and the Bible are kinda-of the same thing( actually the Torah is what most people know to be the Old testament of the bible) just wanted to mention that.

[Daniel]

Heh yeah, true. I just wanted to make it heared that I don't believe in any religious texts xD. However despite this, some things in them are actually worth thinking about, some wise things. Either way, that is a discussion for another thread I beleive

[Pix]

I beleive in....something. The closest thing to describe it would be "God" but I don't beleive in the bible, koran or tora and I am not religious in that way. I beleive in an aspect of God that is my own and sepperates whatever that is from the typical religious version of it.
I am very spiritual and I enjoy philosophizing about it but bottomn line is that I beleive through my heart alone and I encourage everyone to beleive in what they beleive is right, not what a "divine religious individual" claims is true.

Hello, Niltra, I thought I'd expand on my answer on page 1 (no need to find it, it's all explained here) for you since I don't feel so lazy at the moment.

I endured a traumatic event (which I don't want to talk about) when I was a 15-year-old runaway, and had to be physically restrained so that I didn't suicide. While held I felt as if I "woke up" to find myself in a virgin forest of giant trees and surrounded by wordless song and singing wordlessly myself. I then came to a tree that dwarfed all the others and as I touched it I knew it was Yggdrasil and then it was as if I "woke up" yet again. Though I recall the experience pretty well I lack the words to accurately describe it but suffice to say I was with the goddess Freya who wordlessly sang to me yet I understood what She was saying. Short & sweet She said She'd Sung me into existence to help fight against Ragnarok and I could not let myself be broken, and that I needed to grow up rather than seeking to be an "eternal child" like people in so many other religions did. Then I "woke up" yet again back where I was being restrained (actually, from our PoV, I did wake up at this point), utterly wrung out but no longer suicidal.

I knew almost nothing of Scandinavian mythology (and despite that my mother's side of the family are mostly descended from Swedes I learned almost everything I knew--which was very little--from school and a library book), but as I researched it I found my vision fit and that others had also experienced similar visions (of Scandinavian gods and similar messages) since at least the 1970s.

Just before I turned 22 I visited Granny for the first time since I'd been 14. She told me at one point she woke from a horrid nightmare where I was choking in bed and she couldn't save me and she woke up certain I was in terrible danger. She prayed to Jesus for me for like an hour until she felt I was going to be ok. She called the next day but Mom said I didn't want to talk to her. After awhile I realized that this nightmare of hers was real close--and I believe at the exact moment--to when I was suicidal and had that vision (and Mom didn't report me missing at the time out of fear of losing welfare benefits and child support).

As we kept talking I asked if when we were both dead if she'd visit me in my heaven since hers was probably a lot more exclusive and she laughed and said, "You'll see your trappings and I'll see mine but we'll still be together and love each other."

Not only did I love that answer, but it inspired a line of thought in me that could explain how her prayer and my vision might've been connected. I believe that she prayed to LOVE, which she envisioned as Jesus, and this prayer directed spiritual energy (as an agnostic I don't feel inclined to clearly define what "spiritual energy" actually is, and for that matter I accept the possibility that this was all a mind boggling coincidence) which manifested to my mind in a way that I could use it.

So why Freya instead of God, Jesus, or Mary? First, my experiences with Christianity hadn't been good by that time, whereas I had no bias against Freya. But much more importantly I believe it was my childhood development that was the reason, plus what I needed at the time.

In childhood I learned to be very independent, not to trust in the adults who could hurt me (especially if I asked for their help), nor in the schools and courts (which also held obvious Christian influences), and I WANTED to do things by myself ever since I was 5. That is, while I didn't trust the adults, I did trust myself. And I never could believe or enjoy the fairy tales where princesses were saved by princes or knights and I even wrote my own stories even as a child of children (usually a girl) saving themselves from monsters and curses. So that's how I thought, and the thought of asking God for help was like asking for my parents or so-called "court advocate" for help (which is to say I knew I was screwed before I even asked) and I didn't expect help from "cavalry" anymore than I did from any sort of prince. And, as a runaway, my distrust of adults was sharpened, and I was right not to trust them at the time, especially the system, so I NEEDED to be (as much as possible) an adult rather than a girl asking for help that would not come (and if anything came of asking then I'd probably be more harmed than helped by it, even if the adults meant well). More than ever I needed to believe in myself capable of standing up for myself in a world of adults (that is, the "giants" of Ragnarok that were destroying my world).

Therefore, that spiritual energy didn't manifest as the same religion as Granny because I distrusted and associated Christianity with the institutions around me that hurt me and it also didn't make sense for my psychology or what I needed to survive, so instead it manifested in a form I COULD understand and WAS what I needed. That is, I suspect my Freya was Granny's Jesus, and vice versa, perhaps both being masks of the same Love that connected us together. I saw Freya because Freya was exactly what I needed to see.

Of course most Christians and most neopagans who follow the Scandinavian gods don't care for my theory at all.

[azulai]

just some pointless fact to point-out, the Torah and the Bible are kinda-of the same thing( actually the Torah is what most people know to be the Old testament of the bible) just wanted to mention that.

I hate being picky but I just have to clarify this.

Torah is not equivalent to the Christian Old Testament.
The Jewish text is called the Tanakh. It is an acronym using the first letter of the Hebrew word for the 3 major sections:
T = Torah = the law
N = Nevi'im = the prophets
K = Kethuvim = the writings

Torah is just the first five books. Devote Jews consider it sacred text and the "word of God." Jews consider the other two sections as inspirational writing/literature.

Jews do not read or study the Xan O.T. There are many mistranslations and rearranging of the books to support Xan religion's belief that Jesus is the messiah. The division of chapters and verses differs a bit. The O.T. is arranged to end with prophesies whereas the Tanakh ends with Chronicles in which the Jews returned to Israel and rebuild.

Jews use the Masoretic text, the oldest known copy of the Tanakh. Protestants use the Rabbinic texts for their O.T. but divide it differently. Catholics use the Septuagint (I think) for their O.T. translations and they have more books.

Jews also have other Rabbinic literature (teachings/commentary) and don't believe in original sin or the need to be saved!

Peace.

[Daniel]

Hello, Niltra, I thought I'd expand on my answer on page 1 (no need to find it, it's all explained here) for you since I don't feel so lazy at the moment.

I endured a traumatic event (which I don't want to talk about) when I was a 15-year-old runaway, and had to be physically restrained so that I didn't suicide. While held I felt as if I "woke up" to find myself in a virgin forest of giant trees and surrounded by wordless song and singing wordlessly myself. I then came to a tree that dwarfed all the others and as I touched it I knew it was Yggdrasil and then it was as if I "woke up" yet again. Though I recall the experience pretty well I lack the words to accurately describe it but suffice to say I was with the goddess Freya who wordlessly sang to me yet I understood what She was saying. Short & sweet She said She'd Sung me into existence to help fight against Ragnarok and I could not let myself be broken, and that I needed to grow up rather than seeking to be an "eternal child" like people in so many other religions did. Then I "woke up" yet again back where I was being restrained (actually, from our PoV, I did wake up at this point), utterly wrung out but no longer suicidal.

I knew almost nothing of Scandinavian mythology (and despite that my mother's side of the family are mostly descended from Swedes I learned almost everything I knew--which was very little--from school and a library book), but as I researched it I found my vision fit and that others had also experienced similar visions (of Scandinavian gods and similar messages) since at least the 1970s.

Just before I turned 22 I visited Granny for the first time since I'd been 14. She told me at one point she woke from a horrid nightmare where I was choking in bed and she couldn't save me and she woke up certain I was in terrible danger. She prayed to Jesus for me for like an hour until she felt I was going to be ok. She called the next day but Mom said I didn't want to talk to her. After awhile I realized that this nightmare of hers was real close--and I believe at the exact moment--to when I was suicidal and had that vision (and Mom didn't report me missing at the time out of fear of losing welfare benefits and child support).

As we kept talking I asked if when we were both dead if she'd visit me in my heaven since hers was probably a lot more exclusive and she laughed and said, "You'll see your trappings and I'll see mine but we'll still be together and love each other."

Not only did I love that answer, but it inspired a line of thought in me that could explain how her prayer and my vision might've been connected. I believe that she prayed to LOVE, which she envisioned as Jesus, and this prayer directed spiritual energy (as an agnostic I don't feel inclined to clearly define what "spiritual energy" actually is, and for that matter I accept the possibility that this was all a mind boggling coincidence) which manifested to my mind in a way that I could use it.

So why Freya instead of God, Jesus, or Mary? First, my experiences with Christianity hadn't been good by that time, whereas I had no bias against Freya. But much more importantly I believe it was my childhood development that was the reason, plus what I needed at the time.

In childhood I learned to be very independent, not to trust in the adults who could hurt me (especially if I asked for their help), nor in the schools and courts (which also held obvious Christian influences), and I WANTED to do things by myself ever since I was 5. That is, while I didn't trust the adults, I did trust myself. And I never could believe or enjoy the fairy tales where princesses were saved by princes or knights and I even wrote my own stories even as a child of children (usually a girl) saving themselves from monsters and curses. So that's how I thought, and the thought of asking God for help was like asking for my parents or so-called "court advocate" for help (which is to say I knew I was screwed before I even asked) and I didn't expect help from "cavalry" anymore than I did from any sort of prince. And, as a runaway, my distrust of adults was sharpened, and I was right not to trust them at the time, especially the system, so I NEEDED to be (as much as possible) an adult rather than a girl asking for help that would not come (and if anything came of asking then I'd probably be more harmed than helped by it, even if the adults meant well). More than ever I needed to believe in myself capable of standing up for myself in a world of adults (that is, the "giants" of Ragnarok that were destroying my world).

Therefore, that spiritual energy didn't manifest as the same religion as Granny because I distrusted and associated Christianity with the institutions around me that hurt me and it also didn't make sense for my psychology or what I needed to survive, so instead it manifested in a form I COULD understand and WAS what I needed. That is, I suspect my Freya was Granny's Jesus, and vice versa, perhaps both being masks of the same Love that connected us together. I saw Freya because Freya was exactly what I needed to see.

Of course most Christians and most neopagans who follow the Scandinavian gods don't care for my theory at all.

I actually agree with you. One thing never has to rule out the other after all. I beleive in a force, God, divine entity, celestial being or whatever anyone chooses to name it but either way I have always believed that it is impossible to limit whatever this thing is.
We have to limit things to understand them but in the process we diminish them and thus what we understand is a pale imitation or an all together different entity that none other than we have created in the "image" of what we want to beleive in.

If there is a God (call it whatever you want) then I beleive from the bottomn of my heart that this entity will manifest itself in different ways for each of us. I feel that sometimes it has manifested itself for me in the form of an Event, not a person, angel, God-like being or anything else, just an Event. Wheather it's Jesus or Freya doesn't really matter that much to me. I beleive in this entity that I view from my heart and soul and it isn't in any way the one that any religion describes.

So from my point of view, when it comes to "God", anything can be true so I'm not at all ready to disagree with you.
And from the time tyourstory took place to now, I hope you feel a lot better *hugs* ^^

[East]

I have stated before on many occasions..even in this thread..that I believe in God 100% and I know she exists (I use she because I don't define God and I dont' want to be confused with the people who do)...

The reason I am posting this...I see alot of people who are depressed or suicidal and who need help overcoming alot of things and I rarely answer them...not because I dont' care...but because the thing that helped me was God in the end and I am opposed to preaching to anyone because my relationship with God is intensely personal.....

I have had medication for depression on many occasions...each time I flushed them. I overcame all of my addictions....I came from a really dark childhood...I have been in the worst possible situations...and God is the force that has helped me...and done so successfully....if I didnt' have God I would definitely NOT be alive today...no question.

The God I believe in does not give a shit about who wins a football game or a grammy award nor is there any judgement or damnation and God damn sure wanted you to be gay if you are gay......and the Bible? Puh-leese...someone was smoking crack when they wrote alot of that crap...stoning people to death for planting two crops in the same field?...who needs to read further than that? It s either the "truth" or it isn't...I pick "isn't'"...but for the most part it is a lovely story The God is know is about love.

The problem is...i dont' believe in forcing my opinion on anyone else or preaching about God because I think there are many paths to God and I believe in free will. The other thing...I see more God in some people who dont' even believe than in alot of people who do so I dont' want to f*ck with that

So...to all the people who are in a bad place and who dont' see any light...you could try God. You don't' have to try the God who everyone else defines. Just look inside you...not outside of you...God is there....on your terms...always.

[princealbertofb]

Hey, East, I wonder if what you name God isn't just simply the force of life....? (and love?)
but they need to go hand in hand...

[East]

Hey, East, I wonder if what you name God isn't just simply the force of life....? (and love?)
but they need to go hand in hand...

Hey PA! Yes...you could say that:biggrin:. I see God as an energy and a spirit and a force that exists both outside and also inside each one of us...if we let it. It runs through everything in nature...if we let it.

[princealbertofb]

I really love your thinking, East. Today I was listening to the radio and there was a programme about flies (different sorts of flies) and maggots and it was honestly interesting to hear about the good that flies can do. We never picture flies as being good, but rather as a nuisance. But that has reconciled me with flies a bit.
Is knowledge also one of God's many aspects?

[East]

I really love your thinking, East. Today I was listening to the radio and there was a programme about flies (different sorts of flies) and maggots and it was honestly interesting to hear about the good that flies can do. We never picture flies as being good, but rather as a nuisance. But that has reconciled me with flies a bit.
Is knowledge also one of God's many aspects?

...and I love your thinking as well:biggrin:...your story made me giggle but yes...I think knowledge, truth, love....all aspects of God. I have to admit that I am really superstitious about killing anything...even flies...because I don't want to play God..they are here for a reason. I do, however, kill flys partway (I keep them halfway alive) sometimes to feed to the daddy long legs who lives in the corner by my door because a daddy long legs is deadly to other spiders but cannot puncture human skin. The reason...I had a few black widows in my house and since I keep old Daddy full of flies I haven't seen one since I figure I am not really f*ckign with nature too much because God wants Daddy to eat flies anyway I would kill a black widow because they could kill me...that is consistent with nature.

Me and my lover were just discussing the other day the beauty of vultures and how they are natures perfect garbage disposal:biggrin:...that is why your story made me smile.