June 26, 2005

To church or not to church?

We're not 7th Day Adventists, so Sunday is the day we recognize as the day of worship.

I couldn't tell you the last time I have been to church. Why is that? Well I just don't know.

I think it is that in recent times I have begun to question religion. It came to me one day when I suddenly thought about what happens to Hindus or Muslims or Scientologists. They have strong beliefs. Who says their way of thinking about life and spirituality is not the 'right' one. Then it begs the question 'is there a right one'? And if there is a 'right one' how do you know which one it is? And if there is NO 'right one', why worship anyway?

Proof. That is what is needed. I need proof from those who have perished and followed a particular religion. I could ask them if what their religion said would happen to you at the end of your life, did in fact happen.

I used to watch John Edwards' "Crossing Over" show where he would speak to dead people. I thought that surely, not all of those people were practising Christians, but yet their souls lived on. (Of course that is assuming that Edwards doesn't just make the whole thing up for TV ratings!).

So that has got me thinking. And I ask myself regarding the tenets of Christianity.....can I keep myself pure? Can I think clean thoughts? CAn I be a Good Samaritan? And if I can do all of those things without going into a building that is called a Church, why do I have to go?

So until I know what I believe, I can't go and worship anywhere.

My seemingly heathenness came home to me on the BWIA flight last week when I realized that I had not packed my Bible. I usually never fly without it for superstitious reasons really. Since I arrived safe and sound, maybe I will ditch it. I promised myself to read the bible in its entirety but I fell asleep at Genesis!

Posted by yamfoot at June 26, 2005 01:07 AM
Comments

HEATHEN!! :-)

its about belief though, you got to believe.

Posted by: jdid at June 26, 2005 08:59 AM

It's the old meaning of life question, the closest I ever came to some sort of profundity was this appendage from an old Joan of Ark film; in an attempt to explain (some may say it was a cop-out)the "miracles" that taken place, the screenwriter offered this simple verse..."to those who believe no explanation is necessary, to those who don't believe, none is possible". It is a question of faith!

I became an atheist at 16 and I am now an agnostic (simply because Popperian deductive logic says that you can only disprove, not prove things), and I fear that the existence of a God cannot be disproved, simply because "he" may turn up in infinity.

I believe though, that if there is a God, look within, organised religion is going to be the last place you find him.

Posted by: sir.allen at June 26, 2005 04:31 PM

profound post. Like Jdid said, it's all about belief and faith. You've got to have faith that God does exist and trully belief in it. You can't see the wind, but you know it's there right. you believe it's there, of course there is proof when you see the trees and leave blow, but do you have justifiable proof that it's the wind moving the trees, leaves, your hair? You believe it's the wind. Same with God and religion.

Simply being good and keeping clean thoughts won't cut it. What is your version of being good and having clean thoughts? You version maybe quite different than another person. You need something to help reinforce these values of being good and having clean thoughts. Can you actually do all these things withouy having some kind of daily/weekly reinforcement? What happens when you start to slip or fall who will guide you back to clean thoughts and being a good samaritian.

At least give it a try, do some research. maybe one different faith a month and see which one suits you best. When it all comes to the end, it's better to have had and slipped than not to have had at all.

Posted by: Campfyah at June 26, 2005 05:09 PM

The way I see it is that I have 3 choices

1.There is no God

2.There is a God who does not care about what happen to us

3.There is a God to whom am willing to give the benefit of the doubt.

I have learnt not to try to convince anyone whether or not God exists but I believe and it keeps me grounded.

Posted by: kami at June 26, 2005 07:05 PM

HEATHEN!!

Posted by: owen at June 27, 2005 10:41 AM

I 'aint one to push church door regular, but for me HE LIVES!

I don't get into situations to try to convince non believers. It doesn't work.

To each, his own. You need to be comfortbale with what you decide on.

Posted by: Dr. D. at June 28, 2005 07:56 AM