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Is There A God?
Topic Started: Sep 25 2005, 01:09 AM (5,984 Views)
Nevi
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let us be lovers.
If you say there's nothing to believe in... what do you turn to when things go wrong.
I remember my mother told me, when she got back from africa that all the women who had been raped, abused and treated like scum their entire lives said. They all said that they couldn't live without trusting God. Those people have had so many bad things happen to them and many of them had AIDs and were going to die but still they were all happy because they knew there was something to hold onto.
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Miss Yukari
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Fabulously Lazy
It shows great strength of character and optimism that those women could still be happy and trust in their God after everything that happened to them. :)

I know this question was meant for Mrs. Loz but I'm going to answer too. If things go wrong and I can't cope by myself, then I turn to my friends and family, because I know they will always support me in whatever way they can and help me through my problems. Their support and love is enough for me, and I know that they understand that I'll be there for them when they need me, too.
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Nevi
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let us be lovers.
But what about times when there's no one there. I know there's times when I've felt all alone and I couldn't talk to anyone. I just trusted in God and I knew that everything would be okay.
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Inuyatta
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Cloud/Aerith Realist
Hmm. I've probably got the most...hard to understand belief on this.

I don't really think there is a deity out there, persay...more like a higher cosmic force. I mean, there really isn't a 'good' or 'evil' out there--those are more like labels and concepts that humans apply to situations in order to try and comprehend them. Frankly, it confuses me as well, but I feel I understand it, little by little.

Probably why I fit into a more Buddhist mindset.

And no, Buddhism is not an actual religion. It's an education, but through misguided practice, it came to be perceived as a religion.

But yes, what I mean by Buddhist mindset is that it's the goal of a Buddhist to learn all that you can while being compassionate and not causing suffering to others or themselves.

Eh...yeah, I'm gonna go back to the A/C stuff now. XD
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Sir DQ
hmm...
Nevi, did you seriously use the argument-
'the world is pretty, so God is real'?
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Kusari Yarou
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Legendary Member
I believe in God and lets just leave it at that. This could get ugly...religious debates always do <_<
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Mrs.Loz
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Pathetic lowlife
Quote:
 
If you say there's nothing to believe in... what do you turn to when things go wrong.


I believe in friends. Not so much family. I don't need a God. Not everyone does. I can live quite well without something like that.

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But what about times when there's no one there. I know there's times when I've felt all alone and I couldn't talk to anyone. I just trusted in God and I knew that everything would be okay.


1. God doesnt speak to you.
2. He doesnt listen.
3. He doesnt give advice.
4. He doesnt hug you.

IMO.IMO.

I always come online most of the time or just find something to do if I am ever feeling low.

Don't need a God.


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Anastar
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To touch the light I see in your eyes...
Yes, but I probably think of God differently than the majority of other people. I don't think He sits up there and makes Judgements about the consequences for our sins and so forth. That's thinking of Him as a parental figure who loves you and disciplines you, which is fine, but I can't see God as being a separate, parental figure who "keeps us in line." :lol:

I believe that God is part of us, and that we are part of Him. You only have to look inside of yourself to find Him, because your spirit and consciousness are part of Him.

It's sorta like the Lifestream containing the consciousness and spirit of all lifeforms, and making up the consciousness of the Planet. Gaia is the greater spirit and consciousness made up of the combined spirit and consciousness of all lifeforms. Same with God. He's the combined spirit and consciousness of all lifeforms on this Planet, so we are all part of Him.
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Mrs.Loz
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Pathetic lowlife
I'm an exception to that theory.
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EnglishRose
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Sir DQ
 
Nevi, did you seriously use the argument-
'the world is pretty, so God is real'?


What's wrong with that arguement? :angry: It's good enough for me. ^_^ However, when it comes to "fairies" and "wonderlands" then that is the time to stop. -_-

Nevi, I have heard that story before, I have a poster of that on my bedroom door. ^_^

Quote:
 
1. God doesnt speak to you.


he does, through the Bible


Quote:
 
2. He doesnt listen.


he does, when you pray

Quote:
 
3. He doesnt give advice.


He does, thought the Bible

Quote:
 
4. He doesnt hug you.


Maybe not physically, but when I'm at my lowest, I can almost feel Him wiping away my tears. I can feel His gentle arms around me, Spiritually, and almost physically. ^_^

Quote:
 
And no, Buddhism is not an actual religion. It's an education, but through misguided practice, it came to be perceived as a religion.

But yes, what I mean by Buddhist mindset is that it's the goal of a Buddhist to learn all that you can while being compassionate and not causing suffering to others or themselves.


I'm studying Buddhism at school. ;) let's see...

Buddha taught 4 main things: Life is all suffering; suffering is caused by man's desires; man's desires can be made less by following an eight-fold path; and this path can be summed up in right thoughts and right deeds.

Buddhists believe in a type of Nirvana, a kind of Heaven. But this heaven, according to my school book, is in direct contrast with the Biblical Heaven.

However, over the centuries, Buddhism divided into two main branches, one branch, Mahayana, developed a concept of a heaven where you would be conscious, and Hinayana where they retained the early aspects of Buddha himself. (I'm guessing this is the opposite ;)) Hinayana believes in a lifeless heaven that Jesus Christ directly opposed in John 3:15-17.

Though Buddha meant well, that he wanted to help mankind, because of war, all he had to do was turn to God, and he would find peace. But he thought he was "enlightened", and so began a religion education.
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Mrs.Loz
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Pathetic lowlife
What's the point of believing in God when at the end of the day, you have to go read a bible for help? -_-




Buddha taught 4 main things: Life is all suffering; suffering is caused by man's desires; man's desires can be made less by following an eight-fold path; and this path can be summed up in right thoughts and right deeds.


^ I agree thoroughly with that. I'd probably sign up with the Hinayana side ;)
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Sir DQ
hmm...
AR, why do you insult the Mystic Elf, she loves you and just wants to help you, but you scorn her so :sad:
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Inuyatta
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Cloud/Aerith Realist
AerithR
Sep 26 2005, 03:21 PM

I'm studying Buddhism at school. ;) let's see...

Buddha taught 4 main things: Life is all suffering; suffering is caused by man's desires; man's desires can be made less by following an eight-fold path; and this path can be summed up in right thoughts and right deeds.

Buddhists believe in a type of Nirvana, a kind of Heaven. But this heaven, according to my school book, is in direct contrast with the Biblical Heaven.

However, over the centuries, Buddhism divided into two main branches, one branch, Mahayana, developed a concept of a heaven where you would be conscious, and Hinayana where they retained the early aspects of Buddha himself. (I'm guessing this is the opposite ;)) Hinayana believes in a lifeless heaven that Jesus Christ directly opposed in John 3:15-17.

Though Buddha meant well, that he wanted to help mankind, because of war, all he had to do was turn to God, and he would find peace. But he thought he was "enlightened", and so began a religion education.

Oi...

First off, Nirvana is not a heaven, persay--more like an escape from the sufferings of life. They're still debating on what exactly it is.

Secondly, just because you read it in a book doesn't mean it's correct. Nor does it give you the right to deem what book is correct and what isn't.

Third, Siddhartha--DID NOT START A RELIGION! Siddhartha founded an education, a philosophy and passed along his teachings to whoever wished to learn. He did not declare himself a deity, nor did he claim he was related to one. The only reason Buddhism is considered a religion now is because people, over time, began to misinterpret the dharma and started to think that Siddhartha was a deity since he attained enlightenment.

So please, I'm sure you meant no offense, but do not talk about things you don't fully comprehend and then deem it 'wrong', 'incorrect' or otherwise. That's like me perusing the bible and then saying it's wrong because it doesn't agree with the texts and teachings I was brought up studying. It is not wrong, merely different. To state otherwise is merely being ignorant. Frankly, there's enough of it in the world, let's not go critiquing each other and saying what we believe is wrong, just merely agree to disagree.

http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/dharmadata/fdd43.htm <--this will give you a far better idea of what Nirvana truly is. It shouldn't be too hard to load, and I don't think I got many pop-ups.

But yeah, I wanted AerithR to get a big, meaty version about the concept of Nirvana than what she's given in her text books, but if anyone else is interested, by all means, browse away. :aeris:

Edit 2: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/5minbud.htm <--This link is a five minute introduction to Buddhism, so yeah, if you're curious, this link has the gist of it.
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EnglishRose
Unregistered

Inuyatta, I wasn't trying to tell you about your own beliefs!! :huggle:

I was just telling you how I understood it, I'm sorry you took it the wrong way. :ok:

However, I don't really agree with some of the things on there, do you mind debating? I just want to say a few words. ^_^

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Buddhists sometimes pay respect to images of the Buddha, not in worship, nor to ask for favours. A statue of the Buddha with hands rested gently in its lap and a compassionate smile reminds us to strive to develop peace and love within ourselves. Bowing to the statue is an expression of gratitude for the teaching.


Exodus 20:4-5 "You shall have no other gods before Me... you shall not bow down to them or serve them...

I know you say that Buddha is not a god or religion, but bowing before an idol, or an carved image is idolatry. Bowing before someone who isn't God is idolatrous. -_-

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There are many different types of Buddhism, because the emphasis changes from country to country due to customs and culture. What does not vary is the essence of the teaching — the Dhamma or truth.


The Bible never changes. It is not different in countries, or in the way we should live or whatever. It commands us to worship God like that Bible tells us, and pray in the way the Bible says, etc. The penalty for changing God's Word is written here; Revelation 22:18-19 "For I testify to anyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add him to the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from this book of prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

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Buddhism explains a purpose to life, it explains apparent injustice and inequality around the world, and it provides a code of practice or way of life that leads to true happiness.


So does Christianity. ^_^

Even though Buddhism teaches wisdom and understanding, all you have to do is look in the Bible for answers. It's funny really, Christianity isn't a "religion" either, it is a Faith or a Belief. Faith is an important part, and is applied everywhere. Even in Evolution, DQ. ;) Nobody has witnessed Evolution, I think. Has someone actually seen an animal change?

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Buddhist philosophers have long debated about whether Nirvana is absolute cessation or an ineffable transcendental state.


So, how do you really know what Nirvana is like? Only the Bible has a real concept of what Christianity is, it's all in that Bible, it is the only sure thing, the only "religion" or Faith, that has all the answers. ^_^

DQ, I'm sorry I dissed your Mystic Elf. :peace:

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Sir DQ
hmm...
AR, if Bible is so perfect, why there be more than one?
And if you don't go learn about evolution and continue to spout junk, I will have to drop a giant brain filled with science on you, Seriously, go now!

And no, it's too late, you made the Mystic Elf cry, meanie :angry:
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