Huge Dilemma between LOA, God, and the Devil - HELP!

[superfoodist]

Hello all, So I'm going to try and keep this as short as possible, but I'm looking for advice because this has been bothering me A LOT lately.

So I have a family member who follows "TRUE" Christianity. His church follows the King James bible word for word, without adding or deleting what they like. There's only a small handful of churches that follow the bible word for word, and if the bible does happen to be true, then his church would happen to be one of the "real" churches, if you will.

After many conversations with him since freshman year of high school, I became very philosophical about all things involving life, thoughts of a god/devil, the universe, death, etc.

During my Junior year of high school, I ended up smoking what I thought to be marijuana (I smoked a lot back then), but after smoking, I learned it wasn't marijuana at all... I learned later that it was "Spice", a synthetic form of pot, that you can overdose on if you smoke too much.. We smoked A LOT.

That night, a few minutes after my last hit, a major panic attack started setting in.. To sum it all up, I went into major psychosis for my first time ever, feeling as if God was going to kill me If I didn't follow his ways, and that the devil was a big part of the whole thing (to the point that I sat down to watch TV to try and chill out, and on a TV show [after I was already thinking about the Devil], there was a character that was the devil, and I felt that everything he was saying to the actor, was actually directed towards me)

So this eventful night gave me panic disorder for a few months.. I eventually tried smoking again, and had a very similar experience (now I can smoke a little bit and be fine, since that was 2 years ago or so)

____________

ANYWAYS - About 3 weeks ago, I had an epiphany about the universe, and universal consciousness, and the Law of Attraction being the truth. I had an extremely positive 2 days or so..

Then the thought hit me... What if the Law of Attraction and my thoughts on a universal consciousness was just the devil trying to make me believe in something else other then the Bible? If his main goal is to deceive people away from God, what better way?

Let me make it clear also, that I don't WANT to follow the bible. I don't want the bible to be true. But whenever I try to dismiss the bible as false, I always end up thinking of prophecies that have come true.

But then ANOTHER dilemma comes up.... What if the bible prophecies that have come true, and are going to come true - are all just manifested due to the Law of Attraction of the people believe the bible?

I want to believe in the Law of Attraction, and a universal consciousness, and that the Universe is the supreme being.. But due to that experience I had when smoking spice, along with the bible prophecies (and the world looking like its on the brink of revelations), its hard to believe what I'd like to.


Does anyone have any advice? I'm truly in need of help. I want to break out of this negative feeling. I want to help change the world and make it a better place, but if the bible is true, and revelations is true, and everything is pre-destined, then I CAN'T make the world a better place, because revelations would be destiny..

As you can see, I'm really confused and stuck at this point in my life.. Any advice at all, people?


Thanks

[pianoperformer]

How do you feel when you believe in the Bible literally?

How do you feel when you believe in the law of attraction, etc?

Not only what you want, but truly what you feel in your heart. does one make you feel better, freer, more in control over your life?

The truth is good, and therefore it will be the best for you, and your heart will know it.

[quiethumir]

The Bible can't be true literally. There's too many errors and contradictions in it. God couldn't have authored it. It promoted slavery, human sacrifice, mass genocide, stoning your children if they cursed you, etc. You just have to do your research. This is how I came out of Christianity. Now I have no fear of hell, and I don't have any doubts that Christianity might be true. It took a while though. If you do go to church, like Steve said, then stop going to church. Stop being influenced by your christian friends. I'm not saying stop hanging out with them, but when they're trying to convert you, just ignore them. Also stop trying to debate with them. You could do this if you want to.

[superfoodist]

@Pianoperformer, I'm not sure.. I'd much rather believe in the Law of Attraction and a universal mindset, as opposed to a religion where gold roads and pearl gates are the promise of the afterlife, with a God to be your eternal ruler. But this is where my dilemma comes into play, see, what if it's just the Devil that is making me prefer LOA and a universal mindset more, to turn away from Christianity? gaahhh..

@Quiethumir, I've thought about that.. The fact that God wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son, or that God and the Devil basically made a game out of Job's life to test his faith.. Those things don't seem right to me, but whether they seem right or not, what IF that's just how "God" operates.. It doesn't mean he's real or fake, it just means that's how he works, you know?

I hate religion, mainly because it stresses me out and makes it hard to freely believe what I'd like to.

[mallie]

@Pianoperformer, I'm not sure.. I'd much rather believe in the Law of Attraction and a universal mindset, as opposed to a religion where gold roads and pearl gates are the promise of the afterlife, with a God to be your eternal ruler. But this is where my dilemma comes into play, see, what if it's just the Devil that is making me prefer LOA and a universal mindset more, to turn away from Christianity? gaahhh..

@Quiethumir, I've thought about that.. The fact that God wanted Abraham to sacrifice his son, or that God and the Devil basically made a game out of Job's life to test his faith.. Those things don't seem right to me, but whether they seem right or not, what IF that's just how "God" operates.. It doesn't mean he's real or fake, it just means that's how he works, you know?


I hate religion, mainly because it stresses me out and makes it hard to freely believe what I'd like to.

Hi superfoodist,

This is why I HATE organized religion and the bible. I totally believe in God and talk to God many times thruout the day. I have NEVER found religion or the bible to be true or even comforting.

If you look at most organized religions - even woman are put in a subserviant position to men. God is NOT a male chauvenistic pig and yet most religions and even the bible make it look like he/she is such and that is ridiculous!

A series that really helped open my eyes and change my thoughts about God is called Conversations with God by neale donald walsch - I would highly recommend getting it and reading it. Here is the link to the thread I started yesterday, that not only has a link in it to the book series, but I also talk about what God says about manifesting ones desires - there are 3 books in the series Are you leaving out this important part in the manifestation process?

[Reefs]

Everything you call reality is actually only an interpretation.

And the way you told your story is a good example for Law of Attraction at work. Everything you focus upon grows, expands and evolves.

You had a lot of input about the Devil and God for quite some time. In the beginning it was just toying around with ideas. But you were thinking much about it until it became a little obsessive. So you let LOA take it to the next level, it turned it very real fear and panic. And since you didn't change your focus it got even bigger. You see TV shows about the Devil. LOA will turn any molehill into a mountain over time. If you keep going into that direction, more obvious manifestations will show up until one day the Devil might stand right next to your bed (also works with aliens, hehe). So choose your molehills wisely!

What is happening around you is only a reflection of your mood, of the thoughts you are thinking. And LOA is amplifying that. So if you have a siege mentality the things that manifest around you will show you that. LOA will let you rendezvous with things and events that will further amplify your fear, because fearful things is what you are focused upon, so LOA can only bring you more of that. So next time you see the Devil on TV he might not just talk about you but point his finger at you.

And drugs are neither good nor bad. They can help you to relax and then you interpret things differently which translate into different experiences. It might be similar to the dream state where you forget a lot of your assumptions about how reality should work, so things play out rather freely when dreaming. You can fly, you can visit other planets etc. In the same sense the drug you took might have worked as an amplifier. You were already fearful. But in your normal everyday reality it was under control because your normal environment is rather stable. But when you take a drug and it causes you to forget that stable background, the thoughts that are always running through your mind can now run freely, the fear turns easily into panic. If would have been happy most of the time you could have experienced an ecstasy, the other end of the spectrum.


And here is another way of looking at it. If God and the Devil are that real, then they should be able to accompany you anytime anywhere. And is that true? Are they also there when you are in dreamless deep sleep? What is there when you are in dreamless deep sleep?

In dreamless deep sleep the whole world is gone in an instant. You don't even know about yourself, let alone God or Devil. But when you wake up, your identity comes back and with it your belief system and with that God and Devil. That means God and Devil are only there when you are there. If you are not there, there is no God and no Devil. Which means God and Devil are objects only, they depend on you, not you on them. They are appearances only. And taking appearances for real, meaning seeing them as if they would exist in their own right, is maya, suffering.

[superfoodist]

@Mallie and Reefs, brilliant! Thanks a lot guys! That comment on men favoritism, mallie, and the truth about dreams, Reefs, helped A LOT. That's exactly what I needed to hear. You guys are lifesavers!

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by superfoodist

During my Junior year of high school, I ended up smoking what I thought to be marijuana (I smoked a lot back then), but after smoking, I learned it wasn't marijuana at all... I learned later that it was "Spice", a synthetic form of pot, that you can overdose on if you smoke too much.. We smoked A LOT.

That night, a few minutes after my last hit, a major panic attack started setting in.. To sum it all up, I went into major psychosis for my first time ever, feeling as if God was going to kill me If I didn't follow his ways, and that the devil was a big part of the whole thing (to the point that I sat down to watch TV to try and chill out, and on a TV show [after I was already thinking about the Devil], there was a character that was the devil, and I felt that everything he was saying to the actor, was actually directed towards me)

So this eventful night gave me panic disorder for a few months.. I eventually tried smoking again, and had a very similar experience (now I can smoke a little bit and be fine, since that was 2 years ago or so)

I had a similar experience a couple years ago experimenting with not spice, but actual marijuana. Smoked a lot. Didn't think anything was happening. And then BAM! I felt like I was paralyzed and dying. Major panic attack. I felt like my mind and sanity were caving in on themselves. If I could have moved, I would have dialed 911. I experienced something that might be described as an ego death. One of the most horrible experiences I ever had.

A couple hours later, the experience ended. Anyhow, just a brief personal story, to let you know I understand where you are coming from.

Originally Posted by superfoodist

ANYWAYS - About 3 weeks ago, I had an epiphany about the universe, and universal consciousness, and the Law of Attraction being the truth. I had an extremely positive 2 days or so..

Then the thought hit me... What if the Law of Attraction and my thoughts on a universal consciousness was just the devil trying to make me believe in something else other then the Bible? If his main goal is to deceive people away from God, what better way?

Let me make it clear also, that I don't WANT to follow the bible. I don't want the bible to be true. But whenever I try to dismiss the bible as false, I always end up thinking of prophecies that have come true.

But then ANOTHER dilemma comes up.... What if the bible prophecies that have come true, and are going to come true - are all just manifested due to the Law of Attraction of the people believe the bible?

I want to believe in the Law of Attraction, and a universal consciousness, and that the Universe is the supreme being.. But due to that experience I had when smoking spice, along with the bible prophecies (and the world looking like its on the brink of revelations), its hard to believe what I'd like to.


Does anyone have any advice? I'm truly in need of help. I want to break out of this negative feeling. I want to help change the world and make it a better place, but if the bible is true, and revelations is true, and everything is pre-destined, then I CAN'T make the world a better place, because revelations would be destiny..

As you can see, I'm really confused and stuck at this point in my life.. Any advice at all, people?


Thanks

Superfoodist, the only advice I can give you is to ask yourself: would a truly loving God damn you for following what you legitimately believe is truth?

The answer is no, of course.

For what it is worth, as a formerly devout Christian and someone who has been down the road you are on now, that all the negative propaganda you have been fed by organized religion is simply a control mechanism for the masses. The best way to control a society is to demonize the truth that would so empower you. The best way to get someone to believe a lie is to mix a little bit of truth in with the lie, so that you don't immediately reject it -- which is what organized religion does, providing half truths to the masses who are too scared of going to hell to question it (by design). The only way to control anyone is through ignorance.

Keep seeking information about the metaphysical concepts you are interested in. There *IS* a universal consciousness, there *IS* a law of attraction, and you *ARE* an inextricable and essential piece of the universe. You are one with all that is. The truth is what the lie asks for. The more light you take into your being, the less darkness and half truths can reside inside you. Darkness cannot abide in the presence of light. Falsity cannot abide in the presence of truth.

In time, you will literally smile and chuckle at the thought that you ever believed that an all powerful and loving being would ever have the need to use fear as a weapon. God, or All That Is, is not just loving, it is love itself. And when we remove the darkness of illusion from our beings that obfuscates our true nature, we come to understand that who we really are is ALSO love itself.

In time, you will find peace.

[BrianSmith]

Certain esoteric Christian movements take a more figurative approach to the interpretation of the bible. They do not interpret the bible literally in much the same way that scholars interpret other religious texts.

As an example, on the surface, the Bhagavad Gita appears to be a story about a prince named Arjuna examining the battlefield in the moments before a major battle when he loses his faith as a warrior for one of the warring factions. Krishna, a human incarnation of God, teaches him about the lessons of doing one's duty. Many religious scholars view the story as an allegory about man's internal struggle - where the soul is the battlefield and Arjuna represents man's struggle between good and evil.

Esoteric Christianity teaches that there is another, allegorical, interpretation to the bible. What I have found is that it is a "new age" interpretation of the bible (but not really "new age" at all because it has been around for centuries). Using this interpretation of the bible, you may find that it is just another path to know God and find enlightenment. In that way, it is very similar to what Ramakrishna found in his practice of many religions - they are all paths to enlightenment. Coincidentally, and interestingly, there are many ways to practice the law of attraction. You must find the path that works for you and stick to it.

If the law of attraction were a universal and immutable law, where would such a law come from and who would impose such a law on the world - God or the Devil?

Do you really think that the world is on the brink of Revelation? You begin your discourse by saying that you are coming from a literal interpretation of the bible, and then make a statement about being on the brink of Revelation. Revelation was a vision revealed to John and in dream to Daniel. Interpretations of imagery purportedly revealed to two people. And further interpreted by man throughout time. Are there seven seals? Where are they? The apocalypse will be carried out by horsemen? On horse? And there will be seven trumpets? And seven bowls?

The Revelation story is similar to the Kali Yug of the Hindus and the Islamic Qiyamah. People from every era of human history have thought that we were on the brink of destruction. And yet it has not come to pass. What makes you think now as opposed to another time such as, say, the eve of World War I or World War II or When Truman ordered the dropping of the H-bomb on Nagasaki and Hiroshima?

As far as the law of attraction being a tool of the devil...did you know where the concept of an afterlife and underworld and "god of the darkness" (satan) comes from? Not from Christianity or Judaism. Nope. It comes from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Look into its history. It's liberating.

I hope that this helps.

[Northern Cross]

Wow. I'm always surprised by the negative experiences some people here have had with Christianity. It sucks that so many people have had to interact with this toxic brand of religion. As for hell, I thought we'd got rid of that silly man-made concept a long time ago? The God that I know is all-loving and infinitely giving. I imagine him as being happy, smiling and laughing.

If you're being exposed to a negative interpretation of Jesus, then you should really be leaving that behind and going into a loving community that can help with any questions you have and just be there for you and accept you as you are. Loving God shouldn't have to be a struggle, it should be the easiest thing to do in the world!

I hope that you're able to work through these issues and develop positive relationships with a supportive community around you.

[Northern Cross]

Originally Posted by Anagogy

Superfoodist, the only advice I can give you is to ask yourself: would a truly loving God damn you for following what you legitimately believe is truth?

The answer is no, of course.

For what it is worth, as a formerly devout Christian and someone who has been down the road you are on now, that all the negative propaganda you have been fed by organized religion is simply a control mechanism for the masses. The best way to control a society is to demonize the truth that would so empower you. The best way to get someone to believe a lie is to mix a little bit of truth in with the lie, so that you don't immediately reject it -- which is what organized religion does, providing half truths to the masses who are too scared of going to hell to question it (by design). The only way to control anyone is through ignorance.

Keep seeking information about the metaphysical concepts you are interested in. There *IS* a universal consciousness, there *IS* a law of attraction, and you *ARE* an inextricable and essential piece of the universe. You are one with all that is. The truth is what the lie asks for. The more light you take into your being, the less darkness and half truths can reside inside you. Darkness cannot abide in the presence of light. Falsity cannot abide in the presence of truth.

In time, you will literally smile and chuckle at the thought that you ever believed that an all powerful and loving being would ever have the need to use fear as a weapon. God, or All That Is, is not just loving, it is love itself. And when we remove the darkness of illusion from our beings that obfuscates our true nature, we come to understand that who we really are is ALSO love itself.

In time, you will find peace.

Awesome. I love this!

[lycan]

Originally Posted by superfoodist

Then the thought hit me... What if the Law of Attraction and my thoughts on a universal consciousness was just the devil trying to make me believe in something else other then the Bible? If his main goal is to deceive people away from God, what better way?

What if the Bible is the Devil's way of deceiving you away from the true God? Such thinking leads nowhere. Does the Bible say LoA is false?

[Rajagopalan]

Hi superfoodist,

This is the first post of mine in this Forum. See We have to understand the God in the correct way. We know that Law of attraction works.Law of attraction always works best but what we attract depends upon deeper contradiction ,belief and everything. Each and every individual extends to INFINITE. While individual extends to infinite, individuality includes Lots of self of his Own, this self has separate awareness apart from yours, We can comprehend these selves as our Deeper selves(respective higher) ,we can trust the impulse which is coming from our higher selves since it can do the larger overview than we do. We can experience our Life to the fullest by following higher selves. Now What we people are thinking is, Universe create and directs, then why should we bother about BIBLE.

Here we are making a big mistake, are you able to say, Bible is simply a story...? Can't you realize how originally the authors are felt and written...? Or Are these authors are not realized God well...? The answer is absolutely "NO". What they have written is absolutely true. If so, Are Father and Jesus God as described in Bible..? The Answer is Yes. If so, What I told in the first paragraph about Higher self is wrong..? The Answer is "NO". This seems to be contradiction. Is it not...? Because This seems to be If Bible is true then this universal knowledge should be false, If this universal knowledge is true then Bible should be false.Is it not...?

But truth is, ASPECT of God makes you clear. See there are two aspect of God, One is Universal which is fit into each and every one which guides to experience the better world, so by listening the impulse from our deeper selves we can co-create with universe. Even Law of attraction need not to be used without inspiration of our deeper self. But there is another aspect of God we should know,That is more important than Universal Mind. Personal aspect of God,Father and Jesus Christ(Highest self of universal mind named as Yahweh), they are the Original expression of God the universal Mind. Father was one who loves Jesus is the beloved.Love is expressed to the fullest Level between these two God personalities.

So by following Universal Spirit, we can create better world, we can co-create with entire cosmos. This happens when we have desire of All That Is. But keep in your mind No one can enter into heaven without Jesus. In fact Devil(Lucifer God's highest Angel) is trying to separate this truth, He is giving universal knowledge alone to the people but he never let the people know about personal part that you should realize. The Devil is trying to gather the collective consciousness power against Yahweh through pulling the people by removing the knowledge regarding to the Personal aspect of God(Yahweh). Nothing wrong to use Universal power because we are here to express our nature. In a more comprehensive sense This Deeper Self has to express itself through ourselves as unique expression. Even though we are the part of the experience of Universe we are only Low speed experience of God so we are not the Most High. We are viewing the world with Low speed(Conscious mind) where this entire world comes and go. Higher speed and infinite speed experience part of God is not us(human). Actually all are infinite speed there is no sub division, form of alteration creates various speed, One of the speed is Low speed which we realizing ourselves as human.