Everyday I believe more that "God" does not exist.

[ProjectX]

Everyday I believe more as if there is no God or the kind that I was taught to believe in does not exist. I was raised a Christian and taught to believe in Jesus and the Abrahamic God. During those years I was miserable. Living with my family was miserable.
Now I am 21, living by myself and in college and beliefs are totally different. I am more happier than ever, more conscious. Its just hard to see there is a God that rules like a "king" and cares about us when there is so much suffering in the world. Its hard for me to explain but this is how I feel. I feel happiness is more circumstantial, it doesn't matter what God you believe in.

Maybe there is something else out there. Not a "conscious" entity but the entire universe is God. I just think what is taught from the bible is very euro-centric and very antiquated.

[jsam]

ProjectX

I hear you! I grew up with the same feelings about religion and "God".

Maybe there is something else out there. Not a "conscious" entity but the entire universe is God. I just think what is taught from the bible is very euro-centric and very antiquated.

The more people think they know about divinity, the less chance they have of REALLY knowing. Keeping the mind open and seeking is the way to find what your heart really wants. You have a lot of living ahead of you; you will make many errors, and many will try to mislead you. Remember that the knowlege you seek is not the words, dogmas, and descriptions, but that to which they point- the Self that you really are.

I invite you to check out my new blog Journey to Self Discovery All comments and criticisms are welcome!

[Elrond]

I don't see any reason to believe in it either. It's flabbergasting that there aren't more contemporary philosophies and religions that doesn't involve some sort of godhead. That's by my perception, I might be wrong.

[Mato Kinze]

So, Project X... What makes you happy? What "circumstances" surround you when you are at your most content?

[pianoperformer]

There probably isn't. There's nothing in the universe where the idea of God would fill it in better than some natural explanation. If there is something out there, I think it is probably impersonal. That is, there's nothing that cares about how we live our lives or anything.

The problem is that the definition of God is rather vague, so if we disprove one explanation as extremely unlikely, one can just redefine it.

I don't see that it matters all that much if one exists, anyway.

[amixa]

Originally Posted by ProjectX

Everyday I believe more as if there is no God or the kind that I was taught to believe in does not exist. I was raised a Christian and taught to believe in Jesus and the Abrahamic God. During those years I was miserable. Living with my family was miserable.
Now I am 21, living by myself and in college and beliefs are totally different. I am more happier than ever, more conscious. Its just hard to see there is a God that rules like a "king" and cares about us when there is so much suffering in the world. Its hard for me to explain but this is how I feel. I feel happiness is more circumstantial, it doesn't matter what God you believe in.

Maybe there is something else out there. Not a "conscious" entity but the entire universe is God. I just think what is taught from the bible is very euro-centric and very antiquated.

hey project x.
the more i pondered about god as a man standing and watching over everything going on the more i realized that it isn't true.
alot of religion lost its true value to control the population because well.. there are lots of people out there that need someone to tell them what you should and shouldn't do. it was done as an attempt to at least stabilize society. at least one of the reasons.
god is not a man or a woman.. it has no real form but is everything in this universe at the same time. 'chi' or life energy is said to be of one feeling and that is of love. this philosophy has been with us throughout cultures expressed in different art forms..
my favourite reference to this is bjork's 'all is full of love' song.
in the end it is up to you what you believe in. religion never made me that happy once i learned more about it and it definitely hasn't helped my parents.. but there are positives and negatives to everything...
spirituality means a lot to me on the other hand. two different things. they didn't start out that way but had to once religion began to have alternative agendas.

[Mewwy]

God exists to help people.

God need not to exist to help people.

So choose your own path. I'm glad you did, ProjectX.

Yes, the more open minded is a person, the more conscious he and she may posses.

God doesn't have to be a physical entity. It's all about the power to believe, not about whether or not if god is absolutely real. This is how faith plays an important role in many people's life (no I'm not talking about myself.) The actual result of religious faith? No comment - but I can also say I have a hard time in Sunday school.

[Wax Frog]

It may be a strange thing to base a sense of comfort on, but I am comforted by this nonetheless - that whatever the ultimate truth proves to be, it is completely independent of any of our opinions and ideas about it.

[Dan.Linehan]

God is inside you.

He / she exists as much as you have faith in yourself. Look no further than a mirror.

[Anagogy]

Dan is right. Divinity exists within you.

To put any structure whatsoever on that divinity is to LIMIT the concept. The personal god the masses believe exists within the continuum of intelligent infinity. But as I said, there is no need to LIMIT divinity to that narrow concept. It is BEYOND that. And it may manifest however the receiver will allow it. Faith doesn't necessarily create realities (ALL realities exist already), but it does ALLOW them in.

Ponder the mysteries of Self and Reality. Life is SUPPOSED to be magical and awe inspiring. You were born with an innate sense of what is empowering to your spirit and also given power to discern that which is soul crushing. Pay attention to your emotions. Ponder the power and foundation of belief itself, and its ability to filter and color your perception of reality.

As Hindus would say, Atman is Brahman.

[Nasir]

I am a Christian, but I'm not a "church going Christian." I practice daily on my own, because I've found many churches have a distorted view of God. They mix truths with lies, which create half-truths. I believe this is why so many people have a problem with Christianity, because of convoluted teachings. This only leads to misguided understandings.

I personally believe God created the universe, and rests above this universe. I believe God is also the Universe, and within, because it / we are part of his / it's creation. I know that many believe the universe to be god, and there is nothing above it; however, I do not believe this. It seems that everything was created / modeled by God. Why would we be the only planet with life in our solar system? I believe it would only be logical to have neighboring planets with similar life, if the universe (without God) just creates life forms by itself.

I'm an open minded person, and have researched many other belief systems. I believe there are many half-truths in other belief systems, but there are also many truths. One could argue that I've become closed minded by becoming a Christian, and they'd be correct to an extent. Although, the same could be said about anyone's beliefs. I still listen to what other say, considering their viewpoints, but I still believe what I believe (unless something rings so true that is shifts my paradigm).

If you'd really like to know, how about a 30 day Christian living trial?

PS: This seems like a strange synchronicity. My father is watching Desperate Housewives, while I'm posting this. And the episode is talking about God, and going to Church.

[tinkerbell]

when I first realized that there truly was no God, (other than me) it actually really bothered me. I had a hard time with that and still do. I guess my Sunday school teachers did a good job on me. lol


However, even knowing that, I still "believe" in Him as it gives me comfort.

tinkerbell

[Remiel]

*shrug*
to each his own. Every day I live I'm taught new things beyond my capability to know. Hidden insights. I watch and see as all of life seems to be a giant concert with a master conductor. In my own personal life I see him working in my life. As far as I am concerned the God of the bible is real and the only one worth serving. Its in him that I find fulfillment and true satisfaction and joy. I also find growth and development.

Keep in mind though that I'm not an unconscious christian here. I actively question all my beliefs. So far I've come to 2 conclusions. 1. There is a higher power. This world just doesn't make sense without it. 2. That higher power is the God of the bible.

If I'm wrong? I sure haven't missed out on anything. If anything I believe that the God of the bible is the ultimate author of love which is what Steve Pavlina pursues. So I walk a very similar path as Steve (as far as I perceive it anyhow) and yet a slightly different one. Actually to be honest I believe that God is the source of all those truths that Steve has discovered and has put into his book.


You are going to have to determine what you believe though. No one else can do it for you if you truely are conscious.

Edit: Heh didn't read all the posts before posting this. Its nice to know I'm not the only one.


As far as christianity goes... I have to agree with Nasir. The church as you see it now is too full of half truths and its often difficult to find a church that is genuine. So if you do try christianity out go straight to the source. You do that by talking with him and reading the bible. Though I personally learn about him in all of life.

I personally would find it highly odd that an all powerful God would teach me and instruct me in a manner that my only choice is to believe he is the God of the bible if he was not actually the God of the bible.

[The David]

You're probably just outgrowing a model of God which is too narrow and illogical for your state of maturity. Unless these realizations are the result of depression or anger, too much of which can cause narrow and ilogical thinking, but you haven't said that this is the case.

A lot of people in your situation become hyper-rational, atheist types. Others become obnoxiously new-agey, or look for the security of religion in something else. College is a very good time to learn, explore, and sometimes look stupid in the process. I wouldn't recommend you rush into or out of anything.

[Tobes]

Good post and I wholeheartedly agree with the OP. The way I see it is that God is like the water tower and we are the firemen. The water tower does not put out fires - the firemen do. The water tower is pure unbiased potential. Biological life directs, manifests, and "biases" this potential.

What scares me about this realization is that we have most of the world sitting around waiting for some god to come save us (religions). Meanwhile, we destroy the planet and ourselves because we are not using our head and efforts to create our own desired reality (but rather relying on something outside of ourselves). We will probably precipitate our own extinction with our foolish beliefs.

[Remiel]

Originally Posted by The David

You're probably just outgrowing a model of God which is too narrow and illogical for your state of maturity. Unless these realizations are the result of depression or anger, too much of which can cause narrow and ilogical thinking, but you haven't said that this is the case.

A lot of people in your situation become hyper-rational, atheist types. Others become obnoxiously new-agey, or look for the security of religion in something else. College is a very good time to learn, explore, and sometimes look stupid in the process. I wouldn't recommend you rush into or out of anything.

Hmmm along those lines could it be that you've put God into a box? If you have then yeah I could easily see why you'd have a problem with him. For myself I've abandoned all tenants of a box that I'm aware of. I simply experience him as he reveals himself to me.

[Anagogy]

Originally Posted by Tobes

Good post and I wholeheartedly agree with the OP. The way I see it is that God is like the water tower and we are the firemen. The water tower does not put out fires - the firemen do. The water tower is pure unbiased potential. Biological life directs, manifests, and "biases" this potential.

I like the way you articulated that.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by Tobes

Good post and I wholeheartedly agree with the OP. The way I see it is that God is like the water tower and we are the firemen. The water tower does not put out fires - the firemen do. The water tower is pure unbiased potential. Biological life directs, manifests, and "biases" this potential.

What scares me about this realization is that we have most of the world sitting around waiting for some god to come save us (religions). Meanwhile, we destroy the planet and ourselves because we are not using our head and efforts to create our own desired reality (but rather relying on something outside of ourselves). We will probably precipitate our own extinction with our foolish beliefs.

All you say is also my present understanding of the reality we are experiencing. How hard was it for you to reach this perspective?
GULP! Extinction is sure a possibility. But what about the other possibility of harnessing/becoming this pure unbiased potential? Hm........ Pretty slim, I would say.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by Dan.Linehan

God is inside you.

He / she exists as much as you have faith in yourself. Look no further than a mirror.

In this case are you looking for god or for self in the mirror?

[Tobes]

How hard was it for you to reach this perspective?

Very hard! It took me over 2 decades to break free of the religious culture I was raised in and to take an honest "eyes open" look at my beliefs and cognitive dissonance in the light of reason. Because of our fears and insecurities, we have projected our ideal selves onto an "outside deity." Until we realize that we are the source of this projection, things will not change IMO.

[Nasir]

Originally Posted by Tobes

The way I see it is that God is like the water tower and we are the firemen. The water tower does not put out fires - the firemen do. The water tower is pure unbiased potential. Biological life directs, manifests, and "biases" this potential.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Tobes

What scares me about this realization is that we have most of the world sitting around waiting for some god to come save us (religions).

That would depend on your religion, and your understanding of said religion.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by Tobes

Very hard! It took me over 2 decades to break free of the religious culture I was raised in and to take an honest "eyes open" look at my beliefs and cognitive dissonance in the light of reason. Because of our fears and insecurities, we have projected our ideal selves onto an "outside deity." Until we realize that we are the source of this projection, things will not change IMO.

I suspected it would have been a long arduous journey. It is the road less travelled, I believe. Has this 'new belief' been of any benefit to you?

[jsam]

I don't see evidence that any discarnate gods (or godesses) are working to fix the global mess that we humans have made. On a personal level, yes, I do see evidence that "grace" is busy trying to wake us. I think the only way we can save our culture and prevent a catastrophic "extinction event" is for us to set aside our personal and collective egos (nationalism, religious righteousness, racial pride, etc.) and start behaving like gods and goddesses. We have sought the power of the gods; now we must assume their responsibility and atrtibutes of love, compassion, mercy, etc.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by jsam

I don't see evidence that any discarnate gods (or godesses) are working to fix the global mess that we humans have made. On a personal level, yes, I do see evidence that "grace" is busy trying to wake us. I think the only way we can save our culture and prevent a catastrophic "extinction event" is for us to set aside our personal and collective egos (nationalism, religious righteousness, racial pride, etc.) and start behaving like gods and goddesses. We have sought the power of the gods; now we must assume their responsibility and atrtibutes of love, compassion, mercy, etc.

I think the trying to behave as gods and judgement of those who are not godly is, in part, causing the global mess. I personally do not aspire to be godly. It's too tall an order for a human being and that is what I am, without doubt.
However, I do aspire to be without need of these godly qualities to be bestowed on me, ie I don't wish to be in need of compassion and particularly not mercy.
I believe the true/full consequences of 'playing god' are beginning to surface. For every action, there is a reaction. If you wish to be merciful then you are judging/assessing another from your perspective. Is this being godly? Personally, I would not claim "mercy" as a godly quality. I was offered mercy and I thought, "who do you think you are, god?" My point being, 'mercy' isn't always received as the bestower thinks it is. It can, and does, more harm than good under certain circumstances.
I believe the awakenings/awareness/enlightenment/transformation are all a natural phenomena in the form of humanities' evolution. We have history of and memory of bygone eras, this is just another one.

[Nasir]

Originally Posted by Maguru

I think the trying to behave as gods and judgement of those who are not godly is, in part, causing the global mess. I personally do not aspire to be godly. It's too tall an order for a human being and that is what I am, without doubt.

What is your definition of godly behavior?

[ProjectX]

Originally Posted by Wax Frog

It may be a strange thing to base a sense of comfort on, but I am comforted by this nonetheless - that whatever the ultimate truth proves to be, it is completely independent of any of our opinions and ideas about it.

That is how I feel. When I started thinking that God does not judge and does not care its as if a huge burden was lifted off my shoulder. I no longer felt sad or guilty. I felt a sense of freedom with a sense of responsibility for my own life and no one could judge me for it. I believe God does not judge, only forgive. God is completely impartial.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by Nasir

What is your definition of godly behavior?

This is the definition I was referring to posted by jsam.

We have sought the power of the gods; now we must assume their responsibility and atrtibutes of love, compassion, mercy, etc.

[jawillie]

Originally Posted by Wax Frog

It may be a strange thing to base a sense of comfort on, but I am comforted by this nonetheless - that whatever the ultimate truth proves to be, it is completely independent of any of our opinions and ideas about it.

I am glad I read your insight this morning because I feel the same. I just didn't know it till I read it.

A close friend of mine died on the operating table a few weeks ago. She said what she remembers is being free from pain and "someone" was there.... she wanted to stay but she was given a choice to go back and she said she was "persuaded" to go back. When she did the pain came back right away and she was MAD... Since she has healed, she is no longer "mad" but she said she is changed for life because she does not fear death. She knows "something" exists when we die.

So, I do not buy into a religious god, but I know something exists beyond this physical plane.

[Wax Frog]

Originally Posted by jawillie

I am glad I read your insight this morning because I feel the same. I just didn't know it till I read it.
.

It's good to know my comment was of use and comfort to you as well

[Barcs]

Project X, I had a very similar experience when I was your age. (ggeesh that makes me feel old lol even though it was only 6 years ago). I too was raised as a Catholic and I believed it whole heartedly until I turned 18 or so and started realizing that there were actually tons of religions out there and many are quite similar. From 18-21 I took a step back and stopped going to church so I could really sort out what I believed and what I didn't. The more and more I thought about it, the more silly the concept of an all powerful yet benevolent creator who demands worship sounded. I finally broke out of religion and I know my mom is not happy about it because she's the one who made sure we were religious growing up. All in all I feel more spiritually alive now than I ever did in the church. I have to agree with a lot of people in this thread that you need to find god within yourself and apply it to your life. It doesn't mean prayer or worship, more like a higher understanding of yourself. I'm technically agnostic but I believe in the spirit and oneness of the universe, which can be interpreted as god as well. I lean more toward "The great spirit" if anything.