The idea of a Restoration of Christ’s New Testament “church” was unoriginal

[MG 2.0]

I still admire Jesus and I think there is much to be learned from his teachings.

What are your thoughts in regard to whether or not you will exist after death?

If you believe that there isn't anything after you die isn't that more or less being nihilistic?

If you believe in life after death, what do you think the 'mechanism' is that gets us from here to there?

Regards,
MG

[huckelberry]

I still admire Jesus and I think there is much to be learned from his teachings.

What are your thoughts in regard to whether or not you will exist after death?

If you believe that there isn't anything after you die isn't that more or less being nihilistic?

If you believe in life after death, what do you think the 'mechanism' is that gets us from here to there?

Regards,
MG

MG, I do not know why you would think that lacking a belief in life after death is nihilistic.

[I Have Questions]

What are your thoughts in regard to whether or not you will exist after death?

That question points to the root of all the issues you encounter on this board. There are no rational, reasonable, objective evidentiary reasons to reach the conclusion that there is life after death. There are plenty of good, emotive, non evidentiary reasons for choosing to believe in life after death. If only you would stop conflating the two then a proper conversation could be had.

[Gadianton]

I still admire Jesus and I think there is much to be learned from his teachings.

What are your thoughts in regard to whether or not you will exist after death?

If you believe that there isn't anything after you die isn't that more or less being nihilistic?

If you believe in life after death, what do you think the 'mechanism' is that gets us from here to there?

I'm scratching my head at why you would ask these questions that are totally unrelated to PseudoPaul's statement that he finds value in Jesus' teachings.

[MG 2.0]

I still admire Jesus and I think there is much to be learned from his teachings.

What are your thoughts in regard to whether or not you will exist after death?

If you believe that there isn't anything after you die isn't that more or less being nihilistic?

If you believe in life after death, what do you think the 'mechanism' is that gets us from here to there?

I'm scratching my head at why you would ask these questions that are totally unrelated to PseudoPaul's statement that he finds value in Jesus' teachings.

John 11:25-26: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'"

Seems to be related.

Regards,
MG

[Res Ipsa]

I'm scratching my head at why you would ask these questions that are totally unrelated to PseudoPaul's statement that he finds value in Jesus' teachings.

John 11:25-26: "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?'"

Seems to be related.

Regards,
MG

Do you not understand the difference between finding value in and literally believing every verse?

Like Pseudopaul, I see value in many of the teachings in the synoptic gospels. But I also do not believe in a divine Jesus. I see no contradiction there.

[MG 2.0]

Seems to be related.

Regards,
MG

Do you not understand the difference between finding value in and literally believing every verse?

Like Pseudopaul, I see value in many of the teachings in the synoptic gospels. But I also do not believe in a divine Jesus. I see no contradiction there.

Cafeteria Jesus?

Regards,
MG

[Res Ipsa]

What are your thoughts in regard to whether or not you will exist after death?

If you believe that there isn't anything after you die isn't that more or less being nihilistic?

If you believe in life after death, what do you think the 'mechanism' is that gets us from here to there?

Regards,
MG

MG, I do not know why you would think that lacking a belief in life after death is nihilistic.

For all of the accusations of black and white thinking that MG makes, this issue is a huge blind spot of his. As I see it, everybody chooses how to give their life meaning — by borrowing from the ideas of people who came before us. MG relies heavily on Mormonism. I borrow from a wider range of wise people who preceded me, But we both choose. M

MG’s choice creates a huge blind spot. He simply cannot see that he is doing what I do: finding (or creating) meaning in life. He is so hung up on his belief that life is a means and not an end that he can’t conceive as life as an end. It’s, in my opinion, a self-imposed divide that prevents him from understanding non believers and how they bring meaning to their own lives.

Someone more articulate than me put it like this: when faced with the abyss, Nitche says that we should dance. The dance is where we give life meaning. MG can’t see us dancing because he sees only two alternatives: belief in life after death or hopeless nihilism.

[Res Ipsa]

Do you not understand the difference between finding value in and literally believing every verse?

Like Pseudopaul, I see value in many of the teachings in the synoptic gospels. But I also do not believe in a divine Jesus. I see no contradiction there.

Cafeteria Jesus?

Regards,
MG

Two things: everyone — even you — does cafeteria Jesus. Second, of course: cafeteria Jesus, cafeteria Buddha, cafeteria Plato, cafeteria Locke, cafeteria Ghandi — cafeteria everyone. Food ideas about creating meaning in your life are everywhere. I pick the ones that work for me. Just like you do.

[MG 2.0]

He is so hung up on his belief that life is a means and not an end that he can’t conceive as life as an end.

I wouldn't put it quite that way. I see life as a beautiful gift. One in which I relish. Family, friends, food, learning, love, reading, nature, running, cycling, hiking, traveling, and many other pleasures/joys of living in the world. I suppose where we may separate/diverge is in our outlook towards eternity and/or life after death.

You see life ending and that's it. I see life ending and then continuing on into whatever awaits in the afterlife for all the souls that lived on the earth.

So, I think we are pretty much aligned in a lot of things except for the fact that when you take your last breath...that's it...or at least you think so.

Earlier in a thread (this one?) I was challenged in my use of the word "nihilist". I suppose I ought to correct that and say, "materialist". I wouldn't think, from what I've heard you say and my interaction with you, that you are a nihilist. I would think that many if not most people here aren't. It would be more accurate to say materialist.

Does that fit in your case?

If so, that would dictate your "cafeteria Jesus" outlook, right? I mean the part about Jesus resurrecting from the dead, Son of God, etc.

Regards,
MG