God, How Does He Feel To You?

Post by **_The Dude** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:34 pm

Woah! Moderators, can you remove my duplicate posts? Sorry.

Post by **_Bond...James Bond** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:53 pm

The Dude wrote:Woah! Moderators, can you remove my duplicate posts? Sorry.

I guess...although I'm sure you were just trying to beef up your post count in order to reach Godhood. ;P

Post by **_Droopy** » Sun May 25, 2008 7:35 pm

I'm still in a transitional phase regarding theism. I am on my way to leaving the concept of a personal God behind me. For me it was never about feelings anyway. Natural theology is more appealing to me now. I believe I know God exists based on other evidences, scientific or not, but it is difficult to believe God participates in our daily lives.

Interesting, the nature of apostasy from the light, isn't it. The inexorable deterioration continues. Soon, KG will have joined his babe in arms, Metcalf, in maximum security secularism.

One does see that from him who has and rejects that which he has, is taken even that which he has.

The darkness gathers...

Post by **_the road to hana** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:25 pm

Droopy wrote:
I'm still in a transitional phase regarding theism. I am on my way to leaving the concept of a personal God behind me. For me it was never about feelings anyway. Natural theology is more appealing to me now. I believe I know God exists based on other evidences, scientific or not, but it is difficult to believe God participates in our daily lives.

Interesting, the nature of apostasy from the light, isn't it. The inexorable deterioration continues. Soon, KG will have joined his babe in arms, Metcalf, in maximum security secularism.

One does see that from him who has and rejects that which he has, is taken even that which he has.

The darkness gathers...

I was sharing a meal with an LDS friend the other day who is a convert of 20+ years from another (Christian) religion. This person bemoaned the fact that their parents and family were unhappy they'd left their former faith and converted to Mormonism, and generally resistant to any overtures from that direction now.

When I pointed out that to their family they are "the apostate," there was clearly a moment of surprise, and then realization, on their part. I think putting the shoe on the other foot helped them see something they hadn't before.

Droopy, for every darned Mormon you groan about going into the darkness, there's someone coming into Mormonism whose family and friends are describing the same way--apostate, black sheep, leaving the fold, leaving what they knew to be truth and light behind.

I've watched Kevin/dart post on these boards for years, and I applaud the fact that he's making a journey that he's being at least honest with himself and his fellow posters regarding. It would be easier to pretend. Caricaturing it as plunging into darkness is silly. Demonizing the "apostate" is something people of all religions do, but for every convert out there, there's a B-side that screams "apostate."

Post by **_Droopy** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:29 pm

Droopy, for every darned Mormon you groan about going into the darkness, there's someone coming into Mormonism whose family and friends are describing the same way--apostate, black sheep, leaving the fold, leaving what they knew to be truth and light behind.

Yes I know. And?

Caricaturing it as plunging into darkness is silly.

But, what if that's precisely what it is?

Post by **_Some Schmo** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:49 pm

God feels like every other fantasy ever created: an interesting story, but not something to get too excited about... well, any more than, say, Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.

I just rewatched The Mothman Prophecies last night, and it's a very fun movie. It startles you in parts, and it's an interesting story. However, they'd have you believe it's based on a true story, and well, obviously, that's just not the case given its supernatural theme. I can enjoy the concept of the movie without buying into any of its truth claims. Although thinking it really happened might make it a more powerful experience to watch, that power doesn't give the story any added credibility. In a way, those claims actually diminish the movie's quality.

Post by **_beastie** » Sun May 25, 2008 8:58 pm

I guess...although I'm sure you were just trying to beef up your post count in order to reach Godhood. ;P

Must be all that caffeine.

Post by **_the road to hana** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:07 pm

Droopy wrote:
Droopy, for every darned Mormon you groan about going into the darkness, there's someone coming into Mormonism whose family and friends are describing the same way--apostate, black sheep, leaving the fold, leaving what they knew to be truth and light behind.

Yes I know. And?

Caricaturing it as plunging into darkness is silly.

But, what if that's precisely what it is?

Like you leaving your former religion for Mormonism?

Post by **_Droopy** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:10 pm

Like you leaving your former religion for Mormonism?

Huh?

Post by **_the road to hana** » Sun May 25, 2008 9:11 pm

Droopy wrote:
Like you leaving your former religion for Mormonism?

Huh?

Did you abandon the faith of your fathers for Mormonism?