Religious people: what is your level of observance?

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 05-28-2011, 05:40 PM

I believe in something I can feel. I can feel God. Faith is a test of our love for God.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 05-29-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vanilla

I believe in something I can feel. I can feel God. Faith is a test of our love for God.

Schizophrenics can also tend to 'feel' that their dog is talking to them, and people who get severe brain damage can sometimes act violent even 'feel'-ing the need to randomly butcher their own family on a Sunday afternoon.

There is NOTHING more foolish than basing reality entirely on your own perception. The human brain is an extremely fragile chemical device.

TockTockTock · 05-30-2011, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Schizophrenics can also tend to 'feel' that their dog is talking to them, and people who get severe brain damage can sometimes act violent even 'feel'-ing the need to randomly butcher their own family on a Sunday afternoon.

There is NOTHING more foolish than basing reality entirely on your own perception. The human brain is an extremely fragile chemical device.

Yes, but the belief in a higher power is entirely normal -- while schizophrenia is not. The concept of God in mankind stems from the psychological need of knowing there is a "fatherly figure" watching over them. Why do you think different peoples across the world developed theistic religions (even though they were completely isolated from each other)? Now, does this mean there is or isn't a god? I cannot say for sure.

It all comes down to these questions... why does it matter if a person is theistic or not? What will you gain from it? What will they gain from it?

djchameleon · 05-30-2011, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Schizophrenics can also tend to 'feel' that their dog is talking to them, and people who get severe brain damage can sometimes act violent even 'feel'-ing the need to randomly butcher their own family on a Sunday afternoon.

There is NOTHING more foolish than basing reality entirely on your own perception. The human brain is an extremely fragile chemical device.

Schizophrenia deals with auditory and visual hallucinations. Now if she said that she felt like God was speaking to her directly and she can repeat word for word what he said to her. That's schizophrenic but not just a general belief in a higher power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

Yes, but the belief in a higher power is entirely normal -- while schizophrenia is not. The concept of God in mankind stems from the psychological need of knowing there is a "fatherly figure" watching over them. Now, does this mean there is or isn't a god? I cannot say for sure.

It all comes down to these questions... why does it matter if a person is theistic or not? What will you gain from it? What will they gain from it?

The reason why it matters if someone is theistic or not is because people tend to judge all theistic people in the same way. They lump them into a certain category based off of previous experiences and so they feel like they know exactly how they will react to certain situations ahead of time based on their level of commitment to a God.

Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra · 05-30-2011, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchameleon

Schizophrenia deals with auditory and visual hallucinations. Now if she said that she felt like God was speaking to her directly and she can repeat word for word what he said to her. That's schizophrenic but not just a general belief in a higher power.

It's not an accusation, simply an example of the fragility of the human mind. The fact of the matter is, a feeling just isn't enough considering the human brain's humbling imperfection, and the strength of those who can mislead.

WWWP · 05-30-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

The concept of God in mankind stems from the psychological need of knowing there is a "fatherly figure" watching over them.

I know this wasn't entirely your point but I wanted to point out that this statement is not true. In the original concept God was not defined as male or female and a lot of religions stressed the point that giving God a sex, a name or any other human characteristic is dangerous and lessons 'his' greatness. The patriarchal nonsense came much later than the founding ideas.

TockTockTock · 05-30-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolverinewolfweiselpigeon

I know this wasn't entirely your point but I wanted to point out that this statement is not true. In the original concept God was not defined as male or female and a lot of religions stressed the point that giving God a sex, a name or any other human characteristic is dangerous and lessons 'his' greatness. The patriarchal nonsense came much later than the founding ideas.

I was quoting Freud... I could have referred to it as a "motherly figure" instead, but it wouldn't change the meaning of my original statement at all (the quote would be incorrect as well). Also, it is true (or highly believed) that the concept of god was created enable to fulfill the desire of having a "fatherly figure (or motherly figure) to loom over them and protect them from harm. It was also created as a way for mankind to aid in quenching its curiosity of the creation of the universe. I don't think you were implying that it wasn't true, though... So, I'm not really sure what the point of your comment was because the gender of a deity is irrelevant in the context of my original statement...

WWWP · 05-30-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Pat

I was quoting Freud... I could have referred to it as a "motherly figure" instead, but it wouldn't change the meaning of my original statement at all (the quote would be incorrect as well). Also, it is true (or highly believed) that the concept of god was created enable to fulfill the desire of having a "fatherly figure (or motherly figure) to loom over them and protect them from harm. It was also created as a way for mankind to aid in quenching its curiosity of the creation of the universe. I don't think you were implying that it wasn't true, though... So, I'm not really sure what the point of your comment was because the gender of a deity is irrelevant in the context of my original statement...

I know it wasn't your point and I acknowledged that. I guess there wasn't a necessary point to my post, and I'm not disagreeing with you, I've just been doing a lot of reading on that topic and think it's interesting haha.

TockTockTock · 05-30-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wolverinewolfweiselpigeon

I know it wasn't your point and I acknowledged that. I guess there wasn't a necessary point to my post, and I'm not disagreeing with you, I've just been doing a lot of reading on that topic and think it's interesting haha.

Oh... okay. Yea, it is pretty interesting.

**Scarlett O'Hara** · 05-30-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ska Lagos Jew Sun Ra

Schizophrenics can also tend to 'feel' that their dog is talking to them, and people who get severe brain damage can sometimes act violent even 'feel'-ing the need to randomly butcher their own family on a Sunday afternoon.

There is NOTHING more foolish than basing reality entirely on your own perception. The human brain is an extremely fragile chemical device.

Considering I have not been diagnosed with Schizophrenia and have a normal mindset psychologically-wise, I'd say that my feelings from God and the Holy Spirit are not hallucinations. Considering the number of people who have real connections with God they can't all be out of their minds.

It's easy to argue back with poor statements of one being crazy when you have not had the connection with God I have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

I didn't seem logical that you would be religious for some reason.

I'm full of surprises. Boy do I need to be a better Christian though.

View Poll Results: Your level of observance?
Non-practicing/secular form of religion	20	43.48%
A little observant	3	6.52%
Middle-of-the-road observance	11	23.91%
Strict adherence to religious rules	4	8.70%
Don't know	8	17.39%
Voters: 46. You may not vote on this poll

05-28-2011, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scarlett O'Hara Make it so Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,181	I believe in something I can feel. I can feel God. Faith is a test of our love for God. __________________ "Elph is truly an enfant terrible of the forum, bless and curse him" - Marie, Queen of Thots