Has the belief in God furthered the advance of humanity, or caused it great trouble?

This is obviously a rhetorical question, as everyone here knows I believe in God.

But I sometimes get this mental picture of some far-away planet, where the alien people are just good naturally, and would find it ludicrous to actually have a war based on the validity of one religious system over another- or rather, the hatred that comes from the differences in the beliefs of humanity...

What do you think?

alt text

Blessings, Jai

image courtesy of gstatic

asked 16 Aug '11, 09:25

Jaianniah's gravatar image

Jaianniah
37.8k13128610


When I read your question a passage from Power of Now came to mind

When you say Being, are you talking about God? If you are, then why don't you say it?

The word God has become empty of meaning through thousands of years of misuse. I use it sometimes, but I do so sparingly. By misuse, I mean that people who have never even glimpsed the realm of the sacred, the infinite vastness behind that word, use it with great conviction, as if they knew what they are talking about. Or they argue against it, as if they knew what it is that they are denying. This misuse gives rise to absurd beliefs, assertions, and egoic delusions, such as "My or our God is the only true God, and your God is false," or Nietzsche's famous statement "God is dead."

The word God has become a closed concept. The moment the word is uttered, a mental image is created, no longer, perhaps, of an old man with a white beard, but still a mental representation of someone or something outside you, and, yes, almost inevitably a male someone or something.

Neither God nor Being nor any other word can define or explain the ineffable reality behind the word, so the only important question is whether the word is a help or a hindrance in enabling you to experience That toward which it points. Does it point beyond itself to that transcendental reality, or does it lend itself too easily to becoming no more than an idea in your head that you believe in, a mental idol?

The word Being explains nothing, but nor does God. Being, however, has the advantage that it is an open concept. It does not reduce the infinite invisible to a finite entity. It is impossible to form a mental image of it. Nobody can claim exclusive possession of Being. It is your very essence, and it is immediately accessible to you as the feeling of your own presence, the realization I am that is prior to I am this or I am that. So it is only a small step from the word Being to the experience of Being.

I do not think God is the problem it is the religions man has made that are the problem.
peace

link

answered 16 Aug '11, 14:16

ursixx's gravatar image

ursixx
22.0k11445

Wonderful, wonderful quote, ursixx...Very appropos....+1 definitely from me!!! Thanks and blessings, >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

=

(16 Aug '11, 15:16) Jaianniah

I totally agree with you, ursixx. Man has to believe in something. Fro that springs all the mythologies of different peoples. If they don't believe in one thing, they will look or made up another, IMHO

(17 Aug '11, 14:32) BridgetJones09

Makes no diferance what you call it Being or God or The Universe or whatever without it humanity and all else ceases to exist. In other words No God = No Existance. Why? Because the spirit we call God is what animates us and is our true self. God is all there is, was and ever will be. God is Life. It's as simple as that.

The very religious wars and religious bickering keep mans focus and attention through religion on the word of God whichever it may be. The religion is not what is important but that man has access to his word of God that contains the secret of the ages that can set man free if man is ready to receive such knowledge.

Yes religion in a strange way has been instrumental in the evolution of man and probably will be for ages to come. If man had no belief in religion or God other differances would cause wars for man, as it is in the nature of man to dominate if he can. Even when there are no borders in the world and no religions man will somehow still find something to bicker and fight about.

John Lennons "Imagine" although a dream of many including myself is nothing more than a dream.

link

answered 18 Aug '11, 06:25

Paulina%201's gravatar image

Paulina 1
9.2k1923

Look at the way we humans behave with a God supervising us, what do you think would happen if we had no God to watch over us, guide us, and to protect us from ourselves?

link

answered 19 Aug '11, 06:33

Inactive%20User's gravatar image

Inactive User ♦♦
470132203

Click here to create a free account

If you are seeing this message then the Inward Quest system has noticed that your web browser is behaving in an unusual way and is now blocking your active participation in this site for security reasons. As a result, among other things, you may find that you are unable to answer any questions or leave any comments. Unusual browser behavior is often caused by add-ons (ad-blocking, privacy etc) that interfere with the operation of our website. If you have installed these kinds of add-ons, we suggest you disable them for this website




Related Questions