braces_for_impact

Hi Namaste!

Just a little side note. We've had many theists (mostly Christians mind you) come onto the forums, claiming to be conducting "research". Often, we find this is done in order to facilitate communication between themselves and the atheists, with conversion being the ultimate goal of the "researcher". As I'm sure you understand, this is very disingenuous, not to mention irritating. One of the usual hallmarks this is taking place is that the "researcher" wants the members of a secular board to answer questions about god assuming his existence priori. So if you feel you've received a somewhat cool reception, this may well be the reason.

Just a suggestion. Perhaps some transparency is in order? You could even use this thread. So, assuming you are legit, welcome to the forums. :wave:

Namaste

Well I won't answer to such an accusation. Since you didn't see the questionnaire, you are being judgemental. :notworthy

Namaste

Ok, thanks for letting me know about that.
So I think I explained myself pretty poorly then. My goal in doing the survey has nothing to do with converting anyone! I just want to have people's honest opinions about God in their lives, either they believe in him/her or not. It has nothing to do with religion. It will make me understand why some things are done.
Just to make things clearer, when I mention God, for me it means Soul. So you see, it has nothing to do with religion. God can be your own life, in the sense that the things you do, you do them to be happy. God can be that too. In my view, this word has a lot of meanings, and not only the one linked with Christianity!
Is it more transparent?

AV-98 Ingram

Considering that most people here are atheist/agnostic then God has no place in their life.

That's an odd notion of god. Please define "soul".

Seems to have everything to do with religion.

Wait I thought God was "soul". So now God is the things you do to be happy? From what it seems you just redefine God to be whatever you feel at the moment.

You have quite bizzare notions of "God".

lenrek

Bizarre? No. I heard this kind of description before.

I would say, when I first came to IIDB, I notice how narrowly defined for the word "god". IMO, find this bizarre.

Buffman

And a hearty "Hello" to you Namaste. Personally I think that you have come to exactly the right place to do some research on the religious faith belief worshippers of a supernatural/paranormal entity labeled "G-D." I suspect that you will quickly discover some wonderful, and perhaps even unique, views about your entity of interest. I know that I have.

However, I have to support braces_for_impact's thoughtful and insightful post. So far my impression of your posts is that of a religious apologist attempting a stealth approach to a majority group of non-believers. I will not attribute any malicious intent to your "research" effort beyond wondering why you would invite interested folks to contact you in private. I, for one, have nothing to say about this issue in private that I have not already said in public many, many, times before. Perhaps you should begin your research with a thorough review of the IIDB Archives and Library/Agora. That would seem to be the more professional route for a would-be author.

Regardless of your motivation, good luck on reaching your desired goal. When you can provide some verifiable evidence of a g-d/soul, please don't hesitate to post the information for review and comment. (May YOUR g-d go with you.):wave:

(Added)
http://www.pranajournal.com/2005/04/...f-namaste.html

Dean Anderson

Then why not simply post the questions here for people to answer, rather than insisting that people email you to get them?

Splarnst

I agree with Pervy. Post the questions here. I don't want to give out my e-mail address.

Namaste

Why is it bizarre? Because you are using the notion used by Christianity for 2000 years of a God that is above everyone else? No it is not bizarre! It's my view of God. If you find it bizarre, then you judge what I believe it, which has nothing to do with religion.
You are quite narrow-minded, if I may say so.

Namaste

Ok, no problem!

Here are the questions!

What is God for you?
I am doing some research on God, with the view to writing a book on the subject. I would like to know how people see God in their lives. If you are interested in taking part in this research, please copy and paste the questions. Send them to me with your answers at [email in profile] If you wish to remain anonymous, please let me know in your message.
I am also interested in exchanging ideas on this particular subject or on closely related topics with you, if you have some more spare time...
Thanks a lot for your time!

Survey

1) What is your faith?


2) What are its basic principles?


3) Do you believe in God?


4) What is God to you?


5) Why do you believe God exists or doesn’t exist?


6) What do the following words mean to you: spirit, soul, and ego?


7) According to you, do the aforementionned words relate to God?


8) What do you think has to be personally done in order to feel closer to God?


9) Do you think that God may disapprove of some things we do?


10) Why do you think it may be so?

11) Why do you think people believe in God?


12) Why do you think some people don’t believe in God?


13) What evidence do you see that proves God’s existence?


14) Does your conception of God include notions such as heaven and hell?


15) In this case, what is their link with God?


16) What is your view on death?


17) According to you, what happens after death?


18) What is your personal definition of life?


19) Is there something I forgot to ask you and that you would like to talk about? Feel free to discuss anything here.


Let's hope that you won't think I want to convert you!