WJ

HeyB!

Oops forgot to mention. I'm not being condescending here when I say this, but do you think that the insoluble resolution between the subjective and objective relates to your frustration and, my integration of dichotomies as a result of my faith?

Hint: Soren Keirkegaard's 'either/or' and maslow's book 'the psychology of Being' is a good sourse to support my assertions....

Walrus

[ July 18, 2002: Message edited by: WJ ]</p>

Radcliffe Emerson

Some people don't even practice the kindness and obeying part of thinking there will be a heavenly award. They think they can just do whatever they want, then go to church and say "sorry please forgive me" every week, then go back to doing whatever they want. That's the appeal of religion for some folks. Peace of mind for living what some would call decadent lifestyles.
When I express my belief (or lack thereof), I'm always told "You have to believe in something."

Why?

ManM

Kally,
I'm sorry you had to go through that.

WJ

Rad!

Good points. I share the same concern regarding the purpose/pereption of certain church go'ers at one time or another. Again, a psychological thing.

I think your other points can relate to psychologist/philosopher William James' 'will to believe' and religious feeling-sentient existence. Have you read any of his books?

Walrus

[ July 18, 2002: Message edited by: WJ ]</p>

A3

Hi Peteyh,

Couldn't resist. But can I answer to 'What my religion has done for me?' it is imposible to answer for all religions. It is hard enough as it is, not because it is immaterial but because it is so much. How long do I have The bottom line, for me, is that religion should guide and lead a person to heaven. But I want to stress for me because we don’t all just look different, we are different.

The religion I subscribe to has credible answers to the meaning of life from creation to eternity.
It tells me everything I ever wanted to know about God and was invited to ask.
It even explains to me why there are two genders with either a male or female mind.
That the resulting (holy) institution of marriage is based on the nature of God (not on the Bible). And that the most perfect “image and likeness” of Him is expressed in this unit of husband and wife.
It gives abundant detail about the three parts of the spiritual world including its 5 laws.
By doing that it shows where our thoughts and feelings come from. What happens during hypnosis. That reincarnation is based on the incorrect interpretation of phenomena like these.
What the real origin of good and of evil are and why wars are allowed and even necessary.
Why there is no physical proof of anything spiritual, which includes God and His Providence.
It even tells me what the purpose of creation is and where God is trying to get us to go to every moment of every day.
All this is based on a consistent explanation of the internal meaning of most of the Bible.
There is more but I hope this will at least explain a little why we consider Swedenborg’s writings the Third Testament.

Regards
Adriaan