Building the list
In the last post, we asked the questions of how far should God go to restrict our pain and suffering. If we were to build a list, what would it look like and when would it end?
Continuing on page 67, “The big problem for the person who makes that list really isn’t where you start, but where you stop. In a world where pain is constrained, what pain is allowable? Any ? None? This really starts to get tricky. The cancer can be removed, but what kind of life will be left afterward?”
He then goes on to discuss some of the purposes of pain with an example from his life, similar to the ones I alluded to above about pain being good in some circumstances for the short term and more often long term well being of our body and its constituent parts.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 3b-2)
From Normal to Abnormal
Let’s take an excerpt from the book.
“Something – we’re not sure what – takes the very natural process of cell replication and causes it to go haywire. Cells start reproducing too quickly or begin producing the wrong things; in some cases, they simply don’t die when they are supposed to. This is all because of something deep within the human body breaking down, a normal process becoming abnormal…
… We probably all have stories of someone hearing the ‘There is simply nothing else we can do’ speech. In our society, which so highly elevates personal choice and flexibility, this can be an especially stinging conclusion. We are immersed in a culture that allows us to do everything from ordering our burgers our way to setting up our own payment plans, to choosing the background for our Twitter home pages. So, beyond the clear implications of hearing that phrase pertaining to a battle with cancer, we are generally unaccustomed to hearing that our choices are severely limited.
And it is almost true.
Let’s take an excerpt from the book.
“Something – we’re not sure what – takes the very natural process of cell replication and causes it to go haywire. Cells start reproducing too quickly or begin producing the wrong things; in some cases, they simply don’t die when they are supposed to. This is all because of something deep within the human body breaking down, a normal process becoming abnormal…
… We probably all have stories of someone hearing the ‘There is simply nothing else we can do’ speech. In our society, which so highly elevates personal choice and flexibility, this can be an especially stinging conclusion. We are immersed in a culture that allows us to do everything from ordering our burgers our way to setting up our own payment plans, to choosing the background for our Twitter home pages. So, beyond the clear implications of hearing that phrase pertaining to a battle with cancer, we are generally unaccustomed to hearing that our choices are severely limited.
And it is almost true.
Should We Fire God? (Part 3b-1)
Perspective Three: Holy Scriptures and religion
There are the big three monotheistic Abrahamic religions that dominate the world today, along with others such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc. I’ll just be discussing the Christian scriptures and influenced perspective(s) since that is what I am familiar with, grew up with, and adhere to.
Did you catch that? I just gave away my world view and my presuppositions about my thinking. So I’m not so open-minded, now am I? I am just building up a straw man and blowing him over to push my ‘religion’, right? I’ll let you be the verdict on that. Everyone holds to something, and this is an expression of my current understanding of a piece of mine.
There are the big three monotheistic Abrahamic religions that dominate the world today, along with others such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism, etc. I’ll just be discussing the Christian scriptures and influenced perspective(s) since that is what I am familiar with, grew up with, and adhere to.
Did you catch that? I just gave away my world view and my presuppositions about my thinking. So I’m not so open-minded, now am I? I am just building up a straw man and blowing him over to push my ‘religion’, right? I’ll let you be the verdict on that. Everyone holds to something, and this is an expression of my current understanding of a piece of mine.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 3a)
My approach
When I initially thought about this post, I wanted to list the major points that I felt were Jim’s strongest from the book along with my reaction(s) to them. After further consideration, I decided to diverge from my initial approach. I will be breaking this down into what I see (from a 21st century American’s eyes) as some of the major different perspectives from which we can address these questions about God, pain, suffering, and the like.
I realize that I can’t catch all the fish with the nets I am casting (my generalizations and stereotypes encapsulated by each section below), but I am going under some assumptions based on experience and exposure to the below world views that will help convey different ways I see that one can approach these questions. I also realize that in areas it may seem incomplete or oversimplified, either due to the fact that this is a blog entry and I can only do so much or perhaps because I simply am not well versed in it. One can and may indeed float between the different sections of thought I discuss below, because this can be a very complex undergoing of exploration for the human mind. One cannot simply avoid the full spectrum of observances and perspectives if they wish to take this on in its entirety, which by no means do I subscribe I am fully doing here.
Let’s proceed.
When I initially thought about this post, I wanted to list the major points that I felt were Jim’s strongest from the book along with my reaction(s) to them. After further consideration, I decided to diverge from my initial approach. I will be breaking this down into what I see (from a 21st century American’s eyes) as some of the major different perspectives from which we can address these questions about God, pain, suffering, and the like.
I realize that I can’t catch all the fish with the nets I am casting (my generalizations and stereotypes encapsulated by each section below), but I am going under some assumptions based on experience and exposure to the below world views that will help convey different ways I see that one can approach these questions. I also realize that in areas it may seem incomplete or oversimplified, either due to the fact that this is a blog entry and I can only do so much or perhaps because I simply am not well versed in it. One can and may indeed float between the different sections of thought I discuss below, because this can be a very complex undergoing of exploration for the human mind. One cannot simply avoid the full spectrum of observances and perspectives if they wish to take this on in its entirety, which by no means do I subscribe I am fully doing here.
Let’s proceed.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 2b)
The beginning of questioning and doubting
At the end of 2007, I began my first real questioning of God, my faith, and what I could trust as real. This questioning was moreso in regards to factual truth and whether what I knew was reality and not something just in my head or thought up by humans thousands of years ago. It never really reached a questioning of the character of God, his goodness. Those six months or so were a painful time for me as I wrestled through questioning the basic tenets and assumptions in my faith. Is God the way I know him? Does he even exist? Can I trust the Bible? Is it all in my head? What is real? How do you determine truth? Have I been somehow deceived? Can I ever know?
At the end of 2007, I began my first real questioning of God, my faith, and what I could trust as real. This questioning was moreso in regards to factual truth and whether what I knew was reality and not something just in my head or thought up by humans thousands of years ago. It never really reached a questioning of the character of God, his goodness. Those six months or so were a painful time for me as I wrestled through questioning the basic tenets and assumptions in my faith. Is God the way I know him? Does he even exist? Can I trust the Bible? Is it all in my head? What is real? How do you determine truth? Have I been somehow deceived? Can I ever know?
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 2a)
Punishment from above
Up until perhaps the last few years, moreso the last few months to a year, I had never really considered some of the questions presented in the previous post (Part 1) concerning God and pain and suffering. Had I been presented with those same questions then, it wouldn’t have bothered or shaken my view of God because although I could see pain and suffering around me and in the world, God was good, merciful, and love. I thought, our suffering and pain is due to the effects of sin since the beginning of time. Not that your sin has a direct cause and effect relationship like the Jews of Jesus’ time believed, but in the sense that we live in a broken world tainted by sin, and the only hope we have of eradicating this would be the full return and glory of Jesus Christ to end all pain.
Up until perhaps the last few years, moreso the last few months to a year, I had never really considered some of the questions presented in the previous post (Part 1) concerning God and pain and suffering. Had I been presented with those same questions then, it wouldn’t have bothered or shaken my view of God because although I could see pain and suffering around me and in the world, God was good, merciful, and love. I thought, our suffering and pain is due to the effects of sin since the beginning of time. Not that your sin has a direct cause and effect relationship like the Jews of Jesus’ time believed, but in the sense that we live in a broken world tainted by sin, and the only hope we have of eradicating this would be the full return and glory of Jesus Christ to end all pain.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Should We Fire God? (Part 1)
The Characteristics
Hatred. Evil. Neglectful. Merciful. Maliciousness. Uncaring. Love. Selfish. Lazy. Vengeful. Compassionate.
These are all words that can easily be ascribed to people throughout time including our own here in the 21st century. But what about God? Or gods? If there in fact is a God and we can know anything about him, do any of the above words characterize him?
Millennia ago, adherents to a specific set of gods certainly would have attributed those characteristics to them. Generally each god had their own unique niche, such as the Roman gods and goddesses:
Hatred. Evil. Neglectful. Merciful. Maliciousness. Uncaring. Love. Selfish. Lazy. Vengeful. Compassionate.
These are all words that can easily be ascribed to people throughout time including our own here in the 21st century. But what about God? Or gods? If there in fact is a God and we can know anything about him, do any of the above words characterize him?
Millennia ago, adherents to a specific set of gods certainly would have attributed those characteristics to them. Generally each god had their own unique niche, such as the Roman gods and goddesses:
Monday, June 7, 2010
Thoughts on 'The Secret' - Part 4
I wanted to wrap this series up with a few closing thoughts.
I agreed with many aspects of the video and how the thought life of a person heavily influences their attitudes and actions. But to me, where they really left reality was when they took those truths and tried to push their claim that the Universe instinctively is listening to your thoughts and wishes, and it will respond accordingly if you just keep asking and believing. Eventually the Universe will give it to you. It may be soon; it may take some time.
I agreed with many aspects of the video and how the thought life of a person heavily influences their attitudes and actions. But to me, where they really left reality was when they took those truths and tried to push their claim that the Universe instinctively is listening to your thoughts and wishes, and it will respond accordingly if you just keep asking and believing. Eventually the Universe will give it to you. It may be soon; it may take some time.Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thoughts on 'The Secret' - Part 3
First of all, I apologize how long this post ended up being, but I really wanted to hit all the points that I did. I plan on writing a Part 4 to address a few other things in closing. That being said, let's begin.
Things I disagree with…
Things I disagree with…
…include*:
1. The Universe responds to your thoughts, that is, it is intimately aware and responsive to your thoughts and what makes you happy.
- Sounds like ‘If you think it, it will come’.
- Sounds like ‘If you think it, it will come’.
2. The Universe wants you to act quickly. Don’t second guess yourself; seize the opportunity.
- I have a lot of issues with this when initially interpreting what I believe they mean. There are many decisions in life for which making a decision hastily could be costly. There are many decisions in life that should not be taken lightly and should be accompanied by advice and insight from family and friends.
The particular context of this statement was when a girl was hoping for a boy friend and some guys asked her to come over and play volleyball and then leave with them to hang out or 'go out'. Does the advice refer to specific situations where it would be good to take a risk and go for it? Are there times when the 'Universe' would want us to second guess ourselves?
- I have a lot of issues with this when initially interpreting what I believe they mean. There are many decisions in life for which making a decision hastily could be costly. There are many decisions in life that should not be taken lightly and should be accompanied by advice and insight from family and friends.
The particular context of this statement was when a girl was hoping for a boy friend and some guys asked her to come over and play volleyball and then leave with them to hang out or 'go out'. Does the advice refer to specific situations where it would be good to take a risk and go for it? Are there times when the 'Universe' would want us to second guess ourselves?
Monday, May 24, 2010
Thoughts on ‘The Secret’ - Part 2
Things I agree with…
…include*:
- Your thoughts are powerful things; they can drive, shape, and impact your actions, relationships, and your future. - What you put your mind on, impacts your attitude and actions. If you are always thinking about negative things then those thoughts will negatively impact your attitude and actions. Put your mind on things that are ‘good’.
- Thoughts and emotions can manifest into material things, insofar as the placebo effect.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Thoughts on 'The Secret' - Part 1
Last night, 5/22, I sat down to watch a movie (more of a documentary) with my family that I had never heard before: The Secret. See the Trailer.
I am going to offer my initial thoughts and reactions to it in several different blog postings, this being part 1. First let's take a look at an excerpt from the above Trailer:Trailer Excerpt:
"And now the great glimmering of truth can be revealed again.
You know this secret gives you everything you want: happiness, health, and wealth. You can have, do, or be ANYTHING you want.
I've seen many miracles take place in peoples' lives: Financial miracles, miracles of physical healing, mental healing, healing in relationships.
All of this happened because of knowing how to apply the secret"
This is perpetuated as the great secret of life. At first glance, it has similarities to what is referred to as…
"And now the great glimmering of truth can be revealed again.
You know this secret gives you everything you want: happiness, health, and wealth. You can have, do, or be ANYTHING you want.
I've seen many miracles take place in peoples' lives: Financial miracles, miracles of physical healing, mental healing, healing in relationships.
All of this happened because of knowing how to apply the secret"
This is perpetuated as the great secret of life. At first glance, it has similarities to what is referred to as…
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Hey, can you send me that picture?
A friend just asked me if I had a picture on my phone of an item, in order to show their grandma. When asked, I responded 'nope don't have', because I assumed they were wanting me to send the picture from my phone to them at that moment.
If I were to write this down in my journal and then someone (dubbed Person A) in the future came along and read it, they may say 'Oh look! Proof that he was lying and didn't want the other to see it! He said that he didn't have the picture, but later on he emailed it to his friend, probably out of guilt for lying. So he did have it!'
If I were to write this down in my journal and then someone (dubbed Person A) in the future came along and read it, they may say 'Oh look! Proof that he was lying and didn't want the other to see it! He said that he didn't have the picture, but later on he emailed it to his friend, probably out of guilt for lying. So he did have it!'
Friday, May 7, 2010
It's been a long time
Wow, March 7 of 2009: my lost post. What have I been doing? That is over a year, amazing how time flies. I am updating my blog and I intend to post more regularly now (linking to it via my Twitter account).
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