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.

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?

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.

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:

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.

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…

…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’.
  

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?

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.