tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post3378852169138993989..comments2023-12-02T02:26:05.528-08:00Comments on JimPintoBlog: Religions and Faith-based BeliefsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-68077093132999814012014-10-30T02:37:56.417-07:002014-10-30T02:37:56.417-07:00Yes Anonymous, that would be very good. It would b...Yes Anonymous, that would be very good. It would be better if one could behave so by own insight, not by the force of a (any) god - because this "god" allways was (is) man-made in my Thoughts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07254969061960034799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-25528147433559335122014-10-28T10:49:00.924-07:002014-10-28T10:49:00.924-07:00I learned these from my Parsi friends in India. Wh...I learned these from my Parsi friends in India. What wonderful and simple rules to follow!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-82426371538310217182014-10-28T09:52:53.749-07:002014-10-28T09:52:53.749-07:00I'm a proud Zoroastrian. The first religion t...I'm a proud Zoroastrian. The first religion to believe in one God, Zoroastrianism is based on three simple tenants: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.<br />No matter what or who you believe in- wouldn't it be nice if we could all follow that triad?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-69307832362058734252014-10-18T05:53:35.560-07:002014-10-18T05:53:35.560-07:00Rodger,
I could not say it in your good English - ...Rodger,<br />I could not say it in your good English - but you are right - who can tell? <br />And why should it be required to tell?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07254969061960034799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-74989148568533482352014-10-14T21:32:27.593-07:002014-10-14T21:32:27.593-07:00Man is the only animal yet evolved that shows sign...Man is the only animal yet evolved that shows signs of cognitive curiosity about where he came from or where death takes him. This human curiosity leads inevitably to a conundrum of mysticism and deities which substitutes for rational logic in weaving some wispy explanation of life and its purpose. Present scientific knowledge is insufficient to answer all man’s curiosities so he resorts to fantasy in desperation. Man seems to think everything must be explained at all cost. He realizes from his real world experiences that there is much more to his existence than he can fathom. This conundrum provides fertile ground for soothsayers, witch doctors, charlatans, and of course religion. All of which readily forgo logical consistency in conjuring an explanation for the curiosities of life. Once one accepts the possibility of an omnipresent, all knowing, all powerful entity, deity or not, rational logic must be abandoned since the entity can change all physical and time relationships at his whim. When yesterday can become tomorrow all cause and effect logic ceases to exist. Tell me again the logic of your believing in an unrestrained deity? Rodger Lovrenichnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-17894480893105474942014-10-08T15:26:38.851-07:002014-10-08T15:26:38.851-07:00I think Eoin Ó Riain misses a 4th possibility, nam...I think Eoin Ó Riain misses a 4th possibility, namely that Jesus was a smart, sensitive, faithful Jew, who in the tradition of the ancient Jewish prophets, "walked with God," and wisely sought to persuade his Jewish coreligionists to be submissive to the Roman occupation ("Turn the other cheek," "Love thine enemy") rather than oppose them with violence, as the Zealots advocated. He could do this without assuming the mantle of divinity, just as had the prophets before him. My recollection of scripture, admittedly not expert, is that Jesus either remained silent (before Pilate) or played coy (with John, the apostle) when the subject of his divinity came up. I'd be interested in learning of any New Testament passage in which Jesus overtly claims to be the only begotten Son of God (as others opined in the Nicene Creed and in 1 John 5:20) <br /><br />One might form the impression of Jesus asserting his divinity from the New Testament passages in which Jesus refers to "my Father's house." (Luke and John), but that would be inconclusive, inasmuch as Christianity also holds that we are all God's children (Romans and John), so Jesus could be referring to himself as such without necessarily claiming divinity. David Smithhttp://www.davidlsmith.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-5969691449807799392014-10-08T14:58:03.811-07:002014-10-08T14:58:03.811-07:00I agree with Anonymous in not lumping agnostics wi...I agree with Anonymous in not lumping agnostics with atheists. Atheists flat-out deny the existence of god and allow themselves no possibility of religious experiences. On the other hand, Agnostics, unable to opine with certainty about the existence of god, tend to fluctuate among three states of mind: 1) Don't know and leave it at that 2) Have religious experiences from time to time but then 3) Have doubts about their validity leading them back to 1. The idea of Gnostic Atheism seems to me a contradiction in terms. David Smithhttp://www.davidlsmith.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-83935413951792468542014-10-08T01:51:53.891-07:002014-10-08T01:51:53.891-07:00Anonymous, following your statement there must be ...Anonymous, following your statement there must be much much more gods: why do you only count human beings? In this philosophy any living being is a bit of "god" (one atom at least) - from any bacteria to the big whale. That also on any existing planet in the universe. This shows me, that this is another man made try for explanation. <br />But the good thing is - there is no need to make much ado, shows, lies, and other bad things about that one atom! (or wasn't it only a Higgs-Boson?)<br />For me there is no god because any one of them is a phantasy.<br />Cheers!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07254969061960034799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-54473579847361547182014-10-07T20:09:52.778-07:002014-10-07T20:09:52.778-07:00Jim,
I was brought up Anglican. As a small child I...Jim,<br />I was brought up Anglican. As a small child I can remember being exhorted in Sunday School to "love god" and being very frightened - but what do I actually DO!<br />As you note, "god" is a dangerous word, as it means so many different things to different people. "Love" is an equally dangerous word, with multiple shades of meaning. Surely there must be a difference between "I love Cadbury's" and "I love God"?<br />As a teenager, my father taught me a most important lesson. <br />"If you start from the wrong assumption, the better the brain, the more certain you are to come to the wrong conclusion." True for both scientists and theologians.<br />The two major religions on your list, along with Judaism, are monotheistic, asserting there is only one god (which logically must mean that the Jewish, Christian and Muslim gods are one and the same). But I do not recall being offered any evidence there is only one god. <br />I refer you to a well known bible verse.<br />Luke 17:21 "The kingdom of god is within you." <br />(Some versions have it "the kingdom of heaven" but then I always understood heaven to be the kingdom of god. Sorry, my inner language pedant at work.) This is usually interpreted to mean that a small piece of the one god is in each one of us. But just add one word, remembering that this verse has been translated multiple times through multiple languages since it was first written down. We now get: -<br />"The kingdom of your god is within you." <br />The meaning suddenly changes, and it remains changed even when you take the extra word back out again.<br />Science suggests that (as you and others above have suggested) that God is a construct of the human mind. See the 17th March 2012 issue of "New Scientist".<br />This long suffering planet now has seven billions gods, and counting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-62623241220092178782014-10-07T11:32:22.717-07:002014-10-07T11:32:22.717-07:00Thanks Jumana, Yes this case in the link is just o...Thanks Jumana, Yes this case in the link is just only one of many thousands. <br />See my families case: grandfather born in France (Alsace), went as young chef to Holland and married my grandmother, a Dutch. My father was born 1922. So he was 18 when the Nazis came into Netherlands, looking for Jewish. The sayed, Alsace is German - so "you are German and you have to join the army". He didn't even speak German - so he was put into a punishment division of the "Waffen-SS".<br />In Leningrad he by accident was the only surviving of the vanguard (all aliens) and put into soviet PoW. After the war he was released, walked from Ural via Donau river westward. In Nuremberg he was checked by the GIs. The Dutch sayed he may not go home to his mother, "because he was with the Germans"..:! <br />That is the reason I was born in Nuremberg. My mother has Polish roots.<br />So for me "nationality", "religions" and the "skin color" of people is no meaning at all for me - so I have many friends from all over the world.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07254969061960034799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-40272846724170543822014-10-06T17:05:37.939-07:002014-10-06T17:05:37.939-07:00Thank you for your comments, Hans.
In many parts...Thank you for your comments, Hans. <br /><br />In many parts of Europe too, and the US too, church attendance has been declining steadily. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-85418086929629736882014-10-06T15:51:36.196-07:002014-10-06T15:51:36.196-07:00Hans,
The churches in the US are also in decline, ...Hans,<br />The churches in the US are also in decline, many have been converted into condominiums. Many people such yourself have been turned away from religion for the valid reasons you pointed out; I was anti-religious for most of my youth because of the hypocrisy I had observed. You might find interesting that there was a small group that defied Hitler and suffer for it, but was not bent to participate in the atrocities that most so-called Christian religions perpetrated. Here is a link, if you are interested to learn about: http://www.jw.org/en/news/releases/by-region/germany/sachsenhausen-memorial-honors-witness/ Jumanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01356535051088023578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-15281397121448557112014-10-06T09:01:17.000-07:002014-10-06T09:01:17.000-07:00My friend, Merle Borg, wrote this significant resp...My friend, Merle Borg, wrote this significant response to the blog. It stimulated this thought from me: essentially what Merle says is: God did not create Man - Man created God!<br /><br />Merle has re-written and re-submitted his comments, which I am including here:<br /><br />In becoming the Earth’s top predator, the human advantage was not speed or size or stealth. Our species slowly developed intelligence… the ability to imagine and create tools. We were wildly successful. <br /><br />The downside of our increasing intelligence was the understanding and morbid anticipation of our own death. Fortunately there was a fix. Since we had developed the ability to imagine things, we simply imagined that in one form or another we would live forever. Long ago we began burying tools and provisions with our loved ones to help them in the “afterlife”. <br /><br />As agriculture was mastered, large civilizations were not only possible, but they were more successful than tribal or clan society. For several thousand years, civilization has been the norm. <br /><br />In addressing the needs for eternity, each civilization adopted elaborate religious beliefs. Many of these early beliefs remain. They codify and structure our longings, and if our religions and all memories of them were to disappear, we would create new ones tomorrow. <br /><br />The most successful of our religions are pyramid schemes. Humans will enjoy the afterlife if they procreate profusely and work to convert others. The beliefs compete and are at the root of much of our poverty and much of our butchery. <br /><br />Safely at the top of the food chain, you might think we would work to preserve our paradise and it’s abundance. We now realize of course that this world is just temporary and we foul it with little regard for tomorrow, or for the tomorrows of any living thing.<br /><br />Among Earth’s creatures, we humans are blessed with relatively long lives. You might expect that we would appreciate and be grateful for our time. Instead our first priority is the building of temples. Here we look up and cry out what translates universally to: “It’s not enough”. <br /><br />Once the concept of eternity is accepted, decency and rationality and happiness are forgotten. As the Gods watch the comic human tragedy unfold they must question the wisdom of introducing a species that could imagine forever… and was just clever enough to believe in it.<br /><br />Merle Borg<br />10/6/14Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-45025655231889867252014-10-05T07:59:39.840-07:002014-10-05T07:59:39.840-07:00Dear Jim, thank you so much for this excellent blo...Dear Jim, thank you so much for this excellent blog. <br />Even in this modern times there are too less people talking clearly about this subject.<br />I like your opinion or conviction. <br />When I see how empty the churches here in mid Europe are - then I doubt the figures of the statistics. When I talk with people about their believes, then I hear mostly that they do not believe. Some are still member of any church (without believing) because of the environment (parents, neighbours or business. I do not know how this is in the States. <br />I do not know what "I am" - I hate all "isms" - because they brougnt too much trouble to the world - and they are all man made and invented to promote and protect the influence of the "mighty".<br />I was educated as protestant but studies between the age of 16 and 20 many kinds of religion. Then the experience of the reality during travels around the world fastend my recent conviction. (Also the tales from my father about the 2nd World War and what the different churches did in these times). Many religions have radical excrescences - see for example the Catholics in the mid age and the Muslims nowadays.<br />Who does really need a religion? Those who are not free in their mind.<br />I am free and happy so I do not have to play being religious for my environment (this because no one can see into the mind of people).<br />Take it easy.<br />HansAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07254969061960034799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-59872807875810988402014-10-03T08:53:50.092-07:002014-10-03T08:53:50.092-07:00Yes, you introduced me to Unitarian Universalists ...Yes, you introduced me to Unitarian Universalists and I'll be attending one of their services soon.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-5934624935947771972014-10-03T08:07:54.871-07:002014-10-03T08:07:54.871-07:00Great blog, Dad! As you know, Robb and I are Unita...Great blog, Dad! As you know, Robb and I are Unitarian Universalists.<br />-RosalieAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10336385372444171185noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-15202245365631513522014-10-03T04:07:00.131-07:002014-10-03T04:07:00.131-07:00Good work Jim, very interesting discussion! One sm...Good work Jim, very interesting discussion! One small correction, according to Bible chronology Jesus was born around the year 2 BCE. He was baptized in the year 29 CE when he was about 30 years old (Luke 3:21-23), at this time he became the Christ (Messiah or Anointed).<br />During his 3.5 years’ ministry his main message was the Kingdom of God and he taught his followers the name of his father, which can be found almost 7,000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Unfortunately the main religions have hidden the name of God the Creator, making it difficult for people to get to know him. When you think about it, the first thing you learn about a person is his/her name. Shouldn’t this be the case with the True God? In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus said: “… let your name be sanctified. Let your Kingdom come…” and in John 17:26 he said “I have made your name known to them and will make it known...” So, what is the name of God? If anyone is interested to know, here is a link to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehovah.<br />The fact is that mankind has always search for answers to the most profound questions: What is the meaning of life? Is God to blame for our suffering? What happens when you die? Religion is supposed to provide satisfying answers, but the truth of the matter is that the religious leaders of the world are “blind men leading the blind”. The teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible are simple and easy to understand if we are truly searching for answers. Living by one of his teachings, previously paraphrased: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them” would certainly make this world a much better place.<br />Jumanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01356535051088023578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-1874261323674588762014-10-02T13:03:02.417-07:002014-10-02T13:03:02.417-07:00Old eNews friend, Jake:
How nice to have your mig...Old eNews friend, Jake:<br /><br />How nice to have your migrate your regular wit, wisdom and intelligent commentary to the JimPintoblog! I hope we can have your insights on more of the blogs as I continue to publish. Frankly, it's people like you who motivate me to keep doing more!<br /><br />I embrace your creed, the golden rule, "Do for others as you wish them to do for you."<br /><br />And now, I'll join you in an eBeer!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-15113131293858371642014-10-02T12:59:32.892-07:002014-10-02T12:59:32.892-07:00John C:
What wonderful comments! I'm honored ...John C:<br /><br />What wonderful comments! I'm honored that my blog now includes your wisdom. Thanks for sharing!<br /><br />That poem by the 12th century BCE Persian poet Hafiz is beautiful! <br />It helps to free me from any kind of narrow pride and selfishness. It allows me to see the greater good in all my fellow-humans!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-58804046321350205852014-10-02T12:53:52.432-07:002014-10-02T12:53:52.432-07:00BigMangoDave:
I share your feeling about being ve...BigMangoDave:<br /><br />I share your feeling about being very fortunate - I feel blessed by my life, my family, friends; my city and state and country; and all the good people in the world. <br /><br />I "feel" that there are more and more good people everyday.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-71613339789544893962014-10-02T12:50:21.594-07:002014-10-02T12:50:21.594-07:00Kevin M: Thanks for the insightful and well-consid...Kevin M: Thanks for the insightful and well-considered comments! <br /><br />When I labeled myself as a "theist" I did not mean the technical definition (look up in Wikipedia) - but rather, as one who believes in something beyond my limited understanding. <br /><br />Indeed, I am spiritual, but not religious. I'm bothered that narrow-thinking, aggressive religions have caused too many persecutions, wars and damage. <br /><br />Yes, there is something "good and spiritual underneath" which is not related to any "religion". The essence of the human spirit is, I believe, sincere and good. <br /><br />I share your view that many do not accept Evolution. That is like the church persecuting Galileo for refuting the earth-centric universe, and then finally accepting the scientific truth. I cannot ridicule the "creationists" - they are free to believe what they believe. But, I don't expect them to ridicule me for my beliefs.<br /><br />Yes, spirituality is a strong force for good!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-39121973914323852152014-10-02T12:37:15.516-07:002014-10-02T12:37:15.516-07:00Eoin, I respect and honor your "faith-based b...Eoin, I respect and honor your "faith-based belief". Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-63896606524645643932014-10-02T12:35:54.097-07:002014-10-02T12:35:54.097-07:00I think it was Paul (who never ever met Jesus, but...I think it was Paul (who never ever met Jesus, but saw him in a vision) who took Jesus' teachings beyond just the Jews. I suppose, at this stage, Jesus' nationality is, as you say, "no great consequence". Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-15493542322250187012014-10-02T12:33:07.126-07:002014-10-02T12:33:07.126-07:00From my standpoint, I don't see the difference...From my standpoint, I don't see the difference between Atheists and Agnostics. You might like the chart I included in that section. The Atheists I know are not really aggressive about their beliefs. They simply accept "negative proof".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719650308494063095.post-19443315594277096972014-10-02T12:29:35.351-07:002014-10-02T12:29:35.351-07:00Thanks, Walt!
And, thanks for publicizing this blo...Thanks, Walt!<br />And, thanks for publicizing this blog on your tweets and blogs!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10670437428300830000noreply@blogger.com