Posted by SLS on March 23, 2009, at 7:47:21
In reply to Re: What is your faith in god based on? » SLS, posted by Cass on March 22, 2009, at 16:51:14
> I believe in god because I feel like my life is a spiritual experience and I'm connected to something larger,
I feel this connection, too.
> but I've never been one to accept a set of prescribed beliefs.
About what in particular?
> I can only believe what I believe, and I can't believe what I don't know to be true,
Yes. How can one truly know if God exists? Perhaps this is where faith lies. I don't know.
> Like I mentioned, I've known people who have cultivated faith through the 12-steps where they can turn their problems over to the will of god and live with acceptance. That's the kind of faith I want to cultivate.
I believe in a sort of duality that reminds me of Einstein's representation of light. I believe that our destinies have been preordained while we simultaneously have free will to change our destiny. God knew where all of the pool balls would end up after the initial break. Yet, we end up where our minds help determine using the free will that He gave us. I like the 12 step mantra, the Serenity Prayer:
"God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference."I believe that we can choose to use all of what little God gives to us to work with in order to help determine our paths through life. Any endowment towards this end in a gift. I like to worship God and praise his genius and goodness by using all of the gifts he has given to me in a way that resonates with what feels right to me; a goodness that I believe is a reflection of God. I try, anyway. It is often difficult to determine in advance which changes are possible, or even desirable. It is a learning experience to be able to acquire the wisdom to know when to work for change and when to accept the unchangeable.
Your question does not yield a black-or-white answer for me. I love the complexity and depth of thought it provokes.
Thanks again, Cass.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:881116
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080809/msgs/886654.html