158 posts shown.
William Williams7 said:Exactly!
We should be thankful to Him for giving us what He intended and withholding what He intended.
William Williams7 said:Both you and I know that God created this world with incredible wisdom. We also know He shared a small spark of that wisdom and knowledge with us. He provided the guidelines and the roadmap, yet left us with the absolute freedom to choose whether we believe or not.
Who are we to sit in judgment of His infinite wisdom and love?
He placed us in such a high position among all His creations, and yet, we remain ungrateful.
William Williams7;39916953 said:I’ve been avoiding this thread because I wasn't a fan of the title.
The idea that God doesn't share knowledge is just false. It’s funny—how those who don't believe in God always seem to have so many complaints about life on Earth (as if they're the only ones noticing). I guess they need God just to have someone to blame for their own lack of initiative—not to mention their laziness. If He doesn't exist, as you suggest, then who exactly is responsible for the state of the world?
Humans possess plenty of knowledge. God provides it, even when we aren't asking.
Imagine if most people actually sought knowledge from God!
Seriously? Just imagine if the majority of people on this planet were constantly seeking wisdom from God! We’d basically have a paradise here—a world full of enlightened people where nobody fights or argues, and everyone is essentially best friends.
But unfortunately, reality is quite the opposite.
Not that it matters; it isn't a myth. This will all be part of the new order of things eventually—regardless of whether skeptics disagree or just laugh it off.
As the saying goes: he who laughs last... 😉
briskotter192 said:Regards,
God does not always intervene.
Because this isn't eternal life.
This life is merely a path toward eternity.
Every person must live through it.
And accept whatever life throws their way.
Both the joys and the sorrows.
Both birth and death.
But one must also accept eternal life.
Regards,
Benjamin Taylor6 said:Quote:Honestly, you're worse than that old king in Syracuse who threw a fit because there was too much math at those Archimedean lectures.😁
> Maria Robinson2 says:
I actually clicked your link just to see what you were about... but sorry, Benjamin Taylor6, I had to bail after the first few sentences.
If only you knew how much junk I’ve sucked up over the years—everything from random trivia to philosophy so dense it practically shorts out your brain.
But today? I don't know, I feel like I've finally cleared the mental clutter. I'm feeling centered. These days, I'd much rather just have a chill conversation with people... that's really all I'm looking for. Just some easygoing, good-natured back-and-forth... hearing what others think, sharing my own two cents, and then heading off after coffee on a sunny patio with a simple "see you around soon."😉
The guy basically told him he should go spend time with the queen in the bedroom instead. No math required there, and certainly no headaches—unless, of course, things get a little too intense.😁
Benjamin Taylor6 said:The real issue, though, is that you can't exactly wrap your hands around my God and hold on tight.😁
Michael Anderson2 said:It's possible—entirely possible. I actually found myself facing a similar dilemma once, and let me tell you...
I was caught in what I'd call a very unenviable situation—one that was genuinely life-threatening, my own fault, too. In those moments where you feel completely stripped of control, the temptation is overwhelming to just surrender everything to "God's hands," move forward, and let whatever happens, happen.
But, it suddenly hit me—regardless of the circumstances, I had to take certain steps to improve my own odds. Charging blindly ahead while relying solely on divine intervention didn't strike me as particularly wise. So, I took action, and those measures ended up working out; if they hadn't, I wouldn't be here typing this right now... 😁
Now, the question remains: was that divine intervention, or did I overcome the crisis through my own abilities—or perhaps just pure luck? Should a true believer really rush headlong into danger with the name of God on their lips? 😁
Michael Anderson2 said:We don't bother praying to anyone—our philosophy is more along the lines of "trust yourself and your own grit." Interestingly enough, even the religious folks have a similar mindset: help yourself first, and then maybe God will step in... 😁
Benjamin Taylor6 said:But look, I'm a TEOZOF through and through. We're the ones who actually study life in its rawest form—deeply, intensely. Some of us even find ourselves praying to every possible god under the sun. Even the atheists in our circle end up whispering prayers to some Great Non-Existent 😂
Benjamin Taylor6 said:Well, that priest had quite the big day today. See, on the first Sunday of every month, he holds this service that drags on for two hours and wraps up with a whole thing about falling under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Of course, at every single service, he makes sure to mention that you should probably buy his books. The money doesn't go to the Church, mind you—it goes straight to his kids.
And the Tao is apparently the Mother. Even though it’s grammatically masculine. Or maybe neutral. ☕
Benjamin Taylor6 said:You've become quite the Taoist😁
20. The Sage and the World
Intellect limits life. What difference does "yes" or "no" make? What difference does good or evil make?
Should one follow the crowd or act like everyone else?
Oh, awakening is still a long way off.
The majority is filled with superficial joys,
as if they were feasting at banquets,
as if they were lounging on a spring patio,
but I am quiet, anchored in the source of feeling,
like a newborn baby who doesn't even
know how to laugh yet,
unattached, like a man without a home.
The majority has more than enough,
yet I, it seems, have nothing,
my spirit is mindless and empty.
The majority knows,
while I am ignorant and confused.
The majority is sharp and clever,
while I am dull,
patient as the ocean,
carried along, seemingly without purpose.
The majority has a sense of purpose,
while I am impractical and unrefined.
I am different from the majority,
most notably in that I seek support from Mother.
19. Virtue and Self
Discard knowledge, abandon cleverness! The well-being of the community will flourish.
Discard customs and abandon laws!
Family love will return.
Discard cunning, abandon desire!
Thieves and bandits will vanish.
Those three touch the external and are not enough,
so they must assume a higher principle.
Discover your unadorned self,
embrace your primal source,
restrain your egoism,
and be simple.
So someone seeks support from Mother. And someone from Father. And someone from the Son.
Paul Collins7 said:To be honest, I was quite shaken by realizing how much evil exists today and how Satan works through things like music, technology, and most of what surrounds us. We blindly assume it's all innocent and that it can't hurt us, but in reality, we are drifting further away from God. What matters most is faith—being truly determined to serve God and belong to Him as much as you desire. At the end of the day, He created both everything and the darkness, and He will be the one to decide our ultimate fate. I don't understand how anyone can take life into their own hands like that, acting however they please. But I will never quite grasp people who intentionally do evil to others. Whether people are born that way or if it's somehow predestined, I simply don't know. What are your thoughts on that?
Paul Collins7 said:There's always at least a little bit of courage to be found! I completely understand you; you've realized that God is something we should perhaps respect a bit more, alongside Life itself! I personally had some close encounters with black magic—not something I practiced myself, but something my best friend dealt with that threatened the well-being of my family and me. To be honest, I knew something was happening, but I assumed it was normal until everything came to light. I don't like talking about it because people often fail to grasp what is being said, and I get it, because I used to speak that way too. But now, I am so much more grateful to God because going through that experience opened my eyes and helped me find the meaning in everything.
Paul Collins7 said:I am curious, though—what exactly caused that shift in you? You speak well, but one cannot rely solely on the heart, as it isn't always right. That is why God gave us a brain as well; we should use both to find that golden mean, that perfect balance between the two.
Paul Collins7 said:Perhaps death isn't actually as terrifying as we make it out to be. It feels heavy because we’ve simply forgotten where we were before this life began. To Him, our passing is nothing compared to the vastness of eternity. Personally, I tend to view this whole existence as a sort of test—a way to see how we conduct ourselves. Will we surrender to our most base impulses? How far will we go? It’s always much easier to give in to sin and take the fast route, even if it's the wrong one, rather than choosing the harder, more righteous path. I am certain that God exists; I used to be a staunch agnostic, but certain things happened in my own life that completely reshaped my entire worldview.
Benjamin Taylor6 said:But look, that’s all just faith—it isn't actual knowledge. If we were talking about real knowledge, He would have founded some kind of academy for Astral Projection, where people could actually experience what it feels like to be out-of-body on their own terms. 😁
Paul Collins7 said:The insight you reach through your own struggle is far more valuable than someone simply handing you all the secrets of the universe when you don't even have the capacity to understand them!
silentridge8 said:🤣
The same historians who argue that Medina isn't just some made-up city😍
Historical science isn't the same thing as this little project you've got going on here on the forum; it's like saying beer counts as food🎉