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What's up with the "I don't know" response?

Started by Patrick Sullivan3 · · 👁 4 views · 21 replies

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Participants Patrick Sullivan3Jeremy Alvarez5mistygull16jademarlin26ambereagle642Zachary Turner6Chris Lopez59slyotter43dustycanyon54feralheron17Jeremy Davis7casualmaker13Hannah Nelson4
Patrick Sullivan3 Patrick Sullivan3 MemberOP
12 messages
joined Feb 2007
#1 ·
I find myself part of a group that defaults to "I don't know" whenever the question comes up: "Does God exist?" Even though I grew up in a very strict, deeply religious household, my answer today remains "I don't know." Growing up, I was told that saying "I don't know" is actually worse than just saying "no." They claimed that if you can't give a definitive answer, you aren't a stable, strong, or wise person. But isn't "I don't know" actually the most objective response? Especially when you've weighed both sides and all the subjective evidence out there.

Why is it that we never experience anything concrete enough to be absolutely certain—even though our religious ancestors claim they were? And what if being certain isn't even necessary? Why this desperate need to pick a side right now, while we're still alive? Do those people who swear their faith is unshakable ever, deep down, admit to themselves, "I'm just not sure"?
Jeremy Alvarez5 Jeremy Alvarez5 Active Member
165 messages
joined Aug 2010
#2 ·
I mean, I guess you could say this whole thing stems from a bit of a masochistic streak in us. It’s like, humans are naturally terrified of the unknown, right? But we’re also scared of pretty much any kind of force or raw energy that we feel might just wipe us out. So, instead of facing it head-on, we end up developing this weird sense of reverence—kind of a fear-based respect, if that makes sense. Maybe that's just how we're wired.

From everything I’ve picked up from people so far, it seems like nobody actually knows for sure if God exists. But man, there is just so much we don't get about how our own heads work—you know, how our psyche and perception mess with the world around us? I guess when we observe something or even just take a stand on an object, we’re kind of influencing it, though I don't think we're even aware of all the ways we do that yet. It's kind of like how we already know the Sun and the Moon have this massive impact on life here on Earth; I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually figure out just how much influence the rest of the planets have, too. Maybe we'll catch up to it sooner than we think.

So, let me circle back to that whole thing about God and... well, masochism, I guess. It’s kind of wild how we work. Basically, because people are terrified of things they can't predict, they try to micromanage and control everything they perceive as a threat. It's like this survival instinct, right? Every single one of us experiences that fear of the unknown in our own heads, though I suppose we all process it differently—some people feel it more intensely than others, and it probably hits harder depending on what kind of day you're having. I've noticed that the folks who are constantly grinding or living in total chaos don't usually struggle with this as much. Maybe it's because their minds are just too occupied by the immediate, surface-level stuff—just reacting to whatever is happening right in front of them—to really dwell on the deeper, scarier uncertainties. Or maybe they're just too busy to care. I don't know, it's just a thought.

I mean, no matter how hard you try to wrap your head around the chaos of life, there are always these little gaps—sort of like when your brain takes a breather from all that heavy lifting. It’s like that moment when your operating system finally stops lagging for a second. And honestly, I guess when you're just sitting there in that quiet headspace, it's impossible not to start spiraling into the big questions. You can't really escape thinking about what it all means. It's like conscience just kind of wakes up on its own, forcing you to weigh the whole idea of good versus evil against the actual life you're living. It's heavy stuff, I know.

Most people, I guess... He just doesn't want to. I mean, you look at people wrestling with these deep questions, and then they try to justify their choices by just following whoever claims to "know more" than they do—basically deciding to join some organized religion just to settle the score. To me, it feels like religion is really just an escape from your own conscience, a way to run away from God. It’s like the more fear someone carries, the more they lean into religion. Usually, religion just takes that fear and tries to rationalize it, offering up these explanations or lists of rules to tell you exactly how to please God. But since most people are so caught up in the daily grind and their own personal anxieties, I guess they lose the ability to see how complex or even nonsensical those rules actually are. Still, that little spark of free will stays there, poking at them. So, the fear just keeps building, and it turns into this weird, almost masochistic urge to surrender control to something "greater" than themselves. They end up performing all these bizarre rituals just to appease their version of God.

I mean, if you really think about it, the absolute worst case in history is probably... JesusSo, I was thinking about this guy who basically tried to crucify himself because he didn't actually have faith in God. It’s kind of wild when you look at it. He was trying to fill this massive void in his life by just throwing himself at everyone—trying to serve the whole world instead of actually building deep, meaningful connections with specific people, like starting with women, I guess. He was basically compensating for his own emptiness by surrendering to this vague idea of "society" or the future. He wanted to be this martyr for the world, which ended up just making him paranoid about God and super conflicted about his own purpose. Because he chose to give himself up to a bunch of strangers rather than being present for real, individual people, he became this ultimate icon for all the "lost sheep" out there. You know, the people who either can't or won't engage in honest, close relationships? For them, "God" becomes a substitute for actual family and friends. It makes sense why people who love following the crowd find him so appealing. It's way easier to look for some hero who’s willing to die for you than it is to actually do the hard work on yourself. Real self-improvement is painful; it’s exhausting, it requires a ton of humility, and you really have to face that terrifying fear of death—what some might call "reconciling with God." But yeah, it's much easier to just wait for a savior than to deal with the struggle.

I really hope we’re finally reaching a point where people start to get this—where they actually focus on building their own consciousness and learning how to trust life again, both in their relationship with God and with each other. I mean, if you look at it, the answer is pretty clear: hardly anyone is brave enough to just say, "I don't know." And even fewer people are honest about being angry at God because they’re terrified of Him. Instead of having a relationship built on sincerity and respect, a lot of folks act like masochists, treating God like some kind of cosmic sadist. What’s worse is that they actively reject their own divinity; they shy away from having their own will or taking responsibility for their actions, which is the only way to truly be in community with God. Now, not everyone is like that—you definitely find sincere believers even among the religious crowd—but there are so many people who cling to any religion they can find just because they're scared. Personally, out of respect for God and for myself, I’ve never been one to submit to religious rituals. To me, a lot of that stuff feels like it's based on thousands of years of magic tricks and superstitions. Plus, I care about the society I live in; I don't want to set a bad example by acting in ways that feel dishonest to myself, to God, or to my neighbors. I pray to God, sure, but I also tell Him straight up that I don't even know if He's actually there. If He has something good to offer me, I hope He does. If not? Well, maybe it's better if He doesn't. At the end of the day, I find divinity within the human experience, and I’m just really grateful for the people around me. If God is a being, I honestly imagine Him as being indescribably lonely in His solitude. I think, if He exists, He created us to be His partners in creation. Whatever the case, for some reason, He doesn't seem to reach out any other way than through the physical laws of the universe He’s constantly shaping. And then you have the superstitious types waiting for "miracles"—people who see something they can't explain and immediately label it a sign of God's presence. I find that whole thing kind of tragicomic, honestly. It just ends up fueling more fear, which ultimately makes it impossible for people to actually live in the present moment with full consciousness, love, and freedom.
mistygull16 mistygull16 Active Member
199 messages
joined May 2013
#3 ·
Look, when I say I believe something, it's basically an admission that I don't actually *know* for sure. When I say I don't know? That's just a total zero. But saying I believe... that's more like a "positive" zero. It’s built on some kind of foundation or a reason why I'm leaning that way.
jademarlin26 jademarlin26 Active Member
158 messages
joined Sep 2008
#4 ·
Patrick Sullivan3 said:I find myself part of a group that defaults to "I don't know" whenever the question comes up: "Does God exist?" Even though I grew up in a very strict, deeply religious household, my answer today remains "I don't know." Growing up, I was told that saying "I don't know" is actually worse than just saying "no." They claimed that if you can't give a definitive answer, you aren't a stable, strong, or wise person. But isn't "I don't know" actually the most objective response? Especially when you've weighed both sides and all the subjective evidence out there.

Why is it that we never experience anything concrete enough to be absolutely certain—even though our religious ancestors claim they were? And what if being certain isn't even necessary? Why this desperate need to pick a side right now, while we're still alive? Do those people who swear their faith is unshakable ever, deep down, admit to themselves, "I'm just not sure"?

"I don't know" is the only honest answer; anything else is, in my opinion, mere fantasy and wishful thinking. Saying "I believe" involves a hope for which you have no actual proof. For concepts outside of God, "I believe" might include some sort of statistical probability—like saying "I believe the Sun will rise tomorrow," even though there remains a possibility it won't if something happens to the Earth or its people.

When you truly reflect on the question—once you've studied the evolution of thought through philosophy, the history of science, and the history of religion—saying "I don't know" is the most sincere thing you can offer. When you say "I don't know," you should understand *why* you don't know. When you say "I believe," you don't need a reason. It is enough to point out that a massive number of people believe it, and thus it is socially accepted. Faith is essentially a numbers game, which is either laughable or tragic to someone who actually thinks, yet those numbers and the resulting social laws ensure it must be tolerated. The concept of "political correctness" exists largely because of those numbers.
Patrick Sullivan3 Patrick Sullivan3 MemberOP
12 messages
joined Feb 2007
#5 ·
So, saying "I don't know" is probably the honest truth here, isn't it?
Patrick Sullivan3 Patrick Sullivan3 MemberOP
12 messages
joined Feb 2007
#6 ·
Jeremy Alvarez5 said:I mean, I guess you could say this whole thing stems from a bit of a masochistic streak in us. It’s like, humans are naturally terrified of the unknown, right? But we’re also scared of pretty much any kind of force or raw energy that we feel might just wipe us out. So, instead of facing it head-on, we end up developing this weird sense of reverence—kind of a fear-based respect, if that makes sense. Maybe that's just how we're wired.

From everything I’ve picked up from people so far, it seems like nobody actually knows for sure if God exists. But man, there is just so much we don't get about how our own heads work—you know, how our psyche and perception mess with the world around us? I guess when we observe something or even just take a stand on an object, we’re kind of influencing it, though I don't think we're even aware of all the ways we do that yet. It's kind of like how we already know the Sun and the Moon have this massive impact on life here on Earth; I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually figure out just how much influence the rest of the planets have, too. Maybe we'll catch up to it sooner than we think.

So, let me circle back to that whole thing about God and... well, masochism, I guess. It’s kind of wild how we work. Basically, because people are terrified of things they can't predict, they try to micromanage and control everything they perceive as a threat. It's like this survival instinct, right? Every single one of us experiences that fear of the unknown in our own heads, though I suppose we all process it differently—some people feel it more intensely than others, and it probably hits harder depending on what kind of day you're having. I've noticed that the folks who are constantly grinding or living in total chaos don't usually struggle with this as much. Maybe it's because their minds are just too occupied by the immediate, surface-level stuff—just reacting to whatever is happening right in front of them—to really dwell on the deeper, scarier uncertainties. Or maybe they're just too busy to care. I don't know, it's just a thought.

I mean, no matter how hard you try to wrap your head around the chaos of life, there are always these little gaps—sort of like when your brain takes a breather from all that heavy lifting. It’s like that moment when your operating system finally stops lagging for a second. And honestly, I guess when you're just sitting there in that quiet headspace, it's impossible not to start spiraling into the big questions. You can't really escape thinking about what it all means. It's like conscience just kind of wakes up on its own, forcing you to weigh the whole idea of good versus evil against the actual life you're living. It's heavy stuff, I know.

Most people, I guess... He just doesn't want to. I mean, you look at people wrestling with these deep questions, and then they try to justify their choices by just following whoever claims to "know more" than they do—basically deciding to join some organized religion just to settle the score. To me, it feels like religion is really just an escape from your own conscience, a way to run away from God. It’s like the more fear someone carries, the more they lean into religion. Usually, religion just takes that fear and tries to rationalize it, offering up these explanations or lists of rules to tell you exactly how to please God. But since most people are so caught up in the daily grind and their own personal anxieties, I guess they lose the ability to see how complex or even nonsensical those rules actually are. Still, that little spark of free will stays there, poking at them. So, the fear just keeps building, and it turns into this weird, almost masochistic urge to surrender control to something "greater" than themselves. They end up performing all these bizarre rituals just to appease their version of God.

I mean, if you really think about it, the absolute worst case in history is probably... JesusSo, I was thinking about this guy who basically tried to crucify himself because he didn't actually have faith in God. It’s kind of wild when you look at it. He was trying to fill this massive void in his life by just throwing himself at everyone—trying to serve the whole world instead of actually building deep, meaningful connections with specific people, like starting with women, I guess. He was basically compensating for his own emptiness by surrendering to this vague idea of "society" or the future. He wanted to be this martyr for the world, which ended up just making him paranoid about God and super conflicted about his own purpose. Because he chose to give himself up to a bunch of strangers rather than being present for real, individual people, he became this ultimate icon for all the "lost sheep" out there. You know, the people who either can't or won't engage in honest, close relationships? For them, "God" becomes a substitute for actual family and friends. It makes sense why people who love following the crowd find him so appealing. It's way easier to look for some hero who’s willing to die for you than it is to actually do the hard work on yourself. Real self-improvement is painful; it’s exhausting, it requires a ton of humility, and you really have to face that terrifying fear of death—what some might call "reconciling with God." But yeah, it's much easier to just wait for a savior than to deal with the struggle.

I really hope we’re finally reaching a point where people start to get this—where they actually focus on building their own consciousness and learning how to trust life again, both in their relationship with God and with each other. I mean, if you look at it, the answer is pretty clear: hardly anyone is brave enough to just say, "I don't know." And even fewer people are honest about being angry at God because they’re terrified of Him. Instead of having a relationship built on sincerity and respect, a lot of folks act like masochists, treating God like some kind of cosmic sadist. What’s worse is that they actively reject their own divinity; they shy away from having their own will or taking responsibility for their actions, which is the only way to truly be in community with God. Now, not everyone is like that—you definitely find sincere believers even among the religious crowd—but there are so many people who cling to any religion they can find just because they're scared. Personally, out of respect for God and for myself, I’ve never been one to submit to religious rituals. To me, a lot of that stuff feels like it's based on thousands of years of magic tricks and superstitions. Plus, I care about the society I live in; I don't want to set a bad example by acting in ways that feel dishonest to myself, to God, or to my neighbors. I pray to God, sure, but I also tell Him straight up that I don't even know if He's actually there. If He has something good to offer me, I hope He does. If not? Well, maybe it's better if He doesn't. At the end of the day, I find divinity within the human experience, and I’m just really grateful for the people around me. If God is a being, I honestly imagine Him as being indescribably lonely in His solitude. I think, if He exists, He created us to be His partners in creation. Whatever the case, for some reason, He doesn't seem to reach out any other way than through the physical laws of the universe He’s constantly shaping. And then you have the superstitious types waiting for "miracles"—people who see something they can't explain and immediately label it a sign of God's presence. I find that whole thing kind of tragicomic, honestly. It just ends up fueling more fear, which ultimately makes it impossible for people to actually live in the present moment with full consciousness, love, and freedom.

Thanks for such an interesting response; it really gave me something to chew on.👍
To me, Jesus represents something noble, and I am sincerely convinced that modern Christianity has almost nothing to do with him or his actual teachings. They just use him as a mascot or a scapegoat to judge others, nothing more.

When you mention that Jesus didn't get close to women, are you talking about sexual intimacy, romantic love, or something else?
jademarlin26 jademarlin26 Active Member
158 messages
joined Sep 2008
#7 ·
Patrick Sullivan3 said:So, saying "I don't know" is probably the honest truth here, isn't it?

Truth is a paradox; therefore, saying "I don't know" is perhaps the closest one can get to describing it. Throughout history, the sages have remained silent regarding the truth. Anything you claim to know isn't actually it, and IMO, "I don't know" is the nearest approximation if you feel compelled to speak. Furthermore, admitting ignorance maintains a healthy skepticism and encourages a constant pursuit of change. Once you believe you have grasped the truth, you have effectively ceased to grow.
ambereagle642 ambereagle642 Active Member
91 messages
joined Dec 2007
#8 ·
I really hope we've finally reached a point where people actually get this and start focusing on building up their own individual consciousness.

But what even is "individual consciousness" anyway? Honestly, a massive lawsuit is just inevitable at this point... They seriously need to settle these ownership disputes once and for all. Like, who actually owns what in this mess?!
Jeremy Alvarez5 Jeremy Alvarez5 Active Member
165 messages
joined Aug 2010
#9 ·
Patrick Sullivan3 said:Thanks for such an interesting response; it really gave me something to chew on.👍
To me, Jesus represents something noble, and I am sincerely convinced that modern Christianity has almost nothing to do with him or his actual teachings. They just use him as a mascot or a scapegoat to judge others, nothing more.

When you mention that Jesus didn't get close to women, are you talking about sexual intimacy, romantic love, or something else?

You should probably check out the reply over in the religion subforum—it’s under that thread about the best Bible verses.

ambereagle642 said:
I really hope we've finally reached a point where people actually get this and start focusing on building up their own individual consciousness.

But what even is "individual consciousness" anyway? Honestly, a massive lawsuit is just inevitable at this point... They seriously need to settle these ownership disputes once and for all. Like, who actually owns what in this mess?!

That's a fair question, I guess. Since we're all separated by how we perceive, understand, and remember things, we aren't really "one" in that sense. But in terms of constant mutual influence and just existing within the same Universe, yeah, we definitely are.

The world basically gives us a choice of which "gravitational field" we want to surrender to. Most of the time, I don't think we even own ourselves—except maybe for those brief moments when we're actually "awake." Everything else is just our brains processing gathered info and influences through the lens of physical laws.
Zachary Turner6 Zachary Turner6 Active Member
64 messages
joined Mar 2009
#10 ·
Well, let's put it this way...

...

...

I don't know.🤣
Chris Lopez59 Chris Lopez59 Active Member
61 messages
joined May 2007
#11 ·
Jeremy Alvarez5 said:I mean, I guess you could say this whole thing stems from a bit of a masochistic streak in us. It’s like, humans are naturally terrified of the unknown, right? But we’re also scared of pretty much any kind of force or raw energy that we feel might just wipe us out. So, instead of facing it head-on, we end up developing this weird sense of reverence—kind of a fear-based respect, if that makes sense. Maybe that's just how we're wired.

From everything I’ve picked up from people so far, it seems like nobody actually knows for sure if God exists. But man, there is just so much we don't get about how our own heads work—you know, how our psyche and perception mess with the world around us? I guess when we observe something or even just take a stand on an object, we’re kind of influencing it, though I don't think we're even aware of all the ways we do that yet. It's kind of like how we already know the Sun and the Moon have this massive impact on life here on Earth; I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually figure out just how much influence the rest of the planets have, too. Maybe we'll catch up to it sooner than we think.

So, let me circle back to that whole thing about God and... well, masochism, I guess. It’s kind of wild how we work. Basically, because people are terrified of things they can't predict, they try to micromanage and control everything they perceive as a threat. It's like this survival instinct, right? Every single one of us experiences that fear of the unknown in our own heads, though I suppose we all process it differently—some people feel it more intensely than others, and it probably hits harder depending on what kind of day you're having. I've noticed that the folks who are constantly grinding or living in total chaos don't usually struggle with this as much. Maybe it's because their minds are just too occupied by the immediate, surface-level stuff—just reacting to whatever is happening right in front of them—to really dwell on the deeper, scarier uncertainties. Or maybe they're just too busy to care. I don't know, it's just a thought.

I mean, no matter how hard you try to wrap your head around the chaos of life, there are always these little gaps—sort of like when your brain takes a breather from all that heavy lifting. It’s like that moment when your operating system finally stops lagging for a second. And honestly, I guess when you're just sitting there in that quiet headspace, it's impossible not to start spiraling into the big questions. You can't really escape thinking about what it all means. It's like conscience just kind of wakes up on its own, forcing you to weigh the whole idea of good versus evil against the actual life you're living. It's heavy stuff, I know.

Most people, I guess... He just doesn't want to. I mean, you look at people wrestling with these deep questions, and then they try to justify their choices by just following whoever claims to "know more" than they do—basically deciding to join some organized religion just to settle the score. To me, it feels like religion is really just an escape from your own conscience, a way to run away from God. It’s like the more fear someone carries, the more they lean into religion. Usually, religion just takes that fear and tries to rationalize it, offering up these explanations or lists of rules to tell you exactly how to please God. But since most people are so caught up in the daily grind and their own personal anxieties, I guess they lose the ability to see how complex or even nonsensical those rules actually are. Still, that little spark of free will stays there, poking at them. So, the fear just keeps building, and it turns into this weird, almost masochistic urge to surrender control to something "greater" than themselves. They end up performing all these bizarre rituals just to appease their version of God.

I mean, if you really think about it, the absolute worst case in history is probably... JesusSo, I was thinking about this guy who basically tried to crucify himself because he didn't actually have faith in God. It’s kind of wild when you look at it. He was trying to fill this massive void in his life by just throwing himself at everyone—trying to serve the whole world instead of actually building deep, meaningful connections with specific people, like starting with women, I guess. He was basically compensating for his own emptiness by surrendering to this vague idea of "society" or the future. He wanted to be this martyr for the world, which ended up just making him paranoid about God and super conflicted about his own purpose. Because he chose to give himself up to a bunch of strangers rather than being present for real, individual people, he became this ultimate icon for all the "lost sheep" out there. You know, the people who either can't or won't engage in honest, close relationships? For them, "God" becomes a substitute for actual family and friends. It makes sense why people who love following the crowd find him so appealing. It's way easier to look for some hero who’s willing to die for you than it is to actually do the hard work on yourself. Real self-improvement is painful; it’s exhausting, it requires a ton of humility, and you really have to face that terrifying fear of death—what some might call "reconciling with God." But yeah, it's much easier to just wait for a savior than to deal with the struggle.

I really hope we’re finally reaching a point where people start to get this—where they actually focus on building their own consciousness and learning how to trust life again, both in their relationship with God and with each other. I mean, if you look at it, the answer is pretty clear: hardly anyone is brave enough to just say, "I don't know." And even fewer people are honest about being angry at God because they’re terrified of Him. Instead of having a relationship built on sincerity and respect, a lot of folks act like masochists, treating God like some kind of cosmic sadist. What’s worse is that they actively reject their own divinity; they shy away from having their own will or taking responsibility for their actions, which is the only way to truly be in community with God. Now, not everyone is like that—you definitely find sincere believers even among the religious crowd—but there are so many people who cling to any religion they can find just because they're scared. Personally, out of respect for God and for myself, I’ve never been one to submit to religious rituals. To me, a lot of that stuff feels like it's based on thousands of years of magic tricks and superstitions. Plus, I care about the society I live in; I don't want to set a bad example by acting in ways that feel dishonest to myself, to God, or to my neighbors. I pray to God, sure, but I also tell Him straight up that I don't even know if He's actually there. If He has something good to offer me, I hope He does. If not? Well, maybe it's better if He doesn't. At the end of the day, I find divinity within the human experience, and I’m just really grateful for the people around me. If God is a being, I honestly imagine Him as being indescribably lonely in His solitude. I think, if He exists, He created us to be His partners in creation. Whatever the case, for some reason, He doesn't seem to reach out any other way than through the physical laws of the universe He’s constantly shaping. And then you have the superstitious types waiting for "miracles"—people who see something they can't explain and immediately label it a sign of God's presence. I find that whole thing kind of tragicomic, honestly. It just ends up fueling more fear, which ultimately makes it impossible for people to actually live in the present moment with full consciousness, love, and freedom.

You’re seriously calling two millennia of shaping human civilization some kind of "void"?

You might want to look at the emptiness in your own argument. Reading a few New Age paperbacks doesn't turn you into a philosopher; it just makes you a parrot that repeats things without actually understanding a single word of what's coming out of its mouth.
jademarlin26 jademarlin26 Active Member
158 messages
joined Sep 2008
#12 ·
"A Jewish sect for the uneducated and illiterate"—that is how a contemporary Roman described the rise of Christianity, a death cult that later imposed its influence through sheer force and fire wherever it traveled, systematically dismantling anything that did not bow to their desert God. This isn't just some historical void; it is a black hole in American history.
slyotter43 slyotter43 Newcomer
3 messages
joined Aug 2009
#13 ·
Question: Do you believe in God and

Question: Does God exist? To me, those are two completely different things
dustycanyon54 dustycanyon54 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Aug 2009
#14 ·
LMAO!!!

Questioning whether God exists is just like questioning if we ourselves actually exist.
feralheron17 feralheron17 Member
12 messages
joined Mar 2009
#15 ·
Patrick Sullivan3 said:I find myself part of a group that defaults to "I don't know" whenever the question comes up: "Does God exist?" Even though I grew up in a very strict, deeply religious household, my answer today remains "I don't know." Growing up, I was told that saying "I don't know" is actually worse than just saying "no." They claimed that if you can't give a definitive answer, you aren't a stable, strong, or wise person. But isn't "I don't know" actually the most objective response? Especially when you've weighed both sides and all the subjective evidence out there.

Why is it that we never experience anything concrete enough to be absolutely certain—even though our religious ancestors claim they were? And what if being certain isn't even necessary? Why this desperate need to pick a side right now, while we're still alive? Do those people who swear their faith is unshakable ever, deep down, admit to themselves, "I'm just not sure"?

And do you know why you are exactly who you are: because you either have total control over your own (r)evolution?!
By the way, the answer I don't know: falls under a huge umbrella: anti-theism, agnosticism, and so on. There are plenty of people like that in the world.
Tolle (a citizen of Canada) constantly repeats that he doesn't know, and it seems like he's channeled so much energy into that that he has no need for levitation or bilocation or any of that stuff.
It's always good to know who you aren't. Saying "I don't know" lets you keep what you actually are and what you might actually know.
For me: I always experience God as the unknown, as the thing that cannot be known.
😉
Jeremy Davis7 Jeremy Davis7 Active Member
55 messages
joined Oct 2007
#16 ·
God isn't some abstract concept; He’s a living presence woven into everything, giving the whole mess a sense of purpose.
At this level, it's actually not that hard to sense Him or feel that sudden rush of His presence...
You just have to put in a little bit of work...

Once you finally feel that connection—even for a split second—and it fills your heart because you actually let your guard down, all that overthinking and debating whether He exists or not? It just vanishes. Poof. Gone.

Trust me, I've been there!

🙂

PS.
Jeremy Alvarez5,...try doing more and philosophizing less!
You wouldn't know a spiritual breakthrough if it hit you right in the face.
Maybe then you'd actually experience Jesus in a way that matters.

😉
dustycanyon54 dustycanyon54 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Aug 2009
#17 ·
Yeah, you hit the nail on the head, Jeremy Davis7!
Jeremy Davis7 Jeremy Davis7 Active Member
55 messages
joined Oct 2007
#18 ·
FuckU2 (with my diamond-tipped steel nail)

ps.
I don't care if it costs me 500 points
😉
casualmaker13 casualmaker13 Active Member
84 messages
joined Dec 2007
#19 ·
Jeremy Davis7 said:God isn't some abstract concept; He’s a living presence woven into everything, giving the whole mess a sense of purpose.
At this level, it's actually not that hard to sense Him or feel that sudden rush of His presence...
You just have to put in a little bit of work...

Once you finally feel that connection—even for a split second—and it fills your heart because you actually let your guard down, all that overthinking and debating whether He exists or not? It just vanishes. Poof. Gone.

Trust me, I've been there!

🙂

PS.
Jeremy Alvarez5,...try doing more and philosophizing less!
You wouldn't know a spiritual breakthrough if it hit you right in the face.
Maybe then you'd actually experience Jesus in a way that matters.

😉

I don't know who touched you, but it definitely wasn't Him.😍
Because if He had, you wouldn't be talking like this.😲 🙄 😛
Based on your example, Vivianmukte, one might conclude that God doesn't even exist.😉

P.S. Just stick to your own commandments and rituals: Love thy neighbor...☕
Jeremy Davis7 Jeremy Davis7 Active Member
55 messages
joined Oct 2007
#20 ·
Honestly, it’s probably for the best that a guy like me has someone around to give me a reality check every once in a while.

Someone who’s all about being politically correct and just way too eager to please. It's exhausting.

Well, you know what they say; "not everything that glitters is gold."

PS.
Thanks!

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