Originally posted by OPTIONAL777
<i>beyond good and evil.........
having read this thread with much interest, it seems to me that the conclusion is really something else. something beyond the age old debate concerning the existence of god; and if god exists does he concern himself with the affairs of men ?
having given MUCH thought to this issue, it appears that some people are simply wired to believe in a higher power, and some people are not. there is equal brain power and intellect on both sides of the debate, so why do some people believe and some do not ?? apparently there is something deep inside the innerworkings of the mind that "predestines" belief or non belief. even the bible states something like this when it says, and i will take liberty when qouting since i am not sure of the exact qoute, " i (god) am foolishness for those who are not touched by the spirit". or something like that.
therefore, in my opinion, the debate itself is meaningless since belief and non belief are internalized by the person and no amount of debate or winning of an argument can change one's mind if they are not wired to believe or vice versa.
just my thoughts, thanks for some fascinating reading.
best,
surf</i>
When I was 18, and of scientific mind alone, I met a man who told me that God exists. I said, prove it to me. He said fine. Come to my house and I will prove it to you.
I arrived at his house and I said where is the proof. He brought out a Bible and said, "here is the proof."
Of course, being young, full of it, and knowing everything I got angry and said "I said proof. That is not proof."
Calmly he replied, "yes, it is proof."
I got more and more upset with him. "That is not proof, that is just <i>your</i> opinion and <i>your</i> belief system, not scientific, objective proof."
He remained calm and replied, "it is proof."
At my wits end, "I yelled at him, <b>then prove it to me!</b>"
Once again, completely serene with his response he said, "the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the proof of God is in the believing. I cannot prove it to you---I am not God, but God can prove it to you if you believe wholeheartedly in him."
I stormed out. What an idiot I said to myself.
Well, many years later, and many different experiences and changes of my belief systems, I discovered what he said to be true for me, and it is my belief that it can be true for everyone.
It is possible to change beliefs, if one chooses to do so. If someone understands the nature of the human mind and the way in which beliefs are formed and sustained, change is possible if not inevitable. No one is born with their beliefs, they are presented to us as children, but as adults we have the power to choose what to believe.
I find it silly that in the context of discussing the concept of the creator of the universe, a being who is omnipresent and omnipotent, that we demand that such a creator must fit into our constructs of what proof is.
Somewhere along the line, we have accepted that the scientific method and objective method of discovering reality is the correct and only method to find out what is real and everlasting.
Those who sincerely practice faith, faith from the deepest and most sincere corner of their hearts, have come to a different set of beliefs and experiences that while not meeting the criteria of those who require <i>objective</i> evidence as a reason to change their belief systems, their faith has produced experiences of a relationship with God that they are willing to live and die for.
Yes, I cannot prove the existence of God to you, but He can prove it if you really want him to. Have you ever really asked Him to do so, from the bottom of your heart?
777