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So, I have scientific training in Anthropology and belive evolution is the most logical explanation ever presented as to how life comes about and changes.
But I also belive we are *more* than just carbon based monkeys that blink out when we die. I've studied lots of religions in depth and have come to the personal conclusion that none are the complete truth. There are clear patterns across religions that can be traced to how humans think and function. To me, it would seem a religion created by a supreme being would not show these traits. Yet despite my rejection of organized religion and without getting into detail I feel the indisputable effects of of a higher power in my life.
I've also stepped over to the "dark side" of science to study ghosts and UFOs, brought on because I keep seeing a ghost of a litte girl in my house. I later discovered a 5 year old girl did die there in 1918 from the flu pandemic, and it is still disconcerting that I see something that logically shouldn't be there. And strange enough, LOTS of otherwise sane people see unexplainable things, adding fuel to the assumption that the "vanishing smart monkey theory" is incomplete or outright wrong.
So what am I? More importantly how do I reconcile my views of existence? I know the pieces fit together but I can't figure out how.
Muslims call it "Hanif" when you believe in one God but are no Jew, Christian or Muslim or member of any other monotheistic religion, I considered myself a Hanif for a while but am Christian now.
when you accept that God gave the Torah and obey 7 commandments you're Bnei Noach according to Judaism.
I would advice you to read the bible, especially the New Testament, I would reccomend you the Concordant Literal Translation by A.E. Knoch
I would advice you to read the bible, especially the New Testament, I would reccomend you the Concordant Literal Translation by A.E. Knoch
Oh, I've read it. And the Koran, and the Torah, among others. Christians, Jews and Muslims would be surprised to know how similar they really are. Their religions have the very same roots. In fact, they show the very same developmental patterns that I was talking about in the initial post.
I was in the exact same boat as you for 27 years :-) i can completely relate to you and your logic. I knew that evolution made sense but i don't know...maybe out of fear....out of fantacy....out of habit...etc., chose to believe that there 'MUST' be a God...and that all religious folks are stupid to fight over this/that God...and that it's all the same God!
Then, i started to think about WHY i think that way....and i demanded from myself evidence for believing such a profound thing! I found none! i then decided that living the rest of my life, believing in the truth is better than living my time beliving in a myth, hoping that it would lead me in the 'afterlife'!
Cheers!
ps. i don't know what they would call someone who's not religious but believes in God. maybe spiritual? that's what i called myself. i was a muslim though!
So, I have scientific training in Anthropology and belive evolution is the most logical explanation ever presented as to how life comes about and changes.
But I also belive we are *more* than just carbon based monkeys that blink out when we die. I've studied lots of religions in depth and have come to the personal conclusion that none are the complete truth. There are clear patterns across religions that can be traced to how humans think and function. To me, it would seem a religion created by a supreme being would not show these traits. Yet despite my rejection of organized religion and without getting into detail I feel the indisputable effects of of a higher power in my life.
I've also stepped over to the "dark side" of science to study ghosts and UFOs, brought on because I keep seeing a ghost of a litte girl in my house. I later discovered a 5 year old girl did die there in 1918 from the flu pandemic, and it is still disconcerting that I see something that logically shouldn't be there. And strange enough, LOTS of otherwise sane people see unexplainable things, adding fuel to the assumption that the "vanishing smart monkey theory" is incomplete or outright wrong.
So what am I? More importantly how do I reconcile my views of existence? I know the pieces fit together but I can't figure out how.
Phenomena manifests in a myriad of ways/forms and not only on the gross ( megascopic: visible to the naked eye) physical level.
And there is an "inner eye" that sees what the physical eye does not.
Children haven't yet been conditioned out of this way of seeing.
Matter is composed of energy ... let's say vibrating at different frequencies.
Spiritual does not = religious (which is absolutely not to say that people who take part in religious practices/beliefs can't be spiritual).
Religions are constructs created by the human mind. There is no religion that has been created by a "supreme being".
Spirituality does not in any way conflict with evolutionary processes.
This either-or thinking is folly and does not reflect wholeness.
Logic / rationality is just an aspect of mind and does not / cannot recognize its limitation.
But many people are conditioned (for a slew of reasons) to believe that rationality ... the rational mind is superior.
The materialist and the literal bible believer (for example) are flip sides of the same coin that isn't worth much.
You can be "unaffiliated" which doesn't have to imply atheism or agnosticism. "Spiritual" is a popular one. Or you can just go by whatever version of god fits your ideas. Here's a loose description of some.
Theist - God is an active force who is in communication with humanity and may intervene in human affairs.
Deist - God does not intervene in events within the Universe, certainly not with human affairs.
Pantheist - God is the Universe or Multiverse or Nature. All gods and people are part of the All-God in some sense.
Panentheist - God is greater than the Universe, but the Universe is part of God.
There seem to be quite a few people on the forum who believe in God but are turned off by the religious organizations that man has created. You often hear the expression "spiritual but not religious" when people try to define their personal point of view. Highly organized churches with their own set of rules and regulations probably seem much more worldly and manmade than a believer's personal feeling that they're connected to God.
So, I have scientific training in Anthropology and belive evolution is the most logical explanation ever presented as to how life comes about and changes.
But I also belive we are *more* than just carbon based monkeys that blink out when we die. I've studied lots of religions in depth and have come to the personal conclusion that none are the complete truth. There are clear patterns across religions that can be traced to how humans think and function. To me, it would seem a religion created by a supreme being would not show these traits. Yet despite my rejection of organized religion and without getting into detail I feel the indisputable effects of of a higher power in my life.
I've also stepped over to the "dark side" of science to study ghosts and UFOs, brought on because I keep seeing a ghost of a litte girl in my house. I later discovered a 5 year old girl did die there in 1918 from the flu pandemic, and it is still disconcerting that I see something that logically shouldn't be there. And strange enough, LOTS of otherwise sane people see unexplainable things, adding fuel to the assumption that the "vanishing smart monkey theory" is incomplete or outright wrong.
So what am I? More importantly how do I reconcile my views of existence? I know the pieces fit together but I can't figure out how.
Hanif is fine with me, if I must call myself something. Deists believe in God, but don't need religion, per se. Religion can absolutely interfere with A Godly friendship. Religions can help people to define god as they see fit, despite religious restrictions, and frequent confusions.
There seem to be quite a few people on the forum who believe in God but are turned off by the religious organizations that man has created. You often hear the expression "spiritual but not religious" when people try to define their personal point of view. Highly organized churches with their own set of rules and regulations probably seem much more worldly and manmade than a believer's personal feeling that they're connected to God.
Very well put Montana and you are exactly right.
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