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Seems there is something greater than the sum of all art.
When I stand before a painting where the artist has managed to make the unconscious conscious and behold that in awe; when I am so in touch with my soul as to be capable of creating something; when I am thereby in the process of loving in such a way that I am rapturously connected to all that "is;" when I am able to find my self in engulfing silence; when I angst in the longing only to be consumed by, and within it; when I metaphorically stand on the edge of a cliff anticipating the free fall...
When I stand before a painting where the artist has managed to make the unconscious conscious and behold that in awe; when I am so in touch with my soul as to be capable of creating something; when I am thereby in the process of loving in such a way that I am rapturously connected to all that "is;" when I am able to find my self in engulfing silence; when I angst in the longing only to be consumed by, and within it; when I metaphorically stand on the edge of a cliff anticipating that free fall...
PREACH !!
that's beautiful. inspiring.
and you call yourself an atheist?
maybe your not ready for "theist", but atheist doesn't seem to cut it.
Describing faith, is similar to describing a peice of art.
Although I much prefer to use my own words on this forum, I'm no artist, and my words seem to amuse you.
So try this on for size.
Rest assured your words don't amuse me. They make me go because what you are describing (and I'm trying to understand it) really makes no sense to me. Like the example where you found knowledge easier than belief or faith... I just don't see how that's possible. That's why I asked for explanations.
Mind you, I graduated from a super exclusive, extremely theory heavy architecture college so I understand the power of language and expression in describing artistic creations. I was my fellow students' and professors' nightmare because I insisted on breaking down flowery language to determine if made sense or if it was being allowed to skate by because it's pretty language. When something didn't make sense to me there was no language pretty enough to mask the senselessness, however if someone could make sense of it for me then I was fully on board with the idea.
Quote:
Cathechism of the Catholic Church
Quote:
158 "Faith seeks understanding": it is intrinsic to faith that a believer desires to know better the One in whom he has put his faith, and to understand better what He has revealed; a more penetrating knowledge will in turn call forth a greater faith, increasingly set afire by love. The grace of faith opens "the eyes of your hearts" to a lively understanding of the contents of Revelation: that is, of the totality of God's plan and the mysteries of faith, of their connection with each other and with Christ, the center of the revealed mystery. "The same Holy Spirit constantly perfects faith by his gifts, so that Revelation may be more and more profoundly understood." In the words of St. Augustine, "I believe, in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe."
In essence, one must already believe and want to believe in order to acquire belief, faith and understanding. Seems circular to me.
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And thus it began...
because what you are describing (and I'm trying to understand it) really makes no sense to me. Like the example where you found knowledge easier than belief or faith... I just don't see how that's possible. 
That's why I asked for explanations. 
