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I'm looking for the broadest definition here, folks.
How do you identify it?
How do you define it?
And most of all: What is it not?
Any and all analogies, ("connecting the music with the band" sort of thing) are welcomed! Subtleties are good; scriptural passages are okay; easy-to-understand answers are better. And...
From the heart would be best.
Thanks in advance!
Take gentle care.
Excellent post!
My "religious" experience matures as I grow in these three;
1-Belief
2-Faith
3-Knowledge
So, you may ask, what's the difference?
Knowledge is simple. It's an intellectual excersise
Belief and Faith, now it gets complicated. Which comes first?
I do believe faith is a gift. However it would seem logical that one would require a belief, in that which one has faith.
Based more upon knowledge and experience, I came to believe in "God". And knowledge continues to affirm that belief.
So I chose to believe in God, as I understand ( or don't understand ) God.
Faith on the other hand, requires...well...Faith.
Faith is a paradox.
From surrender and submission comes strength, a fortress, a life sustaining nutrient.
When all is a vacum, there is faith.
When all is pale transparency, there is faith.
When all is void, there is faith.
Faith is not incompatible with knowledge and belief, but faith ultimatley transcends knowledge and belief. When knowlege and belief are as yet unsatisfied, Faith sustains.
I'm very grateful for my faith
Knowledge is simple. It's an intellectual excersise
Faith is a paradox.
From surrender and submission comes strength
When all is a vacum, there is faith.
When all is pale transparency, there is faith.
When all is void, there is faith.
Faith is not incompatible with knowledge and belief, but faith ultimatley transcends knowledge and belief. When knowlege and belief are as yet unsatisfied, Faith sustains.
Wow...!
Can you explain this a bit more, Oakback?
Simplistic terms would undoubtedly be best! Think about where this poster, (me,) is coming from...
I am not concerned/intersted in knowledge. I'm not talking about or asking about "knowledge" in the classical/traditional sense. I am, however, asking about that which you "know" on a very deep level. How do you "know" it?
How are you specifically able to know or identify this "void" aspect as god, or faith? (I'm coming from a very different mindset that attributes that "void" with something else altogether.) So if can, if you will, can you help me to better understand that aspect of it?
As well, what is the "transparency" aspect/meaning?
In other words, what is it that you "knew" (just enough) that enabled you to move into a position of "faith" and ulimately, "belief?"
June,
For me belief came from listening to the preachers and reading the bible. I listened to what they were saying and in layman terms came under conviction, that is to say, In my heart I believed what they were saying was true. There was a void or emptiness within me that just wasn't satisfied, I guess it was like a longing to be content. Within myself I felt a longing to ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins.
Simplist terms would undoubtedly be best! Think about where this poster, (me,) is coming from...
I am not concerned/intersted in knowledge. I'm not talking about or asking about "knowledge" in the classical/traditional sense. I am, however, asking about that which you "know" on a very deep level. How do you "know" it?
How are you specifically able to know or identify this "void" aspect as god, or faith? (I'm coming from a very different mindset that attributes that "void" with something else altogether.) So if can, if you will, can you help me to better understand that aspect of it?
As well, what is the "transparency" aspect/meaning?
In other words, what is it that you "knew" (just enough) that enabled you to move into a position of "faith" and ulimately, "belief?"
Take gentle care.
I suppose it's human to be curious, to wonder, to search for understanding.
So,I wonder; how old is this universe, how was it created,
why does a rose smell so wonderful, why is the sky blue, why do my eyes see color as they do, do we all see color the same or do we just use similar language to describe it, why is there male and female of species, why do plants and vegatables reproduce the way they do, why do I have a natural aversion to disorder and chaos, why do I like symetry, why is there suffering and injustice and all types of horror, why is it that a reformed drug addict is the best person in the world to help another drug addict and why does the reformed addict also benefit. Why do I know a dissonant sound, compared to soothing harmony? etc..........
I am a rational,thinking, inquisitive man that respects science. I grew up around world renowned scientists. I'm an engineer. So many of these questions of mine can be explained away with what is today basic scientific data. But those answers don't satisfy my soul. There are too many metaphors in the d we live in that hint at something beyond what science can verify, or what science is trying to verify. I connect, I empathize, I'm somehow familiar with this "something".
We on this forum use many different words to describe this "something".
But when we are all at our best, we understand each other and speak the same language.
I don't have a problem with calling it "MUSIC"
I'm not so concerned about the band. It's the conductor that I have faith in.
I suppose it's human to be curious, to wonder, to search for understanding.
So,I wonder; how old is this universe, how was it created,
why does a rose smell so wonderful, why is the sky blue, why do my eyes see color as they do, do we all see color the same or do we just use similar language to describe it, why is there male and female of species, why do plants and vegatables reproduce the way they do, why do I have a natural aversion to disorder and chaos, why do I like symetry, why is there suffering and injustice and all types of horror, why is it that a reformed drug addict is the best person in the world to help another drug addict and why does the reformed addict also benefit. Why do I know a dissonant sound, compared to soothing harmony? etc..........
I am a rational,thinking, inquisitive man that respects science. I grew up around world renowned scientists. I'm an engineer. So many of these questions of mine can be explained away with what is today basic scientific data. But those answers don't satisfy my soul. There are too many metaphors in the d we live in that hint at something beyond what science can verify, or what science is trying to verify. I connect, I empathize, I'm somehow familiar with this "something".
We on this forum use many different words to describe this "something".
But when we are all at our best, we understand each other and speak the same language.
I don't have a problem with calling it "MUSIC"
I'm not so concerned about the band. It's the conductor that I have faith in.
If you know the conductor, it becomes easier to connect the music to the band..The conductor makes himself available to all of us, but we have to have a strong desire to know Him..In order to know Him, we have to be willing to humble ourselves and go to Him with out any pressure from the band or from people who are no part of the band..We have to be willing to allow the composer teach you the notes...
I connect, I'm somehow familiar with this "something".
"I connect, am somehow familiar with this 'something.'"
Thank you.
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Think about where this poster, (me,) is coming from...
