tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948070944762476183.post3837364960828761636..comments2023-10-19T12:13:17.987-04:00Comments on Unexpected Holiness: The purpose of godDawn Fortunehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14722591049949538021noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948070944762476183.post-70467606689305392122010-01-15T22:57:51.426-05:002010-01-15T22:57:51.426-05:00A similar battle to what I went through about a de...A similar battle to what I went through about a decade ago; picked up th bible and tried to see what on earth was in there that caused others to have faith- and me to have none.<br /><br />I found no answers, but a few more Jeopardy! questions...<br /><br />My sister, after her husband's death, searched for answers in religion and a variety of faiths. She even questioned our mother and I as to whether or not we thought his death was a punishment by god unto her, for abandoning her family. (the car accident that put him into a coma occurred on our parents' 40th anniversary)<br /><br />She committed suicide after her life had become unbearable and the questions unanswered too haunting.<br /><br />I see life differently. In my view, religion is all well and good, but it seems a convenient way for people to shove off their own personal responsibilities for decisions, choices, beliefs etc onto an ambiguous invisible figure. A way to dodge.<br /><br />So says this moral atheist. <br /><br />People say that atheists have no morals; I argue that because we have no higher being to take the fall, we have 100% of the responsibilities as our own. Then it comes down to "the mirror factor"- am I living my life in such a way that I can look myself in the mirror the next day? If I am not, what do I need to do to rectify that? <br /><br />Or can I? <br /><br />Sometimes, one can't "fix what is broken"- and guilt is a waste of time in the long view. <br /><br />Our lives go through so many stages of transition and growth- sometimes at a rapid pace, like summer in a garden, and other times slowly or nearly dormant, like winter. But they move ever forward; one cannot go back in time.<br /><br />I guess god has no purpose for me, because PEOPLE DO. I put my -faith? for lack of better word- in myself, in individuals, in that which I have learned for the years on this planet that I can believe in.<br /><br />And I remain (or try to be) flexible, to accept change, to keep myself available to change.<br /><br />Anyways, my very exhausted thoughts at the end of the day!<br /><br />A very thought inspiring post, Dawn- and I look forward to talking and growing with you. I will pay you one of the highest compliments imo a person can give or receive:<br /><br />YOU MAKE ME THINK. And I thank you for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948070944762476183.post-39437326142131438812010-01-15T19:58:47.269-05:002010-01-15T19:58:47.269-05:00Interesting, Dawn. I happen to be one of the yes-...Interesting, Dawn. I happen to be one of the yes-no-wait people myself. I know it is problematic for many reasons to think of God as a male patriarchal figure, but since my dad is the smartest and most awesome mortal I know, I generally think God is probably sort of like him. And the thing about my dad, or about parents in general, is that sometimes they say no to their kids because they know better than their kids. So that's how I like to think of it. God knows what I need, and he'll give it to me, even if it's not what I think I need.Carlitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03989683666319924460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948070944762476183.post-10995108420562873192010-01-15T12:52:07.487-05:002010-01-15T12:52:07.487-05:00The Purpose Of God? Really, my dear, if you'...The Purpose Of God? Really, my dear, if you're starting with the assumption that some kind of God exists (that there is some kind of over-riding creative force from which everything in the universe arises) ... then wouldn't the more logical approach and question to start with be: "the purpose of US" ? Jean V.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6948070944762476183.post-69903124289220155232010-01-15T09:06:14.972-05:002010-01-15T09:06:14.972-05:00Thanks, Dawn-- Couldn't have written this but ...Thanks, Dawn-- Couldn't have written this but i certainly have thought most of the thoughts. We certainly are on the same tide and definitely on the same shore ___ Thanks for the time yesterday and we have only just begun! Love ya--<br /> EvelynAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05581291273813574951noreply@blogger.com