Pressing beyond "niceness"

'The only way Jesus differs is because there were actual physical witnesses to some of the "miracles' between Jesus and God, such as the ascensions actually witnessed by the disciples.'

Hmmmmmm...did anyone think to take pictures? Was there a notary present? If not, then we'll have to consign these alleged supernatural events to hearsay, and include them in the large catalog of miracles and myths alongside other and similar unproven nature-defying feats 'recorded' by many of the world's religious belief systems. both primitive and modern.

The world's religions are like a many-colored rainbow - impressive to see and hear, but an illusion all the same. Each one consisting of fables, allegories, metaphors and myths straight from an endlessly fertile human imagination - a creative intelligence without apparent boundries or limits.

We really have to hand it to ourselves!

The logical starting point is not who is the Creator, but rather is there a Creator. Why isn't it enough that the universe is wondrous? Why isn't it enough that when the diversity of the universe is combined with 16 Billion years all sorts of fantastic things are possible.

What is so strange or wrong or sinful about dreaming we can all work together to create a better world for our children’s children? Let’s focus on our common experience and dreams instead of our fears and differences.

nothing fail nations like human explanation.

mankind came to this universe ,and came to this universe bare back ,lest he/she say that he created this universe or he/she own or posses any thing in this universe.

so the logical humble starting point is who is the creator?how we can communicate with?so he can explain to us why we are here and where we are going and what we must do and what we must do not?

looking at the perfect clock of this univese (physical world)should tell us that
,for so the creator god love the world he sent just one explanation,not ten thousand explanation?????
it woudnot fit his wisdom to creat this perfect universe and let the trillions of mankind each put his/her explanation,it would be a disastar.

would you make a tv set and just let the tv set put its own explanation?would you vote for ten thousand president to be on top of the gov?

nothing fail nations like human explanation.

"So, maybe you could repost and use a different, more correct word."

"Gee, what a brilliant new incite!"

Ahem.

- Christianity proves to be the best explanation for the world as it is: both the metaphysical and the physical.

- From the jihadist to the Dawkensian atheist, a certain personality type is sure about the big questions.

- John Mark Reynolds

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I am sure that Hindus and Buddhists also think they the "best explanation for the world as it is: both the metaphysical and the physical."

I am very sure, being of a certain "jihadist" personality, the "big things" is still beyond our minds to grasp fully, completely, absolutely.

I love this guy!

He never fails to crack me up.

Using words like "data" with regards to religion. LOL!

No, sir, it is SCIENCE that finds explanations to fit the data.

Religion is what you make up when you don't have any data. Which, strictly speaking, you don't.

I guess his heart's in the right place tho. What's that old line about good intentions though? Good thing there's no hell either. Phew.

Mono1

In the English language, the word "physique" refers to the shape of the healthy human body, and usually refers to beauty, often masculine beauty. Obviously you meant it a different way. So, maybe you could repost and use a different, more correct word.

In addition, I suppose that the religion that you are proposing is Islam. What you are saying is that your religion is right and everyone else's is wrong.

Gee, what a brilliant new incite! Did you just think that one up yourself?

Dear Mr. Reynolds

Im my life, I have met and known a good many Mormons and have visted Utah and Salt Lake City a couple of tiems. I have entertained the Mormon Missionaries in my home from time to time, when they have come a'knockin, as door to door salesmen for Joseph Smith. I have heard the Mormon schpiel many times.

And this is what I think: you would probably make a pretty good Mormon, and you and your family would be pretty happy, living in Salt Lake City, in the little Mormon kingdom, where everything is laid out for you to think and believe, and shelter from the real world is pretty easy to come by. Why don't you give it a try?

Seriously!

nothing fail nations like human interpretation.

mankind is not the notary public for another mankind,

one of the baisc nature of mankind is the fact and reality that he/she are locked and shackled down in their natural (physique)

mankind can search and explore only in the (physique),

preesing beyond the (physique)into the metaphysique need divine word,need divine explanation,need divine guidance,need divine voice,need divine interpretation,

none wd tell about the physique and the metaphysique better than the creator of both the physique and metaphysique.

the upper proof and seal belong to the creator of mankind,

every thing around us is a proof of the creator ,why not looking for his word and guidance instead of siting here saying that my explanation is better than yous,my man is better than your man ,mama,s culture is better than yours,my dad is a culture artist?if you thing i,m ugly you should see my sister!!!!

for humanity to reach maturity ,humanity need to look for her creator god.

its not about nice or ugly ,its not about peace or war,its not about morality or immorality,
its all about why we are here what is the purpose?and where we are going and what we must do and do not.

John, Thank you for some excellent observations. "Are all religions created equal?" Certainly not. What they share in common is that each claims to be divinely inspired. God has not made an appearance in blazing glory over the Vatican or the Temple Mount, with full modern press coverage, and so we are expected to take the word of so-called 'Prophets' who claim to have messages from God.

If there is one God, then there should be uniform answers received by each prophet and visionary. There never is. The messages of the Mahabharata and Gita, Siddharta Buddha, Mohammed, Reverend Sun Yen Moon, Madam Blavatsky, Guru Nanak, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and Jesus were each different.
The only way Jesus differs is because there were actual physical witnesses to some of the "miracles' between Jesus and God, such as the ascensions actually witnessed by the disciples. No other prophet has actual first-hand accounts witnessed by others of anything resembling what the apostles of Jesus (and Moses) went through.
It is not easy to stand up and stand firm for what we believe in. The above comments make that clear. But you stood up for your beliefs clearly and well. I respect you for that, and, after my own years of study and research into those eastern religions, I happen to agree with your conclusions.
Thank you.
Suzanne Olsson
"Jesus in Kashmir, The Lost Tomb"

John, Thank you for some excellent observations. "Are all religions created equal?" Certainly not. What they share in common is that each claims to be divinely inspired. God has not made an appearance in blazing glory over the Vatican or the Temple Mount, with full modern press coverage, and so we are expected to take the word of so-called 'Prophets' who claim to have messages from God.

If there is one God, then there should be uniform answers received by each prophet and visionary. There never is. The messages of the Mahabharata and Gita, Siddharta Buddha, Mohammed, Reverend Sun Yen Moon, Madam Blavatsky, Guru Nanak, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and Jesus were each different.
The only way Jesus differs is because there were actual physical witnesses to some of the "miracles' between Jesus and God, such as the ascensions actually witnessed by the disciples. No other prophet has actual first-hand accounts witnessed by others of anything resembling what the apostles of Jesus (and Moses) went through.
It is not easy to stand up and stand firm for what we believe in. The above comments make that clear. But you stood up for your beliefs clearly and well. I respect you for that, and, after my own years of study and research into those eastern religions, I happen to agree with your conclusions.
Thank you.
Suzanne Olsson
"Jesus in Kashmir, The Lost Tomb"

Mr. Reynolds, you are such a condescending bigot. You are so accommodating and such a generous man, who acknowledges that all religions are flawed. However, your own brand of christianity, the valiant christianity has just got it right and is asymptotically reaching the limit, isn't it? Mr. Reynolds, if anything your religion is less believable than Judaism, because of all the unsubstantiated truth claims of Judaism, you sir have the additional burden of substantiating another slew of your own truth claims, which are frankly build out of the north en of a south bound mule.

For all your arrogance, you have the gall to accuse us of arrogance. This the usual MO of you theists to accuse us who are always riddled with doubt about our claims, even after they have been well substantiated we are willing to look at fresh evidence, that may invalidate our claims. You not only not substantiate your claims of existence of a supernatural entity but go a step further to claim what is on it's mind. You have no respect for us, who cares. So your lack of respect is because in your credulous mind, we have lost the sense of wonder, because we are not as credulous as you all are. In fact we are have great grasp of the wonder, just because you cannot envision it so that's the way it must be according to you. Who is portraying the certitude, you or me.

sorry, I must have pressed too far beyond niceness.

hariaum

I can explain you jesus:

he was a demons that deluded people into killing, stealing, and raping and believing that they would still get eternal salvation if they only said his creed.

hariaum

Wow, talk about ethnocentrism

Let us ignore all the great cultures of India, the Moghuls, the chinese, the romans, the greeks, the egyptians. Then christianity is awesome.

let us ignore the killing done in the name of jesus and he is the coolest character in history.

let us say christians made mistakes, not so much christianity, but all other religions make mistakes not their people.

I think if the bible is true, then we should judge a prophet by the acts of his followers: Constatine, the crusades, the policy of as the head so the people of the state, antisemitism through only 2000 years, inquisition, religious wars of europe, religious wars of modern Africa, Spanish/catholic expansionism in "Latin" america, genocide of the native american by the protestants and mormons, ethnic cleansing by candian missionaries, inquisitions of nonchristians in India, ... yep that's the religion that got it right - evolution by natural war based selection. That really represents christian heritage. Oh by the way, forget what you prophet said and write down opinions only. forget exactly how he did or did not enter in jerusalem. forget all that he said the end of the world would come before those who lived in his time dies, yep, let us ignore the internal and external inconsistencies and say we got it right!

ignorance for the ignorant.

bull. btw you might want to read the Isha Upanishad as the material and immaterial.

hariaum

Most religions begin with a personal experience beyond the scope of common understanding. The experience is so powerful it naturally creates the desire to share the experience with others. Various methods (religions) are created to communicate and share the experience. Unfortunately, due to the human tendency toward self deception and our conditioned tendencies, the method (religion) becomes central and the source experience becomes secondary. Most religions point directly at the same source experience and this is the "oneness" that the Dalai Lama is referencing.

"There is only one group that does not deserve our respect: the extremist wrapped in certainty."

You sound pretty certain about that.

"From the jihadist to the Dawkensian atheist, a certain personality type is sure about the big questions."

You seem to be very sure about that big question.

"These people lack faith, because all they have is certainty."

You appear to have stated that with a great deal of certainty.

"Lord how I want to be in that number!"

When the saints go marching in!

Everybody now...

Oh, when the saints... (oh, when the saints...)
Go marching in... (go marching in...)
Oh, when the saints go marching in.....

"Christianity proves to be the best explanation for the world as it is: both the metaphysical and the physical."

You need to show your proof, or you don't get a grade.

Um, Richard Dawkins himself doesn't go for complete certainty. He explicitly rates himself a 6 on the scale of 1 to 7 (1=certain of God, 7=certain there's no God).

But perhaps you were talking about someone named "Dawkens"? :)