[quote=GX;24174]1) I became aware of this forum after posting on shadowdemocracy.org and find it quite an interesting read. I read what an agnostic is in your faq but am now thoroughly confused after reading the beliefs of some agnostics here. Specifically that of MJ "Revolting Pawn". His beliefs sound somewhat like mine but I never considered myself an agnostic. I personally consider myself spiritual but not religious. I would like to list off my beliefs and get some clarifications from you folks if you dont mind...
I guess that is a pretty long first post, but not as long as some I've seen. I'll respond to your premises point-by-point and then leave it for others to do likewise.
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Originally Posted by GX  1) I dont believe in the dysfunctional, neurotic, vengeful theistic God of religions but I do believe in a God/Being/Universe or whatever you want to call it of perfect love that has consciousness and intelligence. I believe that this being is everywhere and everything in the physical and spiritual universe and more. I also believe that everything and everyone in the universe is a part of God like waves are a part of the ocean and that we are all connected and one yet an individuation of the whole. This God has no needs or requirements and does not even require one to believe in him/her. I also believe that life is meaningless and that God created us and gave us creative power to create our own meaning. |
I can relate to your disbeliefs because I experienced the same logical disconnects you did with regard to the "God of religions". What's not as clear to me is the basis of your belief in "a God/Being/Universe". If you reject "the God of religions" on a logical basis, what logically leads you to believe in any form of supreme being?
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Originally Posted by GX 2) I dont believe that a devil/satan as described by the major religions exists or in the concept of hell and everlasting punishment. |
Nor do I. It's as illogical as a belief in a supreme being.
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Originally Posted by GX 3) I do believe in an afterlife and reincarnation. I do not believe that you immediately reincarnate after physical death but that you may do so after spending some time up there and most of our species chooses to do so for the sake of personal evolution. |
On what logical basis?
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Originally Posted by GX 4) I believe that Jesus existed and did all of those great things but I feel that organized religion intentionally distorted his message and even intentionally left alot of things out. Whether he was a direct individuation of God, or a individuation of God as we all are, Im not sure. . |
I'm not even all that sure he ever existed at all. If he did, it almost certainly wasn't as an incarnation of a supreme being.
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Originally Posted by GX 4) Which leads me to my final belief....
5) I dont have all of the answers and do not wish to proselytize my views, but wish to encourage discussion and dialogue on these important questions so that all points of view are expressed and that we may all evolve as sentient beings. Specifically, I believe that mine is not a better way or the only way but merely another way to the ultimate truth. I believe that every belief and path (even atheism) is a stepping stone that will eventually lead one to the ultimate truth i.e. there are many paths to the top of the mountain. If not in this lifetime, maybe the next.. |
You're likely a lot younger than I am. Having lived for 60 years, many of which were spent in an effort to ferret out "the ultimate truth". And I've become convinced I'll never discover it.
Once you reject conventional, e.g. religious, views of truth because they make no sense to you, such rejection pre-supposes that any beliefs you subsequently align yourself with will be based on your best attempt to apply logic and reason. Consequently, I'm intrigued at your rejection of "the dysfunctional, neurotic, vengeful theistic God of religions" and your acceptance of "a God/Being/Universe or whatever you want to call it of perfect love that has consciousness and intelligence" without citing any apparent evidence.