Psycho-Babble Faith Thread 351946

Shown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

I think I've lost my faith.

Posted by Impermanence on May 29, 2004, at 18:49:40

Whats the point.. Be happy over someones brainwashing idea of the truth... It's all man-made bullshit.. Nothing is real, nothing lasts, All religions are just a huge cult. Be a fool and follow the fools or open your eyes and see the truth.. nothingness.. The most beautiful thing I can thing of happening when I die is nothing, I just want neverending nothing. Is that too much to ask for? Just peace, nobody's plan, nobody's religion, nobody's idea of right or wrong, nothing. Just peace.

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith. » Impermanence

Posted by rayww on May 30, 2004, at 0:04:00

In reply to I think I've lost my faith., posted by Impermanence on May 29, 2004, at 18:49:40

The pathway to faith is obedience. To say you have lost faith is like saying you have lost your way. If you don't know what to be obedient to, simply ask God and then listen. He will soon enough let you know. Turn your faith to God rather than organized religion for awhile. Losing faith is true loss. Hang on. Even though the ride is rough, you'll get through if you do.

The reason I say the pathway to faith is obedience is because it takes faith to be obedient. With every step your resolve to be obedient strengthens, and your faith from being obedient grows. God is the great enabeller. All he asks is your attention.

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith.

Posted by Impermanence on May 30, 2004, at 7:26:13

In reply to Re: I think I've lost my faith. » Impermanence, posted by rayww on May 30, 2004, at 0:04:00

Believe me Rayww I've tried, I've spent the last couple of years meditating and praying and asking for guidance. My mother asked me to say a rosary with her every evening and I have for the last two months.

The more I pray the less interested I am in what I'm doing. I do have an awareness about life, I understand that living in this western world with all it's comforts while people all across the globe are living in poverty, and doing nothing about it is categorically wrong.
I know I'll help people when I get myself sorted out. Maybe a year in Sudan working with a charity will teach me the value of humility.

I'm a good person, I coulden't hurt a fly (well maybe the odd fly in my face) but the older and wiser I get the more I see God as something most people need because they can't grasp the idea that soon they will not exist anymore. Fear makes people believe in God, not love. Most people need the idea that some kind loving sprit is watching over them and no matter how hard life is there is a reward at the end.

If the majority of so called Christians started living as Christ lived instead of praying to him the world woulden't have very many problems.
I don't know if God is there or not, nobody really knows, but I do know that compassion and understanding are the most important things in life, not because wise people told that but because I feel it in my gut.

I don't want to live a life without God, it seems empty, but I know thats just an emotion I feel because I was brought up to believe that God is there.

I really think I'm loosing my faith, I could live my life under an illusion that would react chemicals in my brain to make me feel good or I could wake up and smell the coffee, this is it, this is all I will ever know, live in the moment and do what I can to end suffering when I get better myself.

Thanks for your repily Rayww, I've read many of your posts and you seem like a very intelligent person. When I say I think I've lost my faith I only mean in God (whatever God is supposed to be). As corrupt and destructive as the world is I haven't lost my faith in humanity, it just needs a good kick in the ass and a revolution or twelve to become a shadow of enlightened.

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith.

Posted by Impermanence on May 30, 2004, at 23:00:09

In reply to Re: I think I've lost my faith., posted by Impermanence on May 30, 2004, at 7:26:13

I think God just may be there again, it's so confusing. I thought about it alot tonight and I know I have a choice, believe or turn my back. I can't turn my back. A life without faith is truly empty. I know I must work hard to build a relationship with God, I wish I had the devotion you have. Maybe I'll get there someday.

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith.

Posted by rayww on May 31, 2004, at 0:19:20

In reply to Re: I think I've lost my faith., posted by Impermanence on May 30, 2004, at 23:00:09

Faith was never meant to be difficult. Believe or else turn your back is faith about as simple as it could be. Maybe God is answering your prayer, and my prayer for you.

 

Re: please be civil » Impermanence

Posted by Dr. Bob on June 1, 2004, at 0:01:13

In reply to I think I've lost my faith., posted by Impermanence on May 29, 2004, at 18:49:40

> It's all man-made bullsh[*]t... All religions are just a huge cult.

Please don't put down other beliefs or use language that could offend others.

If you have any questions or comments about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil

or redirect a follow-up to Psycho-Babble Administration.

Thanks,

Bob

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith.

Posted by shadows721 on June 1, 2004, at 23:11:29

In reply to I think I've lost my faith., posted by Impermanence on May 29, 2004, at 18:49:40

Hi Impermanence,

I know as a kid I simply believed all that I was told. Now, as an adult, I am questioning what is really the truth. I agree with you that many religions have cult like thinking. They sure don't teach one to search for God in their own way.

I don't want to think there is nothing. I want to believe there is something. Sometimes, I think that living in my urban world actually makes me feel more separated from God. I am around "things" and not "living things". I know that I look at myself and others and see there is a creator. I say to myself, "Something created me and those around me." I didn't create myself. I guess there is a religon that believes that, but I don't. I don't think that I have that type of power. Maybe it's when I am not in the man made world that I feel closer to a creator. But, then I think why is the creator allowing all this suffering to continue. I just don't understand all this. I hear what you are saying about the nothingness thing. I sure hope my life wasn't for nothing, but anything is possible.

I feel you too are questioning things. But, I have heard that's what leads to enlightenment. Maybe you are closer to enlightenment than you think.

 

Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob

Posted by Impermanence on June 2, 2004, at 20:33:20

In reply to Re: please be civil » Impermanence, posted by Dr. Bob on June 1, 2004, at 0:01:13

Sorry Dr.Bob, I diden't realize I was putting down other beliefs as I, in my post was confronting my own (the same) beliefs. I'm just questioning at the moment.
I have a very open mind and truly believe there is no right or wrong. As I said in a previous post "there is truth in all religions". It's just nice when you're feeling the doubt in your mind to express yourself and get it out of your system.
I understand this board is not the right place express negative opinions, but it was just how I felt at the time.
My apologies.

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith. » shadows721

Posted by Impermanence on June 2, 2004, at 22:15:28

In reply to Re: I think I've lost my faith., posted by shadows721 on June 1, 2004, at 23:11:29

Like you I really don't want to think there is nothing, it seems pointless to have a planet so rich with life floating in a neverending space so empty for no reason than just luck.

The chances of intelligent life in any of the hundreds of billions of galaxies (that we know of) must be tiny and I'm sure we're pretty special. To think that there's nothing behind it all is hard to comprehend, although science will do all it can to prove just that.

Maybe there was and is much intelligent life out there and we're not as smart as we like to think we are. Maybe we're here because of intelligent alian life that came long before us, who really knows? but then who started them? what caused the big bang (theory)? The questions will never end..

You could have ten times the brain power of Einstein and I'm sure no matter how many equations and laws you come up with you will still be no closer to the truth.

At the end of the day it all comes down to the question of faith, will you believe the words of people who lived on the planet a few thousand years before you? Will you meditate for years and find your own truth? Will you go with your gut feeling? Will you choose to ignore all you where told by others and do what the hell you want without any fear?
Who is right and who is wrong? Does it really matter?

When you reach an awareness of how conditioned and programmed we all are you see how truly insane the whole planet really is. Maybe the universe is just chaos and we're here just by chance, maybe there is no reason. Reason and explanation are something mankind seems to need and will invent at any chance. Everything we know, all rules, morals, ideas have just been handed down through generations of sentient beings.

You asked "why is the creator allowing all this suffering to continue." If you go by the words of Jesus Christ then the explanation is simple; we are all given free will. After all 99% of the worlds problems are man made. Humans hurt humans, humans choose to ignore their fellow humans living in poverty and humans are destroying the planet at a phenomenal rate, yet we still say why is God letting this happen. Truth is we're letting most of it happen, we're happy with short term solutions that make our short lifes comfortable and we're happy to let a handful of corporations make the decisions that run our society.

In Buddhism you are thought that nothing is permanent, as my name is; Impermanence!!!! and there is no need to worry about the things we worry about (i.e. all the problems of the world, for nothing lasts), this is really the truth, for the sun only has about five billion years left before it burns itself out (may sound long to us but it is nothing really). Even Jesus said "You came from dust and you will return to dust" which we all will and have. Maybe our short lives really are just a little test to see how pure our souls are. Maybe the most important thing really is to drop your ego, forget about all the things you think are important (Job, beauty, money, house, car, infatuation with other people ect ect), and live your life to help others from suffering, live your life to achieve enlightenment. Then enlightenment really is "unlearning" going back to nothing, forgeting all you where ever thought, to drop the lables we seem to put on every aspect of life, see through the illusions we create. The more I meditate the more I go back to "nothingness", but that nothing is beautiful, I feel love and warmth when there is nothing in my mind, maybe thats God, no sounds, pictures, smells or tastes, just love, just nothingness. A place unspoiled by man, pure. But then is the love I feel just another sence, just a chemical reaction.

Anyway I'm babbling, we will never have the answers, all we can do is make the most of what we know, go with your gut feeling. I'm going to choose to believe in God, whatever God is. When I talk to myself in my mind I feel I'm talking to God and that makes me feel good (not insane).
I guess God is real if you want him/it to be real, forget what everybody tells you and just go with your gut feeling.

Btw Rayww thank you for thinking of me in your prayer, that touched me.

 

Re: thanks (nm) » Impermanence

Posted by Dr. Bob on June 2, 2004, at 23:04:06

In reply to Re: please be civil » Dr. Bob, posted by Impermanence on June 2, 2004, at 20:33:20

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith.

Posted by rayww on June 3, 2004, at 1:17:37

In reply to Re: I think I've lost my faith. » shadows721, posted by Impermanence on June 2, 2004, at 22:15:28

How can you look into the heavens on a clear night and see the innumerable masses of stars and think this earth is the only place where there is life? I can't comprehend that. I would rather think that every star has a solar system and life.

I enjoy your babbling. It seems the more we babble, the more we figure out.

 

in fear

Posted by shadows721 on June 3, 2004, at 1:40:32

In reply to Re: I think I've lost my faith., posted by rayww on June 3, 2004, at 1:17:37

Hi,

It is something to see when we view the stars. It's sorta scary to me actually. It really reduces my significance in the big scheme of things. I am only but less than a dot in the universe. By the time, the light of this planet reaches another, my life would have been over already.

I have a lot of fears from my Ptsd. One of them is death. My life is so darn temporary and death seems forever. This life is put a blink and death seem eternal. It's hard to comprehend. It's also hard to identify that I would never see a loved one again either. It's all just scary to me, but that's how I live - in fear of everything too.

Some people want to see God. I would think that would be scary too. I would settle for just feeling a presence.

 

Re: in fear » shadows721

Posted by Impermanence on June 4, 2004, at 23:08:37

In reply to in fear, posted by shadows721 on June 3, 2004, at 1:40:32

By the time we see a star it's most likely dead, (i.e; the stars we see are just light thats traveling for millions of light years), the star is most certainly dead.

About death, truth is it's as beautiful as being born only we become so attached to everything it hurts to let go. Fear is something you feel while being alive, when your brain dies you can no longer feel fear. Fear like all emotions is something only a living brain can feel. Loved ones are something you've become attached to, If you could see the world as Jesus Christ did you would be just as attached to everybody. We are all one conciseness living through different minds "That are lost" << in most cases...

Death is only scary while you're dying, as soon as you're dead you will no longer feel the need for "loved ones", I'm sure of that. When your brain dies all your emotions and memories die with it. If you meditate on that idea it seems ridiculous to be afrid of death. After all, you where dead forever before you where born!!!

When you feel (pain, happiness ect) it's because of your living brain, when you die your brain dies also so don't worry about feelings as you can't hurt when you're dead. Weather or not
your soul can remember is a matter of opinion.

I'm sure it's not something to worry about.
Lots of love. xxxxxxx

 

Re: in fear » shadows721

Posted by simus on June 5, 2004, at 1:40:57

In reply to in fear, posted by shadows721 on June 3, 2004, at 1:40:32

> It is something to see when we view the stars. It's sorta scary to me actually. It really reduces my significance in the big scheme of things. I am only but less than a dot in the universe. By the time, the light of this planet reaches another, my life would have been over already.

Yes it is truly something to marvel at. And to think that people throughout history have gazed at the stars in wonder too...

Psalm 8:3-4 "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?"

Psalm 147:4-5 "He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite."

> I have a lot of fears from my Ptsd. One of them is death. My life is so darn temporary and death seems forever. This life is put a blink and death seem eternal. It's hard to comprehend.

You are very insightful. Our life here on earth is but a whisp of vapor in the vastness of eternity.

Psalm 39:4-5 "LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor."

But if you are a Christian, there is no need to fear death.

2Tim 1:8-10 "...God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,"

> It's also hard to identify that I would never see a loved one again either. It's all just scary to me, but that's how I live - in fear of everything too.

Someone asked a preacher once if they would recognize their relatives if they saw them in the afterlife. He said, "Would you recognize them if you saw them in Dallas?" Meaning, you are who you are for eternity.

> Some people want to see God. I would think that would be scary too. I would settle for just feeling a presence.

Feeling God's presence is good, but the more you get to know Him, the more you will want to see him. =)

You are a great person, and I pray this was an encouragement to you.

 

Re: I think I've lost my faith.

Posted by Ivan MIchael on July 8, 2004, at 10:02:03

In reply to Re: I think I've lost my faith., posted by Impermanence on May 30, 2004, at 23:00:09

hello again Impermanence. it's been a long time since we last spoke. in the past you tried to help me with my spiritual life. i saw this post and new i should read it. it sounds like you going through almost the same thing that i was. always asking and searching but to no avail. falling into believing that there is nothing beyond. i put a lot of thought into my faith since i last posted this site and here's wut i've come up with.(this is all my belief and i'm not saying that anieone else is wrong) God is there, no question. but i am no longer Catholic,(kinda). i believe that no faith is correct and yet all faiths hold some truth. all faiths are connected somehow. i never liked being held down to one faith or another. i dont judge other peoples faiths because it may be in some way right. i think that as long as you have faith that there is something above us, you will be saved. for all i know i might go to hell if there is one for believing all this. but this is what feels right to me. i feel at home. i dont think about it as much. i just accept it. i hope that you can find peace in some way or faith my friend. until then keep strong and dont lose your faith.


This is the end of the thread.


Show another thread

URL of post in thread:


Psycho-Babble Faith | Extras | FAQ


[dr. bob] Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD, bob@dr-bob.org

Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.