Psycho-Babble Faith Thread 385323

Shown: posts 1 to 25 of 33. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Why are people offended by God?

Posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 1, 2004, at 15:31:37

I don't understand this. Some people are offended by the mention of God. They are literally offended.

This is so sad to me.

 

Re: Why are people offended by God?

Posted by nicolas on September 1, 2004, at 16:58:46

In reply to Why are people offended by God?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 1, 2004, at 15:31:37

I think we live in a time where people value being 'right' and the way this is tested is through argument. They see 'God' as a specious argument for a meaning in life they can not understand. I don't see God this way ... God is the souce of love and the unity of the cosmos. These sorts of understandings that are intuitive can't be explained rationally and since rationality is the 'god' of some they take for truth something very different than believers.

Jusy my thoughts.

 

Re: Why are people offended by God?

Posted by verne on September 1, 2004, at 17:26:58

In reply to Why are people offended by God?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 1, 2004, at 15:31:37

When I used to talk about God and use labels like "christian" alot, unbelievers were often offended. More than one felt the need to tell me they were a "good person" or talked about their strengths.

Perhaps, that's a clue. That the mere mention of God is threatening to the ruling self. I think too with the mention of "God" there's an implication that the self is bad and needs to diminish, to surrender, to the point of extinction. This is scary for most people.

Before I believed I pushed away any mention of God. I knew my boat was swamped and leaking but I refused to abandon ship (the ego) - to let go, and let God. I remember feeling almost angry if someone prayed for me and suggested I need God.

Remembering that, I try to tread carefully and usually avoid mention of God altogether. Instead I recommend reading scripture or I might quote some if they seem interested. There's power in the Word. Jesus didn't argue with Satan in the wilderness, just said, "it is written..." If we could talk someone into believing then they could be talked out of it. It has to happen at the heart or spirit level not in the head that thinks "God".

I'm still groping in the dark but I see a little light.

Verne

 

Re: Why are people offended by God?

Posted by Cass on September 2, 2004, at 13:17:38

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God?, posted by verne on September 1, 2004, at 17:26:58

I'm not offended by the mention of God unless I feel the person speaking believes that their interpretation of God is right and mine is wrong, or that God is on their side and not on the side of others. I appreciate it when people know that their experience of God is fulfilling for them but recognize that no one else has to have the exact same experience. I love God talk. I love when people acknowledge the spiritual force, God, the well-spring or however a person wants to phrase it.

 

Re: Why are people offended by God?

Posted by rayww on September 2, 2004, at 18:23:51

In reply to Why are people offended by God?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 1, 2004, at 15:31:37

People are offended by the mention of God.  Even more so by the mention of Jesus.
 
Most associate God with the Judeo-Christian beliefs, as in God in the Bible.  In the Bible God is pretty clear that He is God, and the rest of us aren't.  He lets us know that He's in charge, and that if we want eternal life, as well as blessings in this life, we need to do things His way. That becomes a problem when His way is not our way.
 
Political correctness insists that ALL ways lead to God and that all ways are equally "right", but God says only His way is right. 

Further, He says that Jesus is the only way to Him.  No other way is given by God, except through the salvation offered by Jesus. 

Since no two religions teach the same on this matter, it is easy to see why there is offense taken, but I wonder how much of this offense has to do with pride, ego, conscience, and misunderstanding.

I personally believe we are born with a conscience that is near to heaven. It is very easy to teach a baby to pray. The first jibber jabbers can be their version of the blessing on the food. Amen is another first word. God is so easy for a child to comprehend. The other is a learned behavior, and if you leave out the teaching how will they learn?

I can 100% guarantee that no young child in my circle will take offense to the use of the name, "God". Why else do we have the Bible if not to teach the children? It is not just a true historical record. My memories of being taught stories from the Bible are very dear. They gave me a good foundation, and good feeling because they taught me right from wrong, and so many other valuable lessons. What parent hasn't been taken back by the questions and comments of a child? If you want to know about God, ask a child.
http://scriptures.lds.org/query?words=out+of+the+mouths+of+babes&search.x=31&search.y=10

 

Re: please clarify that » rayww

Posted by Dr. Bob on September 2, 2004, at 20:11:08

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God?, posted by rayww on September 2, 2004, at 18:23:51

> Most associate God with the Judeo-Christian beliefs, as in God in the Bible.
>
> Political correctness insists that ALL ways lead to God and that all ways are equally "right", but God says only His way is right.
>
> no two religions teach the same on this matter, it is easy to see why there is offense taken, but I wonder how much of this offense has to do with pride, ego, conscience, and misunderstanding.

Since it's easy to see how offense could be taken, could you clarify whether you're saying (a) only one way is right, (b) people of some religions believe that only one way is right, or (c) something else? Thanks,

Bob

 

Re: please clarify that

Posted by rayww on September 3, 2004, at 12:15:08

In reply to Re: please clarify that » rayww, posted by Dr. Bob on September 2, 2004, at 20:11:08

c, as neither of the other two even entered my mind.

 

Re: please rephrase or clarify that » rayww

Posted by Dr. Bob on September 5, 2004, at 2:14:25

In reply to Re: please clarify that, posted by rayww on September 3, 2004, at 12:15:08

> > > God says only His way is right.
> >
> > could you clarify whether you're saying (a) only one way is right, (b) people of some religions believe that only one way is right, or (c) something else?
>
> c, as neither of the other two even entered my mind.

Sorry to belabor this, but could you either rephrase what you originally said or explain how it's neither a nor b? Thanks,

Bob

 

Re: please rephrase or clarify that » Dr. Bob

Posted by rayww on September 5, 2004, at 10:41:15

In reply to Re: please rephrase or clarify that » rayww, posted by Dr. Bob on September 5, 2004, at 2:14:25

In response to the question, "Why are people offended by God?

>  
> Most associate God with the Judeo-Christian beliefs, as in God in the Bible.  In the Bible God is pretty clear that He is God, and the rest of us aren't.  He lets us know that He's in charge, and that if we want eternal life, as well as blessings in this life, we need to do things His way. That becomes a problem when His way is not our way.
>  
> Political correctness insists that ALL ways lead to God and that all ways are equally "right", but (in the Bible) God says only His way is right. 

Dr Bob, I was referring to the beginning of the first paragraph which stated "most associate God with the Judeo/Christian beliefs, as in God in the Bible. In the "Bible" God is pretty clear that only His way is right.
http://scriptures.lds.org/lev/26/3#3
To further document God has the authority, power of creation, and control over the elements:http://scriptures.lds.org/query?words=%22peace+be+still%22&search.x=32&search.y=10

So, according to the "Bible", we should worship He, whose creation this is. Christians, including Mormons believe Jesus Christ is also God. Mormons believe it was Christ who communicated to Noah, Moses, and the other prophets in the Old Testament. There are many different beliefs, even stemming from the Bible, yet all agree that God (whomever He is), through recorded history, both religious and otherwise in the "Bible", states His way.

http://scriptures.lds.org/matt/16/13#13
Whom do "you" say He is?
http://scriptures.lds.org/matt/17/3#3

 

Lou as amicus curie-Dr.Hsiung, rayww

Posted by Lou Pilder on September 5, 2004, at 12:51:07

In reply to Re: please rephrase or clarify that » Dr. Bob, posted by rayww on September 5, 2004, at 10:41:15

Dr. Hsiung and rayww.
I come to this discussion as a friend of the forum to give my thoughts about how this situation appears to me and how the administrative rules apply.
First, the rule in question here is mentioned prominatly on the opening page of the faith forum. The rule states that there is a principle that is to be followed in posting that [...whoever dares to say: Outside the church there is no salvation is to be driven...].
In rayww's post in question, rayww writes,[...He, (God}, says that Jesus is the only way to Him.] and, [...No other way is given by God, except through the salvation offered by Jesus...].
The forum has to consider the following;
A. Does the post say what one would be driven from the community for? ie; [...that whoever dares to say tha there is no salvation outside of the church...]
B. Is the rule violated by rayww's post
Lou
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040729/msgs/385777.html

 

Redirect: administrative rules

Posted by Dr. Bob on September 6, 2004, at 16:52:12

In reply to Lou as amicus curie-Dr.Hsiung, rayww, posted by Lou Pilder on September 5, 2004, at 12:51:07

> I come to this discussion as a friend of the forum to give my thoughts about how this situation appears to me and how the administrative rules apply...

I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding administrative issues to Psycho-Babble Administration. Here's a link:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20040902/msgs/387241.html

Thanks,

Bob

 

Re: please be supportive » rayww

Posted by Dr. Bob on September 6, 2004, at 17:21:44

In reply to Re: please rephrase or clarify that » Dr. Bob, posted by rayww on September 5, 2004, at 10:41:15

> In the "Bible" God is pretty clear that only His way is right.
>
> So, according to the "Bible", we should worship He, whose creation this is.

Thanks for clarifying. Referring back to my example of what I'm considering generally supportive:

http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020918/msgs/7889.html

I think I need to ask you in the future to phrase comments like the above more like:

> People of my faith believe that only His way is right.
>
> People of my faith worship He, whose creation this is.

Follow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above posts, should of course be civil.

Thanks,

Bob

 

god talk

Posted by tai daluna on September 10, 2004, at 4:02:03

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God?, posted by verne on September 1, 2004, at 17:26:58

i think a lot of people are offended by the mention of god, because it is so often followed by condemnation and/or oppression. for example, as a woman, i find a religion offensive when it takes away freedoms i feel are personal and mine to have: such as control over my own body and reproduction. for this reason, i know that many of my friends have violent reactions to the mention of god or church. unfortunately, for them it is not about faith, but politics; the politics of oppression. personally, when my personal freedoms are threatened by a community that wants to tell me what i can do with my own body, i feel angry and militant. it is not my place to tell others how to live their lives. i do not appreciate being told how to live mine. also, a lot of people get very angry when they are told there is only one god and that they are going to hell for not believing in it. i know i sure do. and for a long time god= exclusion for me, because i didn't have that sort of absolute faith. most people don't take well to being told that they are going to hell.
peace.
tai

 

Re: god talk » tai daluna

Posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 13, 2004, at 11:53:26

In reply to god talk, posted by tai daluna on September 10, 2004, at 4:02:03

Good points. I have been in that boat of being told I was going to hell because I was Catholic, that I wasn't really a "Christian."

i think your point about the politics of religion being offensive as opposed to God being offensive is a good one. I wish that weren't the case.

 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » Miss Honeychurch

Posted by NikkiT2 on September 13, 2004, at 17:25:53

In reply to Why are people offended by God?, posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 1, 2004, at 15:31:37

I'm not offended by talk of God. I have spoken oftem on here of my deep interest in all aspects of spirituality. I love talking to people about their own personal Gods, who ever they are and whatever religion they are.

What I get offended about is being told that my way, because I don't follow or believe in the Christian God, is the wrong way.

Nikki

 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » NikkiT2

Posted by rayww on September 14, 2004, at 18:25:43

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God? » Miss Honeychurch, posted by NikkiT2 on September 13, 2004, at 17:25:53

How do you (and others outside of Christianity) define the Christian God?

 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » Cass

Posted by rayww on September 14, 2004, at 18:51:41

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God?, posted by Cass on September 2, 2004, at 13:17:38

Is it mostly we Christians who make you feel God is not on your side? I think God would be happy to have anyone acknowledge him, no matter how they perceived him to be or where they lived. However, I can't see him answering a prayer that was said to a rock, as God cannot lie and will not deceive and the real God would not want us thinking we could pray to this thing and get answers like magic.

Perhaps one common thread in all beliefs concerning God is that we have been created by some power greater than our own. We didn't just happen, and since there is such 100% complete order in the universe, that creator must be pretty perfect.

 

Re: god talk

Posted by rayww on September 14, 2004, at 18:56:39

In reply to Re: god talk » tai daluna, posted by Miss Honeychurch on September 13, 2004, at 11:53:26

> Good points. I have been in that boat of being told I was going to hell because I was Catholic, that I wasn't really a "Christian."
>
> i think your point about the politics of religion being offensive as opposed to God being offensive is a good one. I wish that weren't the case.


I like how you have separated God from the politics of religion. God is a good focus point. I believe He has zero tollerance for the abuse and misuse of women (and children).

 

Re: god talk » tai daluna

Posted by rayww on September 14, 2004, at 19:03:56

In reply to god talk, posted by tai daluna on September 10, 2004, at 4:02:03

If you are saying what I think you are saying, this absolutely breaks my heart. If women all over the world would unite in faith and pray for this kind of oppression to end, it would crumble to the ground. I'm sure of it.

 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » rayww

Posted by NikkiT2 on September 15, 2004, at 13:30:25

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God? » NikkiT2, posted by rayww on September 14, 2004, at 18:25:43

Um.. the guy that was Jesus's father? I'm not sure how to explain.. The person commonly known as "God". As in, the God believed in by Christians, Jews, Catholics, Muslims etc.

Sorry, even having studied some theology, I suddenly find I can't explain who I mean, as most people seem to kow exactly who I mean when I say the "Christian God" as by saying that I mean the Father of Christ.

Nikki

 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » rayww

Posted by Cass on September 15, 2004, at 14:17:10

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God? » Cass, posted by rayww on September 14, 2004, at 18:51:41


Dear ray,

When you write "there is such 100% complete order in the universe...", what exactly are you referring to? The natural environment excluding human beings? The natural environment including human beings? The laws of physics?

The way I see it, human beings are a part of nature, and human beings can create unatural devastation to the environment, social injustice and all kinds of situations that seem very "ungodly".

I don't draw the conclusion that God is imperfect because of this. I simply suspect that God is not omnipotent.


 

Re: Why are people offended by God?

Posted by Jai Narayan on September 15, 2004, at 20:08:21

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God? » rayww, posted by Cass on September 15, 2004, at 14:17:10

My beliefs are that God is evolving just as we are. Everything grows. We all evolve.
I like that.
Jai

 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » Cass

Posted by rayww on September 16, 2004, at 16:29:19

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God? » rayww, posted by Cass on September 15, 2004, at 14:17:10

I mean 100% order in creation, in balance, in our ecosystem. I agree, man sometimes thinks he knows better, and creates havoc with nature, but nature itself is a house of order.

 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » Jai Narayan

Posted by rayww on September 16, 2004, at 16:53:09

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God?, posted by Jai Narayan on September 15, 2004, at 20:08:21

I believe that too. Evolving into a more perfect or more evil self is what we call eternal progress. http://scriptures.lds.org/query?words=eternal+progression&scripturesearch_button=Search


 

Re: Why are people offended by God? » NikkiT2

Posted by rayww on September 16, 2004, at 17:00:48

In reply to Re: Why are people offended by God? » rayww, posted by NikkiT2 on September 15, 2004, at 13:30:25

Isn't that the crux of the problem? No one agrees exactly on how to define God. Even when God defines Himself there is disagreement. If it's a heavenly problem there must be a heavenly solution. things of the world are physical and worldly, but things not of this world are spiritual and supernatural. Since there is both good and evil in the spiritual realm, then it is up to us to sort it our for ourselves. Just as satan willingly reveals himself to those who ask, so does God. What happens when you ask? If it is a spiritual problem, we need to employ the spiritual powers of faith and trust in order to empower ourselves in that realm.


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