[Atabong]

Originally Posted by Msoto

...Believe in yourself, I would say believe in God...

What exactly do you mean by the above statement? How can he believe in himself and in a giant old white man hanging in the sky at the same time?

[Msoto]

Originally Posted by Atabong

What exactly do you mean by the above statement? How can he believe in himself and in a giant old white man hanging in the sky at the same time?

Cartesian Dualiasm

[Valhalla]

Shatar, realize that an answer to your question is not simple. It's easy to say yes or no, or even get annoying philosophical as Atabong usually does. What we will all write here may only provide you with some insight on what the true answer is. You have to take time and effort to know the complexities of the existance of evil and a good God (that seems to trouble you). Your hope lies way beyond what we can share with you here. And since you sound like you have at one point believed in God, then I encourage you to decide to dive deeper into what you once believed.

To the rest: this guy is not looking for theology or philosophical rhetoric-so stop going all Socrates on him.

Atabong: You know I respect you big!

[satjas]

Hey ATLian et all,

hope y'all are doing well!!!


No matter what people respond here, the only correct answer is none of us knows! Period![/quote]

I would have preferred if you said you did not know anyone who knows. As long as we keep on thinking of God as this separate entity from us we will never be able to experience God. The sum of everything is = God. And everything includes ideas, dreams, george bush and the next door neighbour.

[frogitar]

Shatar i feel so sorry for you. God exists!!!!! Dont worry .

[Atabong]

Valhalla;...It's easy to say yes or no, or even get annoying philosophical as Atabong usually does...

I'll surely learn from your criticism, please expound more.

To the rest: this guy is not looking for theology or philosophical rhetoric-so stop going all Socrates on him.

I'm sure you read 'this guy's' mind incorrectly and I don't think it's fair to belittle our truth seeker by claiming that 'this guy is not looking for theology or philosophical rhetoric'. If a man asks: does God exist? And you don't want to create further confusion by saying God is our father/mother in heaven, or that God is Allah or Allah is God or that God is a giant old white man hanging in the sky or something like that etc, what else do you say?

Atabong: You know I respect you big!

I'm sure you just miss-spelt PIG but never mind what matters and what matters never mind! I take no offence against you.

[Valhalla]

Originally Posted by Atabong

I'll surely learn from your criticism, please expound more.

I'm sure you read 'this guy's' mind incorrectly and I don't think it's fair to belittle our truth seeker by claiming that 'this guy is not looking for theology or philosophical rhetoric'. If a man asks: does God exist? And you don't want to create further confusion by saying God is our father/mother in heaven, or that God is Allah or Allah is God or that God is a giant old white man hanging in the sky or something like that etc, what else do you say?


I'm sure you just miss-spelt PIG but never mind what matters and what matters never mind! I take no offence against you.

In context, Shatar's question as to whether God exists is not of a philosophical nature. He seems to imply something relating to relationship. It therefore does not seek out the truth that Socratic thoughts may offer, but rather the Truth that comes through faith. Now, faith cannot be subject to the mechanics of reason. If we subject faith (or Faith) to the rigors of reason, we in so doing make it 'not-faith'. Must our reason fully understand the concept of faith for it to be valid?

And finally, Atabong, if I were to call you a pig, there would be no guessing on your part!

Respectfully

[Atabong]

[quote]

Originally Posted by Valhalla

In context, Shatar's question as to whether God exists is not of a philosophical nature. He seems to imply something relating to relationship. It therefore does not seek out the truth that Socratic thoughts may offer, but rather the Truth that comes through faith. Now, faith cannot be subject to the mechanics of reason. If we subject faith (or Faith) to the rigors of reason, we in so doing make it 'not-faith'. Must our reason fully understand the concept of faith for it to be valid? I really don't follow.

I don’t understand why you'd think Shatar’s question ‘Does God exist? Posed on the Philosophy and religion forum requires no logical proof or material evidence.Faith is defined as: Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. And you say, have faith? Faith in what/who anyway?

If a man cannot ascertain his position as an individual, it becomes even more difficult to ascertain his/her position in relation to other people and principally Shatar is asking: whom I’m I, why do others look at (treat) me differently? Shatar is reexamining this picture of the giant old white man hanging in the sky, parceled and handed onto him in Africa and ought not be told to continue having faith in blanc dreams, dreams with no bearing whatsoever.