My Religious Beliefs
I have been asked many times by people throughout my life what my religious views are, so I have decided to post them for the whole world to see.
For those looking to categorize me, I am a "theist" as I am a firm believer in a "God" and a role in our lives, but not a believer in organized religion This definitely strokes atheism, agnosticism and others off the list.
I've debated my existence since I was about 6; it's one of those things that I've always been curious about as I was raised by atheist parents (no guidance as to origins of life), but traditionally Presbyterian.
I believe a God/Spirit/Energy initiated life, evidence seems to indicate it originated in a Big Bang like event; and as far as I am concerned, I am perfectly fine with that explanation. I'll try not to get too deep with my views, but give a bare bones run-down. I think life is too wonderful and beautiful for it to be an accident or a random occurrence; to me, science and creationism are totally different topics, not conflicting. Science is amazing at describing how things move and deriving laws and theories which have very valid applications in life. What science will never be able to do is explain why mass attracts mass, why constants are the values they are, how everything was created to work so seamlessly together to form what we know as "life". For example: Statistically our bodies should not function (complex molecules in our bodies absorbed by membranes cannot randomly enter in the speed it does), molecules should not form (molecules form to lower energy, but reaction mechanisms must form complex unstable molecules, before lowering energies).
This energy/spirit/god has created many great things and they all work together seamlessly almost magically. For all these infinite systems to integrate so flawlessly and with such positive characteristics in all its various forms; i have no doubt it was knowingly engineered.
Also, I like to think there is something greater beyond our petty lives with governing morals and reasons to be good. A universal conscience inherent of all beings on earth; a right and wrong to continue the positive nature of the global ecosystem for all eternity. I also believe in an underlying moral system for the purpose of punishing those who do ‘bad’ during their lives; as many people knowingly do harm, they deserve severe punishment. I am a firm believer that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction and this extends beyond our brief period of life.
I also want to touch on my views about this energy/spirit/god. I think he/she/it is a compassionate, moral force wishing its creation to live in a manner such that the positive nature continues, and livelihood is not cut short for others for the sake of one's self. That being said, I also think people should rely on nothing more than what "God" has given them to succeed, relying on compassion only after one has shown to not help one's self.
For key issues in today's society, god would not hold form of religion against any faith, unless the humane moral framework was broken. Therefore terrorism in the name of god is condemned, forcing your views on others is condemned, any form of fighting in the name of god. As for gay relationships, no harm is done to any party involved, being a compassionate and loving presence; god would fully support a caring relationship such as this. Sexual relationships in a loving and caring manner would not be looked down upon as it is a natural practice inherent in many aspects of life; humans are no different than animals. Consciousness is another main part of my beliefs; for example, animals have instincts, part of the design of life is to have this and if creatures unknowingly act un-morally, "god" cannot hold that against them. Similarly with drugging of children to fight in wars in
So that's it for now I guess...maybe I am an idealist to think this, but I don't look down on anyone who thinks otherwise, as we all don't know. Trying to explain the unknown logically is impossible; all we can do is assume and guess.
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on Monday, August 22 at 9:00 p.m..
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9 comments:
Posted by
Science is excellent at showing who, what, where, how...but never why. The point I am making is we will never know why, but feel free to prove me wrong, give an example where science even attepts to comprehend the question "why?".
You have high hopes for science, so do I; but relying on a future explaination for "no god" is just as reasonable as a future explaination FOR an existance of "god".
Again, to quote my final sentance: "Trying to explain the unknown logically, is impossible".
You believe there is no god, I believe there is a god; attempting to prove otherwise is a moot point. All I have done here is explained why I think a "god" exists.
Stef: Do you think people have morals and a conscience?
Posted by
Moral:
> Teaching or exhibiting goodness or correctness of character and behavior: a moral lesson.
> Conforming to standards of what is right or just in behavior; virtuous: a moral life.
> Arising from conscience or the sense of right and wrong.
Conscience:
> The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong.
Posted by
cool, i enjoyed reading that... thanks for sharing your views jon!
hope the job's going well =)
Posted by
I do think science has the ability to answer "why" questions, but I think it's the way in which you use the word "why" that either includes or excludes science.
The question "Why doesn't an object, given an initial force of movement, persist in moving?" gave birth to Newtonian Physics, just as the question "Why does time dilate as matter approaches the speed of light?" gave birth to Einsteinian Physics.
Both theories were able to posit mechanistic explanations as to why such phenomenon occur, so Stef may have a point that , just because we as yet cannot determine a mechanism as to why mass attracts mass, doesn't mean we won't.
I think the kind of "why" that science has always struggled with is not one of mechanism but one of teleology. Science can't tell us the purpose of something; why it exists at all. That is the real sticking point for religion, it offers answers to the big questions science is grown up enough to admit its not capable of answering...
One cannot empirically measure or even quantify meaning or purpose, its something that we have to deal with by means of faith. We have to believe in a certain purpose for things (ourselves, the world, etc.) and each religion provides its own particulars to fill in for those big, teleological questions.
This has been a big issue of debate since Aristotle: is everything born of mechanistic processes (which trdational evolutionary theory is premised on) or is creation to miraculous in its complexity and interconnectivity to have not had atleast some rational thought behind it (this is where people who argue for design by some metaphysical entity but their money).
I tend to side with the mechanists. As to teleology, I am more existential on the matter...I think we make our own purpose and meaning in life, if it coincides with a recognized religion, super. However, just because there is that coincidence doesn't make it any more valid a belief system than a more secular one.
In the end I like your position Jon, you take both sides in and incorporate as best can be done. It leads to a kind of unavoidable general position, but thats true of any synthesis.
~Jeff
Posted by
That was very insightful Jon. I've actually been meaning to write a comment on your blog but got caught up in the whole job hunt! At least that's over now.
One way too look at science and creationism is that science actually strengthens the creationsim argument. Up to this point, there has been no theory that can naturally explain the creation of life. Rather, the evidence makes a stronger case for an Intelligent Designer theory for reasons you've already mentioned.
I'm curious to know what for you sets the standard of "good" and "bad". Where does this sense of right and wrong originate from? What you believe life after life is? How is it that the world is so beautiful, yet at the same time so much suffering?
I am in complete agreement with you about the condemnation of terrorism or "Holy War" in the name of God. It's one of the things that detracted me from Christianity for so long. The Crusades, Inquisition and Salem Witch Hunt and so on. It's completely counter to what the faith really represents.
Excellent blog. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I don't want to pepper you with too many questions. Hope Crown Metal is treating you well.
Posted by
hoi
don't blame "god" because fanatics are nuts
if a wolf dresses up in sheep's clothing and goes around eating sheep u can't say sheep are cannibals
natural life makes no sense because the natural formation of any structure in the universe is the lattice
gathering, transforming and decoding information is what makes "life"
until i see a computer program evolve by the same mechanisms of evolution i will believe in a "creator"
meaning - begin, random character, loop
if that produces a sentient program in the "universe" of a computer u've disproven intelligence
sure we and everything we do is based on this physical universe
this is our fish bowl
we will never know anything outside unless it comes in
it is an impossibility
take a good long look and ask has anything outside this universe entered ur brain recently?
is there an itch that needs scratching?
Posted by
hoi
don't blame "god" because fanatics are nuts
if a wolf dresses up in sheep's clothing and goes around eating sheep u can't say sheep are cannibals
natural life makes no sense because the natural formation of any structure in the universe is the lattice
gathering, transforming and decoding information is what makes "life"
until i see a computer program evolve by the same mechanisms of evolution i will believe in a "creator"
meaning - begin, random character, loop
if that produces a sentient program in the "universe" of a computer u've disproven intelligence
sure we and everything we do is based on this physical universe
this is our fish bowl
we will never know anything outside unless it comes in
it is an impossibility
take a good long look and ask has anything outside this universe entered ur brain recently?
is there an itch that needs scratching?
Posted by
hoi
don't blame "god" because fanatics are nuts
if a wolf dresses up in sheep's clothing and goes around eating sheep u can't say sheep are cannibals
natural life makes no sense because the natural formation of any structure in the universe is the lattice
gathering, transforming and decoding information is what makes "life"
until i see a computer program evolve by the same mechanisms of evolution i will believe in a "creator"
meaning - begin, random character, loop
if that produces a sentient program in the "universe" of a computer u've disproven intelligence
sure we and everything we do is based on this physical universe
this is our fish bowl
we will never know anything outside unless it comes in
it is an impossibility
take a good long look and ask has anything outside this universe entered ur brain recently?
is there an itch that needs scratching?
Posted by
hoi
» Post a Commentdon't blame "god" because fanatics are nuts
if a wolf dresses up in sheep's clothing and goes around eating sheep u can't say sheep are cannibals
natural life makes no sense because the natural formation of any structure in the universe is the lattice
gathering, transforming and decoding information is what makes "life"
until i see a computer program evolve by the same mechanisms of evolution i will believe in a "creator"
meaning - begin, random character, loop
if that produces a sentient program in the "universe" of a computer u've disproven intelligence
sure we and everything we do is based on this physical universe
this is our fish bowl
we will never know anything outside unless it comes in
it is an impossibility
take a good long look and ask has anything outside this universe entered ur brain recently?
is there an itch that needs scratching?