How did the concept (or idea) of God change your life?

[josephdc]

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this is probably like the other thread, but I think this is more realistic.. because we cannot really prove or disprove the existence of god.. it would also be more appropriate if the question is phrased in this manner, because no exclusivity will occur.. even non-religious/atheists/agnostics or other people who don't believe in "God" can answer this question, because i'm sure they will also have thought about the idea of god..

so what are your opinions?

OT: What do we mean when we say we cannot prove nor disprove the existence of God? How would we define "proof", or what constitutes "proof" for us?

OnT: The question is a bit tough to answer because it leads to more questions. Is God only an idea or a concept? If so, what power does a mere idea have on our life?

As a Christian, I believe that God is more than an idea. He is real. Of course, I don't know that with absolute certainty. My position has always been that it's more plausible than not that he exists.

I can't remember when I really began to believe that God is real. I guess it came gradually. I guess I didn't really gave it much thought then. My experience of my faith was initially a personal and emotional one. I got back my faith through fellowship and prayer with other people. Later, I got interested in the intellectual aspect of my faith and this only served to strengthen my faith in God.

I think about God every day, and I do my best to know more about him and what his will for my life might be.

[bungot25]

Yes I know, that is the price each pays for the gift of Free will.

I purposely tried to avoid that point, because some members will accuse one as being predigest, self-righteousness, hate-mongering, or flaming over the subject of eternal damnation. Even if those words are not your own.

they choose to condemm themselves thats the sad part....

[jamesmusslewhite]

OT: What do we mean when we say we cannot prove nor disprove the existence of God? How would we define "proof", or what constitutes "proof" for us?

OnT: The question is a bit tough to answer because it leads to more questions. Is God only an idea or a concept? If so, what power does a mere idea have on our life?

As a Christian, I believe that God is more than an idea. He is real. Of course, I don't know that with absolute certainty. My position has always been that it's more plausible than not that he exists.

I can't remember when I really began to believe that God is real. I guess it came gradually. I guess I didn't really gave it much thought then. My experience of my faith was initially a personal and emotional one. I got back my faith through fellowship and prayer with other people. Later, I got interested in the intellectual aspect of my faith and this only served to strengthen my faith in God.

I think about God every day, and I do my best to know more about him and what his will for my life might be.

You hit on a key point. The only way to find God, is to walk his path towards him. You have to seek him through personal journey, and on his terms. To ask to know God with out this personal journey of obedient respectful self sacrifice, is asking for more than one deserves. There is no easy fix, magic pill, show and tell. Faith is a life long personal struggle for commonality, reverence, and humility.

Those with faith are just not burdened with foolish quests for proof, we feel his warmth within and around us; that proof for us is simple, it is how it changed the very center of our being. Are we perfect, smarter, or better than everyone else? Absolutely not, we have only submitted ourselves to a wisdom that is free to anyone and as older than the Big Bang.

Beside the text states that there was once a great king named Solomon, that God gave him greater wisdom than any man before him or after him, so even Einstein was only second best. So who am I to act too clever, or think I am smarter than another?

[jamesmusslewhite]

they choose to condemm themselves thats the sad part....

I once walked the broad path, but I was led back to the narrow path. There is always hope and salvation, for those who will but away foolish self pride then just bend their knees, bow their heads in reverence, and ask from their hearts. God home and Christ's temple is in the body and heart of every man.

[josephdc]

You hit on a key point. The only way to find God, is to walk his path towards him. You have to seek him through personal journey, and on his terms. To ask to know God with out this personal journey of obedient respectful self sacrifice, is asking for more than one deserves. There is no easy fix, magic pill, show and tell. Faith is a life long personal struggle for commonality, reverence, and humility.

Those with faith are just not burdened with foolish quests for proof, we feel his warmth within and around us; that proof for us is simple, it is how it changed the very center of our being. Are we perfect, smarter, or better than everyone else? Absolutely not, we have only submitted ourselves to a wisdom that is free to anyone and as older than the Big Bang.

Beside the text states that there was once a great king named Solomon, that God gave him greater wisdom than any man before him or after him, so even Einstein was only second best. So who am I to act too clever, or think I am smarter than another?

Yeah, I think a lot of people do come to a faith in God through a life of suffering and pain or through an existential journey.

But I do think that arguments, evidence and reason are still useful for knowing God.

[fingolfin]

so how did the concept of God change your life? You do not condemn or judge the believers because you have come to a considerable level of understanding for the concept of God, right? that's nice.. i'm just curious though, how do you respond to the believers who begin condemning you?

... hhhmmmm, for me the concept of God is not a divine God, a God for me is a person who is the best in his/her craft. Like what you see in my signature " God is VAI". Well, Steve Vai for me is a god, in terms of his musical genius and his very personality as well. I have other gods too, Terry Bozzio, Billy Sheehan, Christiano Ronaldo.... funny, right ?? hehe


.. anyhow, how would i react to those believers who condemn me ?? I smile at them and just say thanks for their concern. To each's own, i always say.

[bluedes]

... hhhmmmm, for me the concept of God is not a divine God, a God for me is a person who is the best in his/her craft. Like what you see in my signature " God is VAI". Well, Steve Vai for me is a god, in terms of his musical genius and his very personality as well. I have other gods too, Terry Bozzio, Billy Sheehan, Christiano Ronaldo.... funny, right ?? hehe


.. anyhow, how would i react to those believers who condemn me ?? I smile at them and just say thanks for their concern. To each's own, i always say.

so God for you is not omnipotent, absolute, all-knowing or infinite.. but God is like an idol.. not in a negative way.. we all have our own role-models.. so its not funny. hehe

to each his own way.. thats nice.. but what if the other does not share that.. instead, he wants you to go his own way.. i don't just smile, i laugh at the other person really hard..

[fingolfin]

so God for you is not omnipotent, absolute, all-knowing or infinite.. but God is like an idol.. not in a negative way.. we all have our own role-models.. so its not funny. hehe

to each his own way.. thats nice.. but what if the other does not share that.. instead, he wants you to go his own way.. i don't just smile, i laugh at the other person really hard..

.. yeah, that is my concept of a "god". my god is vai .. Vai.com > All About Steve > Vaiography .. i even named my son Syvy after steve vai's nickname.


.. hhhmmmm, well, you can't really win em all. We all have our "preference" to everything. If someone wants me to go his way, i just tell them, please, mind your own business and i'll focus on mine.

[bluedes]

Why do you think an American is too good to live in the Philippines?
Do you think The Philippines is not good enough for and American to want to live here?
I personally think I am very lucky to be able to live here In Surigao.

I am having the time of my life and my family is enjoying the fun. I get to work with the Philippine Agriculture Department, officials, professors, and engineers to develop an Agriculture Study and test group on Dinagat Island. We are institutionalizing an Island wide organics farming conversion project which utilizes US farming practices and Square Meter gardening concepts and practices. I am helping hundreds of farmers increase farm production and decrease dependency on commercial fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides which are poisoning families, soil, waterways, mangrove, coral, and fish breeding grounds. If the program is a resounding success it will spread throughout the Philippines. I also help support family members and two orphanages. So my volunteer work helps to positively enrich the lives of hundreds if not thousands of people. If my work spreads then before I die I could have a positive impact on millions of Filipinos lives. So a lot of people like me being here, even if you do not. I am trying to preserve the ecology of the Philippines by helping to preserve it's ecosystem. I enjoy the surf, scuba, fishing, boating, and sandy beaches. Fresh air, fresh water, fresh fish, fresh meats, and fresh vegetables and fruits. And I run several small businesses with my wife and her family. What do you do for the Philippines?

I could not compare to what you "think" you are doing for my country.. the age difference as well as the economic status can say for that.. but to the best of my capacity, I am doing what I can for myself as well for the people around me..

but why are you, an American, living here in the Philippines? I don't mean any offense, and I do not wish any inhospitability, but can you not do all those for your own country too? or you are not given a chance? Don't get me wrong, but I'm well aware of 1st world and 3rd world country differences.. Americans trying to "help" other nations, yeah right.. I would really love to believe that, but most of the time, there's always an ulterior motive. Back in your country, you're just like everybody else, but when you "step down" and come to countries in Asia, you become a celebrity.. I don't see that as anything charitable at all.. it's nice you're doing that, but do you really know what is good for us, when you cannot even do the same for your own country?

these questions are posted with honest sincere intent and no ill-will.. okay.. i know these questions are very heavy..

Why am I married to a Filipino? I met my wife in 1985 while I was still a young Sergeant serving in 3rd Recon on Okinawa Japan. I had be married to a white girl but we divorced after 5-1/2 years of marriage. we dated over the next two years where I came to the Philippines several times to met her family. She was born in Trinidad, Bohol and is the Grand Niece of Carlos P. Garcia, her Grandmother was his sister. I filed to brought her to the US and we were married in late 1987. We bought farm land on Dinagat Island, 10 years ago and I fell in love with the Surigao and the Mindanao area and it's people. Two years ago I decided to retire at the age of 50. Why because I made enough money being self employed that I could!!! Few men can retire at 50 and spend the rest of their days exploring, traveling, and doing what they really enjoy, spending quality time with my family. Sorry I did not consult you first.

We had a 13 year old son who is Carlos P. Garcia's Great Grand Nephew. If you do not know he was one of the only good presidents the Philippines ever has, and is the reason for the Star on the Bohol flag. We moved here so he could learn what the Pinoy culture since he was a duel citizen. Plus we could enjoy the last 4 years with him before he leaves to go to college. He presently attends Caraga Regional Science High School which one of the finest High schools in the Philippines. And so we could easily travel with him to Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan.

Yes I would be interested on you theory why an American should not fall in love and choose to marry a beautiful well educated lady from a powerful Filipino political family. After 22 years I can not retire and decide move to the Philippines to do something I really enjoys.

your personal choices are yours to make.. I have no question about that.. but to cross over and make it appear like its patriotic or patronizing our country, that's something else.. that's exaggeratingly blowing your own horn/trumpet.. you reveal your true intentions more and more.. so what if you were able to retire at age 50.. so what if you married a politician's daughter of "elite" status, so what... is marrying a white lady any less?

love has no bounds, but it doesn't make any other choice any less, which still begs me to question why you really chose to marry a Filipina instead of an American girl. I know very well how prized and sought after our Filipina girls are, oh yes, I am.. they are the hardest and toughest girls in the world to court/woo, and some of them may not be as "graceful" or "good-mannered" as the ladies in high courts, but they do know how to make a man really feel "loved"..

so is marrying a Filipina really for so-called "love"? or something else.. you may opt not to answer these questions.. but u get my drift.. hehe..

Yes all this crap was overblown because you were offended and angered by this statement:

Quote: jamesmusslewhite
I feel sorry of the Mods who has to preside over this zoo.
If this makes me look like a sissy? then that must really makes you look like a ladyboy!

you flatter yourself too much, james.. i take no offense from anybody, not the least from someone like you.. i'm just having some little psych-intellectual fun here..

gosh, took me awhile to reply back.. been away looking at all these overblown, really huge museums in DC. come to think of it, i think America is the new Rome, all these structures have similar remnants in Europe's Rome.. and reading all that message in the Lincoln Memorial makes me even think more that America was built more by the white people of Europe, than its original inhabitants the native indian americans.. whatever happened to them?

this was the Mods response to the same phrase:
Did you ever read that before you started all this Nic-pick Crap? Or did you think that if you pushed it and insulted me enough that it somehow would make what you did right?
You Mirror Theory technique is classified as an "insulting act." You were wrong for doing it - Period!

what i did was simply show you a mirror.. oh, how many times do i have to say this? it's not a theory, its a tactic/strategy.. the art of war of sun tzu.. betcha you have not read that piece of work.. if you have, u probably forgotten it..

I am a Man who possess Character, has personality, and display class. Who has had the misfortune to have had to spend hours of time trying to appease a boy with no sense of humor.

has class? you're making me laugh.. a person who has class will write something like this --> "Truth is you don't really know shit about faith, so shit is all you can talk."

bravo!

[bluedes]

OT: What do we mean when we say we cannot prove nor disprove the existence of God? How would we define "proof", or what constitutes "proof" for us?

define God, and you'll see its impossible to find proof for such God who has that definition..

OnT: The question is a bit tough to answer because it leads to more questions. Is God only an idea or a concept? If so, what power does a mere idea have on our life?

our perspective of reality always starts with an idea, but it doesn't mean that everything is just an idea or concept.. try hitting yourself with a piece of rock, and you'll beg to disagree that the stone is just an idea.. hehe.. my question is taking it simply that for people who have begun to think of God, i guess it had a really influential impact on their lives compared to those who have not yet begun to think of God..

As a Christian, I believe that God is more than an idea. He is real. Of course, I don't know that with absolute certainty. My position has always been that it's more plausible than not that he exists.

if "God" exists.. what proof do you have to offer?

I can't remember when I really began to believe that God is real. I guess it came gradually. I guess I didn't really gave it much thought then. My experience of my faith was initially a personal and emotional one. I got back my faith through fellowship and prayer with other people. Later, I got interested in the intellectual aspect of my faith and this only served to strengthen my faith in God.

I think about God every day, and I do my best to know more about him and what his will for my life might be.

so how do you define God here? you have not really posted any clear definition of God.. you just acknowledge that God exists.. how?