Originally posted by mossrose
View Post
Some time ago I decided to try to determine if God existed and if so if he wanted to communicate with me. I considered various approaches.
Scripture: All religions have some form of "holy books" that they consider to support their beliefs. Which one should I read? All of them? The Bible is very confusing, fair enough, so ask Bible "experts". There are as many opinions on what the Bible means as their are "experts" (OK exaggeration, but there's huge disagreement about what even the most basic things mean). Try to find something common to all the writings? See above. Trust the Bible because it was inspired by God? That's circular, I have to find God first.
Ask "people" as Mossy suggests: But they all disagree! David Koresh convinced a lot of people I hear. Who has the "right" answer?
Explore the various "proofs" put forward by apologists: I didn't find any that that stood up to logical analysis, or supported anything but a vague deism.
So, I tried to apply my own logic to the problem. If I hear a claim that a person exists and can't find him anywhere, what to do? Well, why not try to get him to respond in some way. Then, if he responds, I can ask more questions. Makes sense, no? So I did. I prayed. I didn't hear any voices, but received what seemed to be evidence in my own life. So I continued praying, seemed to feel some kind of "presence", joined a church, got quite into it, though when they recited the creed I stayed silent for most of it.
After some years, it all faded away. I got bored with church, stopped feeling any "presence" and gradually returned to my vague atheism, though, to my pleasure, I no longer had the urge to argue with believers or try to convince anyone of anything. That sense of peace in the knowledge that nobody is really sure of anything in religion was in itself worth the effort I put into it all.
To my point, if God doesn't communicate with us directly and clearly, and bearing in mind the (perceived) weakness of the other approaches, what Is a sincere open minded "seeker" to do?
Comment