Anyone out there have spiritual experiences that changed their life?

[sally4sara]

That is so interesting, my Physics in Astronomy course is what turned me back to my faith. It floored me that what was being discovered in the scientific textbooks had been written about by my faith at least a century sooner. (I am not a mainstream Christian). There is also a health code that recommended what current research holds to be true.

 

Don't get me wrong; I didn't find anything that proved it impossible the idea of a Creator.

 

Just that if it could be so powerful as to create all that - its highly unlikely it cares about the petty (by comparison) crap most religious dogma tells us would piss it off. Or that it hears each of our insect (by comparison to what such a creator would need to be) thoughts and prayers? No, that is a human idea and when faced with just how small we are in the whole mix, many humans are comforted by the idea that they have someone making things happen for them.

 

Things are happening for us. Jupiter is up there to catch most of the planet killer meteors for instance. But if there is a creator behind it all - its not even aware of the job you'd really really like to get or who your spouse is sleeping with or whether or not Stanley and Fred get married, or Lisa gets an abortion. Those are human concerns and we rarely concern ourselves with true altruistic aid for other people even though we're not busy creating the universe and seeing to its upkeep.

 

One of the books ended up being a favorite. Its called Hyperspace and its written by Dr. Michio Kaku. One of the best parts talks about the dimensions of a planet. That if one of us showed up to a planet like the one in "Flatland", we would be like a god to them. Just how much care we would extend to them? I shudder to imagine. If any being on it was left alive by the time we were through, I doubt they'd think of us as "all loving and forgiving".

[In The Green]

Yes. No words can describe.

[In The Green]

 

One of the books ended up being a favorite. Its called Hyperspace and its written by Dr. Michio Kaku. One of the best parts talks about the dimensions of a planet. That if one of us showed up to a planet like the one in "Flatland", we would be like a god to them. Just how much care we would extend to them? I shudder to imagine. If any being on it was left alive by the time we were through, I doubt they'd think of us as "all loving and forgiving".

 

 

Did you know Kaku hosts (or used to) host a radio show? I know you can find old Coast to Coast AM interviews with him on youtube. He is a wonderful man, a great talent to explaining things to laymen.

[Yer_Blues]

The most meaningful moments of my life might actually be somehow the inverse of what you experienced. I was raised Catholic and believed strongly my entire childhood, and lost the faith. I too became empty and didn't see meaning. However, the most joyous moments of overcoming this have been a reaffirmation of what life is and why many of the teachings of Jesus are still beautiful without being rooted in a spiritual being. To see the entire world as a canvas is my spirituality. You paint your own picture of the world by pursuing your own goals and holding your own beliefs and creating your own systems of rules and morals based on what you have actually experienced.

[TheLoveAdvisor]

I could write a book on the things that happened to me that proved God's exisitance...Never doubted He existed, I always believed....

God does care about the tiniest things as well as the big things... Since nothing is impossible to God, even the biggest things in our lives can never compare to His Greatness!!

I go to the same Sub Place every Saturday with my wife, been going there for years! We get the same sandwich every week! During the last month I have lost my income, so I couldn't afford to eat, but I had saved a card they give customers with 10 purchases the 11th is free! So, I gave her my card for a free sandwich, and she gave it back to me and said your meal is free today!

Then, the next week I went to eat and gave him my card to get my free sandwich, and he took it!

Then, this week, I went in, and I didn't have a card, so when I went to pay, he told me Merry Christmas and gave me another free meal! Thats 3 free Meals!!! I know it sounds little, but I know God Blessed me and my wife with that!

Reading Bible for me at least was a life changing thing! The Bible opened my eyes!

[StrangeCanine]

....? I don't think God had anything to do with that. Pretty much you have the kindness of PEOPLE to thank for that. If God was involved then you wouldn't be needing the kindness of other people, God (Any of them.) do not care about about anyone, as the children that are raped daily in different culture of different Gods and beliefs.

 

God is nothing more than safety blanket for those down and out. He/she/it doesn't care about us. Please be kind to those HUMANS that have kept you from starving, because no Gods here.

 

STRANGE-CANINE OUT!!!!!!!!!

 

*Flies off on the pink unicorn to 'heaven'*

[dreamingoftigers]

....? I don't think God had anything to do with that. Pretty much you have the kindness of PEOPLE to thank for that. If God was involved then you wouldn't be needing the kindness of other people, God (Any of them.) do not care about about anyone, as the children that are raped daily in different culture of different Gods and beliefs.

 

God is nothing more than safety blanket for those down and out. He/she/it doesn't care about us. Please be kind to those HUMANS that have kept you from starving, because no Gods here.

 

STRANGE-CANINE OUT!!!!!!!!!

 

*Flies off on the pink unicorn to 'heaven'*

 

I must know why people feel the need to share this opinion so vocally. I am not saying not to. I am a member of the LDS church for the last 8 years but I was not always so. I had been through 4 other Religions, studied many more and went through a long period of athiestic beliefs. All of those years I could relate to the Christian mass pushing their ideals on me and being offended by that. I was never offended by someone telling me what their spiritual experience was in their life as long as it wasn't an attempt to try to push me into something I was not interested in.

 

What I don't understand is now the opposite side showing the same disrespect that they complain about. What gives someone the idea that taking hope away from a believer is a good or right thing to do?

 

As someone who is LDS, I never tell someone of a different religion that their religion is bullcrap. In fact I have a personal policy that I do not say anything that shows I wish to take away their hope. I figure as long as they feel that a spiritual being is in their corner, then they have hope and I have no right to try to force their expectations to change. I am not the Knower of All. I am simply another human being that has experienced life and has a perspective.

 

If anyone ever has any questions about my perspective I welcome them. Or if we are sharing perspectives I will share mine. I will also add that it is simply my belief or opinion. Other then that, there is no need to whack anyone over the head with MY theories.

 

Seriously can you prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is no God? Even Stephen Hawking thinks he "isn't necessary" because the laws of the universe were set up xyz way. And, um, where did those come from? The Laws of the Universe just were and there was nothing special about that?

 

IMO, that seems irrational to conclude. We are just because we are. We are just a cosmic lab accident? The mere odds of each one of us existing is so incredible that it seems ridiculous for me to believe it.

 

One of my favorite books is The Science of God.

[StrangeCanine]

I must know why people feel the need to share this opinion so vocally. I am not saying not to. I am a member of the LDS church for the last 8 years but I was not always so. I had been through 4 other Religions, studied many more and went through a long period of athiestic beliefs.

 

 

Heh. Ok Sister. I will explain, I have been a Jehovah Witness for a while. (Approx. 16 years.) I am vocal about my distaste of all religions because when your very existance is considered wrong by the religion your associated with. It forms a bizarre relationship with God, I questioned God with pray and then when that wasn't answered by neither my elders or the other members. A embittered venom fills a person like that, so THAT is why I am so vocal. I hate to hear someone give praise where it doesn't belong, God didn't feed this man... People did.

 

All of those years I could relate to the Christian mass pushing their ideals on me and being offended by that. I was never offended by someone telling me what their spiritual experience was in their life as long as it wasn't an attempt to try to push me into something I was not interested in.

 

Then you are a better person than me. I hate that poisonous thinking that some divine puppeteer controls me. If such a being exists then life has truly become a joke and such things as morals and justice don't have a purpose since everything has been predestined from the start.

 

What I don't understand is now the opposite side showing the same disrespect that they complain about. What gives someone the idea that taking hope away from a believer is a good or right thing to do?

 

Let me explain that from a different of angle. Misery loves company, I don't want to take away because I hate religion that part is the pessimist in me. I do that without thinking. Not outta meanness or spite, it is simply a part of who I am.

 

As someone who is LDS, I never tell someone of a different religion that their religion is bullcrap. In fact I have a personal policy that I do not say anything that shows I wish to take away their hope. I figure as long as they feel that a spiritual being is in their corner, then they have hope and I have no right to try to force their expectations to change. I am not the Knower of All. I am simply another human being that has experienced life and has a perspective.

 

That is good. I would like to send you a message, then we will see if you are truly as open about giving hope.

 

 

If anyone ever has any questions about my perspective I welcome them. Or if we are sharing perspectives I will share mine. I will also add that it is simply my belief or opinion. Other then that, there is no need to whack anyone over the head with MY theories.

 

Good. Again makes you on a higher moral plane than me.

 

Seriously can you prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is no God? Even Stephen Hawking thinks he "isn't necessary" because the laws of the universe were set up xyz way. And, um, where did those come from? The Laws of the Universe just were and there was nothing special about that?

 

I can no more disprove God than anyone could prove God.

 

IMO, that seems irrational to conclude. We are just because we are. We are just a cosmic lab accident? The mere odds of each one of us existing is so incredible that it seems ridiculous for me to believe it.

 

But not as ridiculous as to believe in a Diety that grants or take away favors based on how you please him in your daily life and your telepathic conversations with him. That he came into being and has existed forever watching us invisibly and has a place of eternal happiness waiting for us if we please him or a place of eternal torment if we don't. He loves us all but allows atrocities to continue yet expects us to believe in his good/justice anyway without proof or actions.

 

Naaaaa I don't think I am on the more irrational end of that one.

 

One of my favorite books is The Science of God.

 

I'll have to pick it up sometime, One of my favorite books isGod's Demon by Wayne Barlowe but for the sake of conversation I will recommend God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens

[rhonian]

This is the way I believe.

 

Number 1, I had absolutely nothing to do with being on this earth today. To walk. To breathe. To live. None of this was my choice. So, im intelligent enough to know that there is a GOD, one GOD, who thought of me and loved me enough to create me for HIS glory. He has a life-plan for me by his perfect design. The Bible speaks of when God created each of us individually, "HE KNEW US BEFORE WE WERE FORMED IN THE WOMB." which means God, our creator, actually spoke with each of us before our human life began. I know, to some, that is unbelievable and unacceptable and I will just say that you need to try to come out of the human mind and step into the spiritual. We are talking about a God who made everything, from birds to trees, land to stars. To try to understand creation, you have to go beyond what the human mind is able to comprehend, which is something that we cannot do.

[aerogurl87]

I must know why people feel the need to share this opinion so vocally. I am not saying not to. I am a member of the LDS church for the last 8 years but I was not always so. I had been through 4 other Religions, studied many more and went through a long period of athiestic beliefs.

 

 

Heh. Ok Sister. I will explain, I have been a Jehovah Witness for a while. (Approx. 16 years.) I am vocal about my distaste of all religions because when your very existance is considered wrong by the religion your associated with. It forms a bizarre relationship with God, I questioned God with pray and then when that wasn't answered by neither my elders or the other members. A embittered venom fills a person like that, so THAT is why I am so vocal. I hate to hear someone give praise where it doesn't belong, God didn't feed this man... People did.

 

All of those years I could relate to the Christian mass pushing their ideals on me and being offended by that. I was never offended by someone telling me what their spiritual experience was in their life as long as it wasn't an attempt to try to push me into something I was not interested in.

 

Then you are a better person than me. I hate that poisonous thinking that some divine puppeteer controls me. If such a being exists then life has truly become a joke and such things as morals and justice don't have a purpose since everything has been predestined from the start.

 

What I don't understand is now the opposite side showing the same disrespect that they complain about. What gives someone the idea that taking hope away from a believer is a good or right thing to do?

 

Let me explain that from a different of angle. Misery loves company, I don't want to take away because I hate religion that part is the pessimist in me. I do that without thinking. Not outta meanness or spite, it is simply a part of who I am.

 

As someone who is LDS, I never tell someone of a different religion that their religion is bullcrap. In fact I have a personal policy that I do not say anything that shows I wish to take away their hope. I figure as long as they feel that a spiritual being is in their corner, then they have hope and I have no right to try to force their expectations to change. I am not the Knower of All. I am simply another human being that has experienced life and has a perspective.

 

That is good. I would like to send you a message, then we will see if you are truly as open about giving hope.

 

 

If anyone ever has any questions about my perspective I welcome them. Or if we are sharing perspectives I will share mine. I will also add that it is simply my belief or opinion. Other then that, there is no need to whack anyone over the head with MY theories.

 

Good. Again makes you on a higher moral plane than me.

 

Seriously can you prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that there is no God? Even Stephen Hawking thinks he "isn't necessary" because the laws of the universe were set up xyz way. And, um, where did those come from? The Laws of the Universe just were and there was nothing special about that?

 

I can no more disprove God than anyone could prove God.

 

IMO, that seems irrational to conclude. We are just because we are. We are just a cosmic lab accident? The mere odds of each one of us existing is so incredible that it seems ridiculous for me to believe it.

 

But not as ridiculous as to believe in a Diety that grants or take away favors based on how you please him in your daily life and your telepathic conversations with him. That he came into being and has existed forever watching us invisibly and has a place of eternal happiness waiting for us if we please him or a place of eternal torment if we don't. He loves us all but allows atrocities to continue yet expects us to believe in his good/justice anyway without proof or actions.

 

Naaaaa I don't think I am on the more irrational end of that one.

 

One of my favorite books is The Science of God.

 

I'll have to pick it up sometime, One of my favorite books isGod's Demon by Wayne Barlowe but for the sake of conversation I will recommend God is not Great by Christopher Hitchens

 

I was raised a Jehovah's Witness from birth till I turned 16 and secretly became agnostic for almost 4 years. And from what I know you can no longer be a Jehovah's Witness if you do not share their beliefs anymore. You're what they consider to be an apostate, just to clear things up.

 

Second of all, as someone who grew up within that religion I see where all that bitterness could come from. I carried it with me for a long time, not necessarily believing God wasn't real, but not being sure and hating all religions in general. I couldn't grasp the idea that God only saved a few people because they happened to belong to his exclusive club here on Earth, and would kill off everyone else even if they were good people who tried to serve him. I also didn't like their other policies like excommunicating people and then cutting them off from all their family and friends out of "love". So yes I was extremely bitter about God and religion and pretty much fed up with it at that point.

 

Then I started to actually read the Bible for myself and think. Meditating on God's word helped me to see things differently and what I believe is correctly. God doesn't bring suffering upon mankind, they bring it upon themselves. God didn't bring sin on men, they brought it upon themselves through disobedience. I no longer blame God for my problems, I blame the real culprit, sin.

[cerridwen]

In my twenties, I had a dream like no other. It had a clear spiritual message attached: Something will try to destroy you. For strength, use My name.

In the dream, I faced down the epitome of evil by saying the Lord's prayer and rooting myself in my belief that God loved me and was there for me.

 

In my thirties, I was diagnosed with a severe illness and at my most hopeless, considered ending it all. I was in extreme pain. I felt an overwhelming sense of something trying to influence me negatively; almost whispering to me to end my life. Then, I remembered the dream. In my mind and heart I called out to God and I received the peace that helped me make it through.

 

Many times since, I've recalled that dream and its message. It changed my life by keeping me alive.