---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <anartaxius@...> wrote :
--In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <fleetwood_macncheese@...> wrote : Belief is a thought, that moves us through the gap, from one experience of a subject, to another. For example, we believe the earth is round. This belief remains in place, and helps our world make sense, though there are few times, when we actually observe the curvature of our planet. So it is, with a strong belief in God. Often it becomes the belief in God, that is pursued, instead of a close, immediate, ongoing relationship with Him and Her. I cannot honestly say that I believe in God, yet He and She make their presence known to me, moment to moment, and the relationship is always vital and alive. I did not think up God on my own, just as I would not know how to write, or speak, or drive a car, or try to treat people well. It was taught, this idea of God - many different aspects, over a lifetime. Running the spectrum, from static definitions, with no direct contact; a remote, authoritarian God, to a universe brimming with God, in all of Her and His creativity, endless expansion, and love. A creation that brings so many aspects, so many dynamics, of God to light, that it makes belief in God, irrelevant. Like believing in air and sunlight. So, Barry, I too, do not believe in God, but only one of us is richer for it.:-) === Don't you think this last sentence is a bit presumptuous? I mean, you are enlightened and all that, and can tell the rest of us how enlightened or unenlightened we are, but how do you determine how rich a person's experience is, other than your own? Aw Xeno, play a little. When was the last time you did a little twirl in delight or skipped a step or two just because you had a moment of spontaneous happiness or joy and it made your body respond like a fawn or foal or puppy might? Are we ever too old or too tired or too unsurprised to be content with plodding? I sincerely hope not - kill me before I get to that point.