Rick, thanks for responding. I would welcome an opportunity to both discuss this topic more, and to meet people who you feel represent a level of realization. My case may be somewhat different from what you stated because I myself had experiences of higher states through MMY's programs. But my understanding of what those experiences mean has changed radically. So for me to meet someone who has a self identity as a realized person, or has a deep experiential connection with some form of God, might not shift my point of view. I had them too. But, for me, that doesn't mean there really is a God. It is just life itself that give me the "wow" factor in my life. I don't feel as though spiritual experiences or perspectives add much to my life. But an opportunity to be shown my own limits of understanding is always welcome. I have been wrong so many times in my life that I have learned not to bolt any doors that I may have shut!
These days I am more interested in ethics. If a person acts in a kind, loving way to others, that is good enough for me. If their belief in God helps them act that way, more power to them. I aspire to be act kindly. That takes the place of my previous spiritual aspirations. And for such a simple goal, it's consistent realization is quite a challenge in daily life. --- In [email protected], Rick Archer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > on 9/3/06 10:23 PM, curtisdeltablues at [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > >> > Thanks for posting this, I would have missed it. I am so happy that > >> > this perspective is in the mainstream media and on a group like this. > >> > It speaks well for the open mindedness of both. I think at the end > >> > of the article they misjudged the number of people who have dropped > >> > the belief in any of the recently popular God ideas on earth. I am > >> > not a member of the American Atheists which they use as the low number > >> > of people who think this way. I can say that being an outspoken, > >> > positive atheist makes me a safe person for some people to express > >> > their spiritual doubts to. I have so often been pulled aside when I > >> > have expressed my lack of belief by someone who feels bullied by > >> > believers to tow the party line. I know that faith and mystical > >> > experience is cherished by many here on this group. I greatly > >> > appreciate that my lack of valuing these experiences and beliefs is > >> > accepted by most of the people I communicate with here. We all have > >> > our own reasons for including and excluding beliefs. Nobody believes > >> > everything. We are all on that same human mission to discover the > >> > meaning for our own lives. That is a much greater commonality than > >> > whatever specifics each of us has come up with so far. I consider > >> > myself and everyone here a work in progress. I enjoy hearing about > >> > and sharing what we are noticing along the way. This post made me > >> > feel really glad I check in here, thanks. Kumbaya baby. Thanks purushaz. > >> > > > I wish I had time to get into a serious discussion with you about this. > Maybe some time in person. But here¹s my take in a nutshell. Essentially, > these guys are objecting to the fanaticism that results from belief > unsupported by experience. I very much believe in God, but I think belief > without substantiating experience usually does more harm than good. It¹s > still rare as a percentage of the world¹s population, but many have attained > that level of experience, including some friends of mine. These people exist > at the opposite end of the spectrum from religious fanatics, have a > wonderful influence on the world around them, and would charm the socks off > Dawkins and Harris. If guys like that (and yourself as well) could spend > enough face time with the kind of people I¹m talking about, they would > probably end up rethinking their perspective. > To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
