God Doesn't Want You!

originally posted by: Blue Shift

Human beings are built to maintain a balance between excitation and security. Like the Talking Heads said, "Heaven is a place where nothing ever happens." Sounds terrible. It sounds like a complete loss of individuality and personality. But hey, if that's what you think would be nice, good luck.

Seriously? You'd believe the Talking Heads, who have never been to heaven, on what heaven is like? Where's the common sense in that? I'd tell you to ask God, but I don't think you want to expand your limited knowledge outside of what you already know, as that appears to be your definition of security. Unfortunately, it isn't secure and it won't protect you from the truth no matter how much you try to hide from it.

a reply to: Deetermined

You have been to heaven?

originally posted by: daskakik

I was a very devout christian at one point and even had an OBE where I met a being that emanated a glow that felt like liquid love.

A whole lot closer to experiencing "god" than most people I have ever met and still I'm an atheist. Sorry if I don't fit your preset categories.

"Devout" Christians don't become atheists, so you must have been playing a charade with no real faith or belief behind it.

What happened that hardened your heart so much that you're not capable of opening your heart to love, but choose to push it away instead?!

originally posted by: Deetermined
"Devout" Christians don't become atheists, so you must have been playing a charade with no real faith or belief behind it.

You'd be wrong.

What happened that hardened your heart so much that you're not capable of opening your heart to love, but choose to push it away instead?!

Who said I do that?

You are the one stuck thinking love can only mean god. Sounds like you don't "want to expand your limited knowledge outside of what you already know".

a reply to: daskakik

You're in denial and you're hiding something that you don't want to discuss. You never felt compelled to seek out what it was that you saw or experienced to see what it was?

originally posted by: daskakik
a reply to: Deetermined

You have been to heaven?

No, but God has and he has shared some of that information with man through his Word.

originally posted by: Deetermined
You're in denial and you're hiding something that you don't want to discuss.

Pretty loose with the assumptions about someone you know nothing about?

You never felt compelled to seek out what it was that you saw or experienced to see what it was?

Of course I was. The end result was that god, particularly as portrayed in the world's religions, doesn't exist.

No, but God has and he has shared some of that information with man through his Word.

So, you criticize someone for believing the Talking Heads and then go ahead and believe another set of "talking heads"?

Par for the course.

a reply to: daskakik

What? No explanation as to how you came to your conclusion about God? What happened? No denial there, huh?

As for my "talking head", it's prophetic content has proven to be accurate, unlike the predictions of a stoned rock group.

originally posted by: Deetermined
What? No explanation as to how you came to your conclusion about God? What happened? No denial there, huh?

I don't think you know what the word denial means.

I visited the same being again and saw that it's awesomeness was something that I projected onto it. Not that that or even a more detailed explanation is going to change your mind.

I'm not here to convince you. I'm just telling you why you don't convince me.

As for my "talking head", it's prophetic content has proven to be accurate, unlike the predictions of a stoned rock group.

No it hasn't.

Besides, what prophesies did the band make?

Nobody said that their words were prophetic.

originally posted by: daskakik

I visited the same being again and saw that it's awesomeness was something that I projected on it. Not that that or even a more detailed explanation is going to change your mind.

Do tell. We're all anxiously awaiting how you came to this conclusion.

Besides, what prophesies did the band make?

Nobody said that their words were prophetic.

The band didn't prophecy, but you see how easily someone in this thread took some meaningless words from a rock group and considered them worthy of consideration.

originally posted by: Deetermined
Do tell. We're all anxiously awaiting how you came to this conclusion.

I already did. I saw the being again and saw that what I once thought was god was not. That means nothing to you because you have no idea how it felt, you had to be there.

This happened after about 15 years of OBEs that didn't seem to fit with the bible and me trying to force fit them into christianity. At that point I realized that I was trying to fit a larger reality into a smaller one based on human superstition.

Of course the important part is that I experienced it first hand.

The band didn't prophecy, but you see how easily someone in this thread took some meaningless words from a rock group and considered them worthy of consideration.

Of course it was easy, the song said the same thing they had posted. Doesn't make it true but it also doesn't make it wrong.

originally posted by: daskakik

I already did. I saw the being again and saw that what I once thought was god was not. That means nothing to you because you have no idea how it felt, you had to be there.

This happened after about 15 years of OBEs that didn't seem to fit with the bible and me trying to force fit them into christianity. At that point I realized that I was trying to fit a larger reality into a smaller one based on human superstition.

Of course the important part is that I experienced it first hand.

Well, you're right about OBEs not fitting with the Bible, because the Bible says not to dabble in such things lest you risk opening yourself up to deceiving spirits that want to fool you with lies and/or half truths, but since you did it anyway, I have a hard time believing that there's not more to this story than you're willing to share. You really want me to believe that you came to this conclusion on your own without actually communicating with these spirits? I'm not buying it and that's why I keep using the word "denial". Fifteen years of OBEs and nothing ever communicated with you. I'm calling BS. As a "devout" Christian, it never occurred to you to test these spirits?

a reply to: Deetermined

I was about 12. I didn't set out to do it.

I don't care what you believe. I'm just telling you why all your arm waving means nothing to me.

ETA: have you ever had an OBE?

a reply to: daskakik

Well, that makes a little more sense, but you claim that you had 15 years of OBEs. Where does that fit in and who initiated that? You still want us to believe that nothing ever spoke to you?

ETA: I've never had an OBE or tried to have one. Communication comes to me through my dreams.

originally posted by: enlightenedservant
a reply to: WonderingDreamer

In Islam, that thing is our devil Shaytan. We believe his only real power is the power of suggestion and persuasion. The Qur'an has several verses about him whispering to Prophets, and it was my interactions with him/it that got me on my current path in the first place. The last Surah in the Qur'an is literally used to protect against him.

Surah 114, An Nas (Mankind), Pickthall translation

1. Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind,
2. The King of mankind,
3. The God of mankind,
4. From the evil of the sneaking whisperer,
5. Who whispereth in the hearts of mankind,
6. Of the jinn and of mankind.

Interesting ... along a similar note ...

Buddhists take Refuge in:

The Buddha
The Dharma (teachings/truth)
The Sangha (community - specifically in the context of 'taking refuge' it is the Noble Sangha community of those who have throughout time carried the Dharma to others.)

originally posted by: Deetermined
a reply to: daskakik

Well, man was created in the image of God!

Only according to MAN.

originally posted by: Deetermined
I'd tell you to ask God, but I don't think you want to expand your limited knowledge outside of what you already know, as that appears to be your definition of security.

Aw, now that's not very nice. From some of the responses above, I wonder if you might not be as full of the love of God as you claim. You should really ponder who is pulling your strings.

originally posted by: Deetermined
Well, that makes a little more sense, but you claim that you had 15 years of OBEs. Where does that fit in and who initiated that? You still want us to believe that nothing ever spoke to you?

15 years of OBEs while trying to remain a christian.

I never said nothing ever spoke to me. I said that nothing ever spoke to me about "the fight between good and evil not being legit".*

*Edited to keep it in context.

ETA: I've never had an OBE or tried to have one. Communication comes to me through my dreams.

You know how you can't fully explain to others what it is like to be filled with the holy spirit? That is how I feel when you ask me how I came to my conclusion. Just so you have a point of reference.

a reply to: daskakik

Honestly, daskakik, we really do want to know what was communicated to you, even if you're not able to put into words the feeling that you had that drew you to your conclusion. Regardless of what I believe, your experiences might be helpful to others.

As I sit here reading through 2 and a 1/2 pages of debates and one individual refusing to share what he saw or who exactly spoke to him. I remember my other thread "The Collapsing Pillars" where I was referred to this situation, that no Earthly religion truly matters in the creation. God is Love..