What Happened to God?

For thousands of years people have been religiously inclined. Making thousands, no, millions of gods to whom they gave their adoration. In recent times, secularism and materialism has taken hold in many countries, and now more than ever people consider themselves nonreligious, either not belonging to a religion, many for good reasons, or they do not believe in God. Is that your view?

It is not surprising. Did you know that in the country of Israel, according to a survey, the majority of people consider themselves nonreligious. Other countries where the majority surveyed considered themselves nonreligious are: Albania, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

People in modern times have been groomed in cultures and societies where evolution is taught in schools, and there are not a few nations that put restrictions on religious activities of the people. Rarely are people given convincing proof of God's existence in their educational studies, in mass media, or other means.


The search for God is a long one that spans the thousands of years of human civilization. And to give a treatise on all would be too long here, a long book indeed would need to be made after much research.

If you were to look into many ancient religions of mankind you can see an honest search for God, but something that is never achieved.

Among such religions are those that have sprung in India. There the Vedas were composed, the earliest being over 3,000 years old. Orthodox Hindus believe the Vedas (meaning sacred knowledge) are Sruti (that is from God).

Not all believed such. Buddha, considered by many to be the 9th incarnation of Vishnu (originally a minor Vedic god, who now is considered supreme, and part of a Trinity with Brahma and Shiva) did not accept their authority.

And while these Hindus searched for the divine in creation and created a mythology of gods the ones who wrote the Vedas known as rishis composed them by their own knowledge and ability, self-admittedly.

But in the end out of all the gods in Hindu mythology in the last book of the Rig-Veda they ask: "What God shall we adore with our oblation?"

Interestingly in the Vedas they ponder "Who knows the truth? Who can tell whence and how arose the universe? The gods are later than its beginning: who knows therefore whence comes this creation? Only that god who sees in the highest heaven."

The inability of the Vedas to enlighten the searching mind for the answer of who is God, the Upanishads continued there search. In the beliefs of there sages there was indeed a supreme controller, to search for him the sages would retreat in forests and mediate on things such as what is the source of the universe. They looked within themselves, believing that the answers were to be found in the philosophy of man.

They created the myth that Braham was the creator of the world as found in the Isa Upanishad, a being separate from our universe. Other Upanishads contradicted such and said this being was the universe itself (the Mundaka Upanishad), and still other Upanishads said the universe is simply an illusion (Brihadarayanka Upanishad). Within the framework of all these myths and human philosophies the idea of reincarnation was introduced. According to the Chandogya Upanishad the world was born of a giant egg. And in the Chandogya Upanishad we are told a person's soul goes to the moon at death and remains until his "good works are consumed". Then it falls to the earth as rain to be "born here as rice and barley, as herbs and trees."

In all of their search for God the "Upanishads do not contain superhuman conceptions, but human. Guesses of human philosophers at what lead to our existence.

This is of course a very small synapses of a very large and diverse religious world-view that eventually branched to various religious beliefs. Today the majority of Hindu worship is based on scriptures known as Puranas. These promote idolatry, use of temple rituals and pilgrimages.

One can delve even he so wanted even further into the occult teachings of the Gurus. A guru claims equality with the divine. And many follow gurus because of their impressive miracles. But even in Hindu scriptures, evil persons such as Ravana is said to possess such ones giving them supernatural powers.

Going further into this occult form of worship, or what would be termed demonism, gurus acquire supernatural powers by practicing Yogic arts. In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali, father of Yoga philosophy says that powers that come from practicing yoga are from evil celestial beings, who, according to Swami Vivekanada is "to tempt the Yogi' that he remain enslaved. Sawmi therefore warned "against striving for such sorcerous powers."

You can see in just this example how a vacancy is left for God. And what about the rest of mankind's religions? What about everyone who has been raised with no religious upbringing at all?

What would be a good question to raise to a curious and honest person searching for the meaning of life's existence? For example, how can we know who the true God is?

An ancient source of wisdom tells us how one can tell if a God is true or not with this simple proof:

"Let them tell both the things to come And what will yet happen."

Is that not a reasonable request of the true God? Did you know who made this proclamation?

It is recorded in the Bible. And it is made by the one who names himself Jehovah and says he is God over all.

But is Jehovah, the God of the Bible, really God? Has he foretold from long ago things that will happen in the future and have they come to pass?

Here is one thing that Jehovah has foretold in the Bible that only the true God could accomplish:

“You are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “Yes, my servant whom I have chosen, So that you may know and have faith in me And understand that I am the same One. Before me no God was formed, And after me there has been none."


This statement is found written in the prophet Isaiah's book chapter 43 verse 10. Isaiah did not say he was writing from his own knowledge, or from human understanding. Rather he stated that he was inspired from Jehovah to write God's own words down. What else did Jehovah say? He said:

I—I am Jehovah, and besides me there is no savior.”
 “I am the One who declared and saved and made known
When there was no foreign god among you.
So you are my witnesses,” declares Jehovah, “and I am God. - Isaiah 43:11, 12.

How does the prophecy stand out? After Jehovah said he was to have witnesses to his name that he is indeed the true God, he asked all the other gods of the nations to produce their witnesses to foretell what is to happen in the future. No human god has been able to do so.

But Jehovah has risen up from out of all the nations a people called on by his name. People around the world carry Jehovah's name and witness about it to all sorts of people in all the nations. Jesus, the son of God who became man, and who was the greatest of all prophets said further that there is a conclusion of the world, the system in which we live, and during that time the good news of God's kingdom would be preached in all the inhabited earth:

"And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." - Matt 24:14.
cont

Is Jehovah the God of the Bible real?

Did he raise up from himself witnesses out of all the nations preaching the "good news?"

If Jehovah was able to foretell such a thing thousands of years ago and then do it then surely he is really the true God. This is one example of how the Bible not only contains the words of the real God, but it shows how he is able to carry out his word.

There is a prophecy that many who do not know who Jehovah is would learn about him in the time of the end by means of a global preaching campaign. In fact it says this:

"For “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.”  However, how will they call on him if they have not put faith in him? How, in turn, will they put faith in him about whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent out? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!” - Romans 10:13-15.


Jehovah is Your Name

There are many other prophecies in the Bible given by Jehovah that have both come to pass, and will soon come to pass.

People look to human wisdom, to politicians, to scientists, who do you think will solve mankind's problems? Where do you think we really came from?

Is the Bible really Jehovah's God's word to mankind?

It is worth the investigation. It can mean your life. For remember that "all who call on Jehovah's" name will be saved on the day of his judgement with this system and how people are living their lives.

Jesus, the son of God who became man, and who was the greatest of all prophets

Jesus , son of God, saviour to mankind in dying for their transgressions, was not merely a prophet but a part of the Trinity.

a reply to: EdgeofParadise

I'm not getting it, none of those wishy washy biblical prophecies have come true.

Just going to throw this out there, a lot of European peasants started to stop believing during plagues, raids, wars and general being shat on. They chose not to go against the church though as it would most likely get them killed for heresy.

This is not a "new thing" as a lot of people seem to believe, the higher echelon of society broke the belief of many but again this is for the Abrahamic god in Europe.

The reason that many now are not believers is because of the contradictory stances of different splinters of religion and the fact that "god done it" moments can be explained by science and that a 2000 year old book which is a good moral guide written by man and nothing more is held as the word of God.

I myself would like to believe, I consider myself open minded but Abraham religions are petty and unappealing, I mean in theory there have been two reboots of the "original" god

a reply to: EdgeofParadise

He left us to our own devices - Abandoned us.

We couldn't even follow 10 simple instructions.

Instead we twisted it all to our own selfish ends, wrote it down amoungst actual instructions and called it the bible.

Here's the mega quote " Few will be able"

Case closed.

Want him back in your life?????

Heres the other mega quote " Follow me" - in other words live like JC did both physically and spiritually.

Case closed.

a reply to: midicon

Ah, but Jehovah does have Witnesses. You may not know it. This was not some mere prediction of happenstance that came true. And they are preaching the good news as Jesus foretold in all the nations. Again direct prophecy in fulfillment of scripture, divine revelation.

Another example of fulfilled prophecy was the foretold desolation of Babylon. Over 300 years before it was to be overthrown and even before it was a world power Jehovah God told Isaiah to write the name of Babylon's conqueror: "Cyrus" and how he would conquer the city. That it's gates would be left open, and that he would dry up the waters of the Euphrates river, that surrounded it as defense.

And even further Jehovah went on to pronounce sentence on Babylon and say that it would never be inhabited again.

To this day it is ruins in the land of Iraq.

Jehovah is like no other God. He is the true God. And this little bit of his prophecy recorded for us is startling proof.

a reply to: EdgeofParadise

I must admit it's difficult to reply to that nonsense. Biblical prophecy written after the event and manipulated by authors down through the years, smashing. 'Startling proof' ? It proves absolutely nothing.

It's all nonsense and you know it. You people are just afraid to stand up and take responsibility for your' own lives without some sort of authority telling you what to do. While I am here let me add that I view filling your' children's heads with that stuff is a form of child abuse.

originally posted by: midicon
a reply to: EdgeofParadise

I must admit it's difficult to reply to that nonsense. Biblical prophecy written after the event and manipulated by authors down through the years, smashing. 'Startling proof' ? It proves absolutely nothing.

It's all nonsense and you know it. You people are just afraid to stand up and take responsibility for your' own lives without some sort of authority telling you what to do. While I am here let me add that I view filling your' children's heads with that stuff is a form of child abuse.

But there is ample proof. For example among the Dead Sea Scrolls the entire scroll of Isaiah was found dated to the 3rd century B. C. E. And was already considered Bible canon.

Babylon itself was not desolate until after Jesus died, around the 2nd or 3rd century C. E. Almost 500 years after the oldest extant scrolls were dated.

There is no doubt Isaiah lived when he said he did. People who claim it was written after the fact do not want to reocginze that prophecy is true.

But who is really at fault there? And who really is deceiving themselves? When you have literal proof and deny it. I do not say this to argue with you, something which you have rashly and without evidence done. But if the reproof helps you to open your eyes, that is a good thing.

I am not like you, I do not wish to insult. But, there is an ancient proverb that is true, a blow to the face from a friend is better than a kiss to the cheek from an enemy.

a reply to: EdgeofParadise

That was a nice reply. However I do have a little experience of your group and if you find honesty insulting then so be it.

You have nothing to offer anyone other than a 'fellowship' which comes at a price. I have 'witnessed' the break up of families caused by the belief in this nonsense (sadly I must call it out for what it is).

You rely on ancient scripture because that's all you can muster and flim flam about. Who cares about Babylon other than history buffs and cults like yours?

Give all those followers a break, disband the fellowship and let them live their own lives free from their judgemental elders.

Asking if someone is religious is not the same as asking if someone believes or seeks God. If someone asked me if I were religious I would say no as I have no religious affiliation. If someone were to ask me if I believe in God I would say yes.

God and I don’t need religion coming between us.

originally posted by: Metallicus
Asking if someone is religious is not the same as asking if someone believes or seeks God. If someone asked me if I were religious I would say no as I have no religious affiliation. If someone were to ask me if I believe in God I would say yes.

God and I don’t need religion coming between us.

Good point. In the beginning of the OP the term nonreligious brought out that it refers to people who either do not believe in religion, and for good reason many times, or do not believe in God.


I have talked to many people of many different and varying beliefs. And many people who were once religious are now not, because of hypocrisy they see in the religions they were a part of. Another poster above brought out as much. The Catholic Church, and Protestants alike have all their fair share of blame of being hypocrites and being as the Bible foretold: Having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power. And from these turn away."

The varied people one would find on a board like this would make it impossible for me personally to respond to each and become like them to help them see I understand more than most probably realize. As I am not known by most here. And of course there are insults and attacks that are just better ignored. We all get them on the internet.

I've been around too long to not know that. I appreciate what you said though.

ETA:

I would like to add though that there are many nonreligious people who are becoming believers of Jehovah God every year and not because of emotion. But because of reasoning and proofs and above all because of conduct.

A person is far more likely to remember how you treated them, then what you said. And actions always speak louder than words. A good example, a kind word and deed, goes much further than a speech with hypocrisy or harshness behind it.

I must ask, what makes your God more real than any other God figure / pantheon? One thing I have seen from western religions and some of the people who follow them is a general mocking other teachings or texts (the Veda for example).

Religions where their Gods have flaws which lends more a believable reality compared to the infallible Abrahamic God who seems to float between wrathful, petty and childish to benevolent and calm God.

When the Jehovas Witness Cult are held accountable maybe then you can go out and proselytize with a clear conscience




www.theatlantic.com...

A Secret Database of Child Abuse A former Jehovah's Witness is using stolen documents to expose allegations that the religion has kept hidden for decades.

www.independent.co.uk...

A former Jehovah's Witness has offered a rare insight into the religious group, describing it as a cult that "tries to control emotions, thought, information and behavior of a person". The man, who did not want to be formally identified, shared his experience of growing up as a Jehovah's Witness in Poland in an Ask Me Anything post on Reddit.

en.wikipedia.org...

Various individuals, courts and the media around the world have raised concerns about the manner in which cases of child sexual abuse are handled when they occur in congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses.[1] An independent 2009 study in Norway was critical of how Jehovah's Witnesses dealt with cases of child sexual abuse but stated there is no indication that the rate of sexual abuse among Jehovah's Witnesses is higher than found in general society.[2] The organization officially "abhors" child sexual abuse,[3] and states "the incidence of this crime among Jehovah's Witnesses is rare."[4]

a reply to: EdgeofParadise
God or Jehovah is what is actually happening.

Who has faith in what actually is?

No man looks at what is because man needs time to exist..... he lives in time (in the mental realm of what is not happening).

Man believes he will die in time so seeks salvation in time.

What is witnessing what is being presented with no stories, with no concepts.... without time and space?

It is said that no man shall see God's face and live.

Man dreams of time.
God is timeless being..... here now always. God is presence.

What is happening is happening!!

No one will ever find God..... because God is all there ever is..... there is nothing separate.


Here is a great book: 'This Is God' by Rebekah Maroon www.amazon.co.uk...=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=This+is+God+rebeckah+marron&qid=1569833544 &sr=8-1-spell

a reply to: EdgeofParadise
God is not a who or a thing...
There actually are no things.... there is only what is happening.
No thing is appearing as happening.... and it all that is.

Advaita means one without a second (non duality)..... not two.

The assumption... the original sin.... the missing of the mark.... is that you are a thing separate from the whole.

This is the whole.....this ever present space appears as this ever present image.
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.

If you seek God then ask him to reveal himself to you and he will through dreams and visions.

It is not difficult to understand and religious politics are not needed.





a reply to: EdgeofParadise

What happened to god is the easiest question to answer. He became a stable genius and moved into the white house....

a reply to: EdgeofParadise
Nothing happened to God.

God is what is happening!!!

Is there any separation in what IS happening?