Comments on: Belief Systems http://www.christopherslade.com/2010/02/belief-systems/ Random Thoughts on Computer Science Education, and Other Topics Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:25:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: BRANDON http://www.christopherslade.com/2010/02/belief-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-77 BRANDON Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:25:48 +0000 http://www.christopherslade.com/?p=111#comment-77 <strong><blockquote><a href="http://medicamentspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Medicamentspot.com. Canadian Health&Care.Best quality drugs.No prescription online pharmacy.Special Internet Prices. No prescription pills. Buy pills online</a>...</strong> Buy:Human Growth Hormone.Retin-A.Valtrex.Mega Hoodia.Petcam (Metacam) Oral Suspension.Zovirax.100% Pure Okinawan Coral Calcium.Prednisolone.Zyban.Nexium.Synthroid.Actos.Lumigan.Arimidex.Prevacid.Accutane....
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]]> By: Aaron Curtis http://www.christopherslade.com/2010/02/belief-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-40 Aaron Curtis Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:05:29 +0000 http://www.christopherslade.com/?p=111#comment-40 The assumption that one can make purely objective observations is flawed. Everything we see and measure passes through the lens of our belief system so that we can make sense of the chaos around us and endow it with meaning. I think atheists / agnostics get frustrated because religious experience is very rarely repeatable. Two people may go through the same process of reading and praying about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon for example, and one may feel they get a confirmation while the other doesn't. Sometimes we try to make sense out of this and take a mechanistic view on religious experience. We say maybe they didn't pray with enough faith or with the right desire. But I think we need to recognize that people are different in terms of physical characteristics, their past experience, and their spiritual makeup. Some have been given the gift / trial of exceedingly great faith. To others it is given to believe on their words. Sometimes God answers instantaneously. At other times we find ourselves waiting for months or years for an answer. It's not always because we are not worthy of receiving the answer. Sometimes it's because we're not ready. Or sometimes it's just wisdom in God that those answers not be given. <br><br>I also have a testimony of the existence of God and the truthfulness of this church. If I understand you correctly, I would agree that we cannot have a purely objective discussion about religious experience. We have to be willing to discuss the subjective nature of things -- to understand and share how the experiences we have and our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ provide meaning to our lives. This is what I believe Alma refers to in the Book of Mormon (<a href="http://scriptures.lds.org" rel="nofollow">http://scriptures.lds.org</a>) when he says that experimenting on the word enlightens our understanding. Perhaps it is more appropriate to describe communication from God as an enlightened understanding, and that as a result of that enlightenment, we can feel the fruits of the spirit (e.g., peace, joy, love, temperance, etc.). The assumption that one can make purely objective observations is flawed. Everything we see and measure passes through the lens of our belief system so that we can make sense of the chaos around us and endow it with meaning. I think atheists / agnostics get frustrated because religious experience is very rarely repeatable. Two people may go through the same process of reading and praying about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon for example, and one may feel they get a confirmation while the other doesn't. Sometimes we try to make sense out of this and take a mechanistic view on religious experience. We say maybe they didn't pray with enough faith or with the right desire. But I think we need to recognize that people are different in terms of physical characteristics, their past experience, and their spiritual makeup. Some have been given the gift / trial of exceedingly great faith. To others it is given to believe on their words. Sometimes God answers instantaneously. At other times we find ourselves waiting for months or years for an answer. It's not always because we are not worthy of receiving the answer. Sometimes it's because we're not ready. Or sometimes it's just wisdom in God that those answers not be given.

I also have a testimony of the existence of God and the truthfulness of this church. If I understand you correctly, I would agree that we cannot have a purely objective discussion about religious experience. We have to be willing to discuss the subjective nature of things — to understand and share how the experiences we have and our understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ provide meaning to our lives. This is what I believe Alma refers to in the Book of Mormon (http://scriptures.lds.org) when he says that experimenting on the word enlightens our understanding. Perhaps it is more appropriate to describe communication from God as an enlightened understanding, and that as a result of that enlightenment, we can feel the fruits of the spirit (e.g., peace, joy, love, temperance, etc.).

]]> By: Katie http://www.christopherslade.com/2010/02/belief-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-38 Katie Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:51:18 +0000 http://www.christopherslade.com/?p=111#comment-38 I enjoyed reading your observations and insights about belief systems. Eu concordo contigo. I enjoyed reading your observations and insights about belief systems. Eu concordo contigo.

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