tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post3144151436474100573..comments2024-03-27T17:34:04.375+04:00Comments on Random Magus: Ode to BeliefAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10719992587281654845noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-45417810584422019622008-07-27T20:05:00.000+04:002008-07-27T20:05:00.000+04:00Believe in god is one important thing.Believe in god is one important thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-42519566504467131942008-06-03T01:37:00.000+04:002008-06-03T01:37:00.000+04:00I miss you, Amber. Where did you go?I miss you, Amber. Where did you go?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-43084934710085095562008-02-11T22:14:00.000+04:002008-02-11T22:14:00.000+04:00I find that the question of "why bad things happen...I find that the question of "why bad things happen" in a world created by God come up in a debate of his existance all the time. To me, it is simple logic.<BR/>Life in human form, is not heaven. We are here to become and adapt; evolve and choose our own destiny. With that, there is a conflict of good and evil. All of us can choose the path to follow, in any direction. The "world" could never be perfect in this sense. <BR/>Indeed in heaven lies the transformation. Pain and suffering die with the ascention to the Lord.<BR/><BR/>By saying this, I do not claim to be an expert, or someone that understands life more than anyone else. I am full of faults - these are just my own thoughts.Speedcat Hollydalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01207240842689917922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-26040440911771564822008-02-04T00:16:00.000+04:002008-02-04T00:16:00.000+04:00"For me that belief is my belief in the existence ..."For me that belief is my belief in the existence of God, I choose to believe, not because I was taught to, as there are certain rituals of organized religion which I don’t follow at all, but because I just do, I don’t have an option even if I tried not to believe it wouldn’t happen."<BR/><BR/>DUH?<BR/><BR/>That was just about two inches out of my grab. <BR/><BR/>Well, there's some solace we find when we make it so complicated to find God. It's nice to get lost in the confusion and not having to make a decision. <BR/><BR/>Then again, GOD exists, or SHE/HE doesn't exist. It's the digital age, you see.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-6461956508506822492008-01-24T20:31:00.000+04:002008-01-24T20:31:00.000+04:00The day I gave up all belief in all things unseen,...The day I gave up all belief in all things unseen, unfelt and unknowable, was the day I truly began to think for myself. I acquaint belief in God, angels, devils, demons, ghosts and spirits on the same par as the faries, elves and "little people" I once believed in when I was a small child.Mary A. Kaufmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07168691415606171414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-86450066232864315112008-01-24T20:23:00.000+04:002008-01-24T20:23:00.000+04:00Random MagusThe day I gave up all belief in the un...Random Magus<BR/>The day I gave up all belief in the unseen and the unknowable, was the day I truly began to come alive, to think for myself. As an adult, having faith in God, is, for me, maintaining the faith I had, when a child, in the existence of faries.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-75278663826427321752008-01-16T00:42:00.000+04:002008-01-16T00:42:00.000+04:00Hey Random too busy to blog???What's the world com...Hey Random <BR/>too busy to blog???<BR/><BR/>What's the world coming to<BR/>Hope the New Year is good to you.QUASAR9https://www.blogger.com/profile/00593390598251093182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-57623906040452448052008-01-12T08:17:00.000+04:002008-01-12T08:17:00.000+04:00Hi Amber! I believe in God though I am not followi...Hi Amber! I believe in God though I am not following any specific faith. Really my beliefs are something I came to naturally through studying many belief systems. If I had to say what my beliefs are closest to, I would say Theosophy.<BR/><BR/>The only thing I don't like about some religious people and some atheists is that they tend to side with one another. <BR/><BR/>I try to bring people together rather than finding differences. We are all different and believe different things, but we should not judge others for what they believe. The way you wrote this shows how truly open minded you are!Bobby Revellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05225540511858755945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-5063387338544455702008-01-11T23:32:00.000+04:002008-01-11T23:32:00.000+04:00Titania Starlight:I too don’t like to follow rigid...Titania Starlight:<BR/>I too don’t like to follow rigid dogmas but have complete in faith in the existence of God and the fact that we will be held accountable for all we do here… call it accountability or karma – the essence is the same.<BR/><BR/>Jay Cam:<BR/>I know people like that as well. <BR/><BR/>HollyGL:<BR/> Thank you Stephanie. I wouldn’t have it any other way either.<BR/><BR/>Paisley:<BR/>It’s a double -edged sword – it makes things really easy and yet tough in the long run.<BR/><BR/>Shantanu:<BR/>Agreed – the worst crimes in humanity have been committed in the name of ‘religion’. It is a powerful force. I like to think that a lot of good also ensues from the same force.<BR/><BR/>Bilbo:<BR/>Thank you for such a wonderful compliment. I think faith is a marvelous thing whether it be in an all-powerful entity or another human being. It makes life beautiful.<BR/><BR/>Rambler:<BR/>Totally correct. But I think even in two siblings you’ll find one who believes from the heart and one who is just following what they see their parents do.<BR/><BR/>Amel's Realm:<BR/>Me too!<BR/><BR/>Dawn:<BR/>Thanks. Sometimes I think of all the times, I have been a most difficult daughter and my mother still loving me through it all.<BR/><BR/>Ricardo:<BR/>51% is a good place to be – and never say never<BR/><BR/>Somewhere Joe:<BR/>That's beautiful. I want to get the novel now...<BR/><BR/>Mariuca:<BR/>Hello! New Year was great fun and pretty neat up till now :)<BR/><BR/>Blur ting:<BR/>ThanksAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719992587281654845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-41161481267368434342008-01-11T07:30:00.000+04:002008-01-11T07:30:00.000+04:00I agree it's a good post. Very thought provoking t...I agree it's a good post. Very thought provoking too.Blur Tinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07792543153416871887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-85123277540705735302008-01-09T13:59:00.000+04:002008-01-09T13:59:00.000+04:00Hey Amber! Just checking in to say hello! Hope the...Hey Amber! Just checking in to say hello! Hope the new year has been good to u so far! :):):)Mariucahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12007881762639103700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-53710061558700697662008-01-07T18:27:00.000+04:002008-01-07T18:27:00.000+04:00God Is AliveBy Leonard CohenGod is aliveMagic is a...God Is Alive<BR/>By Leonard Cohen<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>God is alive<BR/>Magic is afoot<BR/>God is alive<BR/>Magic is afoot<BR/>God is afoot<BR/>Magic is alive<BR/>Alive is afoot<BR/>Magic never died<BR/><BR/>God never sickened<BR/>Many poor men lied<BR/>Many sick men lied<BR/>Magic never weakened<BR/>Magic never hid<BR/>Magic always ruled<BR/>God is afoot<BR/>God never died<BR/><BR/>God was ruler<BR/>Though his funeral lengthened<BR/>Though his mourners thickened<BR/>Magic never fled<BR/>Though his shrouds were hoisted<BR/>The naked God did live<BR/>Though his words were twisted<BR/>The naked magic thrived<BR/>Though his death was published<BR/>'Round and 'round the world<BR/>God did not believe<BR/><BR/>Many hurt men wondered<BR/>Many struck men bled <BR/>Magic never faltered<BR/>Magic always led<BR/>Many stones were rolled<BR/>But God would not lie down<BR/>Many wild men lied<BR/>Many fat men listened<BR/><BR/>Though they offered stones<BR/>Magic still was fed<BR/>Though they locked their coffers<BR/>God was always served<BR/>Magic is afoot<BR/>God rules<BR/>Alive is afoot<BR/>Alive is in command<BR/><BR/>Many weak men hungered<BR/>Many strong men thrived<BR/>Though they boast of solitude<BR/>God was at their side<BR/>Nor the dreamer in his cell<BR/>Nor the captain on the hill<BR/>Magic is alive<BR/>Though his death was pardoned<BR/>'Round and 'round the world<BR/>The heart would not believe<BR/><BR/>Though laws were carved in marble<BR/>They could not shelter men<BR/>Though altars built in parliament<BR/>They could not order men<BR/>Police arrested magic<BR/>And magic went with them<BR/>For magic loves the hungry<BR/><BR/>But magic would not tarry<BR/>It moves from arm to arm<BR/>It would not stay with them<BR/>Magic is afoot<BR/>It cannot come to harm<BR/>It rests in an empty palm<BR/>It spawns in an empty mind<BR/>But magic is no instrument<BR/>Magic is the end<BR/><BR/>Many men drove magic<BR/>But magic stayed behind<BR/>Many strong men lied<BR/>They only passed through magic<BR/>And out the other side<BR/>Many weak men lied<BR/>They came to God in secret<BR/>And though they left him nourished<BR/>They would not tell who healed<BR/>Though mountains danced before them<BR/>They said that God was dead<BR/>Though his shrouds were hoisted<BR/>The naked God did live<BR/><BR/>This I mean to whisper to my mind<BR/>This I mean to laugh with in my mind<BR/>This I mean my mind to serve<BR/>Till service is but magic<BR/>Moving through the world<BR/>And mind itself is magic<BR/>Coursing through the flesh<BR/>And flesh itself is magic<BR/>Dancing on a clock<BR/>And time itself the magic length of God<BR/><BR/>God is aliveJoe Jubinvillehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09489419756833657839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-87620208425366183362008-01-07T08:30:00.000+04:002008-01-07T08:30:00.000+04:00Very good post. I was on both sides of this of th...Very good post. I was on both sides of this of this spiritual battle and while I remain uncertain about the existence of a god, I have chosen to believe in one...I'd say....51% of the time which is better than the 0% I use to be at. <BR/><BR/>But that is the whole thing with faith, it's never going to be 100% iron clad. You must make that choice and find the strength in that choice.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393234934008656683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-40352849617848596842008-01-07T07:39:00.000+04:002008-01-07T07:39:00.000+04:00I like the way you put that..."it is very much lik...I like the way you put that...<BR/>"it is very much like the love a mother feels for her newborn baby who keeps her up all night and demands the world. It is all encompassing and has no argument for its existence, it just is."Dawn Droverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07411044010089842985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-40844241525253408572008-01-06T22:40:00.000+04:002008-01-06T22:40:00.000+04:00Hey, I've ALWAYS loved that prayer!!!! ;-DHey, I've ALWAYS loved that prayer!!!! ;-DAmelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16792921371964029469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-56470240253129919702008-01-06T20:12:00.000+04:002008-01-06T20:12:00.000+04:00"faith does not require a good argument to justify..."faith does not require a good argument to justify its existence. It is unexplainable."<BR/><BR/>Very well said Random Magus..<BR/>I think belief takes time and thinking of an individual, his/her environment, people as well as his own interests shape his beliefsRamblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04048279856792308653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-5911986881918958632008-01-06T15:24:00.000+04:002008-01-06T15:24:00.000+04:00What a great post! As you know from reading my bl...What a great post! As you know from reading my blog, I have a real problem with absolute faith which, when attached to absolute righteousness, can lead to absolute misery (look at the ghastly mess in the Middle East, with legions of suicide bombers fueled by absolute faith in the righteousness of their beliefs). Faith per se is not a bad thing. I have faith in Agnes's love and support. I have faith that the sun will come up tomorrow. I have faith that I'll keep getting paid as long as I keep working. But there's a wide, sad gap between "faith" and "belief" that can lead to terrible things if we let it. Faith can help to sustain us in times of crisis, or it can turn us into terrible people. I'm glad you are well-centered and secure in your faith. William of Ockham might not agree, but he'd understand. Thanks for writing such a thoughtful little essay!Bilbohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14213505386288233192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-26620300298753778032008-01-06T11:14:00.000+04:002008-01-06T11:14:00.000+04:00Absolutely agree! A lot of us turn to religion fo...Absolutely agree! A lot of us turn to religion for strength during times of crisis, old age, etc. And that is the single biggest advantage that faith brings to us.<BR/><BR/>However, we can't forget that faith has led others to so much blood-shed through the ages (under the pretext of bringing 'salvation' to those who don't believe in the same God).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-33246712833011709292008-01-06T06:54:00.000+04:002008-01-06T06:54:00.000+04:00i have often wished i could believe,, how much sim...i have often wished i could believe,, how much simpler it would make so many tings in this life... but for me at least,, belief is not an option.....paisleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08231453820728399262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-8330369038766448892008-01-05T20:15:00.000+04:002008-01-05T20:15:00.000+04:00Beautifully and articulately written post, Amber. ...Beautifully and articulately written post, Amber. Without my spirituality, I'm convinced I would not be here today. I was raised surrounded by very specific dogma. As the years passed, I realized how ineffectual any of that was <I>for me</I>, and broke with "traditional" religion. I have always believed completely in God, and that has served me well. I wouldn't have it any other way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-23844151647143400762008-01-05T07:02:00.000+04:002008-01-05T07:02:00.000+04:00faith is unexplainablehowever i do have some frien...faith is unexplainable<BR/><BR/>however i do have some friends who could care less about God... but when they are in real trouble they pray like crazy<BR/><BR/>people like that bug meJayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04479640289038431760noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-49254825925308682502008-01-05T05:57:00.000+04:002008-01-05T05:57:00.000+04:00Great post. Spirituality is a very personal choice...Great post. Spirituality is a very personal choice and though raised a Christian I would say I no longer follow any dogmas but it strange to say that my beliefs have evolved for me. This is by no means an attack on Christian beliefs but that my views of a creator or higher being have adapted to my needs. I have no need to be controlled or persecuted by an angry deity/being. I have found my comfort in a universal being of love that encompasses every single life form. We are here to learn the good the bad and the ugly. I guess we will know more when we go into that next stage of existence. I do know that when we break down the barriers we all are seeking one thing and that is "love". <BR/><BR/>Wonderful post to get us all thinking. <BR/><BR/>~Blessings<BR/><BR/>P.S. <BR/>Good to see you back. I missed you!Tawnya Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01629633695149859136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-23216862080202246102008-01-05T01:26:00.000+04:002008-01-05T01:26:00.000+04:00John: Thank you John it came from the heartamel's ...John: Thank you John it came from the heart<BR/><BR/>amel's realm: An even better prayer is 'Dear God, give me the strength to change the things I can and to accept things I can't, and give me wisdom to see the difference '<BR/><BR/>mike french: Thanks Mike - it definitely came from the heart, unfortunately I haven't been able to write much these days.<BR/><BR/>d: Yes - very brave. It is quite amazing to let go of some of the burden. But then at times of crisis it is also very difficult to believe in God and sustain that belief.<BR/><BR/>barkfoot: <BR/>That probably is the best thing about not believeing - the fact that once you are dead you're not accountable. Happy New year and thanks for stopping by.<BR/><BR/>meleah rebeccah:<BR/>I believe in God completely and religion not so much. Same as you<BR/><BR/>the real mother hen:<BR/>Thank you :) I am glad I am a believer too. Couldn't be anything else<BR/><BR/>jean-luc picard: Thanks a lot :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10719992587281654845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-15118822043932763602008-01-05T00:08:00.000+04:002008-01-05T00:08:00.000+04:00An excellent post, full of good points.An excellent post, full of good points.Jean-Luc Picardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01689798190618944262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7113737536590192234.post-78686222656266300072008-01-04T22:11:00.000+04:002008-01-04T22:11:00.000+04:00Nice post.I'm a believer.And glad that I'm one.Nice post.<BR/>I'm a believer.<BR/>And glad that I'm one.The Real Mother Henhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13226727195920798035noreply@blogger.com