God

I am extremely alone and it makes me extremely unhappy. It causes me to be a negative conduit in my everyday life and gives me the viewpoint that the world pretty much sucks. I don't want to be this way, but I am trapped. The only way I can be useful to you is if I am free...Please lend me your hand and lead me from this prison of darkness and discontent.

 

Get this book:

What the Buddha Taught by Walpola Rahula

In it, it explains the philosophical side of Buddhism without all the religion B.S. It shows you (in a somewhat easy to understand kind of way) the truth, and explains many things. Not everything, of course, only a few things, but they will definately set you on the right path.

I am only 1/4 of the way through the book but so far, it's already helping me.

It'll teach you the Four Noble Truths:

1) Dukkha (the truth of ongoing material suffering and pain, though there is more to it than that)
2) The arising of dukkha (what causes dukkha)
3) The cessation of dukkha (what ends dukkha)
4) The path leading to the cessation of dukkha ('nuff said)

Read it!

 

Sorry I can't be of any help to you Sodabandito, I'm kind of in the same place...

Hikaru, you seem so smart and real! I love that quote in your sig!

 

First off I just want to say that I'm not trying to 'lead' anyone anywhere.

However I can offer a few comments.
You say you feel alone - and I assume isolatoed/alienated can be added to the list? There are many others in a similar position. But why do you feel alone? Is it because you are actually without anyone to be with, talk to, share with - is it because you want human companionship or even love?
I ask because thats common enough. Or you could just be around people with whom you can't, or feel you can't communicte.

The world sucks you say - but what do you mean by the world? The whole natural order of the universe or just the man-made bits? Or even just some of them?

As to how to get out of it - it all depends on you - in more than one way. First, you have to really want to move onto a different view and feeling about things. You have to try to think positively. I know that might sound like a cliche, but it's absolutely fundamental. A positive mental attitude is the basis really of being able to do anything. Certainly anything positive. I don't mean just to forget or try to forget the very real problems that exist in the world, but try to tell yourself that if you are to have any role in improving things, even if only in small ways, you can only be effective if you are positive.

The other sense in which it depends on you is in terms of spirituality. There are different paths and religions etc. How can you find the way that is appropriate for you personally at this time? Once again it means trusting in yourself (and that requires positivity and confidence). There are many teachings and religions who say 'We have the answer'. Some say 'our answer is the only answer'. The only thing you can do is to trust your own intuition. If some particular teaching has an appeal, if you are drawn in a particular direction, then probably, that may be useful for you at this time.

Generally, in looking at spiritual teachings and philosophies it is good to keep an open mind. However, it's also good to retain some critical thinking too, as 'not all is gold that glitters'. In the end, if you believe in God, Spirit - whatever the name - you have to just trust in That.

 

The only thing I can say at this point is that you need to be careful not to fall for the lies and half-truths that a lot of religious people might bombard you with to get you to convert to their faith...

I'm not going to tell you what to do, you need to find your own path in life, just be careful you're not lead astray.

UPDATE: but I will also say don't don't go looking for help outside... look INSIDE yourself

 

I found much comfort in the Baha'i faith. It's based upon logic, which helped me alot because I found it really hard to believe in things I couldn't understand. The Baha'i faith is based on all the major world religions.

 

Yeah. Maybe you should try laughing at your situation. If you truly understood it, you would. God's with you, the physical universe is with you, and we are with you.

BTW- evils the funniest joke ever created. Or maybe farts. I am not sure which. It's hard to tell which is funnier because they both make me laugh.

 

Also, I don't mean to pressure you into Buddhism; I've only really been looking at it for the past 2 or 3 days.

I'm just saying, reading that book has given me a ton of insight. There are things about the book which I disagree with, but for the most part, it's given me a new perspective to my life, and I've been a lot more calm and happy because of it.

 

If you want a personal relationship with God,-check out the Christianity Forums...

It's the only religion that promises a personal relationship, as far as I know...

 

Ok. if you are having problems and want spiritual help, the worst thing you can do to yourself is attach yourself to a God... believing in a false god is no way to get rid of your loneliness.. Any happiness gained by it is illusionary... but these are my own beliefs, if you believe in god, whatever, do what you want...

Buddhism is GREAT if you are depressed or feeling lonely, it will not tell you the answers to questions, but it will help you look within yourself to find your own personal beliefs and enlightenment... it will put lifes problems in line and will show you the cause of the suffering...
Meditation helps depression

When I was having a hard time, really hard time, I started reading about Zen Buddhism like mad... and it really changed who i am... and helped me find myself... it helped me realize how everything runs in circles and good times will always come..`

check out ~ a glimpse of nothingness by janwillem van de wetering...

christianity only promises a false relationship with a false god

 

Errrm...okay, than why do miracles happen? IN JESUS NAME? Why do TONGUES exist??

I don't go all 'oh your God is False' like a jerk. Who died and made you king, antichrist?

Atleast be TOLERANT of other beliefs, in the non-denominational religious boards.

And you call us Christians narrow-minded...tch, aethiest.... interesting that you guys go at christians first...hmmm?

...Stinkin' Devil...

 

LOL they dont.

I never killed someone for believing in God so i wouldnt say im worse than achristian fundamentalist...
but i am just giving my opinions that is all... i think that god is another attachment people should get rid of to become better people.

Im just giving my opinions, i could really care less if I offend someone that believes in god.

Nothing proves it... there is no proof for a god, so i have no reason to believe in god. As far as what I can see, and be sure of, is that religion causes suffering, war, and pain.

I dont have a god. What the masses believe doesnt mean shit. There is no 'believing in' buddha... buddhism isnt about worshipping anything... its about finding yourself.

If more people out there in the world think smoking crack is awesome, does that make them right? Hell no... i tend to think that that if there is something that the majority of humans believe in, it is usually completely wrong and someone is profiting from their beliefs.

So you believe in god becuase everyone else does?

I am tolerant... I have christian friends, I dont drown them or burn them at the stake like christians have in the past.
Im just giving my beliefs, and if being tolerant means not displaying my beliefs, i choose to be intolerant.

You did a nice job of editing your post, Why do tongues exist? take a physical anthropology class and learn something about evolution..

do not worry I do not judge you for your beliefs, I truly think christians mean to be good people, but more often than not their beliefs cause suffering and pain...


How can i become any more tolerant of christians? I dont really think I was being intolerant at all, i wasnt attacking anyone for their beliefs, i was sharing mine... i didnt go YER ALL STUPID COZ U BELIEVE IN GOD!!

This is the real face of intolerance, some 15 year old whining because I called her god a false god.

We go at christians first because they used to murder us back in the day... but I hate all religions equally, islam, christianity, judaism... all a big load of shit to me.

 

And Nothing disproves God either.

The people that kill for their faith, aren't true christians, it's a common missconception. THE BIBLE CONDEMNS MURDER.

It's weird that the first thing that pops in someone's mind when they hear 'Christian' is always 'catholocism'...sheesh....they didn't even know the Bible back then.


The Bible itself has proof. BIG PROOF in fact...


And, BTW, yes, miracles happen, not to you, you're not a believer. But go in any Penticostle Church and faint of shock.

Miracles happen all the time, but those who are blind don't seek, or listen.

 

Lots of things not only disprove god but disprove things in the bible and things taught by the church... christian beliefs have changed over the years as science has repeatedly proven their beliefs wrong.

Not just killing for your faith, but killing anything... I do not think anyone is a true christian... so many christians justify killing things... like killing for your government, things like that are overlooked by christians...
At least buddhism hasnt caused any wars or deaths... never been some crazy lunatic buddhist running around murdering anyone... s'never happened.

When have i singled out catholicism at all? I havent. Ch

What is this proof? The bible has no proof in it... I'de like for you to show me this proof of god in the bible... as the bible is a book written by man and by the words in the bible, that makes the bible itself wrong because it says man will always have error.

You are too blind to look beyond the traditions and beliefs you were raised with and grew up around.

You threw the first stone, dont act like ive never read the bible before.

You arent a christian, you do not remind me of jesus at all.(i only say this becuase of your "not a true christian" statement... i dont want to argue with you anymore)

How can you honestly act like jesus if youve never met the man, I do not think jesus would have condoned things christians have did in his name for the past 2000 + years... best you can do is take whats in the bible, but there are so many stipulations that I believe no one can claim they are christ-like.
Especially a self proclaimed christian fundamentalist.



You dont have to get worked up about it, i know that being unchristian really riles up self-proclaimed christians.. but we arent going to change eachothers minds, at least you definitely arent going to change mine... so the best we can do is agree to disagree... coz to me you are just a 15 year old girl whose beliefs were entirely shaped by the environment around them... and for that i do not hate you, i completely understand... i have friends and relatives that are the same way, they are good people... i just disagree with them.

 

/WRONG. There's LOTS of proof.
And give me something that 'disproved' christianity.

You didn't understand. Catholocism is the one that started all the wars and is stereotypical christian faith for non-believers. Back then, the crusades, etc....were done by catholics. AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE BIBLE!!

the leg stubs in snakes, the ark, WHICH HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN FOUND, FULFILLED Prophecies, etc...
many things. Want a site or something?

EXCUSE ME? RAISED with?! My parents are new agers for God's sake! And they hate the fact that I'm a christian! I used to be a New Ager myself!
I STUDIED witchcraft, other religions, other traditions, meditation, occult, etc.etc...
I was even ready to do it myself! I cared about everything but Christianity! -until I got saved.
I decided to take this path myself, with no support of my parents.
[/QUOTE]

How am I not a true Christian? I OBEY the Bible, and asked Jesus in my heart! But I'm still working on myself, to become more like him.

I just explained the 2000 years in the past issue, they didn't know the Bible, IT WAS IN LATIN!!

I'm not 'getting worked up' about it for nothing, I'm just defending my beliefs. I wasn't the one who called everything but christianity true, that was a direct, and ignorant, attack to people's faith by you.
I'm not trying to convert him, I was just telling him that Christianity's the only belief I know that gives you a personal relationship with God, because he said that he felt alone... I was stating a neutral oppinion,
and you go: "NO! NO!!Anything but that!".

You're trying to prevent the person who created this thread from being christian, you try to force him to believe as much as 'any other religion will do, just not this one'! He should decide his own faith though, it's not our responsibility, let him choose to follow whatever he wishes, and whatever his heart desires.


And besides, comments like 'your false god' shouldn't be posted in the non-denominational forum, but in the atheist ones. I don't give a crap of how much you diss the Christian/Islam/Jewish god, or any other god, in that one. Because it's made for atheists,- not christians, jews,hindus, or whatever.

 

Church used to believe the earth was flat, science found it wasnt, church changed to evolve with science.

Church used to believe the earth was in the center of the universe, science found it wasnt, church changed to evolve with science.

Church used to believe in creationism, now its evolved to work with evolution.

Church used to believe in magical sphere around t he earth, science disproved it, and the church changed once again.

Must I list even more?
Because I can.

LMAO that is proof of evolution not christianity.

I dont believe the arc ever existed or was ever found, that story is complete bullshit.. dont believe everything you read on the internet

Like what? Prophecies use symbols that could mean just about anything.

Yes. Show me what website you claim proves the existance of god (lmao)

I was assuming, because that is the way of 90% of christians.

Im sure there are parts of the bible in which you do not obey, it is impossible to fufill everything in the bible... you are not a true christian because you are not like jesus christ, and that is what being a christian is. Living your life to be like jesus is just funny... god, be yourself people... not jesus.

They did know the bible, they definitely knew it said thou shalt not kill in it, but that did not stop them...

I never called everything but christianity true.

Thats not a neutral opinion, thats just your opinion

That is my opinion... whats wrong with saying that?
other than you dont like it... just cuz u dont like it doesnt mean im not tolerant...

LOL! there is no way in hell i could prevent the person who created this thread from being christian if they truly wanted to... i was only giving my opinions, nothing more... your just blowing it out of proportion and bitching cuz im not a christian like you, thats not very christ-like.
I was just giving my opinion and obviously i wasnt forcing him into anything...

Why not? This forum isnt just for christians/jews/muslims... its also for those of us who do not have a religion and for buddhists... anyones opinions are welcome here, its a FREE SPEECH website... all is welcome... you just dont like the fact that i dont like christianity, so you try to argue with me.

This is the Philosophy & religion forum...atheism is a philosophy, and anyone is free to give their opinions on religion.
My opinions were specially OK in this thread because the man was asking for help, and i gave him my thoughts just like you gave em' yours.

 

Mui, as much as I realise what you're trying to do... and as much as I'm on your side - trying to talk in terms of logic and reason, to a fundie, is pointless... I used to be the same as you, getting into arguments with them, but it truly is pointless - even if you suceed in making XYZ point, they'll ignore it - because for them, they have such a strict idea of the world, anything that challenges that has to be wrong, regardless of the evidence.

So my recomendation is to just drop it, be the bigger person, and leave the fundies to it... However, should you wish some intellegent conversation with people who share a similar view to your own, you can do a lot worse than checking out http://www.atheistnetwork.net/ - I've been a member there for a while now, and it's a breath of fresh air (oh, and should you want to get involved in Atheist Vs. Theist conversations, they have a forum set-up specialy for that, tho. you might have a better time if you just ignore them altogther)

 

thats what i was saying before... i dont wanna argue no more... it gets you absolutely nowhere... sharing your views only serves the purpose of finding others who agree with you... cant really expect everyone to bend at your words and convert becuase of you.

 

i probobly would have posted in here earlier if i didnt turn into a huge flame war...

but i think one of the last thing soneone needs when they are feeling lonly is people telling them whoch God/Teacher to follow, or to read about...i think that through this persons ow suffereing and life trials, they will find whatever God has meant them to find, and thats whats best...

 

...reading this made me want a good, strong drink.

ryu, one day you will grow up and start really thinking; for now you are a passionate fifteen year old girl who simply hasn't had the time or experience needed to recognize her own ignorance.

mui, i admire your patience.

peace,
sophia