What we believe in often becomes that which we wish others would believe in. We wish for their approval and their understanding. We tend to desire the company of those who use the same language of belief as we do.
Likewise, when we are confronted with those who don't believe in our tenets, we are sometimes impulsively inclined to project a wide range of biased attributes on to them. We might see them as stupid, pitiable, lost, misguided or wrong. In spite of how our beliefs instruct us to live with compassion, the cold, hard truth is that human beings -- when confronted with something they don't understand (basically, an opposing belief) -- gravitate toward hate, judgment and condemnation.
We all relate to certain universal concepts in nature. And for millions and millions of people, the word God has what is called, "a universal" meaning. God means so much to so many people. As a principle, God is the mystical basis on which faith is based upon; as a path, God is a road map for the individual to find peace and fulfillment within their own lives, and as a deity, God is a figurehead that works as both a relative vision of one's own potential and as an instrument for worshipful concentration. For those who believe in God, God is a promise. God is forgiveness and hope. God is love.
But what if a person doesn't believe in God -- like me? I don't believe in God. I'm happy if it makes other people happy, and I absolutely respect the idea of "to each his or her own," but I simply don't believe in God. I capitalize the "G" out of respect because I know many prefer it that way, but outside of that, the word is just a word -- something that means a lot to many, but not much to me. I don't see the belief in God as something needed in my life, most especially because I'm a really happy person. I'm good without God.
I've always been a happy person. And now, with age and all that comes with it, I'm just about bordering on contentment. I believe in personal responsibility, which, from what I've learned, is similar to that which is taught in the great books of religion; yet, I don't see the point in separating myself from the energy that I recognize as the interrelatedness of all things -- or, quantum reality. I don't see myself as different from the universe, or rather, I don't need to perceive my own reality as lesser than an idea of greatness; I have complete access to all of it. I am in complete awe of everything that exists in nature. This question of, "Yeah, well, then who created all of this?" is nonsensical to me. Why "who?" Does there have to be a master plan or can it just possibly be that it just IS?
Can you imagine that? No creator. No man behind the curtain. Just infinite magnetic force, both positive and negative. Energy. With an endless creation process, and ceaseless destruction -- for all of eternity. That's all I need -- and baby, my heart sings with the bliss of that magnificence. Why do I need to call it God? The God concept only separates me from the bliss, and depending on the delivery system (religion), I'm supposed to aspire to knowing this bliss while never being allowed to manifest as it. Why would I want to keep myself in a mental prison like that when I know that I can not only aspire to merge with it emotionally, physically and mentally, but immerse myself in the science of it daily, all the while knowing that I am at peace?
I love my life. I loved being a child, being a teen, a young adult, an adult and a mature adult. I adore life. Yes, I've seen horrible times and yes, I've devoured many, many religious scriptures, looking for a reason to believe. And while I love the stories, the metaphors and the allegories -- I just don't believe in God.
I wake up so grateful -- a cancer survivor, the mother of a healthy, fantastically loving kid. I'm smart, I've got loads of people who love and care about me, I get to do what I love most for a career -- it's all good! I don't need a lot of things; I'm low maintenance. And as time goes by and I get older and older, I can't help but feel happier. I'm happier every day, just because there aren't a whole lot of things that I'm seriously attached to and what I am attached to gives me joy.
And the strange thing is that so many people pity me for not believing in God. In fact, I've been told that I'm going to rot in hell for all of eternity because I don't see things their way. Heavy, but really -- with all due respect -- Hell is going to have wait.
I'm happy just the way I am. It works for me. I'm good without God.
Thanks.
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Rachel G. Hackenberg: Lent: Words in the Wilderness
Wow!!, how many of you are so hostile towards God....at least give God a chance and mean it.!!
being a christian does not mean life will be smooth, BUT PEOPLE, BELIEVE ME, YOU WILL HAVE THE PEACE AND CONTENTMENT you never knew existed...........Just ask Jesus to come into your heart and mean it...............HE LOVES YOU.
If there is a creator, then there is hope for something beyond this life.
A creator of this magnificent universe is certainly worthy of gratitude and praise. We praise artists who produce impressive works. How much more should we praise a creator?
Do you really want in on your conscience that the princes of the church may have to downgrade their bathroom fixtures from platinum to gold?