Comments on: God Helped Darwin Find A Piece Of The Puzzle

By: emily

emily — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:43:42 +0000

I’ve always believed being created in “God’s Image” means that we are CREATIVE BEINGS.. we generate or shape our own realities through our very thoughts, we CREATE our personal and collective worlds. I came from an Episcopalian background, and my personal experiences led me to something else. I now feel God is the ‘flow’ (spirit, truth, love, freedom, goodness, grace, energy, stillness; whatever you define that as).

To me the purpose of life is live in that flow.

There is no way the Bible can be the ONLY revelation of God; daily, hourly, moment by moment if I cast attention to the stillness and energy, God’s presence is there. I believe God speaks through everything.

Great post. ;-)

By: Ron Betta

Ron Betta — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:20:49 +0000

Standing at a rock in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, the Chaplain of my unit gave a non-denominational service. A handful of soldiers, I stood among Baptists, Catholics, Jews, even a Muslim. And there we stood, under the morning sun, worshiping God. No pews, no holy water, no stained glass, no bell tower.

There have only been a few times where I’ve been closer to God than I was that morning. It’s an amazing thing to stand among others who do not share your faith, but share your closeness with God. Had we (and thank God we didn’t) have to go and fight, I knew right there that we’re all heading to the same place. Our diversity is only a kaleidoscope for how we see God.

Years later, I stood in a field on a Sunday morning. The fog that morning was very thick and the uncut grass was covered in dew. Nothing but total silence except for my three dogs and my breathing. The first, my lab Basia, ran past me – her muscles flexing under a brown coat. Corry, the border collie, was a close second, her floppy ears bouncing, her tongue hanging out of her mouth. Lastly, Nikki, a 6 pound chihuahua panted heavily and essentially sprung over the grass, trying desperately to keep up with her sisters.

Streams of light filtered through the fog that morning. I remember that moment like it was yesterday. I just stood there, my dogs running around, wresting, playing, having a blast. And I can remember thinking that the fog must have been the lower level of Heaven. It was if Heaven had lowered itself down to earth for a moment.

Today, Basia and Corry are on the other side of that fog – living it up and running faster than ever. As for Nikki and me, we miss them – but I’ll certainly never forget that moment as spiritual. And I had nobody tell me I’m bad or wrong for sinning. Nobody needed to remind me that I’m not perfect – because in that moment, all was perfect – and it was perhaps the most spiritual moment I’ve ever experienced.

That is my personal relationship with God.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:10:11 +0000

I’m finding that simple Scriptures that I have known from a child have settled the debate inside my head. One being, the truth Jesus gave when he said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” Each one of us knows when we are in right relationship with God and others. We don’t need a religion, Christianity, Catholicism, Mormonism, Secular Humanism … or any other to spell it out. When our hearts are right with the Creator of the Universe, we recognize that “Religions” don’t get us to Heaven, a personal relationship with God does. He has already established the Way — when we find it, we know it and the truth sets us free.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Sun, 31 May 2009 01:53:48 +0000

I really enjoyed your post. It was very well done.

I can’t define God fully or I would be God. (Thank God I am not.) So, I just focus on trying to define how I can better define and implement my side of the relationship with God.

By: Joe D

Joe D — Sat, 30 May 2009 22:31:17 +0000

From one severely lapsed Catholic to another…
I think this is bang on the money. The discussion about Darwinian biology is often skewed by the two competing ideologies- “take everything literally” religionists and “don’t even breathe of spirituality” scientific types, and the discussion of evolution becomes a proxy for the friction between the two. Bravo Ron- Bravo for the candor and strength to say that the sublime and the scientific are parts of the same story, and even between them there is more to tell. Bravo and well done, friend.

By: Lori

Lori — Sat, 30 May 2009 21:35:14 +0000

Hi Tim~

I didn’t mention this in my last comment, and I realize it’s a little late, but my condolences on losing your dog. I hardly see my family’s dog, but knowing he’s there with my family is immensely comforting. I love that guy like a brother–a perfect brother because he always listens and never shoves his two cents down my throat. Ha! (Kidding).

Now onto this post: I felt an immediate resistance to absorbing any of its wisdom because of the word God. Over the years I’ve developed a knee-jerk reaction to “God” as defined by most religions, mostly because I don’t think there’s anyway to describe whatever it is that’s bigger than me. I know there’s something, but I know I don’t know what–and don’t think I will in this lifetime.

I think of the bible as a useful piece of fiction–just like the stories of gods and goddesses from different pantheons. Lots of morals, lessons, wisdom, etc. As to whether they actually happened, I have my doubts. That doesn’t mean they didn’t happen–just that it makes more sense to me that they didn’t.

Lori

Loris last blog post..How to Let Go and Embrace an Uncertain Future

By: Tim Brownson

Tim Brownson — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:26:43 +0000

@ Farouk – I honestly am not sure what you mean, or even who you’re comment is aimed at. Can you expand please?

By: farouk

farouk — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:06:28 +0000

Hi Dear,
you called yourself spiritual but i call myself “Evidence” driven”, i have solid scientific evidences that support creation, your arguments might make Christianity sound odd but do you know anything about other religions? or you just reject what you never read about?