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villager: Hey John, haven't seen you around here the last 40 years!
you: Well I was traveling through the desert and you won't believe what I found out!
villager: What?
you: well, you might think that something is either one or the other but it has actually nothing to do with the real nature of that something!
villager: ........Say what??
you: Suppose there is only you and me and we get into an argument. I have my version of the truth and you have your version of the truth. But who is correct?
villager: Well obviously the one who is speaking the truth.
you: Yeah, but what if we are having an argument about the weather? We both have our motivations. But who holds the truth?
villager: Well I guess that is a matter of opinion!
you: Indeed. But what if this goes for every truth you have based your reality on?
villager: Well...uhmm...you got me there John! How will we ever know what is true?
you: well if you would spend some time in the desert reflecting on the you that is you instead of the you that you created, you will also understand this.
villager: But John, I have a successful flint arrowhead production company and I really do not have the time or the urge to wonder through the desert for a couple of decades! Can't you give me a summery or something?
you: Well I could but to break the spell that your ego has over you, you really need to aware this yourself!! It really won't work any other way.
villager: Okay, hold on. I have an idea!! If I am lying to myself about the truth, can't you come up with a more convincing lie that will overrule the existing one?
you: We could try to convince your ego that the real you is actually some kind of entity who is flawless? Then you do not need to question it's authority. You only need to be humble and give praises to it's existence.
villager: Yeah that might work. Can you produce a fairy tail that is so convincing that I and all the other villagers will believe it without question?
you: Well I could come up with some mystical entity that created everything and has all the answers. But you have to remember that it is merely a construct to let you enjoy the amazing nature of the real you!!! That mystical God is nothing more than you without the bias!!
villager: Yeah no problem. I'll remember!! Now convince me.....
I think there are many reasons why a person may believe or have a sense of there being a higher power. I don't have any sense or intuition telling me there is a higher being personally. In fact, I never felt more free than the day I realized there is no higher power scrutinizing my every move and deciding whether I deserve eternal damnation or infinite bliss.
I sometimes wonder how it is possible that most people have a sense of their being a higher power. All throughout history we have been praising Gods and Goddesses. Why is that??
I completely agree, if we are to learn, discover, and make progress as a species, we need to learn to let go of these ridiculous preconceptions we hold onto. The key is in accepting that we might not have all the answers, in fact we have very little answers. You don't then invent a book which gives you all the answers, including specific details about how we should live our life, and even the after life. These fairy tails are the results of our not being able to accept our ignorance. In this respect, the phrase "deny ignorance" is probably rather stupid, because without first acknowledging our ignorance, and than accepting it, we will never get past it.
Only thing left to do is admire this construct. The wisdom of realizing one's own ignorance, insignificance, and lowliness leaves only the feeling of humility towards this truth.
You don't then invent a book which gives you all the answers, including specific details about how we should live our life, and even the after life.
Originally posted by operation mindcrime
you: Well I could but to break the spell that your ego has over you, you really need to aware this yourself!! It really won't work any other way.
Originally posted by dominicus
Anyway, I have found that the majority of ATS'ers are flint arrowhead production company owners. 99% of them dont bother to check into this and they come complete with their own set of belief systems ready in hand to argue.
Originally posted by Village Idiot
reply to post by operation mindcrime
The question is, did Jesus exist and was he what he said he was?
Same for Moses, did he really exist and talk to "God"
Or am I not understanding the OP...... as usual