Zone1 What is your opinion of Deepak Chopra and his non-religious beliefs about Jesus, God and all traditional religions?

[MarathonMike]

Not exactly. Loving God with all one's heart and loving one's neighbor as one loves themselves. Sounds easy to do but it's not. It's really hard because it requires one to die to self.

So if I just like God and sort of like my neighbor, I'm going to Hell?

 

[ding]

So if I just like God and sort of like my neighbor, I'm going to Hell?

I don't focus on heaven or hell. My focus is on living, not death. Is heaven and hell a big consideration of yours? Because I don't see a lot of people behaving like it's a concern. Do you?

But setting that aside, if one's relationship with God is right then all other relationships will be right and rule keeping won't be an issue because one will be falling over themselves to do right.

Does that answer your question to your satisfaction?

 

[Meriweather]

So if I just like God and sort of like my neighbor, I'm going to Hell?

One of the most powerful prayers I know was prayed by St. Augustine (354-430 A.D.), who, although raised by a Catholic mother (St. Monica), did not convert to Catholicism until his thirties and after long studies following other ways.


Breathe into me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy.

I always add, "And, may all the words I speak be holy."

Perhaps ask yourself whether you wish your eternal life to be where it is holy, or where it is unholy. Then recall your eternal life begins right here, right now and extends into eternity.

 

[MarathonMike]

I don't focus on heaven or hell. My focus is on living, not death. Is heaven and hell a big consideration of yours? Because I don't see a lot of people behaving like it's a concern. Do you?

But setting that aside, if one's relationship with God is right then all other relationships will be right and rule keeping won't be an issue because one will be falling over themselves to do right.

Does that answer your question to your satisfaction?

Oh come on now, how often is the threat of "eternal damnation" been waved around from a Christian pulpit? Let's be honest here. And no, it is not a concern of mine I simply asked a logical question about your requirement of pure love of God and pure love of my neighbors who I hardly know.

If I believed that there was the Christian version of a Heaven and a Hell, I would convert to Christianity in a New York minute. In general I believe in an undefineable God in the way that Deepak Chopra does. I do not mock or criticize anyone else's beliefs with regard to religion. That is what "free will" means to me.

 

[ding]

Oh come on now, how often is the threat of "eternal damnation" been waved around from a Christian pulpit?

Not one single time for me. I'm Catholic. We focus on living which is what Jesus taught.

Let's be honest here.

I am. God is in the present. God is something over the cognitive horizon. God is now.

And no, it is not a concern of mine I simply asked a logical question about your requirement of pure love of God and pure love of my neighbors who I hardly know.

It's not about your neighbors, it's about yourself. It's how all relationships should be.

If I believed that there was the Christian version of a Heaven and a Hell, I would convert to Christianity in a New York minute.

I don't go beyond heaven is being eternally united with God and hell is being eternally separated from God. Other than that I have no version of heaven and hell. We will either be able to accept and tolerate God's love or we won't.

In general I believe in an undefineable God in the way that Deepak Chopra does. I do not mock or criticize anyone else's beliefs with regard to religion. That is what "free will" means to me.

I agree, mostly, as I don't know what all of his beliefs are. I believe that God is moralistic and providential. God isn't impersonal or uncaring.

 

[Carl in Michigan]

I find it interesting that the only responses thus far have nothing to do with what Deepak Chopra believes. I expected he would be attacked in smeared in some way.

Because I don't know or really care who he is or what he believes. I'll Google him though

 

[MarathonMike]

God isn't impersonal or uncaring.

Do you believe in an intervening God then? Does God "answer" prayers?

 

[MarathonMike]

I don't go beyond heaven is being eternally united with God and hell is being eternally separated from God. Other than that I have no version of heaven and hell. We will either be able to accept and tolerate God's love or we won't.

That's fine. Catholics have their interpretation, Protestants have their interpretation, Judaism has it's interpretation and so on and so forth.

 

[MarathonMike]

Because I don't know or really care who he is or what he believes. I'll Google him though

Good.

 

[ding]

That's fine. Catholics have their interpretation, Protestants have their interpretation, Judaism has it's interpretation and so on and so forth.

Where you see differences, I see similarities. When comparing similarities to differences it's not the quantity necessarily. If all of the differences were minor or ticky tacki in nature and didn't really change the core message, they don't carry as much weight. This is especially true if the differences are of the dogmatic variety or of the cultural variety. Which are the differences I see. All major religions and even primal religions share a common, underlying truth and point toward the same "Ultimate Reality". With each having its own unique, rich blend of tradition based upon the particulars of their culture. Diverse faiths are different paths leading to the same mountaintop. Diverse traditions are "different songs to the same divine" rather than contradictory systems. Commonalities like the belief in a higher, transcendent reality. All great religions share a core of "metaphysical truths" or shared ethical principles. How can they not? Isn't virtue logical?

 

[ding]

Do you believe in an intervening God then? Does God "answer" prayers?

That's a hard question to answer. God is constantly pruning us. That's not to say he's pushing buttons and pulling levers because I don't believe God does that. There is a law of compensation underlying existence. It's not something that needs to be controlled as it is an artifact of existence itself. Often times prayer is for us. The act of prayer alters us. It's not a to do list for God. God works in small ways that may not always be noticeable but alters courses.

So when our prayers line up with his will it will be done. Other times the answer is, "No, I have a different plan for you."

So, yes, but probably not how you might think. The important thing to remember is that the flesh is of no avail.

 

[MarathonMike]

Where you see differences, I see similarities. When comparing similarities to differences it's not the quantity necessarily. If all of the differences were minor or ticky tacki in nature and didn't really change the core message, they don't carry as much weight. This is especially true if the differences are of the dogmatic variety or of the cultural variety. Which are the differences I see. All major religions and even primal religions share a common, underlying truth and point toward the same "Ultimate Reality". With each having its own unique, rich blend of tradition based upon the particulars of their culture. Diverse faiths are different paths leading to the same mountaintop. Diverse traditions are "different songs to the same divine" rather than contradictory systems. Commonalities like the belief in a higher, transcendent reality. All great religions share a core of "metaphysical truths" or shared ethical principles. How can they not? Isn't virtue logical?

"Yes there is eternal torment because you did not believe in Jesus Christ as your savior" vs "There is no eternal torment at all". I don't see how that can be interpreted as "similar" in any way. But that's just my opinion and your religious opinion is as valid as mine and I respect that.

 

[ding]

"Yes there is eternal torment because you did not believe in Jesus Christ as your savior" vs "There is no eternal torment at all". I don't see how that can be interpreted as "similar" in any way. But that's just my opinion and your religious opinion is as valid as mine and I respect that.

In John 5:24 Jesus says that if you believe in the one that sent him, you will not be judged. I take that to mean that if you don't believe in the one that sent him you will be judged. But being judged does not necessarily mean condemned. It means judged. So, I don't accept the standard evangelical belief that anyone who does not accept Jesus will be condemned.

 

[MarathonMike]

In John 5:24 Jesus says that if you believe in the one that sent him, you will not be judged. I take that to mean that if you don't believe in the one that sent him you will be judged. But being judged does not necessarily mean condemned. It means judged. So, I don't accept the standard evangelical belief that anyone who does not accept Jesus will be condemned.

Ok so what does "judged" mean? What is the purpose of "judging" someone if there is no punishment? What does "separation from God" mean? That sounds terrible. If you are "judged" for not accepting Jesus as your savior, then it seems the obvious penalty is eternal damnation in the Christian view. As I have pointed out numerous times, the closely related Judaic religion does not view Jesus as Lord and Savior. So I assume all the Jews will be "judged"?

 

[ding]

Ok so what does "judged" mean? What is the purpose of "judging" someone if there is no punishment?

Judged means judged. Judged doesn't necessarily mean guilty. Maybe you are confusing being judged with a judgment being handed down. Two different things.

judge: the careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises

judgement: a ruling that is handed down after weighing the evidence and testing the premises

What does "separation from God" mean? That sounds terrible.

It is. It means God will remove his spirit from you.

If you are "judged" for not accepting Jesus as your savior, then it seems the obvious penalty is eternal damnation in the Christian view.

Why do you believe that is what is being judged. YOU are being judged. Your actions are being judged. Not your beliefs.

As I have pointed out numerous times, the closely related Judaic religion does not view Jesus as Lord and Savior. So I assume all the Jews will be "judged"?

Being judged does not in and of itself make one guilty. After carefully weighing the evidence, a judgement is rendered.

 

[MarathonMike]

Judged means judged. Judged doesn't necessarily mean guilty. Maybe you are confusing being judged with a judgment being handed down. Two different things.

judge: the careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises

judgement: a ruling that is handed down after weighing the evidence and testing the premises

It is. It means God will remove his spirit from you.

Why do you believe that is what is being judged. YOU are being judged. Your actions are being judged. Not your beliefs.

Being judged does not in and of itself make one guilty. After carefully weighing the evidence, a judgement is rendered.

That's what I said, judgement means a punishment (or reward) is forthcoming. The punishment for not accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is spending eternity in "Hell". Your interpretation of Hell is God's spirit is removed from you forever. Is that correct, or not?

 

[ding]

That's what I said, judgement means a punishment (or reward) is forthcoming. The punishment for not accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is spending eternity in "Hell".

That's not how I read John 5:24. Are you a Christian?

Your interpretation of Hell is God's spirit is removed from you forever. Is that correct, or not?

Yes.

You will either be eternally united with God or eternally separated from God. God does not destroy what he creates.

 

[MarathonMike]

That's not how I read John 5:24. Are you a Christian?

Yes.

You will either be eternally united with God or eternally separated from God. God does not destroy what he creates.

Judaism disagrees with you and in my opinion makes more sense with respect to Jesus and the Afterfile. I appreciate you engaging in a real discussion on religion. I know that is not easy for devout Christians. My Parents were devout Christians. I am not a Christian but I live my life basically by Christian morals.

 

[ding]

Judaism disagrees with you and in my opinion makes more sense with respect to Jesus and the Afterfile.

To each his own. I've never concerned myself with what faith others practice. Live and let live. Besides, there are more similarities than differences.... at least on the important matters.

I appreciate you engaging in a real discussion on religion. I know that is not easy for devout Christians. My Parents were devout Christians. I am not a Christian but I live my life basically by Christian morals.

Thanks. I'm not a monster despite what some here may believe about me.