Hello everyone,
My name is David and I wasn't going to introduce myself; but, I think I will after lurking through a few fascinating posts here.
I am still wondering what I am doing here as I am Jewish. But as I explained in a long-winded thread, I am more of a a man of science. Don't get me wrong, I understand that science and spirituality are different. In fact, it was science that made me start to really consider that there may be a God after all. I was never religious growing up, despite following many Jewish traditions (I'm 24) and questioned everything. I think it was around the time I was studying quantum mechanics that I was struck by two things:
1. The physical universe is perfect. Everything works exactly right. Change the value of any of the four fundamental forces by the tiniest bit, and nothing we see could be possible. Maybe there is a God after all. Either that or we live in an infinite number of big bang/crunch/freeze cycles, each with random laws and attributes such that for every cycle that could produce stars and life, there would be trillions upon trillions of cycles of cold, empty, nothing. Or that each set of laws yields a unique universe where life that is beyond our comprehension is possible, thus giving the illusion of something "special" and intelligently tailored. I kinda like the former to be honest.
2. Physics is so unbelievable insane and unintuitive that the idea of God actually sounds....more reasonable.
3. Science tells us how in terms of a common scientific language. Science is useful for making predictions of physical, inanimate events. This does nothing to ask why, and is limited to direct, empirical observation. The simple fact that strings in string theory are orders of magnitude smaller than the resolution of the smallest wavelength of light makes direct observation impossible...for now. Thus, we are entering the realm of scientific faith. Kind of a big loop perhaps.:eeeekkk
My mother was Christian growing up and converted when she was 19 because "it made more sense" for her. This did not stop me from being curious about Christianity and her Christian side of the family. This is also what led me to believe that religion is based on that of your parents at an early age, and that faith in humanity and compassion were the real meat and potatoes. What if my mom didn't convert, then I would be Christian! And I would believe it to be right..... you see my dilemma?
Anyways. I thought about going to a Jewish forum to learn more about religion. But, what would I learn from something I already know? Granted, some weird "enlightenment" could occur...but I thought I would learn more from looking at a different but similar (in values anyways) religion.
I'm not looking to convert or to change anyone's beliefs, just to learn more about myself and God (if he exists).
I will clarify by saying that in accordance with my core values, I don't see a conflict in me believing and praying to a God whose existence I can never be sure of. Isn't it more a statement of faith to say something like, I believe that God is real and in heaven, but I don't know if he exists. That is faith in this man's opinion. Admitting that I cannot be sure, but believe anyways is something that would work for me.
Maybe this is a fundamental contradiction to the Christian faith. I know for a fact it conflicts with many denominations.... but that's my whole point I suppose. God = God (if real) Denomination = individual interpretation.
I suppose my goal is to explore new options. Please excuse me if I say something that goes against your faith. But if you were in trouble, and I was in the position to help, I would help you because you are a fellow human. To me (I hope) that's what the core is anyways. Anything else is human interpretation. I call it respect and decency, others quote chapter and verse.... this is simply a choice of terms. To an outside observer (like maybe, God, for instance) I believe the action is whats looked at, not the specific law, and the particular language that commands it. Thank God we are (for the most part) hardwired to possess a sense of caring. Unless one is truly a sociopath (nice, modern word for evil), even our worst enemies are capable of loving something. Love is natural, and unfortunately so is the group/pack mentality. And to those creationists, do we really disagree on principle? After all, if God exists, then certainly innate, genetic qualities are his creation. We may describe it differently, and we may (hopefully not) hate each other for doing so. But the action is the same.
Besides, as a pack animal (organisms/species/chosen species/God's image... if you like that better....again...semantics..whatever you call it, were the same in the end) We are hardwired to fall into in-groups out-groups, and all the fighting that comes with that.
The above is my opinion, and I am always open to change said opinion based on new experiences. For those who disagree, like I said, I'm not here to argue. I try to respect that yours is just as valid as mine. After all, I assume that you are not insane, thus you have a good reason for your belief.
Take care. Again, I mean no offense, and will eat my words if they are wrong.
My name is David and I wasn't going to introduce myself; but, I think I will after lurking through a few fascinating posts here.
I am still wondering what I am doing here as I am Jewish. But as I explained in a long-winded thread, I am more of a a man of science. Don't get me wrong, I understand that science and spirituality are different. In fact, it was science that made me start to really consider that there may be a God after all. I was never religious growing up, despite following many Jewish traditions (I'm 24) and questioned everything. I think it was around the time I was studying quantum mechanics that I was struck by two things:
1. The physical universe is perfect. Everything works exactly right. Change the value of any of the four fundamental forces by the tiniest bit, and nothing we see could be possible. Maybe there is a God after all. Either that or we live in an infinite number of big bang/crunch/freeze cycles, each with random laws and attributes such that for every cycle that could produce stars and life, there would be trillions upon trillions of cycles of cold, empty, nothing. Or that each set of laws yields a unique universe where life that is beyond our comprehension is possible, thus giving the illusion of something "special" and intelligently tailored. I kinda like the former to be honest.
2. Physics is so unbelievable insane and unintuitive that the idea of God actually sounds....more reasonable.
3. Science tells us how in terms of a common scientific language. Science is useful for making predictions of physical, inanimate events. This does nothing to ask why, and is limited to direct, empirical observation. The simple fact that strings in string theory are orders of magnitude smaller than the resolution of the smallest wavelength of light makes direct observation impossible...for now. Thus, we are entering the realm of scientific faith. Kind of a big loop perhaps.:eeeekkk
My mother was Christian growing up and converted when she was 19 because "it made more sense" for her. This did not stop me from being curious about Christianity and her Christian side of the family. This is also what led me to believe that religion is based on that of your parents at an early age, and that faith in humanity and compassion were the real meat and potatoes. What if my mom didn't convert, then I would be Christian! And I would believe it to be right..... you see my dilemma?
Anyways. I thought about going to a Jewish forum to learn more about religion. But, what would I learn from something I already know? Granted, some weird "enlightenment" could occur...but I thought I would learn more from looking at a different but similar (in values anyways) religion.
I'm not looking to convert or to change anyone's beliefs, just to learn more about myself and God (if he exists).
I will clarify by saying that in accordance with my core values, I don't see a conflict in me believing and praying to a God whose existence I can never be sure of. Isn't it more a statement of faith to say something like, I believe that God is real and in heaven, but I don't know if he exists. That is faith in this man's opinion. Admitting that I cannot be sure, but believe anyways is something that would work for me.
Maybe this is a fundamental contradiction to the Christian faith. I know for a fact it conflicts with many denominations.... but that's my whole point I suppose. God = God (if real) Denomination = individual interpretation.
I suppose my goal is to explore new options. Please excuse me if I say something that goes against your faith. But if you were in trouble, and I was in the position to help, I would help you because you are a fellow human. To me (I hope) that's what the core is anyways. Anything else is human interpretation. I call it respect and decency, others quote chapter and verse.... this is simply a choice of terms. To an outside observer (like maybe, God, for instance) I believe the action is whats looked at, not the specific law, and the particular language that commands it. Thank God we are (for the most part) hardwired to possess a sense of caring. Unless one is truly a sociopath (nice, modern word for evil), even our worst enemies are capable of loving something. Love is natural, and unfortunately so is the group/pack mentality. And to those creationists, do we really disagree on principle? After all, if God exists, then certainly innate, genetic qualities are his creation. We may describe it differently, and we may (hopefully not) hate each other for doing so. But the action is the same.
Besides, as a pack animal (organisms/species/chosen species/God's image... if you like that better....again...semantics..whatever you call it, were the same in the end) We are hardwired to fall into in-groups out-groups, and all the fighting that comes with that.
The above is my opinion, and I am always open to change said opinion based on new experiences. For those who disagree, like I said, I'm not here to argue. I try to respect that yours is just as valid as mine. After all, I assume that you are not insane, thus you have a good reason for your belief.
Take care. Again, I mean no offense, and will eat my words if they are wrong.
