[thechat] Religious dependance

[Michele Wandrei]

<Lachlan Cannon wrote:>
> If God truly created us why would he need this kow-towing crap?
Surely
> he'd want people to be able to maintain their own independant
life, or
> else why would he create us that way?

It's not kow-towing, although it might look like that.  We do
have free will and we do maintain our independence (and our
intelligence, too).  It's a little like our relationship with our
kids.  There's nothing better than your kid expressing how much
he loves you.  That's what God wants from his kids, too.

> I don't love my enemies, but I think that whole line is a bit
silly, to
> be frank... if you love them how can they possibly be your
enemies?

That's the whole point -- if you go out of your way to love (or
care about or be nice to) the unlovable, you won't be enemies for
long.  I can't say that I really have any enemies, but we all
encounter people that make our lives miserable.  Just treating
them kindly can break down the walls of uncertainty or fear that
create conflict.

> People I love I call friends and family...

There are many different kinds of love.  Love can involve
initimacy, a close relationship, or just respect for someone
else.  I don't know Greek, but the Greeks had many different
words to describe many different kinds of love.  We've rolled
them all into one catch-all term.

> I don't see people as
> pathetic for their beliefs, what I see as pathetic is the
inability to
> do anything without involving God this and God that.. which is
what that
> guy does in his story.
>
> Hmm.. I didn't explain that too well. Hope you get the general
gist.

Yes, I do get your point.  I used to feel exactly the same way.
What I find pathetic are the perfect, "holier than thou" people
who follow all the rules (and make sure you do, too).  They focus
on religion, not relationship with God.
___________________________________________________
Michele Wandrei
inThree Design
www.inthree.com