Darius

Which leads me to consider the merits of panentheism, that God is an all-pervasive spirit. That the God from which we came is the God into whom we return. (yes, I know my sentence structure sucks. but this is a forum, not a literary society, and I try to type like I speak.) If that is truly the case, then there may be no need (or even desire) for some sort of consciousness that *we* still exist. To say that we still exist implies that we are still something separated from God. There is God...and there is us.

 

 

I guess I look at it this way. If we return to God in some form after we die then we do. If we don't we don't. But all the contemplating it isn't going to change what is. I like to focus more on the here and now and what I can do change what I know does exist -- ie poverty, injustice.

 

I attended Synagogue for a while and talked to the Rabbi about this very topic. He basically said he doesn't know if there is such a thing as Heaven (in the sense of life after death) but that he does know what is now and in Judaism that is what is important. God will take care of life after death (or not) it isn't our job to be concerned about it. (That is more or less a quote). I took great comfort in his words, still do.

 

(She says as she returns to her Final Project due in a matter of days).

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We had a Jewish rabbi speak at our church last night concerning the differences and similarities between Judaism and Christianity. At one point, I asked him what he believed about the afterlife, and his response was very similar to what you posted: a relationship with God is about the here and now, it is about being a light in this present darkness.

 

He affirmed that he (and his congregation) do believe in an afterlife, even in a form of purgatory, but he also affirmed that he saw no reason that all of humanity would not eventually be united to God. We ultimately came from God. We ultimately go to God.

 

As far as the constituents "parts" of human makeup, I think the Jews take a more holistic (and wholistic) approach to our existence. The focus is not so much on *how* God created man, but that God *did* create man to be in fellowship with him/her/whatever.

 

I think that part of the problem is that we, like the Greeks, want to compartmentalize and disect everything. What is spirit? What is soul? What is body? We want clear lines of deliniation and the scriptures (let alone medical science) just are not clear and concise on such subjects. As you've said, it is all conjecture.

 

So in that aspect, I am a pan-theist -- God will pan it all out in the end. I don't know where the lines are for human components (and I'm not sure they are necessary) just as I don't know where the line is between divinity and humanity. The notion of salvation, according to the whole Bible, is a more holistic concept of healing of body, soul, and spirit anyway -- a restoration of wholeness.

 

wayfarer

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To me, something we can probably agree on is: that which is spritual is that which we find most meaningful. While some of these things can vary - particularly the specifics of our beliefs - the least variable of these (to sort of paraphrase Saint Paul), is love.

For me, being progressive means that I hope to grow in my exeriences with God in life. It means that my understanding of God does not have to follow a pattern or a blueprint that someone else has had. There is freedom in finding my own way in faith.

 

This doesn't mean that I discount the experiences and input of others. On the contrary, I can be open to their thoughts, ideas, and journeys and incorporate those parts that make sense into my own walk.

 

Progressive means that I can hold firmly to my belief in God while being skeptical of all human interpretations of him/her, including my own. This means that I see myself as being in constant need of reform, in my thoughts, in my actions.

 

In some areas, I am conservative. In others, I am liberal. In others, I am undecided. I am a work in progress. I'm not finished yet. And I want to view humanity the same way -- a work in progress that is not finished yet.

 

This means that I long for transformation, of myself, of my beliefs, of my world. I have a hope for the reform of this world into a place of peace and justice. And I know that, at least in part, some of that depends on me.

 

Progressive means that I value the past as a learning experience, but not as a goal. I am free to seek out a meaningful relationship with God in my own way without relying on a formula or a creed to define it. Yes, I am part of a larger whole. But that whole is diverse in its members and, perhaps, that is the way that it should be. I can be me while respecting and honoring others for their viewpoints and contributions. Progress, not status quo. Personally. Socially. Globally.

 

wayfarer

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For me, being progressive means that I hope to grow in my exeriences with God in life. It means that my understanding of God does not have to follow a pattern or a blueprint that someone else has had. There is freedom in finding my own way in faith.

 

This doesn't mean that I discount the experiences and input of others. On the contrary, I can be open to their thoughts, ideas, and journeys and incorporate those parts that make sense into my own walk.

 

Progressive means that I can hold firmly to my belief in God while being skeptical of all human interpretations of him/her, including my own. This means that I see myself as being in constant need of reform, in my thoughts, in my actions.

 

In some areas, I am conservative. In others, I am liberal. In others, I am undecided. I am a work in progress. I'm not finished yet. And I want to view humanity the same way -- a work in progress that is not finished yet.

 

This means that I long for transformation, of myself, of my beliefs, of my world. I have a hope for the reform of this world into a place of peace and justice. And I know that, at least in part, some of that depends on me.

 

Progressive means that I value the past as a learning experience, but not as a goal. I am free to seek out a meaningful relationship with God in my own way without relying on a formula or a creed to define it. Yes, I am part of a larger whole. But that whole is diverse in its members and, perhaps, that is the way that it should be. I can be me while respecting and honoring others for their viewpoints and contributions. Progress, not status quo. Personally. Socially. Globally.

 

wayfarer

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For me, being progressive means that I hope to grow in my exeriences with God in life. It means that my understanding of God does not have to follow a pattern or a blueprint that someone else has had. There is freedom in finding my own way in faith.

 

This doesn't mean that I discount the experiences and input of others. On the contrary, I can be open to their thoughts, ideas, and journeys and incorporate those parts that make sense into my own walk.

 

Progressive means that I can hold firmly to my belief in God while being skeptical of all human interpretations of him/her, including my own. This means that I see myself as being in constant need of reform, in my thoughts, in my actions.

 

In some areas, I am conservative. In others, I am liberal. In others, I am undecided. I am a work in progress. I'm not finished yet. And I want to view humanity the same way -- a work in progress that is not finished yet.

 

This means that I long for transformation, of myself, of my beliefs, of my world. I have a hope for the reform of this world into a place of peace and justice. And I know that, at least in part, some of that depends on me.

 

Progressive means that I value the past as a learning experience, but not as a goal. I am free to seek out a meaningful relationship with God in my own way without relying on a formula or a creed to define it. Yes, I am part of a larger whole. But that whole is diverse in its members and, perhaps, that is the way that it should be. I can be me while respecting and honoring others for their viewpoints and contributions. Progress, not status quo. Personally. Socially. Globally.

 

wayfarer

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