I Am
Yesterday, I had an odd conversation with my older sister. After talking on the telephone about some courses she’s taking, the topic of evolution came up. Both my sister and I were raised Pentecostal and still believe that God exists. I say this because I recently read an article that piqued my interest. Not because I full-out accepted what I read, but because it had some valid questions – first, why would a God who knows all, has all and can do all create a being with the choice to betray him? Second, since God is omnipotent (infinite in power) why does he need a fallible being – namely our asses – to worship him; wouldn’t that prove God to be a flawed narcissist? Third, since we’ve established that God controls everything, would he be considered a sick voyeur for allowing and watching the tragedies that millions of innocent people suffer each year? Sure, there were more questions that raised my eyebrows and mentioning them to my sister incited her frenzy that ended with, “There are issues that our finite minds cannot understand.” I reiterate, I believe in God and have experienced his mercy first hand, but I certainly felt that as responsible Christians, we can’t be blinded in the name of respect for God and prevent ourselves from asking these types of questions. It isn’t sacrilege to be inquisitive. If you’re going to worship God, it would be a good idea to feel you’re doing it for the right reasons. Get to know, “I Am.”
This Is Our Night
Tonight, we’re turning to LQ for our ‘let loose’ after work party. It’s not often that we bring colleagues, friends and acquaintances together to enjoy good food, 2-for-1 drinks and something to shake our booty to. Don’t miss out on an inexpensive good time that won’t take you off your commuter route.
Where: LQ; Lexington Avenue, between 47th & 48th Street
When: Tonight beginning at 5:30; 2-for-1 drinks end at 7 p.m.
How Much: Ladies free before 7 p.m.; Gentlemen $5
Attire: Business casual; no sneakers or work boots
On Blast
Whether you’re a Christian, Muslim or Atheist, do you believe the above mentioned questions – and inquiries like it – are relevant when referring to an entity (God) that is worshiped by millions? Is it sacrilegious to question the reasoning of an almighty God?
Keep passin’ the open windows…
8 comments:
a.) I do not believe that those questions are relevant when referring to an entity because I do not believe that we will EVER prove that the entity exist. So why bother inquiring?
b.) It's human nature to question EVERYTHING, even God and the existence of so how can it be sacreligious?
I don't think that it's wrong to raise these questions. After all, God did create us with that ability. Being of a scientific background and mind set, I ask my own set of questions. Ultimately, I have to look at the things (in my own life) which seem miraculous or cannot be explained, and know that my faith is not in vain.
I think, though, that whoever wrote that article could find some solace in one of the first (Biblical) stories of creation. If we believe the story of Adam and Eve, we can see that God created us out of love (Fatherly love, if you will) and not necessarily to worship Him. He gave us one and only one thing to do… "Don't touch the fruit on that tree." If we didn't touch that fruit, life would've been easy and care-free for all. But we couldn't listen, so life is as it is today.
When thinking about that story, it's interesting to wonder about how, without the knowledge of good and evil, we would all just accept each others' differences and live happily ever after. But we do have that knowledge so we spend our time telling each other not to touch the fruit on the tree.
Y'all have fun tonight!!!
Have fun tonite. Don't shake too hard.
Um no - it's not sacreligious at all. People kill me w/that whole notion that you can't question God. Didn't his own son prove his humanity by questioning him "my God, my God why has thou forsaken me?" So - ask away.
However, it gets hairy. Believing in a divine order has everything to do w/faith. It's hard because there are so many questions that answers just aren't available for. It's simply a matter of faith. People will ask why should I believe - and I know it seems crazy, but there really is no reason other than "just because you should." But - I like the way you put it - just get to know "I am!" Because he really is I am. He's the true vine - we are the branches - and his father is the husbandman!
-DTW
(PS - I feel kinda churchy all of a sudden)
I do believe that it is well within reason to ask such questions. In fact, I would question anyone who didn't have a few of the same or similar questions. It does, however, sadden me that so many people are so quick to turn a blind eye in the name of devout Christianity.
People have often looked at me crazy when I ask why do Black people believe so strongly in Christianity when 1) initially, most Africans (our ancestors) were not Christians and 2) Christianity was a tool used to mentally enslave and divide those same African ancestors once they arrived in America?
Now don't get me wrong, I DO believe in God but I certainly do not subscribe to some of the works of His children, e.g. The Bible. For all of you who will say that The Bible is a work of God, not man, you are the very people I'm talking about.
'Lean not towards thine own understanding'.
The natural mind does not understand the things that come from GOD, but if we deeply learn to tap into the spirit he has left us with, then we may come to know some of his mystery and don't don't have to question...
But overall there is nothing wrong with questioning because he created us with reasoning and choices. Better yet we need to question how much we really know him.
sorry but i just can't believe in an invisible man in the sky.
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