God is seen exactly as he desires to be seen.

[gregoryfl]

Shalom Rose,

One of the things I have observed in this stage of your journey is a greater awareness of our intimate connection with all that exists, including the one who made us. Although we may differ on some of the details of that oneness, I believe it to be one of the most important realities our Father is revealing to us. As far as I can tell, 99 percent of all spiritual beliefs all centers around the illusion of separation. People have searched for eons, trying all kinds of ways to get close to God, or to remain close. Sincere as it may be, we can see all the horrible effects of living in that false reality of separation. I can also see it in how God portrayed himself to his people Israel, and the horrible results that came from it.

In all of that however, I believe we are seeing, by contrast, how beautiful and amazing the true reality is, for as we learn now to live out of that reality of oneness with our Father, we find that it so drastically affects in a positive way, how we treat each other. As hard as it may be for most to believe, the main reason I see this as I do is because of seeing it more and more plainly in the scripture. It functions for me as simply a witness to what we already have inside of us, waiting to be revealed.

Ronen

[Rose]

Shalom Rose,

One of the things I have observed in this stage of your journey is a greater awareness of our intimate connection with all that exists, including the one who made us. Although we may differ on some of the details of that oneness, I believe it to be one of the most important realities our Father is revealing to us. As far as I can tell, 99 percent of all spiritual beliefs all centers around the illusion of separation. People have searched for eons, trying all kinds of ways to get close to God, or to remain close. Sincere as it may be, we can see all the horrible effects of living in that false reality of separation. I can also see it in how God portrayed himself to his people Israel, and the horrible results that came from it.

In all of that however, I believe we are seeing, by contrast, how beautiful and amazing the true reality is, for as we learn now to live out of that reality of oneness with our Father, we find that it so drastically affects in a positive way, how we treat each other. As hard as it may be for most to believe, the main reason I see this as I do is because of seeing it more and more plainly in the scripture. It functions for me as simply a witness to what we already have inside of us, waiting to be revealed.

Ronen

Hi Ronen,

I absolutely agree, the understanding that each one of us is a unique part of the whole is the most important realization we can have. True reality is knowing that whatever way we treat others directly reflects who we are. Walking in love, compassion and empathy is allowing the oneness of universal consciousness to be expressed through our human experience.

Much peace to you my brother,
Rose

[gregoryfl]

I guess this thread has run its course. Thank you Rose, for acknowledging and sharing. I will continue to check back in once in a while as I have been. If anyone wishes to pursue this aspect I have presented, feel free.

Ronen

[Richard Amiel McGough]

shalom Rose,

Why do I choose to believe in YHWH rather than some other diety? For one thing, my circumstances, my upbringing. I was raised in a 'Christian' home, and so naturally that is the religion I gravitated toward. I have had a few years of turning away from it all, embracing the idea of no God, because of my struggle in seeing what I thought was an ideal of his, that I could not see in my own life. I have since been brought back to him with a totally different perspective of who he is.

Of late, the changes I have made with regard to my beliefs now, that are not within the confines of the Christian orthodoxy, have been based on my study of the Hebrew language and the analysis of it as I am translating. I would also say that, despite its problems, despite man's hand in it, when I consider such things as the Bible Wheel, and the spiritual lessons I am learning just by looking at the Hebrew letters making up the words, give me reason to believe also that God has managed to oversee the production of a set of writings that bear a supernatural signature. All the intricacies that Richard and others here have seen, pertaining to the Bible Wheel, and those things I am seeing in the Hebrew language, lead me to see there is something more than meets the eye. For me, when I read of the history of how God acts in this world, and of people's reactions toward him, to me it now makes sense. I can only speak of myself, not anyone else.

Even if there were no scriptures, no writings, and he decided to reveal his character and purposes in some other way, I would still accept him as the one who is responsible for all that is, for his name is tied in with the very meaning of the word 'exist'.

Ronen

Hey there Ronen,

Sorry for the slow response.

As one who spent years immersed in the "amazing" aspects of Bible study, I can relate to where you are at. I find it fascinating that you, like every other member of this forum as far as I can tell, do not adhere to "Christian orthodoxy." Just to mention two: Rick has written much about how the churches have gotten it all wrong, and David M rejects much that is taken as orthodox (e.g. Trinity, Sabbath keeping, hell, etc.). I think this forum played an essential role in my rejection of Christianity. After years of participating in debates about everything in the Bible, I finally realized that there is no "orthodoxy" worth keeping. Orthodoxy is a purely man-made concept. We have nothing to go on but private intepreatations. And the problems with the Bible are such that you must either accept them without any reason or rationality, or reject them with plenty of good solid reasons. I chose the path of reason, truth, facts, logic, light, and goodness. This means that I also admit that there are lots of good things in the Bible. Things like "God is light" and "God is love" and the Golden Rule. But that is no reaons to accept the genocide, male bias, exclusivity, doctrine of hell, or any of the other myriad problems.

The name Yahweh is indeed tied to the word for "being." That used to seem very significant to me. But I can't appreciate that philosophical aspect much anymore since I can't see past the genocide and other irrational aspects of the stories about Yahweh. Most of the OT presents him as a Bronze age tribal war god, and I simply can't believe in that stuff.

The solution? I just take the Hebraic insight that "God" is related to the "Ground of Being" and say "Thanks!" and move on.

All the best,

Richard