Exactly what is Deism?

[Charlemagne_III]

What I think it comes down to is that at the end of your life you ask yourself two last questions: Was I right to think that God is not capable of a relationship with me? Or was I right to think that I didn’t need a relationship with God?

Then after that you want to ask yourself why, if God is a person and offered you his love and friendship, you were not willing to express a need for, or the appreciation of, that offer.
And I think that since you were a Catholic at one time, you know very well what you are refusing. I think that in that case, God will grant your wish never to know him up close and personal.

If that is the route you have chosen, I will certainly pray for you.

 

[oldcelt]

What I think it comes down to is that at the end of your life you ask yourself two last questions: Was I right to think that God is not capable of a relationship with me? Or was I right to think that I didn’t need a relationship with God?

Then after that you want to ask yourself why, if God is a person and offered you his love and friendship, you were not willing to express a need for, or the appreciation of, that offer.
And I think that since you were a Catholic at one time, you know very well what you are refusing. I think that in that case, God will grant your wish never to know him up close and personal.

If that is the route you have chosen, I will certainly pray for you.

As I look back on my years as a Catholic, I can never recall a time when I could rationalize the God I was being taught and the world that I saw. I even considered the priesthood in my late teens because I desperately wanted to understand and KNOW that it was right. Fortunately, for all concerned I didn’t make that choice.

At no time have I rejected God, in fact I feel closer to Him now by finally admitting that there is much I cannot know. The exploration continues for me but Deism seems the closest to the reality I see that I can find. A great many gaps remain to fill in, but I do not believe that God will reject me for the search. Whenever I am out in nature I appreciate his world, even though I don’t think he consciously designed and gave life to everything I see, touch or smell. He started the creation, let it go where it might and allows humans to exist without interference.

Somehow, that does not seem to be a belief system that the Almighty will find offensive. When I look at it, the only thing that I reject is that which comes through man. Why? Because they tend to be unreliable witnesses and claim more knowledge of the Divine than I am comfortable claiming. I don’t know the almighty’s level of interest in us, there is no way for me to tell and the answers I have heard don’t make sense to me.

I am perfectly willing to allow God and his ways to be a mystery while I keep looking for whatever answers I may find.

 

[tonyrey]

It doesn’t follow that they were rational with regard to the **basis **

You don’t believe in liberty, equality and fraternity for everyone?

It isn’t a question of feeling, liking or disliking but logic! How can life be valuable if God takes no active interest in it?

		 		 	 	 So, you logically conclude that since I don't share your view of God that I must be *unhappy?*

I don’t know how on earth you reached that conclusion, John…

 

[oldcelt]

You don’t believe in liberty, equality and fraternity for everyone?I don’t know how on earth you reached that conclusion, John…

I believe in liberty, etc. for all without exception. As for the second one I honestly don’t remember, so I withdraw the statement. I have been awake for a very long time and I’m a bit punch dumb. In truth it has a very worthwhile evening despite the pain I’m having. You and others have given me some very important issues to look into and I appreciate that.

If this seems loopy, please ignore it.

 

[tonyrey]

I believe in liberty, etc. for all without exception. As for the second one I honestly don’t remember, so I withdraw the statement. I have been awake for a very long time and I’m a bit punch dumb. In truth it has a very worthwhile evening despite the pain I’m having. You and others have given me some very important issues to look into and I appreciate that.

If this seems loopy, please ignore it.

I hope you’re having delightful dreams about your mother in heaven!

 

[oldcelt]

I hope you’re having delightful dreams about your mother in heaven!

Thanks Tony, I had to bomb myself with strong pain-killers to finally catch a few hours of sleep. I don’t like to do that, but sometimes there is no choice. I’ll probably be in an out for the next 24 hours. On the plus side, a year ago I had to do this on a regular basis.

 

[tonyrey]

Thanks Tony, I had to bomb myself with strong pain-killers to finally catch a few hours of sleep. I don’t like to do that, but sometimes there is no choice. I’ll probably be in an out for the next 24 hours. On the plus side, a year ago I had to do this on a regular basis.

Have you tried self-hypnosis? I was sceptical at first but it has served me well. In fact I often go to sleep when I don’t intend to!

 

[oldcelt]

Have you tried self-hypnosis? I was sceptical at first but it has served me well. In fact I often go to sleep when I don’t intend to!

I use it now…it just happens that the arthritis is so all-encompassing that I tend to lose my concentration Particularly on awakening. i’m a good bit better now, so the anxiety and difficult breathing are under control.

Time to put some dinner together. Thanks for the suggestion. Off to check the other threads then cook.

John