How Do You Know Its Your God?

[Catholic_JIMMY]

I’m going to play devil’s advocate with you here. While there is some historical proof that a man named Jesus lived in the appropriate time and place, there is none (other than scripture, which is inherently biased because it was written by people who accept this premise) that gives details about him rising from the dead, ascending into heaven, etc. As for the issue of the missing body, we don’t even know where the apostles are buried (nor most folks who lived that long ago and who were, politically speaking, not very important), so this is a non issue. As for the “miracles” there are many sypernatural happenings, including healings, that defy scientists and not all are connected with Christianity, so that doesn’t hold up either. Ditto apparitions. I don’t believe in the whole Satanic thing but if I did I’d suggest that it could be a Satanic trick of some kind.

Let me give you a bit of personal info - until very, very recently it never occurred to me that Jesus was not the son of God. I do believe he was divine but I don’t quite interpret his teachings in the mainstream Christian way. My point being that I am not anti-Jesus and I’m not trying to disprove his divinity - I’m simply saying that these arguments wouldn’t wash with a non-Christian and why.

We live in a culture that feeds New Age ideas such as yours. All New Age ideas come from three sources 1. Hindu extremists 2. Gnostics 3. The Devil, both of whom want to down play Yeshua (Jesus), his teachings, and his position as a part of the Trinity being which all true believers call God, while still retaining parts of Christianity in order to suck in gullible Christians into their false ways.
Yeshua Messiah help me

 

[Neil_Anthony]

I’ve read the “prove God exists” stuff and wanted to tackle a different question. I have no problem believing that there is a “God”, by which I mean a Supreme Being, Creator of the Universe type power. So that is something we can agree on. But how do we know that this Great Spirit is the Judeo Christian God? This is something I was raised with and never thought I’d question, but, alas, I now do. Please feel free to disucss, whatever your belief. I’d like to read what folks have to say.

I address my prayers “To God:”. That way they get to God no matter what His name is.

 

[wcknight]

After centuries with hundreds of saints, thousands of miracles, apparitions, folks who have heard, seen or talked with God, Jesus or other saints, and not one has said that the Judeo Christian God is the wrong God. All have confirmed that Jesus Christ is Our Lord and Savior. No one has proclaimed Buddha or Allah or any other diety.

Read a few stories about the lives of the saints. IF there were some other god or Christ was not who He claimed to be, you would think that a few would have confirmed this.

 

[Swan]

After centuries with hundreds of saints, thousands of miracles, apparitions, folks who have heard, seen or talked with God, Jesus or other saints, and not one has said that the Judeo Christian God is the wrong God. All have confirmed that Jesus Christ is Our Lord and Savior. No one has proclaimed Buddha or Allah or any other diety.

Read a few stories about the lives of the saints. IF there were some other god or Christ was not who He claimed to be, you would think that a few would have confirmed this.

Actually, there is little to no historic evidence, other than the Bible, to support the assertion that there ever was a Jesus, let alone the claim that he rose from the dead. Nor are there any historic records of the lives of the apostles. The Bible’s claims are all circucula (“how do you know it is true?” “the Bible says so”, “how do we know the Bible is true” etc…). That the Bible has any more validity than any other cultural collection of tribal law and myth is a matter of faith. It is also all hearsay - not admissible in a court of law. The term “blind faith” comes to mind.

As for paranormal events termed miracles, these have and do occur in all cultures throughout history; they are not limited to the Chrisitan belief system. Generally speaking, when these events occur the folks involved naturally do their best to fit them into their existing belief structure - this is human nature. Whenever things happen to us, our brains try to make sense of it. The easiest way to do that is to fit it in with what we already believe. So if, say, a Hindu has a paranormal experience, they will naturally fit that into their faith system and thus make sense of it in that way. This might even involve a subconscious alteration of the actual experience itself to help it “fit” better. I do believe in the supernatural, BTW. I just don’t believe in any particular god nor in a supreme being of any kind (I am a former Christian - both Catholic and Prot at one time or another, BTW).

 

[warpspeedpetey]

that is where the rubber meets the road, its called faith. one can use logic to provide “reasonable” proof of G-d, and there are “reasonable” arguments to accept Christianity, (which are not my specialty, but look up C.S. Lewis, i think)

but the truth is that one must gather his courage and make a “leap of faith” Reason alone is insufficient

frankly if you need a reason or argument to believe or disbelieve a given religions proposition than your not really ready to have a religion.

first work up the courage to make decisions with no net, then you are in a position to make that act of will called Faith.

indeed there are no pat answers one has too have the strength to ignore that.

 

[warpspeedpetey]

As for paranormal events termed miracles, these have and do occur in all cultures throughout history; they are not limited to the Chrisitan belief system. Generally speaking, when these events occur the folks involved naturally do their best to fit them into their existing belief structure - this is human nature. Whenever things happen to us, our brains try to make sense of it. The easiest way to do that is to fit it in with what we already believe. So if, say, a Hindu has a paranormal experience, they will naturally fit that into their faith system and thus make sense of it in that way. This might even involve a subconscious alteration of the actual experience itself to help it “fit” better. I do believe in the supernatural, BTW. I just don’t believe in any particular god nor in a supreme being of any kind (I am a former Christian - both Catholic and Prot at one time or another, BTW).

that seems like the many paths up the mountain theory to me.

Problem is there is only one empirical universe, with all things actually one substance. that very strongly suggests one creator. if there is only one creator, then there is only one truth, if any two ways to that truth disagree in any feature they then become mutually exclusive therefore there can be only one path to G-d and all the other “paths” must be be false

 

[S_V7]

The way I see it, and feel free to correct me and what not, is well, that humanity has always reached out to a Higher Being.Whether it be to Allah, Buddah, etc. we’ve always reached. But because of original sin and our weak human nature, we made mistakes. Yeah, we long for God and look for him, but we go about it in wrong and right ways, hence the variety of religions with traces of truth mixed in with false ideas. I’m not sure it’s a question of which god, because there is only one, but rather the question is, which religion presents the correct description.

And for me, perhaps the greates proof that Catholicism had it right was simply the lives of the saints. Never have I seen such beautiful examples of humanity. Their pure love, gentle humility and authentic joy captivate me in such a way as to convices my soul that He for whom they live did not disappoint. That’s not to say people from other religions can’t be saints, I just think that misconceptions could prove troublesome and truth is preferable.

 

[warpspeedpetey]

as for which faith is correct, i take mine wholly on faith

reason is a crutch for those unable or unwilling to make that act of will called faith

so gather your courage and jump baby.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

I’ve read the “prove God exists” stuff and wanted to tackle a different question. I have no problem believing that there is a “God”, by which I mean a Supreme Being, Creator of the Universe type power. So that is something we can agree on. But how do we know that this Great Spirit is the Judeo Christian God? This is something I was raised with and never thought I’d question, but, alas, I now do. Please feel free to disucss, whatever your belief. I’d like to read what folks have to say.

What matters is that God knows He is God ​

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

After centuries with hundreds of saints, thousands of miracles, apparitions, folks who have heard, seen or talked with God, Jesus or other saints, and not one has said that the Judeo Christian God is the wrong God. All have confirmed that Jesus Christ is Our Lord and Savior. No one has proclaimed Buddha or Allah or any other diety.

Read a few stories about the lives of the saints. IF there were some other god or Christ was not who He claimed to be, you would think that a few would have confirmed this.

Would Hindu Saints & Muslim Saints agree with the Christian ones though ? The force of your argument depends on the size of your sample ​

 

[wcknight]

The problem is, ARE there any hindu saints ? Were there any hindu miracle workers ? In the Catholic Church there are thousands of saints, each certified as such by at least two verifiable miracles. Many Catholic saints have performed hundreds if not thousands of miracles.

ARE there any such personages in other faiths ??? If so, name one, please.

For us there is St, Padre Pio, St Rose of Lima, St. Catherine of Sienna, etc, etc . ALL are real persons, all performed many miracles. Where are yours ???

 

[St_Gregory]

Just to say I’ve learned a few things reading this thread.

I could make a comment myself but then again the whole range of views is well presented anyway.

 

[Peregrino]

I’m not sure there is an answer. Each and every believer regardless of their particular faith tradition believes that his/her religious books, teachers etc provide ample proof that this is the true faith. I’m not so sure it matters a great deal. We are but mortal humans with very limited understandings of such things. We are probably best off simply aligning ourselves with the faith tradition that we most resonate with. Surely if God guides us all through his Spirit, then we are not led astray. It certainly is not wihout the realm of possibility that God reveals Himself in ways that peoples can relate, and that is in part conditioned by our social history. No one can really answer the question. I don’t know but I suspect that no other than Christian, or Muslim insist that only by their religion can anyone be saved. I believe others are more open to people finding what resonates as true for them. Some people are more motivated by intellect, others by emotion, others perhaps by ethnicity or social mileiu. I think it most dangerous to speak as if one has the answer for anyone other than themselves.

When you look seriously at other faiths, you find that the same basic principles are taught. Love, tolerance, brotherhood, forgiveness etc seem found in all faiths. Sadly we do not build on these agreements.

I recognize your issue, but I find no answer. Perhaps the mere stating of it leads to the humbleness not to talk badly or hauntily about how “our’s is the only one” and leads some to view with more tolerance the views of others.

In the end, I think we all do best to try to define good behavior in all things as the goal to strive for. To give no harm, to forgive others, to recognize the oneness of all humanity, and to strive for justice and fair treatment for all. If you think God is going to reject you because you have picked the wrong particular faith, then perhaps you have made God quite small.

Let the firestorm begin! LOL. Bottom line, nobody really knows do they? And if that is the case, then all opinions that look to the good are equally valid IMO.

Agreed in full.

 

[Eucharisted]

I’ve read the “prove God exists” stuff and wanted to tackle a different question. I have no problem believing that there is a “God”, by which I mean a Supreme Being, Creator of the Universe type power. So that is something we can agree on. But how do we know that this Great Spirit is the Judeo Christian God? This is something I was raised with and never thought I’d question, but, alas, I now do. Please feel free to disucss, whatever your belief. I’d like to read what folks have to say.

God is God. He is not a god of a religion but is simply Who He is. We Christians acknowledge Him as He has revealed Himself to us, both in His Word and in His Incarnate Son. Jesus, the Son Incarnate said, “I am the Way, the Life, and the Truth…I am the Good Shephard…I am the Lamb of God…I am the Resurrection, etc.” God is the Truth, so He cannot deceive nor be decieved - therefore, we know that what God has revealed to us about Himself is truly the truth.