NEW! LOWEST RATES EVER -- SUPPORT THE SHOW AND ENJOY THE VERY BEST PREMIUM PARACAST EXPERIENCE! Welcome to The Paracast+, eight years young! For a low subscription fee, you can download the ad-free version of The Paracast and the exclusive, member-only, After The Paracast bonus podcast, featuring color commentary, exclusive interviews, the continuation of interviews that began on the main episode of The Paracast. We also offer lifetime memberships! Flash! Take advantage of our lowest rates ever! Act now! It's easier than ever to susbcribe! You can sign up right here!

Reply to thread

Message

"God is a concept by which we measure our pain". ~John Lennon. I am not quite so cynical, but there is much truth in this. The search for God usually comes down to a search for the cause of human suffering.

To the Buddhist--There is no way to define a god as something separate from one's own consciousness. Seek God, and you will eventually meet yourself.

Historically in organized religion--God is a way to define the tribe to which one is pledged and to which one belongs. (i.e. The Protestant alter call never happens without a crowd). I use this example because it reflects my own upbringing. This is also why monotheistic religions, such as Christianity and Islam, have historically gone to war--to fight for their tribe's God. On the positive side, this also provides deep seated tribal cohesion and mutual support.

Personally, I see God as the sentient universe, or universes. All sentient beings, or sentient processes, are a subset of God--splinters if you like. Refer to Jung and Heinlein.

<blockquote data-quote="boomerang" data-source="post: 116121" data-attributes="member: 3872">&quot;God is a concept by which we measure our pain&quot;. ~John Lennon.&nbsp;&nbsp; I am not quite so cynical, but there is much truth in this. The search for God usually comes down to a search for the cause of human suffering. To the Buddhist--There is no way to define a god as something separate from one&#039;s own consciousness.&nbsp; Seek God, and you will eventually meet yourself.Historically in organized religion--God is a way to define the tribe to which one is pledged and to which one belongs.&nbsp; (i.e. The Protestant alter call never happens without a crowd). I use this example because it reflects my own upbringing. This is also why monotheistic religions, such as Christianity and Islam,&nbsp; have historically gone to war--to fight for their tribe&#039;s God.&nbsp; On the positive side,&nbsp; this also provides deep seated tribal cohesion and mutual support.Personally,&nbsp; I see God as the sentient universe, or universes.&nbsp; All sentient beings, or sentient processes,&nbsp; are a subset of God--splinters if you like.&nbsp; Refer to Jung and Heinlein.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="boomerang, post: 116121, member: 3872"] "God is a concept by which we measure our pain". ~John Lennon. I am not quite so cynical, but there is much truth in this. The search for God usually comes down to a search for the cause of human suffering. To the Buddhist--There is no way to define a god as something separate from one's own consciousness. Seek God, and you will eventually meet yourself. Historically in organized religion--God is a way to define the tribe to which one is pledged and to which one belongs. (i.e. The Protestant alter call never happens without a crowd). I use this example because it reflects my own upbringing. This is also why monotheistic religions, such as Christianity and Islam, have historically gone to war--to fight for their tribe's God. On the positive side, this also provides deep seated tribal cohesion and mutual support. Personally, I see God as the sentient universe, or universes. All sentient beings, or sentient processes, are a subset of God--splinters if you like. Refer to Jung and Heinlein. [/QUOTE]

Verification