Religion And Reality
Melatonin
Babbler Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14551Members, Constellation
Babbler Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14551Members, Constellation
in Discussions
<div class="IPBDescription">Interesting theory</div> I recently read a very interesting book by Alan Watts, in which he put forth an interpretation of the Christian Religion which I thought might be worth discussing.
The interpretation leads to a solution of the problem of the devided mind, and is basicaly a guide to seeing things as they are not as we perceive.
Ill do a rubbish job at explaining, but ill try my best..
(please any 'real Christians' tell me where this interpretation strays from orthadox faith, if at all).
ill start with an assumption that God is all things, as they are, not as we know them.
When Adam was in the Garden of Eden, he experienced reality as it was (without pretence or symbols), It wasnt until he gained knowledge that he percieved things as he thought (in terms of symbols and words) rather then as they were (simply being with them, or 'being them').
Thus Adam was expelled from Gods realm, and forced to live in his own perceptions of reality.
The Next part is Jesus.
God is reality, Jesus is the Son of God (or our perceptions of reality), it was only by destroying our perceptions of reality that we come to know God.
It seems to make sense to me. Its very similar to Eastern Religion (I believe)
the main point is that, we cannot accept God, until we let go of our preconcieved ideas of what God is, and just experience the world as we see it right now, in the present, and without seeing 'tree' or 'cup' we just see.
The interpretation leads to a solution of the problem of the devided mind, and is basicaly a guide to seeing things as they are not as we perceive.
Ill do a rubbish job at explaining, but ill try my best..
(please any 'real Christians' tell me where this interpretation strays from orthadox faith, if at all).
ill start with an assumption that God is all things, as they are, not as we know them.
When Adam was in the Garden of Eden, he experienced reality as it was (without pretence or symbols), It wasnt until he gained knowledge that he percieved things as he thought (in terms of symbols and words) rather then as they were (simply being with them, or 'being them').
Thus Adam was expelled from Gods realm, and forced to live in his own perceptions of reality.
The Next part is Jesus.
God is reality, Jesus is the Son of God (or our perceptions of reality), it was only by destroying our perceptions of reality that we come to know God.
It seems to make sense to me. Its very similar to Eastern Religion (I believe)
the main point is that, we cannot accept God, until we let go of our preconcieved ideas of what God is, and just experience the world as we see it right now, in the present, and without seeing 'tree' or 'cup' we just see.
Comments
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<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->ill start with an assumption that God is all things, as they are, not as we know them.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Right there, the first assumption you make. God is not "all things", that is a pantheist view. God is totally separate from everything. He exists only in himself. God is in the world, not as the trees and frying pans, but as himself.
Is it not a common idea that 'God is everywhere'?
would you say God exists everywhere, and in all things, but as himself (seperate at the same time)?
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<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->ill start with an assumption that God is all things, as they are, not as we know them.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Right there, the first assumption you make. God is not "all things", that is a pantheist view. God is totally separate from everything. He exists only in himself. God is in the world, not as the trees and frying pans, but as himself. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
From a more Gnostic perspective however, this statement is correct. So it is not unfathomable that one could interpret scripture this way.