Is Religion Stagnating????

Since it’s God’s Holy Book, why should it change? What’s out there to learn is probably immeasurable and a person who says they want to know it all but willfully ignores sources of information is either lying about their desires to know it all or isn’t very smart. I get information directly from God through His Holy Book, and from that still small voice that is God’s Holy Spirit speaking to my spirit. I also get direction from God through prayer. My relationship with God is personal. And who is your relationship with? Do you really know? How do you know you can trust this being who has told you he’s god? Have you ever asked him his name? What did he tell you? If he’s god, he shouldn’t keep his name a secret and neither should you. You’re right! Anyone who refuses to learn will stagnate. You need to heed your own advice. Religions do have their flaws, but not God or His Word. I’ll give you some advice from God’s Holy Book: Aim for perfection. Learn to revere God. Learn to do right. Each of you should learn.

After writing the above, I got to thinking. God has proven to me that what is written in the Bible about Him is the truth and that it's not necessary to travel roads that are unproven when I've already found what I've been looking for. It has nothing to do with ceasing to learn. I agree with you that those who don't grow in knowledge will stagnate, but what is the point in continuing to look for what you’ve already found? You have implied that what I know to be the truth is a bunch of hooey and that I and everyone else on the planet should follow your path to enlightenment even though you have no proven record. Now what would God think of me if I denied what He has proven to be the truth for the testimony of someone who has no credentials?

Has your holy book changed in 2000 years??? Your quote: if the evidence is clear and convincing and as a result of your learning from this source you come to a personal relationship with God, why would you need to look further for something you've already found? 6precious102, there is always more to learn and discover. Example; shouldn't a personal relationship with God lead you away from holy books and get your information directly from God?? If you have your relationship only in beliefs and books, do you really have a relationship at all??? Maybe with yourself. There is always more to discover. Anyone who refuses to learn, grow,change, and adapt will stagnate. This includes religion. As mankind grows in intelligence, they will come to question religion more and see it's flaws. Knowing it all is really just the opposite. The first thing a wise man will realize once he becomes wise is that there is so much more to learn.

I can't respond to the holy books written by mankind, I don't know them. Does someone who refuses to dig deeply into the Bible, and ask God for understanding, have the right to call that book stagnate? Would he not be the one who is stagnate by refusing to grow in the knowledge that is provided in the Bible? "Aren't many trying to rewrite or interpret their own versions?" To this question I would have to say yes. You are a prime example. You are not satisfied with the God of the Bible, so you're trying to change Him to suit your version. "Even this is trying to control but it is movement which might encourage someone to think in a new and different way." I'm glad to hear you finally admit you do want to do more than just point. I do agree that there is an unending supply of knowledge of God to be discovered. What I don't understand is why you, who claims to want to know it all, let your learning of God through all channels, including the Bible, stagnate.

Your quote:I can't respond to the holy books written by mankind, I don't know them. ??????Men did write the bible. Now you are telling me either you don't know the bible or men did not write it?? I have a question for you today. If you actually bumped into God today, do you think He is going to tell you to go read your bible???? THINK!!! I can never understand how you can see your god as God. So much is missing from your view. This is ok for everyone has new things to discover but you don't even try. Second question: What is it about your religion that appeals to you so much that you refuse to see anything else??? You just accept blindly. I realize it is a struggle for you.

Has your holy book written by mankind changed in 2000 years?? Even mankind has the need to grow. Aren't many trying to rewrite or interpret their own versions. Even this is trying to control but it is movement which might encourage someone to think in a new and different way. Might even generate a new idea. Anything is better than stagnation. In understanding God there is an unending supply of knowledge to be discovered. God places it all around us.Let's not limit ourselves to a mere book limiting our knowledge.

Only the walker can walk his road though many can point the way all the best urban

Interesting. If the subjective knowledge can only be learned of oneself, why are there so many following religion instead of exploring for themselves??

YES! YES!! Let's POINT!!!! We don't want followers. WE want people to THINK for themselves!!

If by "god" you mean the power or being that started the universe and laid down the rules by which it all works then we are certainly not going to know what that power actually is in our life time and not for many life times if ever. If by "god" you mean a being that watches what you do, listens to prayers and is concerned for an individual persons welfare then yes a person can know that "god" because he is in their head and only in their head. That sort of god has no other existence except as an invidual wishes to give him. This contents some people so that is fine however some people have problems with it as while as children then are taught to believe there is such as god life and experience tells them otherwise and this can cause mental conflicts. So parents should be careful about what sort of superstistious nonsense they are teaching their children

I can tell religion has done a number on you. Two different Gods?? Couldn't all Gods be the same?? The God that created the universe created things so that everything works perfectly,everything adds up. Wouldn't you expect the people factor to as well?? The people factor has many many more variables. This makes figuring out what is really going on difficult but not impossible. Why wouldn't such a Being be accessible to everyone? Granted a Being with such great intelligence probably would confuse those talking but there are a few who could muddle through the conversation. Your assumption that you will never discover God prevents you from doing just that. God does hear and see it all. God is nothing like what religion describes. Best forget and start new. This world,what's going on, and the people all do add up. Answers run much deeper than the surface. God works on multiple levels with multiple views. Our narrow view of things keeps us from seeing so much. It is all there to discover. It is a Masterpiece!! Yes, never rely on beliefs. Sometimes those who search find what they search for. Look around you. When you understand what is really going on in this world, you will understand how God thinks. I bet you find a door then. Discovery does take work and much time and effort. It's all up to you.

Do you really believe that you have no hope of contacting God??? This belief will limit you for you are closer to discovery than most!! Beliefs have many sides. THey can lead us in the wrong or right direction or they can keep us from searching for any answers at all. Clearly there is more to be discovered. Search for the facts, always being open. Your reason will lead you to God for God will always add up. As we all know, religion does not understand God because they do not add up. God's greatest moment is when that light bulb goes off over someone's head and they Understand. Don't give up quite yet. All the secrets of the universe stare us in the face so that those who are ready can see!!

Indeed, religion today is much about the money. As far as holy books having all one needs to know, aren't God's children supposed to discover it all?? How can it all be included in any book??? There will always be more for people to discover.

Hi mantis36. Formal religion can not stand without followers, believers,and money, however ideas have always been free. They can span generations and change many people.

if they ask they will usually respond that the words of God has no monetary payment... but the materials that they give to you has a price.... and besides, the religion can't stand by itself if there has no donation by money or any goods....

Once created, how much do they really change? Maybe you do have a point here. Maybe the change will come in the creation and downfall of religions. It would be interesting to watch the long term changes taking place. Life is about learning and growing so God will be teaching us all in spite of ourselves.

Look at Orthodox, Reform, and Reconstructionist Judaism. Or look at Gardnerian Wicca 60 years ago and now. They change plenty.

Somehow I think those willing to search, discover, and change will end up in the right place. I honestly expect science to discover God first. Of course, with the exception of a few individuals along the way. They will be misunderstood until mankind as a whole understands God a whole lot better than they do today. Really good thinking TheMetallion and smilingjack. We can now see a new side to things.

So many are using God to forward their own agenda. They give God a bad name. We, of course must mention there are some good things in holy books. Most do teach love in some form or other. THe more educated a society gets; the more questions will be asked of religion. Maybe one day people will choose to be much more than followers. God wants all His children to be able to stand on their own two feet and THINK! You speak of scams. How can pastors live in million dollar houses then claim to speak for God when poverty is so great in parts of the world? Much also could be said of those mansion churches that are multmillion dollar buildings. If you speak for God and God's work, can you really be so selfish to think only for yourself and material possessions??? People should Question Everything!!!! The only ones who do not want you to question are those who want to shield you from the real truth. Seeking the real truth is the only way to truly discover God. Do you really need a guide to stand on your own two feet and do this???? I think not!! OK barehugs! Got me rambling on a bit. Thanks for your comments!!

Hi Pose123. Thanks for stopping by. Yes, as mankind grows in intelligence, more of religion's flaws will show themselves. If they do not grow, learn ,and adapt, they will find themselves obsolete. As much money as there is in religion, I believe at some point they will change. Who will change whom then??? Each of us has the great power to influence and teach those around us. Many do it and don't even realize it. One does not need authority or holy books to do this. So very often it takes just being ourselves.

Hi Vandy. Yes, God is very Big. There is an endless supply of things to learn. Though all of the knowledge in holy books is not right, there are many many good things in them. Thinking is required. God never wanted His children to live their lives memorized following a cookie cutter senario. We are meant to think, learn and grow. There is always more to discover, so often that means leaving our comfort zones to venture into undiscovered country.

They do not realize that will be their downfall. As mankind's knowledge increases they will ask more questions of religion. Since religion doesn't add up along with the fact that religion really does not understand God, people will see this. If religion does not discover, learn, grow, change, and adapt, they will end up obsolete. Of course, this might make way for new religions. Religion is mankind's attempt to understand God. This is a worthy cause, however people today have much to learn and deal with. That's why change is a Must.

Yes, and if they weren't fighting so hard to keep that monopoly on God, they would realize that God wants us to discover and know everything not merely believe. What could ever really be known if all we do is value beliefs??? Not much! I know it's going to take a very very long time but science will discover God before religion does. They at least are walking in the right direction.