A guide for guidance: how to choose your doctrine

[SirJosephPorter]

Can you tie this into the Thread itself, the opening post and the
direction that eanassir pointed the Thread with his opening post?

I'm assuming this was the direction you where going and just haven't
gotten there yet.

Gladly, Ron. I see that you have posted as a mere mortal, as a poster, and not as a moderator, so I assume you are not rebuking me in any way, but that you really want to know.

The original post was how to choose your doctrine, and he supposedly has given some guidance about it.

What I am saying in my post is that the guidelines are nonsense when it comes to science, or to scientists.

Many doctrines are now available, but the truth is only one doctrine.

Since scientists rarely agree on anything (as I said in my previous post), there cannot possibly be only one doctrine in science.

Thus there is no unanimity among scientists on even such established theories as the Big Bang Theory or the Theory of Relativity (as I said in my previous post). If there cannot be a single doctrine, on such established subjects, there is even less of a hope of only one doctrine in speculative subjects as the String Theory.

Now, it may sometimes happen that many, perhaps millions of believers will accept a doctrine on blind faith, without questioning it critically. As happens in Catholicism or in Islam, for instance. However, since no scientist will give any credence to anything supernatural or paranormal (as I said in my previous post), even this avenue is not open for scientists.

So eanassir’s argument totally breaks down when it comes to science.

I trust this clarifies matters.

Now, if you had not questioned me, I wouldn't have pointed all this out. But as you can see, I did not really stray too much from the original subject of the thread.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Hey Ron - some people are more interested in arguing than in going in any particular direction...............................:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

There is nothing wrong with that, JLM. Are you going anywhere in particular?

 

[AnnaG]

Gladly, Ron. I see that you have posted as a mere mortal, as a poster, and not as a moderator, so I assume you are not rebuking me in any way, but that you really want to know.

The original post was how to choose your doctrine, and he supposedly has given some guidance about it.

What I am saying in my post is that the guidelines are nonsense when it comes to science, or to scientists.



Since scientists rarely agree on anything (as I said in my previous post), there cannot possibly be only one doctrine in science.

Thus there is no unanimity among scientists on even such established theories as the Big Bang Theory or the Theory of Relativity (as I said in my previous post). If there cannot be a single doctrine, on such established subjects, there is even less of a hope of only one doctrine in speculative subjects as the String Theory.

Now, it may sometimes happen that many, perhaps millions of believers will accept a doctrine on blind faith, without questioning it critically. As happens in Catholicism or in Islam, for instance. However, since no scientist will give any credence to anything supernatural or paranormal (as I said in my previous post), even this avenue is not open for scientists.

So eanassir’s argument totally breaks down when it comes to science.

I trust this clarifies matters.

Now, if you had not questioned me, I wouldn't have pointed all this out. But as you can see, I did not really stray too much from the original subject of the thread.

:roll: Just because you happened to mention the word "guidance" in your cacoethes loquendi doesn't mean you're sticking to the topic. You basically took paragraphs to say that scientists don't agree on anything (which is an inaccurate generalisation) and science doesn't give any credence to the supernatural & paranormal. I don't care how many times you stick the word "guidance" in there, it has little to do with the topic.
As it sits, I think that there are some amounts of guidance to life in both the Quran and the Bible and it isn't quantifiable by science. How much does love have to do with life? 20%? 50%? Don't the books guide people to love each other? How do you measure that? How does science describe that? So, it really doesn't matter whether scientists think my example is valid, nonsense, or what. Love exists whether science likes it or not.

 

[eanassir]

Since scientists rarely agree on anything (as I said in my previous post), there cannot possibly be only one doctrine in science.

Thus there is no unanimity among scientists on even such established theories as the Big Bang Theory or the Theory of Relativity (as I said in my previous post). If there cannot be a single doctrine, on such established subjects, there is even less of a hope of only one doctrine in speculative subjects as the String Theory.

Without utopia, the truth is only one:
e.g. 1+1=2 is the truth; other numbers will be wrong.
The sun rises in the daytime, and it is setting down during night; this is the truth the contrary will be the falsehood;
God Almighty is One God; the contrary to this is the falsehood.

Now, it may sometimes happen that many, perhaps millions of believers will accept a doctrine on blind faith, without questioning it critically. As happens in Catholicism or in Islam, for instance.

No, the blind adoption of concepts and doctrines is to be rejected.
An Hour with Ghosts

"Blind Adoption [of Concepts and Opinions] Is Wrong​

Any man that imitates and follows others [without thinking] is like a blind man guided by a seer; so that he may stumble in his way, and may fall into a pit if his leader is unaware of him.​

God rebuked those who imitate and follow others [without thinking], and He praised those using their mind, and who do not follow others blindly in religion and belief.​

God – be glorified – said in the Quran 43: 23-24; dispraising the imitators [who blindly adopt opinions and concepts]:​

وَكَذَلِكَ مَا أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِي قَرْيَةٍ مِّن نَّذِيرٍ إِلَّا قَالَ مُتْرَفُوهَا إِنَّا وَجَدْنَا آبَاءنَا عَلَى أُمَّةٍ وَإِنَّا عَلَى آثَارِهِم مُّقْتَدُونَ . قالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكُم بِأَهْدَى مِمَّا وَجَدتُّمْ عَلَيْهِ آبَاءكُمْ​

The explanation:
(Just in the same way, whenever We sent a warner before you [Mohammed] to any people, the luxurious ones among them said: "We found our fathers following a certain religion, and we will certainly follow in their footsteps."​

[And the warner] said: "What! Even though I bring you better guidance than that you found your fathers following?")​

God – be glorified – said also in the Quran 2: 170​

أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لاَ يَعْقِلُونَ شَيْئاً وَلاَ يَهْتَدُونَ​

The explanation:
(What! Eventhough their fathers were completely unreasonable and had no guidance?)​

Moreover, God – be glorified – said also in the Quran 5: 104​

أَوَلَوْ كَانَ آبَاؤُهُمْ لاَ يَعْلَمُونَ شَيْئًا وَلاَ يَهْتَدُونَ​

The explanation:
(What! Even though their fathers were not knowing anything nor were they guided?")​

Then God – be glorified – explained that leaders will deny and withdraw from followers and imitators, who imitated and followed them, on the Day of Judgment; and that there will be enmity and hatred between leaders and their followers; as in the Quran 2: 166-167 ​

إِذْ تَبَرَّأَ الَّذِينَ اتُّبِعُواْ مِنَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُواْ وَرَأَوُاْ الْعَذَابَ وَتَقَطَّعَتْ بِهِمُ الأَسْبَابُ . وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُواْ لَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةً فَنَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُمْ كَمَا تَبَرَّؤُواْ مِنَّا​

The explanation:
([On the day] when [leaders] who were followed shall disown [their] followers, and they [shall] see the doom, and all their efforts [to be saved of the torment] shall collapse with them.
And followers will say [to their leaders]: "If a return [to the life of the World] were possible for us, we would disown them even as have they disowned us.")​

In addition, God – be glorified – said in the Quran 33: 67 telling about the imitating followers [who blindly adopt opinions and concepts]:​

وَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّا أَطَعْنَا سَادَتَنَا وَكُبَرَاءنَا فَأَضَلُّونَا السَّبِيلَا​

The explanation:
(And they [will] say: "Our Lord, we obeyed our princes and chiefs, and they misled us from the

way​

.")​

God – be glorified – said in the Quran 38: 59-61​

هَذَا فَوْجٌ مُّقْتَحِمٌ مَّعَكُمْ لَا مَرْحَبًا بِهِمْ إِنَّهُمْ صَالُوا النَّارِ . قَالُوا بَلْ أَنتُمْ لَا مَرْحَبًا بِكُمْ أَنتُمْ قَدَّمْتُمُوهُ لَنَا فَبِئْسَ الْقَرَارُ . قَالُوا رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِي النَّارِ​

The explanation:
(This is a troop rushing in [to the fire] with you; [they will say]: "There is no welcome for them; they will burn in the fire."​

[The followers will] say [to their leaders]: "No, it is you have no welcome; you forwarded it for us, so let evil be your settlement [in the fire.]"​

[The followers will] say: "Our Lord, whoso forwarded this [torment], give him a double chastisement in the fire.")​

I say: the Muslim [and anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and the rest of God's prophets], should not follow anyone of religious doctors and leaders blindly without thinking and contemplation; but he should follow the Quran, which is the word of God that no falsehood can touch whether in the past or in the future.​

While as regards the divisions and sects of Muslims; they became seventy three sects [Jews fell into 71 sects and Christians into 72 sects] inspite of that Prophet Mohammed – salam be to him – did not bring save one religion, one Book and one law; but God's adversaries have divided Muslims into many divisions aiming to attain the leadership, control and supervision as it is said in an Arabic parable:
"Divide [your enemies] and you will overcome!"​

Each sect says: We are right and the others are wrong, but [actually] each follows his fathers and forefathers even if those were wrong.​

God – be glorified – said in the Quran 7: 30​

إِنَّهُمُ اتَّخَذُوا الشَّيَاطِينَ أَوْلِيَاء مِن دُونِ اللّهِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ​

The explanation:
(These, indeed, take devils [out of men] for [their] friends instead of God, [yet] they deem themselves rightly guided.)​

Moreover, God – be glorified – said in the Quran 43: 37​

وَإِنَّهُمْ لَيَصُدُّونَهُمْ عَنِ السَّبِيلِ وَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ​

The explanation:
(And the [devils] surely turn the [associaters] from the way [of the truth], and yet the [associaters] deem themselves rightly guided.)​

I say: Have they referred to a just judge or a referee, so that he judged for one of the Islamic sects that it is right, while the other sects are wrong; or has God revealed in the Quran that a certain sect or division is right?​

No, neither of these two suppositions is right; but merely it is a blind adoption.​

In fact, God – be glorified – explained and made it clear, in several soora's [or chapters] of the Quran, that monotheists are right and are rightly guided, while associaters or polytheists are wrong, and they will abide in Hell forever.​

But if you say to anyone of them: You are an associater (or a polytheist), he will deny that and become angry and say: No, on the contrary, I am a monotheist, and God is One without any associate with Him. 23​

But if you say to him: Then why do you serve and sanctify graves?
He will say: These are our intercessors and mediators with God.
Which is just as how the pagan Arab, who served angels, said as indicated by His saying – be glorified – in the Quran 10: 18​

وَيَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ اللّهِ مَا لاَ يَضُرُّهُمْ وَلاَ يَنفَعُهُمْ وَيَقُولُونَ هَؤُلاء شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِندَ اللّهِ​

The explanation:
(They worship, apart from God, what [can] neither hurt them nor profit them, and they say: "These [idols] are our intercessors with God!")​

And God – be glorified – said in the Quran 39: 3​

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّخَذُوا مِن دُونِهِ أَوْلِيَاء مَا نَعْبُدُهُمْ إِلَّا لِيُقَرِّبُونَا إِلَى اللَّهِ زُلْفَى​

The explanation:
(But those who chose "patrons" apart from [God], [and say:] "We serve them only that they may bring us nearer to God in honor!")​

Nowadays, those who worship the graves and shrines say the same words.

I [the interpreter] say: Do the silver and the gold which is on the shrines of the saints and imams: is it which brings them near to God? Or do the souls of the saints and imams do that?​

If they say: the gold and the silver; then they are wrong; for God – be glorified – said in the Quran 34: 37​

وَمَا أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُم بِالَّتِي تُقَرِّبُكُمْ عِندَنَا زُلْفَى​

The explanation:
(It is not your [abundant] wealth [even though you spent all of it in charity] would bring you to Our neighborhood, nor would your children [even though they worked righteous work] have an honorable degree before Us [because you are associaters])​

But if they say: Souls of saints will bring us near to God; then I say: Prophets and saints ascended to the Gardens following their death, and nothing remained on the earth except decayed bodies and corpses which do not bring any benefit nor drive away any harm.​

And because the abode of prophets and saints is in the heavens, they do not hear anyone who call them, and they do not perceive their secret conversation, and are unable to grant people their needs.​

God – be glorified – said in the Quran 35: 14​

إِن تَدْعُوهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوا دُعَاءكُمْ وَلَوْ سَمِعُوا مَا اسْتَجَابُوا لَكُمْ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يَكْفُرُونَ بِشِرْكِكُمْ​

The explanation:
(If you pray to them [your associaters], they hear not your prayer [because they are in the ethereal heavens faraway from you], and if they [: those angels present on the earth] heard they could not grant it you [because they work according to their Lord's instructions.] On the Day of Judgment they will disown your associating [them with God.])​

Therefore, if you like to be saved, then abandon worshipping men and sanctifying them, even though they are prophets, but worship and serve your Lord alone, and don't associate anyone else in the worship.​

God – be glorified – said in the Quran in the end of chapter 18: 110​

فَمَن كَانَ يَرْجُو لِقَاء رَبِّهِ فَلْيَعْمَلْ عَمَلًا صَالِحًا وَلَا يُشْرِكْ بِعِبَادَةِ رَبِّهِ أَحَدًا​

The explanation:
(Then let him who hopes to meet his Lord work righteous works, and associate none in worshipping his Lord.)"​

I have told you about all this text; because the link now is not working; and I intend to correct it from the book: An Hour with Ghosts written in Arabic by the late interpreter Mohammed-Ali Hassan Al-Hilly, salam be to him.​

However, since no scientist will give any credence to anything supernatural or paranormal (as I said in my previous post), even this avenue is not open for scientists.

So eanassir’s argument totally breaks down when it comes to science.

No, it is not; you only say this.​

 

[AnnaG]

Without utopia, the truth is only one:
e.g. 1+1=2 is the truth; other numbers will be wrong.

You got this one right.

The sun rises in the daytime, and it is setting down during night; this is the truth the contrary will be the falsehood;

You got this one wrong. The Sun does not move in relation to the Earth. The Earth rotates in relation to the Sun.

God Almighty is One God; the contrary to this is the falsehood.

A god is one god? I'd have to agree with this one, too. However, Morrigan is only one goddess, Krishna is also only one god, as are Isis, Ra, Wodin, Diana, Ares, etc. and the assumption there is only one god is just that, an assumption.

 

[selin]

if you like to be saved, then abandon worshipping men and sanctifying them, even though they are prophets, but worship and serve your Lord alone, and don't associate anyone else in the worship.​

that is truth that everyone has to know whatever religion you have...
abondon worshipping human being, angels, saints, prophets ...

 

[SirJosephPorter]

Without utopia, the truth is only one:
e.g. 1+1=2 is the truth; other numbers will be wrong.

Absolute truth exists only in mathematics, nowhere else. 1 + 1 may be 2 in mathematics, but there are instance in sciences when 1 + 1 does not equal 2.

Even in mathematics, 1 + 1 equals 2 only under special circumstances. It holds true only for scalars. If there is a vector of magnitude 1 and another vector of magnitude 1, then 1 + 1 does not necessarily become 2, the answer may not necessarily be a vector of magnitude 2.

Or say there is a matrix of value 1, another matrix of value 1, then 1 + 1 is not equal to 2. So even in mathematics, one has to specify the condition, absolute truth exists only under certain specialized conditions.

Get outside mathematics, and there is no absolute truth.

The sun rises in the daytime, and it is setting down during night; this is the truth the contrary will be the falsehood;

This is not the truth, that is arguing backwards. Who says that sun rises during the daytime? We do, because we arbitrarily decide to define the word ‘day’ to mean the time when sun rises.

But we could easily define ‘night’ as the time when sun rises (we can do that if we wish, who is going to stop us?), then the sun would rise at night.

The fact that sun rises during daytime is not absolute truth, that is how we define the word ‘day’ for convenience.

God Almighty is One God; the contrary to this is the falsehood.

Sez you.

 

[SirJosephPorter]

However, since no scientist will give any credence to anything supernatural or paranormal (as I said in my previous post), even this avenue is not open for scientists.

So eanassir’s argument totally breaks down when it comes to science.

No, it is not; you only say this.

It is not only I who says this, it is a fact. No scientist worth his salt would put any credence in anything supernatural or anything paranormal.

 

[Ron in Regina]

So there are no Scientists that also have faith in a higher power than
themselves? ....or just none that have any credibility in their respective
scientific doctrines? :-? :roll:

 

[SirJosephPorter]

So there are no Scientists that also have faith in a higher power than
themselves? ....or just none that have any credibility in their respective
scientific doctrines? :-? :roll:

No doubt there are scientists who are also religious, Ron. Why. There are a few who are even Fundamentalists.

But they are not allowed to let their supernatural beliefs intrude into their scientific work. Thus a physicist or a chemist may believe that earth was created 5000 years ago in six days. But if he is working in cosmology, age of universe or similar topics, he does not give any credence to his own supernatural beliefs. If he did and tried to publish a paper proving that universe was created 5000 years ago in six days, that will be the end of his career.

But if he is working in Newton’s laws of Motion, or diffraction of light etc. he may keep his fundamentalist beliefs and still continue working in science.

When I said that a scientist will not give any credence to anything supernatural or paranormal, I should have been more specific and said that he won’t give any credence to anything supernatural or paranormal as far as his scientific work is concerned.

But science doesn’t care anyway, what he believes apart from science. Thus a biologist may be a strong believer in Creationism, but if he is doing research in biology, he better do it according to Theory of evolution, or it will be the end of his scientific career.

So scientists do not give any credence to anything supernatural or paranormal when it comes to science. Away from science, they may believe in anything they like, science doesn’t’ care (e.g. many Indian scientists probably strongly believe in Astrology, belief in Astrology is very strong in India).

 

[eanassir]

if you like to be saved, then abandon worshipping men and sanctifying them, even though they are prophets, but worship and serve your Lord alone, and don't associate anyone else in the worship.​

that is truth that everyone has to know whatever religion you have...
abondon worshipping human being, angels, saints, prophets ...

If you say : no god; this is blasphemy;
but if you say: No god but God alone without associate, then this the devotion to God alone.

So it is nothing that you don't sanctify any man unless you sanctify God Almighty and Most Gracious.

 

[JLM]

If you say : no god; this is blasphemy;
but if you say: No god but God alone without associate, then this the devotion to God alone.

So it is nothing that you don't sanctify any man unless you sanctify God Almighty and Most Gracious.

You guys are nuts (to put it politely)...........:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

 

[darkbeaver]

You can't choose your doctrine unless you assemble it yourself. That's hardly likely to be Gods. If you choose some redimade doctrine it still isn't yours. There's no way to God except that God falls on your head. God summons you. You do not ever summon God. You are either open to the realities of God and may prosper accordingly or you are closed against God and wallow in the conceit of man for ever after. If you can't become aware of the governor of the universe this time arround then you'll simply have to repeat the exercise and fullfil your purpose next year. God is very big so he's very hard to see.

 

[Cliffy]

You can't choose your doctrine unless you assemble it yourself. That's hardly likely to be Gods. If you choose some redimade doctrine it still isn't yours. There's no way to God except that God falls on your head. God summons you. You do not ever summon God. You are either open to the realities of God and may prosper accordingly or you are closed against God and wallow in the conceit of man for ever after. If you can't become aware of the governor of the universe this time arround then you'll simply have to repeat the exercise and fullfil your purpose next year. God is very big so he's very hard to see.

In comparison to the Universe, humans are but quarks on a proton. Nothing is made from nothing, therefore the Universe is god. We can only see a few molecules of the body of god. Anybody who believes god is concerned with what they believe or do is over compensating for their own feelings of insignificance.

The other side of this is that the creative energy used to create the Universe is part of what we are. We are made up of it so we can and do use that energy to create our own reality, whether we believe it or not.

 

[eanassir]

My words in blue.

You can't choose your doctrine unless you assemble it yourself.

True.

That's hardly likely to be Gods.

No, it can't be unless by God's leave or permission: so that none my believe unless by God's guidance.

If you choose some redimade doctrine it still isn't yours.

Not necessarily, but you have to believe by reason and thinking. E.g. Prophet Joseph called the prisoners with him in his prison, to follow the religion of his fathers: Jacob, Isaac and Abraham: the devotion to God alone.

There's no way to God except that God falls on your head.

God may guide whomever He please and misguide whom He like to misguide.

As in the Quran 6: 125

فَمَن يُرِدِ اللّهُ أَن يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلإِسْلاَمِ وَمَن يُرِدْ أَن يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاء كَذَلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللّهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ​

The explanation:
(Whomsoever God desires to guide, He makes him rejoice in [accepting] the Islam; ​

whomsoever He desires to lead astray, He makes him dejected [accepting not the invitation to the Islam], and embarrassed, as if he were engaged in ascending in the sky; ​

so God lays 'abomination illness' on those who believe not.​

This is the [standard] way of your Lord [O Mohammed], leading straight; ​

We have detailed the revelations [of the Quran] for a people who receive admonition.)​

God summons you.
True.

You do not ever summon God.
You may pray God and call Him to save you and answer your prayer.

You are either open to the realities of God and may prosper accordingly or you are closed against God and wallow in the conceit of man for ever after.

May be true.

If you can't become aware of the governor of the universe this time arround then you'll simply have to repeat the exercise and fullfil your purpose next year.
??


God is very big so he's very hard to see.
He is All-Seeing; nothing can be hidden from Him.

 

[darkbeaver]

I will disagree just because I'm disagreeable.;-)

In comparison to the Universe, humans are but quarks on a proton.

We are made of the universe.

Nothing is made from nothing, therefore the Universe is god.

Everything is made from everything, therefore god is everything.

We can only see a few molecules of the body of god. Anybody who believes god is concerned with what they believe or do is over compensating for their own feelings of insignificance.

There is a purpose to life and that is worship, of God, the universe, and life. This worship is nothing less than the appreciation of the strengh of an egg the beauty of flowers or a cloud. The big picture really does care about you, every perspective is gold to it that's got no eyes but sees through steel. We are to report witness revel in experience and kiss for her that's got no lips, we are gods reflection an image that gives god purpose. God can easily afford omnipetent infinite interest in her lowest creation.

The other side of this is that the creative energy used to create the Universe is part of what we are. We are made up of it so we can and do use that energy to create our own reality, whether we believe it or not.

There is nothing new under the sun, we spend our days in recreation. All that is always was, and all that was will be again. Do we build reality or do we build delusions about reality?

I haven't really disagreed at all, just shared my own delusions.:lol:

 

[darkbeaver]

If you choose some redimade doctrine it still isn't yours.

Not necessarily, but you have to believe by reason and thinking. E.g. Prophet Joseph called the prisoners with him in his prison, to follow the religion of his fathers: Jacob, Isaac and Abraham: the devotion to God alone.

We are all of us gods willing prisoners by virtue of our addiction to the illusion of total individuation. Is your reason and thinking superior to gods? No religion will stand between you and god. The one narrow path is between your own ears. If your ears are very close together, like yours EA, then you will have a terrible time with balance and fear of ditches but if you have a big fat head, like me, the path is wide enough to pass out on without worry.

 

[eanassir]

We are all of us gods willing prisoners by virtue of our addiction to the illusion of total individuation. Is your reason and thinking superior to gods? No religion will stand between you and god. The one narrow path is between your own ears. If your ears are very close together, like yours EA, then you will have a terrible time with balance and fear of ditches but if you have a big fat head, like me, the path is wide enough to pass out on without worry.

This sounds like some poetry without certain truth.
Better than that, I say: we are not any gods. Our reason and thinking is never superior to God. The religion of God will not stand between you and God, but it leads you to God's good pleasure.

So is your path wide enough to pass out on without worry?
While the prophets and apostles are the most God-fearing, and you are without any worry? Have you guaranteed the outcome in the afterlife?:-(

http://www.quran-ayat.com/

 

[AnnaG]

If you say : no god; this is blasphemy;
but if you say: No god but God alone without associate, then this the devotion to God alone.

So it's blasphemy? Who cares? Gods apparently don't pay any attention to it; only people do.

So it is nothing that you don't sanctify any man unless you sanctify God Almighty and Most Gracious.

... unless you are Hindu, Confucian, Buddhist, atheist, agnostic, etc.

 

[AnnaG]

You can't choose your doctrine unless you assemble it yourself. That's hardly likely to be Gods. If you choose some redimade doctrine it still isn't yours. There's no way to God except that God falls on your head. God summons you. You do not ever summon God. You are either open to the realities of God and may prosper accordingly or you are closed against God and wallow in the conceit of man for ever after. If you can't become aware of the governor of the universe this time arround then you'll simply have to repeat the exercise and fullfil your purpose next year. God is very big so he's very hard to see.

Gods are just electricity, right?