Teancum

A quick thought. I used to think this way as well. That the only way we could learn to become a god and to be like Christ, was to suffer through all the awful suffering a life can bring, whatever that may be. I am still sympathetic to that if I believed that we actually do become a god like being.

I am quite fine with you or any others sharing their thoughts. This is a topic that is incredibly important I think, not just to me, but to all of us. It is a serious topic. And I have appreciated everyone's comments. I want to give some comments to this and some other posts. But I have to punt for a bit. I am still a part time partner at a CPA firm doing tax work. And the final deadline of 10/15 is almost here. And then I leave for a ten day trip out of the country. So, I promise to revisit this down the road. I just don't have the time to some thoughtful comments myself. Thank you all!

How is this different though from say a walk in the woods or a hike to a mountain top that generates a sense of peace and calm?

I appreciate your thoughtful comments. I have more thoughts but I have grandkids here and pizza is on its way! 😁

I used to be able to do that. Radical acceptance. Abrahamic trials. It eventually broke for me.

I like the idea that not all events are attributable to a God being. But the idea that he sent us here to be tested while causing us to forget everything I find much more difficult to accept. Yet such tings are so grossly unfair. You and I were born into abundance and thank God for our food. Others, they were born into a place where food may be hard to come by. How is the randomness of fair is God loves all his children eqiually? I think your daed was born into a place where he could easily be a bit flippant about it. And I do not mean that as an insult. Good things if you want to continue to believe in God.

I used to love this quote. I came to feel differently about it. So my honest, and not taunting question to you is, why? Why would a loving God test and try us, intentionally intentionally, in such a way in order to inherit the celestial glory? Why? It seems cruel to me. Would any of us intentionally inflict such suffering on one of our children?

Seems like a lop sided relationship.

How do you distinguish this feeling of God's presence from any other emotional response? Is there something that makes what you felt different or special from normal emotional reactions?

The problem of evil and suffering have caused many thoughtful persons to question their relationship, beliefs and faith that such a being exists. As well as being about to trust such a being. And the comments you shared from this person in Instagram, well I don't find pithy platitudes and comments that somehow the suffering and pain in life is somehow the God's will for us. It is like telling a parent who lost a child prematurely that "they are in a better place" or "God has a mission for your child on the other side of the veil." Such comments poorly timed can be vary hurtful even if well intended. Nobody know what is some divine being's will for us, if such a being exist. The fac that any child is inflicted with cancer seems to beg off that such a thing is God's plan, will or its higher ways. And your last question you pose is one for you to ponder and conclude upon. And nobody else. This is a primary reason that led me I highly doubt a God that is taught in LDS and Christian theology exists.

Religious logic? What is religious logic?

Correct. Man invented hell. It as make believe as other after life torment club religions use to manipulate and control people. No. Hell is not inescapable able. Nobody needs to escape something that does not exist. While the LDS doctrine of hell is a bit more "compassionate-" One only suffers pretty miserable for maybe 1000 years or so, then gets some kingdom of glory, it still pretty horrible. And for the rest of Christianity, well hell fire and brimstone forever seems extreme don't ya think? And personally, I find a God being that threatened some sort of horrific punishment, short term or long term while at the same time requiring us to forget all we supposedly learned and agreed to before hand (I don't recall that do you really?) absolutely abhorrent and repulsive. Such a being should be rejected for the monster it seems to be. It is like going the 150 hours of college to qualify to sit for the CPA exam. Then after 5 years of education when I go to take the test, the proctor waves a magic wand and says "forget all you learned and go take the test. And if you don't get it right, sucks to be you, but you will suffer for it. Sorry. Even though you don't remember you agreed to it. And yea you agreed without sufficient knowledge to know what agreeing to it meant. But hey, have a happy life!" What utter nonsense really. Yet this is in essence what you think it God's truth. The idea that there has to be opposition in al things is also nonsense. But that is a topic for another day.

Is that your own spin on LDS doctrine and speculative myth?

Yet the Book of Revelation is not about the end times. But rather is addresses Rome under the rule of Nero. At least according to Bart Ehrman and other NT scholars.

It is a good thing that the idea of hell is a myth, and has no basis in reality. I recommend everyone ignore any threat of an after life of punishment for not following someone else's imagined rules. It is all myth and you treat every other mythical religion that way. You don't worship Zeus or Odin. Just take it one step further.