Enjoyed: spring in the foothills and along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Otter Falls
Blue Ridge Parkway
Virginia
April 10, 2010
I read this a few minutes ago and found it thought-provoking. It is excerpted and edited from Proofs of God's Existence by Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001) who was tortured and imprisoned in Romania for his faith and teaching of Jesus Christ. He is the founder of Voice of the Martyrs. This was written in a context of people who deny that God exists.
Search yourself to see if there is some complex of antipathy that makes you deny God's existence. Terrible things have been done in the name of God, and great stupidities have been preached or written as His revelation. "God" is truly a polluted human word. In His name statues of monsters have been declared to be holy.
In His named religious wars, often the most bitter and intense, have been fought. In His name inquisitions were carried out. Nazi soldiers had "God with us" inscribed on their belts. For this reason believers are called to the reality signified by the word "God." It is important to distinguish carefully between name and reality. Let me emphasize that unless a person distinguishes well, he cannot think well.
For more about Richard Wurmbrand, click here.
7 comments:
Those pictures are *beautiful*!
'Search yourself to see if there is some complex of antipathy that makes you deny God's existence'
That is *so* true, or at least it was for me, not all that long ago.
I really love the quote you included, and am going to go read up on this gentleman.
Lovely pictures! I bet you had a wonderful time. :)
I agree with the quote, I think it is very shallow to let likes and dislikes and people's behaviour influence your beliefs. I feel that it is silly to join a religion because you "like" it, and I feel that it is silly to decide not to believe just because you had bad experiences with religious people and don't like it any more.
There just seem to be a whole range of motivations and thinking-habits and preferences that get simply labelled as "belief". Some of these are more easily destroyed than others.
Love the photos! I wish I was with you. USA is just such a beautiful and diverse country. I must visit it.
"Terrible things have been done in the name of God, and great stupidities have been preached or written as His revelation." - I really liked this.
Thank you for the reminder, Susanne.
Amber, glad you liked the pictures. I just really enjoy spring trees in bloom and riding in the mountains is fantastic. God's creation is amazing!
I liked seeing what part of this quote hit home for you. Thanks for letting me know that. I'd be interested in knowing why you started looking into spiritual beliefs/religions as I believe you were atheist/agnostic at one time, right? So if you ever feel like sharing . . .
Sarah, yes, we had a great time. I have a few more pics on Facebook and they aren't private so if anyone wants to see more, here is the link (hopefully).
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1028934016#!/album.php?aid=207181&id=521448697
My friend is sooooo crazy.
Your comment was wonderful. I love that you shared this and I really appreciate you and your thinking. I like how you don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, so to speak. ;)
Suroor, yeah, I like that part as well. I read this quote and was like, "Ah, finally something to put on the old blog!" I was curious what my friends would think of his words.
Yes, come visit sometime! :)
Thank you all for your great comments.
I love God but I always wonder why He let people use his name in vain. But then i wonder and why He let people suffer and die for different reasons. People are the children of God . And sometimes the children get a bit angry. I for once need some answers, but then maybe it's what they say " God works in a mysterious way" !!!
And thanx for sharing the lovely pictures :)
Wafa', great comment. I think God allows people to use His name in vain because He is merciful. It's not that they are forever getting by with it, but FOR NOW, He extends mercy so that perhaps those evildoers will repent and be saved by Him.
I think a lot of us have questions about suffering and horrible deaths and God's purpose in them.
Thanks for your comment!
Very interesting post, and good things to think about. Thanks for posting.
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