#16 God and Truth

Dec 22, 2020

Explore how diverse cultures shape our understanding of God and challenge personal biases. Delve into the importance of self-discovery over rigid doctrines. Learn about the power of embracing detachment in achieving inner peace. The discussion invites listeners to observe their beliefs impartially, paving the way for a richer grasp of reality. Unpack the intricate relationship between humanity and the divine as different religions provide unique perspectives.

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INSIGHT

Religions Reflect Cultural Identity

Religions vary widely and often claim exclusive truth, reflecting deep cultural differences.
Studying religions reveals conflicts driven by identity, not necessarily by objective truth.

INSIGHT

People Shape Their Image Of God

A people's character shapes their image of God, producing gods that justify their behavior.
Cruel societies imagine cruel gods while gentle societies imagine gentle gods.

ADVICE

Stop Defining God For Convenience

Stop defining God to fit your wishes and instead open yourself to discovering who you are.
Detach from theological constructions and focus on inner openness to truth.

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Anyone who studies the cultures on this planet will notice very quickly that there are many different religions, there are many different religions throughout the world and they don’t even predominate in particular areas. There may be areas where there are many different religions. There may be areas where there is just one religion that predominates and doesn’t allow any others. There are some areas that allow a predominance of religions and everyone is allowed to worship the way they wish.

However, what you have to notice if you begin studying religions is that there are differences among them, and often profound differences. Also quite often within these differences there is direct accusation at other religions that they are incorrect and that the truth is only found within one religion, being the one that that religion is. If one is trying to learn about the truth and learn about reality, one of the things that comes on this plate of knowledge is attempting to understand God, and attempting to understand the relationship between man and God.

Now, all of these religions offer an understanding as to what God is, who God is, an explanation of God and the relationship between man and God. But the scriptures tell us that a people are governed in a way that reflects who they are. In other words their national situation has to do with who they are as people. In other words there is an influence on the surrounding country of the way people are and that comes back on them in the way they are governed. Well, this goes a little further, in reality, in the way people are influenced the way they see God, and the way they define God, and the way they worship God. For instance a cool, harsh, barbaric people see a cool, harsh, barbaric God. And that God allows them to do cruel, harsh and barbaric things in His name. A gentle people with appropriate behavior towards each other and kindness towards each other, see a gentle, kind God, who expects people to be gentle and kind towards each other and have tolerance towards each other.

So, is God defining Himself for us or are we as people defining God based on our own proclivities, the way we want to see things and the way we want to do things? And do we as peoples define God, so that He fits our idea of society so that we can do what we want, as opposed to doing what is correct and what is appropriate?