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Posted by Azdinne on April 28, 19101 at 21:10:38:
In Reply to: how am i supposed to believe? posted by fcc on January 22, 19101 at 18:34:12:
: how are you supposed to believe in something so contradictory, something that has no proof but a couple of books?
The idea that the Bible is truth itself is largely a fundamentalist Protestant view and it is quite misguided. The existentialist believes that religious experience is up to the individual and his understanding of the Preconceptual. True religion cannot be rationalized too much. Don't let some con man trick you into a confession that you do not believe.
Personally, I am Roman Orthodox. I feel uplifted when I see fine art and architeture and I appreciate the order and dignity of Roman prayer and Liturgy. This is the humanistic side of my faith. The inner mysteries are traditions that have been handed down by our fathers and the Saints and I contemplate them and appreciate them as much as I can. Does it all make perfect sense? No. But if it did, it would not be much of a religion would it?
Note on the Bible:
When ever you hear some person tell you, "the Bible is the word of God," pitty him. The first chapter of the Evangel of St. John, he clearly tells us that Christ is the word of God. What these Reformers are doing is they are ascribing Divine nature to a created thing. Yes the Bible is inspired, but nonetheless fashioned with human hands. They are practicing what is known as idolatrous veneration of the Bible, a heresy.
The Bible is only meant to be used as a liturgical icon. If one reads it outside of Church it should only be done in such a way that it is spiritually profitable. Too many people are taking the Bible apart and putting it back together (hermeneutics) or they are memorizing it for scripture shootouts... Pointless exercises.
I would encourage you to find something you like at a Church. Personally, I would not go to the local Baptist Silo with electric guitars. That's silly and I would think that it gets old. Buy a sharp looking suit and then visit a different church every sunday, like a tourist. If you find something that reflects your ethnic tradition and liturgical taste then you can think on it a bit more. No need to be in crisis! It's your own choice.
your friend,
Azdinne al-Mehdi