Skewed beliefs

Although we all have our beliefs some beliefs seem to be based on what other people say. I find this leads to people saying things like the man in the sky. Or thinking about god as strictly a supernatural being. Like a magical being. These beliefs make it impossible to even believe in any kind of Creator. But could it be what some people want so they don't really have to consider the possibility.

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SW-User

It does seem that many take their lead from Biblical literalists (which in many ways is a fairly modern way of understanding the Bible) and thus the God they do not believe in (😀) is only a caricature of any possible supreme Being/Source.

Thomas Merton offers a more "intellectual" analysis/explanation of all this in an essay "The New Consciousness" contained in his book "Zen and the Birds of Appetite:-

[i]Cartesian thought[/i] (i.e. "I think therefore I am" ) [i]began with an attempt to reach God as object by starting from the thinking self. But when God becomes object, he sooner or later “dies,” because God as object is ultimately unthinkable. God as object is not only a mere abstract concept, but one which contains so many internal contradictions that it becomes entirely non-negotiable except when it is hardened into an idol that is maintained in existence by a sheer act of will.[/i]

Anyway, whatever, here a depiction of The Old Man in the Sky" concept of God.....

.......oh, ooops, sorry, that's an old man on the beach....😀

Axeroberts · 56-60, M

@SW-User but you kind of prove my point. Other people's beliefs instead of developing your own

SW-User

@Axeroberts I'm a non-theist. I'm merely surmising how others may think, and the reasons why - always a bit of a fool's game I admit.