How Do You Imagine God?
God in America and USA WEEKEND Magazine are partnering to explore Americans' images of God.
How do you imagine God? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator All we know of God is what we can observe in our world. God created nature to give us a glimpse of himself. All else is superstition and myth. Just like many of our Founding Fathers, I believe in the God of Nature who oversees his creation, and has given to us, his creatures, the gift of reason that we may be able to rule our world with wisdom and appreciation for the order he created.
My Beliefs
I believe ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator I believe that God has revealed himself to us through the universe he created. No man can claim special knowledge of God or messages from him. It is our responsibility to do as much good in this world as we have the resources and ability to accomplish. Man's religions reflect his own desires rather than those of some deity. Every one of us was born with an equal capacity for both good and evil. Every choice we make determines both the path that we will follow, as well as our ability to do either good or evil in our lives. Morality is simply what we use to make those decisions.
My most powerful moment of belief was ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator My belief became solid when I began to write about my journey of faith. As I chronicled how and why my faith changed, my realization of who I was became so very real. I felt truly freed from bondage. It was during this time that I discovered a name for my new faith: Deism.
My greatest moment of doubt was ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator As I first began to question the beliefs upon which I had been raised, my mind struggled to convince my heart that this was really the truth. It took me months of diligent study to accept that for 40 years, my life had been held in bondage by superstition. Fear of the rejection and condemnation that would come from my family and friends kept me silent for even longer.
My spiritual life means... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator I have a much simpler and clearer appreciation for God's work of creation and the unlimited potential with which he has endowed mankind. I no longer fear God or his judgment and have no guilt over the choices I make in my life. Those are the tools of religion, not of the loving God of the universe.
The biggest misconception about my faith/belief system is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Most people think that a Deist has no moral compass. I believe that we have a better compass than any religion, since we do not have to blindly follow the ancient sayings of a book of dubious origin, or the machinations of a denomination or pastor. Just like my country, I am powered by an enlightened mind. I am free to use the most powerful computer in the world to evaluate situations and all of the options available to me and make wise choices.
My spiritual role model is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Thomas Paine
The tenet/practice/teaching I appreciate most about my faith is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator My faith is based on reason rather than blindfolded fear and guilt.
My Faith History
As a child I believed ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator That I was born a sinner and needed a savior; this savior was Jesus who died on a cross to forgive me of my sins and guarantee me a place in heaven. Those who did not take this step of faith were condemned to a tortured eternity in hell.
My spiritual journey has been ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator dramatic. I never imagined that I could believe differently than I had been taught for so many years.
I was raised as ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator A conservative Baptist.
Are your beliefs or practices different from your parents? If so, how and why? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator My parents have remained faithful to the Baptist church and cannot imagine anything else. Like most Christians, they have a fear and distrust of anything outside of their chosen faith.
If you have children, did becoming a parent change your relationship to faith? If so, how? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator I was still a Christian, studying the tenets of our faith with dedication (eventually going to seminary) throughout my years of starting and raising a family. Our faith had a strong emphasis on discipline and training within the family. Now, my only desire is to allow my children to use their minds as God intends, not in the bondage of religion, but in enlightened freedom, appreciation, and tolerance for all other philosophies.
How I Practice My Faith
Where and when do you practice your faith? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator I practice it at all times. I have written a book which I hope will be published soon, and write articles for examiner.com regularly. I make my faith a part of social contact as well, such as on my Facebook page.
Does your family practice more than one religion or faith? If so, how do you blend the traditions? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator We do not practice any religion as a family, but all are free to explore whatever tradition might appeal to their own ideas about God.
How easy or difficult is it to live your faith? Why? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator It is as natural as breathing. I love to express my faith an any way I can.
In my house, the thing that most represents my faith is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Books that represent many different philosophies.
The song/book/film that most represents my faith is ... your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator The Reason Driven Life
Religion & the Public Square
What should be the role of religion in politics? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Every person lives by the philosophy of their choice. In that way, their political agenda will drive their political opinion. In some cases, people realize that it is dangerous and unfair to impose their religion on society as a whole. Our Founders made it clear that this was not healthy for a free people. When government begins to favor certain groups over others, the very fabric of our freedom begins to unravel.
Should courses about religion be taught in public schools? Why or why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Comparative religion is definitely desirable in school. Young people need to be taught that there are a plethora of options for them. And children must also be taught how to think and how to take responsibility for their decisions. This must go hand in hand with philosophy. Unfortunately, most are taught what to think instead.
Should the Bible, Torah, Quran or other religious texts be taught as works of literature in public schools? Why or why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Yes. But every culture has a wide variety of literature which should not be ignored. All of these provide a glimpse of the rich heritage that shaped the world at various times and places. Lessons from the past help us to avoid the mistakes and improve upon the successes of past societies.
Is interfaith dialogue important? Why or why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator We must seek to understand what makes other people tick. While we should not condemn anyone, it is important that all are encouraged to consider how they might use their faith and tradition to reach out to others and promote the best qualities of all faiths.
Do you feel comfortable discussing your faith with others? Why/why not? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator It is what I love to do. I believe that all of us must be willing to change and to learn from others regardless of how different our viewpoints. None of us is perfect or always "right". Improving my perspective can be a positive thing. You may be able to show a way in which my ideology is short sighted. I may be able to do the same for you.
Do you feel that you have a duty, because of your faith, to put your beliefs into action? What are some of those actions? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator I don't favor the idea of "duty". But as I have said before, we are responsible for our actions and the outcomes they produce. Showing kindness and offering a helping hand to an elderly woman is a very simple way to show love and compassion. Offering food to a homeless man is a no-brainer, contrary to what a former pastor of mine taught.
Are religious beliefs compromised by engaging in politics? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator Only when those beliefs are forced upon the general public through legislation and either favoritism for one group or the denial of rights to another.
Has 9/11 had any impact on your thoughts about religion? Are you more/less interested in learning about other religions? Do you feel more/less comfortable expressing your religious beliefs? your photo/ link/ video has been held for approval by a moderator No. At that time, I simply viewed all other religions as wrong. Now, I believe that there are "terrorists" in all religions; some are just more dangerous than others. I do feel more confident in the expression of my faith, because my belief is much stronger and more natural than it was before.
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