Comments on: #7 We fear not God, Who busts us not http://thenakedtheologian.com/2009/01/26/7-we-fear-not-god-who-busts-us-not/ This blog is devoted to stripped-down theology Mon, 07 May 2012 02:21:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Josh Davis http://thenakedtheologian.com/2009/01/26/7-we-fear-not-god-who-busts-us-not/#comment-41 Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:02:06 +0000 http://thenakedtheologian.wordpress.com/?p=148#comment-41 I think mature spirituality does not act out of a fear of punishment from God(dess), nor from a desire for any benefit. There is a Sufi saying (can’t remember who exactly said it): “If I worship You from fear of Hell, send me to Hell; if I worship You from desire for heaven, deny me heaven.” Fear of punishment, as well as its obverse, desire for gain, is a low form of religious sentiment. It may be what initially impels one on a spiritual or religious path but it seems little more than a form of magical thinking.

Do we need oaths to make us live up to our potential? Are they even helpful? In my experience the answer is no. They may help us to “stay strong” in the short run, but in the long run it seems that we must be our own source of strength. As I am a non-dualist (God and Soul are not-two) this amounts to relying on God(dess).

As for what is demanded of us, I like St. Augustine, “Love and do what thou wilt.” There is nothing in particular that anyone is required to do, but all must try their best to apply the law of Love to every particular situation. And we should do this not from fear of punishment or hope for reward, but because Love is our highest nature, the fulfillment of our highest potential. We sacrifice because we love, and we love because that is what we are, swear to God(dess).

]]> By: Robin Edgar http://thenakedtheologian.com/2009/01/26/7-we-fear-not-god-who-busts-us-not/#comment-40 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:58:23 +0000 http://thenakedtheologian.wordpress.com/?p=148#comment-40 BTW *The* Naked Theologian are you aware that the acronym for your pseudonym is TNT?

Just asking. ;-)

]]> By: Robin Edgar http://thenakedtheologian.com/2009/01/26/7-we-fear-not-god-who-busts-us-not/#comment-39 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:56:11 +0000 http://thenakedtheologian.wordpress.com/?p=148#comment-39 Oh dear. . .

: + ( = :( :)

]]> By: Robin Edgar http://thenakedtheologian.com/2009/01/26/7-we-fear-not-god-who-busts-us-not/#comment-38 Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:55:10 +0000 http://thenakedtheologian.wordpress.com/?p=148#comment-38 :( some would argue that Jesus, the Buddha, and President Obama are exceptions)

Well, just for starters, it is open to some debate just how well Jesus lives up to his own personal religious rhetoric about loving one’s enemies isn’t it? ;-)

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