What if this was your only life? What if you only had this one chance to live? What if nothing happens after you die and your energy just goes back into the earth? If this were your only life how would you live it? What would you do differently that you are not doing now? This is not meant to challenge your religious beliefs, rather to stimulate you to think and share your thoughts on the brevity of life and the inspiration that each day could hold.
This is not a "what-if".
ReplyDeleteI find it scary that the majority of America believes in a biblical interpretation of "the afterlife".
Your "hypothetical" is an excellent POV, and hopefully people shall wake up, and take the ONE life they have, and make the most of it..
There are no second chances with this.. and it's sad to see so many people waste what beautiful life they have :(
Hey Bobby,
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting that. I think there's something really important for you to hear.
You can ask those questions freely, "What if this is our only life? Etc." But why not also ask the opposing side, what if this isn't our only life? Maybe it's because the opposing side is a bit uncomfortable.
The Bible says that this isn't our only life and our "energy" doesn't just go back into the earth. It says that we're going to die once and after this we'll be judged by God who created us in His image. Both man and woman.
Then after judgement we'll either go to a real heaven or a real hell for eternity.
In light of what the Bible says, it'd be insane to simply ignore it. However, it would be reasonable to look into what it says.
God has written his law on our hearts. Because we're made in His image, we know it's wrong to lie, steal, use God's name in vian, be selfish, murder or hate someone.
The word "conscience" means "with knowledge."
Con=with
Science=Knowledge
So when we lie, steal, be selfish, we do it with the knowledge that it's wrong because God has given us a conscience.
When we break God's laws, we sin against Him and against our fellow man. We fail to love God who created us and we fail to love our fellow man.
Because we break God's laws, we deserve to be punished accordinly.
However, let me stop using the word "we" and I'll turn it personally to "you." Just like me and the rest of the world, you are also guilty of breaking God's law. Your also an imperfect human that has done things that were wrong I bet.
Because of that, God has said in the Bible that you will die and be punished and God's place of punishment will be hell. When you look around you and see people dieing, you should look at that and say, "Wow, that's God judgement upon man for sinning against Him." It should cause you to fear.
However, let me give you the good news to all of this. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay for the crimes that you've committed. Jesus was born supernaturally of a virgin, He lived a perfect-sinless life, and then gave up His life for your sake. He shed His life's blood so that you didn't have to go to hell but could be saved from the wrath that is to come once you die. After Jesus died, He rose from the dead, defeating death.
Turn away from your sins and apologize to God for sinning against Him. Thank His Son Jesus Christ for dieing on the cross and believe what I'm telling you.
God loves you so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shouldn't perish but have everlasting life.
Bobby, this isn't the only life man, God offers you EVERLASTING life with Him.
If you have a Bible, read it and believe the things you read. They won't ever fail you. The Bible isn't just another book but it's the actual words from God's mouth. Becoming a Christian isn't joining a religion but it's having faith in CHRIST to do all these things for you (CHRIST-ian). Ask God to show Himself to you.
God bless you and I really hope that He'll cause your eyes to be opened to the truth.
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ReplyDeleteinspiration is:
ReplyDeletemy daughter discovering life
early morning sunrise when the world is still asleep.
sunset when the sky is pink and blue.
traveling the world and being open to other cultures, religions and beleives.
having a good conversation with a close friend.
inspiration killers are:
sitting in a car all day
paying bills
small minded people
Hi Bobby,
ReplyDelete(This is in correlation to what the anonymous Bible writer wrote.)
If this was the only life to live and there is not something more, then why not take the easy way with every life decision?
When it gets tough to be in a marraige, why not end all that heart ache and depression? Why not stop working on the promise that you made to the one you love?
When kids are too hard to handle, why go through stress out(and kids will definitely make you stress)? Stress is the leader of many deaths and if I don't want to be stressed out then why not just leave?
That emptiness that people try and fill with any number of pleasure i.e. sex, drugs, co-dependency, power, food... all that is, is the emptiness that God can only fill. He is the key to true JOY not to fake happiness.
If you have never seen the happy face of a young orphanage child that is eating ice scream for the first time, or built a roof for a family that does not have one, talked someone out of killing themselves and not having a clue where the words came from, and doing all of it for something greater then yourself then you are missing out on the best JOY you will ever get as a human.
When you set your focus on something greater then your self all your answers will be clear. Because if I didn't have something more to live for then I know that I would take the easy (wide) road that leads to self happiness, self gratification, self reliance, self accomplishment, and I would be missing out on everything that God has to offer. Until you lose self you will never realize how much potential you have to change the world.
Short musical skit that sums it all up:
CLICK HERE!
Out of the mouth of babes(kids)...
CLICK Me TOO!
-(work in progress)Will
I'm stirred that this has inspired such open communication. Yay! I figured people may get very religious in this thread which is to be expected.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has their beliefs and honestly I respect that we all come from different places with different religions and phiosophies. I don't want to attempt to belittle them at all.
With that, I've been extremely inspired by the idea that this is my life and my only life. Just that thought allows me to do things differently. It allows me to embrace every day, every moment and not waste any time dwelling on trivial things. It's freed me to be a better person.
William, you bring up a good point that if we lived our lives so whimsically that we may always take the easy way out. For me life is all about the challenge. If I'm not challenged then I am dying. Personally the challenges are the real nuggets in life. I hope I would never run from a challenge. Of course it's much easier to do so, but there's no growth in that.
My hope in this posting is that people who may be sitting there waiting for life to "happen" may wake up one day and wonder what happened. That would be the saddest thing ever and I wanted people to be pushed to realize that their life is not only what happens, but what you make of it.
Whether or not this life is the only one, I see no point to living any other way. Make every moment count, no regrets.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why religion has to be brought into this. Words on a page provide about as much philosophical support as say... The Matrix. Yea it's a fun story, but until you go to heaven, meet god, and come back to post on this blog, I'm gonna spend my time reading Harry Potter hoping that original thought will prevail over mindless control-oriented bullshit.
The concept of life and afterlife is a spiritual one, not religious.
I agree that no matter what you believe you should live life to the fullest. When your dying of mad old age you should be able to look back on life (if you can remember it) and feel good about what you've done.
ReplyDeleteLiving life to the fullest for me would mean helping out those people who are stuck in poverty/sickness/hardship, building lifelong friendships built on trust and care and making other peoples burdens that little easier to bear or maybe taking their burdens away altogether.
ReplyDeleteIf I could find a way to integrate animation into that somehow. I think I'd have a very fulfilling life (animation optional).
Great post Bobby, love the discussion it's generated :)
This is a very interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI respect everyone's personal Philosophies on life. I really do agree with you Bobby on the point that many men are just waiting for things to happen. There is a great quote by Throeau: "Many men live lives of quite depression". Most tend to go though life with out rhyme or reason. They are merely surviving life. There not Thriving! Getting as much out of life as possible learning for the greatest people before them. Such as Aristotle, Plato, Michelangelo, and many or Geniuses.
I'm a Roman Catholic, which transcends in every part of my life. I put every thing in my life for God. I absolutely love him. My vocation to become a Animator is something I definitely give him many thanks for. Such do other great animators(Glen Keane, Keith Lango)
I really don't want to come off as trying to push my beliefs on anyone here. I just want to state that I believe that someone's faith is part of themsevels and not just a somthing you do on the weekends.
That's definitely what keeps me motivated :)
This is an amazing question. People could spend hours discussing the many variables in the "what if" scenario.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I would be perfectly content if after I died my energy went back into the earth. I think this would be the most rewarding and peaceful option!
Truthfully, I really don't believe I would change anything. Although I'm not quite living my dream yet, I do believe the journey getting their is what's real. Once I reach that dream, I hope I continue to dream to have something to strive towards - "just keep swimming" right?
Although I do believe in reincarnation, I don't ever make decisions based on "I'll get another chance." So I guess I operate thinking this IS it - in this moment, this lifetime, make it count. I also don't decide each day to be a good person just to get to heaven (or wherever).
All said and done, I'm very fortunate and grateful to be who I am and have the family and friends I have. I wouldn't change any of the things that matter most to me.
Thanks for helping me realize this.
Cheers to Life!
Everything in the world is evidence for your "what-if".
ReplyDeleteWhen an apple falls off the tree, it feeds the earth, where another tree may grow.
The apple doesn't float up into the sky on magical wings to live in the clouds with the all-mighty magical Apple Tree.
Just because you have decided not to subscribe to their beliefs doesn't give you the right to attack and belittle others spiritual beliefs JP.
ReplyDeleteHow about adding to the "what-if" discussion and if you really want to attack people's beliefs (which is something Bobby wanted to avoid if I'm not mistaken) at least do it in a way that shows that you actually care about the other person and are not just on an ego trip for thinking your right in your assumptions.
Frankly I'd like to hear from anyone, no matter what belief they're coming from because we're all human with hopes and dreams.
Hello again,
ReplyDeleteThis is "the anonymous Bible writer" as William Richards called me.
If I said, 2+2=5...would this be true? Absolutely no.
If I said, 2+2=4...would this be true? Absolutely yes.
There are absolutes in life. Two people can't believe contradictory things and both be right.
Person A believes 2+2=5 and person B believes 2+2=4, one's wrong and the other's right. Person A is wrong and person B is right. It'd be absurd if someone thought that both were right.
Let me throw out a statement.
Everyone is going to die.
Is this true? Yes.
Let's proceed further...
This time, I'm going to throw out a biblical statement from Hebrews 9:27 in the Bible.
"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
This is actually two statements:
1)We're all going to die (We already know this is true)
2)After we die, we're all going to be judged
We know the 1st part of that statement is true because we solved that equation earlier. However, we still haven't figured out if this 2nd part is true.
The answer is that it's true.
Now if someone says:
When we die, nothing happens.
Then another person, (myself in this case), says:
When we die, we face judgement.
Both people CAN'T be telling the truth because they're contradictory. If the truth is that we actually do face judgement, then something does happen, we're judged!
And if we're judged after we die, then something is happening and the statement,
"When we die, nothing happens"
Isn't accurate. It's a lie. Falsehood.
If you fail to believe that something does indeed happen after we die what if you are wrong? What if God, Jesus, the prophets, the Jews, and Christians are right and you are wrong? If there is no afterlife, no Judgment Day, no heaven, and no hell, then God is unjust and each of the above is guilty of being a false witness. It means that Almighty God couldn’t care less about the fact that a man rapes a woman, then cuts her throat and is never brought to justice. If you are right, and there is no ultimate justice, you won’t even have the joy of saying, "I told you so." However, if you are wrong, you will lose your soul and end up eternally damned. You are playing Russian roulette with a fully loaded gun.
2+2 only = 4 as thats what we have been told for years. Other than that it could be 5.
ReplyDeleteAs for religion, if there is some almighty power, why is there so much suffering going on in the world? Don't these people have the right to a better life?
Life is what you make it. But circumstances play a big factor in the way you approach and go through life.
We cannot change the cards we are dealt, it just how we play the hand.
So make the most of what you have, and constantly challenge your self.
My God (nice figure of speech, eh?), this bible writer guy is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThere is no such thing as truth, merely a perception of what we believe to be true. Words are not real - they are symbols that represent meaning; truth is, "meaning" has no meaning, 'naw what I mean?
The bible is full of great stories and ideals, but this word-for-word literal interpretation of it is quite simply insane.
Scientology gets a lot of flak for being absurd - some guy wrote a ridiculous book and told people it's the truth. Sound like another book you've read?
Save this preachy bullshit for church.
You don't need to believe in God or the bible to have morals. I can't wait to burn in hell for my [lack of] beliefs - any God who would punish me based on my thought process sounds like a dick and I wouldn't want to hang out with him anyway. Give me some freaky demon S&M any day.
This is "the anonymous bible writer" again.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to address suffering.
Someone made the comment:
"...why is there so much suffering going on in the world? Don't these people have the right to a better life?"
If you study the soil for a moment. You'll notice it naturally produces weeds. No one plants them; no one waters them. They even stubbornly push through cracks of a dry sidewalk. Millions of useless weeds sprout like there’s no tomorrow, strangling our crops and ruining our lawns. Pull them out by the roots, and there will be more tomorrow. They are nothing but a curse!
Consider how much of the earth is uninhabitable. There are millions of square miles of barren deserts in Africa and other parts of the world. Most of Australia is nothing but miles and miles of useless desolate land. Not only that, but the earth is constantly shaken with massive earthquakes. Its shores are lashed with hurricanes; tornadoes rip through creation with incredible fury; devastating floods soak the land; and terrible droughts parch the soil. Sharks, tigers, lions, snakes, spiders, and disease-carrying mosquitoes attack humanity and suck its life’s blood.
The earth’s inhabitants are afflicted with disease, pain, suffering, and death. Think of how many people are plagued with cancer, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, emphysema, Parkinson’s, and a number of other debilitating illnesses. Consider all the children with leukemia, or people born with crippling diseases or without the mental capability to even feed themselves. All these things should convince thinking minds that something is radically wrong. Did God blow it when He created humanity? What sort of tyrant must our Creator be if this was His master plan?
Sadly, many use the issue of suffering as an excuse to reject any thought of God, when its existence is the very reason we should accept Him. Suffering stands as terrible testimony to the truth of the explanation given by the Word of God. But how can we know that the Bible is true? Simply by studying the prophecies of Matthew 24, Luke 21, and 2 Timothy 3. A few minutes of openhearted inspection will convince any honest skeptic that this is no ordinary book. It is the supernatural testament of our Creator about why there is suffering...and what we can do about it.
The Bible tells us that God cursed the earth because of Adam’s transgression. Weeds are a curse. So is disease. Sin and suffering cannot be separated. The Scriptures inform us that we live in a fallen creation. In the beginning, God created man perfect, and he lived in a perfect world without suffering. It was heaven on earth. When sin came into the world, death and misery came with it. Those who understand the message of Holy Scripture eagerly await a new heaven and a new earth "wherein dwells righteous-ness." In that coming Kingdom there will be no more pain, suffering, disease, or death. We are told that no eye has ever seen, nor has any ear heard, neither has any man’s mind ever imagined the wonderful things that God has in store for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Think for a moment what it would be like if food grew with the fervor of weeds. Consider how wonderful it would be if the deserts became incredibly fertile, if creation stopped devouring humanity. Imagine if the weather worked for us instead of against us, if disease completely disappeared, if pain was a thing of the past, if death was no more.
The dilemma is that we are like a child whose insatiable appetite for chocolate has caused his face to break out with ugly sores. He looks in the mirror and sees a sight that makes him depressed. But instead of giving up his beloved chocolate, he consoles himself by stuffing more into his mouth. Yet, the source of his pleasure is actually the cause of his suffering. The whole face of the earth is nothing but ugly sores of suffering. Everywhere we look we see unspeakable pain. But instead of believing God’s explanation and asking Him to forgive us and change our appetite, we run deeper into sin’s sweet embrace. There we find solace in its temporal pleasures, thus intensifying our pain, both in this life and in the life to come.
Again, this is "the anonymous Bible writer."
ReplyDeleteJust quickly I wanted to respond to this comment left by someone:
"There is no such thing as truth, merely a perception of what we believe to be true. Words are not real - they are symbols that represent meaning; truth is, "meaning" has no meaning, 'naw what I mean?"
Those who say that there are no absolutes are often very adamant about their belief. If they talk like they are absolutely sure, then they are wrong because their own statement is an absolute. If they are not 100 percent sure, then there is a chance that they are wrong and they are risking their eternal salvation by trusting in a wrong belief. God tells us that there is an objective, absolute truth that is not subject to man’s interpretations or whims, on which we can base our eternity. That truth is the Word of God (John 17:7).
Okay folks, this is fun, but we may want to go to alt.religion.rant.org or some place to discuss this in depth. Ha ha. I think the intensity at which this is going, however extremely interesting, was not my original intention, but it does stimulate great conversation! :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, there are too many "Anonymous" people here. Why don't you post your names? I have a good feeling who "the anonymous bible writer" is but why hide? If you want to put yourself and your ideas out there why don't you do it? Strange to hide? Be proud of your beliefs and who you are. I'm doing my best to encourage open speech, but when people are "anonymous" then anything can be said and it actually doesn't have as much validity because it becomes a shouting match where everyone is howling at no one.
My mom called me the other night to give me a lecture about me being an Atheist. She said "aren't you afraid to burn in hell?" In reading the Anonymous Bible Writers words I hear the same "fear based" feeling that my mom had.
For me I want to live my life as "good" as I can. I am VERY moral and honest in my life. If there is judgment and there is a god and s/he sends me to hell because I didn't acknowledge their existence then so be it. I will take that gamble because it makes absolutely zero sense to me; i.e. 2 + 2 = ?.
I don't want to live my life in fear and I also do not want to live a life of crime either. I just want to live with my own morals and guidelines; i.e. it's okay to be gay, gay marriage, freedom of choice for women, etc. These are things that I believe in and feel are quite fine about. If I burn because of them, then so be it. I am proud of who I am and my beliefs. I respect difference of opinions.
All in all, I'm so excited to be alive and it sounds like many of us here have different beliefs yet we all have the desire to really embrace the beauty of life. That is golden!
I think we are amongst good company in that the people reading this blog are most likely inspired people. That's awesome as I love surrounding myself with that type of energy.
I would only hope that if you are reading this and you feel there are things holding you back that you may want to let go (within your personal beliefs) and make some decisions in your life to kick start whatever it is you want to do/live/be in this lifetime.
You are all freaking amazing!
"Those who say that there are no absolutes are often very adamant about their belief. If they talk like they are absolutely sure, then they are wrong because their own statement is an absolute. If they are not 100 percent sure, then there is a chance that they are wrong and they are risking their eternal salvation by trusting in a wrong belief."
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely sure that I'll never be sure. Yep, that's a contradiction of sorts, I'm cool with it. If life were a color, it would be gray. Right, wrong, black, white, everything, nothing, it's all a matter of perspective.
A belief is a belief, it's not something you know, it's something you THINK. There's no such thing as an inherently "wrong" belief; words and thoughts are not absolute, they are all relative. What do you know? I know I think - thanks Descartes.
Seriously, save those who want saving, join the Coast Guard. Telling people they're wrong and going to burn in hell really makes your religion look attractive. I remember a guy who punished those who were different, his name was Adolf Hitler. Was he doing God's work? If that's the type of thing God does, let's at least hope he doesn't sport such a silly mustache.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-religion - I've learned a lot from all sorts of religions; I think it all falls flat when it becomes an organized "movement."
Bobby starts a conversation, and instead of saying "hey, this is what I think" it's "I think you're wrong, here's what the bible says, you don't believe it you're completely fucked." Others managed to state their thoughts on God completely tastefully; I apologize for being less so, but I'm a jerk, deal with it!
Anyway, as far as being anonymous, I usually only read these blogs; but I love philosophy and how easy it is to talk endlessly about these ambiguous concepts so I figured I'd throw my 2 cents in. I'll take the time to register if I find myself wanting to contribute more often. My name's David Lamb, I'm in the phone book, look me up and scream hateful things at me if you so please!
While I'm at it, thanks for the blog Bobby, I really enjoy reading it. If you like Ekhart Tolle, I highly reccomend A New Earth if you haven't read it already.
Alright, I realized how stupid it was to avoid the 2 minute registration process... here I am!
ReplyDeleteAnyway faithful people will always win.Because if there's nothing after dying,no one will have a chance to say ''I was right''.But if there's a afterlife faithful people will have a chance to say:''I was right.'' ;)
ReplyDeleteDavid, thanks or putting yourself out there and it's my pleasure to post thoughts that get people thinking!
ReplyDeleteI have not read "A New Earth" yet. I have it in my queue. I'mm reading "Sophie's World" at the moment. You may like that very much.
Hey Bobby,
ReplyDeleteWell, here's the thing I'm not about to choose sides because I'm not quite sure where I stand on the existence of God at this point in my life. I've studied a lot of religions and sciences.... guess what, they ALL make valid points.
"Believe nothing just because a so-called wise person said it. Believe nothing just because a belief is generally held. Believe nothing just because it is said in ancient books. Believe nothing just because it is said to be of divine origin. Believe nothing just because someone else believes it. Believe only what you yourself test and judge to be true."- Buddha
However, whether or not there IS an afterlife, there is only ONE life like the one that we are living right NOW. So why not live it to the fullest! What makes life Beautiful is essence of the fact that it can be taken away at ANY time. So don't waste time waiting for right time to do something special in life. Whether or not that something special is for yourself or for someone else THE RIGHT TIME IS NOW! It is in the journey that we find happiness, not the destination.
I'm also sick of people waiting for life to happen, waiting for life to get better, or waiting for an opportunity... Let's MAKE life happen, let's make life better, and let's create opportunities. As an aspiring animator I can't wait for knowledge or opportunities to come to me because everything about animation is a challenge. That's what I love about it, which I'm sure you feel the same.
As far as the question of "why not take the easy way out?" Is there really such a thing as an "easy" path in life....Every path traveled has it's bumps, smooth ground, and maybe a few cliffs to jump over that can only be crossed by just jumping with your eyes closed and hoping for the best....
So I leave you with a quote from the movie, Coach Carter,
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We were all meant to shine.
It's not just in some of us it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
We unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others."
So basically live life to the fullest with NO REGRETS. Put everything you've got into whatever you do. This is the only way we can make the world better. The only way to positively contribute to society is take the best of who YOU are and put it to use. We all have something unique to contribute to life. Doing this can only inspire others to do the same. What will you do with your life? Will you use this little time that we have on Earth to make sure that our memory lives on forever and to change the world for the better?
Richie Gunzer
p.s.
I'm a HUGE fan of you and AM I hope to take my own work to level of the students there.
Excuse me Josh Bowman, but do not be so incredibly hypocritical, no one asked for you to act the hero with your bias attack on someone who YOU did not agree with.
ReplyDeleteI find what you said incredibly insulting and out of place. If you feel you need to patrol and police these comments then please do not only choose the ones that don't support YOUR beliefs.
Umit, the claim that the faithful are in a win-win situation because there 'might' be an afterlife (a position know to philosophers as Pascal's Wager)is very well-refuted.
ReplyDeleteThe problem is that believing in an afterlife is not cost-free. Think of all those Sundays spent in church, the time spent in prayer, the opportunities forgone due to religious tenets.
There are also the costs to others who do not share your beliefs - gay people, people who might have benefited from stem-cell research. The Twin Towers tragedy would almost certainly not have occurred the way it did had the perpetrators lived life without the assumption that they would receive heavenly rewards for their unquestioning resolve...
For my part, I think the best we can do is live life with honesty, treat others as we would have them treat us (the Golden Rule), and form our own philosophy based on rationality, common sense, openeness to new ideas, and the best information we have to hand. It's about maximising our own happiness and the happiness of others in the little time we have here. Anything more is a bonus.
Personally I don't think that an uncompromising adherence to an ancient text fits the bill here. These are manmade books written in times when peoples' understanding of the universe was very limited. They often contain plenty of human wisdom accumulated over the centuries, but also lots of contradictions, and a great many ugly and distasteful ideas also - read 'Leviticus' in the Bible...
Enough rambing for me.. Phew. great (and pretty fundamental) question, Bobby!
Hey Bobby,
ReplyDeleteThis is "the anonymous Bible writer" writing. I hope that even though you don't know who I am, you can still examine what I say objectively.
I've been thinking about what I wanted to say to you all night.
Bobby, your mom must love you very much to speak to you in such a way. What if God is also using me to try to get your attention. You may considerate it coincidence but it's not.
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Proverbs 27:6).
A friend is someone that will deliver the blind man from walking off the cliff. The person that loves you the most will tell you the truth.
Let me tell you the truth Bobby, the Bible says,
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1)
I think you've mis-read your mom man. I know you've mis-read me.
You said, "In reading the Anonymous Bible Writers words I hear the same "fear based" feeling that my mom had."
I'm not writing to you out of simply fear but more out of love just like if I saw a blind man walking off a cliff, I wouldn't want him to perish.
Regarding fear, you might remember how in the late 1980s, TV commercials would ask, "What goes through the mind of a driver who is not wearing a seat belt in a head-on collision?" Then they showed a crash dummy having its head crushed by a steering wheel in a collision, and said, "The steering wheel!" Those were scare tactics, but no one complained because they were legitimate scare tactics. That’s what happens in a head-on collision if you are foolish enough to not put on a seat belt.
Now to warn you of hell is fearful, but it is absolutely legitimate, because the Bible says that it is a fearful thing for a sinner to fall into the hands of the living God.
You admit that your very moral and honest. The Bible says "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" (Proverbs 20:6).
Let's go through the Ten Commandments to see if you'll go to heaven when you die. (I'm sure you wouldn't mind, you got nothing to loose, you are a moral and honest person, right?)
Most people say, "Well, I've broken one or two, but nothing too serious, like murder, etc."
So let's go through them.
1. "You shall have no other gods before me."
Have you always put God first in your life? Jesus said to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, so much, that your love for your parents, brothers and sisters, friends, and even your own life is like hatred compared to your love and devotion for God. Have you ever failed to put Him first in your life?
2. "You shall not make for yourself any idol."
Who is God to you? Is he only a god of love and mercy who would never judge anyone and never cast anyone into Hell? If that's your god, then you're right. Your god couldn't cast anyone into Hell because he doesn't exist. He's a figment of your imagination. You've created a god in your own mind that you're more comfortable with. You may call it your "personal belief," but God calls it idolatry. It's the oldest sin in the Book, and the Bible warns that idolaters will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.
3. "You shall not take the name of God in vain."
Have you ever used God's name as a curse word? If you have, you've taken the holy name of God, who gave you your life, your family, and everything precious to you and used it as a filthy, four-letter word. Even Hitler's name wasn't despised enough to be used as a curse word! If you have used God's holy name in that manner, you are a blasphemer and the Bible says "God will not hold him guiltless who takes the name of the Lord in vain."
4. "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy."
God commands that we set aside one day in seven. Have you ever been guilty of breaking this Commandment?
5. "Honor your father and your mother."
Have you always honored your parents in a way that's pleasing in the sight of God? Ask Him to remind you of the sins of your youth. You may have forgotten them, but God hasn't.
6. "You shall not murder."
Jesus warned "Whoever is angry with his brother without cause, is in danger of judgment," (Matthew 5:22) and the Bible says, "He who hates his brother is a murderer," (1 John 3:15). God sees hatred in the heart to be as wicked as murder. We can violate His Law by attitude and intent.
7. "You shall not commit adultery."
Jesus warned,"You have heard...'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Have you ever looked at another person with lust? The Bible says that adulterers and fornicators (those who have had sex before marriage) will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
8. "You shall not steal."
Have you ever stolen anything (even if it was something small)? The value of the thing stolen doesn't matter; petty theft is still theft. Have you ever taken anything that belonged to someone else (from the office, school, parents, etc.)? If you have, that makes you a thief.
9. "You shall not lie."
Have you ever told a lie? Then you are a liar. How many murders do you have to commit to be a murderer? Just one. If you have told even one lie, that makes you a liar. The Bible warns that all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8). You may not think deceitfulness is a serious sin, but God does.
10. "You shall not covet."
This means we should never desire anything that belongs to another person. Not their house, nor their car, nor their money, nor their wife, nor their lifestyle, nor anything that belongs to our neighbor.
How did you do? I know that I didn't do good, infact, I've broken all of them if not in deed, in spirit. I've failed to keep God's law and be a "moral" person. I can't honestly say I'm a good person if I'm honest. I think that if your honest too, you can't say that either.
Bobby, you said, "If there is judgment and there is a god and s/he sends me to hell because I didn't acknowledge their existence then so be it. I will take that gamble..."
You won't be punished because you failed to acknowledge God's existence but because you've done crimes that need to be paid for. It's called justice and God is a God of justice and truth. You mention that your willing to take that gamble. You are. Not only that but if you have a wife and children, your risking there well-being as well.
The Bible says,
You said, "I don't want to live my life in fear and I also do not want to live a life of crime either. I just want to live with my own morals and guidelines; i.e. it's okay to be gay, gay marriage, freedom of choice for women, etc. These are things that I believe in and feel are quite fine about. If I burn because of them, then so be it. I am proud of who I am and my beliefs. I respect difference of opinions."
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7).
You may just want to live with your own morals and guidelines but try doing that with the law.
Try running a red light and explaining to the officer that you are just going to follow your own laws. He's probably going to think your crazy and write you a ticket.
Regardless of your beliefs and what you think should be, the laws are what they are.
In the same way, God has given laws and regardless of what you believe, that's what is. You live in His world and He's given those laws not because He's a cruel taskmaster but because He's a loving Creator and knows that murder is harmful, lieing is harmful, stealing is harmful, adulterery is harmful, yeah, blasphemey is harmful and having other gods besides Him is harmful.
"The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Psalm 10:4)
"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." (Matthew 7:21-23)
"Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished." (Proverbs 16:5)
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (1 Timothy 3:1-4).
"God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." (James 4:6)
I pray that you will go to God and apologize for the things you've done and ask for His forgiveness.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Hi there Bobby.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, sorry for my bad english, I'm from Spain.
Here's my personal formula to live the rest of my life happily.
I am a 25 years old character animation student. And I am very lucky because I know and live with the love of my life. So, I'm sure enough that no matter where I'll work,(better if it's in an animation studio, why not? xD) but I will come back home at evenings and she will be there, and we will share our life together. And probably we'll have children and my objective is to take care of them all since my life ends.
If you are confortable enough in your job. You have home and friends to be happy.
Of course enjoy your life to the maximum, don't leave things undone. That's my way.
Now GO! Animate something! (copying navone :P)
@Anonymous:
ReplyDeletewho's biased?
I'm a Jesus believer, that doesn't mean I don't treat other people with respect.
JP attacked the personal intelligence of not just "the majority of America" but also implied that anyone from any country that held a spiritual belief that there is something after death was also not as intelligent as those who do not believe there's anything after death.
Rather than adding to the topic at hand the only thing i read in JP's comments is belittling and condecension, there's no effort to contribute to the conversation, just tear down others and make a joke out of their life.
There are other people who have posted from all different beliefs who have been quite willing to add to the discussion without personally attacking the others posting.
The trouble with posting Anonymously (this goes for both you and the "Anon. Bible Writer" is that I have no clue who I'm actually talking to and a good discussion is only built through trust and genuine respect for the other person. Anon. Bible Writer may have the best intentions but posting anonymously on a message board saying people must believe or they're going to hell really isn't going to change anyones mind because A)There's no personal history/care/respect for the people he's talking to and B)Why would anyone want to be told their going to hell from a complete stranger, it doesn't change their mind about anything, only builds resentment.
I didn't belittle anyone for their religious/non-religious views because we're human and I respect people's intelligence and ability to choose for themselves, I simply though JP needed to post something that added to the discussion like most others.
If posting my name means that someone in the future will remember me and take issue with what I've said then so be it, I have much more respect for people who are confident enough in their philosophies to tell the world who they are, whether I agree with them or not.
Sorry Bobby, I realise this post doesn't "add" anything to the What-If scenario but I felt the need to make my stance clear :)
Hey bobby,
ReplyDeleteThis is quite a topic. I will add my two cents for what it is worth. I don't know if I would do anything differently. I have two great loves in my life. The first is my wife and my two little miracles (my son and daughter) the other is my job. The reason I group them as such is that these are the two things in my life that I have to find balance in. Traveling and experiencing the world I consider to be a close third but luckily my job as an animator and a wonderful partner makes seeing the world, not only possible, but much more enjoyable.
As for the rest of the posts I find it sad that people will use this discussion as a religious propaganda tool. I was raised a roman catholic but have struggled with my faith all my life. Am I an atheist now? I don't know. When my wife fell ill after the birth of our daughter I prayed to God to help her. In hindsight I would say it was more for my own comfort than my belief that God would actually help her. I know some people would say "... well you can't use God only when it is convenient for you" and maybe they are right but If God wants to hold that against me I'm ok with that.
For me, I try to be a good and trustworthy person for no other reason that I believe in humanity. I believe that all of us no matter our color, sexuality or religious beliefs have good in us and just want to live a simple life. I think we all just want to put food on our table and surround ourselves with people we can laugh with more than cry with.
In the end we are all people ... that might be a bit cliche but it is true.
thx
Hey Bobby, Winter 08 AM student\ Professional Animator here. About 3 months ago I started reading some of Steven Covey's books and it has made some very positive changes to my life. I notice that you talk quite a bit about the different books you have read that have made positive changes in your life. Could give some "self-help" book recommendations.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!!!!
Josh Bowman..
ReplyDeleteDo not attempt to disguise your hypocrisy simply by saying "I'm a Jesus believer, that doesn't mean I don't treat other people with respect."
..when every second paragraph, was a personal attack on JP.
WOW! This great. I too am a person who loves to read about beliefs. Not sure I could say I fall under any certain category. A few things that made me think about things were "anonymous" posts. They provoked thought, which i find appealing. I'll share my thoughts on some of the things mentioned.
ReplyDelete"It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
This is actually two statements:
1)We're all going to die (We already know this is true)
2)After we die, we're all going to be judged
We know the 1st part of that statement is true because we solved that equation earlier. However, we still haven't figured out if this 2nd part is true.
The answer is that it's true. "
--I agree that we KNOW the first part is true. But other than you saying the second part is true, where is the proof? The second part has no more validity than someone telling me that we are not judged after death. I'm not picking sides on this one, my point is neither side has a more solid point. There is no solid evidence to either side of the scenario. As for the dying, we all know this is a universal TRUTH.
Another thing that has always been thought provoking to me is this statement.
1. "You shall have no other gods before me."
This means the Christian god believed in other gods. This statement did not refer to other gods as being false or untrue. He/She is just claiming that he/she is at the top of the list. From some of reading i've done, it comes to mind that in modern times most of the time God refers to the Christian god. Who is in reality the Jewish god Yaweh. This too is very thought provoking, because this puts a name with God just as any other god during ancient times. To me it makes me think that if Yaweh was a god, and Zues was a god, and Ra was a god, then gods were a common thing during ancient times. If the god Yaweh was real, then why would all the other gods be considered make believe. This brings up the validity of statement number one. God himself acknowledged the other gods. Doesn't that make you think....it sure makes me think. And the best part is, it doesn't invalidate either side of the story. That is what i find so fascinating. Things that appear opposite can be all based in truth.
Ok. I've ranted enough. I always find these types of discussions thought provoking. I hope that i didn't offend anyone, I would never want to do that. I just enjoy observing both sides of the coin.
I for one am still on my spiritual journey. Looking for answers, researching beliefs and customs. I find it fascinating, and who knows where it will lead me.....heaven? hell? christian? jewish? buddhist? Hindew? etc, etc,
Good luck to all on their journey! May we all find what we are looking for!
Wow, I go away for a couple days and BOOM explosion in the topic. :) Nice.
ReplyDelete"Anonymous Bible Writer," great points and yes I can and do look at them objectively. At the same time I would only ask for the same in return. I simply do not believe in God the way you do. I respect your beliefs and understand that they guide you and give you something that you need.
When I said, "fear based" it's because I know many people believe in Christianity because the outcome of not is burning in eternal hell. I can see how that creates fear and honestly it did for me for a long time when I was younger.
I respect that Mormons go on missions to convert people to their religion and I respect your reaching out to do the same thing here. Honestly, I listen with an open mind yet I listen to my heart and I know what I feel. Don't feel like you have to convert me or change my beliefs, please. This is not realistic and not my intention.
The intention of this post was, again, to get people to realize that if they sit in a couch and twiddle their thumbs that life is going to pass them right by, and if you want something, go make it happen. Plain and simple.
This is "the anonymous Bible writer."
ReplyDeleteDieter Wagner,
When the Bible says, "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment," it's saying the truth.
This is because the Bible is inspired by God and God doesn't lie. Therefore whenever I read the Bible, I know it's telling me the truth even if I can't find the evidence for every statement it makes.
Imagine a place on the earth that never saw the sun. Day in, day out, it is covered with thick clouds. From the time a person was born until the time he died he never saw even a glimpse of the sun. Suppose you visited this place and tried to convince the inhabitants of the reality, the beauty, and the power of the sun. “Where I come from,” you say, “a huge yellow ball rises up over the sea each day and floats across the sky, no strings attached, giving warmth and light to those upon the earth. The reason you don’t experience it is because you are cut off from it by the clouds.” Although the thought may seem fantastic to those people, the fact that they don’t believe in it does not change the reality that it exists.
--
You also spoke about The First Commandment which says, "You shall have no other gods before Me." You said that this proves God isn't the only God.
Your right, that's true. Man has always made false gods. An old adage says, "God created man in His own image, and man has been returning the favor ever since." Hindus have millions of gods. Sometimes gods are made of wood or stone, other times man makes up a god in his mind. Whatever the case, making a god to suit yourself is called "idolatry," and is a transgression of both the First and Second of the Ten Commandments.
Just because the Bible is "inspired by" God doesn't mean that the Bible is the truth. Because no matter what the Bible was written by "men". It says so at the beginning of each chapter or book. The Bible did not just fall from the sky. I think we can all agree that there is no "man" who is perfect or all knowing. Who's to say that the people who wrote the chapters of the Bible did not make a mistake, interject their own beliefs or for that matter, lie. What if the people who wrote parts of the Bible were did not realize they were lying, but were mislead by the powers that be. Back in those times those who claimed to be prophets, but deemed a lier, were stoned to death. So who is to say which ones were the "false" prophets. Well, it was the people at the head of their society that chose. History is always written by those who are in charge at that particular moment in time.
ReplyDeleteNow do not make the mistake of assuming that I am removing ANY chance that the words of the Bible are true. Also, do not make the mistake of assuming that I believe that everything written in the Bible is bad, because many of the teachings are basic teachings that everyone learns in some form, like morals. I am only trying to get the "Anonymous Bible Writer" to recognize that his beliefs are NOT the only correct beliefs; that there is no absolute answer. We as flawed humans cannot possibly begin to make assumptions about an ABSOLUTE truth of creation. No one can claim to KNOW for SURE how the world was created.
Do not assume that because someone else does not hold the same beliefs as you that they are the ones standing in the dark. The only ones standing in the dark are the ones too closed minded to acknowledge the validity of others' beliefs and ideas.
Richie Gunzer
Hey Bobby, great post. I think you're right when you say we should live this life as if it's the only one we've got. As I watch my daughter grow up, this message rings more true everyday.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I am a Christian but in no way feel threatened by your blog posts. I see that you're just sharing your mind and heart. I appreciate that. It takes guts to makes a statement, it doesn't take guts attack you. Take care, and see you January at AM!
I really respect those like Wes Riojas who are open minded enough say that they believe one thing, but are not threatened by others beliefs and even appreciate listening to those beliefs. I think that one who has a belief strong enough to hear others' beliefs,(especially ones that challenge your own) actually think about those beliefs intellectually, and not feel threatened is a truly open minded person. I think the world needs to learn from that, and coexist with one another knowing that we all believe differently, but all hold one thing in common.....That we want live life to fullest. I don't understand why people are so intent that there is only one path that leads to true happiness or a truly fulfilled life.
ReplyDeleteRichie Gunzer
hey Bobby, nice post.I totally got your point and i think is great to stimulate people to think about their life to see what really matters in life and how they can change it. I am a christian and I have friends with different believes, friends that use drugs and friends that have a sexual orientation that i think is wrong, but i respect all of them. Im not gonna treat people different because of how they live their live, we should love others right??? here are two things i think is important in life. One is relationship with people. I dont know if you guys saw Into the wild , but this movie has alot good messages and the one that really touch me was that the guy was all about to achieve his dream,what is great. But he lack in one thing, relationship. And when he realized that he needed people in his life, it was too late and he died. We can not make this life by ourselves. We have alot problems in this world, and unfortunately we live in a selfish world that is moved by money and just a few of us care enough to make a difference. And the another one is the choices we make. Really think about the choices you are gonna make, because your future will be formed by the choices you make today, even the small ones.
ReplyDeleteSo what would i do with my only life??? i would achieve my dream and really love those around me and help those in need.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI'm finding this thread fascinating, and I find myself agreeing with most of the comments about living life to the full and making the world a better and less selfish place.
ReplyDeleteHowever, just to throw a spanner in the works...
I wonder do we all agree that you can respect a person and their right to hold a belief without necessarily respecting the belief itself..? There's surely a healthy distinction here, I think.
to anonymous bible writer:
ReplyDeleteHow can you claim that all the other gods are false idols. The commandment mentions nothing of that. It is a straight forward statement. Saying all other gods are false based on that single statement in the commandment is your and other men's "interpretation". That is the only way you can feel comfortable accepting it, but the bottom line is it only states "no other before me", not "worship only me", or "all others are false".....it's plain and simple.
Also how do you know every other culture made up their gods in their mind, and yet somehow the single god that the Jewish people followed is the only one that is real and not made up in their head. Many cultures have books older than the bible. These weren't idiots that made things up. Look at the greeks, we are supposed to think the greek and roman gods are mythology because they had to explain why things around them happened, yet at the same time they were some of the greatest thinkers and inventors of all time.....we owe tons of our knowledge and technology to them. And yet, we are told that they were great in that manner, but for some reason they were just stupid in the department of a belief system. It really makes no sense.
As for your statement about God made man in his image. I believe the actual translation of the hebrew bible says "let us make man in our own image".....hmmmm, just more stuff that makes me think. That's why i enjoy researching about this stuff.
I respect what you believe and I'm not trying to make you believe otherwise...but you speak almost down to others that don't believe your beliefs. I don't want to hijack this thread anymore. We both enjoy our ideas on life...i'm still researching mine and you have found yours.
As for living life like it's your last. I learned a long time ago that every moment here is precious! Be sure to be thankful for everyday, no matter who it is you are thanking. About 12yrs ago I lost my fiance after having lunch together and she dropped me off at work. A bizzare car accident where no-one else was injured. Just remember this moment could be the last moment here with friends and family. Don't waste time with hate and anger or being upset with someone you love, cause you wouldn't want that to be the last thing you remember sharing with that person.
Go out and live life! Don't wait for something good to happen. Be excited every morning you wake up and try to make the most of it. Thanks for starting this thread Bobby, and much respect to all those who have posted!
Now back to one of my other passions, ANIMATING!
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteThis post gets longer and longer everyday and it is quite the topic. I think it is so popular with a lot of people because everyone has thought, are thinking, and will be thinking about their own mortality for the rest of their lives.
Although I am in agreement with everything "Mr. Anonymous"(when I gave him that name I didn't think he'd still be using it, kind of funny what sticks) is saying and I do know it to be true, his methods of evangelism seem inexperienced. I don't know if he has traveled the world spewing out (wonderful true) words from the Bible or if this is his one time to shine. But, I think the point he is trying to make that it is all about Love.
I believe that everyone should know God. I believe that because I have seen what God has done in/to peoples lives. I believe that people who have never known God or have turned away from God don't know how much deeper their lives can be with him. I believe God isn't something binding but frees you to do one great thing, love.
Within this blog, the Big "H-E-(double hokey stick)" word has been thrown around from both sides. The majority of people here, which might include "Mr. Anonymous"(because he has not explained it like this, yet), dont seem to know what it means. If you think or imagine that the "H" word is a fiery place where there is a horned beast(like hellboy) who is only there to torture you, to make you suffer and show you pain for all of eternity, then my friend you have to stop watching so much T.V. In really it has nothing to do with that. (keep reading, I'll explain after I paint a little "happy tree").
The Bible is the best love story ever written.
For a moment, let's say that God is Love. And maybe all the things he does for us is because he loves us, all of us (even the weird kid that animates all night and then writes on blogs, me). Now let's image that love is given to you all the time no matter what. Now imagine this love, a love that is such a big thing in your life, even if you dont notice it, was suddenly gone. Still with me? This same love that loves you in the worst of times, i.e.: Stealing from the cookie jar, blowing spit wads, suicide thoughts (or actions, murderous thoughts (or actions), rapist thoughts (or actions), drugs(action), losing your family, losing your dog, this love is with you. This love, the same one that I believe every human longs for, sudden vanishes, then that is the very depiction of Hell.
We as humans can dress it up, imagine it to be something different and now a days less threatening. And we can even get fooled into thinking that there is no such thing.
A lot of "intellectuals" believe that as a Christian you are supposed to check your brain at the church door. The sad thing is, is that a lot of Christians believe and might even get taught to do that very thing. God gave us brains, he expects us to use them and in the bible it even states that we should question all things that come our way.
Raise your hands if you have studied the historical facts, not just the stories, of the Bible. How many people know that there is a map on the back of most Bibles that show where these real life, still here, places are? And although I love them as humans, in my study about the Mormons, they have not one map or artifact of where anything in "their" history(using history loosely) points to fact. How many know the history of the real life man that was named Jesus? How, in the Roman Census done in those times, there was a man by that name, lived in that area and that acted very much like the Bible depicts.
The only reason I bring up the history parts (and trust me there is a ton more) is because I want you to know that God knows who you are. You are an young(or old-er), intelligent, caring, thoughtful person that thinks for themselves and doesn't just get the wool pulled over his(or her) eyes. He provided the history so that you could dispute him, like he knew you would. So you can get off your couch(or computer chair) and find answers for yourself. He wants you to do that, because he knows that the moment, after all the studying and researching, you come to realize that there actually maybe some truth to all of this. Maybe, as a smart person you test this book, like a science experiment, by starting to live the teachings. And maybe, just maybe, you finally come to that main point that losing your thoughts, your desires, your very life is going to gain you the life you really want.
Everyone that has ever been looked to as someone "smart" or wise either because of their discoveries, thoughts or even animation techniques, they all finally realized that if they just simplified the thought process, then their brains wouldn't get in the way from finding the answer.
You could read all the books and learn all the teachings but the answer is simple and is always staring you in the face. Love is the answer. Love, true unwavering, unfailing, love. That love has and always will find a way.
-(In Love)Will
I pray that the Christians here would actually love people and tell them the truth.
ReplyDeleteI pray that God would open all of your eyes to see how great sinners you are. I've tried to show you your sin but my attempts have seemed to fail.
I pray that God would not only cause you to see how great sinners you are but also to show you how great a savior Jesus Christ is.
If you all have Bible's, open them, read them, obey what you read, God won't ever let you down.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
I pray God will bless you all.
"the anonymous Bible writer"
I'm sorry "Anonymous Bible Writer", but it is quite obvious Zeus will send you straight to Hades.
ReplyDeleteWe have tried to show you the light, but you do not listen, caught up in your own web of lies!
D:
This might seem like a slight left turn, but this post reminded me of an AM article about animators being some of the happiest people in the world. I thought about that a lot after reading it, and I came to this conclusion:
ReplyDeleteWe animators are some of the happiest people alive not because we might make pretty good money or work in Hollywood or for Disney or Pixar or whomever. We are incredibly happy because we are absolutely dialed in to life on the most minute detail. We appreciate the smallest movements and gestures, and thoroughly enjoy the unique quirks and moments that make people, animals, and ultimately life so special.
I think it was clergymen who ranked just above animators in terms of most absolute joy gained from their work. And while I'm much closer to atheist than anything else in my own beliefs, I found that to be very interesting. Clergymen (the specifics of their beliefs aside), are living a life with a sole purpose to tapping into the higher vein; of living, looking, searching beyond themselves and their own desires. If there is a god after all, regardless of the specifics, I'm sure they would be quite pleased to see someone spend so much honest effort and energy trying to connect with them.
Animators, as I see it, live a quite similar life. Something about studying people and movement and the thought processes behind that movement just feels awesome to me. It's like we are fascinated by the tiniest things that most often go unnoticed by most of society. A nose twitch, a slight raise of an eyebrow or the way someone holds a fork when they're happy as opposed to sad... all these things what make life so special and powerful. The more I study life, the more I love it -- and wouldn't that be what any god would intend for us all, to truly love and enjoy the people we are and world around us?
I agree with you Rob Somers, I think the key to true happiness is to not over complicate life and find the joy in the smallest moments which are unnoticed by most. As animators, we find joy every second or so as opposed to most who need that big gift for the holidays or that big promotion at their job. While those things are great, I find that if we can enjoy the beauty in the smallest details of life, then we are not in constant need of those material forms of happiness. Those things just become icing on the cake. We do not find ourselves wasting time searching for what makes most people happy. Now that is not to say that we should not have goals in life to stride for, because I feel safe in saying that most of us reading this blog have aspirations of getting jobs at a studio like Pixar, Dreamworks, Disney etc. I'm just saying that on our journey to those goals instead of getting caught up in the actual goal itself, we as animators appreciate the life we have in the smallest of ways. This way, as we work towards our goals we can remain happy with what we have already which is the chance to LIVE
ReplyDeleteHere's a quote from the movie The Warrior:
"It is in the journey that we find happiness, not the destination"
Richie gunzer
Religious discussion always stimulates such conversation doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteBobby Beck seems to be a very open person and I appreciate him for that. I also appreciate his creation of animation mentor: a program I will enroll in soon.
Hey Bobby, I was one of those missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In Brasil, I met only one athiest (as there is a great religious excitement among the amazonians: a people of humble circumstance). However, I met several athiests in college. The first was a sad experience because I never attempted understanding her point of view. The second encounter was wonderful because I decided to be his friend. He was hesitant to tell me he was athiest because I believed so strongly in God.
But that experience was so rewarding. We shared our beliefs and our professor (a brilliant woman) commented: "There are no athiests on sinking ships." It sounded great and this may be true for those who suddenly FEAR the unkown and call our for God just in case. If the man on a sinking ship died of fright, he and the others will soon know what the truth was all along.
But I shouldn't tell you all what I don't know
I'll tell you what I do know.
There are many who think truth can only be found in the Bible. The only word I would omit from the above sentence is "only". The bible was written by a few men who were close to God. There are some scriptures documented there where the prophet merely wrote the words God spoke to them. According to the bible, God would always call prophets to do His work. (Amos 3:7) That is one thing I know to be true.
So there's the question of God. Truth be known, I have questioned God's existence. I've wondered why there are so many religions: why many argue and believe so differently. I decided to ask God and see if he really was there. The experience I have every time I ask him, "Heavenly Father, are you really there?" I get an answer. And my heart has been so full of the most wonderful love (you know, I've taken a look at accounts of near-death-experiences lately and the one thing the all see is a being of light: from whom they feel the most wonderful, idescribable love). Even in my times of doubt or times I didn't want Him to be real, he has been there to love me. He guides my life: and I'm not just saying that: I testify it is possible to see the hand of the Lord.
I am also one of those people in the world who suffers at times. I know some who suffered alot. The test is always: how will we act when things go wrong? (If you know Ed Catmul and the Pixar bunch well, this is a philosophy they use for creativity).
And so I am actually going to answer Bobby Beck's question now:
Things in my life have been going wrong. My wife and I have been suffering. And I believe this is the only "life" I have: at least the life most important to me at this point in time. My goal recently is Charity:THE PURE LOVE OF CHRIST:Too see people as God sees him. The Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants all demonstrate Charity/Love as the most important quality a person can have. It is also the hardest to reach.
And so I pray every day for it - and my prayers are being answered (though not always in the ways I'd expect).
I'm surprised at how much it is possible to love a person. No matter what problem we have, the best result is reached by truly loving a person: by serving others above ourselves. This principle works in a creative environment as well. Truth be known: it works in all environments. Even if I were an athiest, I would take up praying just for a chance a this supernal gift.
That said, I agree with Bobby Beck: I shouldn't try to change his beliefs. He has shown so much respect to our beliefs and deserves the same from us. Only of he decides will his beliefs change. And that may happen or it may not. In the end, we'll all will have been given the same opportunities to discover the truths about life.
Anyway Bobby, I have observed you on a distant level but there are many things I've been able to admire. I attended your webinar at AM and love your enthusiasm. I admire your hard work and determination. I am thankful for your helpfulness in creating animation mentor. As I prayed for guidance concerning your online school, I received a surprising feeling: absolutely - this is the place. I admire your pondering of life. And I know you, like me, are on a constant search for truth: to make this the best life you could live. Thank you for your respect and encouragement. T'would be great to get to know you better.
And to all the others out there: the anonymous and unnamed: thank you for your passionate searchings for the truth. That is one thing we have in common. And I am sure there are many other things we have in common as well. Maybe someday our paths will cross: and hopefully I will have learned alot more about my lifelong goal: Charity: the pure love of Christ.
sorry for all the typos in my post above. I just read my post an thought, "Ouch, I wish I could change that...and that...and that..." Sounds kind of like life, doesn't it? ; )
ReplyDeleteWhats interesting is how peope arent actually dealing with the proposition in the original post, in fact from what i can see they are running away from it. The great irony is that beneath the 'what if'is that big existential question thats asks you to face your fear, acknowledge your mortality ,and be an active agent in driving your own destiny.thats a me and the universe kind of question...surely spiritual and thus nothing to do with religion
ReplyDeleteAre you living or is life some kind of debt your paying off...in which case when does it start?
Based on my own experience is that in order to do this you need to distance yourself from your culture (yes religion too, experience your own personal freedon, see it for what it is, see other cultures, become alienated, freaked out even, experiment with yourself, challenge your ego go through that dark night of the soul. For me personally religion was a world i had to escape from and reject wholesale in order to feel ME and to be able to act without feeling inhibited by irrational fears.
Their are chicken *&^% christians and muslims and jews who compromise and live dull conservative lives AND I HOPE DEEP DOWN THEY KNOW SOMETHING DOESNT ADD UP, equally there must be similarly athiests and intellectuals who cling to well work discourses, drunk on their own self deception and punished by desire...
isnt this just about courage vs fear??? complacency versus the instinct for change, the spiritual nomad within us all...you can preach till the cows come home in any number of languages...its mostly pointless and vain in the the exptreeme. (ive got your solution for you? how arrogant) life grows, its organic, its evolving...a rolling stone! we need to be too...each at their own time in their own place
i only put anon as the other options were too technical..does it matter?
Dave
Sligo, Ireland
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