tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post1324401474106171788..comments2023-12-26T10:22:04.630-05:00Comments on Things of My Soul: Discovering Meaning in LifePapa Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-47709972104749697282009-05-13T11:32:00.000-04:002009-05-13T11:32:00.000-04:00Christy, I don't know if there is a "wrong" motiva...Christy, I don't know if there is a "wrong" motivation for doing the right thing, so I'd never complain if God becomes the reason for some people. But I do believe extrinsic motivations to be weaker and more easily corrupted than intrinsic ones. When we teach our children that God is the motive power for morality or ethics, what happens when they doubt God?<br /><br />Here's a little blasphemy: Paulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-72908500959913462602009-05-12T23:47:00.000-04:002009-05-12T23:47:00.000-04:00I have to say...when I originally saw this post, I...I have to say...when I originally saw this post, I didn't know how quite to respond to it. But then when Paul commented, I think he put it in a great ay. I agree with his comments -- it seems to me that belief, disbelief, "meaning", whatever, are all not things we choose. Rather, we 'fall' into them. The problem is when we try to force ourselves to fit in with what brings others' joy -- we try toAndrew Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11149921396698798441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-87552155250793904142009-05-12T21:53:00.000-04:002009-05-12T21:53:00.000-04:00Paul, perhaps we should "live our lives deliberate...Paul, perhaps we should "live our lives deliberately" BECAUSE of God...to make the most out of this opportunity He has given us, to do the most good, to give the most service, to love the most and best that we can.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15878083089636912645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-51363313730749382542009-05-12T19:26:00.000-04:002009-05-12T19:26:00.000-04:00i used to be very passionate and would have leant ...i used to be very passionate and would have leant my life for the ones i loved, until the ones that i deeply felt what i can imigine people's understanding to be love have passed away. for me to be still a teenager and live in this world which can be precieved to be anything for anyone it has been hard to identifying myself with any sinificance nor anyone else in the same respect.<br /><br />fromparanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-31266570549552453632009-05-12T19:18:00.000-04:002009-05-12T19:18:00.000-04:00i used to be very passionate and would have leant ...i used to be very passionate and would have leant my life for the ones i loved, until the ones that i deeply felt what i can imigine people's understanding to be love have passed away. <br />for me to be still a teenager and live in this world which can be precieved to be anything for anyone it has been hard to identify myself with any sinificance nor anyone else in the same respect.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-19781924867115023932009-05-12T19:09:00.000-04:002009-05-12T19:09:00.000-04:00That kind of strengthens my point, Anon. We're all...That kind of strengthens my point, Anon. We're all disposable--that is a gloomy truth, but still a truth--but there are contributions in this world that are uniquely yours. <br /><br />Bringing you down isn't my aim, but what if we're wrong about God? What if this life is all we have? What then? Fight like hell to enjoy every last drop of joy this life offers, that's what! <br /><br />Thinking Paulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-85522168520735353352009-05-12T15:16:00.000-04:002009-05-12T15:16:00.000-04:00The OP is wonderful.I rejoice that a soul is havin...The OP is wonderful.I rejoice that a soul is having such a transformative experience.But Paul, that was a useful corrective.In spite of my deep love for God,life has lost meaning for me since I became sick.As a believer in better things,I find it hard to stick around-to do so is an act of faith. I realise that things can run along perfectly well without me,and this sense of my disposability Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-53190577477501266162009-05-12T12:44:00.000-04:002009-05-12T12:44:00.000-04:00I agree, Paul. It's fascinating how meaning is ga...I agree, Paul. It's fascinating how meaning is gained or found or appears in people's lives - and how widely that meaning varies.Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-82024360790929987882009-05-12T11:13:00.000-04:002009-05-12T11:13:00.000-04:00It's funny how powerful this idea is--that a perso...It's funny how powerful this idea is--that a person's belief is "not something they chose" and that it is as real as "an adolescent's developing sexuality." <br /><br />What makes it funny is that people who accept such an unchosen reality in this context may be the same people who fight it tooth and nail when applied to its opposing circumstance. Belief can come to us unbidden, but disbelief? NoPaulnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-71053123731326285712009-05-12T02:56:00.000-04:002009-05-12T02:56:00.000-04:00I can sure relate to you Ray.I can sure relate to you Ray.Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08738690586715306577noreply@blogger.com