It makes you dependent. You automatically judge yourself as lesser, because you are now relying on a much larger scale. Instead of judging yourself, you are being judged. You give up your rights to something else. In essence, everything you do, think, feel, or receive is no longer yours, but God's. You use it as an excuse for when you're courageous, you seek its help when you're in a bad spot, you spend time thanking it when everything's fine. Why do you need it? Are you not strong enough to handle yourself? Are you more appreciative of God for allegedly creating you than your parents? Is giving thanks the most productive way to spend your time? Are you not capable of knowing what's wrong and right without being told? Are you afraid of being without ethereal support? To each their own, but it always saddens me when I see perfectly and overly capable people stunting the quality and variety of their lives because of their need for God. I'm not here to tell you what to believe, nor will I ever (unless I'm really drunk. I get hardheaded, just ignore me ), I only wanted to express my opinion and share the cause of these feelings:
Some people just naturally feel a desire to acknowledge and give thanks to something higher than themselves. It seems that we also perform our best when our sense of ego isnt in the way, some people call it "flow", "in the zone", etc. This experience is also called a state of enlightenment and nirvana, its when the ego/self is dissolved, it is what Buddhism teaches...its what Jesus teaches, and many other eastern religions. "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." When the ego isnt present, people refer to it as being one with God, enlightenment, etc. Thats what the girl is referring to.
Which is completely misunderstood by the girl, while misrepresenting it. When you are realized, it is unnecessary to say it unless asked. I understand what you're saying, but an enlightened person would never pass off the cause to someone else. It is a self-attained goal, and claiming it was anyone else's doing is false. Enlightenment and God don't mesh. I appreciate it when it helps with good in the world but it is, to me, a sad way to go about it. Just because a person does not need recognition for an act, it does not mean they do not deserve it. In a world full of realized humans, everyone would congratulate success from hard work, but mourn the lack of self-appreciation. Enlightenment is not about losing your self-worth, but (includes) understanding it - the causes, the logic, the effects, and the alternatives.
I'm not saying she's enlightened, thats just what shes referring to. Dissolving of the ego/selflessness. Some people call it being one with God, others may call it enlightenment, nirvana, etc...Of course it takes a lot of effort and self discipline to reach that sort of mindstate. When a person achieves that state of mind their actions become almost effortless, there is no sense of ego...you feel connected to something beyond the ego and the illusion of duality.
And many people refer to that as being one with God. One with the universe, etc. In my experience, I can understand why people may refer to it as God, you feel connected to something greater than just your mind and body, you realize and experience a connection with the universe.
Not sure what you mean, if you're seeking enlightenment then you are relying on it. Just like we rely on sunlight and oxygen.
We rely on sunlight for photosynthesis to create life and help perpetuate it to feed our species. We rely on oxygen to fuel our mind and bodies. Without either, we would die. I can live, breathe, and survive just fine without a reliance or dependence on a higher being, which is what the OP was trying to get at here. And seeking enlightenment is much like attaining any other goal in life. Not quite sure if "relying" on it is the right word here, but the goal of enlightenment does seem to have that characteristic of total embodiment and dedication. Perhaps a monk would "rely" on it, as that is far more representative of a lifestyle of purity. But for the average person, I see it as more like a guide, with some rather interesting interpretations (such as the OPs "I suck but we rule" example).
Well, enlightenment is our pure/core state of being...we wouldnt be conscious without it. Therefore we do "rely" on it whether or not you acknowledge it.
Beliefs don't necessarily imply dependence, but it's unfortunate in the instances that it does, which happens to be a majority of the time.
True, but who we think we are is based on all sorts of things, and some of us are better at doing it than others. If it's about how we see ourselves, than the imagination is key here. The idea of a god consciousness allows us to imagine a way of transcending our own limitations. And even if this cannot be fully imagined to begin with, the changes that will take place as we raise our consciousness will allow the imagination to eventually fill in the gaps. We don't rely on god, we become it.
I find more comfort in relying on my planet then a god. But I guess that could be seen as relying on a god or higher power. I don't really think there are gods but I do believe that there are higher powers at works that aren't so obvious to everyone (powers of the universe that is..) Some find great comfort in a vengeful yet loving God who will ultimately guide you to his great kingdom if you are ready to declare him your savior; I for one, have no special connection to such a god. As I stated, I think the planet I'm on is powerful and so is the human race. But is that relying on a god because I am grateful to the planet for sustaining me and my friends/family/others? Maybe. I never thought of it in such a sense though.
I'm not sure where i heard it, but from a psychological point of view they figured out that adults at religious because it fits the role of the parent. Just like how when you are a baby or chid you can call out to your mom/dad and they would be there to help with whatever you may need, as an adult you can "call out" to God and 'get' the same response. So it makes that individual feel comfortable even if the parent isn't around anymore. Just an interesting thought I wanted to share. Hopefully it fits into this thread because I have yet to read more than the title and first sentence