It is OK to say: "I am one with, and live in, GOD, not a god, or God.", After all, it IS the message of Christmas. Options

[Lindsay]

Max, your questions

I am asking for the thought process behind the belief and the reason why you have chosen this set of beliefs.

Because I have come to the conclusion that it is OK for anyone to say: "I am GOD, not a god, or God. That is, I am GOD-like, at one with GOD, in which I live, move and have my being. After all, it is the message of Christmas.

How did you arrive at these conclusions?

When I accepted that the message of Christmas is for everyone, not just for Christians, or for Messianic Christian Jews--and that Jesus was a Reform-minded Jew who decided to be a servant-like messiah, not a king-like one. By the way, there were no Christians until later (See Acts 11:26).

I realize you are a thinker, this however does not answer why you chose to believe the things you do. Being a thinker could result in a person believing many different things. Not asking for whats right or wrong, just simply the reason why you believe what you believe."

Looking back, I now realize that I began to think this way when I decided to take Jesus at his word, when he said: "Follow me..."

Was it always this way?

The thought was there from childhood. But, of course, the development of it came gradually.

Where it did begin?

From childhood, as I said. But perhaps it was during the months I spent picking black rocks and white quartz out of iron ore, ten hours a day, on Bell Island, (1946/47) that I got a call--a strong feeling--to do ministry.

Did you ever believe something different?

I have l always left room for agnosticism, my options open, about some things--I still do, but I was strongly so during my last two years of high school, when I was drawn to the sciences for a time. I still take the scientific approach, seriously.

What set of sub-beliefs are there that bring this set of ideas into existence?

Sub-beliefs? I have no idea what this means.

[Lindsay]

CB, you say that I am Cheeky. Do you mean 'saucy and impudent'? What's "cheeky" about giving credit where credit is due?

[Joesus]

CB, you say that I am Cheeky. Do you mean 'saucy and impudent'? What's "cheeky" about giving credit where credit is due?

Nothing. You imply an association of your beliefs and opinions to people like Whitehead, Tolle and most recently Spinoza.
I think as your beliefs and references change, and as you are pointing them towards a more recognizable point of reference that you are fishing for recognition as the cheer leader for Lindsay. Nothing wrong with that either. An ego needs recognition to self validate ones self.

[code buttons]

CB, you say that I am Cheeky. Do you mean 'saucy and impudent'? What's "cheeky" about giving credit where credit is due?

Nothing. You imply an association of your beliefs and opinions to people like Whitehead, Tolle and most recently Spinoza.
I think as your beliefs and references change, and as you are pointing them towards a more recognizable point of reference that you are fishing for recognition as the cheer leader for Lindsay. Nothing wrong with that either. An ego needs recognition to self validate ones self.

LOL! I couldn't have said it better!