The Ultimate Questions - religion and spirituality a debate run by spirituality

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 9 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Questions we all ask...

 

These are the ultimate philosophy questions we all ask ourselves about religion and spirituality. Vote, get inspired and share.

Part lensography, part hey monkeybrain lens - I hope you all enjoy.

So - what's your ultimate Question? 

Vote for the question you think is most important - and add the ultimate question I forgot. After many people have voted I will create a module for the most popular question(s) (if there isn't one already)

#1

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What happens after death?

5 points

#2

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Why do people insist on looking outside themselves for a reason for their life?

2 points

#3

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Why is there evil?

1 point

#4

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Where did we all come from?

1 point

#5

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Who created us?

1 point

#6

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Why is there poverty?

0 points

#7

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What is the nature of our soul?

0 points

Books on the ultimate questions 

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Is there life after death? 

Is there an afterlife?

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Yes

sirkeystone says:

Of course. There is too much evidence about the existance of other dimensional intellect, and it's evidence that blows our mind by the time we get any where near the 6th or 7th dimension, much less the 10th. We just don't understand anything past our present state. So beyond any understanding of quantum physics, most of us seek other means. I'm a follower of Christ but I am not a religous person. Religeon is source of most human suffering, even at the basic differences there are just too many rules that don't really matter. At the most complex, there are conflicts and wars because of this, and we don't understand why no one wants to acknowledge a God?

Posted July 20, 2008

JaneDoe01 says:

yip, I will life on and on and on

Posted July 14, 2008

The_Homeopath says:

I believe in an afterlife in some form, I just don't think our small minds can ever know what it is until we actually get there.

Posted June 26, 2008

Joan4 says:

I believe there is an afterlife. I have experienced visits from my mother and my brother from "the other side". I think we probably come back again and again until we learn our lessons.

Posted June 25, 2008

Talissa says:

There are many hints in this world about an afterlife. I'm not so sure that its just something people make up to feel better. I believe that there is an afterlife but that it isn't necessarily a place you may want to be. Your body and your person ceases to exist, only that 'spirit' or energy within you never ceases, returns to the bigger realm, you as who you are, everything you remember, everything you have ever created on this planet...ceases and exists only in the memory of those you left behind.

Posted June 02, 2008

Tiddledeewinks says:

YES! For all living things, we have a spirit that lives on and awaits a resurrection, and hopefully, a better life.

Posted June 01, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

Absolutely. Many people ask me how, as a scientist, I can beleive, but science has strengthened my beliefs. Even if it didn't, its faith that holds us up, not the facts.

Posted May 20, 2008

mulberry says:

Quite possibly. Personal experiences lead me to believe so, my interpretation of science also hints at such. (our spirit, energy is not lost)

Posted May 20, 2008

aussieblogger says:

... an afterlife, a before life and a during life.

Posted May 20, 2008

WhiteOak50 says:

I believe there is. I believe that each time we cross over, we advance further to reaching the ulitmate Divine.

Posted May 15, 2008

No

78Dave says:

Of course not. Death is the end of all you ever were or will ever be. Everything within your brain dies with it. Belief in an afterlife is used by people to make themselves feel better that they've never done anything they consider to be worthwhile in their lives. It comes with the added benefit that they can blame something else for their failings. "I'm what I was meant to be!"

Posted May 26, 2008

kephrira says:

Most of what we think of as ourselves - our personality - is focused on material things, desires, ambitions, likes and dislikes, emotional attachments, identification with places patriotism, with a job, with a political party, and so on. If these things survived death they would torment you as they could no longer be fulfilled, and the inability to let go of these things and allow them to become void is one definition of hell. The more enlightened and spiritual a person you are the greater part of you is focussed on non-material concerns and therefore can survive death without become a burning fire which consumes you. So the answer to the question is different depending on who it refers to, but for most people death is pretty much the end, or at least they had better hope it is.

Posted May 21, 2008

 
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Afterlife lenses 

featured lens Karma and Reincarnation: are we reborn?

Karma and reincarnation are linked. Karma is the idea that what we do and have done influences our circumstances, talents and options. Reincarnation means that what we do and think will not just influence our present life, but also our future ex...

featured lens There IS an afterlife

I think there IS an afterlife This lens records various religious beliefs - and gives you the option of really deciding which is best. From Ancient Egypt and Plato, to Christianity and Buddhism... most religions I know of have an afterlife of sorts -...

Is there a 'God' behind it all? 

Do you believe in God?

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Yes, there is an ultimate ruler / creator in the universe

sirkeystone says:

Ok, here is where I usually confuse most people about my beliefs. Yes there is a God, and like many of you have already said, it's not a HE or maybe even a true sentient being, though I think "he" probably is. As mentioned below, "he" is the author of creation and evolution, but I am also not convinced that this being isn't the same intity that is worshipped by other religeons especially wicca. It seem to be the same power to me. Of course both of those "religeons" would argue with me. Based on what? Something that somebody wrote....

Posted July 20, 2008

JaneDoe01 says:

yeah, I am a big believer.

Posted July 14, 2008

Joan4 says:

Yes, I believe in God. I do not believe that he is some "grandaddy in the sky with a long white beard". I do believe God is Love and Love is a VERB!

Posted June 25, 2008

Tiddledeewinks says:

There is a creator that calls himself our God, that we are to obey. But we do not have all the answers yet!

Posted June 01, 2008

mulberry says:

Yes, perhaps, but not as most religions describe it.

Posted May 20, 2008

No, there is no God

The_Homeopath says:

A singular "GOD", no, I don't believe there is because all life encompasses a duality which would be a reflection of more than one supreme being or intelligence.

Posted June 26, 2008

spirituality says:

I don't believe in a personal God. I do believe in an underlying intelligence - but would hesitate to call it God.

Posted May 14, 2008

 
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Lenses on God 

I promised you all questions about god - and then I created a Lens about questions about God because I realized that there is no way to transfer your answers to a new lens, once you've given them here.

So I apologize - and please vote over there...
featured lens What is God? What's SHE like?

I'm not personally invested in believing in a personal God. For me God is something impersonal, all encompassing and in everything. But what do YOU think?

featured lens There is no God

There is no God If there is a God, then why don't you show God to us right here on this web page. Come on and prove it! Show us God. I mean that literally. Where is this God? Show us what he looks like. After all, if God can go around having children...

featured lens If God Made the Universe, Then Who Made God?

Who made God? How did God make the world? Why does God let bad things happen? Does God love me? If God Made the Universe, Then Who Made God? is a children's book that tackles these commonly asked questions about God. Inside you'll find ...

featured lens God in the Bible - quotes

People have their own image of God - yet God presents himself in the Bible in a variety of ways. I thought I'd go back to what's in that book to see the way God is portrayed there.

Why is there evil? 

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What's the cause of evil? 

featured lens capitalism is the mother of all evils in the world!

capitalism is the mother of all evils in the world! Checking the root of most scandals in the world, they are motivated by profit! Nothing but pure profit. A group of bourgeois will sponsor a coup de tat in a country so that they can gain by uncontro...

Should we even ask these questions? 

"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life."


Albert Camus

More spiritual quotes and sayings

So - should the ultimate questions be asked? 

Albert Camus (see the quote above) insists searching for happiness doesn't bring happiness. Living and looking for the meaning of life don't combine.... Do you agree?

Does asking questions about life, enrich life?

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No, asking these questions is useless

kephrira says:

"He shall fall down into the pit called because, and there perish with the dogs of reason" - Aleister Crowley
Nobody had said no and I'm inherently quite contrary (even if my name isn't Mary) so I thought I would play the Necromancer and let Crowley speak from the grave.

Posted May 21, 2008

Yes, asking these questions is essential to who I am

sirkeystone says:

One of the primary basis of my beliefs is "all things in moderation" So I think it's good to ask the questions, but don't spend too much time on it...

Posted July 20, 2008

The_Homeopath says:

Yes. If we didn't question our existance we would not know how to exist.

Posted June 26, 2008

Joan4 says:

Yes, asking questions about the meaning of life helps us to find meaning in our lives. Asking questions is how we learn -- no matter the subject.

Posted June 25, 2008

RinchenChodron says:

Absolutely, we need to question. As Socrates said "The unexamined life is not worth living!" Have a look at my lens on How Buddhists Look at Death

Posted June 07, 2008

Tiddledeewinks says:

Everyone wants to know these questions! Seems like everyone has a different answer though and no on really is allowed to know now.

Posted June 01, 2008

 
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Do you need a spiritual teacher to make spiritual progress? 

Do you need a spiritual teacher to make spiritual progress?

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Yes, you need a teacher

graydove says:

The Bible says two great things on this which I'll paraphrase for sake of time:
1) There is wisdom in a multitude of counsellors
2) The Holy Spirit teaches all things

Posted July 25, 2008

Tiddledeewinks says:

We are to find our own way by learning while here, BUT I believe we are led to the "teachers" as we need them, whether found in a book, inner voice, or another person, (or angel guide in disguise).

Posted June 01, 2008

WhiteOak50 says:

I believe we need a "Spiritual Guide" to help us understand the progress we make in our own development, healing guides, animal totems, etc.

Posted May 15, 2008

spirituality says:

I'd say we sometimes do need help from a spiritual teacher, a neighbor or even a therapist.

Posted May 14, 2008

No, you can learn best on your own

The_Homeopath says:

No. I feel that we were created as individuals for a reason.

Posted June 26, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

No. I can search and learn on my own, but its easy slack off. Having a leader and a group helps keep me focused.

Posted May 20, 2008

aussieblogger says:

No. Life is the best Teacher. But life includes mentors who cross our paths along the way.

Posted May 20, 2008

nightcats says:

Spiritual teachers are helpful, but in the end, it is up to us. A teacher might be helpful, but is not the ultimate source.

Posted May 16, 2008

spirituality says:

While spiritual teachers can be a great help - ultimately they cannot replace our own responsibility to be our own pilot and guard.

Posted May 14, 2008

 
 
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More on the spiritual teacher controversy 

featured lens Spiritual Teachers - my favorites and yours

These are some of the teachers - past and present - who will keep reminding us that there IS more to life. There is more to US... Spiritual teachers are the salt that gives flavor to our otherwise somewhat dry western culture. With all the focus on...

featured lens Jiddu Krishnamurti, world teacher

Jiddu Krishnamurti was famous in his lifetime for first being raised as a 'world teacher' and then renouncing the organisation founded in his honor. Paradoxically he spent the rest of his life teaching all over the world: lecturing, talking to people...

featured lens Krishnamurti : Jiddu & U.G.

This is a disambiguation lens. There are two famous Krishnamurti's in the world of Spirituality. They knew each other. They had similar teachings. Both were anti-guru's. U.G. Krishnamurti was so against being a guru that he didn't give many lectures....

What is essential for happiness? 

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More about happiness 

featured lens The Happiness Campaign

  We believe that one of the things that makes us happy -- almost more so than anything else -- is when we're able to give to others and know that our contribution has a real benefit in their lives. Think about it for a minute… When you're...

featured lens Would You Trade Liberty for Security?

Liberty for Security? Benjamin Franklin is believed to have said, "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." These words are so profound and such an integral part of the framework of Americ...

featured lens Are You Unhappy? Simplify Your Pursuit of Lasting Happiness: Learn How to Be Truly Happy and Live Your Best Life

The pursuit of happiness is vital to our life satisfaction. All of us want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives... we want to enhance our experiences of love and relationships as well as work and play... we want to find true happiness. The pursuit...

featured lens The Secret is True (sort of)

If you want to achieve something, you had better work for it, visualize success and everything you will need to get where you want to go. This visualization is called 'The Secret'. But will visualization get you everything you want?

Do we have free will? 

Do we have freedom of choice?

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Yes, we have freedom of choice

sirkeystone says:

One of the differentiations in quantum psysics between the dimensions, once you get past height, width, depth, and duration then you have the interaction between these basic dimensions. If you could fold time, you can time travel. If you could time travel, you could see that the choices we make create a new line in the dimension. Yeah, it's that deep. So not only do we have the choice, it moulds our entire world. This is where we contribute to creation and evolution to the point of calling ourselves gods.

Posted July 20, 2008

The_Homeopath says:

Yes, we have freedom to make decisions, but we may not have control over the outcome.

Posted June 26, 2008

Tiddledeewinks says:

Yes, but there are always the consequences to go with each choice.

Posted June 01, 2008

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

If our future was mapped out before we were born, what would be the point of living?

Posted May 20, 2008

aussieblogger says:

Yes there is free will ... there is also our soul's purpose which we are free to follow or not (if we ever figure out what it is)

Posted May 20, 2008