h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Firstly, you are right i do not confuse my belief (or yours) for knowledge. But I'd bet there are't many theists who would say the same.

Secondly, I agree totally people lack wisdom and do not have a perfect understanding of all things and that the latest theory or explanation is bound, at least eventually, to be superceded. However, the fact that we are not perfect does not mean that there has to be something out there that is.

Also, although i do not see a logical contradiction between some sort of creator and the way in which science describes the universe, I still do not believe in the existence of such a god (the fact that something can exist does not mean that it has to exist). This brings me on to my final point.

I am happy with the notion that ther may be no point. I am happy simply to exist, to be loved by my loved ones, and to love them in return. Morality and law are what we make of them (what is right, acceptable, or lawful in one country, is not in another). Personally, I do what i consider to be right and i feel that i make a good enough job of it without statute books or tablets of stone.

Then we shake hands and agree to differ graciously.

..except that you can know the truth of all things if you so desire!

From the Book of Mormon: Moromi Chpt 10:

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Latter Day Saints obtain their Testimony, or knowledge, of the Truthfulness of the Gospel by following this pattern:

Read...Receive...Ponder...ask if they are true...with a sincre heart...with real intent...with faith...and the Truth is manifest

Unfortunately for those not willing to do this there is not going to be a witness.

On a desert road somewhere suitably quaint (probably in the middle east)

I met a man who said unto me, "I hold a holy book that contains all knowledge, wisdom and truth."
I said unto the man, "How do you know that this books contains all knowledge, wisdom and truth?"
To which he replied, "It says so in the book."
Persevering, I asked again, "Yes, but how do you KNOW that the book contains all knowledge, wisdom and truth?"
And he said, "I have read the book and meditated on its contents and I know!"
I then took the man's hand and shook it warmly, agreeing to disagree. And I left, happy in the knowledge that there is just no reasoning with some people...

Religious faith and spiriruality transcends logic.

You mentioned earlier that you love your family. It is very difficult for you to actually prove that feeling. Yes of course you can say "Well I do this, or I do that, and it proves how I feel". Well not really. But you know inside what you know.

My last posting gave you the means of obtaining a testimony of the Truth. It is means that you can use. It seems reasonable to me to have explained that to you, however you choose not to try it out.

You know of the Truth because you gain a spiritual witness through the Power of the Holy Ghost. This is manifest in you as a strong feeling, a "burning is the bosom" that you cannot deny. You recognise it when you feel it and your whole perspective changes, intellectually as well as spiritually.

To a non-believer the best way I can describe it is like when you look at those "magic" pictures that have a 3D image within them. When you first look at it you just see a flat piece of paper with loads of colours - not in any particular pattern. As you look at it and your eyes suddenly get the right focus you see in the picture a 3 dimensional image within it. You can see it. It is undeniable. But someone else could look forever at the picture and their eyes just don't get it!

Good luck with life.

If you read that scripture Researcher 192341 quoted again, it does not say the book will confirm itself, but the God will confirm to you the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon if you sincerely ask.

Wow, I think this discussion just up and died, huh?