The most important reason I'm xtian

[ronedee]

Will answer as best I can. Its not a struggle to be a christian, as I said its a nice thing. It gives me some rules and standards to aspire to. I know atheists do the same but the moral framework I selected from the biblical set menu has worked better than the one I came up with myself. It gives me a good feeling to think that there is something more than cold biology and physics. It gives me a framework for things which seem to defy explanation (like love). What I think of as my relationship with God, whether its the voices in my head, the christian god as described or something ineffable which all the religions have tried and failed to describe, makes me feel good. Its a model which works. Like all models, it represents the reality without claiming to BE the reality.

There are several good reasons for me to be christian there, its not a struggle at all. The only struggle is the dissonance between my analytical brain, which wants to understand everything, and my right brain, which doesn't care. I resolve the dissonance by being comfortable with my ignorance.

If there is God, then by definition I think he would be beyond mortal comprehension. If I could wrap my tiny little 4 dimensional monkey brain around him, he wouldn't be much of a God would he?

I like several things about the way you think. One, is not "over-thinking" God! Indeed God is incomprehesible in His ways, and kingdom!

I believe we are alike in several ways. Where I think we part is "wanting" a deeper understanding and "closer relationship" with God.

...and for me that is the ultimate goal!

You mentioned "Love". Yes! But also, self-denial, and all it entails. That is also an important step towards Him, through Jesus.

But, we need to move away from our comfort zones to lose the "nice", and gain the FANTASTIC!

I can walk along "feeling good" in our Faith. Or I can fly towards a deeper relationship that benefits us, and others greatly.

Of course that is not something everyone can find... or more importantly, "want" to find. I will pray for you to find deeper meaning!

Thanks again Jacob for your op, and your response to my question! Ron