It means to switch off your critical thinking circuits, forget everything else you've ever read, and adopt the mindset of someone who deeply, sincerely and fully believes that Dorothy survived the tornado.

Boru

(August 16, 2015 at 6:45 pm)ronedee Wrote: If I may... it means with love. But, there needs to be a desire to know God first. If that doesn't interest you, it won't mean anything to read scripture.

Yes. Like I said. You need to believe it in the first place. This is literally the epitome of confirmation bias.

If more people read the Bible with their minds and not their hearts, Christianity would die out. Actually, all religions would die out if people applied logic to the reading of their 'holy books.'

He's going to judge us harshly for not coming to know him, despite trying as hard as possible to not be known. Like I said, even his most devoted followers don't really know what he wants, though I'm sure they'll claim to. Get a priest, imam, and a rabbi together in a room, talking about their years of devotion to the same god of Abraham and Moses, and no one is likely to get anywhere.

(August 16, 2015 at 7:07 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: If more people read the Bible with their minds and not their hearts, Christianity would die out. Actually, all religions would die out if people applied logic to the reading of their 'holy books.'

Its not about the "mind". Its about the spirit. If you don't think you have a soul, then you don't. Simple. Scripture is useless to you.

But, I believe I do have a "soul"! So then, the scripture means something to me.

Its just like looking at art; Some are moved to emotion. Some are moved to the restroom. Do we know why this happens? No.

We just shake [our] heads and strongly feel the other is... well... less than tasteful about their choices.

The difference is I don't condemn your trip to the restroom.

Did you ever find yourself in a room, or even larger place where you felt you were the only one right about a situation, or event?
We usually concede that there is "something" that we don't know that everyone else does. And most will give in to the majority.

That's because of "applied logic". But, spiritual people do not use that method. They go with that first instinct of being "right" about the way they feel.

Logic is slow. Spiritual is instantaneous, because its connected to something vastly superior to our limited intellect.

Emotions may be faster, but the mind has a better track record in the long term.

(August 16, 2015 at 6:45 pm)ronedee Wrote:

(August 16, 2015 at 3:25 pm)Thena323 Wrote: Non-theists are often accused of not reading the Bible (or any holy book) with an open heart. Do theists understand what they're asking of atheists when they suggest this? I'm sincerely interested in understanding what reading religious texts "with an open heart" actually means to theists. Non-theists as well. Thanks.

If I may... it means with love. But, there needs to be a desire to know God first. If that doesn't interest you, it won't mean anything to read scripture.

As Christians we are instructed to spread the Word. Whether or not people care, or listen to us is completely irrelevant.

The best we can actually do as Christians, is to be of good example. Unfortunately, and obviously we constantly fall short of that goal.

But then again, we weren't meant to save anyone. Jesus said to look for His kingdom within ourselves. And to ask, and seek.

So, the only thing necessary is just that! There is only ONE Teacher. And ONE Truth. We just need to find it. If we so desire.

This seems like a bit of a cop out to me. Would anyone need to resort to reading the Bible with an open heart (and love) to believe that the Bible is the word God, if is in fact the Truth? I don't see why someone would need to rely on heart bursting with desire and love to get there....after all, this is Truth we're talking about. Are you certain "with an open heart" doesn't also mean "no reasoning or critical thinking"? That one has to get into the Bible with nothing but warm fuzzies in order to believe it?

(August 16, 2015 at 7:44 pm)Chad32 Wrote: Emotions may be faster, but the mind has a better track record in the long term.

... meanwhile the building collapses!

(August 16, 2015 at 7:45 pm)Thena323 Wrote: This seems like a bit of a cop out to me. Would anyone need to resort to reading the Bible with an open heart (and love) to believe that the Bible is the word God, if is in fact the Truth? I don't see why someone would need to rely on heart bursting with desire and love to get there....after all, this is Truth we're talking about. Are you certain "with an open heart" doesn't also mean "no reasoning or critical thinking"? That one has to get into the Bible with nothing but warm fuzzies in order to believe it?

No... but if you read the bible using logic, will it make any sense to you? I dunno?

Personally, several things had to happen first, for me for the bible to make any sense. I did indeed ask with an open heart. I did get answers, but also more questions. Its definitely a process that needs to be followed. But, w/o a true desire to know? I don't believe its possible. I had to examine my life. I needed more than what met the eye. Or the mind! But, that's not to say I haven't used logic. I have. And I was able to connect the mind and spirit. But also, its my own path. We need to find that individual path to God. And our own answers.

(August 16, 2015 at 7:39 pm)ronedee Wrote:

(August 16, 2015 at 7:07 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: If more people read the Bible with their minds and not their hearts, Christianity would die out. Actually, all religions would die out if people applied logic to the reading of their 'holy books.'

[hide]Its not about the "mind". Its about the spirit. If you don't think you have a soul, then you don't. Simple. Scripture is useless to you.

But, I believe I do have a "soul"! So then, the scripture means something to me.

Its just like looking at art; Some are moved to emotion. Some are moved to the restroom. Do we know why this happens? No.

We just shake [our] heads and strongly feel the other is... well... less than tasteful about their choices.

The difference is I don't condemn your trip to the restroom.

Did you ever find yourself in a room, or even larger place where you felt you were the only one right about a situation, or event?
We usually concede that there is "something" that we don't know that everyone else does. And most will give in to the majority.

That's because of "applied logic". But, spiritual people do not use that method. They go with that first instinct of being "right" about the way they feel.[hide]

Logic is slow. Spiritual is instantaneous, because its connected to something vastly superior to our limited intellect.

Spiritual is instantaneous due to the fact that you can make it up as you go along.