From: "Jal Kae" 
Newsgroups: alt.paranormal.channeling
Organization: CyberGate, Inc.
Original Date: 26 Mar 1997 19:07:09 -0500
The Choice
Some say that it's God who gives us the ability to ask questions. Others
say that the evolutionary process is responsible. Maybe both (or neither)
are the cause. Regardless, humans ask questions. Eventually, some ask The
Most Important Religious Question: Does God exist. If He (She, It) does
exist, then He shouldn't mind us asking. With all the suffering in the
world, any thinking person must wonder. If He doesn't exist, then the
point is moot. 
The following model briefly sketches the characteristics of belief and
disbelief in God. Like any model, it is an idea painted in words. The
colors on the palette are observations, prejudices, preferences, insights,
experience, and speculation. Like any painting, it is not the subject
itself, but an individual interpretation of it. 
Belief and disbelief in God - theism and atheism - each has two levels of
understanding and action. Let's call these levels 2D and 3D theism and
atheism. The 2D varieties are either narrow minded or open and accepting. 
The 3D varieties are well balanced, at least in the area of religion.
2D Theists
When growing up, you learn about your religion and the nature of God. 
These ideas stem from Books. Each claim to be the Word of God and tells
you how to live. You learn that *your* belief is right and, consequently
(either implied or overt), that the others are wrong. These moral
teachings have a positive place in society, if not taken to extremes or
forced on others.
At this stage, you'll find very devoted religious people. They are a
credit to their community and are very congenial. Also you'll find those
who approach their beliefs in an intense and sometimes twisted way. They
can add friction to their surroundings.
In the later stages, you learn the dynamics of your religion and how it
relates to others. When comparing your religion to others, however, you
rarely raise the possibility that God might not exist. Religion is not
about *if* He exists, but about *His nature and expectations*. For
instance, you might not believe that He is an old man with a white beard,
or that He sits on a throne in the clouds. Instead, He may be a Light, an
Energy, or whatever, but you don't question His existence. 
2D Atheists
When the first stages of indoctrination have been completed, some of the
flock have questions. Some question the miracles. Others question the idea
of a God who allows suffering and injustice. Still others question the
discrepancy between religious dogma and scientific fact. ("You want me to
believe that the earth is flat?," or "The world is only 6,000 years old?") 
They base their atheism *on their opposition to the arguments that He does
exist. (Many theists make the mistake of trying to prove that God exists,
when empirically, this can't be done.)
Some 2D atheists are theist bashers. Naturally, 2D theists fight back (and
visa versa). They interact, forming a highly charged polarity - enemy
consciousness. 
3D Atheists and Theists
If you are open and interested, you begin to explore a variety of systems
- comparative religion, anthropology, science, metaphysics, history,
philosophy, or whatever. You begin to realize that humanity's understand-
ing of almost everything is relative. (Science can produce useful facts
within its framework, but doesn't work with metaphysical subjects -
especially God. We lack tools to measure Him.) You start to see the
polarizing effect of "theism versus atheism" (and of all duality). 
You reach a point when you must *consciously* choose: Is there a God or
isn't there? This kind of deciding is more a gut feeling than a hobbling
leap of pre-programmed faith or disgruntled disbelief.
The 3D atheist chooses to disbelieve, because atheism makes more sense to
her. (Not because she is against the illogic of religious doctrine.) A 3D
atheist accepts theists; she knows that she could be wrong - God might
exist. No one can prove that He doesn't. 
The 3D theist chooses to believe, because theism makes more sense to her. 
(Not because religious doctrine convinces her. "You can't fit God in a
book.") God is about spirit, not religion. A 3D theist accepts atheists. 
She knows that she could be wrong - God might not exist. She has a gut
feeling, though, that He does exist.
Three-D-ers don't try to convert others. "Others" aren't the enemy. The
idea of manipulating others in this way is absurd, or at least out of
integrity. Belief or disbelief is a choice. If God is unconditional love,
then He will forgive those who don't believe in Him. (If He won't, then He
is not unconditional love.) More accurately, He would not condemn
disbelievers in the first place; forgiveness is unnecessary. Passionate
arguments will never win over True Believers or True Disbelievers. When
you make The Choice, you base your decision on your internal sense of
things. 
Conclusion
Life is choices. The dead have none. Some people don't have an interest in
God and don't have to deal with The Choice. Others, however, do have an
interest. When you find yourself on the precipice ready to make The
Choice, you may find that after you've decided, that it's just another
choice. 
As Light, we are one.
Evin
Starbuilders
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-- 
As Light, we are one.              "We do our best, Spirit does the rest."
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