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Challenge

Now it's your turn. Make a list of questions like I had on my Beliefs page and answer them for yourself, based on what *you* believe. I have found that letting my mind jump from one thought to another is the best way for this type of exercise, but if actually writing things down helps you, or if discussing these questions with friends or enemies is more appealing to you, do it! The point is to have fun, make connections you didn't expect and perhaps realize you didn't know what you thought you did.

Also, if you come from a background that is non-Christian, you may wish to replace questions like "Who was Jesus?" with other questions more relevant to you. The questions themselves are not as important as the process of thinking - try to answer the questions as deeply and specifically as possible. The more tangents you go off on, the more your mind will open, and the more open-minded you are the more you will get from this Challenge. The joys of mind-twisting pleasure will never be known to you if you don't burrow deeply.

If you would like a little help, I have listed below some sample questions and some hints for things to explore related to these questions. I have also listed some books you might enjoy if you'd like to explore some of the sources that have influenced me. Have fun, and may your journey lead you to places unknown but long remembered.

What is god? Is god eternal? Is god omniscient? Is god omnipotent? Is god a scorekeeper? Is god vengeful? Is god spirit? Is god tangible? Is god concious? Is there a god?

What is heaven (or hell)? Is it a place? Is it symbolic? How do you get there? Does it exist?

How did we get here? Are we the result of a random event? Did we evolve? Were we created? Do we really exist?

Why are we here? Are we part of a greater plan? Do we have free will?

What is the Bible? Is it the word of god? Is it fiction? Is it mythology? Is it literal? Is it symbolic? Is it historical? Why was it written? Who wrote it? What is its purpose?

Who was Jesus? Was he divine? Was he flesh? Was he spirit? Was he god? Was he human? Did he die? Did he exist?

And one final question: Do I have integrity? Do I do what I say? Do I act in accordance with my beliefs?


Resources:

God's Debris by Scott Adams
The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan
Masks of God series by Joseph Campbell
The Book of Mormon published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Holy Bible
Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
Entering the Stream edited by Samuel Bercholz & Sherab Chödzin Kohn
In Search of Schrödinger's Cat by John Gribbin