God?
May 29, 2009 by Jonathan Lockwood
It occurred to me, during the third Law of Attraction Success Stories interview, that I’d like to ask each person, “Do you believe in God?”
The responses have been very interesting (at least to me.) But it addresses something that most of us have to contend with when we begin to embrace a new understanding of The Universe. Can we harmonize the LoA with our former religious beliefs? Must we turn our backs on them, or at least modify them?
I’m aware that for most, this may not be an extraordinary challenge. In considering the experiences of many of my friends, it seems clear that–even when they come from “religious” households–changing their worldview doesn’t produce substantive upheaval in their lives. They may have incredible, eye-opening experiences, they may reset former patterns of thought, but most people don’t have a difficult time releasing previous beliefs that they didn’t feel too strongly about anyway.
For some of us, it’s an entirely different matter. If you’ve read my About page, you know that I was born into the third generation of a religious organization that I now recognize isn’t what it claimed to be. (And it only claimed to represent the sole channel of communication from Almighty God to all of humankind…nothing major.) I’ve given it some thought and decided (at least for now) not to identify this organization here–although I reserve the right to do so at a later time. I don’t want this to be about my former religion, and I don’t find it necessary to expend a lot of energy, shining the spotlight on it.
But my point is that, since I was so deeply involved in a religion that most would agree subscribes to a variety of rather extreme viewpoints, it was not something that I could easily sidestep. I had to deal with it. There was no allowance, in my former faith, to (for instance) consider oneself an actual extension of The Divine. God was God–and you were you, and suggesting anything else was nothing less than blasphemy.
In my first podcast, I spoke about readjusting my former understanding of God as being “that chubby guy hanging in the clouds.” I say that because that’s how I always pictured him. Yep, I had a very clear picture of a mostly bald, bespectacled, rotund and smiling older man. What’s funny is that, at some point in my teen years, I was looking through my parents’ old photo album and saw the man (apparently a friend of the family) whose exact image I’d evidently borrowed for my concept of The Creator.
“Holy crap, it’s Jehovah!”
Did I just give it away?
Anyway, as I scanned through Google Images for an artist’s rendering of God, I didn’t really find any “chubby guys.” In fact most were powerful, athletic images that looked like something chiseled by Michelangelo. As you see, I settled on one that obscured “His” physicality. The point? Not only might we all have had different mental images of God, but these images–and even our understanding of His/Its nature–has both evolved and may continue to evolve.
If you’re planning to connect with me in one of the cities I’ll be traveling to, I hope you won’t mind if I ask you this question. And, rest assured, I won’t mind whatever you say!
And what about the rest of you? How exactly has your understanding of God changed? Do you still use the word, “God,” or is there some other word you prefer? Do share…
Well, I must say that for me, I am a Christian and I do believe in “GOD”, and not so much in the “I have a picture of what or who He is and what He looks like” but more or less as a feeling of great strength and power in my life! I can do ANYTHING with His all knowing power! I often times use the phrases “Universe” or “God” interchangeably, but I pray and ask “God” for help in all the things that I do or want to have or want to experience each day! In my mind, He and I are co-creators in the manifestation process! He wants me to do something and I need Him to guide me through my intuition and divine knowing! We are a SUPER team of sorts in creating all that I desire and want and need in life! I believe that there is room in my life for Law of Attraction and my religious beliefs! The Bible has many, many references to Law of Attraction principles, so from God all great things come and this is no different!
I was brought up in a Taoist/Buddhist family. However, I attended a Catholic school for 10 years and also joined my friends in church when I got older. Nevertheless, I never quite got drawn into any religion in my youth.
While seeking, I realized that the Buddhist teachings resonated very well with me. However, with greater understanding and insights gained as a result of meditation, I am more attuned to Universal spiritual principles. I now adopt a perspective that cuts across all religions. Yes, it all works very well with my understanding of energy, conscious creation, spiritual beings, etc.
Anita,
I love what you said about the Law of Attraction and God. Many times people will separate these types of things from God. I agree with you that he has given us many powers that we have yet to tap into. This would be one of them. Thanks for confirming this.
Thanks for your comments. To be clear, I never meant to suggest that visualizing God in some physical form is something I consider important. (Hence, again, the reason for finding a graphic image that obscured such form.) Admittedly I did this as a child, and can also remember subconsciously carrying this image around in later years. But, to repeat…
“The point? Not only might we all have had different mental images of God, but these images–and even our understanding of His/Its nature–has both evolved and may continue to evolve.”
The Old Testament of what is accepted as the Christian bible says that God called himself “I Am That I Am.” Some modern translators have suggested that “I Will Be What I Will Be” or “I Shall Prove To Be What I Shall Prove To Be” are more accurate. This can support the idea that either A) God may choose to reveal Himself to us progressively, or B) We may come to understand the true nature of God better as the years pass.
I’m delighted to know that many Christians have come to embrace the LoA, and can easily harmonize it with their belief system–without the dogmatism and denigration of other belief systems. I’m also happy to see people of other religions (and those who don’t subscribe to any organized religion) find similar value in it.
Love…
Hello Jonathan! Just wanted to stop by to thank you for your recent comments at my blog - and to apologize for taking so long to stop by!
I’ve just spent a few minutes browsing your latest posts and really enjoyed them.
This post in particular struck me because it’s a big blockage for many people who try to take a more deliberate role in creating their lives. My religious experiences have been extremely varied over the years. I refer to myself as a spiritual “mutt” because I’ve absorbed bits and pieces of many belief systems, never quite feeling that just one was enough. Maybe I should call it the Lays Religion?
I tend to use the word “universe” more than “God” these days, not because I have a problem with the word, but because I’m aware that many people do and I don’t want to bring up all kinds of negative connotations that will obscure my point. Of course, some people get offended that I keep saying Universe instead of God….
Anyway, I do think that it’s very possible to combine LOA teachings with traditional religious and spiritual beliefs, but some compromise may be needed for certain faiths. And certain other faiths would deeply discourage compromise in any form. I think the people who are being led to explore new concepts of “God” will know it, while others will feel fine about staying exactly where they are.
Great blog Jonathan, I will definitely be back to read more!
Wendy
Hi Wendy… Nice to see you here. I too tend to use “Universe,” since (for many) “God” has a connotation that might produce misunderstanding or controversy…but when someone prefers “God,” that’s just great with me.
I enjoy your blog too, thanks for popping over and commenting!
Jonathan
For thirteen years I was a full time minister at a large church. So my theory of God has been pretty much ingrained within me. But I have always been one to wonder if people, or if I box God in based on our own personal beliefs of who He is, the fear factor of how He is watching us and keeping notes, (I’m certain he uses a Macbook Pro and not a PC) and how personal one can get with God. I mean if God can create the heavens and the earth, He is one super form of energy, (I’m sure that term scares some religious souls) that descriptions and adjectives just cannot even come close to in doing any kind of justice.
So as someone who calls himself a Christian, how does my theory of God change when I also believe in the Law of Attraction. Does this take away any divinity from God if I believe in such a universal law? My answer is no. God has created us with a most powerful mind. The mind in my opinion, (not space or the oceans) is the least understood frontier. I think that God has created all brains with the power to make radical changes in how we think and therefore act and live. God created the Law of Attraction based on the rules of how the mind works. Think and grow rich or think and live in poverty. Think you will succeed or think that you will fail. Whatever you choose you will attract to yourself because we take personal action in accordance with how one thinks. This is a ’spiritual’ universal law.
Now here is where it gets dicy. There are spiritual, religious people who not believe in the LoA because they would rather depend on God giving them what they need through prayer. If such an individual was to fulfill a number of desires by their own actions and not through prayer, it would decrease in their mind the deity and power of God. And that scares the hell out of them! I pray, but I also visualize specific to my dreams and goals that I believe are God inspired. Could it be that both of these are one and the same thing but in different forms? I’m not sure.
For this individual, the Law of Attraction and the amazing functionality of the mind increases my appreciation for the creative power and genius of God and does not take away in the least bit any of His divinity.
Sorry for the long comment and now, let’s take up my offering, shall we? LOL!
Loved your comment, Ed. I understand you and your wife have had some great LoA experiences recently. I’ll be in touch!