Conversations with God

[monkspider]

Hmm, if this is the whole book, then it is remarkably short. After finishing it, I can say that it is definitely a charletan. Everything else put aside, www.conversationswithgod.com makes it clear he is out to make money any way that he can. Ironically however, it does offer a more accurate overall picture of God than the Bible does. In terms of sheer wisdom, it is dwarfed by the New Testament and some of the writings of the Eastern religions, but still quite wise for a piece of popular literature.

[curtsibling]

Sounds like a dubious scam...

I could write a book..."Conversations with the Easter Bunny"...

I find it amusing that people would take this fellow's book seriously...

Religion is for personal delusion.

[Alex]

God can't talk. Nietzsche killed him.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Alexnm
God can't talk. Nietzsche killed him.

He didn't. He merely found out that we already had.

[Frogman]

I have read the 3 books and participated in some discussion forums for a while. Sure it could be conversations with the Easter Bunny except for some of the very interesting concepts. Its new age for sure but with a little more wisdom and a better definition of God. I like this God better than the Bible one. It makes more sense to me.

In a nutshell, we exist so God can experience his creation. We aren't on any big learning or mission to perfect our souls. We chose the circumstances of our life and are reincarnated many times. Humans have individual souls, other animals have group souls. There is no hell. Time is in layers so God isn't waiting for anything, he made the whole thing all at once. We can exist in more than one place and time. God is what he is and he is what he's not. Things exist in 3 phases, things are experienced in 2. Well, I can't get 3 books in one paragraph, but you can get an idea of the some of the stuff he talks about.

I liked books 1 and 3. 2 got a little wacky with some of the alien stuff and turned me off. Neale will admit his preconceptions and view of the world color the message he gets. I don't necessarily believe any of it, but I have incorporated some of the ideas into my view of God.

The books are interesting, intellegent and regardless of where he's getting his "answers", its worth reading. I turned some agnostics on to them and it made them reconsider some of their thoughts on the possibility of God being a reality.

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by Alexnm
God can't talk. Nietzsche killed him.

Nietzche, Nietzche, hmmmmm........... I seem to recall that he died in an insane asylum. Doesn't say much for the quality of his logic does it?

[gsmoove23]

Aaaargh! Flashbacks. I dated a girl who was always reading books like these and once she forced me to read a part of the first book. It was HORrible! What was worse I had to stifle my sarcastic reactions or I knew I would get into an enormous pointless fight. What a load of tripe, I skimmed though it to make sure they didn't mention any fruit punch recipees before I gave it back to her.

I never thought I'd see this book again, the horror.

[Clear Skies]

"God is dead." - Nietzsche
"Nietzsche is dead." - God

[Jac de Molay]

Does this particular work complement "Listening to Prozac" ?

[Frogman]

Originally posted by gsmoove23
Aaaargh! Flashbacks. I dated a girl who was always reading books like these and once she forced me to read a part of the first book. It was HORrible! What was worse I had to stifle my sarcastic reactions or I knew I would get into an enormous pointless fight. What a load of tripe, I skimmed though it to make sure they didn't mention any fruit punch recipees before I gave it back to her.

I never thought I'd see this book again, the horror.

I like to read books on philosophy and religion so for me it was good. If you're somewhat dimwitted or an ardent atheist you won't find much there.

[Spec]

I dont know what to say.....

.....ummmm.......

I DO know what to say....

Bullshlt!

Spec.

[gsmoove23]

Frogman, dude if the guy wanted to share his philosophy fine, I didn't find anything particularly disagreeable with what he thought. Oh, just one thing, he claims he's having conversations with GOD. Its bull****, no miracles no nothing. Aren't prophets supposed to have miracles?

As for his interpretation of religion, its fine, I didn't find anything to argue with. In fact, he took God and made him into a very nice agreeable PC guy, kind of like a cool parent, you know the one that lets you smoke pot and stuff. I just prefer the ambiguity and bloodshed of the Bible, forgive me for being dimwitted.

[Frogman]

gsmoove

I don't think ardent Christians will find much to like in the books either. If you're open to new age ideas or eastern philosophies you'll find its a blend concepts from other religions with some new ones thrown in all done in an easy to read format.

Regarding the sincerity of the author, he seems believable. He describes his method. He writes a question on his yellow legal tablet and if he hears an answer he writes it down. He describes long periods when he felt no answers. Were his answers really from God? Who knows. I found many of the subjects intriguing and some interesting concepts were laid out that you just don't see from anyone else. I don't take it as gospel, but for people searching for a definition of God, its a believable one.

I look at some of the answers he got and they are interesting, whether on God's authority or not. It sure makes a lot more sence than many of the the things that "The LORD said" in Leviticus.

[Ben Kenobi]

Aren't prophets supposed to have miracles?

gsmoove:

Yes. Let the lack of miracles help you draw your own conclusions as to the validity of the work.

Frogman:

If you're open to new age ideas or eastern philosophies you'll find its a blend concepts from other religions with some new ones thrown in all done in an easy to read format.

I'm reminded of CS Lewis.
'It's easy to make up a religion when one has no facts to bother with.'

[Frogman]

Yep, its easy to make up a religion but in the end most people end up inventing their own anyway. Christians have some of the most diverse beliefs of any religion I know. Everyone seems free to have their own interpretations. Leaders disagree on serious doctrine, the date for Easter, sacraments, rapture, everything from Genesis to Revelation.

from obiwan

Yes. Let the lack of miracles help you draw your own conclusions as to the validity of the work

So God doesn't speak to you if you can't perform miracles? I know many Christians who have heard God speak to them and they can't do miracles. I think you miss one of the main points of the book, God is always speaking to us, we just aren't listening.

So I say, if the books help you make up something that works for you, they are worth reading. We're all wrong anyway, so you might as well believe something that you can live with.