Shmu's Views: Q & A - Part 3

Q. Is there a Supreme Being (God)?

A. Yes.

Q. Can we KNOW this Supreme Being?

A. Yes

Q. How can we know this Supreme Being?

A. There are several ways of “knowing” the Supreme Being:

1. By simply talking to IT.

2. By meditating on IT.

3. By studying religious texts such as the Jewish Bible, and

other ancient sacred texts written across time and space.

4. By direct revelation (rare but it does occur from time to

time).

5. Science and mathematics - using honest critical thinking

without bias.

Q. Is the creation a one time event or is it a process that still continues to this day?

A. The creative method used by the Creator for ITs physical universe(s) is an ongoing process of intervention, evolution, adaptation, beginning and ending within a particular timeframe and plan. “In the beginning G-d….” What has a physical beginning will always have a physical end. From the human point of view this creative process takes a certain amount of “time” while from the Creator’s perspective it all resides in the Eternal Now.

Q. Is the Holy Bible recognized by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike contain the entire revelation of the Supreme Being?

A. No. It does contain most of what is necessary for a human being, while residing in this physical world to map their way through this thing called physical life in the physical universe. The Bible’s main focus is not in portraying historical or scientific fact as we understand them today, but as a roadmap to a higher calling for humans, who are both physical and spiritual beings; something unique to creation, at least on planet Earth.

Q. Do human beings have “Free Will?”

A. Yes and No! We have the ability and opportunity to exercise our "free" choice within certain limited ways. Human beings have been granted, by this Supreme Being, a set of boundaries that surround every given decision of choice made by a human being. Those list of choices available to human beings will be widened or narrowed (limited) based upon several factors both physical and spiritual. A human can make a decision within the confines of their own ability to comprehend, act and think it through. This can probably be best summed up in the following verse in the Jewish Bible - “Choose this day whom you will serve.” It is obvious from this statement that the Bible indicates we were created to serve and to do so within boundaries. Whom or what we choose to serve is within our purview, but are limited only by our own understanding and willingness.

Q. Does this service idea mean we humans are slaves or at least servants of someone else?

A. Yes. That is the human being’s creative purpose as listed:

1. Serve the Creator by not profaning Its Oneness.

2. Be fruitful and multiply - make progeny.

3. Work the land - engage in productive, creative and

meaningful work.

4. Be kind to one another and all of creation.

5. Build a human society with laws and enforcement of them.

Q. Is there only one correct and infallible religion?

A. No. Religion is not the creation of the Supreme Being but is a creation of humans that try, to the best of their limited capacity, to answer and fill in the blanks concerning anything related to this Supreme Being. Nearly all ancient religions have some measure of truth to be found in them, However, no one religion has a monopoly on any truth concerning The TRUTH.

Q. Which religion do you recommend?

A. I do not recommend any religion because each human being, created in the image and likeness of the Supreme Being are on their own particular path of enlightenment and understanding as it pertains to all things spiritual. It has been my experience that those religious trappings will change, even if ever so slowly, over time and many people find themselves experimenting with a variety of religious experiences before settling on one or more, or none; that best suit where they are in that specific time in their lives. But, “As for me and my house we will serve HaShem.”

Until next time -- Shalom!