NPR – Questers

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

But what do you see as the point of questions without answers?

The answer is 42

How was it that Richard Poll described the difference between Iron Rod and Liahona Mormons? Something about, “Some see answers that must never be questioned, others see questions that may never be completely answered?” And some are just more comfortable than others with uncertainty in the process of living.

[Anonymous]

Roy wrote:

The answer is 42 .

Nice!

That makes me wonder…

What’s the point of answers without the right questions to know what it means to me?

[Anonymous]

For me, questions drive thinking…and this leads to individuals constructing their own meaning. Meaning that fits their personalities, their life circumstances….a more permanent kind of learning. Too bad, but the kind of learning that I think lasts the longest is the kind where you discover your own meaning. As uncomfortable as that may be.

On the other hand, I think this world is a bit too unstructured in terms of answers…really. I think a lot of people may well find a philosophy that answers their questions, devote their life to it, and then find the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall some day.

[Anonymous]

Quote:

I think a lot of people may well find a philosophy that answers their questions, devote their life to it, and then find the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall some day.

Fwiw, I don’t think that’s possible unless the philosophy they follow is destructive and doesn’t help them “be” / “become” a better person. I believe we have FAR longer to “figure it out” than most people realize.

If it helps them be better, I really don’t care much what it is.

You might be interested in the following posts:

“Charity Endureth All Things: Even Others’ Differing Understanding of Joy” (http://thingsofmysoul.blogspot.com/2010/12/charity-endureth-all-things-even-others.html)

“Pursuing Joy” (http://thingsofmysoul.blogspot.com/2008/08/pursuing-joy.html)

[Anonymous]

SD wrote:

Quote:

I think a lot of people may well find a philosophy that answers their questions, devote their life to it, and then find the ladder is leaning against the wrong wall some day.

Fwiw, I don’t think that’s possible unless the philosophy they follow is destructive and doesn’t help them “be” / “become” a better person. I believe we have FAR longer to “figure it out” than most people realize.

If it helps them be better, I really don’t care much what it is.

I’m thinking of my father-in-law. We were talking about the lack of certainty we have in this life…and I remember him saying “I hope the Church is what it says it is…someday”. I remember thinking that I too would be really distrubed if after giving the equivalent of a mortgage to the Church, and a lot of service that doesn’t go anywhere, I find out the Church isn’t true in the next life. So, although certain character goals could be achieved even if the Church is not true, I think it would be a huge descronstructor and angst-producer for many who gave up so much for something that isn’t necessarily true.

I think one could still achieve selflessness, charity, etcetera by giving the money to other unselfish causes that one wouldn’t regret — like children’s college funds, for example, money for curable diseases in the family, or some other cause you feel passionate about. The problem is, you have to turn off your Church-conscience to do that…and ignore warnings of being burned at the Second Coming, and the disapproval from Ward leaders etcetera.

[Anonymous]

SilentDawning wrote:

For me, questions drive thinking…and this leads to individuals constructing their own meaning. Meaning that fits their personalities, their life circumstances….a more permanent kind of learning. Too bad, but the kind of learning that I think lasts the longest is the kind where you discover your own meaning. As uncomfortable as that may be.

I think that is very well said!

That is what makes the South Park scene in hell so funny…to suggest there was just one answer…and it was “The Mormons, yes, the Mormons was the correct answer.”. Then all the religious people feel that angst that all the sacrifices they made and all the things they did was all for nothing. …that, to me, is great comedy.

When I listen to Eckhart Tolle or read his books, the message I hear is that things aren’t right or wrong…they just are. We are the ones that put stories and meaning to what is, kind of like the quote above by SD…we discover the meaning of things, or try to based on our capabilities. The lion that rips apart the baby gazelle doesn’t feel guilt, it just is. We often project our thoughts and feelings on the outside world, but that doesn’t mean it is truly the way the outside world is, it is how we are experiencing it through our senses, because we have a need to find meaning.

If a person has their heart in the right place, and serves and sacrifices for their faith…I can’t imagine there being anything in the next life that would prove it was wrong or wasted effort. Your ladder can only be leaning against the wrong wall if you label it as such to tell a story of some kind. The plan of salvation makes no sense to me if it involves lotteries or surprises on winning or failing that will only be revealed in the next life when you can’t do anything about it. No, I think the less I put things in terms of binary thinking, the more rich and deep meaning I find.

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