John 1

[Steve Consilvio]

Let's just say that we have different understandings of the trinity. I certainly believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. The problem is which definition of Trinity are you using? I am willing to accept the Qu'ran as it is written, but perhaps not as you interpret it.


There are many things that I disagree with in regard to Catholic Doctrine. If we take your position (the trinity is totally false) and the Church's position *the trinity is totally true) as opposite extremes, then I am somewhere in the middle.


Language is a tool. Definitions are representations of ideas. It is the ideas that are important. Ideas rule the world. God is an idea, too. Scripture is God's way of correcting our ideas, but just because A is wrong, that doesn't make B correct. B can be incorrect, too. As well as C, D, E, etc.


In other words, when you ask for a 'yes or no,' it is because you are thinking in a dualistic way. I always see three or more possibilities to every issue, and the one truth should satisfy/include/solve everyone's perspective. 2+2=4. There are an infinite number of wrong answers to the question 2+2=?


New threads are not needed because everything is always interrelated. New threads are just another expression of your dualistic approach, which I do not share.


Definitions constantly evolve, which is a huge inter-generational problem. It may be that we are using a different definition of the trinity than the one being discussed in the Qu'ran. We have no way of knowing, pro or con. What is important is that we be a peace with one another and with God. Fighting over God defeats the purpose of the message, and this has been the problem over many generations.


Let's be frank here. Every religion has an element of fear and self-superiority in regard to other religions. I do not believe in these groupthink vs groupthink battles. I want to be on God's side. I do, however, appreciate the effort that everyone makes to understand God and our duty. And, of course, it is the points of disagreement (like the trinity issue) that tend to be the most rich for learning. My approach, however, wins no friends. That itself is an interesting lesson, too. The battle for virtue is between me and God. I constantly fail, no matter how hard I try, and no matter how much I improve.


Think about the concept of mercy for a moment. Shouldn't we have mercy for those who think differently from ourselves? And shouldn't we be open to that fact that they could teach us what we have not experienced, just as we could teach them what we have experienced? And, by sharing our experience, we can all come to know God better?


For example, if the use of the word trinity was 'not good' then what can be said of all the prayers and rituals that have also been created by man? They are not scripturally sound, either. When you unravel one tradition, you unravel all tradition.