Persecuted Religions

[Thinking required]

Beating people up with their opinions and judgements using the Holy Word of God.

I don't recall that I have gone down this road. Yes, I am a little abrupt at times and I can only "assume" what I don't know since I will never meet any of you and you will not meet each other. There was a point to what I was saying, look at the dialogue hear. I have come to understand people very well, (just read Muggeridge, Chesterton, Pascal) none of us are really very different from each other when it comes to the foundations of a human. We only become who we grow into by what happens in life and what we listen to. Why are people so opposed to understanding that we are all made up of flaws (that is what God says, not me, "the heart is continually wicked"). Am I a faceless person on a screen right now? Yes. You will only know what I want you to know. That is so different from siting down and having a coffee and walking through life. I am sorry if I have offended anyone, but like I have said before, people get offended very easy and usually when they are offended, there is some truth in what has been said. This kind of "communication" is the most dangerous as people love being someone who they are not. The world of "acting" entered with the advent of the smart phone. Just my opinion. I am sure that you are very sweet, but sweet people get taken advantage of all the time, I should know, I am married to one of the sweetest and most caring people I know. Blessings. And my post will have nothing to do with how people view Christianity, they have already made up their minds. What did Jesus say, "they hate me, they will also hate you".

 

[Thinking required]

You were saying how you want to help people spiritually, to get them so see the truth, for their own best interest. I get that!

I don't recall using the word "spiritually". It has always been about truth, if that enters into the Spiritual world, then fine, but that is not where I was headed. Yes, I have challenged people as to why they believe in their spiritual book. I certainly don't mind being challenged about which book I believe. Helps me to reexamine why I believe what I believe.

 

[Thinking required]

In the very next sentence, you made the analogy to how it feels to be watching someone suffering in an abusive relationship, and wondering how one might best help.

Is that wrong for me to feel compassion?

 

[Thinking required]

But where does that leave someone like you with your concern for my spiritual well-being, with your perception that I am in peril and not seeing it, or not accepting what you know is good and right for me? What about your desire to do "the right or loving thing"?

I would invite you to examine where this impulse comes from, within your heart. It obviously comes from a good, tender place, and listening to it, figuratively speaking, to learn more about that tenderness, would definitely be a good, right, and loving thing to do for yourself. The equation of loving the next person like oneself has two sides, after all.

It is not so much a spiritual well being, you are responsible for what you believe. I have lived in the world of watching abuse, sons abusing their mother or father, men abusing women, people abusing people. This world is full of it, everywhere you look. I am tired, people scream that they want peace, yet that will never happen in this world, as I have said before. Put any two people in the same room for a while and there is going to be problems. It's not so much as me wanting to help someone out of the situation, because I have learned that I can't do that. Can I voice my concern, I believe so. I have watched three moms be abused by their sons, not physical. And one of those is my wife. I have learned that a person will never change or think differently until they are ready to. If you will look at most of my posts, they have been about trying to get someone to see the lies they believe. Religions have torn this world apart, all religions. So is it important as to what we believe?

Sorry, I am just tired of seeing lies running peoples lives, countries and wars. Everyone says that they want the same thing, but they don't, it always comes down to my family and my back yard. I have said so many times already, I could be the one deceived here. Maybe that is why I challenge myself. Most people like their comfort zone even if it's sitting on top of an ant hill. We all make our own comfort zones and it has very little to do with truth, only what we desire. Yes, there are usually two side to every story.

 

[Cino]

This world is full of it, everywhere you look. I am tired, people scream that they want peace, yet that will never happen in this world

If you want to vent, we have a sub-forum for that. Perfectly legit there.

But why make it about someone else's beliefs, if this is really about your own family?

I read recently how your wife had surgery. I hope it was successful and wish her a speedy recovery. Health is a precious good.

 

[Thomas]

And if that all helps float your boat, more power to you.

I was just correcting your error, that's all.

 

[Thomas]

I have lived in the world of watching abuse, sons abusing their mother or father, men abusing women, people abusing people. This world is full of it, everywhere you look.

And, sadly, you have brought it here.

You talk about peace ... I would ask you to consider your manner and method, and whether that promotes peace here, or discord?

When I joined here, I was quite a hardline Catholic. Dialogue with respondents here had rubbed off many of my sharper edges. IO has taught me to listen, has taught me the meaning of ecumenism ... there are those here with whom there have been mighty struggles ... and yet my opponent declares me his friend, and offers to buy me a drink, and I reciprocate ... I have learned I can respect people who believe differently, and who might hold my own Tradition is a very poor light ...

There were those with whom I did not budge, with him I neither sought nor offered quarter.

But I have learned a better way.

There is, dare I say it, a wisdom from the Buddhist Tradition:
Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox.

Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow."
(Dhammapada, Yamakavagga: Pairs, 1 & 2)

In justification of this citation, I would quote Scripture:
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that we may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" 1 Corinthians 2:16)

Jesus Christ – The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)

 

[Faithfulservant]

I don't recall that I have gone down this road. Yes, I am a little abrupt at times and I can only "assume" what I don't know since I will never meet any of you and you will not meet each other. There was a point to what I was saying, look at the dialogue hear. I have come to understand people very well, (just read Muggeridge, Chesterton, Pascal) none of us are really very different from each other when it comes to the foundations of a human. We only become who we grow into by what happens in life and what we listen to. Why are people so opposed to understanding that we are all made up of flaws (that is what God says, not me, "the heart is continually wicked"). Am I a faceless person on a screen right now? Yes. You will only know what I want you to know. That is so different from siting down and having a coffee and walking through life. I am sorry if I have offended anyone, but like I have said before, people get offended very easy and usually when they are offended, there is some truth in what has been said. This kind of "communication" is the most dangerous as people love being someone who they are not. The world of "acting" entered with the advent of the smart phone. Just my opinion. I am sure that you are very sweet, but sweet people get taken advantage of all the time, I should know, I am married to one of the sweetest and most caring people I know. Blessings. And my post will have nothing to do with how people view Christianity, they have already made up their minds. What did Jesus say, "they hate me, they will also hate you".

Just a note.. Apologizing for offending someone then continually saying offensive things or adding a butt afterwards is insincere and are just empty words. As much as we are all faceless to you does not mean we are not human beings deserving of respect. You just say what comes to your mind without considering the consequences. Are you like this face to face with people?

I would be willing to bet when we face the Lord we are going to be held just as accountable with what we did via text as we will for every word that proceeds out of our mouths.

 

[Thinking required]

If you want to vent, we have a sub-forum for that. Perfectly legit there.

But why make it about someone else's beliefs, if this is really about your own family?

I read recently how your wife had surgery. I hope it was successful and wish her a speedy recovery. Health is a precious good.

Did not know about the other forum. It just seemed to fit the context. I was just trying to say that I have seen and been involved in many different situations. In my family and outside my family when it comes to people. I was not trying to "vent". Just talking about experience. And most situations with people run the same course with a few differences in the story. Thanks, she is doing great and will be going back for follow up tomorrow.

 

[Thinking required]

And, sadly, you have brought it here.

We all hide, but reality is reality, we are all part of it and we should be learning from it. If all of us here were in the same room, I am sure it would not just be a jolly good time, unless we were all drunk. Most people don't seem to like talking about reality, I guess that is where I am different. I don't think we can every know someone without know who they are and even then we never know the truth. Everyone lies.

 

[Thinking required]

I would be willing to bet when we face the Lord we are going to be held just as accountable with what we did via text as we will for every word that proceeds out of our mouths.

I am sure your are correct. Like Paul, I use my conscience to help me. My conscience is clear, even though I am sure God might have a few problems with me. It's a good thing that I get to leave this body of sin here on earth when I go to heaven. But I will stand before God and have to be accountable to Him. I deserve hell, and will find myself very fortunate if I don't wake up there.

 

[Thinking required]

In justification of this citation, I would quote Scripture:
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that we may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ" 1 Corinthians 2:16)

" be transformed by the renewing of your mind" This is an ongoing process, you should have known me 40 years ago. I am still not there and forms like this have helped me see my faults and until a person sees their faults, they can not change and if they see their faults, this is no gaurentee that they will change, we are all works in process. Truth sometimes hurts. "God disciplines those that He loves"

 

[Cino]

I don't think we can every know someone without know who they are and even then we never know the truth. Everyone lies.

You sound very disappointed. My sympathies.

There's a great song by the Rolling Stones, called "Lies"... was reminded of it by your post.

Feel free to head over to the lounge area of the forum, and post a rant or two. That can feel good.

 

[wil]

Quoting myself here, but to clarify... do you not think the discussions are going well? Are any parts of the discussion going well in your view?

Sure....most of it! It is amazing the concept of the mirror... I see someone go into their self defensive tirade and am reminded of my similar tendencies. I see some know it all comment and my urge to correct them comes out.

As some see argument or ignorance or pompousness or foolishness... I do as well but get to explore similar traits in me. There exists peace and enlightenment everywhere...it appears to be our issue if we can't find it....

I chuckle at the last two posts, but I chuckle more at all my potential responses.

 

[RJM]

We all hide, but reality is reality, we are all part of it and we should be learning from it.

Do you mean that reality consists of your own particular reading of the New Testament? Don't you think there are people who actually experience the 'still small voice' regardless of your own particular holy book.

I am sure it would not just be a jolly good time, unless we were all drunk. Most people don't seem to like talking about reality, I guess that is where I am different. I don't think we can every know someone without know who they are and even then we never know the truth. Everyone lies.

You are becoming ridiculous in your arrogant posture of knowing what is best for everybody else IMO

 

[Thinking required]

You sound very disappointed. My sympathies.

disappointed, not really, once I understood. Sad would be a better word as far as I am concerned. Does this mean that I don't or can't enjoy life. Certainly not, it's just a reality.
A you sure that was the Rolling Stones and not the Knickerbockers.
Fleetwood Mac also does a song called "little lies" "sweet little lies" is in the lyrics. McVie sings it and co wrote it.

 

[Thinking required]

Do you mean that reality consists of your own particular reading of the New Testament? Don't you think there are people who actually experience the 'still small voice' regardless of your own particular holy book.

When will people grow up. If a sentence says that a dog is black. How many ways an I going to try to interpret that. What do you think we have words for? So we can't know something! The NT is clear, there are a few verses that puzzle even the best scholars, but few. Jesus said: "the meek will inherit the earth" The only thing we have to determine here is who the "meek" are. And there will probable be a hundred different means about this word to you.

Here is a "verse" from the Quran Sura 22.5: "O people! I you are in doubt about the raising, then surely We created you from dust, then from a small seed, then from a clot, then from a lump of flesh, complete in make and incomplete, that We may make clear to you; an We cause what We please to stay in the wombs till an appointed time, then We bring you forth as babies......" and on and on.

Talk about running through a juggernaut. Try to make sense out of that! dust, seed, clot, lump of flesh, complete and incomplete, that's how humans are made!

 

[RJM]

When will people grow up. If a sentence says that a dog is black. How many ways an I going to try to interpret that. What do you think we have words for? So we can't know something! The NT is clear, there are a few verses that puzzle even the best scholars, but few. Jesus said: "the meek will inherit the earth" The only thing we have to determine here is who the "meek" are. And there will probable be a hundred different means about this word to you.

Here is a "verse" from the Quran Sura 22.5: "O people! I you are in doubt about the raising, then surely We created you from dust, then from a small seed, then from a clot, then from a lump of flesh, complete in make and incomplete, that We may make clear to you; an We cause what We please to stay in the wombs till an appointed time, then We bring you forth as babies......" and on and on.

Talk about running through a juggernaut. Try to make sense out of that! dust, seed, clot, lump of flesh, complete and incomplete, that's how humans are made!

Yes, but in that sense scripture is just the shell of the nut, imo. Chewing on the shell is just dry wood. Anyway, I am here to learn and discuss with others, not to try to shove my own view of my own individual take on my own holy book down everybody else's gullet, It's often difficult, and I am not always as patient as I would like to be.

 

[Thinking required]

Yes, but in that sense scripture is just the shell of the nut, imo. Chewing on the shell is just dry wood. Anyway, I am here to learn and discuss with others, not to try to shove my own view of my own individual take on my own holy book down everybody else's gullet, It's often difficult, and I am not always as patient as I would like to be.

Fair enough. The Bible is just not that complicated. People seem to always be looking for some "deeper" meaning. The statement to "love your neighbor" shouldn't be that complicated. Yet the Jews did ask, "who's my neighbor", Jesus seems to clear that up very well.

 

[wil]

Those of you that have been here for y e a r s must not have a life. this has become your sad life.

Lol...welcome aboard!

This is definitely a joyful introspective part of my life. And it contains plenty of chuckles from responses and posts such as yours.

We have seen them all come and go...the haters that like to hate, the know it all, the prophets, the saviors, the preachers looking for congregants, the authors searching for readers, the zealots looking for converts.

Meanwhile we stop in a few times a day or a few times a week to check the water temperature, stir the soup..and then get back to our days.

Last year my sad life here included almost 3 months in a tent and over 5 months on the road...tis the joy of the internet, I can stay in communication with thousands of friends even when waking in a sleeping bag on the side of a mountain. My solar charger keeps me connected as I gather wood for a fire...we are damn near in godmode today eh? Mohammed, Jesus, Moses, Lao Tzu, Buddha Socrates...they would each and everyone been amazed at this website.and our discussions and would have been thrilled to contribute and had a chance to compare notes...we are doing what they could not even contemplate...and you think it sad...and I think that sad.

My wish is you either find your spot to contribute or move on. Would hate to have to see you respond to such a post in ten years...lol