Jack AMA

[ShadowsChild]

individualistic to say the least - but a very interesting new way to look at things

 

[vanillaicecream]

Do you play any musical instrument?

 

[JackofSpades]

Do you play any musical instrument?

Nope. Music is area where I'm total noob. Only instrument I have ever played as a kid is piano, my sister was playing it so we had one, and I taught myself to play "Gubben Noak" with it, but I'm sure I couldn't do even that anymore.

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

Icecream flavour ?

 

[JackofSpades]

Chocolate. Vanilla is ok too.

These are the best:

 

[TheGirlOnFire]

We call them choco ice

 

[JackofSpades]

Haha, well, I wouldn't consider myself a "fundamentalist", I just believe I should follow the bible.

Okay, it was just your literal way of reading the Bible that brought fundamentalism in my mind, just a guess. It's a scary way to read it, but if someone manages to put it in practise that literally, I find it somewhat admirable.

I saw your labled as a "seeker", so I'm just going throw some advice at you.

Seeker is closest one I could find. I'm a religious mess, with no idea how I should call my beliefs. But since I'm open for new influences, I think "seeker" will do.

Pick up the bible, I like the NIV, it has one or 2 minor translations issues but it flows really well and is easy to read without distorting the message.

I should probably mention that English isn't my first language. I usually read Finnish translations. But I have a question about English translations, there is a webservice I use for reading the Bible, it's handy to switch back and forth with English and Finnish translations, so I'm limited to those version which it offers. Which english translation you would recommend? The service has these versions:

King James, Youngs literal, Darby Bible, American standard, International standard, World English Bible and Green's literal.

Which one(s) of those you would recommend? What are most popular translations in America?

Just start in the book of john. Read it then acts. Then just read the gospels. They aren't as long as you think. You can read each in like, and hour. It will show you gods character. After that you can go back to the old testement, because when you see who much god hates sin, and I mean he HATES it, and you see the justice he pushes against those who disobey him, it makes the fact that he came to earth, and went and loved the people who loved what he HATED, despite the fact that it ended in his death, so much more meaningful.

That sounds like reasonable way to read the Bible.

I'm allready pretty familiar with NT, and I've read most of the OT too. Jesus is one of the most impressive characters in world history, and while I don't sign on to all beliefs of Christianity, I think there very likely is at least something divine in Jesus. I read the Bible (and likewise other religious literature) as a source of spiritual inspiration.

 

[anewman1993]

Seeker is closest one I could find. I'm a religious mess, with no idea how I should call my beliefs. But since I'm open for new influences, I think "seeker" will do.

I was there about a year or so ago. I was desperately trying to cling to my religion but just couldn't, there was to many contradictions, not in the bible itself, its surprisingly conflict free if you read it and dwell on it, however it was the christian people and they way they treated me. Almost completely fell away. However, Because I had experienced god, I couldn't lie to myself, despite being "religious" I'm actually very cynical. My automatic reaction to pretty much anything anyone says is to question it. Funny enough thats actually strengthened my faith more than anything. God doesn't mind questions so long as they are respectful. You can see the difference between how he views questioning by comparing Job and Habakkuk. Both questioned god and complained to him, however their hearts were difrent. Job was accusing god, habakkuk simply ask a question.

Gods response to Job in Job 38

Habakkuk (the whole book is 3 chapters long so just read it )

I say all that to say, I get the questioning. Don't look to people, and keep this thought on your mind, I see to many people make this mistake, they think they can be "sorta" christian, or they can just take the parts. C.s. Lewis sums it up quite nicely

"One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important."

If what jesus said is true, then denying him means eternal damnation, if what he said was untrue, it doesn't matter what you believe, its unimportant what you do. The one thing it simply can't be, is "sorta" important. So try to keep that in mind as you seek, about ALL the things you look at.

I should probably mention that English isn't my first language. I usually read Finnish translations. But I have a question about English translations, there is a webservice I use for reading the Bible, it's handy to switch back and forth with English and Finnish translations, so I'm limited to those version which it offers. Which english translation you would recommend? The service has these versions:

King James, Youngs literal, Darby Bible, American standard, International standard, World English Bible and Green's literal.

I don't know much about finish translations. However I will say this, I wouldn't read any of those, most I haven't heard of at all. Translation is a tricky thing. VERY tricky. I would stick to NIV, English standard version (ESV), New american standard Bible(NASB) , or NEW king james.

There is NO reason WHATSOVER for ANYONE to read the original king james version. It was translated from the original text into the modern language of the time, however its no longer the modern language of the time, which makes it hard to understand. Its simply an extra stumbling block. The modern translations are also taken from the original language and translated into ACTUAL modern language. I would suggest looking to see if there is a finish translation on biblegateway.com There are many great tools on that site including pretty much every translation I can think of.

I'm allready pretty familiar with NT, and I've read most of the OT too. Jesus is one of the most impressive characters in world history, and while I don't sign on to all beliefs of Christianity, I think there very likely is at least something divine in Jesus. I read the Bible (and likewise other religious literature) as a source of spiritual inspiration.

I got some things I think would be good for you to look at, at the very least they will push you to think. I like some of the stuff on this guys channel but these 2 videos are pretty good.

This one is simply the reading of a short C.s. Lewis thing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9fR1vSxNEQ

This is titled "Is Christianity slavery?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oss10S0GF78

If you have any more question feel free to let me know, I'll do anything I can to help, good luck!

 

[JackofSpades]

I was there about a year or so ago. I was desperately trying to cling to my religion but just couldn't, there was to many contradictions, not in the bible itself, its surprisingly conflict free if you read it and dwell on it, however it was the christian people and they way they treated me. Almost completely fell away. However, Because I had experienced god, I couldn't lie to myself, despite being "religious" I'm actually very cynical.

That's interesting. I find every genuine seekers story interesting, even if they end up in totally opposite conclusions than I do. It's amazing how people who ask same things, can end up in so different ways. It still makes me wonder.

I also have experiences I think came from god. I think keeping that inner experience alive, remaining sensitive for it and not losing it could be the kind of "first love" what Jesus talks about in book of revelation.

 

[Nanopants]

What's your favorite metal track of all time?

Favorite movie?

If you could summarize the meaning of your life into a single sentence, either as it is or what you plan or want it to be, what would that sentence be?

 

[JackofSpades]

What's your favorite metal track of all time?

Nightwish - Gethsemane

Nightwish (with it's first singer, Tarja) generally is my all time favorite. It's melodic and heavy but not dark.

Favorite movie?

I answer Star Wars - series, because that's what I've probably watched most times. I know it's not single movie, but I can't really name any single movie. Many good ones which are good in different context.

If you could summarize the meaning of your life into a single sentence, either as it is or what you plan or want it to be, what would that sentence be?

"Worship god to find meaning, have reasonable material comfort to not suffer and live half of your life in imagined worlds to have fun."

That's probably best I can come up with on short notice like this.

 

[Tess]

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world where would it be?

 

[JackofSpades]

If you could go on holiday anywhere in the world where would it be?

Hmm. Maybe USA, reading this forum so much has made me rather interested about it. My plan for 4 week American holiday:

I would first go somewhere in the South, because culture in the South appears to be most different than what it's here. I would find a part time job for three weeks, like in coffee shop etc, working few hours a day would be pretty relaxed, but by having job I'd get much closer look to things and peoples. I would rent a room on some farm while staying there, not on hotel, again for reason of having closer look.

I would work for three weeks and for last week of my holiday, I would go closer to sea during Fleet Week, so I could see big cool warships before leaving.

 

[grandvizier1006]

You'd come here?!?! To our sweltering neck of the woods?! I'm flattered!

Seriously, though, if this trip gets set in stone then PM me and I will give you all the advice you need. There are various cultural things that you "need" to know when you come "down south"

Anyway, since this is your AMA, I'll ask my question: What are you looking for in terms of religion? What is it about Christianity that has appeal to you, and what could or would a religion have to do/be like in order for you to decide you want to be a part of it?

 

[JackofSpades]

True, but what I'm saying is that I don't think it's a good idea for you to decide which religion you want based primarily on the atmosphere the community provides.

I'm more into experiential side of spirituality than into community, idea of community just got brought up there.

My ideal vision about what spiritual life would be, is moving to South Pole alone and never see another human being again, live there eating whatever I can find from nature, spend my days having telepathic conversations with polar bears and icebergs, experience connection with the nature to the maximum level and seek connection with divine beings, gods and goddesses of all sorts.

But since my surivival skills are too poor for that dream, I will have to stick to the much tuned down version of having occasional half hour walking trips to nearby forest. The dream and the reality, eh?

What exactly are you looking for by joining a religion such as Christianity, exactly? Community, identity, a fixed moral compass, or both? I think I'd be able to explain this better if I knew exactly what you were looking for.

I allready have some sort of spiritual life and spiritual experience in my life, I believe in god (dunno who he is tho) and he is real thing to me. So, my search for religion isn't so much about quest to find god, because I allready have one.

So, given that situation, I'm open for religion which would offer me explanation or theoretical construction for my spirituality, preferably without messing up my life too much in process. If somewhere out there pops up religion which plausibly explains the reality I've been living with for years, that's party time for me. But I'm not very optimistic about that happening anytime soon.

 

[grandvizier1006]

But see, if your ideal is to have your spiritual experience alone, then what I said should have encouraged you. My religious experience--pretty much my entire walk with Christ--has taken place mainly with no people directly involved, although lots of people have indirectly influenced me.

 

[JackofSpades]

But see, if your ideal is to have your spiritual experience alone, then what I said should have encouraged you. My religious experience--pretty much my entire walk with Christ--has taken place mainly with no people directly involved, although lots of people have indirectly influenced me.

It is possible that there is more to social side of Christianity than what I see in it, I've actually read stories about Christian saints and hermits who lived in isolation, some of them all their life. Those are usually inspiring people.

I think if someone is willing to move to a desert and spend 30 years there just praying, they can't at least be blamed of being superficial and taking things too lightly, heh. It is inspiring way to live, but I think to pull that out without going crazy in process, there needs to be some sort of calling for that kind of life.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

Are you a christian?

 

[JackofSpades]

Are you a christian?

Nope, at least not in sense it's usually used. And if I am one from some unorthodox point of view, that gotta be rather heretic point of view, like universalism.

But there is alot of stuff in Christian spirituality which I find to be very beautiful, like "Christ in me" and everything in spiritual growth being work of Holy Spirit, not prize for intense trying. Those teachings are important to me aswell.

I'd put it in a way that I'm "Influenced by Christianity"

 

[vanillaicecream]

Have you been playing chess lately?