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Ultimately they are, hence the tribalism and isolating natures of many religions, of which is justified (for them), based on how the exposure to other cultures can cause one to loose one's "faith". I am thinking about teenagers going to college, or exposed to the internet, etc.It's reasoning without risk. The beliefs are permanently safe; locked into stasis by faith; invulnerable to scrutiny.
Provide me with compelling evidence for this "spiritual aspect of our being".Because you haven't woken to the spiritual aspect of our being, we end up talking past each other.
How so?The human being is much more than a mixture of mechanical/chemical/physical chunk of meat.
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There you go talking past people, because you haven't woken to the aspect that we are just a mixture of mechanical/chemical/physical chunk of meat.Because you haven't woken to the spiritual aspect of our being, we end up talking past each other. The human being is much more than a mixture of mechanical/chemical/physical chunk of meat.
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Because some are convinced they have found the answer, which answers nothing.Will someone tell me why this conversation continues?
Yes, for once you make sense. It doesn't invalidate any of my points though... which you have chosen to ignore.Sorry, you missed a key point of the analogy. No one is above the clouds, we are all below the clouds. It just that those who've had a spiritual awakening have risen to just below the clouds, but above the ground and are able to get a better vantage point of what is above the clouds, but they themselves are not yet above because they are still in this world on earth. Does that make sense?
No, this is not what you have done.So what I've done and continue to try to do is look at my own beliefs from the perspective of an athiest. This has allowed me to understand some of the confusion athiests have regarding Christian beliefs and theology and I've tried to explain and clear up the confusion, but until you have your own personal spiritual awakening, you won't understand my vantage point or what I've been trying to do.
This idea of "lost sheep" and "worth seeking and finding" (related: not worth seeking and finding) is just that: a concept that excuses you from any responsibility.As Christians we are called to seek the lost sheep. And a lost sheep who wants to understand is definitely worth seeking and finding. I consider you a lost sheep who is seeking to understand and I also consider myself a lost sheep if I don't have the truth of Jesus Christ to guide me. I hope this makes sense at least.
They have the feeling they are above us. In that they are just below the clouds and we are still here down on Earth.You claim calling and knowledge and higher vantage points... but when push comes to shove, you have nothing to offer... and you hide that inability, even from yourself, behind a curtain of pious language.
What is "spirit"?
But all you have proffered is your opinion.
Where?
Post #678, if you care... speaking of Jiminy Cricket, and all that.
No, I am not looking for perfect, or absolutely accurate descriptions.That's imposable.
I am not here to provide that. I am here to see what you have, if anything.Even your unable to provide that
Sure, but some of those descriptions of reality allow for the creation of powerful vaccines, computers or the landing of spacecraft on the moons of Saturn.because there are as many descriptions of reality as there are human beings.
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Those "pearls" look fake. How are you going demonstrate that they are real?Matthew 7:6
"Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."
I'll use an analogy <snip>
Not at all. How does one tell an actual "spiritual awakening" from one that is only imagined?Sorry, you missed a key point of the analogy. No one is above the clouds, we are all below the clouds. It just that those who've had a spiritual awakening have risen to just below the clouds, but above the ground and are able to get a better vantage point of what is above the clouds, but they themselves are not yet above because they are still in this world on earth. Does that make sense?
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If you where in the desert seeking a drink of water (life) and I had a canteen full, you (by default) are under no obligation to accept it either. The good news SHOULD be welcomed by those who seek...if it is not, that is a sign of your identity as not being of God. But that is okay, the poor in spirit, shall inherit the earth (return to it). Enjoy!I do not, by default, accept your religious opinion as truth.
I find the process interesting, and I have a couple of teenagers that often watch over my shoulder to see the actions of the religionists whose beliefs are questioned. We don't get much exposure to religion in these parts, and this serves to inoculate them against religion.Will someone tell me why this conversation continues?
With all these analogies... perhaps just once in all your infinite knowledge you could recognize where they all fail:If you where in the desert seeking a drink of water (life) and I had a canteen full, you (by default) are under no obligation to accept it either. The good news SHOULD be welcomed by those who seek...if it is not, that is a sign of your identity as not being of God. But that is okay, the poor in spirit, shall inherit the earth (return to it). Enjoy!
The spiritual realm (aka, the Spirit) is the realm that exists beyond the universe, that made the universe (a make-believe creation with a temporary purpose).Can you make that definition less circular? What does being "of the spirit" mean without resorting to the word "spirit"?
eudaimonia,
Mark
But in this analogy, you are unable to produce this alleged canteen for me to see, to examine, to sample, and you look just as thirsty as me.If you where in the desert seeking a drink of water (life) and I had a canteen full, you (by default) are under no obligation to accept it either.
I believe that one should examine most critically of those things one wants to be true.The good news SHOULD be welcomed by those who seek...
God who?if it is not, that is a sign of your identity as not being of God.
What is this "good news" that you allude to?But that is okay, the poor in spirit, shall inherit the earth (return to it). Enjoy!
Where is this, exactly?The spiritual realm (aka, the Spirit) is the realm that exists beyond the universe,
So we live in the "make-believe" reality, and you cannot show us "reality". Wait, that doesn't sound right...that made the universe (a make-believe creation with a temporary purpose).
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