Skulls, Halloween, dark stuff...

[rockytopva]

If E = mc2 then one can divide and say that m = E/c2. Therefore all of creation came into existence with the Fathers great Energy and Light... In which there are three varieties...

Natural E/c2... The sun is E/c2 in the form of plasma... The Earth is cooled E/c2.
Mental E/c2... Our ability to think comes from E/c2
Spiritual E/c2... Energy (Motivation, Love) / c2 (Faith, Hope, Charity, Joy)

so... Lets take the opposite of all that...

The opposite of m = E/c2 is n = z/d

Nothing (n) - That which outer space is made of between the celestial objects.
Absolute Zero (z) - The coldest it can get!
Darkness (d) - That which is devoid of light.

Natural z/d - Nothing! Space! Null and Void!
Mental z/d - Nothing!
Spiritual... z (Laziness, Apathy, Hate) / d (Fear, Despair, Greed, Sorrow).

It is my conviction that there are three spiritual extremes…

Spiritual light – Love, warmth, faith, hope, charity joy, goodness, peace…
Spiritual darkness – Hate, cold, fear, depression, sorrow, greed, evil, war…
The Flesh – Ego, perverted sex, filth, witchcraft, anger, strife, divisions, mysticism… Where does that fit? It is neither light or darkness!

I have heard that the flesh and the devil are so akin that it is hard to discern between the two of them. There is a path I believe to perfect spiritual light, or Caritas (Latin for pure love)... Things that cannot be taught for virtue is not knowledge!

1. Hope - All things begin with a hope
2. Faith - Motivation is a child of faith and hope
3. Charis - Grace - A powerful neighbor of caritas
4. Dynamos - Greek for virtue and motivation
5. Eucharisteo - Much grace... Gratitude
6. Charisomai - Well favored - A lucky kind of feeling
7. Euchrestos - Greek for profitable
8. Chairo - Greek for cheer - "Cheerio mate!"
9. Chara - Greek for joy
10. Chrestotes - An 'Aunt Bee' kind of Goodness
11. Charisma - Heavenly Graciousness
12. Chrisma - Heavenly Anointing - The Holy Grail!

I prefer to stay away from all things pertaining to darkness and flesh. Therefore I do not get into halloween (small caps).

 

[faroukfarouk]

I am not really up for debate, but have to say I think Brinny is making a valid point. Where do we draw the line, what is "too dark". I believe it can be a slippery slope for many. Just sayin...Nothing wrong with the color black, etc., but a the last few pages of images are quite disturbing ( to me at least).

Yes, some of the images that brinny uploaded would be described as disturbing. Although I would not buy the idea that the bridalwear shown that is not white but inspired by darker Victoriana is disturbing. Blessings.

 

[Root of Jesse]

If E = mc2 then one can divide and say that m = E/c2. Therefore all of creation came into existence with the Fathers great Energy and Light... In which there are three varieties...

Natural E/c2... The sun is E/c2 in the form of plasma... The Earth is cooled E/c2.
Mental E/c2... Our ability to think comes from E/c2
Spiritual E/c2... Energy (Motivation, Love) / c2 (Faith, Hope, Charity, Joy)

so... Lets take the opposite of all that...

The opposite of m = E/c2 is n = z/d

Nothing (n) - That which outer space is made of between the celestial objects.
Absolute Zero (z) - The coldest it can get!
Darkness (d) - That which is devoid of light.

Natural z/d - Nothing! Space! Null and Void!
Mental z/d - Nothing!
Spiritual... z (Laziness, Apathy, Hate) / d (Fear, Despair, Greed, Sorrow).

It is my conviction that there are three spiritual extremes…

Spiritual light – Love, warmth, faith, hope, charity joy, goodness, peace…
Spiritual darkness – Hate, cold, fear, depression, sorrow, greed, evil, war…
The Flesh – Ego, perverted sex, filth, witchcraft, anger, strife, divisions, mysticism… Where does that fit? It is neither light or darkness!

I have heard that the flesh and the devil are so akin that it is hard to discern between the two of them. There is a path I believe to perfect spiritual light, or Caritas (Latin for pure love)... Things that cannot be taught for virtue is not knowledge!

1. Hope - All things begin with a hope
2. Faith - Motivation is a child of faith and hope
3. Charis - Grace - A powerful neighbor of caritas
4. Dynamos - Greek for virtue and motivation
5. Eucharisteo - Much grace... Gratitude
6. Charisomai - Well favored - A lucky kind of feeling
7. Euchrestos - Greek for profitable
8. Chairo - Greek for cheer - "Cheerio mate!"
9. Chara - Greek for joy
10. Chrestotes - An 'Aunt Bee' kind of Goodness
11. Charisma - Heavenly Graciousness
12. Chrisma - Heavenly Anointing - The Holy Grail!

I prefer to stay away from all things pertaining to darkness and flesh. Therefore I do not get into halloween (small caps).

Do you disbelieve that everything God made is good?

 

[brinny]

Yes, some of the images that brinny uploaded would be described as disturbing. Although I would not buy the idea that the bridalwear shown that is not white but inspired by darker Victoriana is disturbing. Blessings.

you mean like dis? He looks like a groom, befittin' one o' da brides, mon....

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

I am not really up for debate, but have to say I think Brinny is making a valid point. Where do we draw the line, what is "too dark". I believe it can be a slippery slope for many. Just sayin...Nothing wrong with the color black, etc., but the last few pages of images are quite disturbing ( to me at least).

I'm with you. It is hard to draw a line...the color black isn't wrong, of course, but I guess like with a lot of things, it's what we do with it, maybe, that matters. Whether we use it to promote evil, sinful, fleshly things or whether we use it in an artistic, creative way that still pays homage to God by way of using a God given talent and promoting beauty in this world...it's a choice, I think. Sometimes black and white pictures can be stunning, for instance, and silhouette pictures are gorgeous. Some art is beautiful in black. But if something is used to inspire fear in someone else, is that not inspiring the opposite of God, who is love? Just a thought. Haunted houses, ghost stories, things like that, intentionally there to make people scared...but perfect love casts out fear...and perfect love is God, as God is love. Why would we promote something that goes against God's very nature?

 

[rockytopva]

Do you disbelieve that everything God made is good?

Did he not put in the garden a tree called the knowledge of good and evil that we we were not supposed to eat of

Therefore all things of the planet are not good.

 

[brinny]

I'm with you. It is hard to draw a line...the color black isn't wrong, of course, but I guess like with a lot of things, it's what we do with it, maybe, that matters. Whether we use it to promote evil, sinful, fleshly things or whether we use it in an artistic, creative way that still pays homage to God by way of using a God given talent and promoting beauty in this world...it's a choice, I think. Sometimes black and white pictures can be stunning, for instance, and silhouette pictures are gorgeous. Some art is beautiful in black. But if something is used to inspire fear in someone else, is that not inspiring the opposite of God, who is love? Just a thought. Haunted houses, ghost stories, things like that, intentionally there to make people scared...but perfect love casts out fear...and perfect love is God, as God is love. Why would we promote something that goes against God's very nature?

You mean like bein' "God-glorifying"?

How does one do that, and what images would represent giving God glory?

Thank you kindly.

 

[Rebecca Sue]

Should we also consider what the image invokes in other's minds? We may be influencing someone without even realizing it. Would you say this is a possibility? I'm just wondering what you guys think.

 

[brinny]

for instance Tins, what's wif dis guy? Whatz da message here, if any?

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

Well, part of me believes that it all is subject to personal interpretation and conviction so it's not really up to me to tell anyone else what is God glorifying and what is not.

Typically we don't think of "goth" and "God" in the same context. This wasn't even a thread about goth stuff...I do find some of the gothic art and that kind of thing to be visually pleasing, and deeply emotional...which I believe is its intent. Since God gave that person the talent to create the art, would it be wrong for me to say that the art doesn't glorify God because it looks evil? Maybe...maybe not...but if I were to accept that, then where would the line be drawn? Someone may have talent for videography, but it wouldn't be God-glorifying to use it to shoot sex scenes. It's that kind of thing. Nothing wrong with videography, nothing wrong with having talent and using it...it's what you do with it.

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

Should we also consider what the image invokes in other's minds? We may be influencing someone without even realizing it. Would you say this is a possibility? I'm just wondering what you guys think.

That's half of my point right there. It's not ALWAYS about US, it's about others. NOW, the world would say, don't worry about what others think, just do what you want, and others can hate all they want. I get where they're coming from. However, I think as believers we are also called to a higher calling to a point...we must exhibit Christ...that does not always mean dress though. I have a rather large fondness, and always have, for people who aren't your cookie cutter clean cut people. They seem to be more genuine, authentic, loving people for some reason. They don't seem to have a lot to hide, and I like that.

But when we post something, or when we wear something that bears an image, or when we do something with others, what are we inspiring in them? Are we provoking fear or evil? Are we shining God's light? Sure, most of it is about how we act...a lack of swearing, for instance, in a work environment is likely to shock everyone around you and it is a good testimony. But do people KNOW that you're a Christian?

I speak this to myself more than anyone else. I struggle with it quite a bit, actually.

 

[brinny]

Well, part of me believes that it all is subject to personal interpretation and conviction so it's not really up to me to tell anyone else what is God glorifying and what is not.

Typically we don't think of "goth" and "God" in the same context. This wasn't even a thread about goth stuff...I do find some of the gothic art and that kind of thing to be visually pleasing, and deeply emotional...which I believe is its intent. Since God gave that person the talent to create the art, would it be wrong for me to say that the art doesn't glorify God because it looks evil? Maybe...maybe not...but if I were to accept that, then where would the line be drawn? Someone may have talent for videography, but it wouldn't be God-glorifying to use it to shoot sex scenes. It's that kind of thing. Nothing wrong with videography, nothing wrong with having talent and using it...it's what you do with it.

what do you mean by "it looks evil"?

 

[brinny]

That's half of my point right there. It's not ALWAYS about US, it's about others. NOW, the world would say, don't worry about what others think, just do what you want, and others can hate all they want. I get where they're coming from. However, I think as believers we are also called to a higher calling to a point...we must exhibit Christ...that does not always mean dress though. I have a rather large fondness, and always have, for people who aren't your cookie cutter clean cut people. They seem to be more genuine, authentic, loving people for some reason. They don't seem to have a lot to hide, and I like that.

But when we post something, or when we wear something that bears an image, or when we do something with others, what are we inspiring in them? Are we provoking fear or evil? Are we shining God's light? Sure, most of it is about how we act...a lack of swearing, for instance, in a work environment is likely to shock everyone around you and it is a good testimony. But do people KNOW that you're a Christian?

I speak this to myself more than anyone else. I struggle with it quite a bit, actually.

Actually, it's about GOD.

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

Evil = things that pertain to the devil...signs and symbols of occultist variety (such as a pentagram), that kind of thing. My own personal line is different than others, we all have our own lines of what is evil or not. Someone might think that images or toys of witches are ok, whilst I would not have that kind of thing in my home, nor would I wear it on me. But that is not for me to judge someone else. I need to worry about my own walk and where I stand with God. If He's got a problem with what I"m doing he'll let me know...

 

[faroukfarouk]

Well, part of me believes that it all is subject to personal interpretation and conviction so it's not really up to me to tell anyone else what is God glorifying and what is not.

Typically we don't think of "goth" and "God" in the same context. This wasn't even a thread about goth stuff...I do find some of the gothic art and that kind of thing to be visually pleasing, and deeply emotional...which I believe is its intent. Since God gave that person the talent to create the art, would it be wrong for me to say that the art doesn't glorify God because it looks evil? Maybe...maybe not...but if I were to accept that, then where would the line be drawn? Someone may have talent for videography, but it wouldn't be God-glorifying to use it to shoot sex scenes. It's that kind of thing. Nothing wrong with videography, nothing wrong with having talent and using it...it's what you do with it.

I guess one could also ask: Do wedding dresses have to be white? why not black?

Gothic as an aesthetic is associated with the mid to late 19th century. Earlier in the 19th century, Neoclassical and Regency style (in architecture) was more in vogue.

I talked with a fashion designer who asserted that everything is a reassertion of an existing style; there is nothing new. Almost like the message of Ecclesiastes.

I certainly don't buy illogical extrapolations such as because some people have associated wedding whites with virginity, therefore supposedly other colors must represent a lack of virginity, etc. (In some ways it's hypocrisy anyway because plenty of white weddings are for folk who, well, you know...)

Blessings.

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

Actually, it's about GOD.

WE are the image bearers of GOD...therefore, it is about others and what WE (the image bearers of God) are presenting to them. Romans 12:1-2.

Ultimately, of COURSE it's all about God. It has to be, at the root of it all. Without God there is no love, and without love, there is nothing.

 

[Wandering Cat Lady]

From what I know (and I could be entirely wrong), wedding dresses are supposed to be white as a sign of purity. It is unfortunate that many are not "pure" in the sense that was initially intended when speaking of pure. But I have seen some gorgeous wedding dresses that are not white. It does look kind of different, but I have no moral opposition to it.

 

[faroukfarouk]

WE are the image bearers of GOD...therefore, it is about others and what WE (the image bearers of God) are presenting to them. Romans 12:1-2.

Ultimately, of COURSE it's all about God. It has to be, at the root of it all. Without God there is no love, and without love, there is nothing.

Yes this is basic truth. The Lord sees our motives; sometimes these are the opposite of what conventional thinking would assume.

Blessings.

 

[faroukfarouk]

From what I know (and I could be entirely wrong), wedding dresses are supposed to be white as a sign of purity. It is unfortunate that many are not "pure" in the sense that was initially intended when speaking of pure. But I have seen some gorgeous wedding dresses that are not white. It does look kind of different, but I have no moral opposition to it.

You said you were okay with dark Victorian Gothic as an inspiring aesthetic, didn't you?

Blessings.

 

[brinny]

Evil = things that pertain to the devil...signs and symbols of occultist variety (such as a pentagram), that kind of thing. My own personal line is different than others, we all have our own lines of what is evil or not. Someone might think that images or toys of witches are ok, whilst I would not have that kind of thing in my home, nor would I wear it on me. But that is not for me to judge someone else. I need to worry about my own walk and where I stand with God. If He's got a problem with what I"m doing he'll let me know...

Actually, God is quite clear on what is "evil". Perhaps the question is, if our aim is to glorify Him. If not, then it is what it is and He can be left out of the equation cuz He wasn't there from the gitgo.

It is what it is.