What's on your mind?

[MiniEmu]

Biblical integrity is an interesting one, and I must admit to being the kind who would view a group able to embrace the differences in interpretation and allow for people who come to their decisions through study and contemplation to do as they believe to be right in the eyes of God.

Have you ever met a Christian where the tradition of their church genuinely obscured the core of their faith? These nuts and bolts of faith, are they things people hold in agreement? What traditions, what inaccuracies and improper doctrines, so muddy the waters that the core of our faith is obscured beyond redemption? I am not pointing a stick at you and requiring answers, but they are thoughts which cross my mind. Seemingly with greater frequency now I'm exposed to a greater diversity of believers.

I am no so fussed about disagreements in understanding, in thinking that it would be more accurate to view things one way or to do away with certain elements. That is natural. My work involves dealing with clergy, and the diversity they display in how they interpret His word (despite the sort of, kind of standardised view the church supposedly holds) is fascinating. People develop as they develop, and when these people are priests people find themselves guided by them; generations are influenced, and if they disagree they find a new place to settle (faith wise).

I think it pleasant enough to be involved in lively discussions were the disagreement runs deep but both respect that this is born out of interpretative differences. It encourages growth, and dare I say it such interactions can strengthen our beliefs by encouraging us to think about them outside the comfort zone of scripture.

Yet I do become fussed when the whole intent seems not to discuss the differences, but to point out that the truth is only true if it is the truth they agree with. There are lots of speakers who say such things, not many have provided the sort of discussion which leads me down their rationalisation for stating their view is sound, while those who disagree are being led in a merry dance by Beelzebub. Which is entirely a fault of my personality, which makes bringing it up here ridiculous.

Still, this is the thread for things that are on your mind. Short of writing them down in my diary they'd only go down further ridiculous rabbit holes until I manage to talk things through with the priest.

Oh, and thank you for your patient and thoughtful replies. I did not expect anyone to touch upon my rambling nonsense, so I am sure after a day at work I shall review these posts with a great sense of "oh no".

 

[High Fidelity]

OK, first of all, we're in the same time zone and I'm incredibly tired as well so I'll address the rest of it later when I am awake properly and my body is at its usual make-up of 95% coffee, but for now I will address the obscuring of faith in traditions or practices.

Naturally, given I typically hold a pretty black and white opinion on those matters, I'll have to water it down so as not to offend anyone, but an example would be the Charismatic movement.

(Side note: Classic FM just started playing Hedwig's theme from Harry Potter -- This is a good day!)

Anyway, a lot of the Charismatic movement I feel are really too caught up in theatrics to really devote much time to what should be the cornerstone of their faith; the Bible.

I watched a video the other day of a Charismatic worship and they were all yelling and hollering with their hands in the air because some glitter from a vent system apparently represented 'the Glory of God'. Frankly, I struggle to see that as anything other than blasphemous and they were seeing it as something amazing during their monotonous, mindless music 'worship'.

Often quite typical as well in that circle is prosperity gospel which, in my opinion, is one of the fundamental wrongs in Christianity today. When we consider the U.S. as a Capitalist society and, not to cause offence, consequently some inherent greed, it's no surprise that people are suckered in by the promise of heath and wealth if they pray hard enough and donate to their local church, etc.

People like Joel Osteen, if you've met his devout followers, you can really see that they've been told they're perfect one too many times. I think he focuses on building people up too much. Not that a Pastor's job should be to tear people down, but there should definitely be the responsibility there to remind people that they aren't perfect, this is what the Bible says about it etc. It's no surprise the 'feel good' Pastors are doing so well for themselves. A lot of Christians, especially the lukewarm Christians, don't like the inconvenience of sin, so to be able to keep their title and feel good about themselves, it's no surprise people like Osteen thrive.

Pretty sure it was Joel Osteen as well that said a person's primary concern should be their own happiness. And for sure, he wrote a book called "Your Best Life Now". If this is our best life then he either has a low expectation of Heaven or he's expecting a one-way ticket to Hell.

Then there's the whole 'healing' thing or 'fire' of the Spirit on a stage. Pretty sure even one of the big dogs in that scene was proven to be a fraud with actors and yet people still lap it up.

I dunno. The Bible should be the foundation of faith, not tradition, not music, not the promise of Earthly riches or favour; things that seem to dominate the faith of what, half a billion people nowadays? It's pretty tragic, if you ask me, because I worry people will get too caught up in the raz-ma-taz to really take a step back and learn the Bible and determine things for themselves and in a time where it seems so many people are 'lukewarm' Christians, going to church each Sunday to have a good time and consider that their good deed for the week when they aren't really getting anything substantive out of it is a shame.

Anyway, 05:05, probably terribly written lol, but yes, I think there are a lot of things that obscure what's important in faith and a lot of those things can even detract from a person's faith even if they aren't seeing it that way.

 

[Elizabeth8393]

But growing my hair out feels...... gross. I feel like I havent showered in days when I havent shaved up there.

Pfffft!! That's because you're not used to hair being up there, silly.

 

[kittysbecute]

Chocolate ice cream

 

[redblue22]

At what point do followers of one interpretation know that their interpretation is so true that all other interpretations are plainly false? At what point do the differences justify the view that Christians are not Christians because of this? If all parties base their views on scripture, if all parties provide Bible based evidence, yet all parties disagree on the interpretations, at what point do we hold up our hands and say "who cares about the trappings, what is at your core?". Christians do not differ so greatly at their core. Not really.

Every interpretation, every belief, is prey to the flawed nature of humanity. Every interpretation of an interpretation is prey to the blinkers of your own version of truth. But I would say that, I do not appreciate the importance of being right.

Is every belief prey? Or are there some basic foundational beliefs? Even if all beliefs are in question, it does not then mean all beliefs are of equal likelihood. Likelihood beliefs are understood in comparison to known beliefs.

Not all Christians do, though. A lot of denominations and Christians allow things external to the Bible influence their faith and theology. Tradition is a good example of that.

Some beliefs are pre-biblical.

I am tempted to say that the majority of throughout Christianity allow such things to influence faith and theology. It is difficult for anyone to truly escape the influence of the outside world, or indeed tradition which after several generations may appear to simply be how those who live without such influences must live. Every flavour of Christianity I have encountered has, at its heart, beat to the same rhythm. Not enough variation that I could not possibly see where such an interpretation of truth came from at least.

My struggle sometimes is that I see reasons being given for why a Christian is not a Christian, or why a denomination is false, but sometimes I struggle to reconcile what is being said with my understanding of the message in Romans 14 (or perhaps my understanding as guided by the group of Christians I have associated with). I am all for discussing differences, for learning from one another, and indeed in coming to the point of questioning the way in which we view our walk and His word, but I struggle entirely with those who can categorically state their interpretation of scripture, their truth, is somehow much more true than the truth of others, even when that truth was arrived at in much the same way. But then when I question why this is, I feel the rabbit hole keeps going down as my brain wishes to know why this belief came about, who decided this was it. I want to know things that no one can know, at least not until we appear before God to be judged accordingly.

But that is my problem, I want to know. Yet it feels like when I want to know it is expected I should know, or should at least just accept that it is what it is and there is nothing more to be said. Because I want to know in the fashion one cannot know, because by the time it comes around it simply is the truth and that is what it is.

Please forgive me, it is early and I am rambling about nothing at all. Too many thoughts and not enough substance on my end.

I admire your desire for knowledge. I find it odd to talk about degrees of truth or "my truth." I think if we talk about degrees of belief, we will not get tangled up as if beliefs are 100% or 0%.

I typically hold a pretty black and white opinion on those matters, I'll have to water it down so as not to offend anyone, but an example would be the Charismatic movement.

I dunno. The Bible should be the foundation of faith, not tradition, not music, not the promise of Earthly riches or favour; things that seem to dominate the faith of what, half a billion people nowadays?

.

Why do you believe that the Bible should be the foundation of faith? Better yet, what does "foundation of faith" mean?

 

[graciesings]

Worrying about my girlfriend..... I don't like the idea of her being 1000 miles away where I can't keep an eye on her. IRL, I don't have the ability to keep her out of trouble, but I still feel like I lose that ability when she goes on vacation.... Ah, the joys of being themore cautious, protective one in a relationship.

 

[kittysbecute]

I tried to kill a black spider i saw in my room. So i could sleep in peace. It was on my ceiling... I didn't succeed though and now it's behind my bed.

 

[Travelers.Soul]

It's hot enough to melt your face off outside. Okay,so maybe it's not that hot but it makes my point. ha ha. On days like today I just want to eat popsicles, sherbert, or ice cream.

 

[LoveDivine]

OK, first of all, we're in the same time zone and I'm incredibly tired as well so I'll address the rest of it later when I am awake properly and my body is at its usual make-up of 95% coffee, but for now I will address the obscuring of faith in traditions or practices.

Naturally, given I typically hold a pretty black and white opinion on those matters, I'll have to water it down so as not to offend anyone, but an example would be the Charismatic movement.

(Side note: Classic FM just started playing Hedwig's theme from Harry Potter -- This is a good day!)

Anyway, a lot of the Charismatic movement I feel are really too caught up in theatrics to really devote much time to what should be the cornerstone of their faith; the Bible.

I watched a video the other day of a Charismatic worship and they were all yelling and hollering with their hands in the air because some glitter from a vent system apparently represented 'the Glory of God'. Frankly, I struggle to see that as anything other than blasphemous and they were seeing it as something amazing during their monotonous, mindless music 'worship'.

Often quite typical as well in that circle is prosperity gospel which, in my opinion, is one of the fundamental wrongs in Christianity today. When we consider the U.S. as a Capitalist society and, not to cause offence, consequently some inherent greed, it's no surprise that people are suckered in by the promise of heath and wealth if they pray hard enough and donate to their local church, etc.

People like Joel Osteen, if you've met his devout followers, you can really see that they've been told they're perfect one too many times. I think he focuses on building people up too much. Not that a Pastor's job should be to tear people down, but there should definitely be the responsibility there to remind people that they aren't perfect, this is what the Bible says about it etc. It's no surprise the 'feel good' Pastors are doing so well for themselves. A lot of Christians, especially the lukewarm Christians, don't like the inconvenience of sin, so to be able to keep their title and feel good about themselves, it's no surprise people like Osteen thrive.

Pretty sure it was Joel Osteen as well that said a person's primary concern should be their own happiness. And for sure, he wrote a book called "Your Best Life Now". If this is our best life then he either has a low expectation of Heaven or he's expecting a one-way ticket to Hell.

Then there's the whole 'healing' thing or 'fire' of the Spirit on a stage. Pretty sure even one of the big dogs in that scene was proven to be a fraud with actors and yet people still lap it up.

I dunno. The Bible should be the foundation of faith, not tradition, not music, not the promise of Earthly riches or favour; things that seem to dominate the faith of what, half a billion people nowadays? It's pretty tragic, if you ask me, because I worry people will get too caught up in the raz-ma-taz to really take a step back and learn the Bible and determine things for themselves and in a time where it seems so many people are 'lukewarm' Christians, going to church each Sunday to have a good time and consider that their good deed for the week when they aren't really getting anything substantive out of it is a shame.

Anyway, 05:05, probably terribly written lol, but yes, I think there are a lot of things that obscure what's important in faith and a lot of those things can even detract from a person's faith even if they aren't seeing it that way.

I couldn't agree more with what you posted. I actually do believe in the "gifts of the Spirit," but I don't take any offence to this post. I think that the prosperity gospel and most modern displays of spirituality within Charismatic circles are completely out of line with Scripture. Actually, most displays are bordering on mental instability. I also agree that many in these circles place such an emphasis on being spiritual that they completely ignore the importance of sound doctrine and the study of the Bible.

 

[Messy]

I tried to kill a black spider i saw in my room. So i could sleep in peace. It was on my ceiling... I didn't succeed though and now it's behind my bed.

Eeeeewwww
Once I had one in my students' room and I threw a bucket it's way and then I didn't see him and I fled away in total panic and went with the train to my parents. Later my mom came there to catch it and it turned out he was dead because I threw that bucket on him. Nowadays I dare to catch em with a vacuum cleaner but luckily in a flat you don't have them and my son dares to catch em for me now.
Oh lol once my ex thought the house was on fire, I screamed that hard.

 

[kittysbecute]

Nowadays I dare to catch em with a vacuum cleaner

I was thinking a vacuum cleaner would work nicely. Alas, I don't have a vacuum cleaner.

 

[Travelers.Soul]

I hate spiders. I once made my college room mate kill one that had gotten into our bathroom. Little ones I can handle but big ones, No! I usually end up screaming or something equally as ridiculous.

 

[Messy]

My son wanted to play on an old xbox I have here but I couldn't find the cords, neither the one from the television, but it was late and the shops almost closed and he wanted to play soccer on it. So I go to this handyman shop and there's two men and one says: Can we help you? What are you looking for? Lol I said I want something but I don't know what. Oh says one man, you can just buy everything here then.

 

[Toro]

Today was a rough day... so glad its over.

No rest for the Toro, hopefully tomorrow we finish shooting early so I can hopefully come home and have some sort of a weekend.

Also, I hope that adhesive sealant stuff dries quickly. I just put together my new glass bookshelf and broke the stupid top thingy that screws into the poles on the bookshelf.

Funny, glass shelves, metal poles..... plastic toppers. I didnt even turn it tight at all and it snapped like a twig. I also thought the bookshelf would be bigger. This thing is at my knees almost. 60 bucks for this..... the top shelf is even lower than my computer desk. BAH!

 

[Toro]

Also on my mind, I gotta find 3 outfits I wanna wear for the scenes Im in tomorrow.

I should have kept at least one bit of clothes I wouldn't mind ruining, but looked okay. Now, I have all new clothes and I need a set of clothes I can die in, in a bloody fashion.

 

[MehGuy]

Are you in a movie? Lol.

 

[Toro]

Yes, a friend of mine is trying to make a movie career so I help him make movies.

I have mostly done behind the scenes parts to the movie making, like a friend and I building a green screen set in his apartment, but, after the last movie when an actor got big headed and didn't bother to show or give notice. The part still needed to be played, so.... I put my dislike of cameras aside and did the role so the movie could be finished.

Now, this movie I was cast in a role with more lines and Im helping behind the scenes as well. Saturday is our final day of shooting, or at least our last scheduled day. Not last weekend, but the weekend before, we filmed for something like 14 hours on Sunday and 8 hours Friday after I got off work.

If all goes to plan we should finish the filming tomorrow, then begins the editing process. Which I will take on the role of poster design, DVD cover design and DVD design. The films are small budget so nothing you are likely to see on the big screen any time soon.

I posted a picture of the heart I made as a prop in the movie, somewhere on CF.

Tomorrow I get my "throat" ripped out.

 

[MehGuy]

Throat ripped out? What's this movie rated? Lol.

 

[Toro]

Throat ripped out? What's this movie rated? Lol.

Well, being it is a amateur film and low budget. It's not rated.

 

[MehGuy]

What? Around 5-10 mil?