What's on your mind?

[TheLastGeek]

Not to veer off track from LotR, but I recall someone mentioning that The Matrix had some sort of religious undertones. I can't quite recall the details of what they said, though. Does anyone here have any insights on that?

Other than the themes of truth, prophecy, fate... I didn't see much in the way of religious undertones in The Matrix.

But if you haven't seen it, you should! AMAZING movie.

 

[.Mikha'el.]

I took a screen shot of one of my posts to show what I'm talking about.

See on the side how it shows some info about each of us, but there's nothing about gender? That would help.

View attachment 334885

You have selected Female under Account Details, haven't you?

 

[RileyG]

Good evening all

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Always remember that you are worth it, even when you feel worthless.

 

[revybub]

Certianly a test today after having such an amazing Sunday yesterday. Today it is my car having major issues and maybe having to get a different one. Even though I just got this one.

 

[RileyG]

Always remember that you are worth it, even when you feel worthless.

Amen

 

[DragonFox91]

Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the Spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? 2 If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose.
Phillppians 2
International Children's Version
wrong thread! d'oh!

 

[DragonFox91]

It is not enough to count your blessings, you need to thank God for them & praise him -> that gives you the spirit of thankfulness.

 

[DragonFox91]

When Revelation describes the Lamb as being worthy, he says he had been slaughtered. I picture the Lamb as very bloody & falling apart.

I know in the Gospels his body his clean after being resurrected, but that’s just how I picture Revelation. Not saying it’s right.

 

[RileyG]

It is not enough to count your blessings, you need to thank God for them & praise him -> that gives you the spirit of thankfulness.

Amen!

 

[RileyG]

Feeling overwhelmed and hurt today. Prayers appreciated.

 

[All Becomes New]

Handed in my manuscript and agreed upon a price with the publisher for my book! Very exciting!

 

[peaceful-forest]

You have selected Female under Account Details, haven't you?

Yes, but sometimes people's full profile isn't available for view.

 

[RileyG]

Handed in my manuscript and agreed upon a price with the publisher for my book! Very exciting!

God bless and good luck to you!

 

[SarahsKnight]

Feeling overwhelmed and hurt today. Prayers appreciated.

We will do that for you, Sir Riley.

 

[RileyG]

We will do that for you, Sir Riley.

thank you

 

[GodDoesListen55]

Amen

Thank you!

 

[DragonFox91]

I’ve heard militiant atheists complain that no one’s been able to pray a mountain to move, but Jesus says the Kingdom is like a mustard seed, or a lost coin.

 

[DragonFox91]

Well. A few thoughts. First, while Tolkien is often quoted as saying he despised allegory, the parallels between his faith and the material that wound up in his legendarium, are glaringly obvious at times.

I'll just comment on this. If he despised allegory & didn't mean to put any in (which you & Citanul are both claiming), then perhaps critics are correct when they say Christians shouldn't be reading it because there's wizards & magic & false gods & the like & he was the father of the mainstream secular fantasy we have today that devolved from Christian heritage

Even if that is true, I dont think we are to shun secular entertainment because it can make you more aware of the world we live in & can be harmless. Paul says it's what comes out of your body God's concerned with. How are you thinking. What are you thinking. What are you doing in response.

 

[TheLastGeek]

I'll just comment on this. If he despised allegory & didn't mean to put any in (which you & Citanul are both claiming), then perhaps critics are correct when they say Christians shouldn't be reading it because there's wizards & magic & false gods & the like & he was the father of the mainstream secular fantasy we have today that devolved from Christian heritage

Even if that is true, I dont think we are to shun secular entertainment because it can make you more aware of the world we live in & can be harmless. Paul says it's what comes out of your body God's concerned with. How are you thinking. What are you thinking. What are you doing in response.

I don't see what line you're drawing from "Tolkien didn't like allegory" to "Christians shouldn't read Lord of the Rings".

I also don't understand how you're concluding that mainstream secular fantasy devolved from Christian heritage. 21st century fantasy is a mash-up of countless myths, legends, cultures, and fairy tales from all over the world, spanning many centuries. Are you drawing some other conclusion?

I spent plenty of years living in the Christian "bubble" where any type of entertainment that wasn't strictly religious, must therefore be evil. And I don't think many can argue that "Christian" forms of entertainment, where it tries to replicate the secular, usually results in anything but a bunch of cringe and just plain awful material. Things that aren't overtly religious in nature aren't evil by default. God is the God of everything. Test it to see if it's offensive to Him, and if it's not, enjoy it.

Portraying something, or telling a story about something non-religious, non-Christian, or even something evil, is not in itself, evil. Is the evil thing being glorified in the material? That's a problem. Is it being portrayed as bad, and something to overcome? That's how it should be handled. Mentioning fairy tale elements like fairies, dragons, wizards, etc, is not evil. "Well, in some instances, dragons represent Satan..." Okay, but is that what's happening in THIS instance? No? Chill, then. It's just a story.