blueyedpoet
Refugee
my interpretation of post-modernism is something like this: there is this realm where we have certain ideas like logic, reason, truth etc. But, those do not quiet describe this world. It is beyond this
seankirkland said:Whoa, whoa, Melon! You are quite bold and sure of yourself. You make very broad, stereotypical statements about the Church and organized religion and you hold quite a bit against everyone assoiciated with being a Christian. I'm not responsible for Crusades or gross atrocities that you cite. If "mainstream religion" did these crimes, I apoligize for it, if that's possible. I do agree with you that much of what is seen that "the Church" at large has done might be represented as bad things, but what about someone who is looking to follow the example of Jesus in an honest, humble way? What about Bono himself, who is a believer in Christ? I know that he has problems with organized religion, but He would say He's a Christian, I believe, if asked. I, myself, don't like alot of what the Church has done as a group, but I'd rather be "inside" as a part of it, trying to do my part for the team, so to speak, instead of outside, criticizing it and never seeing any improvement. I can say that I might and probably never will make a change such that the entire Church will be seen differently, but I will surely do my best as a single unit (with my wife and daughter) to follow Christ and live my life in love within the body of believers.
And I highly object to your opinion that religion is a crutch to justify prejudices! True, religion (meaning that it's just an empty set of rules) might be a crutch to some, but to make a broad stereotype that everyone who is in a relationship with God has a crutch is quite rude and narrow-minded, I might say. I could say that you're a selfish liberal idiot, but that would be quite rude and wrong. I think that you might have been hurt by someone or a group of people in your past who are affiliated with Church/religion and that's why you vent so strongly against anything to do with it. But, I can tell you from my day-to-day life that I have an intimate relationship with my God, who created me, and it's incredible. I have a knowledge of His love, His character, and His heart and it's anything but the lie that is spread by most of the media and most of the postmodern spew that you've been tossing out here. It's coming from those that don't know because they're only observing limited data that's skewed to the negative, so as to make Christianity look horrible and worthless. How, if it is SO bad as you say, could I have rich, intimate times spent just hanging out with Jesus, both by reading His Word and by praying and listening to His voice? How is that so? How could I be involved in a trip to India, where I was able to hang out with those outcast children in the Mother Theresa home, feeding those that can't feed themselves and playing games with deformed children who society has cast aside to die??
I saw Jesus in those precious, little ones. I know without a doubt that Jesus is real and He is affecting my life on so many levels. I can't speak for "the Church" at large and I wont' try to make up for all the mistakes they've made, but I can testify to my life. I only wish these individual instances and lives could be shown to the world, but I doubt it will happen. What the world knows, and what the prince of this world wants it to know and see, is what you've said earlier. It's becoming cemented in the public consciousness that Christians are lame, narrow-minded, and weak, "crutch-weilding" morons. Well, Melon, thanks for adding to that personification by your words. I pray that you'll be able to personally meet and know some true people of faith, who provide a solid, trustworthy example of being a Christian and are people who you can trust.
Sorry for this being so long, but I felt the need to share from the heart. One last thing: if anything, a relationship with God is lodged in the heart. I believe Bono said it best.... "into the heart of a child, I can go there, I can stay awhile...."
seankirkland said:My choice comes down to honoring God or honoring you, Melon, by stopping what's supposedly "homophobia" (because we don't believe that it's just "who you are" at the "core of your being").
Has it ever occurred to you that believing you are "gay to the core of your being" is a belief and one that can be falsely believed? Maybe it's a lie and your identity has been distorted by a liar who seeks to destroy your life and keep you from all God has.
It seems that if you hold onto homosexuality so strongly that it makes you question everything in the Bible, simply because one part doesn't agree with you, then homosexuality is your god of choice. It or the sovereignty of God? Who is your master?
Dreadsox said:Melon, do not give the dignity of a response.
melon said:
Heh...too late.
Melon
Dreadsox said:I wish you were still in the Boston area, my church is open to you brother.
seankirkland said:Sorry if it's "offensive."
seankirkland said:
Nothing good is about "rights." Life is in giving up your rights.
seankirkland said:Sorry if it's "offensive." The cross is the most offensive thing, to everyone. It's offensive to me, but I need to die in order to live. So, even though I have to put to death the things in my life that I hold on so tightly to and would rather do if there weren't any consequences, it's not easy. I have to consistently "die" to the pull of lust, or I might just end up cheating on my wife. I am crucified with Christ. All those "dead, lifeless" things in me that take me farther into myself and my desires and my wants have to be killed off for me to truly live. As strange as it sounds, part of me dies each day I experience the joys of parenthood. I am giving up much of what I used to just do whenever I want to because I have a child to care for. My child requires me, by her very need of me and my attention, to die to my self-centeredness.
It comes down to this: both God and Satan want you dead. God wants you to "die" (surrender) and be born again to full life in Him and Satan just wants you to be miserable and then die.
Nothing good is about "rights." Life is in giving up your rights.
financeguy said:bsp77 - I'm not sure what perspective you're coming from, but just to point out that Douglas Adams was not only an atheist, but a radical atheist to use his own phrase.
seankirkland said:Sorry if it's "offensive." The cross is the most offensive thing, to everyone. It's offensive to me,
the things in my life that I hold on so tightly to
the pull of lust,
cheating on my wife.
my desires and my wants
part of me dies each day
I am giving up much of what I used to just do
whenever I want to
because I have a child
My child requires me, by her very need of me and my attention,
Life is in giving up your rights.
seankirkland said:Sorry if it's "offensive." The cross is the most offensive thing, to everyone. It's offensive to me, but I need to die in order to live. So, even though I have to put to death the things in my life that I hold on so tightly to and would rather do if there weren't any consequences, it's not easy. I have to consistently "die" to the pull of lust, or I might just end up cheating on my wife. I am crucified with Christ. All those "dead, lifeless" things in me that take me farther into myself and my desires and my wants have to be killed off for me to truly live. As strange as it sounds, part of me dies each day I experience the joys of parenthood. I am giving up much of what I used to just do whenever I want to because I have a child to care for. My child requires me, by her very need of me and my attention, to die to my self-centeredness.
It comes down to this: both God and Satan want you dead. God wants you to "die" (surrender) and be born again to full life in Him and Satan just wants you to be miserable and then die.
Nothing good is about "rights." Life is in giving up your rights.