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On November 13 2013 18:27 Birdie wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 18:05 knOxStarcraft wrote: It makes me sad when I read things like "...but there's only one truth. It's jesus." coming from a grown man, who should really know better than to write such rubbish. The thing about this shit that makes me angry though, is the fact that you, and many, many, others, will probably, and do, spew this shit to children, who will trust what their elders say, regardless of it making no sense.
I realize you mean well, but spewing garbage lies then insulting people's intelligence by telling them its the truth, will piss a lot of people off. If you want to challenge me on the lies comment, feel free, and we'll see how far gone your mind really is. Man just be happy for him, he's gotten over some serious depression and his faith is the cause of that, just be happy with him instead of picking on him.
How do you know he's gotten over his depression? Faith in jesus found easily can be broken easily.
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On November 13 2013 23:07 Roe wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 18:27 Birdie wrote:On November 13 2013 18:05 knOxStarcraft wrote: It makes me sad when I read things like "...but there's only one truth. It's jesus." coming from a grown man, who should really know better than to write such rubbish. The thing about this shit that makes me angry though, is the fact that you, and many, many, others, will probably, and do, spew this shit to children, who will trust what their elders say, regardless of it making no sense.
I realize you mean well, but spewing garbage lies then insulting people's intelligence by telling them its the truth, will piss a lot of people off. If you want to challenge me on the lies comment, feel free, and we'll see how far gone your mind really is. Man just be happy for him, he's gotten over some serious depression and his faith is the cause of that, just be happy with him instead of picking on him. How do you know he's gotten over his depression? Faith in jesus found easily can be broken easily. Is it actually broken easily though? Depression breeds religion. When people are down they'll take anything they can to give purpose to their life and they don't let go, in my experience. That's why cults are a thing.
I've got many harsh criticisms of religion, both for the backward beliefs and the general bad influence. But I legitimately wouldn't know how to condemn a "force" which can help people out of their suicidal thoughts and general depression. So meh, if all else failed, why not. I don't think he'll become an extremist - if we're lucky, he'll go to a good progressive church, he won't oppress homosexuals, he won't argue that women should serve men and all that crap.
It's probably a win/win. But it would've been nice if he had gotten out of his depression through other means than worshiping a made up idol
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Good for you on finding the Lord. Ignore the edgy teenage atheists in this thread, they seem to come out of the woodwork whenever a man dares to express his faith these days.
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On November 13 2013 23:52 Djzapz wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 23:07 Roe wrote:On November 13 2013 18:27 Birdie wrote:On November 13 2013 18:05 knOxStarcraft wrote: It makes me sad when I read things like "...but there's only one truth. It's jesus." coming from a grown man, who should really know better than to write such rubbish. The thing about this shit that makes me angry though, is the fact that you, and many, many, others, will probably, and do, spew this shit to children, who will trust what their elders say, regardless of it making no sense.
I realize you mean well, but spewing garbage lies then insulting people's intelligence by telling them its the truth, will piss a lot of people off. If you want to challenge me on the lies comment, feel free, and we'll see how far gone your mind really is. Man just be happy for him, he's gotten over some serious depression and his faith is the cause of that, just be happy with him instead of picking on him. How do you know he's gotten over his depression? Faith in jesus found easily can be broken easily. Is it actually broken easily though? Depression breeds religion. When people are down they'll take anything they can to give purpose to their life and they don't let go, in my experience. That's why cults are a thing. I've got many harsh criticisms of religion, both for the backward beliefs and the general bad influence. But I legitimately wouldn't know how to condemn a "force" which can help people out of their suicidal thoughts and general depression. So meh, if all else failed, why not. I don't think he'll become an extremist - if we're lucky, he'll go to a good progressive church, he won't oppress homosexuals, he won't argue that women should serve men and all that crap. It's probably a win/win. But it would've been nice if he had gotten out of his depression through other means than worshiping a made up idol ![](/mirror/smilies/puh2.gif)
Not sure if depression breeds religion, if it did, as you say, it would bring them out like a magic pill and rarely would anyone be depressed. I'm not sure on how easily faith can be broken, I know that it's a powerful force, probably more powerful than reason, and perhaps the most powerful when the two combine. The reason I don't feel confident in this, is that since he faithfully found jesus, he could faithfully lose that as well. I'm also still wondering if he just wanted to feel good all his life, but attributed that feeling to religiosity (embedded in him at an early age), and so kept himself in a depressed state.
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The only problem comes when you start believing things that you are not required to believe in to keep the faith. For example, if your church holds a "support our troops" day, it should not cause you to believe that Jesus would also support our troops. If you have a BBQ, it should not create animosity towards those who go meatless. The problem is when you begin to attribute the same fervor you give Jesus to these new things that have nothing to do with religion. That's when things start to get dangerous.
You also give up your own personal power by allowing -- or in some cases even requiring -- yourself to "wait until the time comes" instead of learning how to become happy without waiting for Christmas.
Edit: You also offend some people who know that if you do a little bit of research, you can find the true meaning of the bible and other holy books. It dampens hope when information is out there -- which you shouldn't blindly believe either, by the way -- that can be used to point you to what you should personally be looking into if you want to know "the" (an older) origin of these stories. --and you know the information is out there for those who seek it, yet there is never any seeking, because why should you seek when you already have the answer and you can just regurgitate it? Okay, I'm done.
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I'd also like to point out that psychiatric facilities only work on psychiatric disorders. You using that as an example implies you have a psychiatric disorder, and I don't think you do. Were you convinced that you have some illness that can only be treated with pills?
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On November 14 2013 00:42 Roe wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 23:52 Djzapz wrote:On November 13 2013 23:07 Roe wrote:On November 13 2013 18:27 Birdie wrote:On November 13 2013 18:05 knOxStarcraft wrote: It makes me sad when I read things like "...but there's only one truth. It's jesus." coming from a grown man, who should really know better than to write such rubbish. The thing about this shit that makes me angry though, is the fact that you, and many, many, others, will probably, and do, spew this shit to children, who will trust what their elders say, regardless of it making no sense.
I realize you mean well, but spewing garbage lies then insulting people's intelligence by telling them its the truth, will piss a lot of people off. If you want to challenge me on the lies comment, feel free, and we'll see how far gone your mind really is. Man just be happy for him, he's gotten over some serious depression and his faith is the cause of that, just be happy with him instead of picking on him. How do you know he's gotten over his depression? Faith in jesus found easily can be broken easily. Is it actually broken easily though? Depression breeds religion. When people are down they'll take anything they can to give purpose to their life and they don't let go, in my experience. That's why cults are a thing. I've got many harsh criticisms of religion, both for the backward beliefs and the general bad influence. But I legitimately wouldn't know how to condemn a "force" which can help people out of their suicidal thoughts and general depression. So meh, if all else failed, why not. I don't think he'll become an extremist - if we're lucky, he'll go to a good progressive church, he won't oppress homosexuals, he won't argue that women should serve men and all that crap. It's probably a win/win. But it would've been nice if he had gotten out of his depression through other means than worshiping a made up idol ![](/mirror/smilies/puh2.gif) Not sure if depression breeds religion, if it did, as you say, it would bring them out like a magic pill and rarely would anyone be depressed. I'm not sure on how easily faith can be broken, I know that it's a powerful force, probably more powerful than reason, and perhaps the most powerful when the two combine. The reason I don't feel confident in this, is that since he faithfully found jesus, he could faithfully lose that as well. I'm also still wondering if he just wanted to feel good all his life, but attributed that feeling to religiosity (embedded in him at an early age), and so kept himself in a depressed state. It's the kind of thing that works once as far as I can tell. They're down, somebody comes up with this super awesome ideology that makes them feel important and fuzzy inside, eventually I'm sure it can wear down but they don't usually get rid of the ideology. They just keep it around.
People who become religious as adults don't tend to convert back because we're egotistical. Imagine how lame it would be if you were WRONG?
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On November 13 2013 14:17 Fumanchu wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 12:19 IgnE wrote: Unfortunately, bro, you aren't one of the saved. You might as well get your fun in now because you aren't destined for heaven. This kind of comment isn't useful in any way possible. It's sole purpose is designed to rile people up and get a reaction. Which it succeeded, because here I am, telling you that you're a dick.
Why, it's very useful to know you are not going to go to heaven.
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Thanks everyone for responding. I was actually mistaken about my depression being completely gone. I'm still going through it but I'm keeping the faith. I don't feel comfortable right now knowing and learning about atheist views and why they think Christianity is false because my true knowledge of Christianity and all the evidence out there that supports both viewpoints is so very limited and I'm not equipped to have much of a discussion. I realize now just flat out telling people Christianity is the only way and sort of trying to force it down people's throats isn't the right way to go about it. I apologize. I promise though, I never got any warm fuzzy happy feeling. It's been more of a peace. Although in small spurts I've had really emotional moments that I hadn't had in years.
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On November 14 2013 04:58 Roe wrote: I'd also like to point out that psychiatric facilities only work on psychiatric disorders. You using that as an example implies you have a psychiatric disorder, and I don't think you do. Were you convinced that you have some illness that can only be treated with pills? Well I was diagnosed bipolar II. But my family never agreed with that and my new doctor diagnosed me with MDD. But yes I did have hope pills would help me.
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On November 13 2013 09:18 Chairman Ray wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 09:16 Bebop07 wrote:On November 13 2013 09:12 Chairman Ray wrote: So other than depression and suicidal thoughts, did you have any tangible problems prior to being saved? Like something physical? I phrased it quite poorly actually. I'm just curious to know what you were depressed or suicidal about and how this experience has helped you overcome those obstacles.
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On November 13 2013 09:18 Chairman Ray wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 09:16 Bebop07 wrote:On November 13 2013 09:12 Chairman Ray wrote: So other than depression and suicidal thoughts, did you have any tangible problems prior to being saved? Like something physical? I phrased it quite poorly actually. I'm just curious to know what you were depressed or suicidal about and how this experience has helped you overcome those obstacles. Well, my mother has had fibromyalgia and psoriatic arthritis for 15 or so years. The doctors put her on so many powerful painkillers that they made her act crazy and suicidal, and didn't help her pain. That hurt a lot, and I eventually lost basically all ability to feel pleasure or any happiness. I'm still in that state, but the dread and hopelessness is mostly gone, but when it comes back I now talk to my mother about my problems and fears/thoughts and she helps me greatly. I can now talk to people, which is a huge, huge thing for me. Before when i would go to therapy I would literally sit there and say nothing, as well as hide in my room 24/7 in my own misery and never talk to anyone. It's a hard thing to explain and I'm not entirely sure what's changed. Which is why i've been a lurker here since 2005 and had no part in the community more or less. My depression made me want no contact with people and no desire to connect. I had so much hate in my heart for people, I just hated the whole world and trusted no one. I still am very guarded but I'm genuinely trying to open my heart to people and be loved and to love. I also have a real interest in learning God's word and who he is and his interactions with us in the past. I never had any interest in school or learning anything for that matter, as I am a high school dropout. I also have quit looking at porn and sitting on the internet 24/7.
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On November 13 2013 13:17 Djzapz wrote: This guy has his little epiphany and suddenly he knows all this fancy stuff that they tell desperate people in their moments of weakness to draft them in the popular club. Preying on the weak is super effective. My mother had this friend who was depressive and got out of it by convincing herself that she had magical powers and could know the future. She went around, telling other people all this shit about their future - she told them how to live and what to do for the "best results". Her predictions never happened, and yet she remained convinced.
It's good that you feel better though, even if it's for the wrong reasons. Best luck in the future. I'm genuinely sorry if I come off this way. I just believe in my heart Jesus is the truth, and what comes with that is the realization that hell is real. I'm coming from a perspective that I just want to save people, though I've come to realize it's not such a simple thing. Heck, my mom has been praying for me and trying to save me all my life and it took 24 years to listen. So I apologize again guys, i didn't mean to come off like someone from a cult or to be forceful, but If I did I'm sorry. I also understand the viewpoint of 'if someone is so depressed they'll be willing to believe anything that will help them, but that doesn't make it true.' That does make sense, but my viewpoint is that sometimes it takes being that low to get someone to want to search for God. When I was happy or had pleasure in life I sure wasn't interested at all, i thought I knew everything.
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Im very happy you are better, thanks for sharing
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I'd also like to add if anyone would like to discuss this with me, or learn the things I've learned, or even just prove me wrong send me a PM and we can talk on skype or any messaging system you use.
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I'm assuming you worded it wrong accidentally, but you said "god and jesus are perfect loving gods" ... plural. God is Jesus. Jesus is God. The Holy Spirit is God. Trinity. 3 persons = 1 God. There are no gods. There is only the One True God, and that is Jesus. Everything else you mention sounds right though.
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I'm all for religion, but not into Christianity. But if this helps you sleep and night and makes you happier, by all means dude.
Just don't be one of of those hating Christians please. (like God hates gays or homosexuality)
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On November 14 2013 23:05 Bebop07 wrote:Show nested quote +On November 13 2013 13:17 Djzapz wrote: This guy has his little epiphany and suddenly he knows all this fancy stuff that they tell desperate people in their moments of weakness to draft them in the popular club. Preying on the weak is super effective. My mother had this friend who was depressive and got out of it by convincing herself that she had magical powers and could know the future. She went around, telling other people all this shit about their future - she told them how to live and what to do for the "best results". Her predictions never happened, and yet she remained convinced.
It's good tthat you feel better though, even if it's for the wrong reasons. Best luck in the future. I'm genuinely sorry if I come off this way. I just believe in my heart Jesus is the truth, and what comes with that is the realization that hell is real. I'm coming from a perspective that I just want to save people, though I've come to realize it's not such a simple thing. Heck, my mom has been praying for me and trying to save me all my life and it took 24 years to listen. So I apologize again guys, i didn't mean to come off like someone from a cult or to be forceful, but If I did I'm sorry. I also understand the viewpoint of 'if someone is so depressed they'll be willing to believe anything that will help them, but that doesn't make it true.' That does make sense, but my viewpoint is that sometimes it takes being that low to get someone to want o search for God. When I was happy or had pleasure in life I sure wasn't interested at all, i thought I knew everything.
I'm glad you got over depression but it's not your job to save people, their beliefs are just as valid as yours and the second you pretend your beliefs are the right beliefs then you are just another preachy nut. Believe whatever makes you happy and have enough respect and civility to let others do the same.
Just throwing this out there as the "it's my job to save your soul" is a slippery slope down the path of hate.
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I'm happy for you, friend. Just realize that even if religion doesn't work out for you, that is no reason to slip back in to your lowest state.
hell is real Ah no! Please tell me that you are not the kind of Christian that I think you are! If you haven't been to one already, I recommend that you spend some time at a Catholic Church or maybe even an Eastern Orthodox one. They tend to be much more logical and less emotional than other denominations in the US, and have much more developed understandings of scripture than the all-too-common "This is true because the King James Bibles says so." If you live in a rural area, there still will probably be a Catholic church somewhere nearby. That said, you won't learn much of the theology just from mass. Before I stopped going to church, my church had about 75% of homilies about obligations, duty, and donations. Also, homilies tend to be pretty dumbed down and simplified.
Also hell isn't really a developed concept in scripture. Don't envision something from Dante's Inferno when it comes to hell. According to many understandings it is simply the lack of communion with God, not some fiery place beneath the earth.
I guess that was kind of a big response to a little statement but the only people I've ever seen say that have been very fundamentalist, in-your-face people from rural areas. It's not your job to save anybody; be reasonable and let people think on their own accord.
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On November 16 2013 08:52 Chocolate wrote: Also hell isn't really a developed concept in scripture. Don't envision something from Dante's Inferno when it comes to hell. According to many understandings it is simply the lack of communion with God, not some fiery place beneath the earth.
Yes, that is a much more accurate representation of what the Bible actually says, and, theoretically, it's a much less desirable prospect; that's why Christians don't want others to go there.
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