EPTOn July 25 2008 21:12 TechniQ.UK wrote:
Humans are incapable of self mastery it's that simple.
Humans are incapable of self mastery it's that simple.
Siddhartha Gautama disagrees.
Changed my life in less than a year - Page 6
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Mindcrime
United States6899 Posts
Siddhartha Gautama disagrees. | ||
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Krohm
Canada1857 Posts
TechniQ.UK this may seem like I'm trolling, but I'm really not. This an honest question. I've known you for years. Maybe 3? You were a huge asshole back then. Would you say you've become a nicer person now that you've gone through this change? | ||
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epidion
United States316 Posts
The poster is attempting to do something nice for the people here and is getting blown away for it. Even if you don't think this is a generous attempt, please try to acknowledge his intentions. This post is like someone saying "hey I found something pretty cool, you should check it out." He isn't forcing it down your throat, he isn't making you do what he has done. Sure, there may have been some badly worded sections. This is exactly like a friend saying "hey I found a really good restaurant the other night. I could take you there if you're interested?" Or like someone here saying "I found this pretty useful strat, do you want to know about it?" You can accept his invitation or not. Either do or don't. In fact, it is probably wise to point out that some language may have offended you and may offend other people. But persecuting him for it seems a bit excessive. Think about how you would react to someone recommending a restaurant you don't like; I don't know you but I doubt you would tell him how wrong and bigoted he is. Some of the responses here seem a bit hypocritical to me. There are a few posts that say something along the lines of "please don't preach to me" which is an acceptable response. It's simply an offer, and it isn't for everyone to accept. But what gets me is when people say "don't preach to me, and by the way, you're wrong." If we argue against faith we're preaching just as much. Sometimes I feel this same way about people "preaching" but when I take a step back and look at their good intentions, I realize that trying to tell them they're wrong is what they're doing except without any of the good intentions. I can understand that when people say "why do you believe in God? You're just following an archaic set of rules" they believe that they are showing someone the truth. Well this guy feels the same way. To the original poster: congratulations. Really, I have a lot of friends who met Christ through YoungLife and they are very happy with it. I'm sorry that some people (not necessarily the people in this thread, but in life in general) are not very receptive to ideas. If you feel that this is a gift you ought to share with people, please do it. I suggest getting close to a personal friend beforehand since this method very rarely works out, especially since TL.net members are certainly intelligent debaters and strong-willed (actually not sarcasm). I appreciate you sharing your experiences and I'm glad they have helped you. To the admins bashing the blog: I'm well aware you have your fanboys, authority and the opinion of the general posters behind you, but please show a little tact. You are a source of authority and inspiration on this site and it doesn't bode well if the example you set is one of closed-mindedness and offensiveness. I do respect the work you do for the community, as I have worked in a variety of projects at GG.net in the past. | ||
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suresh0t
United States295 Posts
good for you, you need something to keep your ass in line. sorry that isn't the case for everyone. some of us can use our brain and figure shit out on our own. but if you do start thinking logically and looking at the notes on sermons from sunday morning, and then breaking them down, you'll probably see how much bullshit is actually there. Basically you'll be taught not to question God, or the Bible, live by faith not by intelligence, give your money to the church without question, and other various forms of manipulation that will keep you in line. Have fun with that, I guess I'd rather have you feel "compassion" for non christians, than hate for muslims and blacks...but either way it sounds like your still kind of a dick. ps. Also please take me off your compassion list | ||
Chill
Calgary25996 Posts
Now I just feel right now compelled to say something, compassion for you guys, you non-alcoholicss. Your fleeting happiness, your problems, your sadness your loneliness. You are loved so greatly you could not comprehend how loved you really are and you don't feel it and you think beer isn't real because theres all this hardship and beer's never helped you before and the denominational and alcoholic things have bad reputations and all these different reasons. Pretty much I can sub in any noun into that sentence and I have the same response. Someone talking down to me for no reason. His agenda is the same as every other person starting religious threads here, for some reason there isn't an air of "Check this out, it's great" but "you're worthless without this". That's why I respond how I do. Because I don't need someone who doesn't know me talking down to me from his holy throne. | ||
thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
oh shit that exactly matches when I started drinking again! Chill did you make that post in my stead? | ||
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Chill
Calgary25996 Posts
On July 26 2008 01:08 thedeadhaji wrote: 9 months ago... oh shit that exactly matches when I started drinking again! Chill did you make that post in my stead? Yes, My child, for thou hath received My golden flask and drank the glorious liquid of My son. And then you passed out in the courtyard. Amen. | ||
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thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
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Chromyne
Canada561 Posts
On July 26 2008 00:57 suresh0t wrote: but if you do start thinking logically and looking at the notes on sermons from sunday morning, and then breaking them down, you'll probably see how much bullshit is actually there. Basically you'll be taught not to question God, or the Bible, live by faith not by intelligence, give your money to the church without question, and other various forms of manipulation that will keep you in line. I'm sorry that you've had such bad experiences with Christianity. Either that you're speaking from ignorance. Everyone I know allows me [or people in general] to question God and the Bible. Actually it's encouraged. I think it's healthy to question and discuss matters as important as this. Tithing is completely obligatory in the church. If you are a member of the church, I'm sure you would want to support the church (this is how they pay the people who work there). The only other reason I've been given for giving money is to support some cause such as the earthquake in China. If giving money is mandatory, you're going to a different place. Living by faith and not by intelligence is in itself contradictory, they are not complete separate entities. Today's definition (again with the definitions, I know) is a blind leap in a dark room. I think many would agree with this definition, especially if it furthers their agenda. However, I think that faith involves much more than that. It is a trust in something based on reason. Or else there is no point in having faith. | ||
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Chill
Calgary25996 Posts
On July 26 2008 01:27 Chromyne wrote: I'm sorry that you've had such bad experiences with Christianity. Either that you're speaking from ignorance. Everyone I know allows me [or people in general] to question God and the Bible. Actually it's encouraged. I think it's healthy to question and discuss matters as important as this. Tithing is completely obligatory in the church. If you are a member of the church, I'm sure you would want to support the church (this is how they pay the people who work there). The only other reason I've been given for giving money is to support some cause such as the earthquake in China. If giving money is mandatory, you're going to a different place. Living by faith and not by intelligence is in itself contradictory, they are not complete separate entities. Today's definition (again with the definitions, I know) is a blind leap in a dark room. I think many would agree with this definition, especially if it furthers their agenda. However, I think that faith involves much more than that. It is a trust in something based on reason. Or else there is no point in having faith. Good post. Quoted for emphasis. | ||
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evanthebouncy!
United States12796 Posts
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vGl-CoW
Belgium8305 Posts
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Slithe
United States985 Posts
On July 26 2008 01:27 Chromyne wrote: I'm sorry that you've had such bad experiences with Christianity. Either that you're speaking from ignorance. Everyone I know allows me [or people in general] to question God and the Bible. Actually it's encouraged. I think it's healthy to question and discuss matters as important as this. Tithing is completely obligatory in the church. If you are a member of the church, I'm sure you would want to support the church (this is how they pay the people who work there). The only other reason I've been given for giving money is to support some cause such as the earthquake in China. If giving money is mandatory, you're going to a different place. Living by faith and not by intelligence is in itself contradictory, they are not complete separate entities. Today's definition (again with the definitions, I know) is a blind leap in a dark room. I think many would agree with this definition, especially if it furthers their agenda. However, I think that faith involves much more than that. It is a trust in something based on reason. Or else there is no point in having faith. Lots of Christians I know are merely so because their parents were Christians. From birth, they've been indoctrinated with these beliefs, before they developed the ability to analyze things with a critical eye. They are imbued with this faith and lack the motivation to question their beliefs. This is what breeds the blind faith that lots of people take issue with. | ||
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suresh0t
United States295 Posts
First off, tithing is in the bible, and in the bible it says give your first 10% to God. Pretty much a non negotiable deal with the church. I mean obviously they give you the option but not before preaching on how important it is. And yeah fine and good support the church make sure they can pay the staff and do stuff like help the homeless etc. However when you see the pastors that are rolling around in private planes etc, it makes you wonder how much is going to everything else. I'm not saying that is every church on the planet. However, you can't debate that one of the main rules of Christianity is tithing. If you disagree then you don't follow the rules set in your bible. it's as fucking simple as that. I'm sorry but you can't tell me you believe in god and jesus and then take the parts out of the bible that you don't believe in and toss them out, and keep the things in there you like. That's not how shit works in the real world. I have no problem in saying I think christianty is utter bullshit, the entire thing. And yeah I come off as hateful and spiteful and you know what I don't really care. I'm a nice guy who treats everyone pretty well, don't get into other peoples business, have quite a few christian friends and so on and so forth. but when they start talking religion with me and really want to get in my head this is what they get. it may not be the most insightful things said, but what's the point of trying to convince someone their god is bullshit. there isn't one. i could care less, unless i'm asked about it or unless i read someone telling me they have compassion for my fleeting happiness and my false beliefs. when someone says something like that and i read it, even if i know i can just click the home page and not look at it again, i feel the need to tell them to fuck off. especially when the kid admitted to being a muslim and black hater, who now basically just hates non christians...which includes all muslims (that didn't change) probably a pretty decent portions of blacks since I don't think Africa is big on christianity, a good percent of asians, indians and basically just a much bigger percentage of the world. Oh he changed the word from hate to compassion...but really compassion just means he feels bad or pities us. I've managed to live 23 years of life now, without being racist, without being hateful, and while maintaining relationships, making good money, traveling and all the good things in life without the bullshit concept of jesus or god. I read that some "former" scumbag who now thinks he is holier than thou feels pity for my life and that he has the answer for me and is trying to lead a prayer for me to save myself. and i don't really give a shit if i come off as arrogant, less than knowledgeable, or just plain pissed off. I've studied all sorts of religion, been to all sorts of churches, masques, temples and so on. It's never been for trying to find some purpose to life, it was more for trying to understand people. My biggest problem with Christianity is what this guy is being a shining example of, and that is the need to recruit new people. No other religion outside of the off shoots of Christianity go out and try to convert people. Listen if someone wants what you got they will come to you, if not...leave us the fuck alone. It is as simple as that. And yes I know I've wrote my share of religion blogs, and talked about being an Atheist and such. Well really only 3 anti religion posts in which 1 was a response to another post similar to this, and the other 2 were the same thing except one was a more complete version of an article i was writing for a local papers religion section that I was asked to write. I cleaned it up and they published it and I got all the hate christians love to dish out when they think that someone is out of line or bashing them, when at the same time they can say what they want about people going to hell and how everyone else lives in sin. So yeah I don't feel bad about telling people to fuck off when they pity me. | ||
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Mindcrime
United States6899 Posts
Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:1-6 | ||
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Chef
10810 Posts
This is exactly like a friend saying "hey I found a really good restaurant the other night. I could take you there if you're interested?" Or like someone here saying "I found this pretty useful strat, do you want to know about it?" It really isn't. Look, this is a forum buddy. Comments are never disabled. Everything is moderated to the degree that everyone stays on topic, and if they topic isn't about personal character, no one is allowed to insult it. But this guy made his whole OP post about his personal character. Logically, the only thing to comment on IS his personal character, and so people did. Don't get mad that the forum served its purpose. It's not like we were going to argue about his religion specifically and forget him... There'd be no point. You believe it or you don't. It's the only topic where you can know fuck all and still know everything you need to know to have a 10 year argument. In short: He made a post that was insulting to the community, and the community responded. Don't think you're some man of reason teaching us to shed our hateful words. | ||
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calgar
United States1277 Posts
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XDawn
Canada4040 Posts
 Congrats to the OP and glad you've turned your life around. Keep it going | ||
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Chromyne
Canada561 Posts
On July 26 2008 02:00 suresh0t wrote: mmm no you are wrong about the being ignorant or going to the wrong church. though you are from canada so they do everything a little bit more liberal than the US...and that isn't a bash, because I love Canada. First off, tithing is in the bible, and in the bible it says give your first 10% to God. Pretty much a non negotiable deal with the church. I mean obviously they give you the option but not before preaching on how important it is. And yeah fine and good support the church make sure they can pay the staff and do stuff like help the homeless etc. However when you see the pastors that are rolling around in private planes etc, it makes you wonder how much is going to everything else. I'm not saying that is every church on the planet. However, you can't debate that one of the main rules of Christianity is tithing. If you disagree then you don't follow the rules set in your bible. it's as fucking simple as that. ... My biggest problem with Christianity is what this guy is being a shining example of, and that is the need to recruit new people. No other religion outside of the off shoots of Christianity go out and try to convert people. Listen if someone wants what you got they will come to you, if not...leave us the fuck alone. It is as simple as that. And yes I know I've wrote my share of religion blogs, and talked about being an Atheist and such. Well really only 3 anti religion posts in which 1 was a response to another post similar to this, and the other 2 were the same thing except one was a more complete version of an article i was writing for a local papers religion section that I was asked to write. I cleaned it up and they published it and I got all the hate christians love to dish out when they think that someone is out of line or bashing them, when at the same time they can say what they want about people going to hell and how everyone else lives in sin. So yeah I don't feel bad about telling people to fuck off when they pity me. Oooo we're getting into the Bible now. Yes, agreed, the Bible does say to tithe (Numbers 18:26). This is an Old Testament practice, most likely to pay for the expenses of the people who served at the Temple. However, in the New Testament (remember this is past Mosaic Law with the new Convenant), I can't find any verse that asks for or recommends any such action. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul says set aside a sum (no actual value or percentage) to support the church, WHILE keeping with his income. 2 Corinthians 9: 7 even says, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion..." I admit, many churches like to stick to that concrete value, but I see it as something you do because you want to support the church. I think the reason the OP made this BLOG (keyword = blog not thread) is because he thinks he has something special and wants to share it. A few people have already said, if you had/know something you think is cool, wouldn't you want to tell people about it? All this stuff about how he said it and everything, though important and detracted from his post, is something else and digresses from the point. It's just him sharing something he has experienced. | ||
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Chef
10810 Posts
I think the reason the OP made this BLOG (keyword = blog not thread) is because he thinks he has something special and wants to share it. Really? Because I'm pretty sure he made it to talk down to people, since he even admits that he has a history of enjoying doing that. If he wanted to share his experience, he would have kept the topic to "I let religion into my life, now it's better," rather than what he did which was "all you non-Christians will never know love and happiness as I do now." That's elitism, not compassion (which was the same reason he used to be a racist). | ||
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