I can tell that you are a very intelligent man, and I have no problem discussing things with you, because I feel that you, too, have respect for my beliefs, as I do for yours. I want to tell you something funny that was on my fb page today. I have a daily Bible verse that is different everyday, and the funny thing is what today's post said! Colossians 2:8 says, see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ! LOL I have lead a very sinful life for so long, that I cannot even believe that the Lord would even want to help me!! I have had one addiction after another!! My new addiction, is to educate myself with the word of the Lord. My mom studied theology, and she and I were talking about things today, and I already knew that some things were left out of the Bible, but she let me know that there is alot that has been left out! I would like to communicate with you through messages, because I am more comfortable talking to you in this manner!! I don't care what other people think, or don't think, about me!! I started reading my NIV, after I felt insulted by our preacher, when I had asked for our family to become members of our church, and was told, not until we have a public baptism performed in front of the congregation. He is an old southern Baptist, but you do not have to be baptist to get a chance to go to Heaven!! And by the way, I want you to know, that I have learned so much from reading, and even if what I have been reading is not true, it has opened my eyes to happiness, loving, and a much more peacefull life!! I can't see that as a bad thing, so I will continue to be happy, and hopefully, someday, to serve God in Heaven!! I can tell that you do alot of your research in philosophy!! Believe me, Robert, I have questioned myself, for most of my life, whether God was real, or not!! I know that He is, because of things that have happened to me, that are to bizarre to tell about! Thank you, for being respectful to me, and discussing issues with me!! I will never be persuaded to any other beliefs, but hope to persuade you, but I will not push it!! God Bless You Robert!!!What do you guys think about this?
Monday, April 5, 2010
I Get Mail
Here's an except from an email exchange with a young christian woman. Sometimes, I just don't know what to say when presented with something like this.
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12 comments:
Her thoughts aren't very organized. It's pretty rambling. You could go anywhere with this.
I would just listen and ask a few gentle questions here and there.
Well, I did put together about a coherent response as I could out of what I could understand of that.
Here's part of my response.
She said, "I want you to know, that I have learned so much from reading, and even if what I have been reading is not true, it has opened my eyes to happiness, loving, and a much more peacefull life!!"
Are you saying that you don't care if you've been taught false teachings, as long as it makes you happy?
I do care whether or not what I believe is true. I'd rather be uncomfortable with the truth than to be blissfully ignorant believing in a falsehood. That's the whole reason I am where I am right now.
Writing (for me) is actual work. I try to present a tone that doesn't convey negetive emotion. It's really hard to do at times.
I have to read and edit what I have written. Sometimes, several times before I get what I want it to sound like. I'm not sure that I did that good with my response to this girl.
Because, I think it's important to respond to each person personally, I am actually getting a bit tired of rewriting the same stuff over and over. Especially, when my correspondant does not take care to write an understandable and coherent letter.
Oh boy. Now I feel like a dick for even saying that.
The woman sounds to me as if she's desperate to find something to believe in that will raise her up out of the muck of her life -- That's a recipe for a perfect little lamb for the church to reel in!!
I agree with Juju that she was all over the map. At one point, I thought she was headed one direction, then she went running off in the other.
I don't know what YOU should have told her. I know what I would've said, right or wrong.
--
Yes, the Bible, being literature, can be a good read, and it can teach good lessons for leading a better life.
You wrote that you realize that it may not be true (the Bible), and I commend you for being open minded in that regard.
That leads me to believe that you would, in fact, enjoy other books that can also tell you enjoyable stories and teach you about life. Self-help books and classic literature can be very fulfilling to a person like you who is looking to grow and learn from others.
I would recommend that you visit your local library and tell the librarian what issues you're dealing with. He or she can show you many books that will address your issues more directly and more clearly than the Bible does.
Good luck on your life journey.
Well said, Lorena.
I would engage her in a friendly discussion. If she has ulterior motives you'll see it but perhaps she is genuinely seeking to understand your point of view.
Bruce
Atheists,
GET OUT OF MY UNIVERSE
you little liars do nothing but antagonize...
and you try to eliminate all the dreams and hopes of humanity...
but you LOST...
THE DEATH OF ATH*ISM - SCIENTIFIC PROOF OF GOD
engforum.pravda.ru/showthread.php?t=280780
Einstein puts the final nail in the coffin of atheism...
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youtube.com/watch?v=V7vpw4AH8QQ
*************************************
atheists deny their own life element...
LIGHT OR DEATH, ATHEISTS?
********************************
***************************LIGHT*********
************************************
What's the deal with the wildcard in the word atheism? Why wildcard the E? I don't get it.
I've seen that somewhere else...
DavidMabus? How the heck are you doing? You old poe-troll, you! Almost had me going!
"I have a daily Bible verse that is different everyday, and the funny thing is what today's post said! Colossians 2:8 says, see to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ!"
Like, this totally reminds me of when I read the horoscope today and it was like totally true. It said that I would have a surprise today, and it was totally right, because I was totally surprised at how true it was.
Well DM,
Then we will have no future together, eh?
Christianity has little present and you have no proof of its future besides an antiquated book that says there is a future.
How about some real engagement? Personally, I don't click links in blog discussions. (especially those who originate in foreign countries)
Bruce
Re: learning from reading.
I read 1984 (Orwell, not true but somehow familiar) and H.G.Wells "The sleeper" and "Men like Gods" and I learned a lot from them, and from The Screwtape Letters", although none were true.
One can learn a great deal from fiction - however your writer seems to be having fiction/reality overlap problems. Sounds like one librium tablet too many to me.
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