Originally posted by robbie carrobie
You know its the most interesting phenomena and I think I understand the reason why.
The idea that matter is 'evil' and that the only reality is the spiritual realm I think can be traced back to Plato. I remember reading of his 'chariot of the soul' when I was a teenager, a white horse would pull it upwards towards heavenly and virtuous things, ...[text shortened]... tute for a faith that is alive and well and which manifests itself in doing good towards others.
For me personally I see religions being of two types, those which promote SELF, and those which promote SELFLESSNESS. The second type is what Jesus and the Apostles preached about, and it is the way to eternal life as Christ went to great pains and great lengths to explain. As a result I would personally gravitate to the humanitarian type of church.
The first type which promotes SELF, is often characterized by:
- claims of being saved eternally
- the ridiculing of those who follow Jesus example and who attempt to be like him
- claims of HS gifts most of which are a sham
- the focus on mouth worship - calling Gods name in vain, loud and repetitive prayers etc
- almost never admonishing members to avoid sin or to do good works as the Apostles preached
SELF is the way of the flesh, is contrary to Christ and leads to eternal death.
SELFLESSNESS is Christlike, it is the way of the Spirit and leads to eternal life.
The SELF group constantly speak of the Holy Spirit claiming to have the Spirit of God etc, but this is a shallow claim and is not matched by their actions.
The SELFLESS group never speaks of the Holy Spirit, neither do they need to. Their lives and actions are living demonstration of God/Christ living in them.
Christ will judge who is who at the appropriate time.