Spirituality

Originally posted by josephw
No! Just the truth.

"I insist. I am the only one here who knows what's true so, again, shut up."

Originally posted by jammer
"I insist. I am the only one here who knows what's true so, again, shut up."

Boy this things sure went south fast! I thought we were having a good debate there.
Let's cool it down and get back to it. I am really interested here.

Originally posted by jammer
"I insist. I am the only one here who knows what's true so, again, shut up."

Is that what you hear jammer?

Originally posted by josephw
Is that what you hear jammer?

Yeah, lots of condesention on your part.
You're pushy too.

Your arguement is basicly an appeal to authority.
You use the Bible .. to "prove" the Bible.

I understand your strength of faith and desire to witness, I just think your going about it all wrong and in the wrong forum. You won't reach anyone here. I'd suggest one-on-one and face to face .. not an internet forum.

Originally posted by jammer
Yeah, lots of condesention on your part.
You're pushy too.

Your arguement is basicly an appeal to authority.
You use the Bible .. to "prove" the Bible.

I understand your strength of faith and desire to witness, I just think your going about it all wrong and in the wrong forum. You won't reach anyone here. I'd suggest one-on-one and face to face .. not an internet forum.

The thing with Christians that compell

You're right, I'm am what you said. I try not to be.
Help me here. What is wrong with my appeal to authority? After all, I believe in God. I believe the bible is his word, and I see the world through the lens of scripture. It gives answers, (that you don't like) to those questions, and speaks to the concepts and ideas flying around here.
I was trying to be helpful, but it appears that I offended.

I'll try to tone it down a little ok?

There are a few important things to note:
1. If we are after the truth, we must forget the one we know.
2. Stick to THE BOOK not somebody's interpretation. The Word can be interpretted in many ways. That is why there are over 35000 different sects in Chrisianity. Let's find the interpretation that makes sense and is consistant through the Bible.
3. Explore other possibilities.
4. Remember the mind is like a parachute. It only works when opened.

Happy searching.

Originally posted by josephw
You're right, I'm am what you said. I try not to be.
Help me here. What is wrong with my appeal to authority? After all, I believe in God. I believe the bible is his word, and I see the world through the lens of scripture. It gives answers, (that you don't like) to those questions, and speaks to the concepts and ideas flying around here.
I was trying to be helpful, but it appears that I offended.

I'll try to tone it down a little ok?

An appeal to authority will be meaningless to anyone who doesn't respect that authority.

You're witnessing to atheists and agnostics who not only don't believe in God .. they take joy in disrespecting Him and his believers.

You're getting your chain pulled and don't see it.

The only one that gave you any respect was The Skipper and it appears you ran him off with your "debate ender"

The "scripures" you see the world through can be seen in many many different lights. It does NOT give answers IMO .. it gives questions (that you ignore)

It's a slippery slope when Christians "try to be helpful", most of us have heard the story our whole lives and have drawn our own conclusions a long time ago.

Originally posted by Varqa
There are a few important things to note:
1. If we are after the truth, we must forget the one we know.
2. Stick to THE BOOK not somebody's interpretation. The Word can be interpretted in many ways. That is why there are over 35000 different sects in Chrisianity. Let's find the interpretation that makes sense and is consistant through the Bible.
3. Explore ...[text shortened]... ies.
4. Remember the mind is like a parachute. It only works when opened.

Happy searching.

This would be true if everyone started from the postion that the "truth" was in the Bible somewhere, we just had to find it.

To most of humanity the Bible is simply a book.
Therein lies the rub.
To use "the book" to prove the book makes no sense to the rational mind.

The mystery remains hidden. The "book" is ambigious and will lead you only where you are predisposed to go.

Originally posted by jammer
This would be true if everyone started from the postion that the "truth" was in the Bible somewhere, we just had to find it.

To most of humanity the Bible is simply a book.
Therein lies the rub.
To use "the book" to prove the book makes no sense to the rational mind.

The mystery remains hidden. The "book" is ambigious and will lead you only where you are predisposed to go.

Is there a truth? Is there another less ambigious source? I am open to suggestions.

Originally posted by Varqa
Is there a truth? Is there another less ambigious source? I am open to suggestions.

"Is there a truth?"

Of course .. their is also a false.

"Is there another less ambigious source?"

Of course .. their are also more ambigious sources.

My suggestion is to follow your heart, not your mind.

Originally posted by jammer
"Is there a truth?"

Of course .. their is also a false.

"Is there another less ambigious source?"

Of course .. their are also more ambigious sources.

My suggestion is to follow your heart, not your mind.

Shouldn't we use a combination of the two?
Mind without the heart will be too cold and impersonal.
Heart without the mind will create fanaticism and dogma.

Originally posted by Varqa
Shouldn't we use a combination of the two?
Mind without the heart will be too cold and impersonal.
Heart without the mind will create fanaticism and dogma.

You talk in circles and say nothing.
You start out good .. " Shouldn't we use a combination of the two?" .. and I agree, we should and actually MUST use both.

Of course, you missed my point, but that's OK i'll try again sometime maybe.
I don't remember saying "don't listen to your mind AT ALL.", but i'm pretty sure that's what you read it as when I read the other 2 lines.
............
"Mind without the heart will be too cold and impersonal.
Heart without the mind will create fanaticism and dogma."
...........
That's the talking in circles part.

Will "mind without the heart" ALWAYS "be too cold and impersonal."?
No, of course not.

Will " heart without the mind" ALWAYS "create fanaticism and dogma."?
No, of course not.

Sounds good .. but is actually meaningless.

Originally posted by jammer
"Is there a truth?"

Of course .. their is also a false.

"Is there another less ambigious source?"

Of course .. their are also more ambigious sources.

My suggestion is to follow your heart, not your mind.

you're going to hate this jammer. Follow your heart? God says the heart is deceitful, and to renew your mind. That, to me, is the truth.
Is it too personal for you? Do you have to get so frustrated over it?
I say this with my heart. My wife says I'm too critical of you. I'm sorry if I come across that way!

Originally posted by josephw
you're going to hate this jammer. Follow your heart? God says the heart is deceitful, and to renew your mind. That, to me, is the truth.
Is it too personal for you? Do you have to get so frustrated over it?
I say this with my heart. My wife says I'm too critical of you. I'm sorry if I come across that way!

Why is following your heart deceitful?

Originally posted by kirksey957
Why is following your heart deceitful?

Following the heart alone is deceitful. That is what the suicide bomber does.
Use the heart but don't forget the mind, which is the only (non spiritual) tool that distinguishes us from the animals, and happens to be the one thing the religious leaders would like us not to use.