Contemplating my decision to leave Christianity (quote, God, beliefs, belief)
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I want to insert one of my life lessons here. I picked it up when I started abusing alcohol, got hooked, then had to dig myself out while firing on one cylinder.
Look for the commonalities. Ignore the differences as part of their story. People who didn't do that in recovery had difficulty making it. A person has to be able to connect to heal. That person cannot click if they are under the belief that they are an outsider and the things that apply to others do not apply to them.
Believe it or not, IRL I do that very thing, Tzaph. Here, I feel compelled to try to change the despicable things by correcting the bogus rationales for them. It is an obligation in my mind because I was blessed with the encounter due to no merit or worthiness on my part. It is paying it forward as is my prayer warrior group IRL.
calling that which you disagree with despicable and bogus does not bring merit or blessing or favor to anyone. no one is ever "obligated" to castigate others. Nor does it "correct" anything to do so.
Last edited by Tzaphkiel; 02-08-2023 at 09:07 AM..
In my case, it has everything to do with Jesus as THE representative of the God I encountered. I would still be an atheist if I had to believe the things the dominant religions believe about God. The God I encountered would NEVER countenance many of the despicable things people in the dominant religions THINK God wants from us and will do to us if we don't believe the right things.
So, your encounter with Jesus as a representative of G-d was your personal experience and changed your life. Others have had their own encounters with G-d in many forms that are equally valid. They also don't involve Jesus. The omnipotent creator of the universe obviously has many forms and paths through which we can access Him. You found one; let others find theirs without disparaging them as "despicable".
You may very well consider yourself blessed. But you are also indulging in the messiah complex. That is not real, it is simply your ego. You forget we are all blessed, every one. We only need to recognize it and one has to know that to recognize that. You cannot do that for anyone, we all need to do it ourself. You cannot teach someone what they are not ready for. Please take Tzaph’s excellent counsel and be at peace. Stop proselytizing.
Ouch!
As if Mystic is alone with regard to suggesting anyone knows better than the next. Is more aware or in tune with oneness over others. Better connected with ancient wisdom, spirituality and any of the rest. "Tzaph's excellent counsel?"
Such a hoot!
Here's another little bit of advice perhaps everyone should better consider. I'm paraphrasing here...
"Don't throw stones in glass houses and let only the innocent toss the first one."
calling that which you disagree with despicable and bogus does not bring merit or blessing or favor to anyone. no one is ever "obligated" to castigate others. Nor does it "correct" anything to do so.
Before you continue to beat Mystic to a pulp any further, I think you might be misunderstanding what Mystic finds despicable more than just a bit. If it's light over darkness you think you are promoting, I'd suggest a little of giving the benefit of the doubt, because although I don't well line up with any of your thinking, at least I better understand what Mystic often laments about how we humans tend to go off the rails with our versions of what God is, wants or requires. Too often simply because "it is written." Much of which is more like Mystic describes even though not always agreeable for those married to alternative religious dogma.
As if Mystic is alone with regard to suggesting anyone knows better than the next. Is more aware or in tune with oneness over others. Better connected with ancient wisdom, spirituality and any of the rest. "Tzaph's excellent counsel?"
Such a hoot!
Here's another little bit of advice perhaps everyone should better consider. I'm paraphrasing here...
"Don't throw stones in glass houses and let only the innocent toss the first one."
Or something like that...
You are entitled to your opinion. I find Tzaph's contributions to this forum, and her way of communicating it, lifts the level of discourse here several notches and I will say that as many times as is needed.
I have no doubt that there is quite a bit of sexism rampant in the kind of responses she gets from some. I believe Mystic actually respects her thoughts and posts. He may have his ways of communicating his thoughts, but his contributions are equally valuable, food for thought for those who think.
You are entitled to your opinion. I find Tzaph's contributions to this forum, and her way of communicating it, lifts the level of discourse here several notches and I will say that as many times as is needed.
I have no doubt that there is quite a bit of sexism rampant in the kind of responses she gets from some. I believe Mystic actually respects her thoughts and posts. He may have his ways of communicating his thoughts, but his contributions are equally valuable, food for thought for those who think.
Tzaph was not so much the focus of my comment, the gist of which you seem to be ignoring, but that aside, it's hard to read so many of Tzap's comments and also your praise. You are entitled to your opinion too of course. I've read enough of your comments to expect no different from you.
All contributions are what they are in any case and all a matter of opinion. For all of us to judge as we will, as always. As of most recently anyway, I've found the "confusion" about Mystic's comments and/or intentions not as "dark" as some of the criticisms. That's more what I was getting at, and I'll just leave it at that as I sign off now.
May more light shine on all of us going forward...
You may very well consider yourself blessed. But you are also indulging in the messiah complex. That is not real, it is simply your ego. You forget we are all blessed, every one. We only need to recognize it and one has to know that to recognize that. You cannot do that for anyone, we all need to do it ourself. You cannot teach someone what they are not ready for. Please take Tzaph’s excellent counsel and be at peace. Stop proselytizing.
Oh...so we shouldn't respect another person's belief system. Hmmmm.
calling that which you disagree with despicable and bogus does not bring merit or blessing or favor to anyone. no one is ever "obligated" to castigate others. Nor does it "correct" anything to do so.
Let us be absolutely clear, Tzaph. What I disagree with has nothing to do with what is or is not "despicable." Despicable is a valid characterization without regard to my beliefs or opinions about it. What is despicable is just despicable, period! Any pretense that it is entirely subjective is itself bogus!!! Trying to justify it by attributing it to what God wants from us is just unsupportable. As Jesus accurately said, "We know not what we do" when it comes to God so we have no business imposing any of our beliefs on others, period.
Let us be absolutely clear, Tzaph. What I disagree with has nothing to do with what is or is not "despicable." Despicable is a valid characterization without regard to my beliefs or opinions about it. What is despicable is just despicable, period! Any pretense that it is entirely subjective is itself bogus!!! Trying to justify it by attributing it to what God wants from us is just unsupportable. As Jesus accurately said, "We know not what we do" when it comes to God so we have no business imposing any of our beliefs on others, period.
you have your opinion about what is despicable. that is purely your opinion view belief.
no it is not set in stone and it varies from person to person. it is purely and entirely subjective. same for "bogus."
and i agree no one has any right to impose their beliefs on others. can you see you are doing just that when you feel compelled and "obligated" to "correct" others and castigate others for beliefs which you may disagree with ?
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