Granted. It does seem like it. I sometimes wonder if it is as much the Church's fault for this misconception, or perhaps the public outside the Church isolating this one area of the overall teachings of the Church?
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- Thread starter sanctus
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Granted. It does seem like it. I sometimes wonder if it is as much the Church's fault for this misconception, or perhaps the public outside the Church isolating this one area of the overall teachings of the Church?
I think it may be both.
History would seem to say tht it's not the church, it's the people running the church who introduced it. Um, inquisitors, crusaders, missionaries, etc. sorta thing.
History would seem to say tht it's not the church, it's the people running the church who introduced it. Um, inquisitors, crusaders, missionaries, etc. sorta thing.
Perhaps.Look, there's no doubt that sin is a huge part of Church doctrines, but it is not the central message of the Church as a whole. Many people have mis-used the name of God/ Church to justify an awful lot of wrong behaviour. sometimes though, that behaviour was actually motivated by good intentions. Missionaries for example, who believed they were doing a good thing by introducing Christ to new cultures. That in and of itself was fine, but as it happened, they mixed the gospel with European social values and we know what resulted from that.
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Yeah, it's all fine and dandy to be high on gods, but people should use their brains instead of their "hearts" and feelings once in a while.
I wouldn't obey either..heh heh..but as to the word..what is faith but a belief in something. I have faith in my husband, for example, or my kids ability to do well in school. Not necessarily a religious word at all.
I believe that the more we let go of the world and let God and fall in love with God the more grace we are given and the more we will realise how little we really know and will want to attain more grace, thus giving yourself more readily to God to attain the graces God wishes that person to have.
Probably the most beautiful gift a person could be given with the grace God would give is to be asked, invited, or chosen to suffer in the suffering of Jesus Christ.
I can only say never run away from that gift if it is asked of you.Remember God NEVER gives His children more than they can take, He has gone before them to prepare the way, and He is there if they want to speak to Him.
I love the quote from St Francis de Sales about the cross we each are given being one that has been carefully chosen and anointed by the Lord for us, and tested carefully by Him to see that it is not too heavy for us to bear.
I'm not too certain I like the ideology which suggests that God is testing us. Frankly, the idea seems mean-spirited if true. I prefer to think that we are the masters of our own trials and tribulations, and God provides us an outlet to deal with them.
Sanctus, been reading the great amount of negative comments some of your posts receive. I just wanted you to know that soem of us appreicate your posts. They are varied, informative and inspire many conversations. I admire the fact that you never seem to lose faith through all of these negative posts!
Thank you, that was very kind of you. But worry not, these sort of posts don't bother me at all. Part of being in an open forum. I'm a big boy now, it's all good.
Kinda makes me wonder why people have to read negativity into everything said by people they don't agree with.
You got me! I also am generally surprised by how seriously some people take these forums. I mean, it's the internet for goodness sake. As much as I enjoy this forum, it certainly should have no impact on my day to day activities.
I think Sanctus is "energized" by "what you call negative posts", as I don't think he is looking for praise
and agreement from everyone. I have come to have much respect for him, and we don't have to
believe the same way to enjoy each other's opinions.
I haven't read any posts that are "mean and cruel" towards him, and I wouldn't want to see that.
I do not believe in "religion" or "god", but I do believe in recognizing how much good the church can do
and has done for people, and someone like Sanctus is a big contributor to that cause.
We don't usually learn a lot from people who are "stroking" us constantly, but we do from the people
who challenge us.
Kind of like those losers that lock themselves in their houses all day and night, sitting in front of a computer and that's it. They think that this is the real world but they don't realize that they are hiding from the real world and contact with real people.
I read that most people create mental images when they pray. I usually don't, although this is probably because I have some fairly extensive issues with visual perception.
But it made me curious...Which ones tend to come to mind? Any special reasons why?
But it made me curious...Which ones tend to come to mind? Any special reasons why?
Free? But don't we have to surrender our individuality to become like that? So we do pay a price too, right?
Computers and the internet are wonderful things as tools of communication. Obviously I am in favour of them or I would not be writting this to you.
But like all things in life, we must be cautious to pur the internet in perspective with our real lives. It is not a substitute or equivalent for real phsycial relationships with other people.
Amongst those who literally never leave their homes because they are sitting at this machine all day and night, you will find people deeply afraid of honest human contact and intimacy.