On this day of worship.........

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MoodyMonkey
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by MoodyMonkey »

General Mackevili wrote: The moment you "decide" on a religion is also the exact same moment you stop searching for "truth" and start looking for evidence to back up your decision.
That is not always true. There is not some line people cross that ends the search for truth and begins the search for evidence to defend their decision.

Life is a lot more fluid than that.
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StroppyChops
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by StroppyChops »

MoodyMonkey wrote:
General Mackevili wrote: The moment you "decide" on a religion is also the exact same moment you stop searching for "truth" and start looking for evidence to back up your decision.
That is not always true. There is not some line people cross that ends the search for truth and begins the search for evidence to defend their decision.

Life is a lot more fluid than that.
I agree. This is why a 'senior' Buddhist monk will take great delight in genuinely discussing different faiths with religious scholars of other backgrounds. Unfortunately, Christian scholars do tend to focus inward, as the General suggests.
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by Jaap N. »

Maybe a bit off-topic, Stroppy Chops might want to think about what kind of post his 666th is going to be... :evil:
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by StroppyChops »

^ LOL! Nice pickup, Jaap.
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by Rain Dog »

General Mackevili wrote:I believe in God. Unfortunately he's never introduced himself by name, and I can't decide who he is based on a bunch of different books that ALL admit they require faith to believe in.

The more a Christian studies the Bible, the more they are convinced they are right.

The more a Muslim studies the Koran, the more they are convinced they are right.

Etc...


The moment you "decide" on a religion is also the exact same moment you stop searching for "truth" and start looking for evidence to back up your decision.

This might be true for some people but not most. To my view there are three broad categories of Religious People:

1 Traditionalist) People who are born into a religion and follow but are not necessarily defined by it. These people are unlikely to be zealots but can often be influenced by negative propaganda about other faiths as it reinforces their identity. They tend to question little but are not usually contemptuous of others. From an American perspective I would say most Catholics and Traditional Protestants (Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians etc) fall into this category.

2 Tribalists) People who actively seek out a religious identity because they need it to define themselves and give themselves an identity and sense of affiliation. The most likely to be zealots and yes -- most of their "learning" is about "proving" their tribe right and other tribes wrong. From a USA perspective I would put most Southern Baptists and "Modern Evangelicals" in this category.

3) Individualist) Look at a variety of religions and sectarian differences, often with a very critical eye but generally find religion of benefit to them and take away what they can use and leave the rest behind. May eventually need the peace of mind to settle on one -- but reject dogma and can find some good in all.

Apologies in advance if this is too serious a topic for this forum or if I have offended anyone with my generalizations. I like thinking and talking about religion and philosophy in between beers.

:beer3:
Last edited by Rain Dog on Tue Jun 03, 2014 5:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by Milord »

That makes sense.
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by MoodyMonkey »

What about post modern evangelicals, ecumenicals, pentecostals and interdenominational para church groups?
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by Jacobincambodia »

MoodyMonkey wrote:What about post modern evangelicals, ecumenicals, pentecostals and interdenominational para church groups?
I'm an Evangelical. I don't think I'm so bad :)
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by General Mackevili »

Rain Dog wrote:
Apologies in advance if this is too serious a topic for this forum or if I have offended anyone with my generalizations. I like thinking and talking about religion and philosophy in between beers.

:beer3:
It's great to have all sorts of discussions going on over here!



I guess I feel when I discuss religion in depth with people who have already chosen a religion, they seem to agree with any new information that supports their beliefs, and dismiss anything that doesn't.

I'm also generalizing, me thinks.
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Rain Dog
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Re: On this day of worship.........

Post by Rain Dog »

MoodyMonkey wrote:What about post modern evangelicals, ecumenical, pentecostals and interdenominational para church groups?
Well, I was talking in broad generalizations so I am not sure I could fairly classify all. Also I think in some cases (e.g., post modern evangelical) the definitions and classifications are still up for debate which makes them hard to classify. Anyway if my classification system does not work for you feel free to suggest your own or add any further distinctions you think should be made. Personally I am less interested in esoteric theological nuances and more interested in what values different groups espouse.

The following "talking points" from my POV would set off alarm bells and lead me to probably be rudely dismissive of any group or individual promoting them ....

--- The world's 2.5 Billion Chinese and Hindus need to accept the word of Jesus or they risk eternal damnation in hell fire

--- Islam is a Satanic invention from a demonic imposter prophet and needs to be wiped off the earth.

--- All of the land of Ancient Biblical Israel must be restored to the Jews (to hell with those ragheads that have lived there for over 1000 years). This is important because once we get rid of the Dome of the Rock we can have the Jews restore the Temple Mount and when that Happens Jesus is going to wake up and fly down from the clouds and lead us into the end days! Yippee Yai Yay!!!! But Shhhhhhhhh ---- Jesus is also going to convert all the Jews and Kill the ones that don't convert --- but don't talk too much about that because it's not politically correct.

Yes, I am being a bit sacrilegious (sorry) and extreme ------ but all three of these sentiments are quite often found on Christian web sites, and by some very popular Evangelical preachers, and media outlets quite commonly found among my Category 2 Tribalists and help to give Christians a bad name.

On the other hand -- Christians that go out and DEMONSTRATE the Power of Jesus as they see it, by helping the oppressed, and the poor, and leading by example will earn my respect as long as the outright proselytizing is limited.

I do have a big problem with those Christian Groups that go out and "Buy Souls". I have first hand knowledge of a group in Rural Thailand offering to teach English for "Free". The only catch --- the person must first accept Jesus as his Personal Savior and undergo a Baptism. If not --- "Sorry -- No English Lessons for You"

I regard these types of groups with utter contempt.

(No Vladimir English teacher jokes please hehe -- I believe that reports that he is leveraging his teaching experience to save souls in Thailand are unconfirmed :mrgreen: )
Last edited by Rain Dog on Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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