When is it appropriate to share your religious faith with others?

[Netti-Netti]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Touche.

No problem.

Neck folding.

Thank you.

I recently ran into a turtle. It seems I am now to enjoy 10,000 years of Good Fortune. So now I'm "feeling lucky."

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Netti-Netti

I recently ran into a turtle. It seems I am now to enjoy 10,000 years of Good Fortune. So now I'm "feeling lucky."

Longevity, wealth, and endurance, according to feng shui.

[Netti-Netti]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Longevity, wealth, and endurance, according to feng shui.

So you agree I'm destined for good things!

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Netti-Netti

So you agree I'm destined for good things!

Nothing's certain, but hey, I prefer to be an optimist.

[seattlegal]

Hmm, back to the topic of the thread, would sharing your faith pose an ethical dilema towards the Samkhya tradition, so Prakriti won't evolve for Purusha anymore? (Is that the source of radical atheists, in that Prakriti still wants to evolve and keep Purusha imprisoned?)

[mee]

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

Hi Mee!



If you guys can find a way to clone my buddy Eric you could take over the world.

Chris

well for the GREAT CROWD who are from all nations ,
revelation 7;9-10
they are all looking forward to the time when
no resident will say i am sick ISAIAH 33;24 AND THAT IS EVEN BETTER

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by cyberpi

Good stories. Can you describe though in detail for me what you mean by this sentence? To you, what is the nature of 'saved'... what does that mean? Who or what informed you that they were 'saved'?

What I meant by this is that all four girls came to accept Christ as Savior, recognizing that through a relationship with Him they will have eternal life. (John 17:3).

That is the simple answer. I figured you would've know this, but I suspect you have other intentions with this a leading question.

[wil]

Originally Posted by Netti-Netti

I recently ran into a turtle. It seems I am now to enjoy 10,000 years of Good Fortune. So now I'm "feeling lucky."

A perfect example of when it is a appropriate to share your belief with others?

When in it comes up in conversation.

[Tao_Equus]

Originally Posted by seattlegal

Hmm, back to the topic of the thread, would sharing your faith pose an ethical dilema towards the Samkhya tradition, so Prakriti won't evolve for Purusha anymore? (Is that the source of radical atheists, in that Prakriti still wants to evolve and keep Purusha imprisoned?)

Nope its because Tinky Winky is jealous of Dipsy's head piece

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by Paladin

I'm sorry Dondi, but I would have to agree with Bob X on this one. If I were to justify doing something unpopular, a story like this would suit me fine. I get stories like this in my e-mail from my Dad all the time each with a similar plot line.
It's similar to Cyberpi dredging up "What If" scenarios to justify shaming people into allowing themselves to be imposed upon. I find the whole approach to be manipulative and controlling. The real advantage of using this kind of linguistic strategy is to keep anyone from objecting, for who could object to saving an old lonely lady's life?
Of course no one would object! but that is why it is so insidious, using peoples sense of fairness and compassion in order to further another agenda.

Stories like this are not the primary motivation for going door knocking. I do it because I happen to believe that a relationship with Jesus Christ changes lives, because I've seen the evidence in my own life and the lives of others I know. I happen to believe that the message is the most important thing in the world, why wouldn't I share it. Sharing the message of badmitton isn't going to change or save a life, but a relationship with God will. And I'm doing so because I believe it to be a command from the Lord Jesus Christ to go spread the gospel to every creature.

I'm not gullible enough to believe every story that comes by me. But I do tend to give a story the benefit of the doubt until proven othe
wise, particularly on these kinds of matters. I beleive it, because I've heard similar kinds of 'divine appointmenst' from people close to me. There are people in my church whose lives have seen radical changes. So it's no small step to believe that the elderly lady's story isn't true.

If you wish to believe it's bull****, that is your perogative. I respect your opinion of it, but when you start deriding others for believing it, then you have taken the offensive. Do I have an agenda? Damn right, I do. I'm looking to give people hope who have no hope, in the way that I know I've been given the same.

Jesus went looking for the lost sheep, they didn't come to Him.

[Dondi]

Originally Posted by Paladin

Yes I am angry and it is my choice to be so. The kind of behavior you exhibit is controlling, and manipulative and believe me whenever I see you using it on someone I'm going to be all over you like a cheap suit.
I've seen you do it to others and don't say much because people like Chris and Tao can take care of themselves, but when you start in on people like Dondi I take it personally. You feel like picking on someone you look me up and I'll be happy to oblige.

I'm a bit confused. It seems to me that cyperpi has been siding with me for the most part. Where do you see I've been pick on? Is there a specific thread I've missed? I think cyperpi has been rather cordial about it the whole time.

[Nick the Pilot]

SG,

I thought I would give an answer to your question from my belief system. Purusha is spirit. Prakriti — actually Mulaprakriti — is matter. It is the interplay of the two that causes the universe to appear, and allow us to evolve up to a higher level.

I am astounded by the idea that Prakriti (manifested Mulaprakriti) wants to keep Purusha imprisoned. Is that how they see it?

[seattlegal]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

SG,

I thought I would give an answer to your question from my belief system. Purusha is spirit. Prakriti — actually Mulaprakriti — is matter. It is the interplay of the two that causes the universe to appear, and allow us to evolve up to a higher level.

I am astounded by the idea that Prakriti (manifested Mulaprakriti) wants to keep Purusha imprisoned. Is that how they see it?

I'm no expert in this area, but I think that the explanation is that it is really Purusha mistakenly identifying itself with Prakriti that causes Purusha to be imprisoned. However, if you look at it from the 'mistaken identity's' point of view, it would appear that the "Prakriti identity" (the confused Purusha) wants to imprison the spirit so it can continue to evolve.

Like I said, my understanding in this area is limited, so I would greatly appreciate clarification by someone more familiar with it than me. (That's why I asked the question.)

[path_of_one]

Just a gentle word from a friendly mod...

Please be as polite as possible to each other and refrain from name-calling and personal attacks. It's just a conversation, folks, and I'm sure we can debate our points effectively without being rude to each other.

Peace,
Path

[Nick the Pilot]

SG,

I find this discussion fascinating. The way I see it, Purusha (spirit) gladly allows itself to be imprisoned in Prakriti (matter). And, Prakriti gladly imprisons Purusha.

"Prakriti ... wants to imprison the spirit so it can continue to evolve."

--> Yes! And it is a great thing. I think the problem is that we have been told this is a bad thing, when the reality is that it is a good thing.

The way I see it, this is exactly what Christians refer to as "God sacrificiing his only Son for us." (Although I disagree with such a visualization.) To me, the Fall was not bad, it was good.

How do you figure Prakriti is a confused Purusha?