wil provides nothing

Be honest, I'm a big boy, what do you think?

  • Wil's posts have no value.

    Votes: 1 50.0%
  • His posts only serve to undermine others faith.

    Votes: 2 100.0%
  • He provides nothing in return.

    Votes: 1 50.0%
  • He has nothing to offer.

    Votes: 1 50.0%
  • He presents thesis as fact.

    Votes: 1 50.0%
  • And his thesis is more fragile than that which he seeks to undermine.

    Votes: 1 50.0%

  • Total voters
    2
Namaste Luna,

Negativity toward anything traditional?? I don't believe so, but I could be wrong. I do have issues with tradition that we now know are based on inaccuracies or outdated thought. ie it was tradition that blacks rode on the back of the bus and moved off the sidewalk and averted their eyes when white folks approached... I am opposed to that. In work situations I've heard the traditional 'well that's the way we've always done it' and thankfully we'll do it that way no longer.

And yes I have some issues with tradition like repeating the our father on infinitum where to me it is asked 'how' we should pray, not 'what' and I think the our father provides a very detailed 'how'. So if tradition has value, I can respect it, if it is just done because that is the way we always did it (the mother who cut the ends off the roast....) without knowing whether the why is still valid... sorry I've got no use for it.a That being said, if it floats someone elses boat to stand on their head and spit wooden nickels, I'm all for their own way of celebrating an growth. But if that same person wishes to tell me that it is the only way to enlightenment, I'll offer that they pound sand.


OK wil, but notice the things you've associated with tradition in just the above two paragraphs:


1. based on inaccuracies or outdated thought. When Thomas addresses this complaint he is accused of forcing his interpretations down other's throats. There is a world of scholarship that addresses just this issue but by the nature of the question it is brought to you by (horrors) scholarly authorities.

2. In spite of the involvement of Christians in the anti-slavery movement, in spite of the fact that Reverend MLK Jr. was himself a devout Christian inspired by God, in spite of the fact that many many traditional Christians today work hard for social justice and civil rights, including at least some who work for civil rights for gays, you associate 'tradition' with upholding slavery.

3. You belittle the Lord's prayer, although I'm not exactly sure what your objection is from what you've written above. Is the problem the repeating of the prayer? Is the problem the use of the same words as the Lord gave as an example? You've got no use for it, well OK. Many of us find it a humble and useful way to talk to our Father in heaven and prepare our hearts to listen to His answer. No one is saying other types of prayer are wrong...we employ all kinds of prayer in the liturgical churches, included our own words, and silence.

4. You compare our worship to standing on one's head and spitting wooden nickels. Now, how am I supposed to think you are serious in respecting my individual faith and worship when this the comparison you make?


Who has told you they have the only way to enlightenment?

I end this in all sincerity wil with Namaste, and also my wishes that the love and peace of God be with you.
 
OK wil, but notice the things you've associated with tradition in just the above two paragraphs:


1. based on inaccuracies or outdated thought. When Thomas addresses this complaint he is accused of forcing his interpretations down other's throats. There is a world of scholarship that addresses just this issue but by the nature of the question it is brought to you by (horrors) scholarly authorities.

2. In spite of the involvement of Christians in the anti-slavery movement, in spite of the fact that Reverend MLK Jr. was himself a devout Christian inspired by God, in spite of the fact that many many traditional Christians today work hard for social justice and civil rights, including at least some who work for civil rights for gays, you associate 'tradition' with upholding slavery.

3. You belittle the Lord's prayer, although I'm not exactly sure what your objection is from what you've written above. Is the problem the repeating of the prayer? Is the problem the use of the same words as the Lord gave as an example? You've got no use for it, well OK. Many of us find it a humble and useful way to talk to our Father in heaven and prepare our hearts to listen to His answer. No one is saying other types of prayer are wrong...we employ all kinds of prayer in the liturgical churches, included our own words, and silence.

4. You compare our worship to standing on one's head and spitting wooden nickels. Now, how am I supposed to think you are serious in respecting my individual faith and worship when this the comparison you make?


Who has told you they have the only way to enlightenment?

I end this in all sincerity wil with Namaste, and also my wishes that the love and peace of God be with you.
Namaste Luna,

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was referring to the word 'Tradition' and using examples of non-religious 'traditions' as things not worthy of my time. (slavery issue and work)

The only religious 'tradition' that I discussed having issues with is what happens at my church every sunday...ie the lord's prayer, I don't believe it was meant to be repeated but the manner and design of it utilized to create a personal prayer of one's own.

The last item was not in terms of his worship, your worship or worship in particular but any 'tradition' (religious or otherwise) that makes no sense with the knowledge and understandings of today but is continued despite this. But then added the caveat of the placebo effect...I'm not going to argue with what works for another but just don't accept that that sugar pill should be foisted on everyone.

Lastly I was using the term enlightenment as a way to heaven, a connection to G!d etc....and who has told me they have the only way?? Over the years?? From door knockers to folks with big signs and bullhorns on street corners?? To preachers and teachers, friends and family?? I have not the paper or the memory to list the people who all "know" for certain they their teachings are the one and only way...
 
You sure you got this poll thing set up right? 2 people vote and already a shed-load of percentages. :confused::eek:

Starting a thread to offer open season on yourself? :eek:

Are you mad, brave, broad-shouldered or just don't give a damn?!

Maybe I could criticise wil for being a bit too wil, but also Thomas for being a bit too Thomas, Snoopy for being a bit too well...Snoopy....

I think everyone brings something to the party; the party is the sum of the party-people. But sometimes...

Anyone seen that Simpsons episode where the family go to a therapist and get put into chairs where they can give electric shocks to other members of the family if they wish? The learning point is supposed to be nobody will shock anyone so that they don't shock you back. But naturally it all quickly deteriorates and ends up with everyone furiously shocking everyone else.

We need to try to keep off them buzzers.

Just a thought. :)

s.
 
The learning point is supposed to be nobody will shock anyone so that they don't shock you back. But naturally it all quickly deteriorates and ends up with everyone furiously shocking everyone else.

We need to try to keep off them buzzers.

Just a thought. :)

s.


BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!


BUZZZZ!

BUZZZZ!

BUZZZZ!

:p
 
You sure you got this poll thing set up right? 2 people vote and already a shed-load of percentages. :confused::eek:

Starting a thread to offer open season on yourself? :eek:

Are you mad, brave, broad-shouldered or just don't give a damn?!

Maybe I could criticise wil for being a bit too wil, ...

We need to try to keep off them buzzers...
yeah, jumped right into the chair I did!

No I didn't set the poll up worth a darn. But the way I figure it. 100% of the people who answered the poll think I only intend to undermine others faith....50% of the folks that answered are sitting joyously with the shock button...Glory be to G!d!! ouch...ooo...ouch...

And now Dondi is just having a ball (keep it up, I usually have to pay extra for that...), becuase you are correct, I am way to wil!

But you should have seen me before, I'd have been more like a combination of .... (name your favorite character you REALLY have a distaste for) ... but I got better.
 
Namaste Luna,

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was referring to the word 'Tradition' and using examples of non-religious 'traditions' as things not worthy of my time. (slavery issue and work)
Apology accepted wil. I was confused because I thought the conversations were specifically about religious tradtions, or more specifically Tradition capitol T referring to doctrines upheld by a body of Christians.

The only religious 'tradition' that I discussed having issues with is what happens at my church every sunday...ie the lord's prayer, I don't believe it was meant to be repeated but the manner and design of it utilized to create a personal prayer of one's own.
OK, but isn't that something to take up with the community at your own church? The liturgical churches I know have no problem with it.

The last item was not in terms of his worship, your worship or worship in particular but any 'tradition' (religious or otherwise) that makes no sense with the knowledge and understandings of today but is continued despite this. But then added the caveat of the placebo effect...I'm not going to argue with what works for another but just don't accept that that sugar pill should be foisted on everyone.
OK, but it seems like kind of a moving target what gets included in tradition and what is not. To me Tradition points very specifically to the things I find in my Book of Common Prayer.

Lastly I was using the term enlightenment as a way to heaven, a connection to G!d etc....and who has told me they have the only way?? Over the years?? From door knockers to folks with big signs and bullhorns on street corners?? To preachers and teachers, friends and family?? I have not the paper or the memory to list the people who all "know" for certain they their teachings are the one and only way...
OK, but specfically who here at this forum has done this (besides mee?). And even mee posts her stuff in a rather non-personal way so that it's more of an implication than anything else. I ask because you've associated this charge with Thomas, and I've never seen him do that.

Also, if I know Thomas at all, you would have rec'd an apology for words spoken in the heat of the moment if there was room left for him to do that without being on the defensive. I really feel like I'm butting into personal affairs here, but knowing both you and Thomas for so long I can't help but feel that there is room for apologies, forgiveness and reconciliation on all fronts. I'll start with my apology for butting in. :)
 
i don't understand the context. i'm sure i don't always agree with you but it seems to me that thomas is being overly harsh. without seeing the context i just don't know.
I seem to be missing context on this as well. :)
In response to Paramahansa Yogananda on a trinity thought Thomas said:
Indeed it is deep ... but sadly, inaccurate, being an interpretation of one doctrine according to the principles of another.
I said:
I believe that it is as easy to tear apart the specifics of any one doctrine (emphasis added as this is the portion that Thomas responded to) as it is to decide to tear apart those that are trying to understand a number of doctrines and their connections between each other.
Thomas replied:
As you do on numerous occasions. It would be useful if you could put something of equal value back in its place, but you never do. Your posts here serve only to unsettle or cast doubt on the faith of others, and provide nothing in return, having none to offer, which is why I confront you more than any other, especially when you present as 'fact' what all agree is only a thesis, and some of yours are more fragile and assumptive than the thesis they seek to undermine.
Now that I hope that is clear. I wish make something else clear, I appreciate "which is why I confront you more than any other" as I learn a great deal from these interactions.

I was just thoroughly surprised at the nevers and onlys and the implication that I am only stirring the soup... (even though when the heat is on high, it is the only way I know to insure it doesn't get stuck to the bottom)
 
...OK, but it seems like kind of a moving target what gets included in tradition and what is not. To me Tradition points very specifically to the things I find in my Book of Common Prayer.

Also, if I know Thomas at all, you would have rec'd an apology for words spoken in the heat of the moment if there was room left for him to do that without being on the defensive. I really feel like I'm butting into personal affairs here, but knowing both you and Thomas for so long I can't help but feel that there is room for apologies, forgiveness and reconciliation on all fronts. I'll start with my apology for butting in. :)
No apologies required. It is a discussion. Except maybe from me, becuase as I said, I shouldn't have come out swinging so hard. But the discussion is interesting.

As for your tradition and the book of Common Prayer, I am completely unfamiliar. (but have just now been googling and seeing what you are referring to...)
 
Now that you asked...I view it like mee is the ick of jw as thomas is the ick of rc, and so on and so forth... It all gets tossed to the curb next to the garbage cans.


I shouldn't have come out swinging so hard. But the discussion is interesting.
Why not? Others swing way harder than you do.
 
To my mind Thomas must feel threatened to resort to what is nothing less than an effort of character assassination. Wil presents, on the whole, a far more attractive, congenial and intuitive way to embrace and practice his faith than Thomas who is the self appointed (?) Popes man on IO. And where Thomas can confuse with meticulously structured dogma's designed carefully to sound so sage, yet say little themselves other than the Catholic Church devotes as much time to irrelevant and devious smallprint as a bad insurance company. Wil's views are the opposite. With him faith and its meaning are always open to scrutiny. No big long texts of goble dey gook (sic) to confuse and merely 'sound intelligent', Wil embraces the natural truths that everything is open to constant re-evaluation.
And at the very least I can read one of Wil's posts without yawning.
 
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