Admission and Apology

[China Cat Sunflower]

I've been trying to figure out what it is I'm looking for in religious dialog. What is the impetus for my interest in Christianity? Why have I lately insisted that I'm a Christian? Am I? What is Christianity?

I admit that I have selfish motives for participating in this kind of forum. I've never had the motive of trying to prove that I'm right, what I figured was that I could put out what I was thinking and then judge it's veracity from the feedback. I was trying to figure out if I'm still a Christian or not. But I don't think I am. If a definition of Christianity is to be found, I think that I must define it as post Nicean. Therefore it doesn't apply to me because I don't believe in salvation or the divinity/diety of Christ. I appologize for using this forum to work that out for myself.

What I'm really looking to do is find a way to universalize metaphysics and synchronize it with physics so that it can be an inner blueprint which explains the the structure of the universe. But I also needed to come to terms with my own programming. I thank all of you for helping me do that, but I don't feel justified in taking up any more of your time. I'm sorry that I had a hand in running some posters off, and if they're lurking I hope they will accept my apology and come back.

Chris

 

[Quahom1]

I've been trying to figure out what it is I'm looking for in religious dialog. What is the impetus for my interest in Christianity? Why have I lately insisted that I'm a Christian? Am I? What is Christianity?

I admit that I have selfish motives for participating in this kind of forum. I've never had the motive of trying to prove that I'm right, what I figured was that I could put out what I was thinking and then judge it's veracity from the feedback. I was trying to figure out if I'm still a Christian or not. But I don't think I am. If a definition of Christianity is to be found, I think that I must define it as post Nicean. Therefore it doesn't apply to me because I don't believe in salvation or the divinity/diety of Christ. I appologize for using this forum to work that out for myself.

What I'm really looking to do is find a way to universalize metaphysics and synchronize it with physics so that it can be an inner blueprint which explains the the structure of the universe. But I also needed to come to terms with my own programming. I thank all of you for helping me do that, but I don't feel justified in taking up any more of your time. I'm sorry that I had a hand in running some posters off, and if they're lurking I hope they will accept my apology and come back.

Chris

Are you ok man?

 

[Quahom1]

Chris, God works in mysterious ways. Your'e being here was as much for you as it is for us. Yeah, you love to debate issues. But Jesus would probably have a field day debating with you. Only we aren't Jesus, though we try to be like Him.

Just be yourself, and take what is said to you at face value (from the writer's point of view). You don't have to agree, but you do have to acknowledge that that is their perspective.

I think you should stay. That is all I have to say.

v/r

Q

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

It's not right for me to just mess with people for my own entertainment. I really don't have a passion for debate anymore, and I'm just rehashing stuff stuff I've already said on other forums. I've got a lot of stress in my life right now, and I'm releasing it through sarcastic humor at other people's expense. That's not right either. The truth is I don't believe in anything resembling religion anymore. Work hard, do my best for my family, try to have some fun...that's about it.

Chris

 

[flowperson]

Chris:

You haven't po'd me. I've been where you are a couple of times, and I've still got an ok life, but that becomes more and more of a one day at a time thing as one ages. Short of going bonkers, one cannot deny a spiritual nature and outlook, and believe me buddy, you've got one in spades; and, a very incisive mind to go with it.

And if you feel the need to label yourself as "something" when it comes to your beliefs, go ahead, we all need an external identity. But you certainly don't have to believe it and act on it all of the time. My personal belief is that one should not be labelled as "something" until he gets a toe tag when he's laying on a stone slab.

We all benefit from your unique insights and takes on reality. Remember, it takes all the pieces in a puzzle to make a complete picture that makes sense. Stick around some more. The pieces of the puzzle that leave won't be a part of a "final" picture. It's their right to exercise their choice to leave. Don't take it so personally.

I learn something about other people every time I visit here and another site I post to. Maybe more listening-reading-lurking would benefit you more than just posting. If the patterns in life that you are following aren't working real well for you, change your patterns until you land on a better combination. You know that it's harder to build a cabinet if you try to use a pattern for a chair for inspiration and instruction.

As an aside I would suggest that you read two books by M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled, and The People of the Lie. You will discover new things that you always knew !

flow....

 

[inhumility]

It's not right for me to just mess with people for my own entertainment. I really don't have a passion for debate anymore, and I'm just rehashing stuff stuff I've already said on other forums. I've got a lot of stress in my life right now, and I'm releasing it through sarcastic humor at other people's expense. That's not right either. The truth is I don't believe in anything resembling religion anymore. Work hard, do my best for my family, try to have some fun...that's about it.
Chris

Stay on for diversity.You have done no harm.Thanks,please

 

[Dondi]

I've been trying to figure out what it is I'm looking for in religious dialog. What is the impetus for my interest in Christianity? Why have I lately insisted that I'm a Christian? Am I? What is Christianity?

I admit that I have selfish motives for participating in this kind of forum. I've never had the motive of trying to prove that I'm right, what I figured was that I could put out what I was thinking and then judge it's veracity from the feedback. I was trying to figure out if I'm still a Christian or not. But I don't think I am. If a definition of Christianity is to be found, I think that I must define it as post Nicean. Therefore it doesn't apply to me because I don't believe in salvation or the divinity/diety of Christ. I appologize for using this forum to work that out for myself.

What I'm really looking to do is find a way to universalize metaphysics and synchronize it with physics so that it can be an inner blueprint which explains the the structure of the universe. But I also needed to come to terms with my own programming. I thank all of you for helping me do that, but I don't feel justified in taking up any more of your time. I'm sorry that I had a hand in running some posters off, and if they're lurking I hope they will accept my apology and come back.

Chris

I admire your honesty. To be honest myself, I did wonder sometimes where youy were coming from, for you have some pretty unorthodox views about Christianity. But it is good to question things. If this thing about Jesus is true, then it ought to stand up to scrutiny.

But if your problem is with trying to reconcile Christianity with metaphysics and physics, I don't think they necessarily have to contradict each other. In fact, I've recently come to terms that there may actually be some truth to actual age of the universe, the Big Bang, and organic evolution on earth. There are those of us who believe in what is called "theistic evolution". Now that may seem like a copout for all the rash that creationists get from the scientific community, but it took me a long time to get to this point. I saw flaws on both sides of the issue, but after careful study of the issue, I've come to a satisfying conclusion. One of the series of books that has helped me is by Dr. Gerald Schroeder, a nuclear physicist of Jewish background, who has some compelling ideas about the origin of the universe and the origin of life. I'm currently reading his "Genesis and the Big Bang".

Here is his website, if you are interested:

http://www.geraldschroeder.com/

 

[wil]

Namaste CCSF,

Vince Lombardi a football coach from years gone by, told his players that in order of importance.

G-d first, you need to have a connection with source, whatever it is that satisfies you.


You second, taking care of physical, mental and emotional health.

Family third, tis important for all relationships at home to be solid, with parents, partners, children and siblings.

Career, the team, football last.

This was the winningist coach at the time...football last. He knew that if you didn't have a connection with G-d you would have personal issues, and if you didn't take care of yourself, your family would suffer, and if your head was concerned about something at home...you couldn't have your mind on the game.

Everything in the proper order....a great start. So if you are exploring trying to find your place...awesome...but if you are truly just playing devils advocate or enjoying toying with others heads...then you need to think about what that is about.

I for one enjoyed the discourse...and pray your find your comfort someplace.

 

[Tao_Equus]

I think what Christianity needs most in these days is challenged by Christians. It's long been usurped by charlatans and people like you are exactly what it needs.

The folks you find here are pretty smart I'd say, perhaps me least amongst them, so anything you have to say they can handle and then probably feed back to you as sausages.

I do note that this is the second thread of this nature by you. So just so you are getting the message loud n clear WE LIKE YOU AND YOUR POSTS!!!

I'm sorry to hear you are having a hard time at the moment, my thoughts go to you and I hope the corner on this is soon turned


Kind regards

David

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

O.K., I read all of that, and thanks. I've kinda hit the wall on stuff I'm interested in. I'm having a hard time resigning myself to being middle aged (42). I have all these responsibilities, I'm tired, and I just wanna play golf.

Chris

 

[Dondi]

O.K., I read all of that, and thanks. I've kinda hit the wall on stuff I'm interested in. I'm having a hard time resigning myself to being middle aged (42). I have all these responsibilities, I'm tired, and I just wanna play golf.

Chris

Join the club.

 

[Quahom1]

O.K., I read all of that, and thanks. I've kinda hit the wall on stuff I'm interested in. I'm having a hard time resigning myself to being middle aged (42). I have all these responsibilities, I'm tired, and I just wanna play golf.

Chris

When you don't like the rules of the game, change the rules, or change the goal of the game. Me, I keep saying to myself I'm going to live to be 120, that means I'm still a young man...

 

[wil]

When you don't like the rules of the game, change the rules, or change the goal of the game. Me, I keep saying to myself I'm going to live to be 120, that means I'm still a young man...

120, with an option for renewal.

 

[Quahom1]

120, with an option for renewal.

(lol) yeah.

But seriously, 120 is the shelf life, for the human body as designed and under current enviromental conditions. So, think "young".

 

[Prober]

O.K., I read all of that, and thanks. I've kinda hit the wall on stuff I'm interested in. I'm having a hard time resigning myself to being middle aged (42). I have all these responsibilities, I'm tired, and I just wanna play golf.

Chris

Maybe your game will get as good as your debating!

Chris, I feel you. I know it sounds corny, but if you give up on religion, don't give up on God until you disprove him (by whatever means).

 

[path_of_one]

Chris- I always found your posts thought-provoking, and I like a good debate (even for its own sake!). If your concern is for others' feelings, I find that honorable, but I can say I've enjoyed your time here and encourage you to stay if you like.

I know it can be difficult to be a Christian who is not "mainstream" or part of a particular organization. I myself am more interested in religion for intellectual stimulation, and my spiritual path is much more personal, eclectic, and individualistic. At some point, I stopped trying to convince people I am Christian and just figured it didn't really matter what they label me. Some think I'm a Christian, others a heretic or Pagan- it doesn't really matter because at the end of this life, it's just between me and God.

Many of us are on that quest to unite metaphysics and physics, and I find that Christ's teachings are instrumental... no, foundational... to that journey for me. But I also recognize there are many paths people take on that journey, and certainly Buddhism, Taoism, and especially modern earth-based traditions have influenced my journey as well.

I would encourage you... it isn't about the label, but rather about your own life's journey.

And though debate for its own sake may be selfish- sometimes it's fun! And sarcasm can be amusing! Though you are right to make sure you do not hurt others or act meanly.

Take a break from life every now and then and do go out and have fun! Golf if that's what makes life fun for you! As seriously as I take this life and its purpose for me, I think one of those purposes is to experience the joys of living- so fun is an integral part of the spiritual journey!

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

Chris- I always found your posts thought-provoking, and I like a good debate (even for its own sake!). If your concern is for others' feelings, I find that honorable, but I can say I've enjoyed your time here and encourage you to stay if you like.

I know it can be difficult to be a Christian who is not "mainstream" or part of a particular organization. I myself am more interested in religion for intellectual stimulation, and my spiritual path is much more personal, eclectic, and individualistic. At some point, I stopped trying to convince people I am Christian and just figured it didn't really matter what they label me. Some think I'm a Christian, others a heretic or Pagan- it doesn't really matter because at the end of this life, it's just between me and God.

Many of us are on that quest to unite metaphysics and physics, and I find that Christ's teachings are instrumental... no, foundational... to that journey for me. But I also recognize there are many paths people take on that journey, and certainly Buddhism, Taoism, and especially modern earth-based traditions have influenced my journey as well.

I would encourage you... it isn't about the label, but rather about your own life's journey.

And though debate for its own sake may be selfish- sometimes it's fun! And sarcasm can be amusing! Though you are right to make sure you do not hurt others or act meanly.

Take a break from life every now and then and do go out and have fun! Golf if that's what makes life fun for you! As seriously as I take this life and its purpose for me, I think one of those purposes is to experience the joys of living- so fun is an integral part of the spiritual journey!

Thanks Path, I needed that.

Chris

 

[flowperson]

Hey Chris:

If I lived where you do I'd be out fishing ALOT ! It's difficult for me to do very much of it in the driest desert in N. America. Enjoy !

flow....

 

[China Cat Sunflower]

Hey Chris:

If I lived where you do I'd be out fishing ALOT ! It's difficult for me to do very much of it in the driest desert in N. America. Enjoy !

flow....

My buddies like to fish. Unfortunately I was raised a vegetarian and never learned how. What I love about Phoenix is the cheap summer golf.

Chris

 

[Quahom1]

My buddies like to fish. Unfortunately I was raised a vegetarian and never learned how. What I love about Phoenix is the cheap summer golf.

Chris

So! Catch 'em, freeze 'em and give 'em to someone who loves to eat 'em!

That's what my son does...(he hates eating fish, but loves the catch).