So, what is a Christian? What makes this person different? Why is your religion so important? Why are Christians so intolerant? These and other topics will be explored, and hopefully the reader will be challenged in why they believe what they believe.
Sometimes its not so much what do you believe, but why? How did this person reach this particular conclusion?
The rules of logic and in particular the presentation of facts are not changed because a certain value or belief structure is being presented.
Good manners are expected. No one is expected to change an opinion based on the words here. The goal is to bring up issues and topics, discuss, and hopefully be stronger in what is believed. And, if by chance a new concept is explored, forcing a re-evaluation of what has previously been believed, all should be stronger for this.
So, the first question to be presented, and answered later is this, what logical basis can you present for some of what you believe? There are two Latin phrases which will help, again posted later. PLEASE!!! Please do not use these a crutch for what is believed, but only a starting point in developing and explaining a personal belief system.
And yes, systematization of personal beliefs will be explored later as well.
No sermons (some may be quoted though) but a time for some serious thought in a fun way.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Words We Use
Try this little bit of words we have heard:
Here's an easy game to play.
Here's an easy thing to say....
New socks.
Two socks.
Whose socks?
Sue's socks.
Who sews whose socks?
Sue sews Sue's socks. Who sees who sew whose new socks, sir?
You see Sue sew Sue's new socks, sir.
(Before you think someone is crazy:
From Dr. Seuss, The Fox in Socks)
The choice of words is cute funny, and a bit hard on the tongue. These words are really just fun, but can they change a life?
Well, let’s think about that a minute. Maybe it’s not the words, but the time spent to read these words. Why are you reading these words? Are you spending time with someone important? Are you changing life of another just by being with them? If the answer any of these is yes, you are doing good.
What you say and when, and how is really important.
Look at the words of Jesus when asked about a woman caught in sin. The law said that she was to be stoned to death (the laws of the day-sorry). In reality, the person she sinned with was to be punished the same way as well- that is with her.
Jesus calmly told them that the one among them who was without sin was to throw the first stone.
Look at this, true words, words with force, with meaning, yet spoken with gentleness.
This leads to another topic, one that will see more discussion later, that is judging another. What is this?
The Bible tells us not to judge another or be judged by the same measure. To some this is a comfort, for this prevents hypocrisy, but now some call others “hater” for stating a truth of some kind with a tone of the absolute. If something is wrong, it is WRONG. We are called to constantly denounce that which is wrong. If murder is wrong, then when someone speaks bad about it, by definition this person is now a “hater?”
Or, do we save this word because we do not like the topic being denounced, like a moral issue? If you think this is bad you are a “hater.” So we defend the immoral decision by labeling the person with the courage to speak out?
If we are to hate the sin but love the sinner, a concept the non-religious person uses (ok, actions are treated separately from the person), then the use of the word hater suggests hypocrisy on the part of the person using the word “hater.”
So, if we are clearly called to respect the person, allowed to dislike the actions and behavior, where doe the use of “hater” come from? Sounds like someone does not the clear right, privilege and responsibility that we all have. The “hater” is saying something that is unappreciated by the listener, and the response is just flat out rude. Notice, please, LOOK AGAIN! The action was called bad, NOT the person.
Not a hater, not a sermon, just a thought or two
Here's an easy game to play.
Here's an easy thing to say....
New socks.
Two socks.
Whose socks?
Sue's socks.
Who sews whose socks?
Sue sews Sue's socks. Who sees who sew whose new socks, sir?
You see Sue sew Sue's new socks, sir.
(Before you think someone is crazy:
From Dr. Seuss, The Fox in Socks)
The choice of words is cute funny, and a bit hard on the tongue. These words are really just fun, but can they change a life?
Well, let’s think about that a minute. Maybe it’s not the words, but the time spent to read these words. Why are you reading these words? Are you spending time with someone important? Are you changing life of another just by being with them? If the answer any of these is yes, you are doing good.
What you say and when, and how is really important.
Look at the words of Jesus when asked about a woman caught in sin. The law said that she was to be stoned to death (the laws of the day-sorry). In reality, the person she sinned with was to be punished the same way as well- that is with her.
Jesus calmly told them that the one among them who was without sin was to throw the first stone.
Look at this, true words, words with force, with meaning, yet spoken with gentleness.
This leads to another topic, one that will see more discussion later, that is judging another. What is this?
The Bible tells us not to judge another or be judged by the same measure. To some this is a comfort, for this prevents hypocrisy, but now some call others “hater” for stating a truth of some kind with a tone of the absolute. If something is wrong, it is WRONG. We are called to constantly denounce that which is wrong. If murder is wrong, then when someone speaks bad about it, by definition this person is now a “hater?”
Or, do we save this word because we do not like the topic being denounced, like a moral issue? If you think this is bad you are a “hater.” So we defend the immoral decision by labeling the person with the courage to speak out?
If we are to hate the sin but love the sinner, a concept the non-religious person uses (ok, actions are treated separately from the person), then the use of the word hater suggests hypocrisy on the part of the person using the word “hater.”
So, if we are clearly called to respect the person, allowed to dislike the actions and behavior, where doe the use of “hater” come from? Sounds like someone does not the clear right, privilege and responsibility that we all have. The “hater” is saying something that is unappreciated by the listener, and the response is just flat out rude. Notice, please, LOOK AGAIN! The action was called bad, NOT the person.
Not a hater, not a sermon, just a thought or two
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