How can they be two entirely different things when you've mentioned only one thing, that one thing being Christian Spiritualism about which you then claim there's no such thing - go figure! I do notice you've written those two words differently from how I've written them (it's subtle, you'll need to look closely) so maybe you don't know what Spiritualism (the religion and philosophy) actually is? Maybe you'd like to learn?QuietCypher wrote:From my observations, there is no such thing as Christian spiritualism: they are two entirely different things. If you want the real thing, try looking into Gnosticism. :)
SpiritVoices wrote:mac wrote:Joanie wrote:Very true,Viking.
After living in this world for many years,what exactly is Christianity?
Kindness,concern for other?
Outline it please.
Joanie
It might need a fundamental Christian to adequately define what Christianity is, don't you think? I'd guess it's someone who subscribes to believing what's been taught about the Christ and following the teachings delivered by him.....
I always think of Christianty Mac as being kind to other people.
To be a Christian is to show good will, not how many times we attend church.
Joanie
SpiritVoices wrote:Hi Assumpta!
I often wonder why we need churches. Surely if we are deeply religious,we need no praying...I haven't attended a church for years,but that doesn't mean we don't believe in God....
I feel there is a Being there who listens to our prayers and helps us when he can....not the first time I have prayed to God for help and it won't be the last.....
SpiritVoices wrote:In other words,are we paying God for his help?
I understand that. I know exactly what you mean. I remember the days when the old vicar lived in old country,worn out house. As hard up as anyone else..Azrael wrote:SpiritVoices wrote:In other words,are we paying God for his help?
I don't guess payment is required. Its not so much a God asking for money as it is those who follow and preach a God. What you are paying for is the nice churches, Cadillacs and so forth...I doubt smaller churches can afford to lavish these things on a Pastor, it's the Mega-Churches that can. I guess we all have to make a living some how and I guess conning the sheeples into thinking they are helping a God must work. Not knocking the scheme of it. What I am knocking is the way they go about it.
SpiritVoices wrote:I understand that. I know exactly what you mean. I remember the days when the old vicar lived in old country,worn out house. As hard up as anyone else..Azrael wrote:SpiritVoices wrote:In other words,are we paying God for his help?
I don't guess payment is required. Its not so much a God asking for money as it is those who follow and preach a God. What you are paying for is the nice churches, Cadillacs and so forth...I doubt smaller churches can afford to lavish these things on a Pastor, it's the Mega-Churches that can. I guess we all have to make a living some how and I guess conning the sheeples into thinking they are helping a God must work. Not knocking the scheme of it. What I am knocking is the way they go about it.
Assumpta wrote:Like you Joan those thoughts about small children or indeed anyone who is murdered is the same. I do sometime wonder if before we come back on this earth do we have the option of determining how we die? What do you think about it?
Alternatively if the time and place of our deaths are predetermined and if we consciously KNEW the time and place it would mean we'd know far more than we do now and that might also mean we would understood why.Azrael wrote:Assumpta wrote:Like you Joan those thoughts about small children or indeed anyone who is murdered is the same. I do sometime wonder if before we come back on this earth do we have the option of determining how we die? What do you think about it?
If those options are given where are they given at? Our deaths are predetermined at a predetermined time and place it would stand to reason if we knew the time and place we would spend all our lives trying to change our fate.
Not too sure about that question,Maureen....If we had the choice,wouldn't we pick a death that was easy and peaceful?Assumpta wrote:Like you Joan those thoughts about small children or indeed anyone who is murdered is the same. I do sometime wonder if before we come back on this earth do we have the option of determining how we die? What do you think about it?
mac wrote:Alternatively if the time and place of our deaths are predetermined and if we consciously KNEW the time and place it would mean we'd know far more than we do now and that might also mean we would understood why.Azrael wrote:Assumpta wrote:Like you Joan those thoughts about small children or indeed anyone who is murdered is the same. I do sometime wonder if before we come back on this earth do we have the option of determining how we die? What do you think about it?
If those options are given where are they given at? Our deaths are predetermined at a predetermined time and place it would stand to reason if we knew the time and place we would spend all our lives trying to change our fate.
If we did understand why, we might then be motivated to do more with our lives before the time arrived. That alternative makes just as much sense as our trying to avoid something we knew was unavoidable.
That alternative makes just as much sense as our trying to avoid something we knew was unavoidable.
SpiritVoices wrote:'if they knew it was coming'
We pick our deaths before we are born but the human mind doesn't know that. All memories of picking our future lives are gone at the moment of birth.
How we die is buried within our souls.....so no knowledge of human death once our physical lives begin.
We pick our deaths before we are born but the human mind doesn't know that.
How we die is buried within our souls.....so no knowledge of human death once our physical lives begin.
On the last point, if we knew more than we know now, how do we know what course of action we'd take?Azrael wrote:mac wrote:Alternatively if the time and place of our deaths are predetermined and if we consciously KNEW the time and place it would mean we'd know far more than we do now and that might also mean we would understood why.Azrael wrote:Assumpta wrote:Like you Joan those thoughts about small children or indeed anyone who is murdered is the same. I do sometime wonder if before we come back on this earth do we have the option of determining how we die? What do you think about it?
If those options are given where are they given at? Our deaths are predetermined at a predetermined time and place it would stand to reason if we knew the time and place we would spend all our lives trying to change our fate.
If we did understand why, we might then be motivated to do more with our lives before the time arrived. That alternative makes just as much sense as our trying to avoid something we knew was unavoidable.
Subjective at best. A lot of the knowing would depend on the persons level of fear in facing their death at a predetermined time and place. At this point its all speculation.
That alternative makes just as much sense as our trying to avoid something we knew was unavoidable.
How many people do you know that would not try to change the outcome of a bad situation if they knew it was coming?
mac wrote:Jesus I've just realised that this thread started off looking at Christian Spiritualism! We're now way off-topic....
mac wrote:I said "Alternatively if the time and place of our deaths are predetermined and if we consciously KNEW the time and place it would mean we'd know far more than we do now and that might also mean we would understood why."
If we did understand why, we might then be motivated to do more with our lives before the time arrived. That alternative makes just as much sense as our trying to avoid something we knew was unavoidable."
you said "Subjective at best. A lot of the knowing would depend on the persons level of fear in facing their death at a predetermined time and place. At this point its all speculation."
In response I ask you to look at what I wrote more closely... I underlined 'if' and put KNEW in capitals to draw attention to the importance of those words in the clause, if we knew. I was inferring that (generally) we don't consciously know any such things.
But knowing something isn't conditional ".....on the persons level of fear in facing their death at a predetermined time and place." What is known is known but what's not certain is one's reaction to it.
That's not a subjective issue.
... any mans death, diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankinde; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.
You didn't type ...The End on there.....
