DigitalShadow
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Posts posted by DigitalShadow
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I think that in order to show examples of faith, we must first define the concept. There are many different definitions of the word 'faith' and there are even more connotations. I've had missionaries tell me that turning on a light using a switch is an act of faith, but I only flick the lightswitch because I have observed that the light usually turns on afterwards. I don't have faith that the light will turn on, in fact I wouldn't be very suprised at all if it didn't.
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Who says the family unit is dead anyway?
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I don't deserve anything that He's given me. That's the point. He does it anyway.
My point was that if God gave you everything (both good and bad) for a reason, there is no point in anguishing in how you don't deserve the good or how bad the bad is. Make the best of your situation, because that's really all anyone can do.
I've been down the road of deep depression before. I can't say it is easy, but it is possible to get out of it. I've been pretty much depression free for years now, and most people would even describe me as happy :)
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NASA denies the existence of extra terrestrials.
I don't think that anyone at NASA is denying the existance of extra terrestrials, they are only denying that there is a massive cover up by our government. There is a big difference.
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I have no doubt that there is life elsewhere in the universe. There are about 100 billion stars just in our galaxy and about 200 billion galaxies observable around us. To think that we are alone in all that space is somewhat rediculous. I do however doubt that aliens have secretly visited us and there is a vast government coverup. For one thing, I don't think our government is competant enough to keep a coverup for that long, and for another, I think that any civilization who had the technology to travel light years across the galaxy (or universe) would either make themselves known on purpose, or have the technology to keep themselves hidden from our primitive tools.
The rantings of Edgar Mitchell are nothing new, he's been saying this type of stuff for a while and even attempted to conduct telepathy experiments from the moon. I don't think he is lying per se, but I do think that he has let his perspective be warped by his strong desire for certain things to be true.
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I am still in the process of looking for a book that sums up my religious viewpoint. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't have time to read much lately, and I would like to read a book before presenting it as from my viewpoint :)
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Ah, the problem with all those good things is that I don't deserve them and I feel like crap for having them
What makes you think you don't deserve them? What makes one person more deserving of good things than another? We are all given what we are given, and if I'm not mistaken, you believe that God has a reason for it, right? If so, how can you be any more or less deserving of what you have? Are you saying God is wrong in what He has given you?
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I find that it's all too easy to ignore all of the good things you have going and focus only on the bad things. Be grateful for what you have, expand your perspective, and it is probably not nearly as bad as you think.
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I think that the parents should be sterilized and the girl allowed to change her own name to whatever she wants.
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We often get into debates, and I feel I win most of these
I'd just like to point out that no one really 'wins' religious debates. Its all subjective, and usually both parties go away thinking they 'won' the debate.
I'm not good at big words, but I think what we are is closer to "Henotheism" than "Polytheism"
Henotheism basically says we all only have a relationship with one God and one only, but allow for the possibilities of other divine beings. So, we worship the Father, pray to the Father, and we think of the three of them as a Godhead in perfect harmony and unity.
Polytheism involves different gods who sometimes don't see eye to eye, fight each other, use humans as pawns, etc. The word just doesn't fit LDS theology.
LM
I have talked to many different people about religion and I have never even heard the word "Henotheism." Kudos for expanding my vocabulary :)
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You guys are hilarious. When I saw the message I called her and told her "thanks- but no thanks". That I had already made plans for the evening and she got all tyrant on me. I have been around for family home evening and I really do enjoy being a part of that. I have talked to the 3 room mates of mine that are lds and let them know where I stand. I grew up agnostic and am always open. When they asked me a few weeks ago to go to church with them I told them, when I am ready I will. Its not getting through to their heads that I am not ready yet. She got mad at me last night and gave me the number to the missionaries and told me to call them myself and cancel...ugh..I didn't because I felt bad and made my room mate happy by letting them come over and talking to them. who knows what will happen with that , but I know now all mormons are not like her...least the missionaries are not pushy. Thanks for helping me out guys.
I grew up agnostic and like to keep an open mind as well. After moving to Utah (and marrying a Mormon), I've had to deal with some similar situations. I initially gave your roommate the benefit of the doubt, but the more I hear, the more she just comes off as a jerk with the intent to make you conform, rather than honestly share something with you. Be firm in setting your boundaries of what is acceptable and what is not. If they still cannot respect your wishes, you may need to look into another living arrangement.
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I think that was very unintentionally rude of your roommate. I imagine that her intent was to share this wonderful life-changing truth with you. Unfortunately, it comes off as 'Whatever you believe, you're wrong, so let me correct that for you.' Religion is a deeply personal subject that each person needs to examine and determine truths for themselves, it is not something to pressure everyone around you into because you assume that you have it right. I doubt that she would appreciate if you made an appointment on her behalf to talk to some Scientologists and have your Thetan levels checked, so she should show you the same courtesy.
With that said, I would approach the situation acknowledging her good intent, but setting ground rules to avoid incidents like this in the future.
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Well all the Batman movies are different in term of plots. Batman Begins was billed as a prequel.
Whatever The Dark Knight is technically considered, I never thought it could live up to the hype it was given after Batman Begins, but it definitely exceeded my expectations :)
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Yes but the Joker was already portrayed in a Batman movie so technically it IS a remake. Batman Begins was a prequel to the original Batman movie that was made in 1989.
It has very little in common in terms of plot with any other Batman movie, other than it having a character called Joker in it. Starting with Batman Begins, they are telling a completely different storyline, so I don't consider it a remake.
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I loved Batman Begins, but I have to say that The Dark Knight outshines it in every way (something so rare in sequals nowdays). It is a very dark movie, but that should be expected from Batman.
There aren't many movies that I see on the big screen, and even fewer movies that I don't regret wasting $30 on afterwards (tickets and snacks for me and my wife). This movie however, I think I'll see twice on the big screen.
I was very impressed with the entire story. I loved the magic trick, too, lol. The first few minutes of seeing the Joker, I knew it was Heath, but thereafter I got lost in his character that I completely forgot it was him. All I saw was the Joker. No Heath. He did such an excellent job and now if we see the Joker return, who will fill in Heath's shoes? Someone will have to be that good!
Definitely two thumbs up.
They can't do the Joker again in the next Batman. It would be a horrible disgrace to Ledger's performance in this one and a disaster. As much as I would love to see more of the Joker character protrayed by this movie, I can't imagine any other actor doing it justice.
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DONE! List them. I will get my glasses!
I will have to think about which books. It's not like there are a specific set of agnostic scriptures. I know there has been agnostic/atheist literature lately though. I'll do some research.
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So when you gonna dive in? You don't have to stay you know. The water is warm and there is a snack bar!?!
I'll make you a deal. I will strengthen my resolve to read all of the scriptures and finish them in a month, if you agree to read a book that summarizes my religious and philosophical viewpoint.
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What makes you think I haven't been to that pool? What makes you think I haven't spent hours gazing into those ripples and waves? Haven't you been reading my posts? :)
I will concede to have learned much from you in terms of the scientific perspective.....and lots of lessons in persistence. Hahahhah!
I've read your posts, and I think that maybe you've dipped your toe in the agnostic pool at most. To be fair, that's probably the equivilant of what I've done with the LDS pool though.
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Well, I know you don't believe it. But IF there were a God, and IF he chose not to make everything obvious, don't you think he would give his children the tools to pass the test? For the sake of argument, of course.
I am only inviting you to try on a different point of view and to perhaps argue in favor of said point of view....even if it is only for the value of the exercise. You are in fact open minded. At least that is what I have been told. (teasing poke)
I am willing to hypothesize that there is a God and that he may choose to not make everything obvious, but can you demonstrate that everyone has the tools to pass that test given those two assumptions?
I'd also like to point out that you invite me to take a swim in the LDS pool, but you don't seem willing to take a swim in the agnostic pool :)
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I am sorry. I will call off the dobermans!!! There is no pressure and no time lines. Even if I sound that way. :)
It's ok. Being a non-Mormon in Utah, I'm used to conversion pressure :)
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But you don't have time to study the word. Hmmmm........
Searching for truth entails more than just reading what a one group says is the word of God, and also is a life-long process. I have already examined my own beliefs and the beliefs of others quite a bit.
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And you will probably smirk when I say this..... but I won't sugar coat it for you. Ya gottawanna, my friend. When you are ready to stop waiting for it to come to you.....when your soul really hungers....when you decide to focus your energies of heart and soul....then you will find your answers.
I promise!!!
Again......when you are ready!
I have sought the truth far more than many people faithful and nonbeliever alike, and I still don't have answers
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Every person who comes to this earth, is hot wired to know good from evil. Make no mistake about that!
Some listen to that truth-meter within and some deny it or ignore it or decide they like the carnal better.
Look. There is truth in the universe. There is also the antithesis of such in all of its degrees! They are liars, DS! Liars! It up to us to think for ourselves and act for ourselves no matter who tries to oppress us. Did you ever read Victor Frankel about the Jews in the camps? They can take our clothes and our freedom, but they can't take our decisions about who and what we are!!!
Each of us have different challenges, circumstances, cultures. Each of us has to navigate thru that. Pain is a great teacher!!! Easy roads don't reap great benefits. We all want it easy. But things we reap the easy way are rarely the things we cherish.
I disagree with your point about everyone being hard wired to know good from evil, we've been over this topic in my thread about where morality comes from. I would also like to point to my example of the terrorists who die in what they believe is service to God. If they knew they were doing evil, why would they think God would reward them for it? Why would they be so sure it is the right thing to do that they would die for it? What earthly benefit would that give them?
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You are forgetting, DS, that there are other forces at play here too. Who do you think is the author of false churches and priests and doctrines? Who do you think starts holy wars and unholy practices? Who is it that flatters the hearts of the children of men into wanting power and comforts and wealth? Remember that part of God's purpose is to test us. What good would the test be if there weren't such difficulty?
Test us for what though? What about the terrorist who was raised to believe that God wants him to wage a holy war against the enemies of his faith and grows up to sacrifice himself for what he wholeheartedly believes is God's cause? Did he fail the test that he didn't even know the rules to? Is he any better or worse than the person who was fortunate enough to be raised in a household who taught them from birth to believe in the 'true' religion and grew up to faithfully follow it? Both people believed what they had been taught their whole life and were completely faithful to those principles.
best example of faith
in General Discussion
Posted
I got your point in your other post (at least I hoped that was your point), and I agree to you for the most part. I would however like to explore the concept further.
Is it faith when I get in my car and drive to work everyday? I have a vague understanding of how internal combustion engines work, but the vast majority of the inner workings of my car are a mystery to me (I know, I fail as a guy, I can't even fix my own car). But to me driving my car is just a means to an end. I don't have faith that it will get me to work, I certainly hope it will, but it would not crush my belief system if the car broke down.
When most people talk about faith, they are referring to it in a religious context though. Is driving my car to work every day faith in the same sense that believing God exists is? I often hear the argument that I have faith in things every day (like driving my car), so it is not that much of a jump to have faith in God, but this argument breaks down because they are conflating two different definitions of the word.