Bloodberry Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 And behold, for when there was that time when miracles were most needed (coincidentally, such things brought about revenue and recognition to the churches), there were those who came forth and were seen as messengers, the chosen, disciples, and saints. And among them were those who spake in tongues, and those who grew hysterical in the Almighty's presence, and those to whom wonderous visions or voices were found to call men and women into a service decreed by the Lord. Now-a days, if you see visions, hear voices, or go nutty in your local chapel, you're just bound to be medicated and given counseling. Makes you wonder, though, how many people were having MI reactions recognized as messages from on High? [Yes, I'm talking about a christian god, the same one that runs around telling everyone he made the world in 6 days and kicked back and Invented Football on the 7th. And the world was blessed.] And then there are those times when one finds Christ or his mom or someone on a grilled cheese sandwich, purchased by an online Casino on Ebay. That, however, is for another day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 And behold, for when there was that time when miracles were most needed (coincidentally, such things brought about revenue and recognition to the churches), there were those who came forth and were seen as messengers, the chosen, disciples, and saints. And among them were those who spake in tongues, and those who grew hysterical in the Almighty's presence, and those to whom wonderous visions or voices were found to call men and women into a service decreed by the Lord. Anyone here have experience with the Toronto Blessing/Catch the Fire movement? I was deeply caught up in it. And left the church after a major depressive episode in which I was labelled a sinner/inadequate Christian and am now seriously anti-Christianity and the church. Your post just reminded me of that; and also makes me wonder if my experiences during the Catch the Fire years were early triggers/kindling/part of my now BP2 dx. It's an interesting thought. I do believe I did need help and medication a long time before I got either. PS no offence intended against those who were part of that movement and came out the other side stronger Christians. My entirely personal experience was that it completely ruined my faith in the Christian God. I am (9 years later) only now coming to terms with that period in my life and starting to re-explore spirituality on a completely different level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerberus Posted July 12, 2005 Share Posted July 12, 2005 I was labelled a sinner/inadequate Christian Inadequate Christian? If one pays any attention to what Christ was saying, there is no other kind. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It is for similar reasons of hypocrisy that I don't think much of the church as an institution. Too many pharisees. I will expound on my position in a later post. Cerberus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodberry Posted July 12, 2005 Author Share Posted July 12, 2005 I was labelled a sinner/inadequate Christian<{POST_SNAPBACK}> Inadequate Christian? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disphunkt Posted July 13, 2005 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Unfortunately, christianity has very little to do with the teachings of Christ - how many christians even know what the beatitudes say? If christians truly believed in the teachings of Jesus, they would not be able to engage in many of the activities churches, businessmen and governments so commonly accept without compunction. The preachings of Jesus which contrasted most profoundly with judaism's focus on religious law were "love your neighbor as you love yourself" and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". He followed this with the statement that the whole of jewish law (specifically that contained in the ten commandments) could be summed up in those two tenets alone. This, in my view, is the essence of Jesus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodberry Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 Unfortunately, christianity has very little to do with the teachings of Christ - how many christians even know what the beatitudes say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cerberus Posted July 14, 2005 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Well, actually, the 10 Commandments are not the same tenets as Jesus preached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodberry Posted July 14, 2005 Author Share Posted July 14, 2005 The preachings of Jesus which contrasted most profoundly with judaism's focus on religious law were "love your neighbor as you love yourself" and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you". He followed this with the statement that the whole of jewish law (specifically that contained in the ten commandments) could be summed up in those two tenets alone. This, in my view, is the essence of Jesus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodberry Posted July 23, 2005 Author Share Posted July 23, 2005 An aquaintance of mine once said that even if there was a Jesus, he doesn't believe he died for his sins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaz Posted July 23, 2005 Share Posted July 23, 2005 I apologize, as I'm often not focusing on the topic and go out on my own tangents... Thanks for making me clarify things: What I will say is this: There have been spiritual teachers throughout the ages who have made a big impact on religion, philoshy, etc... Christ, Budda, and many others have been spiritual teachers to us. I don't think that we are any different than they were. They were human, we are human. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
withing Posted July 26, 2005 Share Posted July 26, 2005 Makes you wonder, though, how many people were having MI reactions recognized as messages from on High? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batou Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Makes you wonder, though, how many people were having MI reactions recognized as messages from on High?<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I have often wondered the same thing myself. What is the difference between a "holy message from God" and a psychotic episode?<{POST_SNAPBACK}> I don't discriminate a spiritual experience from a psychotic episode. If I can only experience becoming one with the universe during a psychotic episode then perhaps that is the only way I can for now. Erika Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas Posted July 27, 2005 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Makes you wonder, though, how many people were having MI reactions recognized as messages from on High? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hannibal Lecter of Serotonin Posted October 6, 2005 Share Posted October 6, 2005 Makes you wonder, though, how many people were having MI reactions recognized as messages from on High? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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