|
|
|
#21
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Is an ultimatum most of us decidedly do not like being cornered with. My solution for awhile was to believe I had discovered the "Spirit" and collective Truth of "Godness" all religions were just expressing in their own, culturally lovely way... All roads lead to Rome like spokes on a wheel... I became not just a Christian, but a Buddhist, a Taoist, Hindu, and Jew who could embrace the inspiration for Odin, Thor, Schrodinger's Cat and the Flying Spaghetti Monster. They were all veneers. Everything and nothing was GOD, and realizing that was HimHerIt actualizing, manifesting from amoeba to Me, and you, and them (well not really the fundi type hold outs who kept preaching about falling and depravity and ruin of self-deification)... I hadn't abandon my childhood, dogmatic belief Jesus alone was the only Godman to walk the earth, I had recognized the Christ consciousness in all things and understood He was mostly just a symbol and pointer to our future selves... I was beyond being merely religious and over the boxing in of labels... I was part of God Itself. I didn't so much shun the title of Christian, I transcended it... Those who insisted I actually describe the "believe me alone or go to Hell" ultimatum Christ hacked us in two with, were beneath me fear mongerers who I had a duty to enlighten... then it came crashing down in a blinding flash that made more sense than I could stand... But thats just me.
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#22
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
![]() If it is not too personal for you to share, would you consider telling us about the nature of the blinding flash and what it was that caused such a sea change in your perception? Why it meant what it did? Regarding whatever has brought you back here again, I can only repeat that the internet is the internet: one site is as safe as any, and I know you have the thick skin to 'take' all manner of responses. I can only invite you to follow your inclination and if you feel tempted to share some thoughts here, you are most welcome to do so. Some have mentioned before how this forum is in flux. Certainly. For me also it is. Once a fit like the proverbial glove, this forum has lost most interest and appeal for me. This is my first post in a month. I do not know how much I will be back in future. I am not sure whether the forum changed or whether I did: both, probably. As for sharing your personal stuff with the environment of your conversation in flux, well how is that much different from the rest of life? I am sure you are not the only conservative Christian who is gay, and while I can imagine how it might be difficult to find gay folks who share similar theology or similarly minded Christians who accept homosexuality or take you at your word for your personal truth, I also know you cannot be completely alone in this world. Not possible. There are others more or less like you, though none else with your precise uniqueness. That is what makes you such a joy and treasure, at the same time that relating smoothly with you is for us, on occasion, a bit difficult. I wouldn't say that if I did not know how already aware you are of that element of our collective online 'friendship.' I would focus on the fruits of your relationships with other people rather than on the specifics of their credo. If there are things you appreciate, love, enjoy, respect about certain folk, then enjoy them. Live life. Then, when you do meet someone who really has a philosophical/theological complementarity with yourself, what a precious, dear companion and confidante you shall have. Not everyone need be your closest intimate, nor need everyone be relegated to a distance. Anyway, feel yourself welcome.
__________________
*** Never linger too long with the ignorant, throw stones at their talk. Walk only with the lovers, the mirror of the soul gets rusty when dipped in muddy water. -Rumi |
|
#23
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
There you are! I couldn't believe you hadn't posted in a month... I chalked it up your traveling (which I read a blurb about somewhere)... but guess not... You, Jen and Emproph (WHO'S BEEN IGNORING ME!!!
) Were the three I most wanted to see...so, cool. I really hope your doing great and life is good...Quote:
Quote:
-K.Quote:
Why your new found disinterest? The battle over? The methods questionable? The philosophy uninspiring? -I'm really interested... Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
As far as 'relating smoothly'... heh heh heh... This is what Diane, the V.P. right hand madam and Queen moderator on CARM said to me a couple months ago (in a glaring, uber forbidden personal attack that dripped in hypocricy and power tripping) > "Not only are you lacking common sense....I am convinced you should be hospitalized as borderline psychotic.....FACTS....I am about ready to remove several trolls from this forum, and YOU are the leader." So the wrong way rub isn't limited to this site (see, I piss off both Christians and queers pretty equally) Quote:
The internet is nearly a catalyst for an evolutionary leap. Nothing we've ever encountered will so fundamentally alter our lives and social structure, and we're just now getting a hint of what it going to do to us. "Awediot" is Dean turbo-charged, and I've been given medium, an audience of minds to feed from and influence and the capacity to change and be changed by strangers I will never meet... and then I log off and do what we do... Quote:
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#24
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
I could have been born in Iran and be a Muslim right now. To me, that is more a reality than whether Jesus is the son of God and the ticket to heaven.
__________________
Be the love you seek. |
|
#25
|
||||
|
||||
|
See, we went there... not too painful, eh?
I'm not here to convert anyone, Daniel...
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#26
|
||||
|
||||
|
A comment a therapist might make, absent the last four words.
__________________
Be the love you seek. |
|
#27
|
||||
|
||||
|
Been told a couple times I should be one; or see one... always in the same breath.
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#28
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
*** Never linger too long with the ignorant, throw stones at their talk. Walk only with the lovers, the mirror of the soul gets rusty when dipped in muddy water. -Rumi |
|
#29
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
If I know anything it's this; God loves you as you are. I am a Christian who happens to be transgender. Two of the greatest events in my life were asking Jesus to come into my heart and coming out as a transgender person. Awediot, it upsets me when the bible is used to bash gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. I have responded in op-eds and articles because I can't sit back and let it happen. I will be praying that God will give you guidance during this time in your life. If you wish to PM me, feel free to do so. Gennee ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
__________________
'Be who you are.' Let no one define who you are.' blog:www.difecta.blogspot.com www.epistle.us |
|
#30
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Here are a few links you might want to explore. They involve Evangelicals Concerned Western Region (ECWR) and Evangelicals Concerned, Inc. If you've said where you live, I've lost track of that. ECWR has meetings in a few places on the west coast: http://www.ecwr.org/ecwr-online-comm...al-groups.html There are currently groups meeting in Seattle, San Diego, Denver, and San Francisco-East Bay, and Pasadena. Once a year there is a general summer gathering; the 2009 Connection is in July: http://www.ecwr.org/connection-2009/...home-page.html The original, parent organization in in New York: http://www.ecinc.org/Calendar/eventcal.htm EC in New York City conducts a weekly Bible study each Friday evening from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. They have a spring gathering. The one for 2009 took place in May. http://www.ecinc.org/Connections.htm If you do nothing else, open the home pages and look at the newsletters, etc. I think you could find like-minded people in this community. There is a forum, but it appears to have too small a quorum to be dynamic. If it is in reach, you might consider showing up for one of the Connection gatherings. I still treasure the experience I had at the one in Tacoma in 1999. It worked for me, the flaw of my heterosexuality notwithstanding. Remember, I didn't chose it, it was a gift from God, just like your homosexuality. The Holy Spirit was present in a tangible way the whole time, but was overwhelmingly present at the chapel/communion service on Sunday morning. God bless your walk with Him, John |
|
#31
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
Quote:
Quote:
My definition was: "Typically a Christians believes in the one of a kind divine nature of Jesus Christ, that His death was the sacrifice we can accept as the price owed for our sins, making Him "The Savior", that He rose from the grave, ascending to His Father's (God's) side, and that He will return as Lord over the new Earth." Is that radically different from the basic understanding of what defines us a Christians? ...of course their are differences and variations on the theme, but "Jesus was a good guy" we both know doesn't cut it. Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#32
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Quote:
Ben N. Moore |
|
#33
|
|||
|
|||
|
Aren't you?
Judeo-Christian morality is RELATIVE to the Judeo-Christian faith. Some of us aren't following that one but we're not calling you wrong. If the Kingdon of Heaven is within you why look someplace else? I'll just go along with Jesus and let it be done unto me as I believe. How big is your Infinite? Ben N. Moore |
|
#34
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Please, give me an example where raping a woman or abusing a child isn't black...
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#35
|
||||
|
||||
|
((((((( Dean )))))))
{{{{{{{{{ Dean }}}}}}}}} ![]()
__________________
*** Never linger too long with the ignorant, throw stones at their talk. Walk only with the lovers, the mirror of the soul gets rusty when dipped in muddy water. -Rumi |
|
#36
|
||||
|
||||
|
What?
A hug in lieu of an answer is just condescending.
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#37
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
I freely admit I have an attitude problem with any homo (Male/Female) that would call themselves conservative. I don't love you any less. I just don't want anything to do with you. Alright queen? Ben N. Moore |
|
#38
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Interesting definition of "love" you must have...
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
|
#39
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Peace. Ben N. Moore |
|
#40
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
" ...I just don't want anything to do with you." ... Ben N. More I understand the conflict I represent to people...especially passionate, activist types...and I know the defensive mechanisms well... You probably have as stereotypical view of me, as "conservatives" do of you... Rise above it...
__________________
shamelessselfpromotion |
![]() |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|