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Originally Posted by Liveformx64  From the perspective of being raised in a strict Christian upbringing, in my opinion it would really depend on what line you take on bible interpretation. |
My Christian line of thinking is un-religious, my ideas about Christianity is /was not influenced by any form of doctrine or dogma but by the Bible itself. I consider myself a fundamentalist because I stick to the basic teachings of Christ.
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Originally Posted by Liveformx64 Depending on where you fall with your convictions will greatly determine your ability to adapt and utilize said "self help" techniques, especially the ones on this site, since they are framed from perspective as a human soul being an infinitely powerful being experiencing by choice, an incarnation of limitation. This, I believe is the entire preface of Steve's work. Which of course is a direct violation of fundamental Christian discourse. |
My personal conviction is not against Steve’s work per se because, I believe his intention of turning around people’s lives by making them believe in themselves, by being focused on ability is well intended. While the preface of his work is admirable in as much we disagree on the role of the Christian belief and the purpose, origin and final destiny of the soul. The basic Christian dissertation in as much as its tenets are meant to drive people to focus on self improvement, it questions what ones quest is doing to the rest of mankind,(it checks on the effects of greed by teaching against it) in other words it makes people answerable to a deity.
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Originally Posted by Liveformx64 It seems to me you are of a more balanced mindset than your counterparts that are more limited in their beliefs. So I would encourage you to pray for truth every night without fail, and the truth will find you. |
Most of these stem from the erroneous teaching of trying to force humanity into Christianity, convinced that it is within the purposes of God to coerce the entire world into worshiping him and him alone. This is wrong according to the first commandment which identifies the presence of other gods. Meaning, these gods will also have their disciples and their opposing creeds, which we as believers of Christ should respect but not obey. I think that we should respect opinion however divergent, and also learn from it if does not hinder our way of life as advocates of GOD. I have found th truth and I think it is the one leading me to this.
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Originally Posted by Liveformx64 One last aside, I would encourage you to seek within, and think quietly on this subject, and stay away from the Hell and Brimstone people at all costs. It is exactly these fundamentalist that have destroyed the teaching of Jesus and beauty of his true message with their fear mongering, and control tactics in modern times. |
As human beings we rely on knowledge from outside us; we need to be taught in order to know things that we are otherwise ignorant about. What we have then learnt forms the basis of our opinions thus influencing our search for the truth within us. This makes the truth that we are searching for relevant to what we have been taught, influenced or personally experienced; at the end of it all it is never our truth. What remains important is that people should be free to make choices, without looking for excuses or playing the blame game while seeking to find fault in other peoples choices, modern or not.
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Originally Posted by Liveformx64 I would also like to note that I no longer believe that Christ is the way out of a place of eternal punishment. Infact I don't believe such a place exists, but being raised in those teachings I understand and respect your point of view.
I am interested to hear your thoughts. |
Does what you believe in; change the fact that your belief might be wrong? How has your un-belief (a place of eternal punishment) affected the way you relate to people? Do you believe that no matter what someone does it is ones right to go to heaven? (At least you have not said you don’t believe in it).