By the way -- if you claim to be a Christian...

[Sgt. Pepper]

I was one of the lucky ones who never had to leave since I never joined.
Thanks, mom and dad!

I envy you. I wish I could say the same.

 

[YoursTrue]

In response to all of the snarky remarks (both direct and indirect) about me talking with the dead, which have occurred both in this thread and recently in another completely unrelated one, I've decided to re-post what I previously wrote in this thread (post #3,499). Once again, I feel it is vital for me to speak out against the rude and sarcastic behavior directed at me (and others) by someone who publicly claims to follow Jesus Christ. I think that's a real shame.

Some people in this thread appear to be under the impression that I care about what they think of my mediumship. It appears they are either unaware of what I've already said on this subject, have forgotten it, or are deliberately ignoring it. Therefore, I thought it necessary to reiterate my previous statements about this dilemma in order to make it abundantly clear that it makes no difference to me what others think of my mediumship, my years of experience as a medium and seasoned paranormal investigator, or my beliefs as a spiritualist, Wiccan, and Druid. I will further explain why it makes no difference to me.

First, I am not responsible, either directly or indirectly, to convince others that my mediumship and my lifelong experiences with it are real. It is also not my responsibility to convince others that the paranormal is real (e.g., ghosts, hauntings, crytids, and UFOs). Second, I mean no offense when I say this, but it doesn't matter to me if some people choose not to believe that my personal experiences as a medium are real or that the paranormal in general is real.

It doesn't matter to me, because their skepticism doesn't negate my lifelong experiences with encountering spirits. The fact is, other genuine mediums, people I've given readings to, and other paranormal investigators who have recorded some of my interactions with spirits have validated my experiences as a medium (for a more detailed explanation, see my previous post here). Therefore, I have no interest in debating the paranormal or convincing others that it is real. I've never once tried to persuade any skeptics that I converse with online or in person to believe in the paranormal, and I don't intend to start now. I just let it happen naturally. Third, no amount of preaching by Christians quoting a few scriptures and stating their religious beliefs about spirits, or the continued efforts to lecture me or others, will ever convince me that the earthbound human spirits with whom I interact and communicate are demons.

I no longer believe in such things (as I explained in my previous post here). Furthermore, I'd like to make it abundantly clear that any Christian (no matter their church affiliation) will never convince me that their church's doctrines and its interpretation of the Bible regarding the afterlife are absolutely correct. I've read the Bible cover to cover and studied it many times, so I am well versed in it. As a result, I believe that its depictions of the afterlife are not only inaccurate and misleading, but that the Bible is also chock full of contradictions, and that the stories about Jesus are either based on hearsay, embellished tales, or copied and adapted from Greek mythology and other ancient pagan religions that predate both the Bible and Christianity. Finally, I've stated in numerous other threads that I don't share my lifelong experiences in an attempt to persuade others to believe in the paranormal. As far as I'm concerned, it's entirely up to those who read my posts to decide whether they believe me or not. So, I've made my peace on this matter, and I'm not going to repeat myself or debate with anyone about what I've written in this post. If others disagree with what I've said in this post, then it's their personal issue, not mine.

I cannot say which sect might believe if any or all of their viewpoints about scripture are unalterable, or incorrect or correct beyond doubt. I wonder if you believe there is a God or if you just believe in spirits that exist as dead persons that are alive somehow somewhere? I hope you do not interpret this as a snarky comment and will answer if you will, thank you.

 

[YoursTrue]

I was one of the lucky ones who never had to leave since I never joined.
Thanks, mom and dad!

were your parents bahaii's also?

 

[YoursTrue]

No, that is not what it is for.

You can try to prove any points you want to with scripture but that is not what you did.

Who stopped you from doing that? Nobody.

Do you care what the Bible says? You said you didn't, so in a conversation about something like that it's a reasonable question.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Do you derive some pleasure in continually making fun of people on a public forum?
Is this how Jesus taught you to behave? I don't think so.

Matthew 7 KJV
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

According to the Bible:

Christians are to love their neighbor as themselves, love their enemies, do good to their enemies, pray for their enemies, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, treat others the way they want to be treated, be ambassadors for Christ, to always be prepared to give a gentle and respectful answer to anyone who asks them about the hope they have in them, and to let their light so shine before that they will see their good works and glorify their father in heaven. In my experience with Christians over the years, these commands are frequently ignored by them, despite their public proclamation of following Jesus Christ.

Why do you believe Jesus is the Messiah?

1) I believe the Bible should be taken seriously. That means understanding the rhetorical devices that would be used. Maybe it's trivial to you, but I think it's important to be aware of such things. Especially when such things are brought up. 2) The Bible does not say that only belief in the...

www.religiousforums.com

 

[YoursTrue]

According to the Bible:

Christians are to love their neighbor as themselves, love their enemies, do good to their enemies, pray for their enemies, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, treat others the way they want to be treated, be ambassadors for Christ, to always be prepared to give a gentle and respectful answer to anyone who asks them about the hope they have in them, and to let their light so shine before that they will see their good works and glorify their father in heaven. In my experience with Christians over the years, these commands are frequently ignored by them, despite their public proclamation of following Jesus Christ.

Why do you believe Jesus is the Messiah?

1) I believe the Bible should be taken seriously. That means understanding the rhetorical devices that would be used. Maybe it's trivial to you, but I think it's important to be aware of such things. Especially when such things are brought up. 2) The Bible does not say that only belief in the...

www.religiousforums.com

Recognizing that neither of you believe in the Bible but in different ways of not believing.
Families sometimes separate and emigrate to other countries. Once a war starts it could be family members killing their own at the order of the warfaring nations. Or members of the same churches killing members of those churches in a national war.

 

[Trailblazer]

Do you care what the Bible says? You said you didn't, so in a conversation about something like that it's a reasonable question.

Care in what sense?

1. to have concern for or interest in:
It's a privilege to stand in the presence of so many people who care about building a better Canada.
They don't care about the privacy of the people who use their services.

2. to have affection for; love:
One of my greatest joys in life is cooking for those I care about.

Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words

The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years!

www.dictionary.com

I care in that I have concern for or interest in the Bible, mainly because so many people believe in it, but I do not care in the sense that I have affection or love for the Bible.

 

[Trailblazer]

were your parents bahaii's also?

My parents were raised as Christians but they left the church in early adulthood. After that my father became an atheist but my mother retained a belief in God. When my mother was age 60, she became a Baha'i.

 

[John53]

Isn't someone allowed according to you to make a comment and then ask for a reasonable on subject response?

Sure. However attacking the person who made the post is not. If you don't know the difference then you need to learn.

 

[walt]

(Deuteronomy 18:9-14) (Leviticus 20:27) (Ecclesiastes 9:5) (Exodus 22:18) (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6) (Revelation 21:8) (1 Samuel 28:7, 28:3)
(1 Chronicles 10:13-14)

 

[YoursTrue]

Sure. However attacking the person who made the post is not. If you don't know the difference then you need to learn.

Well, if someone says he doesn't care what you say, I guess that's why people make decisions. so take care. be well. and have a happy.

 

[YoursTrue]

(Deuteronomy 18:9-14) (Leviticus 20:27) (Ecclesiastes 9:5) (Exodus 22:18) (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6) (Revelation 21:8) (1 Samuel 28:7, 28:3)
(1 Chronicles 10:13-14)

It's a little late, time for me to close my eyelids. Later.

 

[John53]

Well, if someone says he doesn't care what you say, I guess that's why people make decisions. so take care. be well. and have a happy.

I have no idea what that means or who you're having a cheap shot at.

 

[walt]

..

Sorry I am a scripture guy..

I let Jesus and the Apostles do all the talking, explaining and debating. I feel Jesus and the Apostles words are so much more important than anything I could say. Thanks for your understanding, patience and kindness.

 

[blü 2]

maybe the unseen force exercised by God in harmony with His will? Almost like Jesus said and I paraphrase -- the wind blows this way and that way.

Hmm. Interesting theology.

From my PoV the problem is to pinpoint any real examples of such an 'unseen force'.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I care in that I have concern for or interest in the Bible, mainly because so many people believe in it, but I do not care in the sense that I have affection or love for the Bible.

Honestly, I don't care what religion other people practice as long as they don't use their religious beliefs as an excuse to bully and abuse others or as long as they don't preach, proselytize, or threaten me with eternal damnation if I don't convert. In either circumstance, I'll confront them and speak out against them. As a former Christian, I understand how Christianity can be used to abuse and control others. I'm all too familiar with this kind of spiritual abuse. I know that Christian indoctrination can be detrimental to a person's mental health and emotional well-being. It was an emotional crutch that I fought hard to break free of. I understood that if I was ever going to heal emotionally and change my life for the better, I needed to let go of this agonizing crutch that was ruining my life. I had to let go of it. I have no doubt that I am far better off in my life now that I have let go of the false hope and indoctrinated beliefs I had as a Christian. I recognize the harm that Christian indoctrination can do to a person's mental health, as well as the inner peace that comes from escaping it, which is why I am passionate about helping others break free from it. It truly changed my life, and I've seen it do the same for others.

 

[Trailblazer]

From my PoV the problem is to pinpoint any real examples of such an 'unseen force'.

That is indeed a problem since an 'unseen force' can never be 'pinpointed'.

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

Do you have 10 scriptures to explain the details of your belief?

Can you use the words in this scriptures alone to explain your beliefs?

Or do you like the debates just for the sake of debating?

Why would I find ten scriptures from the Bible to explain my spiritual beliefs when I'm a spiritualist and Pagan (e.g., Wiccan and Druid, as well as learning Hinduism/Krishna)? What would be the point? And yes, I occasionally enjoy debating just for the sake of debating. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[Kathryn]

Okay, mum's the word. I won't reply to you anymore.

And then you will be accused of not answering direct questions. Ask me how I know.

 

[Trailblazer]

Why would I find ten scriptures from the Bible to explain my spiritual beliefs when I'm a spiritualist and Pagan (e.g., Wiccan and Druid, as well as learning Hinduism/Krishna)? What would be the point? And yes, I occasionally enjoy debating just for the sake of debating. I don't see anything wrong with that.

@walt asked: Do you have 10 scriptures to explain the details of your belief?

I think he was asking you for scriptures that explain the details of your spiritualist and Pagan beliefs.
I don't think that he was asking for ten scriptures from the Bible.