Christians: I am generalizing to get this off my mind

[godnotgod]

...no such thing as "the Christian psychological profile" exists. Christianity encompasses such a broad population that it is a laughable claim; no one with any psychological knowledge or insight, spiritual or otherwise, would make such a mistake.

There may, in fact be several such profiles. A cursory Google search reveals at least one applicable to fundie Christians, consisting of three elements, in a nutshell:

evolution didn’t happen
abortion is murder,
absolute truth exists.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blo...906/three-fixations-fundamentalist-christians

 

[godnotgod]

You laid this here and did not provide the context that Benoit wrote it in, that he believed this was part of the human experience, that all people participated in the apparent altruistic love on their way to actualization.
Which leads to that you didn't even explain how you thought this applies to Christians.

That is rather obvious.

 

[godnotgod]

I was going to write about and critique every historical error found in the paragraphs that follow this statement, but really it is the whole thing. This is a plea, I can't make you do anything and I wouldn't try to. Please, please, look into actual history. If you like the eastern and the mystery religions, whatever, but don't get taken in by bald-faced lies.

As I said, what I posted is only a tidbit, admittedly out of context. But the Essene piece fits into the larger context to make perfect sense, which is that apocalypse was seen as imminent and impending, being the impetus itself for the evangelistic message. Fear and hysteria are great motivators, and sitting in meditation is seen by many as ineffectual. After all, the fate of one's very soul is at stake; action must be taken to save it. Only convert and you will be saved!

The bald faced lie is that Jesus was fully aware of his impending crucifixion and blood 'sacrifice'. Jesus, or rather, Yeshua, was a Nazarene, which was a sect of the Essenes, and which, for one, did not maintain a belief in blood sacrifice.


The word Essene is a collective term and is not necessarily a distinctive designation, just as the word Christian encompasses a wide base of institutionalized systems of religious beliefs, attitudes and practices. There are currently over 34,000 separate Christian groups that have been identified throughout the world. Most are independent churches.

At the time of Jesus, there were three distinct Essenian groups that played important roles in his life, and their religious practices and spiritual theology mirror in his teachings. They were:

• The Theraputae of Egypt; where the infant Christ and his family fled during Herods rein.
  
  
• The Essenes of Qumran (Dead Sea Scrolls), the strict, celibate monastery of which John the Baptist was a part.
  
  
• The Nazarenes of Mount Carmel, the cooperative family village where Jesus lived and studied.

http://www.thenazareneway.com/nazarene_or_nazareth.htm

 

[Mister Emu]

First, I have been lax, but I'll note now that psychological profiles refer to criminal investigations and attempts to target suspects or predict future victims and behavior. We can continue to use the term, because I feel I understand what you mean by it(a psychological picture of a person).

A cursory Google search reveals at least one applicable to fundie Christians, consisting of three elements, in a nutshell:

That isn't a psychological profile, it is a list of three beliefs that fundamentalist protestants have. Why not go ahead and include "Believes that Jesus is God" or "Believes the Bible accurately conveys God's interaction with humanity." It doesn't delve into the mindset, it doesn't consider the source, or predict behavior or thought patterns.

Even if it were a psychological profile, it only applies to fundamentalist protestants, which you'll note is only a small fraction of Christianity. Given a narrow enough constraint I could give you a fair profile of various Christian groups, but that was the point: you have to narrow the parameters a lot from "Christian".

That is rather obvious.

Do tell.

 

[Mister Emu]

As I said, what I posted is only a tidbit, admittedly out of context.

Would you also admit that it lacks any sourcing in historical evidence?

The Theraputae of Egypt (played important roles in his life)

Historical source/evidence?

The Essenes of Qumran (played important roles in his life)

Historical source/evidence?

The Nazarenes of Mount Carmel(played important roles in his life)

Historical source/evidence?

 

[wizanda]

Historical source/evidence?

We can see in Yeshua's teachings, that he had Essene values, such as giving up wealth, God providing food, clothes, and everything that was needed, the imminent destruction of Israel, the sharing of communal bread, John's baptism, etc....

 

[godnotgod]

Would you also admit that it lacks any sourcing in historical evidence?


Historical source/evidence?


Historical source/evidence?


Historical source/evidence?

Do you agree that Yeshua was a Nazarene?

 

[Deidre]

You will find people who 'push' their beliefs (and lack thereof) on others coming from all religions. An overwhelming desire to push one's views on another tells me that the person's views are more wrapped up in their own egos (which is why many act vehemently when met with disagreement), than in God. God doesn't need me to 'sell' Him. lol

 

[viole]

We can see in Yeshua's teachings, that he had Essene values, such as giving up wealth, God providing food, clothes, and everything that was needed, the imminent destruction of Israel, the sharing of communal bread, John's baptism, etc....

Are you suggesting that the poorest people in the world should become Essene? I ask because God does not seem to provide a lot to them.

Ciao

- viole

 

[godnotgod]

That isn't a psychological profile, it is a list of three beliefs that fundamentalist protestants have. Why not go ahead and include "Believes that Jesus is God" or "Believes the Bible accurately conveys God's interaction with humanity." It doesn't delve into the mindset, it doesn't consider the source, or predict behavior or thought patterns.

Even if it were a psychological profile, it only applies to fundamentalist protestants, which you'll note is only a small fraction of Christianity. Given a narrow enough constraint I could give you a fair profile of various Christian groups, but that was the point: you have to narrow the parameters a lot from "Christian".

.

As I said, there are several. And I mean it in a general sense as well. MOST Christians will fit a certain pattern of beliefs which I will call a 'Christian psychological profile', as a working definition. The one I posted was just one example. The pattern of beliefs points to the psychological makeup of the believer.

 

[godnotgod]

You will find people who 'push' their beliefs (and lack thereof) on others coming from all religions. An overwhelming desire to push one's views on another tells me that the person's views are more wrapped up in their own egos (which is why many act vehemently when met with disagreement), than in God. God doesn't need me to 'sell' Him. lol

I agree. It's a security blanket issue. With Christians, the more members, the more secure they feel. It's quite superficial.

 

[wizanda]

Are you suggesting that the poorest people in the world should become Essene?

The Ebionites (poor ones) were like a follow on from the Essenes, yet also using Yeshua's teachings.
.
The part about them living in a self sustaining communities sounds a good idea for the poor.

Plus was suggesting the richest people, i.e the Vatican, Zionist, should all become Essene, and give up all their wealth to the poor.

 

[Deidre]

I agree. It's a security blanket issue. With Christians, the more members, the more secure they feel. It's quite superficial.

Some Christians, perhaps.

 

[godnotgod]

Historical source/evidence?

Linking Yeshu to Mt. Carmel and the Nazarene/Nazorean Essenes:

B'nai-Amen

Historical references to the deeper monastic Order of the Nasarenes are found in the Book of John the Baptist, one of the more ancient scriptures of the Mandaen sect. These Mandeans call themselves Nasorai, or Nasoreans, and claim descent from the original Nasarenes to which both John the Baptist and Yeshua (Jesus) once belonged. In this Mandeaen Book of John the Baptist we find several references to Mt. Carmel and the Nasorean sect who once lived there:

http://essene.com/B'nai-Amen/B'nai-AmenAndBeni-Zadok.htm

....and....

THE ARAMAIC NAME of John the Baptist is Yuhana, and we learn from his book that when he died his death was reported to the Nazorean central Temple on Mt Carmel:

"Yuhana has left his body, his brothers make proclamations, his brothers proclaim unto him on the Mount, on Mount Carmel. They took the Letter and brought it to the Mount, to Mount Carmel. They read out the Letter to them and explain to them the writing, - to Yaqif (James) Beni-Amin (Yeshu) and Shumel (Samuel/Shimeon). They assemble on Mount Carmel." [1]

So in this ancient Aramaic scroll we have reference to the death of Yuhana being reported to three named Beni-Amin, Yaqif and Shimeon. These are the Aramaic names of Yeshu (Son of Amin[2] or Beni-Amin), and Yeshu's two brothers James (Yaqif) and Shimeon (Shumel). All three brothers are connected with the sacred Mount of Carmel and with the temple there and would eventually lead the Nazorean Sect. At the death of such an important Nazorean as Yuhana, it was protocol that such be reported to the central Temple and to those who preside there. These three sons of Miryam[3] and Yoseph are the ones to which the death of Yuhana is reported to. The first of these brothers, Yeshu, is immediately appointed successor to Yuhana. After Yeshu's death in 30 AD. the second brother James (Yaqif ) will assume leadership. When Yaqif is killed in 64 AD. the third brother Shumel will succeed him. Shumel himself was reportedly martyred in the reign of Trajan (98-117 AD), bringing to a close the presidency of these three sons of Miryam. They, with their female counterparts, presided over the Naziruthian system of enlightenment and purification for more than 70 years. Their home and seat of authority was the Temple at Carmel.


[1] Sidra Dyahya (Book Of John)/Drashe Dmalke (Discourses Of Kings) 26

[2] Amin, or Amun, was one name of the Nazorean's Highest God. Beni meant son of.

[3] Virgin Mary

(The original link to the website is no longer available.)

 

[godnotgod]

Plus was suggesting the richest people, i.e the Vatican, Zionist, should all become Essene, and give up all their wealth to the poor.

But then they'd be genuine, and would be at loggerheads with the Prosperity Gospel of Joel Osteen!

 

[godnotgod]

Some Christians, perhaps.

Really? Do you honestly think that most of them actually understand the doctrines they think they believe in? How many times have you heard them say something to the effect that 'I believe just in case it may be true.' Now what kind of faith is that? With this kind of insecurity, the greater the numbers, the greater the feeling of security in an insecure world. Most people don't know where they came from, what they're doing here, or where they're going after death. The resulting confusion is called 'metaphysical anxiety'. An other worldly parent figure who does not die solves that dilemma for them, at least temporarily. It's the best fit for a square peg into a round hole that can be mustered.

If the average Christian actually understood the Biblical line: '....and the Word became flesh', they'd most likely go running wildly into the streets, screaming their heads clean off. Thank goodness they don't, LOL.

 

[Mister Emu]

The pattern of beliefs points to the psychological makeup of the believer.

This is where you go off the tracks. There are many reasons that people believe things, and you just need more information than "Christian" to get into that. It is just that simple, there is not enough information to deduce any psychological information about someone from the fact that they are Christian.

 

[Ingledsva]

...I really really do not like Christianity. I am generalizing I really don't like how Christians push their faith on others--it seems more than a personal thing. It goes beyond the individual. It's like there is some underlining teaching somewhere that says "I am right and you are wrong; and I will tell you that upfront because this is my faith." I was never like that. Never have been. Never will be.

Evangalization should not come from the mouth but by the actions. It shouldn't intimidate people. It should invite strangers and even pagans into your homes and sit at your table.

I live with Christians. I eat with Christians. I talk with Christians. I live in a Christian own apartment complex. I am ex-christian. I can't just get up and move to a more diverse town, which I would love. Even to move to a small Christian town where they are not concerned by what you believe but more the hospitality of treating each other as humans!

I agree with you. A lot of Christians are often rather aggressive when proselytizing. I've even had people interrupt my dinner at a restaurant, asking if I've found Jesus. I always want to say, " I didn't know he was missing! Have you put him on a milk carton yet?"

I highlighted a couple of your sentences that stood out to me, - especially the parts in red.

According to the Bible - Sodom and Gomorrah - were destroyed by God, partly because of inhospitality, and pride.

*

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I agree with you. A lot of Christians are often rather aggressive when proselytizing. I've even had people interrupt my dinner at a restaurant, asking if I've found Jesus. I always want to say, " I didn't know he was missing! Have you put him on a milk carton yet?"

I highlighted a couple of your sentences that stood out to me, - especially the part in red.

According to the Bible - Sodom and Gomorrah - were destroyed by God, partly because of inhospitality, and pride.

*

Thank you. It's truely sad. I wish it wasn't just centered on Christians;, and, many just make a stronger impression. Sometimes I think it's like racisim and class descrimination where it's not mainly the religion that's the issue but the ego (for lack of better words) of being with the majority religion creates in believers hostility with minorities even among other Abrahamic faiths.

A lot of it is political.

 

[godnotgod]

This is where you go off the tracks. There are many reasons that people believe things, and you just need more information than "Christian" to get into that. It is just that simple, there is not enough information to deduce any psychological information about someone from the fact that they are Christian.

Of course there is. It's automatic. One's beliefs are a direct reflection of their psychological/emotional outlook on life.