Eastern meditation is different from 'Christian contemplation'.

[sojourner]

Formal or as you put it serious Buddhist or Hindu meditation, would be....Buddhist or Hindu, imo. That is my problem with it being presented as Christian Contemplation''; as well as not being necessarily contemplation, as anyone with meditation experience will know, as well. That being said, Ithink that many, because they do not know meditation forms very well, think that Christian Contemplation'', is actually the same as the 'eastern forms'/of meditation,', whereas in reality, we know that they usually aren't.

anyways, we basically agree, however, I think that a confused and 'other' religious presentation, and labeling it ''Christian'', just isn't kosher. Besides the fact that certain types of meditation, being religious, can invite demons etc.

There is a difference between contemplation and meditation. Both can be used in a Christian context. contemplation is deep focus on an object or concept. Meditation is freeing the mind from cognitive forms. In what way is it a "fact" the meditation can "invite demons?" What facts can you present to back up that statement?

 

[YmirGF]

Besides the fact that certain types of meditation, being religious, can invite demons etc.

It should be noted that those who encounter so-called "demonic" influences are simply being confronted with their own existing belief system. The so-called "demons" are very much their own creation and what can be a rather unintended and unpleasant product of their imaginations. Suffice to say, if one is still into demons and demonic influence etc as being systemic aspects of reality then such an individual is simply not ready to plumb the depths of their own psyche. Simple as that, really.

In no way do I support the idea of demons, etc... beyond being the unseemly product of sloppy belief structures. In other words, such fragments have no existence of their own.

 

[sojourner]

It should be noted that those who encounter so-called "demonic" influences are simply being confronted with their own existing belief system. The so-called "demons" are very much their own creation and what can be a rather unintended and unpleasant product of their imaginations. Suffice to say, if one is still into demons and demonic influence etc as being systemic aspects of reality then such an individual is simply not ready to plumb the depths of their own psyche. Simple as that, really.

In no way do I support the idea of demons, etc... beyond being the unseemly product of sloppy belief structures. In other words, such fragments have no existence of their own.

Butbutbut... The Dead Files, A Haunting, and Ghost Adventures all prove that demons are REAL!!!


Holy Halloween, Batman! Whaddo we do?!?!

 

[Desert Snake]

Butbutbut... The Dead Files, A Haunting, and Ghost Adventures all prove that demons are REAL!!!

Hey, believe/disbelieve whatever you want. But you can't say that it is Xian or traditional Biblical belief, to not believe in demons, etc.
Because it certainly is.
If I call a banana a pizza, does that make it a pizza? No, it means I'm trying to pass off a banana as a pizza. Why. Why not just call it what it is.


and it isn't Xianity, Hebraic, or Biblical.

 

[Desert Snake]

In no way do I support the idea of demons, etc... beyond being the unseemly product of sloppy belief structures. In other words, such fragments have no existence of their own.

I don't support the idea of many things. *shrugs*

 

[sojourner]

Hey, believe/disbelieve whatever you want. But don't say that it is Xian or traditional Biblical belief, to not believe in demons, etc.
Because it certainly is.

It's also "traditional Christian belief" to have all possessions in common, and to believe that sickness an infirmity is a result of sin.

 

[sojourner]

I don't support the idea of many things. The difference is, i'm not going to the local sinagoque, and pulling out a ham sandwich, or claiming that Thor is a meatball salesman in Oslo, either.

Nowhere does the bible say, "In order to be a Christian, you must believe in Satan."

 

[Desert Snake]

It's also "traditional Christian belief" to have all possessions in common, and to believe that sickness an infirmity is a result of sin.

Great! But i'm not following your ideas of what Xianity is, deity is etc etc. that's the thing. And if it isn't Xianity, then i'm not sure why your ascribing any Xian context to it.

 

[Desert Snake]

Nowhere does the bible say, "In order to be a Christian, you must believe in Satan."

Yes, it probably doesn't state a lot of things directly like that. I'm not saying that you cannot make the Bible say whatever you want it to, i'm sure one could, theoretically.

 

[sojourner]

Great! But i'm not following your ideas of what Xianity is, deity is etc etc. that's the thing. And if it isn't Xianity, then i'm not sure why your ascribing any Xian context to it.

My ideas don't matter. Christianity isn't a set of doctrines. At its heart, Christianity is a position in relation to God. Everything else is consequent or corollary to that.

 

[sojourner]

Yes, it probably doesn't state a lot of things directly like that. I'm not saying that you cannot make the Bible say whatever you want it to, i'm sure one could, theoretically.

The point is, while the bible forms a base for Christian belief, it isn't the only base, and they all suggest that Christianity doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's not really about "making the bible say what I want." It's more a matter of taking what the bible does say and tempering it with what makes sense now.

 

[Yoshua]

Nowhere does the bible say, "In order to be a Christian, you must believe in Satan."

Hi Sojourner,

Why? Are you not a Christian? How come that you don't believe in Satan?

Jesus believe Satan, and know who He is? How come that you did not know him?

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

My ideas don't matter. Christianity isn't a set of doctrines. At its heart, Christianity is a position in relation to God. Everything else is consequent or corollary to that.

How come you could be in a position of Christianity as a relation to God without doctrines or teachings?
No teachings, No doctrines, No evil/Satan, what more can you ask for, it seems you make yourself a religion. How could you reconcile that?

Thanks

 

[sojourner]

Hi Sojourner,

Why? Are you not a Christian? How come that you don't believe in Satan?

Jesus believe Satan, and know who He is? How come that you did not know him?

Thanks

No, the writers said that Jesus believed in Satan. That doesn't mean that I have to believe in Satan.

 

[sojourner]

How come you could be in a position of Christianity as a relation to God without doctrines or teachings?
No teachings, No doctrines, No evil/Satan, what more can you ask for, it seems you make yourself a religion. How could you reconcile that?

Thanks

I don't have teachings or doctrines to be in a relationship with my wife. Why should I need one to be in relationship with anyone else? Yes, in a sense, Xy is a religion that arises out of us, and we choose to abide in a covenant of love. It means that we are committed to one another, not that we are committed to particular beliefs.

 

[Windwalker]

Jesus being a man would be like any of us, products of our own culture as well as products of our own heart, mind, and will. That he would speak in mythological terms being part of a culture that thought and spoke in mythological terms, it does not mean we today are required to think and speak in mythological terms because he did 2000 years ago. Today we call demons and spirits things like viruses and germs, or psychiatric disorders, and so forth. I have no problem reading the stories in light of this, and seeing various truths that apply to today in a different sort of mode of thought using rational terms instead of mythological ones. I honestly believe what is inside of us is what propels the mind to grow and mature in how it understands and talks about itself and the world.

To me, who Jesus was in his culture, would be the same person in his heart today, but just expressing his truths in different terms. In no way would he look like the religious fundamentalists of today. And the religious fundamentalists within a religion in his name, would doubtless seek to have him destroyed today as well.

 

[Yoshua]

No, the writers said that Jesus believed in Satan. That doesn't mean that I have to believe in Satan.

Hi Sojourner,

Do you believe that Satan is the adversary of Jesus?

Thanks

 

[Yoshua]

I don't have teachings or doctrines to be in a relationship with my wife. Why should I need one to be in relationship with anyone else? Yes, in a sense, Xy is a religion that arises out of us, and we choose to abide in a covenant of love. It means that we are committed to one another, not that we are committed to particular beliefs.

Hi Sojourner,

So if you committed to one another rather than a particular beliefs, where is the salvation of your soul directed?

Thanks

 

[sojourner]

Hi Sojourner,

Do you believe that Satan is the adversary of Jesus?

Thanks

I don't believe Satan exists.

 

[sojourner]

Hi Sojourner,

So if you committed to one another rather than a particular beliefs, where is the salvation of your soul directed?

Thanks

Humanity is already saved through the Incarnation and subsequent work of God within humanity. God is found in the spaces between us -- that is, within the relationships we form. We love ourselves (as Christ commanded) only as much as we love others. That's why Jesus commanded us to love others, and to lift others less fortunate.