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Forgiveness


chockfull
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22 hours ago, Rocky said:

Logic is a framework for thinking and analysis, sure. I don't see it as chains on a person's ability to understand life. So yes, I contradicted something. But I tried to explain why I believe it was warranted.

Was Einstein always correct in everything he believed and propounded?

 

If logic does not form boundaries around our discussions, what framework do you suggest for exchanging ideas?  If logic does not form a basis for how you understand life, what does?  How do you piece together ideas?  Or is it more you just respond off the top of the head with whatever comes into mind at the moment, then justify it later?

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On 10/18/2023 at 1:20 PM, WordWolf said:

Apples and oranges.

Rocky, there was a legitimate point there- you didn't make a distinction between two things that can sound similar but are very different things.  Please spell out the differences for those following along at home.

So Jesus forgiving people is an apple, but me forgiving people is an orange?

Perhaps you need to explain your botanical classification.  How are these two things that sound similar but are very different things?

 

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On 10/18/2023 at 2:34 PM, Nathan_Jr said:

Is forgiveness liberating? For whom?

If I have hurt my brother, but I repent and I change and I seek to amend and I seek forgiveness from him, but he still won’t forgive me, who remains in bondage?

This would depend to me on what you mean by “hurt”.

Did you “hurt” me by calling me a name on an online forum?

Did you “hurt” me by murdering a family member?

While liberation from the first is easy and forgiveness would be inconsequential, saying I would be in bondage for giving that second account to God to settle is ludicrous.

Edited by chockfull
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On 10/18/2023 at 2:18 AM, Rocky said:

Why would/could that be the case?

Philosophically, the entire premise of Christianity is wrapped around the concept of redemption, isn't it?

From my perspective these days, it seems early homo sapiens probably developed awareness of humanity's emotional and behavioral awkwardness and frailty. They had to come up with both an origin story or (myth) and a way to overcome the human tendency to hurt other people they cared about.

Jesus wasn't the first or only person or character to meet that need.

IDK, I'm just thinking "out loud" so to speak.

If Christ is a man who is the son of God only, then Jesus forgiveness from him would not be involved in redemption in the least.

It is his life sacrifice on the cross that redeems us.  And enables God the Father to forgive and redeem.

If Christ has divine elements like many Christians believe then his forgiveness would be involved in redemption indirectly.

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12 minutes ago, chockfull said:

If logic does not form a basis for how you understand life, what does?  How do you piece together ideas?

History of humankind is ALL about stories. For example, I consider the bible to be an anthology of stories.

How do I piece together ideas? Sunesis.

I read. Any and all subjects in which I become interested in.

Further, my guiding scripture verses, which I have cited multiple times on GSC, are Proverbs 2:1-5.

If, however by chance, you might be looking for a way to catch me in contradictions or inconsistencies, more power to you. For I view any such thing that may arise as an opportunity to either or both broaden and deepen my puny human understanding of "things." :love3:

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4 minutes ago, Rocky said:

History of humankind is ALL about stories. For example, I consider the bible to be an anthology of stories.

How do I piece together ideas? Sunesis.

I read. Any and all subjects in which I become interested in.

Further, my guiding scripture verses, which I have cited multiple times on GSC, are Proverbs 2:1-5.

If, however by chance, you might be looking for a way to catch me in contradictions or inconsistencies, more power to you. For I view any such thing that may arise as an opportunity to either or both broaden and deepen my puny human understanding of "things." :love3:

I don’t have to even look for that it seems to show up in successive posts - contradiction and inconsistency.

I am seeking to logically reason through ideas presented in scripture or derived from scripture.

Is not sunesis a logic based reasoning?

Edited by chockfull
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2 minutes ago, chockfull said:

I am seeking to logically reason through ideas presented in scripture or derived from scripture.

Good luck with that. Please keep us posted.

There are, as I understand it, quite a few contradictions and/or inconsistencies in Christian scriptures.

I realize Victor Wierwille indoctrinated us with his PFLAP class to view scripture as something without error or contradictions or inconsistencies. I simply no longer believe him on that point.

For examples regarding stories I present this brief clip with Simon Sinek. Take it or leave it, I don't care whether you believe it or not. 

 

 

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5 hours ago, Rocky said:

Good luck with that. Please keep us posted.

There are, as I understand it, quite a few contradictions and/or inconsistencies in Christian scriptures.

I realize Victor Wierwille indoctrinated us with his PFLAP class to view scripture as something without error or contradictions or inconsistencies. I simply no longer believe him on that point.

For examples regarding stories I present this brief clip with Simon Sinek. Take it or leave it, I don't care whether you believe it or not. 

 

 

It seems that the best “luck” I will have with logical reasoning would be to avoid those without it.

I do not believe the Bible is an anthropological story telling novel.  I do not believe that aligns in the least with Prov 2:1-5 that you quoted as your underlying ruling principle.

Without the acknowledgment of some kind of divine inspiration influence or other synonym in the Bible then there isn’t much reason to spend reading it. 
 

I read the “Epic of Gilgamesh” and was entertained by that story.  I don’t view that as equal to the Bible.

That is where my logic begins - with the acknowledgment there is something spiritual going on in the Bible.  If you don’t believe that than it makes sense you would waffle on your position not use logic and change your beliefs with every passing cool breeze:

Edited by chockfull
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5 hours ago, Rocky said:

How so?? 

How is it not?

Do you magically gain understanding without any logical reasoning?

please explain coherently instead of posting a link underlined sunesis pointing not to any definition of the word but to Carl Sagans argument against religion.

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2 hours ago, chockfull said:

Another synonym for “telling stories” is “lying” in the sense of being untruthful and replacing a truthful story with a fictional or imagined story.

I guess we're just going to have to disagree. :wink2: :wave: No skin off my nose if you don't agree with me. Thankfully, I'm not dependent on your approval. And I would hope you don't need mine either. That way, we wouldn't need to view disagreement as one picking on the other. :love3:

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On 10/19/2023 at 5:46 PM, chockfull said:

How is it not?

 

The answer lies within your own mind, does it not?

How do YOU define paradox? Do you have any tolerance for paradox?

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true.
  • noun A person, thing, or situation that exhibits inexplicable or contradictory aspects.
  • noun A statement that is self-contradictory or logically untenable, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.

How much tolerance for ambiguity can you muster? :love3:

Ambiguity tolerance is a fancy term for “operating in the gray.” It reflects an ability to accept unclear, uncertain, or novel situations and work effectively in this environment.

I hope your ambiguity tolerance is growing. :cryhug_1_:

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On 10/19/2023 at 5:43 PM, chockfull said:

I do not believe the Bible is an anthropological story telling novel.

Neither do I. 

I believe it's an anthology of stories.

On 10/19/2023 at 5:43 PM, chockfull said:

 I do not believe that aligns in the least with Prov 2:1-5 that you quoted as your underlying ruling principle.

I respect that you disagree. You obviously have a right to disagree with me.

 

On 10/19/2023 at 5:43 PM, chockfull said:

Without the acknowledgment of some kind of divine inspiration influence or other synonym in the Bible then there isn’t much reason to spend reading it. 

Okay. I, again, respect your declaration of belief about motivation or lack thereof for reading the Bible. That is, I respect it without judging it. 

Edited by Rocky
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14 hours ago, Rocky said:

The answer lies within your own mind, does it not?

How do YOU define paradox? Do you have any tolerance for paradox?

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true.
  • noun A person, thing, or situation that exhibits inexplicable or contradictory aspects.
  • noun A statement that is self-contradictory or logically untenable, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.

How much tolerance for ambiguity can you muster? :love3:

Ambiguity tolerance is a fancy term for “operating in the gray.” It reflects an ability to accept unclear, uncertain, or novel situations and work effectively in this environment.

I hope your ambiguity tolerance is growing. :cryhug_1_:

I find “ambiguity tolerance” and flipping like a Teflon waffle iron between two opposite positions as different things. 

My lack of “ambiguity tolerance” helped to define what was improper about the Ways teachings on debt and “the household” and most of what they try to dissect from Corinthians.  It also helped me form the requisite logic that I could leave and stake my future on.

But you do you.

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29 minutes ago, chockfull said:

I find “ambiguity tolerance” and flipping like a Teflon waffle iron between two opposite positions as different things. 

My lack of “ambiguity tolerance” helped to define what was improper about the Ways teachings on debt and “the household” and most of what they try to dissect from Corinthians.  It also helped me form the requisite logic that I could leave and stake my future on.

But you do you.

I get it. Of course, I will continue to do me. :love3:

I appreciate your candor and that hopefully you will no longer find disagreement an attack on you or picking on you.

Indeed, there has been plenty from what was shoveled off on to us from Victor Wierwille's teachings and the fallout from his emotionally deficient subculture that was and has been woefully lacking in terms of logic.

I would wonder (out loud, but in no way solicit a response from you) if what helped you decide to leave the cult was more emotionally based than the deficiencies in logic.

Also, I have come upon a hunch that you and I may have been, for a long time, friends on FB but perhaps are no longer.

If that's the case, I still feel bad for having offended you, but am hopeful that both you and I will emerge more hopeful in this life. :cryhug_1_:

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From Michael Meade and mosaic voices (note, I'm NOT recommending his anything paid, just that I saw something on FB a friend posted): The world as we know it is already gone. The point now is to inhabit a bigger, unifying living myth in which the words "we are all in this together," have genuine heartfelt meaning.

From ME: the myth that we are separate from "the world" may be at the heart of polarization and hate that has engulfed so much in and of the world these days.

That mental framework did not originate with Wierwille, but he sure did his best to amplify it.

To me, "we are all in this together" flows more naturally into a loving view of our neighbors, no matter how alike or different each may look or sound from each of us. IOW, despite one's best efforts to love those who do not look or sound or believe like each of us, there ARE (ravenous) voices suggesting we should be afraid and unwelcoming to any person or group different from us. The MORE different, the more afraid.

Fear doesn't play well with love. Inherently, fear stokes survival instincts and causes us to bypass our logical reasoning mental processes.

Therefore, I tend to believe it's easier to forgive when we set aside social fear.

 

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