I have not seen the wind, but I am willing to believe it exists. I don't see this as much different. Unless, of course, you're saying that the wind doesn't exist either?
On boards, at times I am dumbfounded as to how to respond to such dull uninformed stuff you'd hear from eurotrash. You know, that content that devolves into discussion of the quantum background via The Secret and other such nonsensical s***.
In other words, you have no real answer to Inconceivable's spiritual manifestations, except to say if it can't be seen, it doesn't exist. C'mon, Merc! You can do better than that!
It's not that it can't be seen. It can't be tested!! Wind CAN be tested. See the difference here??
Plus, I don't see people claiming that THEIR wind is the one true wind and everyone else's wind has a portion of breezyness to it, but only your wind is the complete, full wind!!
If there's one thing I've learned from this board, it's that consensual sex with multiple partners is okay unless God commands it. - Abman
I find this place to be hostile toward all brands of stupidity. That's why I like it. - Some Schmo
I have not seen the wind, but I am willing to believe it exists. I don't see this as much different. Unless, of course, you're saying that the wind doesn't exist either?
On boards, at times I am dumbfounded as to how to respond to such dull uninformed stuff you'd hear from eurotrash. You know, that content that devolves into discussion of the quantum background via The Secret and other such nonsensical s***.
In other words, you have no real answer to Inconceivable's spiritual manifestations, except to say if it can't be seen, it doesn't exist. C'mon, Merc! You can do better than that!
I don't think it's a matter of "seeing", harmony. I think that in the skeptic mind, it's more a matter of a thing being reliable, consistent, repeatable. The spiritual experiences related by believer's are always subjective and that's why the skeptic is well, skeptical of the validity of such.
I have not seen the wind, but I am willing to believe it exists. I don't see this as much different. Unless, of course, you're saying that the wind doesn't exist either?
On boards, at times I am dumbfounded as to how to respond to such dull uninformed stuff you'd hear from eurotrash. You know, that content that devolves into discussion of the quantum background via The Secret and other such nonsensical s***.
In other words, you have no real answer to Inconceivable's spiritual manifestations, except to say if it can't be seen, it doesn't exist. C'mon, Merc! You can do better than that!
It's not that it can't be seen. It can't be tested!! Wind CAN be tested. See the difference here??
Plus, I don't see people claiming that THEIR wind is the one true wind and everyone else's wind has a portion of breezyness to it, but only your wind is the complete, full wind!!
But do you likewise see, that in the believing mind it is God who tests US? Skeptics and believer's come at this from totally opposing positions and methods of investigation.
Inconceivable wrote:The blessings always included words like "might", "may" and "we ask" rather than commanding in the name of God.
So let me get this straight...
God is sitting up on His cloud, listening to the blessing. All is in order. The oil was administered properly, the recipient has sufficient faith and the 2 brethern are worthy priesthood holders. He has His healing fingers ready to go, but at the last second, pulls back and denies the blessing because they said "might", "may" or "we ask" instead of commanding the blessing??
It's amazing how many ways a blessing can fail, and none of it is ever God's fault.
Look, Scottie. I can't explain it. But ultimately it is God's fault. Same way it's a stretch to blame a parent's behavior on their kids.
I've been asking for bread and fish all of my life. Particularly this last several years I've been getting nothing but rocks and serpents.
I haven't changed my character. For matters of integrity and morality, I am the same person I was when a TBM. The spiritual conduit was shut off as I began to ask God questions about what I was reading regarding the character of Joseph Smith and the Mormon history no one ever told me about. I don't blame myself.
Inconceivable wrote:The blessings always included words like "might", "may" and "we ask" rather than commanding in the name of God.
So let me get this straight...
God is sitting up on His cloud, listening to the blessing. All is in order. The oil was administered properly, the recipient has sufficient faith and the 2 brethern are worthy priesthood holders. He has His healing fingers ready to go, but at the last second, pulls back and denies the blessing because they said "might", "may" or "we ask" instead of commanding the blessing??
It's amazing how many ways a blessing can fail, and none of it is ever God's fault.
Look, Scottie. I can't explain it. But ultimately it is God's fault. Same way it's a stretch to blame a parent's behavior on their kids.
I've been asking for bread and fish all of my life. Particularly this last several years I've been getting nothing but rocks and serpents.
I haven't changed my character. For matters of integrity and morality, I am the same person I was when a TBM. The spiritual conduit was shut off as I began to ask God questions about what I was reading regarding the character of Joseph Smith and the Mormon history no one ever told me about. I don't blame myself.
So, I'm trying to understand you here.
Are you saying that you have to be a Mormon in order for God to bless you, and now that you're not one, you are not worthy of the blessings? Or are you saying that because you have been questioning your faith, you now have a lack of it and God doesn't work without faith?
If there's one thing I've learned from this board, it's that consensual sex with multiple partners is okay unless God commands it. - Abman
I find this place to be hostile toward all brands of stupidity. That's why I like it. - Some Schmo
dartagnan wrote:Well for me, I cannot wrap my mind around the notion that we are here due to a big bang, and that the beauty of the universe is just an accident.
It has intelligent design written all over its face, as far as I can see, and when atheists try to explain to me why it isn't, I find them engaging in the same kind of cognitive processes exhibited by the apologists.
I guess they just have faith that the big bang (or whatever theory they fancy) ocurred.
I have to say that I agree with what you've stated above, Kevin. Either I haven't encountered the right skeptics or they are, as you say, reverting to the same (well I wouldn't call them processes) techniques as believers.
One group for example, will tell you that the big bang had no cause yet, science is now looking for the cause.
Jersey Girl wrote:But do you likewise see, that in the believing mind it is God who tests US?
"This is only a test"
I used to think His opinion and rating of me counted. If He really is a Mormon, I've quit playing his "test" game. I will be better off making a pleasant place in Hell than to shovel any more of what he has revealed to wicked men.
A loving and wise Father would not be the author of so many confusing tests laden with an emotional roller coaster of guilt, negative enforcement and overwhelm. I don't fit the Mormon God's paradigm. I would be more comfortable being the lesser of the weakest of "saints".
What I'm saying is that perhaps the Mormon God is the One. If that is the case, I reject Him and his games.
Jersey Girl wrote:But do you likewise see, that in the believing mind it is God who tests US?
"This is only a test"
I used to think His opinion and rating of me counted. If He really is a Mormon, I've quit playing his "test" game. I will be better off making a pleasant place in Hell than to shovel any more of what he has revealed to wicked men.
A loving and wise Father would not be the author of so many confusing tests laden with an emotional roller coaster of guilt, negative enforcement and overwhelm. I don't fit the Mormon God's paradigm. I would be more comfortable being the lesser of the weakest of "saints".
What I'm saying is that perhaps the Mormon God is the One. If that is the case, I reject Him and his games.
"God is not the Author of confusion" - Not.
Do you ever consider that Joseph Smith was the author of confusion?