What price religion?

[ShoeshineBoy]

Another example:

I have not messed with the occult for decades and never think about. One night I went to play at a community theatre and out of the blue, I began falling into a trance just as I did in the occult days.

Inside I felt strongly that God was telling me one of the actors/actresses was heavily into the occult and there was a demonic presence. Of course, I prayed against the devil and pulled out of the trance.

I have had no experience like that before or since, i.e. I don't struggle to keep from falling in trances.

And, no, I don't have flashbacks either...

 

[LongShot]

Quote from ShoeshineBoy:

True. But the occult is much more powerful (imo) than the Koran. I wouldn't have been interested in the Koran...

that tells me right there that you are one gullible & impressionable SOB not unlike an eleven year old who requires adult intervention and censorship :-/

 

[Turok]

>I was into the occult before I became a Christian

This statement could easily be interpreted several ways but before I get to that let me say this...there seems to be a common corrolation between what cultures call "the occult" and that cultures primary religious beliefs -- meaning if one doen't hold or even acknowledge the primary belief then "the occult" is just another big nothing.

Would you answer these sort of question?...

Were you raised in a christian family? Had you dabbled in christianity in any way before becoming involved in the occult? Had you attempted to live the christian life before being involved in the occult? Were you aware of chrisitian theology before the occult?

I ask because though it is technically possible to answer yes to all of the above questions and still not be in conflict with your statement (meaning you were in the occult before you were "saved"), a different impression could very much be derived.

Thanks
JB

 

[marketsurfer]

Quote from spect8or:

I'm an ex-Christian. My path was a devout Christian --> agnostic on Christ, faithful to God --> throwing in the towel on the whole fiasco.

interesting. thanks for the honesty.


surfer

 

[spect8or]

Quote from ShoeshineBoy:

True. But the occult is much more powerful (imo) than the Koran. I wouldn't have been interested in the Koran...

See, it's statements like these that, on a rational level, lead me to conclude that to pursue (and to subsequently stick with) Christianity had nothing to do with "truth" whatsoever.

For you to have not "been interested" in the Koran, but (presumably) "interested" in the Bible suggests to me that you believed the Bible would contain whatever it was that you were LOOKING FOR. Is it any surprise then that you found it?

 

[ShoeshineBoy]

Quote from spect8or:

See, it's statements like these that, on a rational level, lead me to conclude that to pursue (and to subsequently stick with) Christianity had nothing to do with "truth" whatsoever.

For you to have not "been interested" in the Koran, but (presumably) "interested" in the Bible suggests to me that you believed the Bible would contain whatever it was that you were LOOKING FOR. Is it any surprise then that you found it?

Yes, it is surprising actually. The supernatural and the spiritual is always surprising even when it meets and exceeds your expectations which is what I can definitely say about my belief system...

 

[LongShot]

Quote from ShoeshineBoy:

Yes, it is surprising actually. The supernatural and the spiritual is always surprising even when it meets and exceeds your expectations which is what I can definitely say about my belief system...

your a squirrel :-/

 

[spect8or]

Quote from Turok:

>I was into the occult before I became a Christian

This statement could easily be interpreted several ways but before I get to that let me say this...there seems to be a common corrolation between what cultures call "the occult" and that cultures primary religious beliefs -- meaning if one doen't hold or even acknowledge the primary belief then "the occult" is just another big nothing.

To me, "the occult" is just as crazy as anything the "established" religions do. It's just stigmatized religion, really. And I agree, from my perspective, they are both just big nothings.

 

[ShoeshineBoy]

Quote from Turok:

>I was into the occult before I became a Christian

This statement could easily be interpreted several ways but before I get to that let me say this...there seems to be a common corrolation between what cultures call "the occult" and that cultures primary religious beliefs -- meaning if one doen't hold or even acknowledge the primary belief then "the occult" is just another big nothing.

Would you answer these sort of question?...

Were you raised in a christian family? Had you dabbled in christianity in any way before becoming involved in the occult? Had you attempted to live the christian life before being involved in the occult? Were you aware of chrisitian theology before the occult?

I ask because though it is technically possible to answer yes to all of the above questions and still not be in conflict with your statement (meaning you were in the occult before you were "saved"), a different impression could very much be derived.

Thanks
JB

Were you raised in a christian family? Humanist dad and nominally Christian Mom. Went to church for maybe six months out of childhood.
Had you dabbled in christianity in any way before becoming involved in the occult? Yes.

Had you attempted to live the christian life before being involved in the occult? Kind of. For a month or two in the seventh grade.

Were you aware of chrisitian theology before the occult? Very minimal.

I ask because though it is technically possible to answer yes to all of the above questions and still not be in conflict with your statement (meaning you were in the occult before you were "saved"), a different impression could very much be derived.

Not sure what you mean...

 

[Turok]

>Yes, it is surprising actually. The supernatural and the
>spiritual is always surprising even when it meets and
>exceeds your expectations which is what I can
>definitely say about my belief system...

With the question in mind, this response says essentially...don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up".

JB