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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katzenjam52 on May 2, 2010, at 21:44:32
Meant to sidetrack us from reality on this planet.
Wake up.
If you are religious, you likely believe in the Devil, also. Satan.
So then, do you recognize him/her?
How many "holy" wars have sidetracked humanity from becoming the best with the only thing humanity knows for sure that it has .. the Now.
How many "leaders" have lied to t"their" people ... how many people feel powerless now, unnecessarily powerless?
Do you recognize the Devil now?
Power doesn't mean the worst has to happen.
Power can be used, without any profit but the betterment of life in this sphere, in this realm. Power can be used selflessly, but apparently, not by those in power now.
WAKE UP!!!
Posted by sigismund on May 3, 2010, at 1:17:46
In reply to Religion is a Device, posted by Katzenjam52 on May 2, 2010, at 21:44:32
Have you read John Gray?
Not that Venus and Mars person. The other one.
Two good books, excellent ones
"Straw Dogs" and "Black Mass".
I don't agree with you about religion, but then again you live in the US and I don't.
Posted by sigismund on May 3, 2010, at 1:31:52
In reply to Re: Religion is a Device » Katzenjam52, posted by sigismund on May 3, 2010, at 1:17:46
Wonderful conversations about God in "The Crossing".
It seemed like a meditation on dualism.
Posted by bleauberry on May 3, 2010, at 18:10:13
In reply to Religion is a Device, posted by Katzenjam52 on May 2, 2010, at 21:44:32
These are just my convictions, so please see they are completely mine and not intended to sway, convince, or insult anyone else.
I believe religion itself is a deceptive word. Some religions worship physical things, idols, or made-up gods, or wise men. Some say you can come back after death as another animal. All kinds of bizarre stuff.
The bible is indeed filled with wars throughout time. This is not the way Chrisianity. This is the way of man, who is flawed. Even the most devoted Christians are...flesh, die to dust, and while living are flawed, make mistakes, make bad judgements, and sin. They do their best not to, but in vain, since they are imperfect creatures.
I can't speak of other religions because in my opinion they are not valid. Christianity is. Christ did actually live, die, and lives again. He did so in his own words that we "may have life and have it abundantly". Christ does is not a device to distract, but rather a real being who gives purpose and direction to all our questions in life intended to improve our experience of this world.
There is a book written by an athesiest. He set out to prove scientifically that Christianity is not real. In the end, he became a Christian himself. Why? Because all of the physical evidence he discovered in his journeys and research supported every single fact in the bible. Nothing could be unproved. Instead, everything was proved. The exact opposite of what he set out to do. It was also discovered that hardly anything in other religions can be physically proven. They were made up, they didn't really happen.
God gives man free will. You wouldn't want to force someone to like you or be on your team would you? No, you want people to willingly at their choice like you and desire to be with you. It's not right when you force them. It makes them not want to be with you. God is the same way. He wants you more than anything because He gave you your life, but only you can decide whether to accept the relationship or not.
An entire chapter of the bible deals with your very topic in this thread. The basic summary of it is this. All we do in our physical life is in vanity. All we do will be forgotten by those that come after us. Nothing we do will change anything. The rivers still flow and the oceans never fill up. Thousands of years go by, and you and me had zero impact on it. God does give us life to enjoy. He wants us to enjoy the earth and the gifts each person has. But we are not to become engrossed in them. The eye is always on the time when we stand in front of God for judgement. Whether we had a good life, a bad life, a smooth life, a troubled life, poor, rich, whatever...what is important is what we do with the circumstance we have been appointed. Those who reject God choose to reject their own future. And I believe it breaks God's heart when they do make that choice.
So I disagree with the whole premise of the word "religion". Yeah, I guess in its broad term you are correct it is a device that distracts. It distracts from God and it distracts from our purpose in life.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 4, 2010, at 10:18:11
In reply to Re: Religion is a Device, posted by bleauberry on May 3, 2010, at 18:10:13
> Religion is a Device
> Meant to sidetrack us from reality on this planet.
>
> Katzenjam52> I can't speak of other religions because in my opinion they are not valid.
>
> bleauberryWould anyone be willing to try to show Katzenjam and bleauberry how they might rephrase the above or to encourage them to apologize? You may have the power to help them avoid being blocked again.
Bob
Posted by sigismund on May 4, 2010, at 15:41:36
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Dr. Bob on May 4, 2010, at 10:18:11
>Would anyone be willing to try to show Katzenjam and bleauberry how they might rephrase the above or to encourage them to apologize? You may have the power to help them avoid being blocked again.
It won't work because they won't agree with me, but here goes.....
Religions are like languages of the spirit; it's what humans do; they make up religions; they are part of the precious cultural heritage of humanity.
Therefore it is pointless arguing as to whether religions are true or false.But the problem then arises. What do you have to say about religions that claim universal truth and applicability?
All I can say at that point it is that all religions have implications, some of which are good, some of which are bad.
Christianity, for example, has given us art and music (which is a big part of my life).What gets me is this:
WHY did Freud think that monotheism was an ethical advance?
Posted by bleauberry on May 4, 2010, at 18:34:39
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Dr. Bob on May 4, 2010, at 10:18:11
Dr Bob, I would like to politely request that YOU show us how to rephrase these statements in a way that is acceptable to YOU. Is there anyone else that has an issue with these phrasings?
Could you please show us an example or two of how you would prefer to see these statements rephrased? We could use those as templates for future writings. It would be very helpful. The last thing I want to do is get blocked. No one else is responding to your requests.
So, please show us what you want. A couple examples would go a long way. As far as I can tell, my post completely conformed to the guidelines at the top of the page. I am puzzled. I don't think there is anyone in a more appropriate position than you to lead by example.
> > Religion is a Device
> > Meant to sidetrack us from reality on this planet.
> >
> > Katzenjam52
>
> > I can't speak of other religions because in my opinion they are not valid.
> >
> > bleauberry
>
> Would anyone be willing to try to show Katzenjam and bleauberry how they might rephrase the above or to encourage them to apologize? You may have the power to help them avoid being blocked again.
>
> Bob
Posted by bleauberry on May 4, 2010, at 19:08:43
In reply to Re: being blocked again, posted by Dr. Bob on May 4, 2010, at 10:18:11
On second thought, I think I will just go ahead and block myself from the politics forum. I am so totally confused by what you are perceiving, and feel like I'm walking on eggshells with every word. It is not only uncomfortable, but not conducive to discussing politics, which are by nature inherently opinionated on sides of any fence. I don't purposely keep myself in a place of discomfort, so I think it is best to say sorry and politely bow out. Apologies extended to those who took offense.
The medication forum is a good one though.
Posted by Dr. Bob on May 5, 2010, at 1:22:48
In reply to Re: being blocked again » Dr. Bob, posted by bleauberry on May 4, 2010, at 19:08:43
> Dr Bob, I would like to politely request that YOU show us how to rephrase these statements in a way that is acceptable to YOU.
I thought sigismund's example was good:
> > all religions have implications, some of which are good, some of which are bad. Christianity, for example, has given us art and music (which is a big part of my life).
--
> On second thought, I think I will just go ahead and block myself from the politics forum. I am so totally confused by what you are perceiving, and feel like I'm walking on eggshells with every word. It is not only uncomfortable, but not conducive to discussing politics, which are by nature inherently opinionated on sides of any fence. I don't purposely keep myself in a place of discomfort, so I think it is best to say sorry and politely bow out. Apologies extended to those who took offense.
Thanks.
It's fine to bow out, but if you change your mind, and for those who stay: I agree, people can be opinionated when discussing politics. The political equivalent of an I-statement is advocating for your opinion instead of opposing other opinions.
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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