Disqus - Latest Comments for blearyeyedme

Re: On Reviews

Fenton — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:50:00 -0000

Well said, Duane. You make an excellent case in regards to the objectivity of some film critics. When I was writing this, I immediately thought of M. Night Shyamalan and the "bad" reviews I had seen for his various films over the years, reviews that had overlooked any deeper meaning of the sort that had kept you and I talking into the wee hours of the night. It is that kind of review that I see more often than not, and it is that kind of review to which I was more specifically referring. If any such critic of film, music, art, and so on can indeed remain objective, then absolutely their critique has something of value to offer. Yet, in the end, I think my point still stands that one should not rely solely on a review as the basis for purchasing a product.

Good points, Duane! Thanks!

Re: Lt. Dan Choi Tells His Story

Fenton — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:38:35 -0000

Wow. What a powerful speech by Lt. Choi. Good stuff!

Re: A Glass Half-Full (of Pessimism) - jaydensmommie: (via carmenlsigman) When Jayden...

Fenton — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:39:47 -0000

My life is complete. Thank you.

Re: A Few Thoughts Before the National Equality March

Fenton — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:27:11 -0000

Sounds amazing, Matt. I'm looking forward to what you'll have for us once you return.

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:44:54 -0000

Wow. I definitely know what you're saying, and where you're coming from... but wow.

I don't think I've ever met someone who purposefully wanted someone to suffer so they would see God's mercy, or the like. It's self-defeating.

Certainly, the idea that we cannot do it by ourselves is not meant in the physical sense that "addiction will overtake us if we do not submit to God", and so on. That's complete rubbish. Many people have strong will power and self-control. It's meant in the idea that we cannot overpower sin itself by ourselves. Check out my blog on "Anselm on the Atonement" (http://www.blearyeyedme.com....

Maybe it should be in extreme stubbornness to prove others wrong that you should, indeed, show others how helping people live healthy, safe lives is indeed the way to living a Christ-centered life. :) Besides, I don't think we'd see so many Christian relief organizations if they didn't think helping people was important. (My church alone has a food pantry, as well as a weekend where they serve meals to anyone in the community, and other such programs that do nothing but provide assistance to others without asking anything in return.)

As for the 'need' to convert people when they are in vulnerable positions, it seems more that they capitalize on those vulnerable positions than anything. I'm not of that sort, though. I've always steered away from those types of things, the "altar calls" and whatnot.

While I believe people can genuinely have an understanding of God through vulnerable times, I tend to believe the best proponents of a belief are those who struggle to get there themselves, through a mixture of reason and emotion, and not simply vulnerability.

Enjoy!

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:21:10 -0000

Thanks for the link.

"This seems very depressing. I've only gotten to the (very good) point where I am now by accepting that things simply are the way they are. I do not understand how one can avoid self-loathing with the view that one is inherently evil and sin-prone and knowing that God will punish us for merely following the nature which we have because of the results of the laws he put in place in the natural world (I'm thinking evolution here). It does not seem psychologically healthy."

I do not believe we are inherently evil, nor do I believe we are natural sinful. We are born into a sin-filled world, and taught from an early age that certain things are acceptable and others aren't. We are indoctrinated with these social and cultural standards that may sometimes clash with what we probably should be doing. They become habits.

I may know that I am going to continually sin and struggle, but that doesn't cause me loathe myself or my situation. As you said, it is what it is. So, rather than wallow in my defeat, I revel in that God has promised that something better, and will help me struggle to attain it. I revel in that I am no longer bound by sin. I will continually sin and screw up until the day I die, but I am no longer bound by that sin. It has no hold over me in the sense that wages for sin have been paid already.

"That said, thank you for clearing up many of your views. It's very helpful to me; usually when I argue about Christianity with people they are surprised at how harsh (and perhaps inaccurate) my view of it is, but it is simply the result of the Christianity I know."

I enjoy clearing up my views. I'm glad it's helpful to you, as it's also helpful to me. :) Your harsh view of Christianity and of God is expected, given your upbringing (as you've described). Hopefully that can change. :)

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 15:00:01 -0000

"Yet God is the same God, regardless."

Absolutely. God's greatness does not hinder upon our acceptance of it or of God. We do not affect God's greatness. We can only recognize it or ignore it. Well said, Eden.

My point about Christ defeating death is that it is a central tenant of Christianity, not that somehow God would be any less God if Christ hadn't. Though I'm sure there's an argument that could be made that God's nature (i.e. Goodness, Love) is such that Christ's death and resurrection were imperative. I'm just saying... the argument could probably be made.

"Yeah, I think that's a kind of stupid argument on the part of such people."

Then you're far better off than most people, Eden.

"Why make stupid arguments against Christianity when there are so many good ones?"

Exactly. Wait. What? :)

I'm a little fuzzy on the "good arguments" against Christianity. Care to enlighten?

"This is not just. This requires nothing of us- no morality, no honest attempt to live rightly, nothing. Merely the self-centered, ignorant, victimization I have seen in the vast majority of Christians. This is not just in the same manner that it is not just that children all over the world, including my cousins, are practicing their math homework by drawing with a stick in the mud while I type a technical philosophy paper on my Macbook."

I'm not following what you're saying. But let me see if this addresses it.

I said salvation was free. I didn't say we should become raging assholes or murderous thieves. On the contrary, we accept salvation through Christ because we know that God is Love, and that through God we too can love and do good. Jesus didn't say "What you do to the least of these you do unto me" for nothing. That is precisely why I believe there will be an abundance of "unbelievers" in heaven, because of precisely the things they have done unto others in the name of love and goodness. (This too goes along with the reference to Lewis' The Last Battle. I'll try to find the actual text.) This is also why I believe many "believers" will not find their way into heaven, as they do not find themselves "doing unto others".

People get this idea in their heads that God is only in the business of Church and Church related enterprises. This is entirely not true. Certainly there is work that needs to be done to help the Word of Christ prosper. But I doubt God would pull you out of practising medicine in some third-world for the sake of mission work in another. What you are doing in medicine there is precisely the type of work God calls us to do. Your devotion to humanity is completely relevant.

If you could reference those thinktank pages, please. :)

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:01:28 -0000

"There's an interesting podcast from The Atheist Experience entitled "would you die for a lie?" It makes some good points, but unfortunately it's very long to sift through and I was at work when I listened to it and cannot stop in the middle of lab work in order to jot down notes."

I'm sure there are some interesting points, and I'd like to hear it if you could link me to it. I have no doubt there are *few* instances wherein someone would be willing to die for a lie, but if they exist, I am unaware of them.

"It's mere statistics."

Agreed. :)

"The feeling of God being close to us is NOT documented truth, but rather some people's personal experience. Anyhow, one may not sense the existence of many things which do in fact exist, and one may sense things which do not in fact exist (i.e. hallucinations, dreams)."

Again, agreed. :) However, we'd need to define "exist" before we can accept your statement. Either way, it just points out an inconsistency on that writers part, and says nothing of the validity of the "closeness of God" or of "belief from documented truth".

"I have known a hell of a lot of people who continually pray for the Holy Spirit to live in them and teach them to live as He wills. Yet instead they justify cruel, cruel acts through "God's will" and continue to live self-centered, victimized, ignorant lives. You may say these are not "true" Christians, but Geocities guy would respond that "Salvation is assured through a relationship, love, and devotion to Jesus; there is no "maybe" or "probably" - it is guaranteed." I would assume that asking the Holy Spirit to dwell with oneself is similarly guaranteed if one asks for it."

One can mutter the words and go through the motions and still not have faith, Eden. I am of the belief that many Christians will be surprised at the day of judgment at how many nonbelievers are admitted into heaven and how many church-goers aren't. Looks deceive. Tongues lie. But God sees the heart, into the very depths of your soul. To accept God and the Holy Spirit is to make a commitment to change yourself, to make an effort, to try not to give in to those old ways. But realize also that we are still human, and still prone to sin, regardless of God's presence in us. That presence, though, is what helps us struggle through that sin and make us into better people.

Sure these things are guaranteed, but that's not the end of it. You have to work for it. It may be the right road, but it's certainly not the easy road. To be a Christian, to die in Christ, to leave behind your earthly self, is to admit your failings and not let them overtake you. As I mentioned yesterday, it's not about self-pity and self-loathing, which only brings us back to sin. It's about admitting we will struggle, and doing it anyway.

Hope this helps.

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:46:35 -0000

"The book-link you sent seemed kind of silly in its chapter on religion by quoting all these people who happened to define Christianity as something other than religion."

Not silly, I don't think. Just that they have varying views of what encompasses religion and see how Christianity, at least to them, is different .

"I'm hoping to get to the parts of morality and epistemology, though! "

I hope you enjoy it. I haven't read it, so it's a toss up, really.

"I don't really think the first two quotes you posted matter as to why Christianity is "better" than other religions, just different as any other religion can be differentiated from the others."

They're not meant to show why Christianity is necessarily better, but why it is different than other religions. Certainly each religion can be differentiated from the others through its details, but that's not the point. The point is to show that it is exceedingly different in what it proclaims, that is, that no other religion (that I am aware of, but feel free to correct me) comes close to making the same types of claims as Christianity. No other religion solves the issue of sin. No other religion offers salvation freely by a means of grace from their deity(ies). No other deity was willingly incarnated as a human, being born as a human, and dying as a human, all for the sake of humankind, and seeking nothing in return but to save humankind.

You'd be surprised how many people try to raise similarities of Christ to other savior myths, all of which fall short in the comparisons that are made.

So it isn't necessarily about what makes it better as it is what makes it different helps to show what makes it better.

As for God beating death, Christianity is what it is because Christ beat death. If Christ had simply died, that would be the end of it. It's the Resurrection that is the cornerstone of Christianity.

"Isn't this one aspect of Calvinism? Or is it intended in other way?"

I cringe at the thought of Calvinism, especially with Stephen considering it. It is most definitely meant in another way, not the "elected of God" way. That is, salvation is offered freely by God through God's grace, to everyone. There are no hoops to jump through, or quests to go on, journeys to take or wars to be waged to earn salvation. Salvation cannot be earned. It is given. And it is given to us without cost. It is ours for the taking. All we must do is trust that God has provided that.

No puppets. No strings. No manipulation.

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:29:46 -0000

Hmmm. I think after consideration, and the fact that defining religion will ultimately prove futile, it becomes a matter of personal opinion as to Christianity being considered a religion or not. In that, I don't think it really matters, per se, as it's more about what makes Christianity different from other religions than it is about excluding Christianity as a religion.

Simply put, Christianity is still, at it's very core, an active relationship, and not simply a doctrine that seasonally brings people to church on Easter and Christmas.

It's what makes Christianity different from other religions that matters.

One site says, "True Christianity is different from other religions in that it is the only faith that answers the sin problem." Another says, "We are the only ones who claim to have a God who died because He CHOSE to and then beat death by coming back to life." And another, "In all other religious man does something to secure his salvation. In authentic Christianity, salvation is by God's gracious good pleasure alone."

These sites below offer interesting points as well:

- http://www.dontwastecornell...

- http://www.geocities.com/du...

- http://birdsoftheair.blogsp...

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:18:25 -0000

lol. Almost.

Though there's also another write-up somewhere on the site that talks about "What about people who don't know Jesus?", which also carries over into the realm of how God judges, that is, looks into the heart of the individual. In that, an excellent case is made for the salvation of people who would even consider themselves unsaved. (A similar case is made by C.S. Lewis in The Last Battle, of his Narnia Chronicles)

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:05:09 -0000

I hear ya. I have spent hours poring over the site.

I understand about revisionism and re-interpretation, but in light of new information/understandings of history/et al, it becomes necessary. We don't tell the scientist who continuously revises his theory that it's obnoxious. We hope that one day that scientist finally won't need to revise anything. :)

Check out where he talks about differing views of hell (http://www.christian-thinktank.com/gr5part2.html). Interesting to find out the "traditional" view of hell isn't all fire and brimstone. ;) I'm more of an annihilationist than anything, I think.

Anywho, happy reading!

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:36:19 -0000

Only to say, Christian Thinktank probably talks about most of your issues. It's really helped me understand Scripture better, and has answered a lot of questions I've had. Hopefully, it can do the same for you.

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 22:31:21 -0000

Wow. You WERE cut off from the rest of us. You should watch the tv series Gilmore Girls. There was a girl on the show, Lane Kim, whose mom was like that. It's a good show with all kinds of pop culture references. It'd be educational for you. :)

I'll compile a list of movies for you.

Despite the rough upbringing, you seem to be making the best of it now.

I'd be interested in where Jesus comes off as such a punk. I certainly don't see it. As for the OT, the Christian Thinktank answers those questions as well. You've just got to be open to accepting the answers. A lot of people have a very staunch, and in my view ill-conceived, "There is NO excuse" view of the OT. Be open for reasoning behind various things you may view now with distaste.

As for your question, the world wasn't always fallen... and unlike God, who IS Good and Love, we can choose to NOT be those things.

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:30:12 -0000

As I said, differing views will always make it hard to define religion. Wikipedia's article on "religion" had an interesting criticism section (http://en.wikipedia.org/wik.... I'll try to come up with another definition to better encompass my thoughts. I still recommend that link I originally gave as possible help in seeing the difference.

"...that is only one example of what I view as the impracticality of Christianity for living. It seems to be based in self-loathing and psychological detriment."

Impracticality based upon our secular world? Absolutely. Based in self-loathing and psychological detriment? Not at all. It is based solely in the belief that without God's grace, we would not know God, or even have a chance to know God. If someone wants to focus on the laws and doctrine or bathe in self-pity that's certainly their prerogative; but Christianity as Jesus taught was meant to set people free, not enslave them to depression in their inadequacies. Belief in Christ, that Jesus is who He says He is, and did what He said He did, is all it takes. Simply put, Christianity is accepting God's grace.

"This is not a view I derived from any sort of Dawkins-esque atheist but from the dogma which I was indoctrinated with until I left my 'family'."

No wonder you have such reservations about Christianity. I'm truly sorry that you've had to endure that kind of indoctrination. That is NOT what Christianity is about, nor is that the kind of God I would want to worship either. I really recommend checking out http://www.christian-thinkt... (as referenced in the blog itself). The author of the site, Glenn, does address some (all?) of those views you have, and hopefully can help get you away from that thinking.

Wow. You JUST saw your first Disney film? Can I ask which one you saw? Can I make some recommendations? What were you allowed to watch as a kid? Did you parents have a home? A car? Eat processed foods? Wear clothes? And they had qualms with Disney movies and not THOSE "worldly" items? Again, I'm sorry, Eden.

Understandably, the associations are too painful. But try to look at the source. Does Jesus come off as a sadistic asshat? In everything he did and said, does Jesus look like the evil God you've come to see Him as? When the discrepancies between what we're told and what we know from the source are such, it makes it easy to see that what you were fed wasn't Christianity, but something entirely different.

Re: The ‘Whats’ and ‘Whys’ of My Faith

Fenton — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:53:47 -0000

Hey, Eden! I'm glad you found the blog and decided to leave a comment!

I'll do my best to answer your question coherently.

Certainly, it would be beneficial to define "religion" as we understand it; but understandings differ, and people have varying ideas as to what encompasses religion and what makes "religion" religion. We could spend days going back and forth on this matter. So suffice it to say, we probably have differing views of what religion is, and what makes up a religion. That said, to me, religion is that which strives for God or gods, that attempts to make up for humanity's fallen state, and/or attempts to reach a higher power or authority by its own means, that is to say, that humanity can somehow reach a level above itself by its own strength and its own doing.

You may or may not agree with this. There also may be views which I have unknowingly or purposefully left out.

So, what makes Christianity something other than a religion? The fact that Christianity itself is built upon the foundation that humankind cannot reach higher than itself, by itself. Christianity says that humankind only reaches God through God, and by God's own grace, not by our own merit. French sociologist and theologian, Jacques Ellul says it well: "The central fact of the revelation of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Jesus Christ, is that God descends to humankind. Never in anyway, under any circumstances can we ascend to God, howsoever slightly."

I haven't read it all, but this book, viewable online here: http://www.christinyou.net/..., has some pretty interesting things to say on the subject. It is where the quote from Ellul comes from. Again, I haven't read the entire thing. :)

Hope that helps answer the question, Eden.

As for you not considering Christian Theism as a personal option of beliefs, I ask simply, why not? You say you cannot bear even the idea yet, the use of "yet" giving the idea that perhaps someday you would consider it, no? Would your reluctance have to do with the hideous and horribly despicable things done in the name of "Christianity" over the past two thousand years? I'll tell you the same thing I tell everyone in your position: Don't for one second base your willingness to accept Christ upon the actions of those who seemingly proclaim His name, but so outwardly deny His teachings. You are a smart, logical woman. Use those reasoning skills. Base your belief or disbelief on the source, not the people who use belief as a means to their own end.

For the record, I'm still happy you've accepted theism. :)

Re: A Super Cute Girl Just Asked Me if There is a "Lucky Lady".

Fenton — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:40:57 -0000

Your reply henceforth shall be: "That depends. Do you consider yourself lucky?"

Re: A Glass Half-Full (of Pessimism) - thedailywhat: Pre-Order This: The Kymera Magic...

Fenton — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:10:40 -0000

Oh yes they did.
Oh yes. They. Did.

Re: Add Comments to Tumblr Blog with DISQUS!

Fenton — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:22:40 -0000

Thank you for this. It was quite helpful in getting me on the right track to setting up comments on my tumblr blog.

Cheers!

Re: A Glass Half-Full (of Pessimism) - david: Dave: Tell me about the origin of your...

Fenton — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 07:54:43 -0000

I don't think "wow" begins to describe what I'm feeling.

Re: On Power...

Fenton — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 07:43:14 -0000

So very often, I forget this principle. And so what do I do? I hand over the reigns. But not today. No sir. Today, I am a new person... unless this shirt makes me look fat.

Re: A Glass Half-Full (of Pessimism) - I miss my father right now. My father was a lot...

Fenton — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 22:23:46 -0000

I've been a fan for a while now. And I love nothing more than seeing those funny pictures and quirky quips. They seriously make my day. But dude. Seriously. It's this kind of truth and wisdom that keeps me coming back. You are all kinds of awesome. I just thought you should know.

Re: LGBT Teens Can’t Even Trust Teachers

Fenton — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:18:22 -0000

Then perhaps you should insist on a more thorough investigation.

Re: LGBT Teens Can’t Even Trust Teachers

Fenton — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:36:32 -0000

This is seriously fucked up. How can the school district maintain no wrong-doing on the parts of the teachers? I don't know what else to say.

Re: Recalibrating the Asterisk

Fenton — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:14:29 -0000

You know, you may think that you're simply being redundant in posting what others have. But what you should at least take into consideration is that not everyone reads or subscribes to the same sites/blogs as you. What you post here on Asterisk may be the only thing some people read about on the subject. I know this is the only blog I read on the subject anyway.

It's similar to why I post my Christian Apologetics blogs, Matt. Just because the information is out there doesn't mean people are necessarily finding it. I post in hopes of someone stumbling upon my blog and it being their first encounter with my type of blog. I post so that people I know can be informed.