There can be no light without the dark.....right?

[look3467]

I think that our desire for an evil religion or creed is driven by our instinctual need for there to be an out-group in contrast to our beloved in-group. We don't usually realize that there is no "us" vs "them", but there is and ever was only "us". Within the Yin Yang symbolism, there is no moral contrast actually. The originators of that symbolism intended to convey actual opposites of reality and did not intend to incorporate the good vs. evil duality into their representation. In Taoism, it's all about integrity and the consistency of character over any arbitrary code of ethics and morality.

In my younger religious days, I used to fear the Ying-Yang symbol as something from Satan.

That was basically for my own protection given that I was not well versed in my own beliefs and the bible.

I was lead out of that to the point where I now am.

The balance between black and white is unattainable IMO due to a requirement of a perfect state.

The only way for perfection to have a start is to be placed into an imperfect situation.

We are subjected to vanity from the day we were born. And it is from that imperfection that we are tested towards perfection.

However, our ability to get to perfection was made an impossibility but not the attempt to.

The Creator God, thus submitted His Son (As the perfection of God in human form) paid the price for4 our imperfection, allowing us to attain perfection by Him.

The moral standard of "do unto others as you would want them to do unto you" is the test. from that point the light leads us out of the black, the darkness of not having the light of knowledge.

I therefore, hold no condemnation towards anybody, believer or unbeliever for their views.
I would lend the fact that in my life the blessings and Godly experience have being nothing but an awesome experience.

Blessings, AJ

 

[look3467]

And if im not your neighbor ? when the Israelites were raging war in the wilderness , your God supposededly told then to kill all men, women,children and beasts . The same tactics were duplicated in conquering the U.S.A. Christianity falls under that category .

The name wilderness is a given, I believe, to define the fate of mankind as created.

In other words, not by our own choosing, we were/are subjected to this wilderness where the potential for evil exist, and thus having to fight.

In the case of the Israelite s given the command to kill, I believe is a references to the attempts to eradicate the evil as it arises while we are in the wilderness on our way to the promised land.

In your wilderness, you were/are given the right to choose your path and to ward off evil in your own personal life and in your corporate life. (Social laws)

The promise land hold for you a peaceful and righteous life but must first travail through the wilderness.

The only solution that the Israelite had for their attaining the promised land was not by their own hand but By God's.

The same is with all of us today and tomorrow.

The outcome of the afterlife is in the hands of the Creator.

Blessings, AJ

 

[glyphkenn]

The name wilderness is a given, I believe, to define the fate of mankind as created.

In other words, not by our own choosing, we were/are subjected to this wilderness where the potential for evil exist, and thus having to fight.

In the case of the Israelite s given the command to kill, I believe is a references to the attempts to eradicate the evil as it arises while we are in the wilderness on our way to the promised land.

In your wilderness, you were/are given the right to choose your path and to ward off evil in your own personal life and in your corporate life. (Social laws)

The promise land hold for you a peaceful and righteous life but must first travail through the wilderness.

The only solution that the Israelite had for their attaining the promised land was not by their own hand but By God's.

The same is with all of us today and tomorrow.

The outcome of the afterlife is in the hands of the Creator.

Blessings, AJ

Sounds like appeasing conscienes to me. Just another way of saying . Come to a country , kill it's inhabitants , claim it as mine. Oh yeah in the name of God. So I can kill and plunder as long as I dub my victims evil. I can reek havoc everywhere I go as long as I claim I'm on my way to the promise land?

 

[waitasec]

The Christian faith has the two greatest cammandments.
Love thy neighbor as thy self. Now whether it is practiced is totally up to each individual sect of Christianity.Not the falt of God, but our own.
Blessings,AJ

what if you don't love yourself?

If one does not love self one can not lo e another. Cammandment states love one another as thy self. Pretty simple.
What we do is to our blessing or curse regardless of belief.
Blessings,AJ

not being able to love one self isn't something one does...
it is something they are...

Thats right. Its called in a state of denial.

regardless of belief.

 

[look3467]

Sounds like appeasing conscienes to me. Just another way of saying . Come to a country , kill it's inhabitants , claim it as mine. Oh yeah in the name of God. So I can kill and plunder as long as I dub my victims evil. I can reek havoc everywhere I go as long as I claim I'm on my way to the promise land?

Yes it does sound as you describe it. Not knowing and having some understanding of the works of God in behalf of mankind, one would be hard pressed to believe that God is a loving God.

I can only testify in and of my own life's experience that God is in deed not as we paint Him. But rather the opposite of and in which Jesus testified of just who God is.

If, Jesus as God's Son, and if believed to have God's power of attorney and yet not lift a finger to His oppressors is testimony to the love of God.

May I quote the following verse: Luk 23:34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Jesus just forgave His oppresses.

So, take the story of the wilderness in a different take, and that is of our walking with God in the wilderness as did the Israelite's, and be guided by the whirlwind of God's light towards the promised land.

And when it speaks of killing all, relate to that of killing all possibilities of evil potential as we journey through the wilderness.

I don't expect immediate understanding on what I said, but in time, as I answer questions posed, some light might be shed on it.

Blessings, AJ

 

[waitasec]

I

The expectation of not only of making this a better place for our offspring, but to expect something even better for us as we vacate this earth time and unto another of the never ending type.

the idea of something even better seems to undermine the here and now
:sad:

 

[look3467]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkntune
Thats right. Its called in a state of denial.

regardless of belief>>>waitasec

Perhaps a state of denial provided that the information about belief in God is given.

But otherwise, it is as time and place, culture and race, knowledge and the lack of knowledge of the goodness of God and finally, the desire to or not, to seek a spiritual connection to the Creator.

All of which is enabled on our behalf.

Blessings, AJ

 

[waitasec]

Perhaps a state of denial provided that the information about belief in God is given.

But otherwise, it is as time and place, culture and race, knowledge and the lack of knowledge of the goodness of God and finally, the desire to or not, to seek a spiritual connection to the Creator.

All of which is enabled on our behalf.

Blessings, AJ

huh?

can you rephrase this please?

 

[Orias]

Does anyone else feel that there should be some sort of "bad" religion to equal out all the good? It seems to me that there should be a dark side, to counter the light, even with the Yin Yang symbol there is a dark and a light. Who represents the dark? Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

My question is...why dark must represent "bad"?

For most predatory animals, darkness is where they find food...are they bad in the eyes of the predators concerned about the topic?

But to answer your question, of course. Now all we have to do is figure out which religion is the most oppresive and self concealing...I have a feeling that very few of us actually "know".

 

[look3467]

the idea of something even better seems to undermine the here and now
:sad:

I want to believe that my hope is what drives me to instruct my children to live a just life and how that hope has helped me cope with many of life's challenges.

You see, time and time again, my reliance on God's help in all my affairs has many times taken me to the eleventh hour of trial to only where He has answered my needs.

All the time my faith and trust in Him ever gaining strength.

I don't speak as a theologian, a priest or prophet but only as my life has been dealt with under the hand of God.

Other than that, I don't have any other credentials to justify my views.

I can surely present them here as real and hope that some may find the same as I.

But if not, that's OK to. "I am my brothers keeper" only if I can help in times of need and sufferings.

The rest........... is in God's hands.

Blessings, AJ

 

[look3467]

Quote:
Originally Posted by look3467
Perhaps a state of denial provided that the information about belief in God is given.

But otherwise, it is as time and place, culture and race, knowledge and the lack of knowledge of the goodness of God and finally, the desire to or not, to seek a spiritual connection to the Creator.

All of which is enabled on our behalf.

Blessings, AJ

huh?

can you rephrase this please? >>>waitasec

In other words, we don't have the choice to when, where, and to what race we are born into so that we all could have the same beliefs.

The enabling is the work of God and not mans.

The work I speak of is nothing that we could effect in the flesh save God doing it Himself.

So, if Jesus came stating that His work is that of the Fathers enabling us to believe it to our reconciliation with God, then we have the right to refuse it. (Denial?)

Blessings, AJ

 

[Orias]

You see, time and time again, my reliance on God's help in all my affairs has many times taken me to the eleventh hour of trial to only where He has answered my needs.

Is this God one that found you, or is it vice versa?

Is this reliance truly reflected upon internally, or viewed as some external gift from beyond?

Think about how YOU overcame, and how you did it because of HIM.

In a literal and more descriptive nature, the definition of such a being is reliant upon how one is comforted.

Perhaps in my time of need, your God was not there, but mine was. Maybe this can settle such a meaningless war over which "God" is more just. I prefer to just say that "He just is" without any biblical discipline behind it.

 

[waitasec]

In other words, we don't have the choice to when, where, and to what race we are born into so that we all could have the same beliefs.

The enabling is the work of God and not mans.

The work I speak of is nothing that we could effect in the flesh save God doing it Himself.

So, if Jesus came stating that His work is that of the Fathers enabling us to believe it to our reconciliation with God, then we have the right to refuse it. (Denial?)

Blessings, AJ

assuming god does exist. are you saying we cannot reconcile ourselves to god with the innate sense of remorse we have when we regret doing something wrong (not to mention learning from that experience) but only jesus can reconcile us to god by us disowning our culpability? and if we deem this choice to disown our culpability to be morally wrong, it is denial?

 

[look3467]

My question is...why dark must represent "bad"?

For most predatory animals, darkness is where they find food...are they bad in the eyes of the predators concerned about the topic?

But to answer your question, of course. Now all we have to do is figure out which religion is the most oppresive and self concealing...I have a feeling that very few of us actually "know".

If truth is represented as light, you know, being able to see where there is darkness(Lack of truth), then the lack of truth represents darkness.

Truth = light
Lack of truth = darkness

Now, why equate evil with darkness?

Because if we knew by way of truth (Light) that we should not hurt or harm our brother and did not follow in that light (Truth) than we'd done evil.

So with respect to Godly values, there is good and evil.

Darkness was in the world (Lack of knowledge until Jesus came (Light) to dispel the darkness.

As long as folks refuse the light of truth, then darkness remains and evil becomes a great potential.

Verse: Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? (Question mark?)and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

Blessings/cursing is a matter of choice.

If we do well, He will hold the tempter from us, but if not, then at the door lies the potential to sin.

I don't care who we are, we are all under the same condition.

Blessings, AJ

 

[look3467]

assuming god does exist. are you saying we cannot reconcile ourselves to god with the innate sense of remorse we have when we regret doing something wrong (not to mention learning from that experience) but only jesus can reconcile us to god by us disowning our culpability? and if we deem this choice to disown our culpability to be morally wrong, it is denial?

If you have remorse is an indication of the spirit of God dealing with you. God has already reconciled all those who have gone before us and is in the process of reconciling the now and all future souls yet unborn.

The reason it is that way is because God is the only one who could reconcile us back to Himself.

That being done at the cross is the enabling.

Now, as for culpability. Apart from the work of God is our own work.

By His enabling through Jesus, that work is settled for us by God.

Now as for our work, well we are accountable for that in blessings or cursing.
What I mean by cursing, is the consequences of bad behavior been dealt with by humanity.

Hence: "What we sow, that shall we reap".

Blessings, AJ

 

[Orias]

If truth is represented as light, you know, being able to see where there is darkness(Lack of truth), then the lack of truth represents darkness.

IF is the key word here. But "if" isn't a matter of actuality, because in actuality, a predator would hunt and seek in hours where the prey's senses are weaker and where they remain more adept.

Truth = light
Lack of truth = darkness

Says who?

To see darkness for what it is one must look at it, instead of design metaphores in order to detract the train from the rail.

All souls, are on depature.

Because if we knew by way of truth (Light) that we should not hurt or harm our brother and did not follow in that light (Truth) than we'd done evil.

Sure, but we do not hunt our brother in hours of darkness, unless this certain "brother" committed acts that defy the mass existence...or to some the individual existence.

So with respect to Godly values, there is good and evil.

I agree, but I assure you I am no pithy Christian.

Darkness was in the world (Lack of knowledge until Jesus came (Light) to dispel the darkness.

I disgaree.

Historically, the impact of Jesus was more violent than that of the Opposition. In other words, more people were murdered and killed when Jesus appreared. Though of course, times have changed and now most people just don't care.

As long as folks refuse the light of truth, then darkness remains and evil becomes a great potential.

Well if a Satanist is evil to you, then you are evil to a Satanist. This doesn't get us anywhere now does it?

Verse: Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? (Question mark?)and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

If you do well, then you can accept yourself and do well for yourself

But if you don't do well, other people will control your life and do well for you.

This is what I got out of that statement.

Blessings/cursing is a matter of choice.

I completely agree.

If we do well, He will hold the tempter from us, but if not, then at the door lies the potential to sin.

Sin exists with existence, if you do not lust then you do not learn what love truly is. Some though, yearn to lust instead of love and the misfortune of losing heart is bound to occur.

Those who take some serious time to reflect on past and current relationships may know what I mean.

I don't care who we are, we are all under the same condition.

Blessings, AJ

I agree, and it would only be proper to return such a gift.

Xeper on AJ.

 

[look3467]

Quote:
Originally Posted by look3467
If truth is represented as light, you know, being able to see where there is darkness(Lack of truth), then the lack of truth represents darkness.

IF is the key word here. But "if" isn't a matter of actuality, because in actuality, a predator would hunt and seek in hours where the prey's senses are weaker and where they remain more adept.>>>Orias

That is why there is a verse addressing just that issue:

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

That verse has several applications but on this note it applies to our being sober (Not Drunk with all winds of doctrines) and vigilant to watch carefully.

Blessings, AJ

 

[look3467]

Quote:
Originally Posted by look3467
Truth = light
Lack of truth = darkness

Says who?

To see darkness for what it is one must look at it, instead of design metaphores in order to detract the train from the rail.

All souls, are on depature.>>>Orias

Yes, and in looking at it with what....no light?

If you are prowling around in the darkness without a light, to stand to stumble all over the place, but if you have a flash light, you could see where you are going.

And yes, we are born to die.

Blessings, AJ

 

[look3467]

Quote:
Originally Posted by look3467
Because if we knew by way of truth (Light) that we should not hurt or harm our brother and did not follow in that light (Truth) than we'd done evil.

Sure, but we do not hunt our brother in hours of darkness, unless this certain "brother" committed acts that defy the mass existence...or to some the individual existence.>>>Orias

Do we not see this over and over again everyday?

If a brother commits and act of murder, do we not have laws in place to prosecute?

Had that brother adhere to the light, knowledge of the love of God, a murder would have been prevented and cursing (Consequences would not be following)

Blessings, AJ

 

[waitasec]

If you have remorse is an indication of the spirit of God dealing with you. God has already reconciled all those who have gone before us and is in the process of reconciling the now and all future souls yet unborn.

The reason it is that way is because God is the only one who could reconcile us back to Himself.

That being done at the cross is the enabling.

Now, as for culpability. Apart from the work of God is our own work.

By His enabling through Jesus, that work is settled for us by God.

Now as for our work, well we are accountable for that in blessings or cursing.
What I mean by cursing, is the consequences of bad behavior been dealt with by humanity.

Hence: "What we sow, that shall we reap".

Blessings, AJ

or maybe all this is to help some cope with the reality that we are
here for a short period of time...