When is a belief system a Mental Disorder?

I might be able to come up with a monastery I'd approve somewhere back in history but nothing in recent times. That's the main reason I didn't become a nun, which was my original impulse on becoming a believer. Maybe the original Celtic monastery in Ireland, circa 2nd century I think. They were true believers and evangelists too, before the Roman Church got so far out in superstitions and weird doctrine. A rough life though. And there's nothing like that happening today.God wouldn't approve of someone's leaving family to become a monk anyway. So you need another solution.How about finding a good Calvinist Baptist church in your neighborhood? Pick a fiery preacher.This message has been edited by Faith, 02-17-2006 07:09 PM

If he was intelligent . . . not sentimental . . .

It isn't/wasn't any one thing. I read my way voraciously to belief and beyond. It took about three years. I read all kinds of things, starting with the Eastern religions. A lot of it turned out to be very bad theology but probably helped me get to my present beliefs.The thing is to BELIEVE, and then you are guided to the truth by faith in God. Jesus says that if you only have a little of whatever it is, you will be given more. That applies to belief and faith too. How do you arrive at belief is really the question, and all scripture says is that you have to hear (or read) the gospel preached, that's what leads to faith.I tend to use the New King James Bible the most, but I can't say I'm perfectly happy with it; I just like it somewhat more than the others. I agree with Douglas Wilson, a pastor in Idaho, who believes we need a new Authorized Version like the original King James, in modern English but based on the same texts as the old KJV, as they are superior to the texts of the newer translations. (Even the KJV and the NKJV have been "corrected" from these newer translations). But unfortunately getting together a team of translators these days, of the calibre of the King James translators, from all the disputing denominations, seems too formidable an obstacle to overcome.Here is Douglas Wilson's magazine, Credenda/Agenda online, the particular issue where he discusses the problems with the various Bible translations. The first link is to the table of contents, then the other two are to particular articles on the subject.Welcome credenda.org - Hostmonster.comWelcome credenda.org - Hostmonster.comWelcome credenda.org - Hostmonster.comBy the way, Omnivorous hates Douglas Wilson, but I think he's got him all wrong. Well, thank you SNC. For that I will apologize for losing my temper at you yesterday or whenever it was. No problem

Oh absolutely. But the Calvinist Baptists tend to have more of those than other denominations.Na, there are some good Reformed Presbyterian preachers too.Just avoid the Charismatics and the Megachurches and the Rock Music churches. In your case I'd avoid the Calvary Chapels too -- the legacy of the Jesus Freaks -- some of their preachers are really excellent, but you can't count on it.This message has been edited by Faith, 02-17-2006 07:55 PM

Then pick a Buddhist monastery with a traditionalist abbot, Robin.Very smart and very unsentimental.

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Do they allow drinking and smoking?Otherwise, forget it.Also, I want to do intellectual stuff, like studying old texts. I don't want to go out and do charity work.Any openings available for someone who wants to study texts and write up tedious tracts?

Why, Robin, they frown on such things either entirely or when done to excess--just like every other major religion.Wink wink, nod nod.As for old texts, they have some of the oldest--the worlds first movable type was used to print Buddhist scriptures--and you can't beat a Buddhist for tedious tracts: inscrutable plus tedious = fully opaque.One might find the secret techniques of Being and Not Being just to escape.But I think what you really need to do for a perfect fit is start your own cult. Ought to be a piece of cake for anyone who has weathered undergrads, department meetings, and me.This message has been edited by Omnivorous, 02-17-2006 08:19 PM

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I'm a conservative. I go with the original. It's the best.

Sho'nuff loathe the man.He is a slavery apologist as demonstrated by his own published tracts.SNC, search the Forum for "Douglas Wilson" (use the quotes) in All Forums, and you'll find the history of my eruption at Faith about Wilson, as well as links to his material.Make up your own mind.

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Do you have an actual 1611 edition of the King James or facsimile thereof?The Authorized King James Version (KJV) of 1611, Pure Cambridge EditionThis message has been edited by Faith, 02-17-2006 08:30 PM

Is there a 1611 facsimile edition available, Faith? The language of the KJV is the only real competition that Shakespeare has ever had.

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Well, I linked that site that SAID that's what they have there, but the English doesn't look all that olde to me, but then I didn't read a lot of it.

Yes, it looks like modernized spelling.I'd love to see a fascimile. I'll think I'll look, too.

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Well, I've read and listened to Wilson for years without the subject of slavery ever coming up. It seems a shame to attack a man for the least of his interests.

Or the most grievous of his sins?But I didn't intend to reopen an old debate about Wilson, only to provide some background to the charge of hatred.You're welcome to the last word here, but after that I'd as soon let it go.

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