Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 65 (9162 total)
6 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,817 Year: 3,074/9,624 Month: 919/1,588 Week: 102/223 Day: 13/17 Hour: 0/0


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   How do you justify the time you spend at EvC?
EZscience
Member (Idle past 5154 days)
Posts: 961
From: A wheatfield in Kansas
Joined: 04-14-2005


Message 16 of 43 (307142)
04-27-2006 4:01 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by Parasomnium
04-27-2006 3:40 PM


The comraderie ?
Yes, good point Ms. P.
I do get a sense of comraderie here also.
I came to engage in debate and try and promote understanding of evolution, but I find myself enjoying the jokes and the sharing of amusing links as much as wading into the heated arguments.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 14 by Parasomnium, posted 04-27-2006 3:40 PM Parasomnium has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 17 by robinrohan, posted 04-27-2006 4:12 PM EZscience has not replied

  
robinrohan
Inactive Member


Message 17 of 43 (307144)
04-27-2006 4:12 PM
Reply to: Message 16 by EZscience
04-27-2006 4:01 PM


Re: The comraderie ?
Yes, good point Ms. P.
I do get a sense of comraderie here also.
Yes, me too. Parasomnium is a male, by the way. That's his pin-up girl in the picture.

God does not "exist."---Paul Tillich, Christian theologian

This message is a reply to:
 Message 16 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 4:01 PM EZscience has not replied

  
purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3457 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 18 of 43 (307156)
04-27-2006 5:02 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by EZscience
04-27-2006 1:03 PM


Social Butterfly - Not!
Well EZ, I'll take 1-5 and add: can't sleep due to hot flashes. Have to do something in the wee hours of the morning that won't wake the spouse. (I know, too much sharing. )
I enjoy learning more about the Bible minus dogma and tradition.
It is nice to be able to discuss and ask those forbidden questions.
This is healther than chocolate, right?
I just need to remember to step away from the computer and go out into the sunshine.
Pretty much came for the discussion and stayed for the comraderie.

"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 1:03 PM EZscience has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 19 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 9:33 PM purpledawn has replied
 Message 23 by lfen, posted 04-27-2006 11:30 PM purpledawn has replied

  
EZscience
Member (Idle past 5154 days)
Posts: 961
From: A wheatfield in Kansas
Joined: 04-14-2005


Message 19 of 43 (307216)
04-27-2006 9:33 PM
Reply to: Message 18 by purpledawn
04-27-2006 5:02 PM


Re: Social Butterfly - Not!
PD writes:
...can't sleep due to hot flashes.
OK, that's gender-specific but pertient
PD writes:
It is nice to be able to discuss and ask those forbidden questions.
I think you have something here.
Maybe we gravitate to the opportunity to ask questions that would be too pointed or socially 'charged' to address directly to our immediate co-workers, colleagues etc. regardless of how extensive our social activities are. It is common knowledge that the 2 forbidden topics at the dinner table are politics and religion... and therefore science if and when it has ramifications for either.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 18 by purpledawn, posted 04-27-2006 5:02 PM purpledawn has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 24 by lfen, posted 04-27-2006 11:37 PM EZscience has not replied
 Message 32 by purpledawn, posted 04-29-2006 4:51 AM EZscience has not replied
 Message 35 by nator, posted 05-15-2006 8:25 AM EZscience has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1405 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 20 of 43 (307226)
04-27-2006 10:45 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by EZscience
04-27-2006 1:03 PM


plus puntificating.

Join the effort to unravel {AIDS\HIV} with Team EvC! (click)

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand
RebelAAmerican.Zen[Deist
... to learn ... to think ... to live ... to laugh ...
to share.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 1:03 PM EZscience has not replied

  
Monk
Member (Idle past 3924 days)
Posts: 782
From: Kansas, USA
Joined: 02-25-2005


Message 21 of 43 (307230)
04-27-2006 11:02 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by EZscience
04-27-2006 1:03 PM


In addition to interesting content, I keep coming back because of the ease of use, functionality, and overall quality of this site.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 1:03 PM EZscience has not replied

  
lfen
Member (Idle past 4677 days)
Posts: 2189
From: Oregon
Joined: 06-24-2004


Message 22 of 43 (307232)
04-27-2006 11:22 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by iano
04-27-2006 3:06 PM


Re: Justification No. 7 nested within
I wouldn't have thought so initially but I do find that dealing with argument here helps in realworld evangelism.
Okay, you've got me thoroughly confused as to what you believe. In the thread: God lurks among us...at EVC msg 41 you wrote:
If a person is saved it is because God saved them. If they listen to the gospel it won't do a thing to them unless God effort causes it to pierce their hearts.
If God is the only thing saving them why the need to evangelize?
You wrote you were leaving on a long weekend so I don't want too stack to many questions up but reading this I realize I don't yet know what your position is.
lfen

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by iano, posted 04-27-2006 3:06 PM iano has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 25 by iano, posted 04-28-2006 5:57 AM lfen has not replied

  
lfen
Member (Idle past 4677 days)
Posts: 2189
From: Oregon
Joined: 06-24-2004


Message 23 of 43 (307233)
04-27-2006 11:30 PM
Reply to: Message 18 by purpledawn
04-27-2006 5:02 PM


Re: Social Butterfly - Not!
This is healther than chocolate, right?
Wrong! Admittedly there is a lot of unhealthy chocolate confections out there but the cocoa bean itself turns out to be loaded with anti oxidants and good things. My favorite right now is Endangered Species' Black Panther organic chocolate bar that is 88 percent cocoa content. It does have some sugar but not a huge amount 20 grams.
Or you could nibble on roasted organic cocoa nibs and skip the sugar altogether.
lfen

This message is a reply to:
 Message 18 by purpledawn, posted 04-27-2006 5:02 PM purpledawn has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 26 by purpledawn, posted 04-28-2006 6:29 AM lfen has replied

  
lfen
Member (Idle past 4677 days)
Posts: 2189
From: Oregon
Joined: 06-24-2004


Message 24 of 43 (307234)
04-27-2006 11:37 PM
Reply to: Message 19 by EZscience
04-27-2006 9:33 PM


Re: Social Butterfly - Not!
I think you have something here.
Maybe we gravitate to the opportunity to ask questions that would be too pointed or socially 'charged' to address directly to our immediate co-workers, colleagues etc.
That is right on for me. I had been thinking in terms of repetition compulsion stemming from growing up in a small conservative Christian home town but having to be careful of people's feelings. Here I can renew debate with the forces of judgemental parochialism.
The other value for me is that I am challenged to clarify my thinking, understanding, and expression. And I discover where I need to focus attention, renew study, or explore further.
lfen

This message is a reply to:
 Message 19 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 9:33 PM EZscience has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 28 by purpledawn, posted 04-28-2006 6:53 AM lfen has not replied

  
iano
Member (Idle past 1941 days)
Posts: 6165
From: Co. Wicklow, Ireland.
Joined: 07-27-2005


Message 25 of 43 (307254)
04-28-2006 5:57 AM
Reply to: Message 22 by lfen
04-27-2006 11:22 PM


The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation
No prob Lfen. Bags are packed, its a sunny day,cup of tea in hand and waiting for my lift to arrive...
If God is the only thing saving them why the need to evangelize?
Needless to say its a larger subject that can fit in a post - and an off topic one at that. God is the one who saves alright. But he does so with a mechanism. The gospel. The gospel itself is the thing which has the effectual effect on people. Not just the acutal verses alone, but also things that derive from the gospel (eg: objective morality discussion). The gospel is the sword which (in inverse fashion), when it pierces a dead heart, brings it back to life. God is the one who made the sword, he is the one who aims it at the heart and he is the one who applies the force necessary to pierce hearts. This provided that the heart hasn't made itself too hard for the sword to pierce.
Evangelists can be seen as the swords scabbard. An item which merely carries the sword.
If you cast your mind back through the bible you will see that God has always dealth with man through man (men and women). Why precisely I do not know. Jesus was the ultimate example of God dealing with man through man but the theme runs throughout the bible. God > godly man > ungodly man
An example is when Peter stood up on the day of Pentecost and bravely spoke of the good news, it wasn't his debating skills which caused the result, it was God working through the gospel thus delivered. It wasn't him that plucked up the courage in such a dangerous time - it was God who provided him with the courage ("oh death where is thy sting?")
Its the same today: take U2 and Coldplay two of the biggest bands in the world: both singing of God and his gospel one song after the other. And folk listen. They are not forced to do so, they are drawn to it. Similarily here: folk don't have to read or listen to the gospel preached but they will nonetheless. God isn't interested in whether the motives are not directly that he be sought or not - he works around that. And calls through it.
People can either reject it in their hearts (or knower) or accept it. Perhaps not here, this day but, over a lifetime they will hear the call and in their hearts decide. Its not an intellectual thing so one can intellectually fight the whole way. Its at the point of heart conversion that the whole person is translated into his kingdom: the intellect along with everything else - lock stock and barrel
Maybe start a thread on the subject if you'd like. I've never seen one about the subject yet now that I think of it
{AbE} to add to the sword analogy. Having a sword pierce your heart is a painful thing to have happen to you. Just like it would were it a physical sword pushed through your heart, so it is with a spiritual sword bringing you back to life. A person starts out dead and so feels no spiritual pain. "Life is fine who needs the gospel?!" But as it starts to push in the pain starts. A convicted conscience, increasing awareness of ones sheer badness, the feeling of being a rat trapped in a cage of ones own making etc. The final push might result in the most excruciating pain of all. So it was for me. I don't blame God for this - I was the one who hardened my heart resulting in extreme force being required. I thank him often that he didn't listen to my (not directed at him) desire that the pain would cease. (In "A road less travelled" M.Scott Peck opens with the line along the lines of "Its an inescapable fact that life is difficult" and goes on to explain that neurosis is the result of attempts to avoid this legitimate pain - which is simply Gods call)
Not all are like me: the death row conversions, the dregs who have tried everything and only turned when it was patently obvious that there was nowhere left to go. Others have more sense and see they have no place left to go earlier in the proceedings
Some medicine tastes bad. But the overall objective makes it worth it in the end
They say life begins at 40. Eternal life can begin anytime
This message has been edited by iano, 28-Apr-2006 11:23 AM
This message has been edited by iano, 28-Apr-2006 11:25 AM

This message is a reply to:
 Message 22 by lfen, posted 04-27-2006 11:22 PM lfen has not replied

  
purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3457 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 26 of 43 (307255)
04-28-2006 6:29 AM
Reply to: Message 23 by lfen
04-27-2006 11:30 PM


Re: Social Butterfly - Not!
It's really the sugar in a cholocate confection that doesn't like me.
quote:
My favorite right now is Endangered Species' Black Panther organic chocolate bar
I love those. My favorite is the Manatee crunch bar and the smaller one with the giraffe, chocolate and peanut butter.
quote:
Or you could nibble on roasted organic cocoa nibs and skip the sugar altogether.
Do those taste good and where can you find them?
I've toyed with the idea of making my own chocolate candy with stevia. Haven't ventured into it yet. Probably because I spend too much time here!

"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz

This message is a reply to:
 Message 23 by lfen, posted 04-27-2006 11:30 PM lfen has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 31 by lfen, posted 04-28-2006 1:23 PM purpledawn has not replied

  
Dr Jack
Member
Posts: 3514
From: Immigrant in the land of Deutsch
Joined: 07-14-2003
Member Rating: 8.7


Message 27 of 43 (307256)
04-28-2006 6:35 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by EZscience
04-27-2006 1:03 PM


Why would I feel I have to justify my time spent here?
Or anywhere? Or doing anything? For that matter.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 1:03 PM EZscience has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 29 by EZscience, posted 04-28-2006 7:27 AM Dr Jack has replied

  
purpledawn
Member (Idle past 3457 days)
Posts: 4453
From: Indiana
Joined: 04-25-2004


Message 28 of 43 (307257)
04-28-2006 6:53 AM
Reply to: Message 24 by lfen
04-27-2006 11:37 PM


Small Town
quote:
That is right on for me. I had been thinking in terms of repetition compulsion stemming from growing up in a small conservative Christian home town but having to be careful of people's feelings.
Same for me and I currently live in a small town. In the churches I've been a part of, most of the people do not look beyond what they have been told to read in the Bible or what they have been told. They know verses, but not the original meaning of the story or letter written.
Not only are there feelings to think about, but a person's level of spirituality.
quote:
The other value for me is that I am challenged to clarify my thinking, understanding, and expression. And I discover where I need to focus attention, renew study, or explore further.
Exactly. This type of discussion gives me time to think about what is said and look up information.

"Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz

This message is a reply to:
 Message 24 by lfen, posted 04-27-2006 11:37 PM lfen has not replied

  
EZscience
Member (Idle past 5154 days)
Posts: 961
From: A wheatfield in Kansas
Joined: 04-14-2005


Message 29 of 43 (307264)
04-28-2006 7:27 AM
Reply to: Message 27 by Dr Jack
04-28-2006 6:35 AM


I am guessing you are still young, single and leading an unfettered life (e.g. the Goth weekend). Enjoy it while it lasts.
Wait until you are married with kids and a demanding career and actually have to start budgeting your time.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 27 by Dr Jack, posted 04-28-2006 6:35 AM Dr Jack has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 33 by Dr Jack, posted 05-15-2006 4:56 AM EZscience has replied

  
Brad McFall
Member (Idle past 5033 days)
Posts: 3428
From: Ithaca,NY, USA
Joined: 12-20-2001


Message 30 of 43 (307270)
04-28-2006 7:47 AM
Reply to: Message 15 by EZscience
04-27-2006 3:54 PM


EvC conversation has unique attributes
quote:
Do you mean that EvC conversation has unique attributes that are not obtainable from conversations with those around you, despite an active social life?
Yes, that is what I mean. Some years from now I can forget about this life I have been trailing in UPSTATE (since '98) but I will not nor could I in the same sense, ever forget about EVC!!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 15 by EZscience, posted 04-27-2006 3:54 PM EZscience has not replied

  
Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024