tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-878914472051909043.post7038074877447485866..comments2024-01-12T12:39:47.241-08:00Comments on The Christian Monist: Follow UP - And Response to HUGUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-878914472051909043.post-76188556321687941352014-10-26T19:02:12.724-07:002014-10-26T19:02:12.724-07:00Lydia, I agree that kids makes it very difficult I...Lydia, I agree that kids makes it very difficult I think I got it wrong at times when we required our kids to go to youth group and the youth group did not allow critical thinking.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03457723022566193014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-878914472051909043.post-49468152777744326692014-10-26T15:45:30.739-07:002014-10-26T15:45:30.739-07:00"The problem is the American Evangelism is wr..."The problem is the American Evangelism is wrapped in many, many layers of specific extra-Biblical culture."<br /><br />I can totally relate. I have been leaving that culture over the last 10 years slowly and now can barely even operate within it.<br /><br />I have started to feel like they worship Plato instead of Jesus.<br /><br />Since I am a Libertarian I disagree with the way you put some issues because I love freedom of choice more than anything but totally understand where you are coming from. A convo would be fun and interesting on such subjects. When did people become so scared of differing views? I grew up on them. It was considered a way of learning and sharpening iron.<br /><br /> On the other hand, everything from our food to our water is affected by environmentalism and as God's creation that He pronounced as "good" we must be good stewards. The earth is not evil. It is worth redeeming as much as we can while here. <br /><br />This sounds corny perhaps but I have become totally committed to buying food locally and it is wonderful and can be quite an adventure. I am meeting a sub culture of people who are so interesting. <br /><br />I fully believe we are most human when we reflect God back out into the culture. That is the image of God. We are less human when we hurt others or do evil. Being "human" is supposed to be a good thing. Not a bad thing.<br /><br />I am in the South and live at the Neo Cal ground zero so you can imagine what it is like here when it comes to Christian culture. The problem is what to do with the kids. I discuss it with them all the time. I want them to know the Jewish, real Jesus. The perfect Israelite who was God in the Flesh. I got so sick of hearing how we are all hopeless sinners who can't help it and Jesus expects us to turn the other cheek while the celeb pastors beat folks into submission, protect molesters and whine about their hard jobs being adored from stage. <br /><br />It is all branding and image here. And no one is allowed to disagree or it is "divisive". I like dividing from groupthink.<br /><br />Lydia<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-878914472051909043.post-27293479143420300852014-10-25T13:10:40.796-07:002014-10-25T13:10:40.796-07:00Greetings, Michael. I have read your blog for some...Greetings, Michael. I have read your blog for some time now, and I identify with a great deal of what you say and with your experience in evangelicalism. The description of what a Christian Monist believes in your sidebar pretty much sums up what I think about the matter. So, you could call me a Christian monist.<br /><br />I especially like causing the blank stares.Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-878914472051909043.post-52356542876406701112014-10-23T10:03:40.245-07:002014-10-23T10:03:40.245-07:00Trevor, I think you are preaching to the choir. I ...Trevor, I think you are preaching to the choir. I don't sit in silence but usually weave in one comment each week to be received with blank stares. As part of my sermon last Sunday I gave the theological basis of being a Christian environmentalist. But the dilemma that we face, and the point of this post, is that we are left with these strange choices. Be friendless or have friends but having to listen to all the non-essential rhetoric. I've spoke about not going back to this group and trying to create a new one. My wife, who I respect for her desire to have friends, has asked me not to give up on this group. I pulled her away from our past church (which was far worse in this regard) where all her friends were, and it was devastating to her. So, I must think of her in this situation.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03457723022566193014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-878914472051909043.post-60279788718940396762014-10-23T06:55:40.074-07:002014-10-23T06:55:40.074-07:00I'm not sure I could sit in silence in your si...I'm not sure I could sit in silence in your situation. Some of the beliefs you mentioned are not simply matters of opinion, but downright harmful; and I don't think I could morally justify even giving tacit assent to them.<br /><br />For example, to be staunchly opposed to environmentalism is to be staunchly opposed to those most affected by environmental degradation: specifically, the poor. When fisheries are depleted, those dependent on fish starve. When industrial safeguards are ignored, people die. When aquifers are drained, drought follows. (There's a strong argument to be made that the current conflict in Syria in large part is caused by the 2006 drought.) <br /><br />How you choose to speak to these issues is another question, of course. I don't see a value in argument for arguments sake, but I <i>do</i> see much value in standing up for the poor and the voiceless. <br /><br />Your Nepalese friends, for example, will be affected by climate change, but probably don't have much opportunity to tell their stories directly to wealthy American suburbanites. On the other hand, you <i>do</i> have that opportunity.Trevor Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02583257795864285412noreply@blogger.com