Faith... and Trust: The Same Things? (page 13)

tec

When believers agree about invisible stuff that has to be heard with eyes of faith and seen with ears of faith and tasted with nostrils of faith and felt with .... we get a bit suspicious

To be fair, you are doing far more than getting a bit suspicious. Calling those who share the same faith as another as being part of a cult; or leading a cult; all without the evidence that you are so keen on demanding from others. So much so, that I suspect not one thread that Aguest begins about faith is going to be free from turning into a cult accusation thread.

Now, no one is telling you or even asking you to accept anything. Why can you not accept that some of us share faith, in the spirit? Just because it is not what you are used to?

So what?

Not true. We are both atheists, but we don't agree on matters of faith. And you'll see those disagreements here on the board. There has never been 100% solidarity with the atheists.

People of faith disagree as well. You can find that on this board. You can also find that on our other board. Not through strife, and most disagreements are ... agree to disagree... and done respectfully. So they are not blown up. But why can you not accept that when some agree, it is because they TRULY agree, and not because they are merely following/discipling/worshipping?

Peace,

tammy

tec

So much so, that I suspect not one thread that Aguest begins about faith is going to be free from turning into a cult accusation thread.

I should clarify...not one thread will be free from that UNTIL there is a new accusation abounding ;)

peace,

tammy

sabastious

It's like when Shelby is around she draws the scientists out of the woodwork for study and ridicule. They see her as a living, breathing specimen of what has brought on this whole religious mess. She simply both facinates and disgusts these people. Some stay to laugh, some for a long while, others stay to further research. I would say that she should just get used to them. They have posed no threat in the past, so why would they in the future?

I do wonder, Shelby, are you careful as to whom you inform of your, I don't know what to call it, gift?

-Sab

cofty

People of faith disagree as well. You can find that on this board. You can also find that on our other board.

When somebody can make the sort of absurd assertions that Shelby makes on a regular basis and there is not a single skeptical voice there is a problem.

Critical thinking has been devalued in favour or conformity.

This is page 1 in "Spotting a Cult for Dummies".

palmtree67

Well, I'm currently reading "Raven-The Untold Story of Jim Jones...." and so this conversation is both fascinating and horrifying to me.

The early signs of a cult-following are usually subtle enough so that the followers just get drawn in gradually, but obvious enough to outsiders who are in tune with how cults work. Jim Jones operated for many years before Jonestown and was generally accepted in his community and by the families of his followers. He was loved and adored by his followers, and when it was shown he was less than savory, they didn't care, he could do no wrong in their eyes and most of them willingly followed him to Guyana.....

So,

........what's everyone's favourite flavour of kool-aid?

cofty

The early signs of a cult-following are usually subtle enough so that the followers just get drawn in gradually...

sabastious

When somebody can make the sort of absurd assertions that Shelby makes on a regular basis and there is not a single skeptical voice there is a problem.

What about taking the agnostic approach with a specic person? Do we have to grill every claim to the ground or could we just say that one person is going to make claims with the God tag every now and then? If Shelby told me Armageddon was coming tomorrow I'd ask her what she was smoking because I'd want in on that. I don't understand how society could work where people are required to back up claims with facts even on the level of discussions or else have their credibility lowered. How many facts have been given to us by someone claiming it was from a deity of any kind? Do we have the numbers on that? Do we just automatically assume that all of those people were delusional and were making an intellectual error in judgement? Or do we say that a small percentage of them were actually right. That God really does have communication with us, but yet it is drowned out by an onslaught of lies?

That's why when someone says that they speak for God, they should be marked down as someone who spoke in the name of God. Does that person draw a line in the sand? They do by assuming their role. But does being agnostic towards that role and the details of it make one in league with the line drawer? No, it doesn't. Shelby doesn't want disciples, she's just a sign that points in a certain direction. Her sign just so happens to have over 2 million words on it.

-Sab

tec

Yes, well, you have your minds made up... even without something solid to back up your assertations, so what more is there to discuss, really?

We will allow time to speak I guess. I am sorry for your fear in the meantime, but I am not going to allow your fear to stop me from having fellowship with others of faith. I know where my faith IS. So do the others who have spoken up, here and on the other site. In the end, it is what we know about ourselves that matters, over what others think about us.

So in ten years, we can revisit this perhaps, and the beer (or girlie drink, in my case) can be on the losing side ;)

Peace,

tammy

tec

Her sign just so happens to have over 2 million words on it.

That was cute, Sab ;)

Peace to you (and also you, Shelby), and also all the rest of y'all.

tammy

palmtree67

Sab:

when Shelby is around she draws the scientists out of the woodwork for study and ridicule. They see her as a living, breathing specimen of what has brought on this whole religious mess.

Her personality is so EPIC that scientists are drawn to her? Just so they can try and figure her out? They marvel at the wonder that is Shelby and the power she has?

No, that doesnt' sound like you've attached too much importance to her at all......

Faith... and Trust: The Same Things?

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