Comments | master_jesus: What a pity that our phantom can't be here!

master_jesus

What a pity that our phantom can't be here!

Apr 05, 2006 21:27

Last saturday I sat down at about 4pm and started reading "1984," which I had not read before. I read pretty much straight through till about 1am when I finally got to the last four words of the book. Which I havn't read yet. Just kidding. I really enjoyed it. I've read books before that I "couldn't put down" but this one was like some sort of ( Read more... )

Comments 12

tracy anonymous April 6 2006, 18:08:05 UTC

You know a friend of mine Elihu, is an Ortho Jew studying to be a rabbi gave me this quote from Thomas Merton saying, "Our idea of G-d tells us more about ourselves then him." I think that saying can go for each of our perceptions of reality. Like for example, Paul doesn't question reality, really and he believes that there is no way someone can prove that there is or isn't a G-d or that reality is a deception. But that is very Paul he is very nuetral and a bit of pragmatist so it doesn't shock me that that is his stance on it. Basically what I am trying to ask is if you feel your skeptism constricts your perception or is allowing you to explore more than say a person of faith? Like I believe and G-d but in the religion I chose to affiliate myself with we are encourage to argue the Torah, the Talmud and any human ideal of G-d because we believe that you can only put faith in G-d, not a human's word. So I feel like although I have faith I am not naive because I am allowed to question and often forced to by Rabbi Soifer. Do you feel ( ... )

Re: tracy master_jesus April 6 2006, 20:14:30 UTC

I didn't know that quote from Chaung-Tzu, but it is a good one ( ... )

Re: tracy anonymous April 7 2006, 01:12:35 UTC

Yeah, see I don't think Paul is wrong or naive(nor does he think I am naive he is very engaged and interested in it but I tend to not like to talk about it), I think that is his perception and how the world is for him, but I contradict own beliefs by saying that. Because I believe in G-d saying that in Paul's perception there is no G-d then I am sort of saying there is no G-d. So I think either way there is a catch-22 to both faith and skeptism at times. But then again I know the most devote people that believe with all their heart that there is a "god" or "gods" and I admire that and slightly envy that. I believe in G-d but I don't know anything about the world or reality or the afterlife because my faith tells me that there is no way a human can know those things and I believe that is correct. But most people aren't constricted by their faith, they feel secure in it so that has to mean something I think. But I believe I have found freedom in faith and I believe that you can find freedom in other places as well. Are you seeking ( ... )

The freedom in faith master_jesus April 8 2006, 02:47:55 UTC

I think that there can be a level of freedom in faith if you let it come to you. Some people are restricted by their faiths, every thought and action is restricted by a set of rules and regulations governing every aspect of their lives. That is not for me, never for me, I don't think. But for those that find a level of understanding, those that feel they have come upon the truth in their religion, it can be freeing. It is freeing to know what can't be seen. But the old saying "the devil is in the details" is never more clear then when you have a religion that should free you of the worries of the everyday life, but really only adds to it. You get caught up in the small things, you are forced to do things you think you are supposed to do. Cleansing the body, the mind, the spirit, so as it can be pure is the goal, but often it just weakens all three, and leaves a person struggling to get by, being tormented day to day that in order to keep up with their truths they have to work constantly to maintain them. But the truth needs no ( ... )

Tracy master_jesus April 8 2006, 04:40:13 UTC

I think it just depends really on the individual because religion to me is different from person to person. Like I can see how it can be damaging. I grew up Catholic and all but one of my close friends in high school were Catholic and each and every single one of us cried after losing of virginity. We weren't raped, we did it because we wanted to but we heard the voice of our religion telling us it was an evil dirty sin and to deny are natural sexual impulses. Now, I don't believe in sin nor that sex is evil but that was my how I felt at 19. Part of the reason I married my ex was out of guilt for sleeping with him. I don't think it's healthy to cry after sex, now someone could argue we weren't ready or eduacated properly on it but anyone that comes from a devote Catholic household knows, you don't talk about sex and you only have sex to have children. Another example is a good friend of mind who was agnostic through out high school. She was bi and happy. Then she had an abortion and almost over night she changed. She started attending ( ... )

On Orwell... bumblebri April 8 2006, 18:20:54 UTC

I read 1984 sophomore year of high school and it changed my life. It was a wake up call to me, screaming into my ear that I am lucky to have what I have and live the way I live.

If you really fancy Orwell, read his short story titled "A Hanging." Though completely different than 1984, it had nearly as much of an impact on me. It may on you, as well.

delay master_jesus April 13 2006, 06:28:28 UTC

Sorry it took me a few days to respond, I would say it was because I was really busy, but it really had more to do with video games ( ... )

Tracy master_jesus April 13 2006, 17:37:01 UTC

It's cool about the delay ( ... )

Re: Tracy master_jesus April 14 2006, 02:42:56 UTC

Oh, I forgot to say that the difference between the situations with my friend and my aunt is that my aunt didn't lose herself. She is still her and she aproaches faith with her heart. In Judaism there is a constant argument with structured prayer, a prayer is suppose to be intimate, from your soul and your heart. Sometimes with prayers passed on they become repetive and lose meaning. When they become routine, they lose a level of passion and intimacy and the prayer is meaningless. So that is the problem, I think that her heart isn't in it, it can't be she is constricting too much for it to be. My aunt on the other hand has thoughts of her own that still agree with her religion, but our opinions she developed herself. Therefor her faith is sincere and is a healthy part of her life. My friend is going to have to face herself some time and that isn't going to be pretty. Basically they are each examples of healthy faith and unhealthy co-dependecy. I am sure you saw my copy of the Godmakers in high school when I loaned it to Paul so I am ( ... )

new comment master_jesus April 14 2006, 22:35:06 UTC

I know, sometimes I just want to squeeze Paul till his cute little head explodes. Just kidding, sort of ( ... )

Tracy master_jesus April 14 2006, 23:29:35 UTC

Blind loyalty, perfect way of putting it. And I think people tend to forget being blind is a disadvantage or a dissabilty, you shouldn't chose to be blind.

Re: Tracy master_jesus April 17 2006, 19:24:46 UTC

I also really like this quote from Rabbi Laibl Wolf, "All events possess redeming virtures-if we chose wisely. Everything that happens in our lives is a lesson to be learned. We can chose to interpret 'reality' empathically or from a self-centered, narrow point of view.