A Lack of Crisis and Definition -- Adilbrand Noblesword's Hall of Warriors

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Date Posted: 00:52:37 06/15/02 Sat
Author: Adilbrand
Subject: A Lack of Crisis and Definition

Well, the religious debates have gone nowhere, but I think I have an understanding I did not have before. I think I have nailed down two factors that render religion incomprehensible to me. One, I have never had a spiritual crisis. Two, I have a different definition of several concepts than Christians have.

After reading the Mountaineer's comment about a spiritual crisis, and after hearing the same thing from several other Christians, it is apparent that my lack of ever having had a spiritual crisis renders me incapable of understanding why people need religion. Perhaps the lack of a spiritual crisis renders me immune to the need for a religion. I have been told that I have not suffered enough to be a real Christian. Maybe that is true. I have had a pretty pleasant life. I certainly am no less blessed now than when I WAS a Christian, so there is, for me, no advantage in being Christian. The religion doesn't answer any questions I feel need answering. Indeed, in my youth, I considered going to church to be an irritating duty that I was forced to perform. I believed only because that was what I was taught to believe by my father, and the Lutheran religion was the only religion I was exposed to. When I became exposed to other things, I realized that my belief stemmed only from teachings, not from any insight or truth that I saw. Again, I attribute this to the lack of a spiritual crisis in my life.

The second point, on definition, stems from the arguments here that almost always turn on definition. My concept of free will and the concept taught by Christianity differ considerably. My concept of a gift varies considerably from that of the Christians. My concept of good and evil varies considerably from the Christians (and from Mark's, too). I think it all comes from God (good and evil), and do not believe in Satan. Mark sees no difference between good and evil beyond mere labeling. Christians see God as Good and Satan as Evil in a sort of modified dualistic system. My definition of justice varies from the Christians. My definition of fair play varies from the Christians. From a definitional point, I found that I cannot communicate intelligibly with Christians about religion.

Since I have never suffered a spiritual crisis, and since I cannot communicate intelligibly with Christians, I have therefore determined that I will likely never understand the religion.

And, as moderator of this forum, I have hereby decided that without a spiritual crisis and without common definitions, there is no way a Christian and a non-Christian can possibly communicate intelligibly on the issue of religion. This decision being made, I hereby request a cease-fire and that religious topics be discussed elsewhere.

Thank you.

Vincent N. Darlage

P.S. After concluding the above, it occured to me that I don't even know what a "spiritual crisis" is!

P.P.S. And the above is NOT an open invitation to tell me what one is. I don't really want to know. I might have one, or something. And besides, I doubt my definition of one (If I had one, that is) would match anyone elses (if they had any).

P.P.P.S. If you need a place to argue endlessly about religion, I don't believe the Friends of Friends forum is being used anymore. It could use a bit of life, anyway.

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Replies:

:) Well said. (NT) -- mvd, 11:18:54 06/15/02 Sat
- I'm all for it - there are approx. 1,924,345,704,123 other topics to talk about, give or take 9,361 (NT) -- mt. healthy mountaineer, 00:07:33 06/16/02 Sun