SOTM, you're a good bloke, I've enjoyed your replies. I can't recall what triggered me to start this thread because religion really is a horrible subject to debate imo, religion always gets messy, probably a bit like discussing politics. However for all of us I think its healthy to take a step back and question ourselves about where we are heading, no matter what the endeavour. I'm not afraid to be controversial, I'd rather confront my demons than be taken for a ride. You only need to look at trading to see we live in a world of sharks. It's easy to believe you are an apex creature when in reality you are the prey.
I am not praying to Jesus, maybe we have a different perspective about him, in my opinion, the pray will never help us without we make effort, let take an example, we want to build a house, but we only make a pray without doing anything, hence the house will never standing, because we only make a pray without a struggle to make it happen.
The views of humanity are shaped by their peers, not by God. Someone raised in a strict fundamentalist church will have very dogmatic opinions while those raised in a liberal church will have more liberal opinions. It's a good idea to get out into the world rather than hide under the umbrella of the supposed safety of your one stop shop preacher. Do you feel guilty because you question your faith? The church hierarchy want you to feel that way, they prefer a captive audience.
Rather my bed than languishing in lala land bed, believing what you are commanded to believe. Just think, if you don't believe the bs from the pulpit you are off to hell, so stick with it suckers.
Whatever you do, don't question your overlords. Questioning is viewed as rebellion and is not to be tolerated. Joining Jesus means joining the yesmen brigade. Questioning the faith will see you here. Nevermind that every church interprets the bible differently, only YOUR CHURCH has GODS WORD (lmao) correct.
"My life is one long daily, hourly record of answered prayer. For physical health, for mental overstrain, for guidance given marvelously, for errors and dangers averted, for enmity to the Gospel subdued, for food provided at the exact hour needed, for everything that goes to make up life and my poor service. I can testify, with a full and often wonder-stricken awe, that I believe God answers prayer." - Mary Slessor, missionary to Nigeria When I was a kid I remember hearing how Mary Slessor would try to stop the cannabal tribes from fighting by sitting in the center of their battlezone and calmly knitting. Since neither side wanted to hurt her, out of respect for her, they would eventual give up the battles. Excerpt: Saving the Little Ones Witchcraft and heathen customs among the people were most difficult to overcome. For instance, the birth of twins meant a triple death—unless Mary Slessor arrived in time to prevent the murder. The mother of the twins was considered to be possessed of an evil spirit and she, together with the twins, would be killed. Mary would plead for the mother and often take the twins to her own humble home. It was her joy to influence the old chief to declare unlawful the murder of twins. Mary Slessor's great desire in her missionary work was to go to "the regions beyond" to preach and live the gospel of Christ where messengers of the Cross had not been, and to render a service for Christ which up to that time had not been attempted. On her long trips through the jungles and in canoes on the rivers among the cannibals, she was often found barefoot, carrying in her arms twin babies whom she "had rescued from being murdered. Because of her excellent judgment, her love for the people, and the confidence the High Commissioner of the government had in her opinion, she was asked to sit in their courts. In the district Ibibio she was requested to be in charge of the affairs of the courts, a position she held until November, 1909, when her health did not permit her to continue. She supervised the construction of humble schoolhouses and churches. On her three brief furlough trips home she not only recuperated physically but was also able to represent effectively the need of the mission field, the claims of Christ, and her need of prayer. She would often repeat, "It is not Mary Slessor, but God and our united prayers that have brought the blessings to Calabar. Christ shall have all the honor and glory for the multitudes saved." https://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/bioslessor14.html
You guys believe all sorts of nonsense. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43863309 ....."During this third mission to Calabar, Slessor received news that her mother and sister had died. She was overcome with loneliness, writing, "There is no one to write and tell my stories and nonsense to." She had also found a sense of independence, writing, "Heaven is now nearer to me than Britain, and no one will worry about me if I go up country."[7]..... Wikipedia.
..... The Making of a Missionary Icon: Mary Slessor as ‘Heroine of Empire’ E. Breitenbach Sociology 2017 This article contends that the shaping of Mary Slessor into an iconic female missionary exemplifies the ‘deliberate acts of invention’ involved in the creation of imperial heroes and heroines. It contends that there was little that was unique in her practice as a missionary. Rather, the coincidence of her location within an expanding British Empire, the tide of missionary enthusiasm flowing with this expansion, and women's aspirations for autonomous careers, combined in her selection as a symbolic figure for Scottish Presbyterians. In support of this contention, this article sets out the context of missionary practice in the UPC Old Calabar mission, and the context of imperial expansion in southeastern Nigeria in the 1890s and 1900s. It then provides an account of the process of iconisation itself. In doing so, it aims to ‘deconstruct’ the myth of Mary Slessor, indicating the dissonance between myth and historical reality.
When someone great dies, they will try remember the good things and shove under the rug where they were nutcases.