Rocky

If only!

Those are intriguing words to use. But are they the same as worshiping the book(s) (anthology)?

So what you're fishing for is exterior validation, which you're not getting yet? Why would you need to have anyone agree with you? Leaders don't generally need to beg for it.

Do you really expect Mike to be able to cogently answer your question? Even if he tried, how would/could Mike credibly do so?

Looks to me like lashing out in frustration.

Other than my brain/mind immediately going to "we can only love others as much as we live ourselves," to "as much as we love ourselves..." which happens because I apparently heard and repeated the "love ourselves" enough times when quoted/expounded from Matthew 22:38 to have it indelibly imprinted in my mind... I am disinclined to parse any of the words in that quote. I take it as an organic whole. As such I think it's brilliant and a wonderful basis for living life. In that sense, I see it as aspirational, rather than cause for judging either myself or others (i.e. Mike). Nevertheless, it doesn't preclude measuring people like Mike and his words/actions, against what I've learned over the course of three decades since I started exploring psychosocial matters with a view to understanding myself... and hence others too. IOW, I can accept Mike as a "seeker who decided" and separate that from his advocacy for all things Wierwille.

Further discussion, exposition of love is taking place on the new thread Charity has started.

What a wonderful idea you had, Charity, for this discussion topic. Thanks for this.

Do you really think there's any question about Mike's credibility? I mean, REALLY???????

That seems to be exquisite projection. 1) No, I did not. 2) Had you not been projecting, you may have more fairly stated "I inferred it." Which would have been a legit "I" statement in that case. 3) We now don't have the gift of T-Bone's additional insight because, IIRC, he realized he went down the proverbial rabbit hole too often with his long-winded replies and essays. 4) Our friend OldSkool quite succinctly and eloquently answered the rhetorical question you posed about HOW does one love. This is my projection: nobody wants to read your long-winded BS. Hence, I try diligently to not make my comments TL:DR. Because I would rather not lose my readers if I can help it.

Let it go and Hold on! In the way of so many great philosophies, those apparent opposites prove to be two sides of the same coin. To hold securely to the well-formed purposes of your own will, you must let go of the vain idea that you can control people or events or the tides of fate. You can’t change what was, nor entirely control what will be. But you can choose who you are and what you stand for and what you will try to accomplish. I’ve been learning and losing and relearning this lesson for some sixty years. Von Drehle, David. The Book of Charlie: Wisdom from the Remarkable American Life of a 109-Year-Old Man (p. 15). Simon & Schuster. Kindle Edition. I'm not an academic. But I will cop to being somewhat of an amateur journalist. David Von Drehle IS a trained journalist. As you might surmise, I'm currently reading The Book of Charlie. Obtained it this afternoon from my local public library and quickly realized I had to have my own copy. I post this excerpt from page 15 because it's just one more gem of wisdom I hope Mike picks up on.

Who cares whether Mike tells you your answers might be wrong. Mike, however, with his overly simplistic and generalized proposal demonstrates a gigantic failure of imagination. Regarding those good words and fair speeches... For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Romans 16:18 (KJV) Mike seems to indict both Victor Wierwille and himself in doing so. And pretty much ALL of us who fell under his influence, had our hearts deceived for a time.

Another quote, "what interests him [scientist (an actual academic) Petr Janata, who teaches at UC Davis] is how movement, music, and emotion influence each other."

https://curiositystream.com/video/8174 My Music Brain, a documentary highlighted by having Sting have an fMRI to measure electrical activity of a master musician. Here's a quote that caught my attention: "the deepest parts of your brain are ordering you to move."

Mike, are you trying now to find a new rationalization for bibliolatry? Are you reluctant to challenge your beliefs?

I wasn't refuting, rebutting, or arguing contrary to your point. And I still wouldn't. Would you have a problem with a thread in the doctrinal forum on the subject of bibliolotry?

Well, I still maintain Victor Wierwille's entire enterprise was based on and revolved around bibliolatry. Nevertheless, on other things, I've held the same concern you raised and believe your concern is quite valid. Perhaps I'll start a thread on the topic of bibliolatry in the linked forum. I appreciate your assertiveness in raising the issue.

Got it. Thanks.

I've been watching this for a while. It appears to be playing on a loop. I say this because I see Nancy Mace (R-SC) saying the exact same thing a second time.

Though this clip is from a Congressional hearing, it's clearly NOT partisan.

As I understand it, sexual predation IS core to any social organization based on authoritarian leadership unless strong guardrails are in place and effective. I just learned "Women Talking" will be on Amazon Prime (for no charge) beginning August 29, 2023.

Did you view the video with Michio Kaku?

And not that discussion with Mike or the subjects we engage in on GSC are science, but this brief TED talk seems relevant. Then again, he seems to approach them in a pseudo-scientific way sometimes.