Stop the Shootings

[rrobs]

The quality of life of a society is ultimately determined by the thoughts that each individual in that society holds in their mind. Those thoughts in turn are dependant on the things each individual is told by sources outside of ourselves. That is basic to life. Someone telling you they love you fills your mind with positive thoughts. Should that same person tell you they hate you, your mind tends towards more negative thoughts.

 

The influence on our thoughts, and therefore our quality of life, by NBC, CBS, CNN, Fox, Google News, et.al.  is nothing short of grossly underestimated. In fact, it would be fair to say it’s given no estimation whatsoever. But that doesn’t change the fact that 24/7 our minds are assaulted with words and images that definitely tend towards the things that make us full of anxiety, doubt, fear, and a general feeling of helplessness. That makes for a society with a low quality of life.

 

To reverse this each individual must change the diet upon which their mind feeds. Man’s philosophy, moral concepts, and their false religions are a poor diet indeed. All that unhealthy food  needs to be replaced by healthy food.

 

Matt 4:4,

 

But he (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

 

The devil had just asked Jesus, after having fasted for 40 days, to change the rocks into bread. Jesus could have thought, “Hey, that sounds like a great idea. I’m starving!” That would have ended the whole plan of redemption. Instead, he thought about something God said in his word. Matthew 4:4 is a quote from Deuteronomy 8:3 which Jesus undoubtedly thought about without ceasing. That and the entire Old Testament which he knew like the back of his hand. His mind was filled with thoughts from God’s word instead of man’s insane ideas of this life. Jesus rose from the dead, which is he exact opposite of the horror that daily fills the TV and computer monitors by the alphabet news agencies of this world.

 

To think about the word you must study it for yourself. The yourself part is key. Your Pastor, Priest, Imam, or Rabbi can give you ideas on what the scriptures say, but you must absolutely read and study them for yourself to make sure the things others tell you are true or not. That is the only way you can fill your mind with the thoughts of God which will enhance society rather than tearing it to pieces. There is not a law, policy, or practice that man can make that will have the desired results.

 

2Pet 1:3,

 

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

 

It is his divine power and his alone that gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness. We can realize that power only by having a knowledge of God. It sure won’t come via the TV, computer screen, or radio. Only God tells us how life should be. If you really want to do something positive to change the course of our world, study the Bible and start believing the things it says instead of believing all you hear on CBS. With a scripture centered change of mind, the quality of your individual life will take a turn for the better. The more individuals that do that, the better life becomes for society as a whole.

 

[waysider]

This belongs in the doctrinal forum.

[T-Bone]

49 minutes ago, waysider said:

This belongs in the doctrinal forum.

I agree, Waysider !

while we're talking about the doctrinal forum ...sometimes I wonder if it would be helpful to have certain sub-forum headings in the doctrinal forum that actually streamline the discussion – like:

doctrines that ignore reality

doctrines that are hard-hearted and calloused (yowser bowser - a redundancy daily double   )

doctrines that cater to self-righteousness and pontification

doctrines my shyster cult-leader taught me

and so forth…I figure that way the main issue is indicated up front in the sub-forum heading and no one has to hem and haw over what is the whole point of the matter.....if anything it might make for really short discussions.

Edited October 5, 2017 by T-Bone
splitting hairs and taking names

[Rocky]

8 hours ago, rrobs said:

 

To think about the word you must study it for yourself. The yourself part is key. Your Pastor, Priest, Imam, [rrobs], or Rabbi can give you ideas on what the scriptures say, but you must absolutely read and study them for yourself to make sure the things others tell you are true or not. That is the only way you can fill your mind with the thoughts of God which will enhance society rather than tearing it to pieces. There is not a law, policy, or practice that man can make that will have the desired results.

 

There is SO much in your post that you claim without either proving or even supporting logically.

I agree that this is a discussion fitting for the doctrinal forum, but this IS the Open Forum where anything (except for politics) is allowable.

I also suspect that your thread title is misleading, suggesting the topic would be political.

To reiterate, my biggest concern (not a matter of whether or not this discussion should be allowed) is that you state several things that you expect the reader to accept at face value just because you say so. That makes your arguments weak and ultimately unsound and invalid. I don't buy them.

[Beguiled]

I am a sociologist/professor/researcher and your argument is definitely "null and void." I know what the peer reviewed research and paradigms say about every major social problem. We can discuss them once you figure out how to construct a valid opinion/argument.

[Bolshevik]

14 hours ago, rrobs said:

The quality of life of a society is ultimately determined by the thoughts that each individual in that society holds in their mind. Those thoughts in turn are dependant on the things each individual is told by sources outside of ourselves. That is basic to life. Someone telling you they love you fills your mind with positive thoughts. Should that same person tell you they hate you, your mind tends towards more negative thoughts.

. . . 

 

 

You can't think of other factors that affect quality of life?  (and of a society?  how is that measured?)

You can't think of other sources of thought?  

You think reactions to words are completely predictable?

This is "you can't go beyond what you are taught"  Repackaged.

 

[rrobs]

7 hours ago, Beguiled said:

I am a sociologist/professor/researcher and your argument is definitely "null and void." I know what the peer reviewed research and paradigms say about every major social problem. We can discuss them once you figure out how to construct a valid opinion/argument.

I completely agree with your reply. The Bible and academia are most definitely at odds with one another. Tell me something new.

[rrobs]

9 hours ago, Rocky said:

There is SO much in your post that you claim without either proving or even supporting logically.

I agree that this is a discussion fitting for the doctrinal forum, but this IS the Open Forum where anything (except for politics) is allowable.

I also suspect that your thread title is misleading, suggesting the topic would be political.

To reiterate, my biggest concern (not a matter of whether or not this discussion should be allowed) is that you state several things that you expect the reader to accept at face value just because you say so. That makes your arguments weak and ultimately unsound and invalid. I don't buy them.

Interesting you tell me my post has no proof and then go on to aver with no evidence whatsoever that I tried to couch the post in politics so as not to get caught violating the guidelines.

[Bolshevik]

Okay, so there's this Chinese company putting fully autonomous trains in Australia.  People are needed less and less every day.

Clearly, the rise of the machines is upon us.

If society is to be run by these indifferent machinations, how would changing our thoughts have any affect?

[waysider]

This is pretty much an updated repackaging of the challenge VPW put forth in PFAL, along with sprinklings from a half dozen or so various other teachings. ..."Put away all your secular materials for 3 months." (paraphrased a bit)

 

It's just repackaged PFAL dogma. And that's fine, as long as you're willing to subject it to scrutiny in  the doctrinal forum.

[Rocky]

7 hours ago, rrobs said:

Interesting you tell me my post has no proof and then go on to aver with no evidence whatsoever that I tried to couch the post in politics so as not to get caught violating the guidelines.

wah wah wah... the difference is that I didn't make a claim and then proceed to argue that claim to be true. Here's what I said, "I suspect that your thread title is misleading, suggesting the topic would be political." IOW, you again made a dubious claim.

That's an "I statement." Such statements indicate that I am setting forth my perception as opposed to making any claim about you or your words.
 

 

Edited October 6, 2017 by Rocky
just because

[Rocky]

6 hours ago, waysider said:

This is pretty much an updated repackaging of the challenge VPW put forth in PFAL, along with sprinklings from a half dozen or so various other teachings. ..."Put away all your secular materials for 3 months." (paraphrased a bit)

 

It's just repackaged PFAL dogma.[poop]... And that's fine, as long as you're willing to subject it to scrutiny in  the doctrinal forum.

 

[Rocky]

13 hours ago, rrobs said:

I completely agree with your reply. The Bible and academia are most definitely at odds with one another. Tell me something new.

Please explain why you believe "The Bible" and academia are most definitely at odds and how you arrived at said conclusion.

Then explain why you so easily dismissed that point as insignificant... unless you suggest it is not insignificant. In which case, please explain the significance you believe it holds.

[Twinky]

To address the topic that rrobs presented:

Perhaps we could "stop the shootings" by everyone being watchful of their neighbours.  Watchful, as in snooping, keeping a permanent eye on everyone else's business. and instantly reporting any shortcomings.  Ah, I remember!  We did stuff like that in rez.  Snooped on each other and reported each other.

We could go a step further and have a sort of spycam in everyone's houses and in public buildings.  Y'know: "Big Brother is Watching You."  As in 1984."  A "thought-cam" even - does the technology exist yet?  That way, everyone's behaviour and thought patterns can be constantly monitored.  Hmm... I don't like that idea, either.

[Twinky]

I was thinking, kindness and compassion go a long way to overcoming social isolation, which may be an indicator of problems.  But there are many social isolated people who don't commit heinous crimes.  And there are people brought up in decent households who do commit heinous crimes.

So what, in practical terms, are you doing, rrobs?  In what way are you attempting to effect social change in your community?  Is it working?  How has your community improved?  These might be helpful things to know.

Please tell us more about your assertions that "With a scripture centered change of mind, the quality of your individual life will take a turn for the better. " and how that relates to your opening statement of "The quality of life of a society is ultimately determined by the thoughts that each individual in that society holds in their mind."

So again, what, in practical terms, are you doing, rrobs?  In what way is the quality of your life and thus the quality of life of your society [community] effecting social change in your community?  Is it working?  How has your community improved?  Show us your faith, by its outworking.  By what you do.

[rrobs]

6 hours ago, Twinky said:

Please tell us more about your assertions that "With a scripture centered change of mind, the quality of your individual life will take a turn for the better. " and how that relates to your opening statement of "The quality of life of a society is ultimately determined by the thoughts that each individual in that society holds in their mind."

The statements I made need no clarification. Excuse me for saying it, but "they say what they mean, and they mean what they say," but that is really the best way I can put it. There are two kinds of people, those who believe what I said and those who don't. I do, others don't. Not much more to say about it.

[rrobs]

14 hours ago, Rocky said:

This is pretty much an updated repackaging of the challenge VPW put forth in PFAL, along with sprinklings from a half dozen or so various other teachings. ..."Put away all your secular materials for 3 months." (paraphrased a bit)

Martin Luther, William Tyndale, John Wycliffe, Oral Roberts, E. W. Bullinger, and many others said the same thing way (not The Way ) before VP arrived. In any case, it is up to each individual to believe or not to believe. Most don't. So what?

[rrobs]

8 hours ago, Rocky said:

Please explain why you believe "The Bible" and academia are most definitely at odds and how you arrived at said conclusion.

1Cor 3:19,

          For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

Edited October 6, 2017 by rrobs
content

[Bolshevik]

[rrobs]

8 minutes ago, Bolshevik said:

Could be copyright infringements there, but it's funny.

[rrobs]

15 hours ago, Rocky said:

wah wah wah... the difference is that I didn't make a claim and then proceed to argue that claim to be true. Here's what I said, "I suspect that your thread title is misleading, suggesting the topic would be political." IOW, you again made a dubious claim.

That's an "I statement." Such statements indicate that I am setting forth my perception as opposed to making any claim about you or your words.
 

 

I understand that form your perspective EVERYTHING I say is dubious. The effect wears out with overuse. That's not meant to be some kind of universal truth. It's just my observation. Not really having any kind of meaningful discussion with you, it's hard to really say.

Edited October 6, 2017 by rrobs
content

[rrobs]

7 hours ago, Twinky said:

I was thinking, kindness and compassion go a long way to overcoming social isolation, which may be an indicator of problems.  But there are many social isolated people who don't commit heinous crimes.  And there are people brought up in decent households who do commit heinous crimes.

So what, in practical terms, are you doing, rrobs?  In what way are you attempting to effect social change in your community?  Is it working?  How has your community improved?  These might be helpful things to know.

Please tell us more about your assertions that "With a scripture centered change of mind, the quality of your individual life will take a turn for the better. " and how that relates to your opening statement of "The quality of life of a society is ultimately determined by the thoughts that each individual in that society holds in their mind."

So again, what, in practical terms, are you doing, rrobs?  In what way is the quality of your life and thus the quality of life of your society [community] effecting social change in your community?  Is it working?  How has your community improved?  Show us your faith, by its outworking.  By what you do.

You apparently believe a social gospel, I choose the word. Come visit if you want to see for yourself the answers to your questions.

Edited October 6, 2017 by rrobs
Content

[Bolshevik]

God's word never comes back void.

Meaning your perception will adapt as needed.  The "word" you speak frames your thinking to see what others want you to see.

F'ing brilliant.

[Twinky]

"Social gospel"?  WTF? 

Did not Christ spend much of his time "socialising" and thus spreading the gospel?  Healing people (how social is that!!)?

If "the word" as you define it has no social application - well, I want a better "word."  Cos the God I love is passionately interested in people and in their wellbeing.  God doesn't live in books but in people.  (Sorry to disappoint you.)

[rrobs]

1 hour ago, Bolshevik said:

F'ing brilliant.

I guess so.