Witchcraft, Satanism, and other Leftist cult religions.

[creekdipper]

I just wanted to look at Playboy guilt free, like my friends. Just too much shame and guilt and then anxiety about it.

Imagine your shock 'n' awe when you saw your first non-airbrushed female.

 

[creekdipper]

They sacrific babies

No, they sacrifice dogs & cats.

They eat babies.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Holy satanic panic, Batman

Everyone follows some religion (ie a belief in some Supreme Being). Atheists just see themselves as the supreme being in their own life.

 

[Ashevolle]

Everyone follows some religion (ie a belief in some Supreme Being). Atheists just see themselves as the supreme being in their own life.

As a non believer, that's funny considering I rank myself dead last in supremacy in my own household.

 

[n_huffhines]

As a non believer, that's funny considering I rank myself dead last in supremacy in my own household.

I'm 100% agnostic. I don't even believe in myself.

 

[Ashevolle]

I'm 100% agnostic. I don't even believe in myself.

I believe in you, @n_huffhines

 

[82_VOL_83]

We always took our kids to church for trunk or treat too. Kids and some adults wear costumes, but no witches, demons, or other evil or occult looking costumes. That way they got candy and costumes just like heathen children (haha), but evil etc wasn't glorified. We actually took them trick or treating a couple years too when they got older and had faith/ relationship of their own. We never had our kids believe in Santa or the tooth fairy either fwiw...still put $$$ under their pillow and got them plenty of gifts, just without the deception part. Not judging anyone else, or saying we were smart or special etc. How one raises their kids is their business. My wife and I both believed in Santa for a few years, and trick or treated every year as kids. We just decided to do things differently with our kids.

Also, Protestants and Catholics, Baptists etc could all learn a lot from the Mormons. While I don't agree with their doctrine, most LDS folks hold themselves to very high standards of behavior and worship. Having spent 4 summers in the SLC area of Utah completely immersed in their culture and community, they are extremely good and faithful people. I have met several that wont even drink softdrinks, much less ever drink or smoke. Utah is a wonderful place to live if you can deal with the cold and snow in the winters. I would have loved to raise a family there.

Yeah, I like that wife for each day of the week thing.

 

[OrangeTsar]

As a non believer, that's funny considering I rank myself dead last in supremacy in my own household.

I get it
But seriously, what authority do you consult as to whether an action is „right“ or „wrong“? (Notice I did not say „legal“ or „illegal“)

 

[n_huffhines]

I get it
But seriously, what authority do you consult as to whether an action is „right“ or „wrong“? (Notice I did not say „legal“ or „illegal“)

Ultimately, it's up to your own reason wether you believe in God or not. The teachings of the Bible don't give you specific direction on most things in life. It's up to you to figure it out.

 

[DinkinFlicka]

No, they sacrifice dogs & cats.

They eat babies.

As long as the dogs are toy breeds all this sounds fine to me.

 

[DinkinFlicka]

I get it
But seriously, what authority do you consult as to whether an action is „right“ or „wrong“? (Notice I did not say „legal“ or „illegal“)

My mom.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Ultimately, it's up to your own reason wether you believe in God or not. The teachings of the Bible don't give you specific direction on most things in life. It's up to you to figure it out.

So, that sounds an awful lot like your own reason is the ultimate final authority. I agree that we all have to make a decision as to what we believe. But if we rely only on our own reason and discount all other authority, then what have we really accomplished (unless we ask help from any potential Supreme Being)

 

[Ashevolle]

I get it
But seriously, what authority do you consult as to whether an action is „right“ or „wrong“? (Notice I did not say „legal“ or „illegal“)

I'm typically guided by treating others as I want to be treated, which leads to me conclude that stealing from people, hurting people, and disrespecting people is wrong. Whether something is legal or not doesn't really matter to me unless I rationally condone the law on that issue (I may still follow the law to avoid punishment if following the law is unobjectionable). I don't automatically believe in the goodness of people, so I'm typically operating from the assumption that to be morally right I need to not emulate my neighbors but strive to be better/kinder than them. I honestly model myself a lot off of my father who is a truly wonderful person who always treats people with kindness/fairness/respect/patience (I wish I could say I'm just like him, but I've got room to grow for sure).

 

[n_huffhines]

So, that sounds an awful lot like your own reason is the ultimate final authority. I agree that we all have to make a decision as to what we believe. But if we rely only on our own reason and discount all other authority, then what have we really accomplished (unless we ask help from any potential Supreme Being)

Do you not use your reason to resolve to follow God? You also use your reason to interpret what you believe comes from God. Again, ultimately, it's up to your reason. Your reason is the final authority on what you decide for your life. For every decision, it is the ultimate authority.

Some people use their reason to decide to do good because they want to be right with God.

Some people use their reason to decide to do good because they figured out it's best.

Probably most religious people are explained by both of these ^.

The latter reason is enough for me.

 

[OrangeTsar]

That raises the deeper question „What is ‚good‘“
By good, do we mean simply beneficial? And beneficial to me alone? So if I am in a boat of survivors from a shipwreck, and I have a bottle of water. Do I drink it all myself? That is „good“ for me; but almost everyone would call such an action „wrong“ (and rightly so). The reason given would be that the good of everyone is more important than individual good. But as soon as one makes that (correct) argument, they have went from a practical utilitarian discussion to a moral one. And when you enter morality, you are admitting that there is some authority that defines right and wrong; and it cannot be just a popular vote. The very fact that humanity even has a concept of right and wrong seems to point strongly to a moral authority beyond ourselves.

 

[n_huffhines]

That raises the deeper question „What is ‚good‘“
By good, do we mean simply beneficial? And beneficial to me alone? So if I am in a boat of survivors from a shipwreck, and I have a bottle of water. Do I drink it all myself? That is „good“ for me; but almost everyone would call such an action „wrong“ (and rightly so). The reason given would be that the good of everyone is more important than individual good. But as soon as one makes that (correct) argument, they have went from a practical utilitarian discussion to a moral one. And when you enter morality, you are admitting that there is some authority that defines right and wrong; and it cannot be just a popular vote. The very fact that humanity even has a concept of right and wrong seems to point strongly to a moral authority beyond ourselves.

Morality doesn't imply God. I can say that murder is objectively wrong without an authority confirming it.

Everybody's gotta decide for themselves what is "good."

 

[BreatheUT]

I am not worried about witches, warlocks and Satanists.

My Guy is more powerful than their guy. And the battle is already won.

McDad really need to check out the thread I started directing you to the podcast. The link might not take you directly to it but it's the October 5th Saturday Morning Bonus when you scroll down.

 

[GVF]

I see a few moral guidances/inferences emerging on this page than can be lifted directly from the 10 Commandments.

 

[OrangeTsar]

Morality doesn't imply God. I can say that murder is objectively wrong without an authority confirming it.

Everybody's gotta decide for themselves what is "good."

Your reasoning then becomes circular. If everyone decides for themselves what is „good“, then we are right back where we started, where we and our own reason become „god“.
Morality can only be one of three things
1) a totally subjective decision we make for ourselves in the present circumstances
2) a code shared by and arbitrarily agreed to by the majority of a community
Or
3) and absolutely objective standard defined by a power above ourselves.

Number 1 gives us the ability to unilaterally decide what is good for us independent of what others think. Number 2 can give us something like the Third Reich where a whole society calls something „good“ which we all agree is absolutely abhorrent. Number three is the only real alternative and seems to match what almost every culture on earth believed as they all place moral codes in the hands of a god or gods.

 

[n_huffhines]

Your reasoning then becomes circular. If everyone decides for themselves what is „good“, then we are right back where we started, where we and our own reason become „god“.
Morality can only be one of three things
1) a totally subjective decision we make for ourselves in the present circumstances
2) a code shared by and arbitrarily agreed to by the majority of a community
Or
3) and absolutely objective standard defined by a power above ourselves.

Number 1 gives us the ability to unilaterally decide what is good for us independent of what others think. Number 2 can give us something like the Third Reich where a whole society calls something „good“ which we all agree is absolutely abhorrent. Number three is the only real alternative and seems to match what almost every culture on earth believed as they all place moral codes in the hands of a god or gods.

You're taking this conversation a million different directions and it's unclear what you're driving at. You asked what authority we consult. I explained that. You're trying to find all kinds of problems with the answer, as if you have perfect answers. I never said it's perfect, and relying on God as an authority is not perfect, otherwise you would have all the answers.

What's God got to say about letting a family of 4 escape a terrible situation in Haiti and find sanctuary in the United States? You are the decision-maker. You can let them in or not?...And if you say "let them in," what about 1m people just like them?...what's the moral decision?

 

[ETV]

The best metal bands aren't satanic at all.

Tipper Gore disagrees.

 

[hUTch2002]

To be clear, I love a hearty stew, chili, or meal fusion soup (my wife makes a taco soup, for example).

If I see someone eating Lobster Bisque with rolls and they're calling that a meal, all I can see is a weak bloodline.

I just don’t understand why it’s pronounced “supe” instead of “sowp”. Either way, the only sowp I like is maybe some as an appetizer at Chinese and Japanese restaurants.

 

[hUTch2002]

We always took our kids to church for trunk or treat too. Kids and some adults wear costumes, but no witches, demons, or other evil or occult looking costumes. That way they got candy and costumes just like heathen children (haha), but evil etc wasn't glorified. We actually took them trick or treating a couple years too when they got older and had faith/ relationship of their own. We never had our kids believe in Santa or the tooth fairy either fwiw...still put $$$ under their pillow and got them plenty of gifts, just without the deception part. Not judging anyone else, or saying we were smart or special etc. How one raises their kids is their business. My wife and I both believed in Santa for a few years, and trick or treated every year as kids. We just decided to do things differently with our kids.

Also, Protestants and Catholics, Baptists etc could all learn a lot from the Mormons. While I don't agree with their doctrine, most LDS folks hold themselves to very high standards of behavior and worship. Having spent 4 summers in the SLC area of Utah completely immersed in their culture and community, they are extremely good and faithful people. I have met several that wont even drink softdrinks, much less ever drink or smoke. Utah is a wonderful place to live if you can deal with the cold and snow in the winters. I would have loved to raise a family there.

Don’t lie to us Marcus. We’ve all seen Kingpin and know how those Mormons really are. Or was that Jehova’s Witness? Hmmm…

 

[marcusluvsvols]

Don’t lie to us Marcus. We’ve all seen Kingpin and know how those Mormons really are. Or was that Jehova’s Witness? Hmmm…

Lol he was Amish. Good movie. There are Mormons as removed from modern life and distractions as he was though...or at least there were in the 90s. I am sure the web, smartphones, social media etc have taken a toll there as well. Utah isn't shielded from the world, they have likely seen some problems like everyone else.

Fwiw...I would have liked to move into an Amish community when we 1st got married and raised my family there. I am a carpenter/mason by trade and have always worked with my hands. I enjoy it, though these days I am management so I don't often get to build. My wife is a Sunday School teacher and a great cook, that also enjoys making, fixing, repurposing things and growing a garden. We missed a great opportunity IMO. We would have been much happier and had far less stress. A tiny fraction of the stress. There are 3 different types/levels of Amish communities by the way. They range from super strict no electricity or contact with the outside world...to driving trucks, selling furniture and other goods at stores outside the Amish village, and having dumb cellphones for business use. The latter also run generators and solar, and use battery operated tools when superior to the old ways. They just don't hook up their community/homes to the power grid. There are some good documentaries about the Amish. I truly wish we had joined young. I would have more children, less problems, and a closer walk with God. My wife would have never left her family though...thats why we still live in NC, and not East Tennessee.

 

[n_huffhines]

You're taking this conversation a million different directions and it's unclear what you're driving at. You asked what authority we consult. I explained that. You're trying to find all kinds of problems with the answer, as if you have perfect answers. I never said it's perfect, and relying on God as an authority is not perfect, otherwise you would have all the answers.

What's God got to say about letting a family of 4 escape a terrible situation in Haiti and find sanctuary in the United States? You are the decision-maker. You can let them in or not?...And if you say "let them in," what about 1m people just like them?...what's the moral decision?

Where'd you go @OrangeTsar ? This was just getting interesting.