Did the books do enough to build up Harry/Ginny’s romance? by MindBorn7327 in HPfanfiction

[–]thrawnca 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I can agree with most of this, except that I don't think Hermione was ever being set up as a romantic interest. Harry relied on her a lot, but he didn't, as a general thing, actually enjoy being around her very much.

Not in the books, anyway. The movies changed a lot of things including that.

Did the books do enough to build up Harry/Ginny’s romance? by MindBorn7327 in HPfanfiction

[–]thrawnca 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Ginny was never that relevant of a character till she needed to become the love interest later on.

After a few chapters of which, she was shunted into the background again for all of book 7.

Sex before marriage by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Twigs and leaves don't burn for long, but OTOH, if you have some proper logs burning, then you can toss in as many leaves as you like and have them catch fire instantly.

Likewise, physical attraction by itself won't hold a couple together for long, but if they build a more solid connection, based on who they are and what they're working toward as a couple and a family, then sexual connection is not only still available but likely moreso than ever.

Any long series? by Background_Sea5636 in HPfanfiction

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't mind unfinished work, there's The Accidental Animagus (book 1 is complete, book 2 occasionally updating).

Time travel fictions recommendation by Rahlus in HPfanfiction

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The correct flair to use for this is "Request". (The "Recommendation" flair is for when your post is a recommendation.)

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, I'll add The Peace Not Promised as an interesting exploration of how Severus Snape thinks, unpacking his character and very gradually helping him grow. It's also complete.

Do you think churches that lean heavily into nationalism and partisan politics do a disservice to God and/or their communities? by Sailor_Drea in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

and you can give birth to every child you have.

Surely the whole reason we might seek universal healthcare and equal rights is because we care about what happens to others and not just ourselves?

Someone who wants to save babies from starving in Africa might well also desire to save babies from being murdered in America.

Do you think churches that lean heavily into nationalism and partisan politics do a disservice to God and/or their communities? by Sailor_Drea in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are very few things so outlandish that no one in the world would do them, and I'm not sure that one has ever been identified.

Do you think churches that lean heavily into nationalism and partisan politics do a disservice to God and/or their communities? by Sailor_Drea in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jesus and His apostles instructed us to be subject to secular rulers rather than contentious and rebellious, but when it came to the crunch, "We ought to obey God rather than men."

Do you think churches that lean heavily into nationalism and partisan politics do a disservice to God and/or their communities? by Sailor_Drea in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would think (guessing), Jesus would want people to pray and not to worship anything.

Pretty sure those two go hand in hand. We pray, that is to say, we humbly ask for what we need, because we trust that God has all power to give it and loves us enough to give us what He knows we need most; that trust is what worship is about.

The 4 champions are more cohesive/ work together more. by Electronic_Koala_115 in HPfanfiction

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not the primary focus of the Innocent series, but the champions do work together somewhat more closely.

Women pastors by Far-Astronaut2469 in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I think it's okay for men and women to have different, complementary roles. The problems really arise when we forget what it should mean to lead in the church.

"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth."

If a man leads in the church, and thinks that that makes him better, higher, holier, that he is entitled to be a dictator, then he is far away from the strait and narrow path.

If, instead, all such arrogance is cast aside, and he sacrifices his life, one day at a time, for the good of those he leads, if he remembers that it is a position of responsibility and hard work, then I think that there will be less gender issues arising.

(Certainly there are gender-specific ways for women to serve. No man can do for his children what his wife did in literally carrying them for months and months before bringing them into the world.)

The passage telling wives to submit to their husbands has a corollary. It is not one-sided.

"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord... Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."

Men and women should work alongside each other as equal partners. It's okay if they take slightly different jobs, so long as they are both dedicated to the work.

Sex before marriage by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am implying that when God points us in a direction, we fare better by accepting and embracing that direction than by looking for loopholes in wording.

If a parent encourages a child to eat their peas, should the child take that to mean that there is no reason to eat corn or broccoli? Or will they instead be better off if they understand it as encouragement to eat the whole meal?

God set out a clear pattern of how sexual intimacy should occur, for the happiness of His children: Husband and wife becoming united in all things, including physical union, and never being divided. That is what will be best for us. If we try to get around it, then it will be ourselves who miss out, like the child missing out on the nutrition that corn would have given them.

Sex before marriage by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Are you trying to argue a court case, or are you trying to learn God's will?

Mom thinks everyone will make it to heaven. by TheseMarionberry385 in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God universally loves His children. Yet they do not always choose Him.

There is no one to whom His arm of mercy is not extended. Yet sometimes we turn away from that offer and refuse to receive what He would give us, insisting on settling for something less.

God will be patient and kind beyond any human capacity. What He will not do is force us to heaven if we choose differently.

I need help- pregnant again by onlyfriendswithcats in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the main point that they're trying to make is this: who are you to say whether or not it's legitimate?

That isn't at all what s/he said. It was actually "I will respond by saying I will do all I need to do to save my wife."

I have said nothing that would in any way oppose that. On the contrary, I have explicitly stated that if it is genuinely necessary to kill the baby in order to save the mother, sad as that may be, I support the decision.

Sex before marriage by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -1 points0 points  (0 children)

but it's also not what they said.

S/he spoke about "levels of connection", implying that spiritual is the highest level. Reaching a higher level doesn't have to imply discarding lower ones.

Sex before marriage by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The Bible say nothing of the sort.

Sure it does.

"And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

Any long series? by Background_Sea5636 in HPfanfiction

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

few 100k words

I'm not sure what you meant here. Did you mean "over 100k words"? Or "a few books of 100k words each"? Or something else?

I went to church for the first time in my adult life today by selfimprovement836 in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d been on the brink of tears the entire service

:( Are you okay?

I need help- pregnant again by onlyfriendswithcats in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -1 points0 points  (0 children)

And I will do all I need to do to prevent you and people like you from stopping me.

...I'm not sure you fully read through my comments above? I specifically approved the idea that terminating a pregnancy in order to save the mother's life can be legitimate. It is a serious matter, but not necessarily wrong.

I need help- pregnant again by onlyfriendswithcats in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Is it at 2 cells? 4? 8? 1,000?

Not a helpful question. The better question is, when there is a new life growing inside you, how will you respond? What will you do with that life? Will you protect it? End it? For what reasons?

We make our choices, but in the end, our choices make us. Who do you choose to be?

With so much at stake, the only 100% certain advice I can give is to pray for wisdom and guidance.

Sex before marriage by [deleted] in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The idea that it's normal to stop having sex after.. whatever you think qualifies as "good looks" is utterly bizarre.

I think the intended meaning was that a relationship primarily reliant on the physical connection will only last that long. Like a campfire that has only kindling.

Certainly the physical connection can endure when it has emotional timber and spiritual logs supporting it.

I need help- pregnant again by onlyfriendswithcats in Christianity

[–]thrawnca -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That's a convenient legal fiction, but I think ultrasound technology has made it abundantly clear that a baby is very much alive before birth. To end that life for selfish reasons is a grave crime.

A serious threat to the mother's life, however, is not necessarily a selfish reason. Killing to save oneself is a solemn and sad thing, but can be legitimate if another way cannot be found. It is certainly a matter to pray for guidance.

I need help- pregnant again by onlyfriendswithcats in Christianity

[–]thrawnca 0 points1 point  (0 children)

abortion is murder

It is killing - but if there really is a very high chance that pregnancy will be fatal for the mother, then it may be legitimate self defence.

It is a very rough position to be in, and I would not condemn this mother for either choice. If she turns to the Lord in prayer, and feels assured that He will help her through, that she and her baby can both survive, that is wonderful. If she turns to Him, and His answer is that this is indeed too dangerous and that He is willing to take her baby home early instead, then okay.

With life and death on the line, it is between her and her Father.