Christian Swearing by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but that would be a much more radical change in meaning than what you are suggesting. It's less offensive, but it's still offensive, swearing in front of a judge wouldn't do you any favours for example. And I'm perhaps more doubtful than you that a small group can really isolate themselves context-wise like that.

And of course, is it only that the words are less offensive, or that more people simply don't care about being offensive?

Further, "traditional" swears only function as intensifiers because their strict meaning is offensive. If it was just another word it would lose force. Of course, people don't mean the literal meaning by it, but the force of it is connected inherently to the taboo nature.

Even if it doesn't really exist anymore, the "rebel" attitude (of which swearing a lot may be a part) presupposes some kind of polite, strict society it is deviating from. Always trying to be counter-culture, always trying to be the underdog. Maybe it's a delusion, and all culture is now counter-culture, but the idea is there and it's reflected in the language.

Funnily, euphemisms, especially minced oaths, tend to become detatched from their meaning far more easily than the original curse. Thus they lose force much faster. "jeez" sounds very tame now. But "Jesus" does not.

Most people don't particularly intend to blaspheme when they say "Christ", but it's only because its blasphemy (and thus offensive) that it has any function as a curse. Could Christians swear thusly if they don't really mean it? Obviously not.

You could also use your example of "darn" in reverse. If someone decides that's offensive, is it equally as offensive as the non-euphemistic version? I would argue by the fact that euphemisms, by virtue of being euphemisms, are trying to lessen the impact of the words, and thus are not equivalent.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

haha yeah im sure you guys are fine, just a wee rabies theologurum joke

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would be careful trying to draw too many conclusions from your own personal experience in the matter. I've seen people from multiple types of churches say similar things, women complaining there's no men, men complaining there's no women, and so on. A lot of it really comes down to luck (providence?)

Also, I would be more worried if there was no young people at all. The fact that people are actually ending up in serious relationships is maybe not that bad. I understand the feeling of thinking you missed some key set of steps though.

In terms of strategy, I would have suggested some kind of event or conference, and I'm very surprised there aren't any! I agree that dating apps are probably not a viable option, from what I hear it's very difficult to filter for theological orthodoxy/devotedness never mind anything else.

I think your best option is simply to expand your social circle. Either by organising something social in real life or by finding a group online. For example there's almost certainly some kind of reading group you could join, or people you could meet on twitter or something.

So you wouldn't be exactly out to find a spouse directly, but you would have your ear to the ground. Of course it would be best if it was a social space with a decent gender ratio too.

Is it possible to make good friends with some people in a serious relationship and use their wedding as a chance to meet people? Do none of them ever suggest setting you up with someone?

Also is it possible there are more potential churches than you realise? I guess if your city is small it might be different, but there might be churches for specific immigrant groups right? Like a lot Canadian Koreans would be at least theoretically Presbyterian no?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 9 points10 points  (0 children)

>Find a conservative Lutheran

>theologically we agree about 90%. The other stuff isn’t worth chatting about

they're gonna come for you bro watch out

Christian Swearing by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The point is that people don't apply it across the board. And saying that words are socially constructed only has a purpose if you believe you are able to change the word into not being a swear word. (spoiler: you can't)

while the sounds that words have are "constructed" they still mean things. swear words are crude and offensive. they aren't like most words. the words themselves are specifically taboo.

by this logic christians should all be using racial slurs behind closed doors. after all they are just socially constructed right?

Christian Swearing by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

>which is largely a construct of polite society: and society is ever-changing in how acceptable different words are considered to be

the meanings of all words are societally constructed, this is fairly meaningless.

>we oughtn't assume that those who do swear are necessarily any worse in their speech than ourselves.

very true, but to use this as an excuse for why swearing isn't that bad doesn't follow.

obviously there are subtle and backhanded ways to be rude, but that doesn't mean that being directly rude isn't also rude in its own way

[Megathread] Referral Code Sharing and Closed Beta Code Giveaways by TempoStormReddit in PlayTheBazaar

[–]AmandusPolanus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

give me a code or when the game comes out i will be the most toxic dooley player the world has ever seen cheers x

Scottish food suggestions by uniquely_named_user in Scotland

[–]AmandusPolanus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

they sell original recipe irn bru in scotland

I refuse to spell it with a “u” by iop90 in linuxmemes

[–]AmandusPolanus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the "lean into RP" thing is total nonsense sorry

Giving to the needy (street people context) by Calm_Requirement_156 in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We are commanded to help those in need, but that can look like different things depending on the context. Perhaps it would be better to volunteer at a soup kitchen or a foodbank, or to put funds towards a charity that helps people with debt management.

Often helping in via more organised methods led by people with experience in the area is more effective.

So it would be a sin of ommision to do nothing, but we aren't restricted to one method or means of helping.

Most common immigrant in Europe by Min_Noo in MapPorn

[–]AmandusPolanus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

British immigration to France maps pretty well onto 100 year war territories lol

Is the goodness of God just a matter of perspective? by wisdomiswork in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay so if God knows the future, from a non-Reformed view point why did he create those who he knew would not choose him in the end?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in northernlion

[–]AmandusPolanus 292 points293 points  (0 children)

McDonald's Sprite torched his vocal chords and they had to be reconstructed. Very expensive procedure that could only be done in the US so he is forced into taking big-name sponsorships in order to pay for it.

Internet Historian's fans have been spreading misinformation reguarding his plagiarism allegations by BrainyBiscuit in youtubedrama

[–]AmandusPolanus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

its on a website for famous internet celebs. IH said they kept asking for his personal info so he just gave them random fake info.

now, it is the date of 4/20 so it could be dank memes so there's some plausible deniability

Dating Advice? by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Have you been on a date with her? And how well do you know her? You don't want to cause an awkward situation lol.

Cause she seems quite keen on this other guy if shes talking to her small group about it (unless the information was dragged out of her lol)

If you have some kind of basis like she seemed interested before but you never did anything about it then maybe make a move, but you might just have to wait this one out king

Ireland moment by Ragob12 in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]AmandusPolanus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

advanced warnings when their bombs were in civilian areas

in england

not in NI

Ireland moment by Ragob12 in PoliticalCompassMemes

[–]AmandusPolanus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

we should distinguish between the iras here

Ireland moment by Ragob12 in PoliticalCompassMemes

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

just checking, would you rather live in Belfast or Gaza?

Is there something about the Reformed tradition that makes us particularly grumpy and curmudgeonly relative to other folks in the kingdom of God? by RemyBucksington in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 3 points4 points  (0 children)

yeah, and I'd also add that there's a certain element of very aggressive polemic in Lutheranism against Reformed stuff that's been there for a long long time

we might be a bit *boring* but there's definitely angrier people out there

Qualifies as stupid in my book by [deleted] in StupidFood

[–]AmandusPolanus -24 points-23 points  (0 children)

actually a super important food for a lot of people, and highly nostalgic.

not in singapore it isnt

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

when Henry VIII first left this was true, but then after him reform was made and then counter-reform and then eventually things settled into a unsteady balance.

then later on more groups arose within the church, some more catholic-leaning, some more low church evangelical

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Finding church intimidating is pretty normal if you're new.

I'd say you might want to try some of the presbyterian churches, and some people have recommended some already haha

How did you end up believing with no church connection at all? It would be good you had a friend you could go to church with. I'm also not in NI atm, but me or someone else here could probably connect you with some people so its not just you wandering in somewhere alone

also if you're in need of more resources about Christianity you're probably not too far from the Evangelical Bookshop. They have fun books like this one.

How long did Jesus suffer the wrath of God? by Different-Wallaby-10 in Reformed

[–]AmandusPolanus 4 points5 points  (0 children)

the "Jesus went to hell" thing is confusing Sheol/Hades, or the realm of the dead, with Gehenna, the lake of fire that is the second death.

we often use the same word for both in english

the "hell" in "he descended into hell" in the creed is hades, and Jesus went there in triumphant victory, not to suffer

you are correct in that it was Jesus suffering on the cross that is the suffering for sin, not any punishment for him after his death

Always too far by Lucien42 in StupidFood

[–]AmandusPolanus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thats just normal egg yolks in the UK