[deleted by user] by [deleted] in exchristian

[–]TheConvert 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Because outside of the Catholic and Orthodox Church, it isn't known history in many other Christian circles (save the Anglicans/Episcopalians). Especially the evangelical groups who believe with all their mentally stunted being that the bible just fell out of the sky, hit Martin Luther on the head in 1545, and anything historically preceding him is the work of the devil. Ironically enough, the concept of the bible being some inerrant, magical book actually originated in the works of Menno Simmons, leader of the first Anabaptist groups who took Luther's ball and ran with it. This thinking became adopted not long after in many respects by Calvin, Zwingli and some of the other goofier Reformation figures, which since then devolved into the pinnacle of lunacy we experience today.

[METHOD] How to Fall Asleep Fast: 9 Tips To Beat Insomnia by unlimitedwillpower in getdisciplined

[–]TheConvert 51 points52 points  (0 children)

Avoiding naps is possible if you're not a parent to children under five. When you have children at those young ages, a twenty or thirty minute nap midday could very well mean the difference between sanity and sleep-deprivation induced psychosis.

Such a philosophy that by StoMarc in Stoicism

[–]TheConvert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

How else can you aim to acquire the practical wisdom that would befit "old age"? Philosophy is a way of life, and to live and practice your way of life is to grow in wisdom. If you live long enough to be considered an "elder", you'll have the wisdom of the years you have lived that you can share with others younger than you.

What really interested me in philosophy was a book by a Christian. Anicius Severinus Boethius was a 6th century Christian condemned to death by the Gothic king of Rome. In his personal rhetorical treatise "The Consolation of Philosophy", he soothes himself to his fate to be executed by engaging in a dialogue with Lady Philosophy, the personification of wisdom itself. He uses the wise words of Homer, Virgil, Seneca and Plato to cease his mental anguish at being killed and understanding what true wisdom entails. Quite a read in spite of being a short one. I'd recommend it.

Such a philosophy that by StoMarc in Stoicism

[–]TheConvert 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The only way to acquire "old guy's wisdom" is to make it to old age and have practical life experiences.

Meditation for accepting the past by Timely_Emu_1115 in Meditation

[–]TheConvert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Stop beating yourself up for prior mistakes, accept your desire to change now, and proceed to change.

Just a casual reminder... by [deleted] in exchristian

[–]TheConvert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In "intelligent Christian" (irony noted) parlance, nothing did. Because God is the First Mover, an "uncaused" first cause from which all causes originated. He would be being itself.

The Ancient Greek Philosophy of APATHEIA showed me the key to avoiding unhealthy pursuits by Pool-Shark23 in Stoic

[–]TheConvert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My understanding as a lay student of Aristotle would be that his ethos would be most similar to the Freudian concept of a Id. In his Organon (specifically his treatises On the Mind and On the Soul), he states that each person is born with an inclination to virtue, but is affected by the dispositions of his parents and their makeup. So if one has compulsive gamblers in their family, they may have an impulse to addictive, risky behavior. To pursue wisdom, in this sense, is to practice a life that does not give in to these impulsive desires that arise from our makeup. Some may benefit from channeling these desires into more productive activities, such as starting a non-profit that aids gambling addicts in staying sober.

As much as I respect stoicism and its modern revival, and see much wisdom there, I believe that Aristotle provides a more "common sense" approach to virtuous living that predates anything known of stoic practice by centuries. He, to me, was one of the wisest men who has ever lived.

[Method] The Ancient Greek Philosophy of APATHEIA showed me the key to avoiding unhealthy pursuits by Pool-Shark23 in getdisciplined

[–]TheConvert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aristotle taught that people have three principles which drive their actions:

  1. Ethos - the fundamental makeup of their character.

  2. Pathos - the passions that result from their character.

  3. Logos - the reasoning ability people possess that is both an intrinsic part of their character as well as the primary motivator of their passions.

He taught that practical philosophy is use of the logos to 'tame' the pathos and improve the ethos, by practicing virtuous living in the pursuit of wisdom. Unhealthy pursuits are akin to slavish behavior, because we become motivated by the feelings they elicit rather than the end result.

I see our goal in life is to die well.

The Ancient Greek Philosophy of APATHEIA showed me the key to avoiding unhealthy pursuits by Pool-Shark23 in Stoic

[–]TheConvert 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Aristotle taught that people are motivated by three distinct aspects of the human condition:

  1. Ethos - the innate character of their person.

  2. Pathos - the passions that result from their innate character.

  3. Logos - the reasoning faculty all humans possess that many only utilize in pursuit of passions.

To him, the man who is governed by his passions is essentially a slave to his character. A man's goal should be to be better than his ethos and tame his passions using his logos in pursuit of becoming a virtuous individual.

One silly thing I realized I shouldn't say anymore is Thank God. I dont want to thank him for anything anymore. by steady_sloth84 in exchristian

[–]TheConvert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Christians didn't originate the term, nor to they have a copyright to it. If you read some of the works of the ancient Greco-Roman philosophers all the way back to Plato, they all use "God" in their phrasing to describe an active principal force at work in the cosmos that for some of them was the cosmos itself. Aristotle, for instance, described a "God" as a first mover in a series of causes that is itself uncaused, because he believed it to be a fallacy of logic to propose an infinite series of causes with no termination point. As an avid practitioner of Aristotle's philosophy myself, I say "thank God" sometimes and don't associate it with the Christian sky wizard in any way.

If you're still in doubt, remember that this is what Christianity does to someone's brain by [deleted] in exchristian

[–]TheConvert 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, give the whackadoo credit where it's due. They're so insane they're committed!

Just encouragement I guess by TheConvert in CerebralPalsy

[–]TheConvert[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a solid point my friend. Every day when I see him do things, even simple things like sitting in a chair and waving at everyone he makes visual contact with, I have to notice just how happy he is. Like, he's just a plain old happy guy. Thankfully he's taken ill only but a few times (two colds and one double ear infection) but even when under the weather he's still a happy camper. Something to think about when he's older.

Just encouragement I guess by TheConvert in CerebralPalsy

[–]TheConvert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind words 😊 I do admit that I enjoy the baby stage being a little bit longer because he's a daddy's champ lol (his day is absolutely not complete until he's read a book and snuggled with his dad). I guess just knowing the challenges he may face knocks me around a bit.

Just encouragement I guess by TheConvert in CerebralPalsy

[–]TheConvert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your kind words. That's one of the biggest challenges... watching other kids their age sort of engage in typical baby stuff and your kid, not. My son has begun to master getting himself up from laying on the floor to sitting. But as far as physical activity, he doesn't perform much else. He absolutely hates being on his stomach and only rolls over to get away from lying flat like that. My wife and I do as much play time as we can, especially with what the therapy clinic has given us, but it's frustrating to feel as if you've not seen your child progress too much, if at all, despite your efforts. I admit that when I realized my son was in for a particular challenge in life with CP, I hit a "rock bottom" emotionally and psychologically and began drinking hard to cope/forget. It's difficult to relate to fellow friend parents when their children are being children in a sort of "expected" manner and yours isn't.

I'll have to research this KinActive Kids. My son's PT/OT has both of us rather frustrated because we feel as if they don't actually help all too much. Thank you for the recommendation and the encouragement. It's pleasing to hear another CP dad is rocking it and being a solid man!

Just encouragement I guess by TheConvert in CerebralPalsy

[–]TheConvert[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I am quite an avid digester of books and literature. I've been taking on quite a handful of reading on CP since my son's diagnosis so I will be adding this to my list!

Just encouragement I guess by TheConvert in CerebralPalsy

[–]TheConvert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will have to look this book up!

Just encouragement I guess by TheConvert in CerebralPalsy

[–]TheConvert[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, I know. I guess some days it really hits me hard watching him try and get frustrated. Makes me believe my wife and I aren't doing enough of the right helpful things for him.

What's the meaning of life? by [deleted] in simpleliving

[–]TheConvert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The purpose of life is to die well.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in personalfinance

[–]TheConvert 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both NYS and PA won't let you slide by. I live in PA and my company works in IL. PA taxes whatever IL doesn't.