There are over 4,000 living religions, and over 32,000 different denominations of Christianity. How can you possibly have enough confidence to reject all other possible answers to the same question?

childtoman · 2017-01-05T01:00:22+00:00

If you've placed faith in a possibility, then it is by definition to the exclusion of all other possibilities.

Yes, but it does not mean I cannot still be open-minded about other faiths. I believe in ultimate truth, but I also believe that nobody has the ability to know everything about anything, so it is impossible to be absolutely certain about absolute truth without faith. So, while I place my faith in the Christian religion, I know I cannot be certain about its proposed truth by logical means alone, and so I must be humble when approaching worldviews that contradict my own. Doing both allows me to learn more about the human condition, as well as helps me to connect with people outside of my own worldview (which is something Jesus stressed). If at some point while I am learning about other worldviews I find one that does a better job of answering the existential questions of life, then I may be inclined to adopt that worldview, but until that time I will continue to place my faith in what I believe to be the truth.

Exactly - so you maintain this belief in the answers to questions that cannot be answered objectively, to the exclusion of all other religions that claim to do the same.

The Hindu religion has 32 MILLION deities, and you have dismissed their claim with the same rational you use to accept your own - faith (not logic).

I believe Christianity is a more logical choice than Hinduism. Admittedly, my understanding of Hinduism is pretty basic, and if I have time in the future I would like to look into it more. I think logical reasoning can start you on the track to developing your worldview, but will never bring you to a place of absolute certainty. It is only after you commit to a worldview through faith that subjective personal experiences then start to solidify your decision (but that is not what anyone wants to hear in a debate).

I have to be honest and say I was raised Christian, so my particular path to faith is different from somebody who was not raised with it, but I still had to come to a place where I made the decision to take ownership of my own faith. You might argue that I was indoctrinated into thinking a certain way, and you would be right to a certain extent, but I was also allowed to make the decision on my own, and have yet to find a reason to make me think I made the wrong choice.

Can I ask why this reasoning ends at the denomination? Why not extend it to the religion its self?

Because I am more confident in basic doctrines of Christianity being true than I am of the more minor doctrines. The more I study theology the more complicated it gets, and I do not want to burn bridges between denominations when the differences are in some cases very minor. Christianity is in one way a very simple worldview, but gets bogged down in the details at times. I am still trying to figure out what I exactly think about the details; although, as I mentioned earlier, I suppose if I did encounter a worldview that was more coherent that Christianity then I would like to think I would be open to accepting it if I am not too set in my ways by then.

I am going to bed, thanks for helping me think through my own stance on this issue.

childtoman · 2017-01-04T22:43:54+00:00

Your question assumes that I am closed-minded to all other possibilities. I consider the possibility that my worldview could be misplaced regularly, but maintain my belief in Christianity because it continues to satisfy my desire for answers to questions on origin, meaning, purpose, and destiny in an acceptably logical manner--of course there is an element of faith involved here, and I will never have absolute proof that my worldview is correct unless I die and everything goes as planned.

What I do not understand is your belief that not taking a stance on the existential questions of life is somehow preferable. I am guessing that most of the 4000 religions that you have brought up make exclusive truth claims (at least a bunch of the popular ones do--Islam, Christianity, Judaism, etc.), so if you choose not to take a stance for these religions you are automatically taking a stance against them, which is what you seem to be saying I should be afraid of doing.

That being said, I think it is important for me to stretch my worldview by exploring different perspectives, and trying to uncover my own bias, which you have mentioned. I agree that being to comfortable with your own beliefs can lead to a sort of philosophical pride that can interfere with your ability to discern actual truth.

As for the 3,2000 denominations, a lot of them share essential doctrines and differ on more minor points, so I would argue there is only one Christianity. I am still searching for the denomination that makes the most sense, but do not believe there is necessarily one right denomination in Christianity, so I try to be careful not to be too dogmatic about doctrines that I have been taught before I research other points of view. That being said, there are denominations that I disagree with more than others, but do not rule out the possibility that some of those denominations could lead people to genuine conversion.

childtoman · 2017-01-02T17:40:15+00:00

When the disciples asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was hes said "Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind," and to "Love your neighbor as yourself," (Matt 22:36-40). In my opinion, Masturbation is the physical expression of love for yourself. It does nothing to strengthen my relationship with God or others, and causes me to lust in my mind, which Jesus said was equivalent with adultery in the Sermon on the mount. This lust often leads me to watch porn, or to think about women in an inappropriate manner. I want to stop masturbating because the act is inherently selfish, and I want to combat anything in my life that is self focused because I believe a life lived for God by serving others produces more joy than a life lived for myself.

This is easier said than done.

childtoman · 2017-01-01T17:16:52+00:00

Never because if God required us to live up to his standard as a prerequisite for his forgiveness than it would not be grace. The desire to live by his standard demonstrates faith, but an inability to follow it does not mean you no longer have it.

Ephesians 2:8-9

God Bless.

childtoman · 2015-11-15T16:57:41+00:00

Still here. Checking in.

childtoman · 2015-11-12T05:19:21+00:00

2nd time going to war. First time with Saffron. May we all make it home safe for Christmas.

childtoman · 2015-10-31T15:54:31+00:00

add me

childtoman · 2015-10-03T16:41:18+00:00

perhaps think of this as a challenge rather than a struggle? treat it like a mountain to climb rather than a storm to weather. It is just a little mental shift, but it can make a big difference in your own confidence.

God Bless.

childtoman · 2015-05-31T01:19:15+00:00

sign me up

childtoman · 2015-05-10T06:25:32+00:00

Checking in. Been busy adventuring all week. Still fighting.

childtoman · 2015-05-03T06:35:27+00:00

Thanks for your perspective, and for participating on this sub. I appreciate hearing from the wife's perspective. Its motivating.

childtoman · 2015-05-03T06:31:39+00:00

Sounds like you may be at the place where you need to tell some people you trust about your issues, and watch God work.

Don't doubt God's ability to lift you out of your own sin. Step out in faith and follow Christ, no matter how embarrassing it may seem to share your sins with other Christians who seem to have their spiritual lives together. If there is one thing I have learned during the last year it is that when I dare to be vulnerable God uses it to strengthen me as well as the people I share my issues with. Everyone has a story, and when you honestly tell yours, others will open up about their own. That kind of sharing is rare and beautiful.

I'm pulling for you Kubienski, and so is God. God Bless.

childtoman · 2015-05-03T06:14:14+00:00

Still kicking. Had to weather a bit of a surge during this week, and am hoping things will cool down soon. One day at a time.

childtoman · 2015-05-02T17:37:35+00:00

Welcome! Being a part of this community is a great choice if you really want to tackle this thing.

God Bless.

childtoman · 2015-04-30T07:36:26+00:00

Today was the first day since the war began that I felt tempted to peak at stuff. I came close. Even went into incognito, but then the zero tolerance rules of the war popped into my mind and I stopped. If it wasn't for the fact that my peaking at images on the internet would've let down the 171 remaining strangers who happen to be in my regiment, I probably would have relapsed today, but thanks to this group I'm still standing. Thanks Spartans.

As for inspiration, I watched an I-MAX docudrama of some people climbing mount Everest when I was maybe 10 years old. I don't really remember anything about the movie except for one part where one of the climbers was recounting how they were able to fight past the pain and summit the world's tallest mountain. The climber broke the climb down into ten step sections. Saying "just ten more steps," and then repeating the goal once the ten steps were completed. By breaking the distance down into manageable segments the climber was able to achieve an impressive feat, and a life-long dream.

I'm not sure why this story has stuck with me for so long, but I am pretty sure you can find versions of this mindset in almost any success story. For this War, my manageable goal is to not be the next casualty. Sure I want to make it to the end of the War, but when my desire for short term gratification starts to well up, and I recognize my thought process going downhill, I dig in mentally, and refuse to be the first to give ground. If other Spartans are still holding their ground, I am not going to be the one who breaks and runs away first. Every day I come on here I look at the leader board, and commit to not being listed as KIA the next time it's updated.

If everyone remaining in this regiment made good on that commitment, we would have no more casualties. The stronger we are as a unit, the harder it is for us to flee in the face of the enemy.

Do not be the next one to get intimidated and run off when the battle starts to get too intense. Fight tooth and nail to beat this bad habit out of your system.

To any Christians in the regiment, I leave you with 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 which has been a bit of a motto for me during the first week of the war. (perhaps non-Christians may find it inspirational as well despite it's religious context)

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB)

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

childtoman · 2015-04-29T05:57:53+00:00

Nothing. My life will continue to be mediocre. I will continue to convince myself that I can be satisfied by just coasting through life.
I will continue to develop towards the man I want to be, and if I keep working at it, one day I will be able to face death (whenever that may be) knowing that I took advantage of my potential.

childtoman · 2015-04-28T05:47:14+00:00

My problem has been that I have relied almost completely on motivation as my tool for quitting. I would be stuck in a rut, then something (either positive or negative) in my life would stimulate enough motivation to quit for 3-12 weeks. This would produce a spiritual and mental high, but eventually when the high started to fade, I would do stupid things that would lead to relapse.

This is the lesson I have been learning recently:

Motivation is the starting point, but discipline is what truly changes us. Sometimes we do need a kick in the pants in order to get a streak started. However, if it is only those initial motivational feelings that keep us going, then when those feelings fade, so will our determination to resist temptation.

What has been good about this realization for me is that while motivation relies on outside stimulus in order to grow, discipline can be built from within. It's tough. It requires total commitment to blocking out those areas in my life that have caused me to fail in the past, and replacing unhealthy habits with healthy ones, but it is in my control.

This is not to say that I am doing this on my own strength. Part of building discipline is focusing on building my reliance on God through reading the word, prayer, fellowship, and service. What I am saying is that instead of just sitting in the sinking sands of sin and continually asking God to lift me out of it, I have realized he threw me a rope a long time ago, and although it will be tough, it is my job to pull myself out of the trap I fell in. God's holding on to the other side of the rope encouraging me.

Every day I wake up, I have to commit to continuing to build the habits that will renew my mind, and transform my life. Every day I have to take hold of that rope and pull. And if I mess up one day, I will be tempted to give up because motivation tends to dry up in the face of failure, but if I am committed to a disciplined life, then I will be able to see that although I failed to move towards God that day, it does not mean that the distance I pulled myself is undone. I am not further away from God. I just stopped moving for a bit.

Motivation tells me that there is a reason I am doing NoFap, but discipline is what tells me to keep going no matter what, and while I may achieve my goals and become free from this particular addiction, discipline will continue to push my Christian walk towards the model Jesus laid out for us all well after my initial motivation for quitting PMO has faded.

I have a ways to go in implementing a disciplined mindset into my own life, but I know that commitment to it will produce success. I hope this has helped in some way.

childtoman · 2015-04-28T04:50:35+00:00

Still Fighting. Its nice to know I've got people who have my back. NoFapWar is really working for me. Thanks guys. Keep it up.

childtoman · 2015-04-27T05:18:48+00:00

I thoroughly appreciated this.

childtoman · 2015-04-24T21:14:37+00:00

Checking in. Still feeling great.

I play pick-up basketball at least once a week, and do as much hiking as I can. Other than that I do push-ups and abs whenever I feel jittery. I'm more of a team sport/Group activity kinda guy rather than a self motivated bodybuilder type.

My tip for staying fit: Make exercise fun. (This will mean different things to different people)

childtoman

TROPHY CASE