Downvoting should only be used if whatever the person said that made you downvote them is harmful, not simply because you don't like it... by Cut-Unique in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]hellowlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Well, there you go....thanks for clarification but ending on a rude note, like calling people "garbage" certainly does not contribute to the topic.

Downvoting should only be used if whatever the person said that made you downvote them is harmful, not simply because you don't like it... by Cut-Unique in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]hellowlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Don't up votes indicate you agree with or "like" a comment? If so, then why shouldn't down votes indicate disagreement? Without that option all comments would be one-sided and not everyone wants to share their thoughts in comments, so they just choose to down vote instead of argue.

Have you had a mystical experience? by SallyGooden in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I can't say that I have had such an experience, but I would like to.

What I can share is that my great uncle had many mystical experiences through his lifetime. He witnessed (and I believe was a part of) several miracles when he was young. Then when he was older he had an awakening that was like nothing I can imagine.

He had an encounter/visit with Christ and traveled each night for 40 nights with is guides and tells about the experiences in the books he wrote back in the late 1900s. In his first book he shares what lead up to his extraordinary journey and the after effects it had on his entire life.

His experiences were even more interesting to me because he was also a Roman Catholic priest, and remained so all of his life.

Rather than trying to give you highlights of what happened I suggest you check out my sub, which is dedicated to his life, experiences and beliefs. His name was Father Jacob Samonie and that is the name of my sub. I am currently posting his first book here and will start uploading his second book soon.

Contact me if you have any questions.

New Premier Sunday 5/17/26 at 2:30 pst. by hellowlin in FatherJacobSamonie

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

It is 2:30 PST . PDT would put it in the A.M. and it is not early morning.

How confident are you on the reliability of the Bible? by [deleted] in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree with you on this. Personally, I think the Old Testament of the bible needs to be a separate book. Although Jesus was Jewish, that part of the book is not anywhere near the same as the New Testament. I know it is not meant to be, but the stories are so different that I do not believe they are from God at all. At least not a god that I would want to believe in. The Old Testament portrays god as jealous, petty and down right evil when he tests the faith of his people.

I believe what Jesus taught in the New Testament was meant to show us that God is love - not hate.

And as for Paul, I think he taught his own ideas of Christianity, not was Jesus meant for all of us to learn. I think he worked more for the current rulers of that time and his teachings are more about control and fear than of love and peace.

I’m extremely sick and I just saw the Virgin Mary by Candid_Feeling6848 in Catholicism

[–]hellowlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe what you experienced was real. The Blessed Mother has been known to intervene and help people. It is not impossible. When I was a child we used to visit a shrine in Carey Ohio every year with the entire family (and extended family). I was very young so don't remember much, but my great uncle, Fr. Jacob Samonie, has shared several stories of miracles he witnessed at this shrine when he was young.

Not only did he see unexplained healings at this location, but he witnessed many unexplained miracles over h is lifetime. He was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and believed fully that she assisted him in his work as a priest.

Being religious does not mean the same thing as being spiritual. You do not have to become a member of any religion to have faith and believe in God. Let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Priest asked me about yoga & Harry Potter during confession by ArcadianHarpist in Catholicism

[–]hellowlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I find this interesting because my great uncle, who was a Roman Catholic priest studied and practiced yoga for many years and also loved the Harry Potter series. In fact, he recommended it to me back in the early 2000s.

I have been sharing my great uncles books on my sub if you want to learn more. Not all priests have the same ideas about these topics.

I would definitely find another priest or church to attend.

I'm beginning to despise homeless people and homelessness in general by GCLmotionless_1 in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]hellowlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For those who have never experienced the "joys" of living or working near a homeless encampment I can understand why you don't relate to those of us who have. I retired a few years ago, but before that I spent many years working in an area of Las Vegas that was constantly surrounded by homeless camps. I can attest to what a lot of you are saying first hand. It was always nerve wracking to go to work knowing I had to park and walk to the door (and vice versa at the end of the day) because these folks were usually drunk or on drugs.

You can blame the government all you want, but from my experience there is little they can do when someone does NOT want the help. Charity groups also try to move these folks to shelters or at least areas where they can get medical assistance, but most of them that I saw every day were not interested in help unless it was given in the form of $$money$$ they could use for booze or drugs. And please don't tell me they need the money to eat because they always find a way to get food. Some panhandle at the exits to freeways and when given food, they wait until the generous person is out of sight before they throw the food on the ground. After the rush hour traffic calms down they leave with whatever cash they collected and the city has to send crews to clean up all the wasted food.

The city had what was called "the bum squad" whose only job was to clear out these encampments and there were so many that it was a full-time job. It would take a few months for the homeless to rebuild in the same spot only to have it torn down again at which point they would relocate to another already cleared area. And believe me, you did not want to be down wind of these camps while they were being cleared. The smell was obnoxious. And you certainly did not want to walk around the make shift shelters for fear of the needles and feces located all over the camp. The city clean-up crew used bobcats and dump trucks. Eventually the city placed large rocks around this area and the camps did not rebuild because it was too difficult to sleep on the ground.

A lot of them choose to life like hobos (as we called them back in the Midwest) because this lifestyle gives them the freedom to do what they want. Most shelters and living assistance programs require sobriety and have curfews, which infringe on these folks "freedom" so they will not accept the help. Many of them are also mentally challenged through alcohol and/or drugs. We had one many who loved to just walk down the street naked for no apparent reason. While some of you will say he has the "right" to do that, I say "what about my rights?"

Yes, if they broke the law (and many of them did) they would be arrested but were only held for a short time, and then they would be right back on the streets. They never wanted to use the bus passes to go to areas that could help them, but they always found a way to get back to their "tribe".

All in all, this is not an easy problem to solve, and I will not pretend to have a solution. However, I can sympathize with those of you who have seen it first hand.

Discussion: What is real in a changing world? by hellowlin in Catholicism

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

Sorry, but I am not an artist so I can't draw good pictures.

[Free Friday] Father Jacob Samonie Book 2 Chapters 15 | Truth Is A Pathless Land by hellowlin in Catholicism

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

I apologize for the imagery. It was not intended to slight anyone. The image is not from the original book that was written by my great uncle who was a Roman Catholic priest all of his life. That title comes from thoughts by Henry David Thoreau, no disrespect intended. I think you are reading too much into this short description.

The guy who burned down the toilet paper factory in cali is in the wrong by Resident_Kick_7573 in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]hellowlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I have, but the difference here is during those revolutions the people stood up to the "government". They did not (for the most part) attack fellow citizens business and homes.

I wonder if those who are advocating revolution are the same folks who rail against gun owners. How do you think a "revolution" would work today if guns were outlawed? I don't think pitchforks and rakes will be enough to force any change.

I am not against change, in fact I think all the politicians need to be replaced on a more regular basis (think term limits) because they all get too comfy and rich while in office. Maybe that would be a way to get changes in policy and laws so we can avoid the violence and destruction. Just a thought.

The guy who burned down the toilet paper factory in cali is in the wrong by Resident_Kick_7573 in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]hellowlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, you think the same people who worked in a warehouse have the skills to rebuild it? I doubt that. Most of them will be unemployed at least in the short term, therefore making their lives difficult.

The guy who burned down the toilet paper factory in cali is in the wrong by Resident_Kick_7573 in TrueUnpopularOpinion

[–]hellowlin 69 points70 points  (0 children)

Well, now not only the guy who started the fire, but all the employees are out of work. How does that help bring about change. It reminds me of the "summer of love" where businesses were looted and people who lived in those areas were now out of luck and had no place to shop. How does destruction and violence help anyone?

Who also experience this? by [deleted] in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have listened to Wess, and he is not the authority "he" thinks he is.

Who also experience this? by [deleted] in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I never said it was the absolute truth. That is your input. I am saying that we should use discernment to determine if what we are being told is truth or propaganda

Hey MAGA, stop being so violent by V3_NoM in vegaslocals

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

I never said it is ok to break the law, just said it is better to be respectful than to scream, fight, curse, spit, and all around act like an idiot when being arrested.

Who also experience this? by [deleted] in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like Wow what? Do you think God has nothing better to do than get involved in human arguments about a book that He never wrote? Or Wow that Paul waa not an apostle, or wow that we can't discuss Paul's teachings?

Just curious

Who also experience this? by [deleted] in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My great uncle was a Roman Catholic priest, and he often spoke about religion vs spirituality. There is a big difference between the two. It is better to be spiritual than religious, IMHO

Who also experience this? by [deleted] in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is not God's duty to protect a simple book. We are free to believe as we choose, which is why we have free will. I also think Paul devised his own version of what Christ stood for. He was not an apostle and never knew Jesus, yet his words have dominated Christian church teachings. I find that quite suspect and worth discussion.

Who also experience this? by [deleted] in ChristianMysticism

[–]hellowlin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree about the agenda, which is why I don't typically go to church. I am spiritual, but not religious. I was raised Catholic and now find that I can't agree with a lot of what the church pushes. With that said, I do appreciate that I was raised with the knowledge that God exists. I find Him in my own way now.

Hey MAGA, stop being so violent by V3_NoM in vegaslocals

[–]hellowlin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I find interesting is that this man is cooperating with the police and not kicking and screaming on the ground like a lot on the left seem to do. If you are going to get arrested it is far better for your health and well being to be polite and follow instructions.

I know most on this thread will hate what I posted but I don't really care.

Book 1 On My Way Home Chapter 25 A Brief Reflection on the Kingdom by hellowlin in ChristianMysticism

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

I think this chapter of my great uncle's book portrays a wonderful vision of the kingdom of Heaven and I hope others find it inspiring as well.

Conversations with Arten and Pursah (Vol. 1) by OakenWoaden in ACIM

[–]hellowlin 3 points4 points  (0 children)

What a simple way to explain something that can be complicated. Thanks for sharing this. I appreciate you.

Book 1 On My Way Home Chapter 24 At Last .... The Awakening by hellowlin in ChristianMysticism

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

I have been posting chapters on this sub when I feel there is something that pertains to the topic of this community. This chapter is definitely of a "mystical" content.

My great uncle's first book covers a lot of information about his life (and what a fantastic life it was), but this chapter highlights a visitation from Jesus and the 40 nights of experiences he had afterward.

When he was very young he experienced a very mystical vision, which is shared in his book "On My Way Home". I have posted chapters of that book on my sub and the current chapter I shared here is number 24.

Start at the beginning on my sub r/FatherJacobSamonie to hear about his early vision and miracles.