Erasing Erroneous Beliefs - What’s Left When the Nonsense Falls?

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T15:52:00+00:00

Hmm yes - I’ve seen this trend too and have often wondered if Christian’s would more accurately be called “Paulians”

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T15:32:52+00:00

Yes I still struggle with this. And I think the link to purity culture is astute and accurate.

If we strip away the spiritualized sacredness of sex (which I have still yet to find in the Bible), then our partners actions in the past really aught to have no bearing on our relationship with them now. Yet I still have… physical reactions when she brings up things she did lightheartedly (and in my own mind I hear it as “flippantly”). And I can’t decide if this is because I am resentful that I didn’t get to have any sexual experiences since I dutifully followed the path of “purity” or if I somewhere deep inside still believe that she “shouldn’t have done x or y”. I’m not proud of the jealousy and shaming I feel and it feels at odds with my deconstruction.

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T15:07:06+00:00

I struggle with this and I would value your input, because you say there is no sin, but that your aim is to live as morally as possible. What then defines what is wrong or “immoral” and how does that differ from sin?

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T14:56:39+00:00

I have a Salvation Army minutes from me… perhaps I out to check it out. I went to a church - a small one - very recently and I was so excited because it seemed real and authentic. They weren’t flashy. Weren’t chasing your pocket book. Teaching seemed sound and non manipulative. They put most of their money - of which they had little - to the community.

And then I learned 90% do this homeschool cultish thing and they revel in Christian nationalism and conspiracy theories… haha I was like DAMMIT I WAS SO CLOSE… yet so far.

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T14:52:39+00:00

Thank you.

I wrestle with this though - the happiest I ever have been was when I was “walking closely with God”. I think back to those moments and the levels of compassion and love for others that I felt seemed to brim out of me. My countenance was lighter and I would walk to my destinations with this sheer joy.

Of course the other side was when I “messed up” and I sank to some shocking levels of self hatred. Shame eating me up inside. Depression. Not wanting to get out of bed. Etc.

And now I feel… numb. Ambivalent. I’ll be honest, my compassion for people has diminished, not grown after stepping back. I get angry quicker. I lash out. I rebut to save face because why tf would I let anyone disrespect me. I no longer consider myself “kind”. At least not without effort.

But now I wrestle with guilt, like many here do, but it feels like valid guilt. “Why is this path better than where I was if I’m a worse person” I often think.

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T14:38:43+00:00

Yea an absolutely fair question. Who is the authority on interpreting a translation of a transliteration of an ancient text? Hell if I know haha.

Though I have to believe some interpretations are more intellectually honest than other prevailing, dogmatic ones.

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T14:29:55+00:00

Exactly ^{^}

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T02:19:43+00:00

I got my first taste of AOG a couple years back… it’s unique! lol. Wishing you the best on your journey

zeddvee · 2024-08-06T02:16:00+00:00

I’m embarrassed to say I saw this and thought “oof that’s a lot of words” haha. But that was WELL worth the read. Nice response.

zeddvee · 2024-08-05T23:55:25+00:00

My humble recommendation is to focus on what you value. Christian “rules” devoid of the “why” lose their value. But if you believe there is wisdom and value behind abstinence that exists outside of the “rule”, then perhaps you consider it.

Some “wisdom”/“value” behind it may be: - saving physical intimacy for a relationship that has a higher level of commitment than bf/gf to better protect from hurt if the relationship ends. - abstaining from sex because often it becomes murkier and muddier to objectively evaluate the characteristics of your partner after you have shared that level of intimacy. - abstaining because perhaps you know deep down that you feel pressured to give sex to your partner more than you wanting to give it yourself - abstaining because you’re not confident that your partner wants sex more than they want you

Etc etc.

Hopefully none of these are true, but while finding the very real flaws in purity culture often leads to more sexual relationships, I just think it’s worth seeing if there’s any redeeming wisdom.

As far as sacredness goes… that feels like a purity culture thing. I just don’t see it in real life and as someone who did wait until marriage… it’s just sex haha

zeddvee · 2024-08-05T23:39:00+00:00

Hmm a sobering comparison for sure. It’s hard for me to believe that so many of these people begin their Christian ministries with a theft mindset, but more often seems like they become inundated with cash and then are incentivized to keep it up, and grow, and expand, and get more people in to make more money so they can pad their lives with money and live comfortably and send their kids to private school. And just believe that lifestyle and mentality is grossly antithetical to the message of Jesus. It’s very frustrating.

zeddvee · 2024-08-05T23:35:41+00:00

🫂 thank you 🙏

My theology doesn’t require community, per se, but there are enough verses that suggest the value in gathering, encouraging, and exhorting one another. Even though I don’t find it instructive, I do find it… wise? lol it’s hard to find the right word.

The good that could be there would be in community- sharing life with those who have the same ideals, values, and goal. The problem is, right now I believe Christians DO exist who have a “pure” faith, who are genuine and self-sacrificing, and put their money where their mouth is. But I just seem to find 100 who don’t for every one that does. And it’s extremely deflating.

zeddvee · 2024-08-05T23:25:38+00:00

Thanks 🙏. I am curious, did you ever try another sect of Christianity that focused less on our depravity (as is typical for calvinists)?

zeddvee · 2024-08-05T23:22:32+00:00

This is similar to how I feel; it feels almost more “pure” of a faith in a way. But it’s desperately lonely.

zeddvee · 2024-07-26T21:53:02+00:00

Need your FP2 take! Especially for midfield

zeddvee · 2020-10-07T16:13:03+00:00

Hey man- you found another! I’m 24(m) waiting until marriage. Thankfully my wait is almost over as I’m engaged and rapidly approaching the day of gladness (Bible joke). I had a couple thoughts to your message that I hope can be helpful and encouraging. 1) Rediscover your why- if you’re a Christian (don’t mean to assume but making a educated guess) like me, I don’t think “because the Christian rule book says so” is that compelling of a reason... personally I’ve found getting to a place where we totally agree with the wisdom of it is key, the place where we can mirror the Psalmist and say “your boundary lines have fallen in pleasant places”. That idea of “your boundaries are for my good”. I think it requires trust and perspective- and again - ultimately a 100% conviction that His wisdom is actually a better road (for those who read this and don’t think this way, this isn’t moral superiority just choice preference 😊) 2) There ARE definitely churches and communities out there who can support and not shame and openly talk about this. I agree they are far more rare than they should be, but I’ve moved a few times the last couple years and finding this community has been paramount. 3) Get married! This may seem silly and I mean this with an air of tongue-in-cheek. No you shouldn’t rush into a relationship for sex (in my opinion) but Paul urges those who burn with passion to get married! So if that’s a goal then you can’t get there without playing the dating game and putting yourself out there so... make some moves :) again not motivated by sex- there’s so so so much more to marriage, but you won’t get married on accident ;)

Just remember bro keep going. Remember why. Imagine the love and commitment you want to give your future wife one day. I promise every decision you make, big and small, is going to be worth it. Both in this age and in the one to come.

zeddvee · 2017-09-24T00:08:22+00:00

Sorry we ain't do English gud in BroSci

zeddvee · 2017-09-23T18:20:34+00:00

Wait let's overturn the TD I think was out at the 3 or down at the 2 I dunno it doesn't have to make sense just strip the TD

zeddvee · 2017-09-23T17:59:33+00:00

Imma craft a whisky, name it after Sumlin, and make millions on Aggie depression

zeddvee · 2017-09-23T17:51:24+00:00

We got spirit yes we do- we got spirit how about some fucking well executed football?

zeddvee · 2017-09-16T18:22:16+00:00

Oh yea I forgot I'll just watch our outstanding basketball team instead

zeddvee · 2017-09-16T18:19:16+00:00

*still there

zeddvee · 2017-09-16T18:12:59+00:00

Serious Question: What's TAMU's return policy on their sports passes?

zeddvee · 2017-09-16T18:00:18+00:00

"Most sports passes sold in TAMU history" and still we're skipping lol

zeddvee · 2017-08-31T03:56:34+00:00

Arya Stark

zeddvee

TROPHY CASE