The True Believer Syndrome

[Reckless Roselia]

When I think about the term True Believer for some reason I think of the various cult/religious groups where people have killed themselves to signify their ultimate true belief.

When I first heard of the term I thought of someone that is preaching religion non-stop and who follows each and every command of God or of His messengers to the very best. It's difficult to be a real strong believer or a true one I would have thought. I mean surely many believers have doubted their own God at least one time in their lives?

True belief to me requires fact and logic first in order to be proved believable.

Do you think there is a possibility that belief and logic can somehow complement each other? My logical part of the brain doesn't seem to agree with belief or religion anymore but I am hanging onto faith.

[Reckless Roselia]

Sept 6, 2012 12:09:05 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'm sorry about your granny, Roselia. Alzheimer's is a rough row to hoe. My mother is 91 and still, thankfully, pretty darned sharp. My dad, however, was severely demented (vascular dementia, not Alzheimer's) by the time of his death. Any dementia takes a toll on the sufferer as well as the family.

You're right, mmhmm on the effects of dementia. My granny struggles identifying her loved ones. It's sad. One day she will even forget who she is.

[mrsdutt]

Sept 6, 2012 11:53:02 GMT -5 trevorw2539 said:

Sept 6, 2012 6:44:25 GMT -5 mrsdutt said:

ROSE: He did not discard it, He negated it. There's a lot of history in the OT. I wish you luck on your journey. You'll be fine. It's the end result that matters.

Surely Christ fulfilled the OT and its promises. He followed, commented on and used the OT in some of his parables. The vine, the shepherd etc are all taken from the OT. That's why the people accepted them, they knew what he was talking about.

Finally he celebrated the Passover, taking upon himself the OT promises associated with the Pascal Lamb.

Christians believe that the OT practices were a 'shadowing' of the reality which Christ brought.

None of the 10 commandments were negated. They were all summed up in the scripture you quoted.

When they become engaged the man makes promises to his lady friend. On marriage he does not negate those promises, but fulfills them.

God made promises, Christ fulfilled them.

That's the standard Christian view surely.

The way I'm looking at it is ( and I could be wrong) His very presence negated the Jewish laws. Christ was the fulfillment of God's promises. But, He was not recognized as such by most people.

[Reckless Roselia]

Jesus was a Jew. He didn't change his beliefs or faith.

[mrsdutt]

No He didn't, but he added to them. Catholics and Jews have everything in common (in their belief system), with the exception of one tiny detail. Catholics believe Jesus is the Son of God. Jews do not. Our mass is nothing more the repetition of the Last Supper with a few prayers thrown in.

I'm really not a strong opponent when it comes to debating issues or trying to prove anything. And I'm certainly not an intellectual. Since I'm considered a senior, I feel the time I have left has to be used in a different manner. So any attempt at a debate may prove to disappoint.

[Reckless Roselia]

Catholics believe Jesus is the Son of God. Jews do not.

Neither do Muslims.

I'm really not a strong opponent when it comes to debating issues or trying to prove anything. And I'm certainly not an intellectual. Since I'm considered a senior, I feel the time I have left has to be used in a different manner. So any attempt at a debate may prove to disappoint.

Heh, no problems. I'm your junior and I respect your wish. I get you, so don't worry. I am not looking for a debate either but I do wish to express my views without anyone stoning me to death. My friend Sniper has shown how Jesus doesn't exist but even seeing that argument I refuse to agree to it. I love Jesus and have given him the respect of which not many Christians by default may have.

[mrsdutt]

I didn't mean to quash your view. I'm sorry to have come across like that.
If there was a cookie and a glass of milk icon, I would offer those as a peace offering. MMMM, chocolate chip cookies. The milk is just to remove the calories from the cookie! That is how it works, isn't it?

[Reckless Roselia]

Oh no, please don't get me wrong. I've discussed this with someone who thinks I'm on the verge of leaving religion and I wanted other views too. You're most welcome to say what you feel like. I just don't wish to come across as harsh.

Cookies, you know what? That's the only thing I ate for breakfast today and that too after yonks.

[mrsdutt]

The breakfast of champions! ;D