Wetcoaster Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 The interesting thing is he's not calling "not watching horror movies" part of his *Religion*. He says: "Religion is something you do at church. This is (not watching horror movies) more about my personal relationship with God. Religion is man made, i think, anyways. It's hard to explain I don't know the right words. It's not the religion we believe in, it's Jesus, Faith. Religion is what people call it." What does that mean? Anybody able to interpret that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yawn.3x Posted February 18, 2013 Author Share Posted February 18, 2013 Religion is man's way to search for God. Faith is God's way of finding man? Faith is substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen, while religion is a set of rituals and doctorine. In other words Faith is about your relationship with God or divinity, while Religion is sort of the middle man which instructs you on how to proceed with that relationship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aladeen Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 So if faith is your relationship with God, and that's what he says it is; he doesn't want to watch horror movies because it would effect his relationship with God because of the demonic images, spirits, ghosts, whatever. But he can play video games with demonic images, spirits, ghosts, undead, etc.. and watch porn, movies about people bombing things, etc..? I just don't get it. It doesn't seem like it has anything to do with Faith. Yes if you watch movies with spirits, and demonic things it will defile your soul according to the bible. But if you play video games with demonic things it won't? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cj_coolcat Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Ahhh, yes I remember this. If I recall correctly from my religious days, the idea is that in order to be truly "filled with the Holy Spirit" and strive for a 100% pure relationship with Jesus/God you need to avoid any and all activities involving spiritual influences other than the Judeo-Christian God. On the extreme end of things people actually believe that by engaging in these types of activities (such as watching horror movies) you are inviting demonic spirits to take up residence in your soul. Others strive for a kind of "possession" by the Holy Spirit (look up speaking in tongues) and believe that this can only happen if your soul is pure and not besmirched by other spirits. Now, if your friend was truly following these principles he should absolutely give up video games and also yoga, martial arts, anything to do with magic or other spirits. (Remember the outcry about Harry Potter? That's why.) What I'm guessing happened with your friend is he probably just learned about this and now he's struggling to fit it in with his own worldview (hence the picking and choosing.) If he's like me, he's going to struggle with this for awhile and try to convince himself that he really believes all this stuff, but eventually he won't be able to do it anymore and he'll rebel against it. And maybe he'll be able to find his own balance with his faith and his brain, or maybe he'll end up scrapping the whole thing and becoming a heathen like me. But the point is, it's very likely that deep down (or maybe not very deep down at all) he knows he's being a hypocrite and his obnoxious behaviour is a kind of false bravado. This sudden need to stop watching supernatural movies might even be because he's secretly struggling with his faith as a whole and he feels like he needs to cut down on other influences to help him hold on to it. I know it's not logical, but I certainly became more extreme and more fundamental in my religion before I finally gave it up altogether. I felt like if I just threw myself into it more and more and more then eventually maybe I would actually FEEL like I was supposed to. It's kind of a "fake it until you make it" situation. Again, it's not logical, but it's not easy giving up on something that has shaped and defined your entire life until that point. If he's going through what I was expect some even crazier behaviour from him before it gets better. I know this doesn't really help you with your friendship but it might give you some insight into where he's coming from. Of course, I could also be completely off the mark and he's just on his way to becoming a fundie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yawn.3x Posted February 19, 2013 Author Share Posted February 19, 2013 Ahhh, yes I remember this. If I recall correctly from my religious days, the idea is that in order to be truly "filled with the Holy Spirit" and strive for a 100% pure relationship with Jesus/God you need to avoid any and all activities involving spiritual influences other than the Judeo-Christian God. On the extreme end of things people actually believe that by engaging in these types of activities (such as watching horror movies) you are inviting demonic spirits to take up residence in your soul. Others strive for a kind of "possession" by the Holy Spirit (look up speaking in tongues) and believe that this can only happen if your soul is pure and not besmirched by other spirits. Now, if your friend was truly following these principles he should absolutely give up video games and also yoga, martial arts, anything to do with magic or other spirits. (Remember the outcry about Harry Potter? That's why.) What I'm guessing happened with your friend is he probably just learned about this and now he's struggling to fit it in with his own worldview (hence the picking and choosing.) If he's like me, he's going to struggle with this for awhile and try to convince himself that he really believes all this stuff, but eventually he won't be able to do it anymore and he'll rebel against it. And maybe he'll be able to find his own balance with his faith and his brain, or maybe he'll end up scrapping the whole thing and becoming a heathen like me. But the point is, it's very likely that deep down (or maybe not very deep down at all) he knows he's being a hypocrite and his obnoxious behaviour is a kind of false bravado. This sudden need to stop watching supernatural movies might even be because he's secretly struggling with his faith as a whole and he feels like he needs to cut down on other influences to help him hold on to it. I know it's not logical, but I certainly became more extreme and more fundamental in my religion before I finally gave it up altogether. I felt like if I just threw myself into it more and more and more then eventually maybe I would actually FEEL like I was supposed to. It's kind of a "fake it until you make it" situation. Again, it's not logical, but it's not easy giving up on something that has shaped and defined your entire life until that point. If he's going through what I was expect some even crazier behaviour from him before it gets better. I know this doesn't really help you with your friendship but it might give you some insight into where he's coming from. Of course, I could also be completely off the mark and he's just on his way to becoming a fundie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
key2thecup Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Is Sharpshooter back or something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yawn.3x Posted February 19, 2013 Author Share Posted February 19, 2013 Just wanna say thanks to everyone whos posted. Nobody has really blown this topic up with a huge flame war, and theres been some really knowledgeable answers. I appreciate it a lot. I know religion is a sour topic and most would rather have nothing to do with it, so thanks for the maturity everyone. The answers have been a really great help, and I somewhat understand it a little better now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddhas Hand Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Religion is man's way to search for God. Faith is God's way of finding man? Faith is substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen, while religion is a set of rituals and doctorine. In other words Faith is about your relationship with God or divinity, while Religion is sort of the middle man which instructs you on how to proceed with that relationship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aGENT Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Ahhh, yes I remember this. If I recall correctly from my religious days, the idea is that in order to be truly "filled with the Holy Spirit" and strive for a 100% pure relationship with Jesus/God you need to avoid any and all activities involving spiritual influences other than the Judeo-Christian God. On the extreme end of things people actually believe that by engaging in these types of activities (such as watching horror movies) you are inviting demonic spirits to take up residence in your soul. Others strive for a kind of "possession" by the Holy Spirit (look up speaking in tongues) and believe that this can only happen if your soul is pure and not besmirched by other spirits. Now, if your friend was truly following these principles he should absolutely give up video games and also yoga, martial arts, anything to do with magic or other spirits. (Remember the outcry about Harry Potter? That's why.) What I'm guessing happened with your friend is he probably just learned about this and now he's struggling to fit it in with his own worldview (hence the picking and choosing.) If he's like me, he's going to struggle with this for awhile and try to convince himself that he really believes all this stuff, but eventually he won't be able to do it anymore and he'll rebel against it. And maybe he'll be able to find his own balance with his faith and his brain, or maybe he'll end up scrapping the whole thing and becoming a heathen like me. But the point is, it's very likely that deep down (or maybe not very deep down at all) he knows he's being a hypocrite and his obnoxious behaviour is a kind of false bravado. This sudden need to stop watching supernatural movies might even be because he's secretly struggling with his faith as a whole and he feels like he needs to cut down on other influences to help him hold on to it. I know it's not logical, but I certainly became more extreme and more fundamental in my religion before I finally gave it up altogether. I felt like if I just threw myself into it more and more and more then eventually maybe I would actually FEEL like I was supposed to. It's kind of a "fake it until you make it" situation. Again, it's not logical, but it's not easy giving up on something that has shaped and defined your entire life until that point. If he's going through what I was expect some even crazier behaviour from him before it gets better. I know this doesn't really help you with your friendship but it might give you some insight into where he's coming from. Of course, I could also be completely off the mark and he's just on his way to becoming a fundie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rampage Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 sounds like your buddy went to jesus camp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theminister Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 I bet Jesus wouldn't be into zombie movies. Hits a little too close to home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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