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Nowadays? Christian religious structures have used that technique since the start of the religion. It's a fear based mindset, and as such you can easily tell it's "evil". Demonise everything else, set yourself up as the one truth.
Originally posted by Skyfloating
"Focus on self takes away from focus on good" ... Its an argument I dont agree with,
"Clearing the mind of clutter" is a basic practice as is not being swept back and forth by internal cravings and aversions.
Originally posted by FlyersFan
Reminds me of Nostrodamus and his water gazing. He's watch the lights twinkle across the top of the water and he'd get his visions that way.
Originally posted by saint4God
"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." - Deuteronomy 18:9-11
[edit on 22-12-2008 by saint4God]
Originally posted by saint4God
Although I agree occultism does not have to include Satanism, I wanted to interject a Christian paradigm on the issue. According to the rules we'd been given:
"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." - Deuteronomy 18:9-11
So for us, there are things that are permissible and there are things that are not. Occultism falls into the "not" catagory. This law is a subset of "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3) albeit a little difficult to explain how. I would find it inappropriate and in poor taste for a Christian to wag their finger at an occultist (or anyone other than a Satanist) and saying "you worship the devil!" It just shows their affronting hostile nature and does nothing in the way of helping as far as I can tell.
I don't see this as the largest conspiracy ever, though may be the largest one impacting the original poster's life.
[edit on 22-12-2008 by saint4God]
Originally posted by saint4God
"When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." - Deuteronomy 18:9-11
Originally posted by Skyfloating
The version of Christianity that preaches empowerment (as a child of God) rather than Fear (of Satan)...such as the Christian Mystics did it...is much closer to what some of us term "occult practice".
Originally posted by saint4God
What's wrong with being who and what we already are? We have the power to speak, the power to love, and the free gift of eternal life, what more do we need?
Originally posted by gordonwest
You have just quoted from the bible.
Originally posted by gordonwest
The problem is that the "bible" is most-all of the image of man, not from God.
Originally posted by gordonwest
There are so many different versions and interpretations of the bible nowadays, the book is just a comic book with no facts.
Originally posted by prevenge
know what?
that's probably A LOT of what those guys that wrote Deuteronomy WERE DOING!...
Originally posted by prevenge
instead of taking scripture blindly as complete absolute truth for fear that your peers or judgmental god will kick your ash for it.
Originally posted by Skyfloating
There's nothing wrong with that. Gratitude for the gift of life abounds.
Let that not turn into the apathy of "no point in progressing" though.
Keep reading, it gets better. Even the devil knows scripture.
What's wrong with being who and what we already are? We have the power to speak, the power to love, and the free gift of eternal life, what more do we need?
Originally posted by gordonwest
Ha. Even you, a "saintforGod" shown clear EVIDENCE that the "leader" of the CHURCH is Satan.
Originally posted by gordonwest
What more do we need? Even you have shown to the members of ATS that we do NOT need the church.
Originally posted by saint4God
Originally posted by prevenge
instead of taking scripture blindly as complete absolute truth for fear that your peers or judgmental god will kick your ash for it.
What causes you to assume I blindly take scripture? That's a bit obtuse without knowing anything about my experiences. I would've shared them if you would've asked instead of making a judgement about me.
Originally posted by Skyfloating
reply to post by hoagy1199
Watching the sunrise at the beach gets you closer to God than sitting in Sunday church does. Thats for sure.