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Re: China [message #97133 is a reply to message #97130] Thu, 20 March 2008 09:07 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
Bill L is currently offline  Bill L   UNITED STATES
Messages: 766
Registered: August 2006
Senior Member
I certainly must agree that we're all pretty messed up. But I have found
that even the worst of us are basically good. When we err it is because
of computing with erroneous data (read "Dianetics' The Modern
Science of Mental Health" if you want to understand how the mind works).
When you look for and increase the goodness of a person, you can help
them improve. From that starting point can man be bettered.

The way to improve conditions is to put attention on increasing the
goodness, the health, the production, the self determinism of the
individual. If you start by looking for problems you will certainly have
no trouble finding them and in the end you will increase them and their
power. This is one of the problems with our health system and especially
mental health system: they concentrate on disease, not health and wellness.

Look, I don't want to argue religion. I respect everyone's right to
believe what is real to them, but certain things I have observed I like
to share because I want to help.

Dedric Terry wrote:
> I'll only post this in response to your two posts since this topic is not
> only off topic, but also unpopular:
>
> Actually the Bible says Romans 3:22-24 "22 This righteousness from God comes
> through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23
> for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified
> freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."
>
> Some use "turn or burn" tactics, but I don't agree with that approach. At
> the same time, the "do whatever feels right to you" mentality is also
> fatally flawed. Between those two is where Jesus taught - we aren't
> perfect, and will never be on our own (anyone that disagrees, please attempt
> to go a whole day without making a mistake of any kind, whether in action,
> how you talk to someone else, or how you think ;-). Only through God's
> grace and by his love can be be perfected in Him - not perfect humans, but
> loved perfectly (i.e. beyond what we practice and understand in human love)
>
> The point of the above passage, and the idea that we have all sinned is that
> we can't receive God's grace and forgiveness, and become "righteous" in His
> sight by our own power, deeds or merit. It isn't a scare tactic even though
> it has been used that way.
>
> We have to accept and believe that Jesus, not only loves us, but also took
> the burden of our own sin upon himself by dying on the cross and being
> raised from the dead to reunite with His Father - this became the symbol of
> what "being saved" is all about - allowing old ways to die, and a new life
> to begin, not just living a good life. This is how the concept of being
> sinners really becomes a beautiful thing - we aren't doomed to pay for our
> mistakes forever. There is hope. We also can't keep making the same
> mistakes without consequences, whether earthly or heavenly (the former is
> common sense - keep hitting your thumb with a hammer, eventually you'll
> break it ;-).
>
> In practice the change is real, and the heart does take on a new perspective
> on our own lives, responsibilities, people around us, etc. We don't stop
> making mistakes (but that's what forgiveness is for - not excuses, but
> second chances), and we don't become perfect humans, but now we have hope
> beyond what the world has to offer.
>
> Happy Easter all,
> Dedric
>
>
> On 3/20/08 8:03 AM, in article 47e27184@linux, "Bill L"
> <bill@billlorentzen.com> wrote:
>
>> Personally, repeat *personally*, I think some creepy, disgusting Dark
>> Ages priests said "all are lost and doomed by their sins". That is their
>> control mechanism: "Do what we say or burn forever in Hell. Only I know
>> the truth." Personally, I think that kind of coercion is disgusting.
>>
>> I prefer to believe Jesus was full of love and trust and belief in the
>> goodness of man.
>>
>>
>> DC wrote:
>>> Sorry, I misread your question.
>>>
>>> Jesus taught that all are lost and all are doomed by their
>>> sins. He never ever said people are basically good and
>>> this position is against everything he stood and died for.
>>>
>>> We can pursue this further if you like, but it is very clear.
>>>
>>> DC
>

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