Hello, You've Got Rapture

[Kevy Baby]

Nephy

We all tolerate differing opinions. Whether you chose to see it or not, your initial post was bitter and a blanket, wholesale attack on the LoT. The OP and subsequent posts were poking fun at one silly thing that a few people are doing in the name of Christianity. It was no where near a blast on Christianity, but a few misguided individuals.

Lighten up, step back, take a deep breath and move along.

Originally Posted by Nephythys

Fvck it.

I is out. You win. NOW it's personal.

Friends my ass.

And this, my friends, is a classic YAGE.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I did- above.

Christ almighty-I can't have an opinion unless I join in the gaffes? I can't be annoyed by a post or a thread and express it?

No, you didn't. What is the website for if it is not to notify those "left behind" after the rapture? I saw. Ok, so the website is to talk your friends into accepting Christ after the rapture. Got it.

I also didn't see anyone slamming others beliefs. I saw people think it would be funny if one of the people went on vacation, didn't log in and the system assumed they were raptured. I also saw comments that people found it presumptuous to assume that those using the site would not be "left behind".

There are Christians, Catholics, Jews and Wiccans on this board. There may be people of other faiths too, who have yet to share.

If you really hate those on LoT that much, and think that those on LoT just keep slamming you and your beliefs to attack you why do you keep coming back?

[Stan4dSteph]

I don't have anything to add, except I suppose I fall under the Christian category. For those keeping score, I was brought up American Baptist, and have also had a little Presbyterian sprinkled in when I was at Stanford.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Indeed. In fact, I'm a Christian. Grew up Catholic, and still think that Christ's philosophies are terrific. But I also happen to think that Christ's philosophies have been bastardized and misinterpreted in a variety of ways.

Lots of people in this community are quick to make fun of anything, especially when it has to do with someone being cocksure. And what could be more cocksure than knowing for certain you're going to be part of the Rapture?

I'm all for faith. I'm all for believing whatever you believe, provided you're not harming anyone, or forcing it on them. But I think that faith and doubt go hand in hand, and that anyone so cocksure that they'll find salvation in heaven isn't paying attention to all of the words of the Bible, isn't paying attention to their daily mistakes and human flaws. The truly holiest Christians I've met are humble ones, who don't presume to be the holiest, don't project it, and who've clearly taken to heart the Bible's dogma, the Beatitudes that remind Christians that the poor in spirit will see the kingdom of god, the meek will inherit the earth. They go about their lives doing good as best as they can, and not letting the left hand of the world see what their right hand is doing. This service doesn't smack of humility, even if users' intentions are to help those left behind.

But here's the thing: the humble people are often humble because life has humbled them. So they're in touch with the realization that they're human, they're imperfect. And these people certain of their ultimate rapturous salvation? They're imperfect. The people making fun of the people who are certain of their ultimate rapturous salvation? They're imperfect. Those people lashing out at the people making fun of the people who are certain of their ultimate rapturous salvation? They're imperfect too. We're ALL imperfect. And we all have different viewpoints and it's a complex life to navigate. So it's best to allow people a little breathing room - for their beliefs, for their humor, for their own good. A stuffy room isn't a comfortable one.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

There are Christians, Catholics, Jews and Wiccans on this board. There may be people of other faiths too, who have yet to share.

And Atheists and Agnostics.

But no Methodists: we don't allow their kind around these parts.

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

I don't have anything to add, except I suppose I fall under the Christian category. For those keeping score, I was brought up American Baptist, and have also had a little Presbyterian sprinkled in when I was at Stanford.

After the second period, we have a score of:
American Baptists - 2
Protestants - 2
Jews - 9
Catholics - 4
Jehovah's Witnesses - 1
Atheists - 5
Mennonites - 2
Wiccans - 5
Buddhists - 1
Heathens - 17
Confusionists - 1
Shintoists - 56
Hinduists - 3
Sikhismists - 1
Taoists - 21
Voodoo practitioners - 9
Mowahhidoonists - 14
Scientologists - 34
Zoroastrianismists - 2
Satanists - 3
Hare Krishnists - 721
Gnosticts - 1
Elian Gonzalezists - 6
Members of the Church of the Poison Mind - 8
Methodists - 0 (as I said above: we just don't like their ilk)

[Gemini Cricket]

You forgot about Bahá'ís.

[blueerica]

I should add that I didn't post what I did too lightly. It took years of seeking and not finding, mostly as a Baptist (and then through a variety of phases afterward), for me to come to an agnostic decision. I am not atheist.

But, the point being, I think most people were trying to look at the service with a sense of humor. I do. And the story goes that though the Earth is more-or-less hell there's still the chance for salvation after the fact wasn't lost on me. It's what the whole Left Behind series was about and that was kind of the big thing at my church growing up, since it was a relatively new series of movies. I can still find an online email service kind of funny, right?

Plus, I wonder if when I bought the "pass" with my one-time acceptance of Christ if it's really, truly good for a lifetime. You know, just in case. Acceptance of such a spiritual thing doesn't come with warranty options...

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Nephy

We all tolerate differing opinions. Whether you chose to see it or not, your initial post was bitter and a blanket, wholesale attack on the LoT. The OP and subsequent posts were poking fun at one silly thing that a few people are doing in the name of Christianity. It was no where near a blast on Christianity, but a few misguided individuals.

Lighten up, step back, take a deep breath and move along.




And this, my friends, is a classic YAGE.

In retrospect I can see how a portion of my post was in fact - personal.

I apologize.

It was not a YAGE- I was backing out of the thread. I reacted in hurt and anger-hello, I'm human too.

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

No, you didn't. What is the website for if it is not to notify those "left behind" after the rapture? I saw. Ok, so the website is to talk your friends into accepting Christ after the rapture. Got it.

I also didn't see anyone slamming others beliefs. I saw people think it would be funny if one of the people went on vacation, didn't log in and the system assumed they were raptured. I also saw comments that people found it presumptuous to assume that those using the site would not be "left behind".

There are Christians, Catholics, Jews and Wiccans on this board. There may be people of other faiths too, who have yet to share.

If you really hate those on LoT that much, and think that those on LoT just keep slamming you and your beliefs to attack you why do you keep coming back?

I don't hate anyone here.

It hit a nerve- the discussion of why may be interesting- however I am not up to it.

Keep coming back? I'm always here-not like I left.

I do think that sometimes there are comments made here that are somewhat careless of the affront they may cause others- inadvertantly I made one myself.

Sorry.

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

In retrospect I can see how a portion of my post was in fact - personal.

I apologize.

Apology accepted - thank you!

[Nephythys]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

Indeed. In fact, I'm a Christian. Grew up Catholic, and still think that Christ's philosophies are terrific. But I also happen to think that Christ's philosophies have been bastardized and misinterpreted in a variety of ways.

Lots of people in this community are quick to make fun of anything, especially when it has to do with someone being cocksure. And what could be more cocksure than knowing for certain you're going to be part of the Rapture?

I'm all for faith. I'm all for believing whatever you believe, provided you're not harming anyone, or forcing it on them. But I think that faith and doubt go hand in hand, and that anyone so cocksure that they'll find salvation in heaven isn't paying attention to all of the words of the Bible, isn't paying attention to their daily mistakes and human flaws. The truly holiest Christians I've met are humble ones, who don't presume to be the holiest, don't project it, and who've clearly taken to heart the Bible's dogma, the Beatitudes that remind Christians that the poor in spirit will see the kingdom of god, the meek will inherit the earth. They go about their lives doing good as best as they can, and not letting the left hand of the world see what their right hand is doing. This service doesn't smack of humility, even if users' intentions are to help those left behind.

But here's the thing: the humble people are often humble because life has humbled them. So they're in touch with the realization that they're human, they're imperfect. And these people certain of their ultimate rapturous salvation? They're imperfect. The people making fun of the people who are certain of their ultimate rapturous salvation? They're imperfect. Those people lashing out at the people making fun of the people who are certain of their ultimate rapturous salvation? They're imperfect too. We're ALL imperfect. And we all have different viewpoints and it's a complex life to navigate. So it's best to allow people a little breathing room - for their beliefs, for their humor, for their own good. A stuffy room isn't a comfortable one.

I think the site is ridiculous- but then I have many reasons for thinking it.

However my discomfort with some comments made here are not going to be discussed reasonably today- so I am leaving off.

I did however- appreciate your post- and am glad that your message to me brought me back to see it.

Thanks