The escapist, I need your help.
- Thread starter RadioactiveTurtle
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What you are about to read is all speculative, and my own personal opinion. If you get offended, big whoop.
Way I see it, religion is most a human tool in my eyes. People go to religion to answer questions like "Where do we go when we die?", and "What is our purpose in the world?". It is, in my opinion, a tool invented to help people accept the unfortunate human condition.
"Life sucks and then you die, but if it makes you feel any better, you're special in God's eyes." [pretty much]
I'm wondering if the camp possibly scared her into believing in God. Maybe ask her if she's developed any fears lately.
...just my 2 cents.
Way I see it, religion is most a human tool in my eyes. People go to religion to answer questions like "Where do we go when we die?", and "What is our purpose in the world?". It is, in my opinion, a tool invented to help people accept the unfortunate human condition.
"Life sucks and then you die, but if it makes you feel any better, you're special in God's eyes." [pretty much]
I'm wondering if the camp possibly scared her into believing in God. Maybe ask her if she's developed any fears lately.
...just my 2 cents.
That's very disturbing.Pariah87 said:
I can hardly believe the anti-government and anti-free thought going on
This is what's wrong with the world
Those kids don't look happy
well just talk to her and ask about what went down at her camp
i have nothing against heavy christian just forcing your views on people and that appears to be the case
it seems she came to her own conclusion as to what to believe and that camp took it away from her
i have nothing against heavy christian just forcing your views on people and that appears to be the case
it seems she came to her own conclusion as to what to believe and that camp took it away from her
Oh.. god. That.Pariah87 said:
I swear, between this and horrific looking supernatural little girls.. that may almost take the cake. Almost.
OT: I.. really don't know what to say? Brainwashing? Intensely repressed feelings before/after? *Shrugs*
If she's being cold and looking down on other people, it isn't a good change for her, in my opinion. I'm not religious; I think that I can make my own decisions about being a good person. I don't need a pastor to tell me what's right and what's wrong, and while I believe that God could exist, I don't feel I need him in my life. Being a Christian would just enrage me. However, for some people, religion can help guide them through all the troubles of life. My priorities are different than some people's. Personally, I have this one as a first:Mad World said:
1. Be good to other the other things on Earth. I don't give a shit who made them: they're other living things and you should be good to them.
I think that a truly positive religion would enforce kindness. Look at all those people saying, "Oh yeah, the Buddhist monk who has devoted his entire life to practicing kindness and bringing about peace - he deserves eternal torture because he didn't revert from the faith he was raised in to worship my god." Bullshit. If that's what God thinks, I'm not going to be his servant. People who constantly act 'holier than thou' are missing the point somewhat, in my opinion.
OP, I'm not sure what to tell you. It may be just a phase that she'll grow out of. Perhaps she experienced a truly life-changing thing at camp, and she thinks that now being a Christian is the right way. Let her. My guess is that she's just insecure about her new religion and is A) Being extremely strong about her new opinions and teachings in order to reinforce herself and/or B) Acting cold toward other people because she's self absorbed and trying to figure out what the hell is going on inside.
I think your friend will figure out the best path for her in her own good time. Trying to find what's right for you is a really hard thing to do - it requires deep searching within your own being. Give her some time. But if she continues to be a ***** about it, remind her that you aren't going to take that. "You're free to have your own beliefs, and I will respect them so long as you respect my own." And, if it applies, "If you're going to try to force your beliefs onto me, I don't want to be your friend." The way I see it, being religious is okay, but trying to force it onto other people in any way is not.
Off topic somewhat: Mad World, your name made me drop what I was doing and go listen to that Tears for Fears song immediately. No joke, it did. I like that song...
Two questions: Does this change seem for the worse? I know you expressed that she seemed closed-off and less loving, but is this everyone's opinions, or just yours? She seems to have experienced something powerful at this camp that have changed her life, and that might be a good thing. I know this seems like a drastic change, but I doubt that this is a bad thing if it seems to give her as much joy as you seem to present. Back to my questions for a second, if the answer to my questions is, respectively, yes and all your friends agree with you on this, I would confront her with this. Christian's are supposed to be loving, and if you confront her with this, it might provoke a positive change.
P.S. Full Disclosure: I am a Christian. Take from that what you will.
P.S. Full Disclosure: I am a Christian. Take from that what you will.
Religion can do that... if she's acting superior to you, tell her to read what the Bible says on humility. Otherwise, just let it go.
Seriously, I've known people who undergo the breakneck change and are better off from it.
Seriously, I've known people who undergo the breakneck change and are better off from it.
If she is treating others poorly, that does not mean that the change to Christianity was bad. Rather, she needs to realize that being a Christian isn't about acting better than those who are not, and also to realize that everyone deserves to be treated well.Marble Dragon said:
As for the hypothetical Buddhist monk, while he practiced kindness his entire life, he ignored the most-important being of all: God. After all that Jesus has done for him, he refused to accept Him as Lord and Saviour; and as a result, he deserves Hell. God is just and perfect; therefore, He must fairly judge all people.
I know... it's an awesome song. Personally, my favourite is Gary Jules' version, but Tears for Fears' is excellent, too.Marble Dragon said:
Oh no, Heaven help you... You could probably pull this quote off on any other website...Mad World said:
As a Christian, all I have to say on this is "God judges the heart" and I'm not going to say whether or not God will condemn the misguided righteous... that's up to him. I wouldn't be surprised if he makes exceptions for exceptional people.
Oh my, that's enlightening! Christianity is all about treating other people well, therefore, people who don't believe the same thing as you deserve death and eternal torture.Mad World said:
Just kidding. Well, obviously that was sarcasm, but my retaliation toward you is the real joke. Don't take it too seriously, please: I'm not expecting it to change anyone's mind.
Oh, I have an extra thing to add that actually matters. OP, your friend probably wasn't as secure as you thought she was. Everyone has some secret fears and problems that they hide from others. I'm sure there was some time in your life when something was wrong, but you didn't want to tell anyone what it was. Religion offers something to cling to, to believe in and be a part of. If your friend found something that will help her through life's craziness, that may be a good thing. I don't think I can be the judge of that. All I can do is hope that everything turns out for the best among you.
