In Reply to: Re: My review posted by Bryon on January 17, 2003 at 18:14:26:
There is a constant problem with your assuming that once someone doesn't agree with your writings (or those of your choosing), that they have rejected the word of God, and have not "already accepted God's Word as the source and foundation for all true reason." I do appreciate your having toned down somewhat, and lacing your statements with "It is my belief", but the assumption is offensive to me.
The Word of God may or may not be an authority in my life. Nothing I wrote in the above indicates or addresses that. And if Word of God happens to be my acknowleged "source and foundation" we still have the matter of my understanding and interpretation which is likely different from yours.
I have no problem with the "crux of the matter" as you put it "revolves, around the deliberate creation of a mind set that assumes God's wisdom and authority itself can be questioned (doubted) while still maintaining a spiritually healthy intellectual freedom." That is a good topic for discussion, but perhaps not one suited to this board which homes in on the specifics of healing from the cultic experience. But I will indulge albeit briefly and just this once.
In regards to questioning the wisdom of one's creator, I see questioning as a good thing. Questioning is not logically a departure from God. That's more "a cow is an animal therefore an animal is a cow" reasoning. Questioning can help one find answers and add to one's knowlege and faith in God.
At one time, thanks to the limited interpretation and the conservative dictates of Christian rulers, it was believed that the sun revolved around the earth. Anyone questioning this was said to question the wisdom of God and His authority and labeled a heretic. Today, we (well at least most of us) see nothing wrong with accepting the fact the the sun doesn't really revolve around the earth. And this acceptance of scientific fact does not necessarily hack away at the foundations of God's authority or divine wisdom. It hacked away at our own limited human understanding of the wonderful universe God created. The act of questioning therefore, does not IMO undo God, for He is not undo-able. There is scriptural support for questioning. What good has come out of realizing the sun doesn't revolve around the earth is another issue. I find exploration and questioning adds to our understanding of what the foundation and wisdom of God truly is. There are those who are of the opinion that that opened up a pandora's box for "evil"sciences like evolution.
I agree with you though, that the breaking point comes when science attempts to be a replacement spirtuality, an answer for everything in the universe. The scientific method has its unacknowleged limitations.
I take issue with your deciding that Berg is sitting in hell. That may be your understanding, and it may even be mine, but have you been to hell to have a look? Isn't that kind of judgement best left up to God?
And I'm sorry, but there are not just 2 kinds of wisdom. At last count there were 6½ billion (unwise?) people walking around with their own kind of wisdom. While I accept some absolutes in spirituality, I reject that black-and-white mindset for my life. It is not a necessary part of my logic and reasoning and it does not threaten my faith to believe there are other ways to look at it. I view that mindset as part and parcel, one of insecurity and fear. No different from the fanaticism mind control training of suicide terrorists.
My definition of "cult" follows the discussions and context on these boards. It is today's generally accepted interpretation, not one from centuries back, when I would be labeled a heretic for believing an animal doesn't have to be a cow. Today, there are all kinds of cults, even those that use the bible, and all manner of cultic mindsets from religious to corporate.
I have no problem with "sounding out a warning, of a complex and severely flawed structure of mental programming (With a proven record of dire consequences.)that is being deliberately infused into society." That's a great topic, but maybe not for this board.
Once again, please do not assume my inability to trust, nor where it has extended. I find your assumptions offensive. And I did not ask to be preached at about angels, Lucifer and your logic just in case the shoe fits.
Do not assume I don't trust Jesus who never lied or that I need to hear that whether or not I want to.
Get off your pulpit.
Do not assume I am interested in concluding a discussion about someone's writings with a sermon about Lucifer's choices and methods.
Step off that podium.
Do not assume I am working for or against misery or Satan because I disapporve of someone's writings.
Get thee behind me, Byron.
Do not talk to me once more about David Berg being part of a conspiracy of Satan through the Illuminati.
Take a seat, brother.
Do not lecture me about eternal life and the lake of fire if I do not agree with your author.
Have a cold shower.
Not liking someone's writings is not disliking the man himself.
Repeat after me. "An animal doesn't have to be a cow."