Christian Discussion Thread XI: Anicetus’ Revenge

[Sundiata]

All of this is a surprise to hear.

In what way?

The more I hear about the riot the more horrible the actions of Trump's supporters sound.

[The Blaatschapen]

In what way?

The more I hear about the riot the more horrible the actions of Trump's supporters sound.

Then you haven't heard enough, or it would stop to surprise you.

[Geneviev]

The more I hear about the riot the more horrible the actions of Trump's supporters sound.

Then you haven't heard enough, or it would stop to surprise you.

I'm still surprised whenever something new happens. I see why Sundiata feels the same way.

[Tarsonis]

As a rule I try to remain skeptical with all the miracle claims, but this one has my eyebrows disappearing into my luxurious auburn locks


https://www.churchpop.com/2021/01/25/eu ... -car-fire/

[Sundiata]

As a rule I try to remain skeptical with all the miracle claims, but this one has my eyebrows disappearing into my luxurious auburn locks


https://www.churchpop.com/2021/01/25/eu ... -car-fire/

That was very beautiful. God is the greatest.

[Insaanistan]

Peace be with you all:
I’d like to know what you all believe of the Gospel of Barnabas.

[Tarsonis]

Peace be with you all:
I’d like to know what you all believe of the Gospel of Barnabas.

Forgeries are nothing new.

[Insaanistan]

Peace be with you all:
I’d like to know what you all believe of the Gospel of Barnabas.

Forgeries are nothing new.

So forgery? Okay. Thanks!

[Saiwania]

I read into the biography of Matthew Hopkins as of late, and wow- what a cool life he led as Witchfinder General. Nevermind the fact that random people might've been caught up in the persecutions, I'm really impressed by how he could go from town to town to get paid the equivalent of a month's worth of wages each and every time in only one day, just to root out anyone who could be practicing the dark arts or Occult and get rich whilst doing it.

The Bible seems to make clear that witches do exist in some form and that they have to be made illegal or addressed by the Church if not the local authorities. Were the Puritans really ever onto something in doing their hunts/trials at certain points in history?

[The New California Republic]

The Bible seems to make clear that witches do exist in some form and that they have to be made illegal or addressed by the Church if not the local authorities. Were the Puritans really ever onto something in doing their hunts/trials at certain points in history?

No. The witch trials were travesties of justice.

[Tarsonis]

I read into the biography of Matthew Hopkins as of late, and wow- what a cool life he led as Witchfinder General. Nevermind the fact that random people might've been caught up in the persecutions, I'm really impressed by how he could go from town to town to get paid the equivalent of a month's worth of wages each and every time in only one day, just to root out anyone who could be practicing the dark arts or Occult and get rich whilst doing it.

The Bible seems to make clear that witches do exist in some form and that they have to be made illegal or addressed by the Church if not the local authorities. Were the Puritans really ever onto something in doing their hunts/trials at certain points in history?

Most of it was exaggerated by a Bard in a tight blue suit.

[Auze]

I read into the biography of Matthew Hopkins as of late, and wow- what a cool life he led as Witchfinder General. Nevermind the fact that random people might've been caught up in the persecutions, I'm really impressed by how he could go from town to town to get paid the equivalent of a month's worth of wages each and every time in only one day, just to root out anyone who could be practicing the dark arts or Occult and get rich whilst doing it.

The Bible seems to make clear that witches do exist in some form and that they have to be made illegal or addressed by the Church if not the local authorities. Were the Puritans really ever onto something in doing their hunts/trials at certain points in history?

No

[Washington Resistance Army]

I read into the biography of Matthew Hopkins as of late, and wow- what a cool life he led as Witchfinder General. Nevermind the fact that random people might've been caught up in the persecutions, I'm really impressed by how he could go from town to town to get paid the equivalent of a month's worth of wages each and every time in only one day, just to root out anyone who could be practicing the dark arts or Occult and get rich whilst doing it.

The Bible seems to make clear that witches do exist in some form and that they have to be made illegal or addressed by the Church if not the local authorities. Were the Puritans really ever onto something in doing their hunts/trials at certain points in history?

Religious persecution is rarely a well founded and thought out action.

[Suriyanakhon]

Peace be with you all:
I’d like to know what you all believe of the Gospel of Barnabas.

Late apocrypha which became Islamized over time. Certainly not an accurate look at what the historical Jesus would have been like.

[Kowani]

Thought this was interesting

edit: had the damn image tag broken all day

[Washington Resistance Army]

Thought this was interesting

img]https://www.pewforum.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/PF_01.27.21_covid.religion-2.png?resize=432,1024[/img]

It's not very statistical but the polytheistic groups I'm apart of did see very high levels of growth throughout 2020, one of them even tripled in size. I could certainly believe the year made Americans as a whole more religious.

[Lord Dominator]

Thought this was interesting

img]https://www.pewforum.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/PF_01.27.21_covid.religion-2.png?resize=432,1024[/img]

It's not very statistical but the polytheistic groups I'm apart of did see very high levels of growth throughout 2020, one of them even tripled in size. I could certainly believe the year made Americans as a whole more religious.

General religious feeling often goes up during times of crisis, whether personal or larger - church attendance in the US spiked right after 9/11 for instance (the inverse, that religious feelings go down in times of plenty is also probably true).

[Luminesa]

I read into the biography of Matthew Hopkins as of late, and wow- what a cool life he led as Witchfinder General. Nevermind the fact that random people might've been caught up in the persecutions, I'm really impressed by how he could go from town to town to get paid the equivalent of a month's worth of wages each and every time in only one day, just to root out anyone who could be practicing the dark arts or Occult and get rich whilst doing it.

The Bible seems to make clear that witches do exist in some form and that they have to be made illegal or addressed by the Church if not the local authorities. Were the Puritans really ever onto something in doing their hunts/trials at certain points in history?

The Salem Witch Trials, which were the most publicized in a long sporadic series of witch-trials which happened in the Puritan colonies, had nothing to do with actual Magic. They originated with a group of little girls whose parents were wealthy landowners in Salem. They may have gotten into some fermented wheat which caused them to have acute mental issues-seeing things that were not there, having what looked like seizures, experiencing sudden personality changes, etc. However, the children were most likely tools for their parents, who wanted A.) the land of other wealthy people in Salem, and B.) to destroy various poor people they disliked or found ungodly.

Some people genuinely DID believe in superstitions and in the idea that witches wandered among them, hence why so much fervor arose. The Puritans took their faith seriously, but their faith was quite the harsh one. Executions were also considered entertainment for many people-they were community activities, as morbid as the idea may seem. They supported the executions despite the fact that most of them had no basis in reality, and those who died were subjected to basically a kangaroo court.

This came to a head when Rebecca Nurse, a 71-year-old grandmother, was sentenced to death as a witch. She was not a witch, and all were horrified that she was accused of being such a thing. She was known to be a very pious, gentle grandmother, who loved everyone and held God to her heart. However, the Putnams (whose daughter was one of the ‘afflicted children’) had a land dispute with the Nurses, who held incredible amounts of land. The dispute was bitter enough that they may have plotted for Rebecca Nurse to be put to death so they could pressure Francis Nurse, her husband, into giving them land. At the same time, the execution of Rebecca Nurse was so horrendous to all who witnessed it that the Witch Trials essentially came to a halt.

While people in the Bible DID try to speak with sorcerers and witches, most of the time this Magic ended-up being one of three things. A.) It was fake (Simon the Magician in Acts), B.) it was collusion with demons (Samuel’s ghost), or C.) it was a well-designed trick to try and test God (the magicians in Pharoah’s court in Exodus). Magic is...at best a vague concept that opens the door to demons. We are called to discern spirits as either good or evil, and then to avoid the evil ones. However, most anyone now who claims to be a witch either has bought into New Age nonsense about crystals, probably has spent too long browsing cottage-core or witch-core aesthetics on Tumblr, or got really interested in hexes after the whole “Witchtok” thing where a bunch of dumb teenagers tried to cast a spell on the moon.

[Sundiata]

There are many ordinary things that we all have to do. I understand the sin of sloth, why we get lazy if we do. Aquinas defined God's existence in motional terms. God causes the motion of the world and its way. I wonder if sloth is a sin because it's a disinclination towards that inertia. Just a thought.

What do you think?

[Luminesa]

There are many ordinary things that we all have to do. I understand the sin of sloth, why we get lazy if we do. Aquinas defined God's existence in motional terms. God causes the motion of the world and its way. I wonder if sloth is a sin because it's a disinclination towards that inertia. Just a thought.

What do you think?

Sloth is specifically an inclination not just toward inertia, but toward what's called acedia. It's basically a sense of spiritual apathy, in which you do not care what developments happen in your soul.

[Sundiata]

There are many ordinary things that we all have to do. I understand the sin of sloth, why we get lazy if we do. Aquinas defined God's existence in motional terms. God causes the motion of the world and its way. I wonder if sloth is a sin because it's a disinclination towards that inertia. Just a thought.

What do you think?

Sloth is specifically an inclination not just toward inertia, but toward what's called acedia. It's basically a sense of spiritual apathy, in which you do not care what developments happen in your soul.

That's an added layer I did not consider, thank you. I've actually been trying to read more about virtue lately so it's fascinating to hear.

[Banbardi]

thank god for sin since he created it

[Benuty]

thank god for sin since he created it

Okay?

[Albrenia]

thank god for sin since he created it

As much as I may agree with the sentiment, it's kind of rude to say such things in the Christian thread and not provide them with something to respond to and talk about.

[Crabaiaia]

thank god for sin since he created it

Can't argue with that assessment.