About the note for live ep

[richardlove]

The "word" God to me is a name. It refers to the one, true living God who begot a son into the world named Jesus Christ, and has given the comfort of a Holy Spirit to every believer. I think this God is trying to reveal himself daily to the members of My Morning Jacket and their fans everyday, we have to listen and obey.

[richardlove]

nah, I haven't done that. I just thought it was sad that the note said "god bless you" and then there had to be clarification of what the writer meant by "god."

[ycartrob]

nah, I haven't done that. I just thought it was sad that the note said "god bless you" and then there had to be clarification of what the writer meant by "god."

Why is that sad?

[BH]

Did you actually just clarify who you thought God was in your first post and then in the very next post say it was sad that Jim had to clarify who HE thought God was?

[richardlove]

nah, I haven't done that. I just thought it was sad that the note said "god bless you" and then there had to be clarification of what the writer meant by "god."

Why is that sad?

For me, because I read the history that's recorded in the bible and mankind has been struggling up until now... letting ourselves have gods and not one distinguished God. Also, I think the the overall mindset and view of what that part of the note says is sad, which to me is basically "make God out to be whatever you want him to be and do your own thing." But we don't have to have that unknowingness (I guess that's a word) there can be truth and full assurance of knowing who God is.

[capt. scotty]

If this is anything like what I asked my CCD teacher in 8th grade, this thread is getting lumberjacked by noon tomorrow  ;D

[Sassbox]

I don't think there's anything wrong with what richardlove posted...he hasn't been disrespectful to anyone, he's just expressing his beliefs.

Captheaddy, the abortion flyer comment is silly and insulting.  Believing in God is not tantamount to being a zealot.

[tomEisenbraun]

nah, I haven't done that. I just thought it was sad that the note said "god bless you" and then there had to be clarification of what the writer meant by "god."

Why is that sad?

For me, because I read the history that's recorded in the bible and mankind has been struggling up until now... letting ourselves have gods and not one distinguished God. Also, I think the the overall mindset and view of what that part of the note says is sad, which to me is basically "make God out to be whatever you want him to be and do your own thing." But we don't have to have that unknowingness (I guess that's a word) there can be truth and full assurance of knowing who God is.

Thing is, man, I was in the same boat until I came here and had my ass handed back to me in a discussion about God on the board. I came in, asserted my beliefs, and realized quickly how many toes I was stomping on. One of those toes belonged to the foot of one of my most favorite people (the great Meg, to all who remember her presence her) and she called me right out on it.

I used to think you couldn't be truly happy unless you believe Christ was your savior and read your Bible everyday. Now I understand that there's a lot more universality involved with God. I feel like that's why Jim clarified, because God is so much bigger than just what's in the Bible. He/she/it/however-you'd-like-to-phrase-it doesn't have to be bound to one religion in order to connect to the people ordained in the spirit. Look at the teachings of the New Testament. If God is Love, would it not make sense that anyone, anywhere, acting in a genuine act of love is evoking the spirit of God in that act, regardless of how aware they are of that fact? Would it not almost more inspiring to consider how much that means that they might be completely ignorant to the word of God and still able to celebrate the joy of life in that aspect of him, regardless of whether they knew just who they were mirroring in their actions or not.

The big question, then, ought to not be whether or not someone is Christian, but if they've decided to attempt to tap into that connection as best they can. Every single human being is moved differently, and I can't blame everyone for not digging on Christianity, especially when it's proven itself to be so politically motivated since, well, since before Constantine decided it'd be a good move to go ahead and deem it the official religion of Rome, helping to gather together the council of Nicea and base the Christian holidays around the dates of the pagan holidays in order to make the transition more swallowable for those who'd been involved with the pagan religion of the Roman Empire for so long.

That said, I'm just one man, and my opinion here is my opinion. The church has done some beautiful things for so many people, but what bothers is its political role in a larger scheme of things, because that's what takes it from being a good thing to becoming absolutely dangerous. And the distinction between the small, personal, and truly beautiful aspect of things versus that of the larger corporation of the church is I think what makes so many people so wary.

You're right, sassbox, nothing truly wrong or offensive, but I've been in a very similar situation here before with some people who really helped broaden my worldview in the long run. I know things can get a bit nasty about religion, and I think it's because there's a whole lot of defensiveness put up against a very rigid constitution of what it means to be "saved."

[aMillionDreams]

Did you actually just clarify who you thought God was in your first post and then in the very next post say it was sad that Jim had to clarify who HE thought God was?

Ah, logic: enemy of faith.

Here's some more:  Why is it okay for this guy to say Jim's concept of God is wrong, but it's not okay for us to say this guy's concept of God is wrong?  Jim's leaving the conversation on the table, this guy is claiming to have knowledge of the world's creator, is not open to any other opinion, and is belittling other's opinions.  That's what makes him a zealot and that's why this kind of stuff isn't needed here.  

[Ruckus]

Jesus Christ!

[Ruckus]

I apologize if it has been said before in another thread but I particularly enjoyed the globo-chem trademark bit.  Those guys have everything trademarked.  Next thing you know, I won't be able to use the words Corey Hart (my man crush).

Damn you Globo Chem.  Damn you! >:(

[Ruckus]

I'm with Sassbox on this one, richardlove is being pretty respectful regarding HIS beliefs.

I find it interesting that someone like Headdy can regularly degrade and insult women, overweight people, Mexicans, old people, Christians, etc... and no one really complains (except me), but richardlove says he's a christian and people say we can't have that here.

Why the double standard? Why do some tolerate the bashing of groups of people but take a stand if someone professes their faith?

That's odd to me.

I'm kind of with you here Tracy and no I am not stepping into the the war zone.

I am somewhat perturbed by the "we have to listen and obey" part.  Without waxin philosophical, I believe such phrasing justifies responses when it is no longer a singular, personal understanding by RL.

[ycartrob]

I have found that arguing about "God" is worse than arguing if Animal Collective is a good band   ;D

[Ruckus]

I have found that arguing about "God" is worse than arguing if Animal Collective is a good band   ;D

I'll have to one up you and no I am not attempting to hijack this thread.  I actually dislike BOTH Animal Collective AND Arcade Fire.  Preposterous! 8-)

[Love Dogg]

Did you actually just clarify who you thought God was in your first post and then in the very next post say it was sad that Jim had to clarify who HE thought God was?

Yeah...what BH said.......

[Sassbox]

My take on the OP was he felt the explanation included with the EP was a disclaimer of sorts, perhaps issued in anticipation of a possible backlash because, well, we know how wigged out some people get at the mention of God or Jesus  :P.  

[Penny Lane]

nah, I haven't done that. I just thought it was sad that the note said "god bless you" and then there had to be clarification of what the writer meant by "god."

Why is that sad?

For me, because I read the history that's recorded in the bible and mankind has been struggling up until now... letting ourselves have gods and not one distinguished God. Also, I think the the overall mindset and view of what that part of the note says is sad, which to me is basically "make God out to be whatever you want him to be and do your own thing." But we don't have to have that unknowingness (I guess that's a word) there can be truth and full assurance of knowing who God is.

it's an awesome thing that you feel like you know. I think that would be true peace of mind and i really long for that day. (this is sincere, not sarcastic)  i wouldn't feel too bad for Jim or the rest of us who don't really know or think we'll NEVER know. It only makes us strive harder to learn and also makes us more accepting of others.

Ruckus-REWIND-man crush on corey hart? first time i've heard that, but definitely see what the appeal is. and yes, i don't get animal collective or arcade fire...i DEFINITELY don't get animal collective. i'd rather listen to one of those nature sounds cds that help you fall asleep.

[ycartrob]

this all reminds me of a couple of quotes.

The first by Maya Angelou, who turns 81 tomorrow. She says when people introduce themselves as a Christian, her response is, "Oh, already?"


And then this by Ken Kesey:

"The answer is never the answer. What's really interesting is the mystery. If you seek the mystery instead of the answer, you'll always be seeking. I've never seen anybody really find the answer -- they think they have, so they stop thinking. But the job is to seek mystery, evoke mystery, plant a garden in which strange plants grow and mysteries bloom. The need for mystery is greater than the need for an answer."

[Vadie Stark]

bless us one and all :)

[Angry Ewok]

I think we should all be more concerned with our own faith.