RPGDot Network    
   

 
 
Ultima 9 Remake - Eriadain
Display full image
Pic of the moment
More
pics from the gallery
 
 
Site Navigation

Main
   News
   Forums

Games
   Games Database
   Top 100
   Release List
   Support Files

Features
   Reviews
   Previews
   Interviews
   Editorials
   Diaries
   Misc

Download
   Gallery
   Music
   Screenshots
   Videos

Miscellaneous
   Staff Members
   Privacy Statement

FAQ
Members
Usergroups
Where did we come from, why are we here?
  View previous topic :: View next topic
RPGDot Forums > Absolutely Off Topic

Author Thread
Val
Risen From Ashes
Risen From Ashes




Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA
   

Well, I'm glad I could set the record straight and I don't take offense. I rather like that eleventh article of faith and the first amendment of the Constitution.
And I agree about the media misrepresenting the Catholic Church. I don't care for people who judge the whole barrel by one bad apple as the saying goes. In fact, I rather admire people like the Pope and Mother Teresa. The world needs more people like them.
And please don't slander any religion. You don't convince people through contention.
_________________
Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
=Guardian, Moderator, UltimaDot Newshound=
Post Sun Jun 09, 2002 7:41 pm
 View user's profile
TheLonePaladin
Mighty Warrior
Mighty Warrior




Joined: 27 Feb 2002
Posts: 1808
Location: San Francisco, CA
   

too bad mother teresa died if she were still alive, we'd have some good press to even out the bad. but knowing the fickle public, they'd still probably ignore the good and focus on the bad.

i was just kidding about the mason thing. although from what i hear are creepy. theres this drummer in the band TOOL and he's a mason. he claims that when he plays the drums, he releases the demon living in his mind, putting him into a frenzy so he can play to his fullest. and he does this sword ritual to clear his mind before every performance. it ends with sticking the sword in his stomach just deep enough to draw blood.

my great grandfather was a mason, and my grandpa can testify that they do do those things, although some masons are just "club members". others treat it like a religion. it freaks me out that there's cults like that in the world.

oh and their bass player's a baptist. talk about a mis-match
_________________
=Follower of Righteousness=
"Though the gates that stand between the mortal world and the immortal Realm of Chaos are now closed to me, still I would rather die having glimpsed eternity than never to have stirred the cold furrow of mortal life.
I embrace death without regret as I embraced life without fear."
Post Sun Jun 09, 2002 7:48 pm
 View user's profile
Val
Risen From Ashes
Risen From Ashes




Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA
   

Yes, the world likes to focus on bad things unfortunately. Happiness doesn't sell for some reason.
I'm sure that those whose lives Mother Teresa touched will never forget her contribution to them. Those who truely dedicate themselves to serving others are not forgotten. Her goodness will always live on in the hearts of those she served. I don't think there is a greater compliment than that that can be given to her.
I'm glad you were just kidding about the slandering.
We do have a few cults here in Utah. They seem to like living in southern Utah out in the desert. I've heard strange things about them, but I'm a bit of a skeptic. I'm not willing to believe everything I hear about them until I see proof. I'll usually give people the benefit of a doubt. And as far as Tool's drummer being that nutty, well, you'd have to show me some evidence to convince me it isn't just an act. It's amazing what people will do for money.
_________________
Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
=Guardian, Moderator, UltimaDot Newshound=
Post Sun Jun 09, 2002 8:06 pm
 View user's profile
TheLonePaladin
Mighty Warrior
Mighty Warrior




Joined: 27 Feb 2002
Posts: 1808
Location: San Francisco, CA
   

well he talked about it in the little book that came with the cd. other than that i don't have any proof. but as we were discussing in the Read and Think thread, he better be careful. even just pretending can get hold of him if he's not careful.
_________________
=Follower of Righteousness=
"Though the gates that stand between the mortal world and the immortal Realm of Chaos are now closed to me, still I would rather die having glimpsed eternity than never to have stirred the cold furrow of mortal life.
I embrace death without regret as I embraced life without fear."
Post Sun Jun 09, 2002 8:11 pm
 View user's profile
Val
Risen From Ashes
Risen From Ashes




Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA
   

True, pretending can lead to indifference. Indifference can lead to acceptance. Acceptance can lead to belief. And I'm going to stop now before I start speaking like Yoda all the time.
_________________
Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
=Guardian, Moderator, UltimaDot Newshound=
Post Sun Jun 09, 2002 8:15 pm
 View user's profile
DzD
Unknown
Unknown




Joined: 12 Mar 2002
Posts: 7140
Location: Sweden
   

quote:
Originally posted by Val
And I'm going to stop now before I start speaking like Yoda all the time.
Wrong it is.
_________________
There once was a youngster, DzD
Whose avatars numbered infinity
But I must admit
His latest, a hit
Cuz the Little One's a mystery to me

Written by - dteowner
Post Sun Jun 09, 2002 9:30 pm
 View user's profile
freakinaye
High Emperor
High Emperor




Joined: 02 May 2002
Posts: 542
Location: Oahu, Hawaii
   

Where do we come from and why are we here?

I don't believe in a pre-life but I do believe that we were put her for a purpose and that is to determine if we should live with God or apart from Him. I figure that 80 or so years is a blink of an eye compared to an eternity with God so it would make sense that this time here is just a trial of our willingness to except God or not.

I was reading up on the Mormon issue and I wouldn't say they are weird but I don't feel for them either. I have read so many different things from so many different people it makes it hard to find out what a being a mormon truly means. I have talked to many mormons on what they believe and I hear so many answers that is was hard to come up with a solid thought on what a mormon is. The biggest things that I have heard is that they believe that marriage is eternal and a necessary for heaven. I have heard that they believe that will be like God and have their own world to rule over when they die. I have also heard that they constantly change their doctrine like that allowing blacks or women to teach and now they can. I always welcome a conversation with a mormon and not to try and prove them wrong but I would like to know why they choose to be what they are and how they see there future and tell them what I think. Oh well...I am sure I will get a huge response from this...so tell me what you think!

=Fixed your post. -Val=
_________________

=Member of the Worshippers of The Written Word, The Nonflamers' Guild, The RPGdot Warriors, The Philosophers' Circle=

"Don't go away mad...just go away!"
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 1:58 am
 View user's profile
Gomez The Mad
Leader of the Senate
Leader of the Senate




Joined: 06 Jun 2002
Posts: 304
Location: Camp of Old
   

**DO NOT READ THIS POST IF YOU ARE A VERY RELIGIOUS PERSON AND ARE EASILY OFFENDED**


I believe in the big bang theory, and evolution. Somewhere down the line humans came along, and started "thinking". Eventually they started wondering the same thing this topic is named.

God, and any religion at all for that matter, are man's answer for the unknown. Religion is as old as man...simply because no other creatures before that had the brain copasity to "Think" of it. I think that religion is the worst thing ever thought of. So many lives lost over a "belief"...

Think of all the religions over the years of man. How can just 1 be true? Christianity has out-lived most other religions because of the fact that there is no set date for an ending. Other religions had exact days for the Apocolypse, and after the day came and went.....the religion died out.

What do I think we are here for? To live and die. Simple as that. People with that belief are truly free. They fear nothing, including death, and do just what they want to. Spend your whole life worrying about being good so you won't go to hell, and your life will be over before you know it. What happens then?? Well think of it this way...death is exactly, in every form and fashion, like sleeping without dreams.There is no such thing as a soul or spirit, which goes to heaven or hell.You just lay under the ground and rot.It is a scary thought......and the truly scary thing about it is.........we will ALL experience it....MUCH sooner than you think.So live your life to the fullest,and do what you want, because when it's done, it's done.

Sorry for getting off topic.I know I offended 90% of you and I'm sorry if I did. These are just my thoughts.
_________________
His thoughts are whack.
He's "Mad so he's talkin back.
Brainwashedfrom rock and rap.
No self control, he just lets his emotions go.
~The Definition of a Madman


=Member of the Flamers' Guild=
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 4:59 am
 View user's profile
Val
Risen From Ashes
Risen From Ashes




Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA
   

Why do I get the feeling I should change the name of this thread to "Everything you ever did or did not want to know about Mormons"?
Usually I avoid discussing religion on a message board because it has a tendency to turn into a massive flame war and all that results are hurt feelings and misunderstandings. So don't expect me to answer all of your questions here. If you feel the need to talk about specific religious beliefs then PM me.
I'll be the first to admit I'm no authority on any religion. All I know is what I have read, heard and what my curiosity has discovered about the various religions I've looked at. Mostly Mormonism (I was raised in the Mormon religion though I'm what they consider 'inactive'), the Native American religions, and a friend has gotten me interested in Buddhism recently.
Mormons do believe you can be married forever and not till death do you part. They believe families can be together forever through God's plan. Man and woman are two halves that make a whole. You can only progress so far when you have only half of yourself. You don't have to get married to go to heaven, but I think if you don't get married here then you'll have the opportunity to do so on the other side and further your progression. I think that ruling a planet is a little off. Basically they believe that if they are worthy they can be like God and help him in progressing God's work and glory. To use a familiar analogy I guess you could say God is the admin of the Universe and those who prove themselves become his moderators.
That's the best explaination I can think of at the moment.
From what I've seen, Mormons are not constantly changing their beliefs. God revealed that it was time for blacks to recieve the priesthood like all the other men, so that's what they did. Women don't hold the priesthood and they never will. End of story.
What they believe is what's stated in those thirteen articles and scriptures. Everything else is doctrine piled on top of that. I'm not well versed in doctrine. I usually avoid it like the plague.
Personally, I think the only person who can answer your questions fully about religion, God, etc is God himself. "Ask and ye shall recieve". Seems simple enough to me.


Edit: Eat, drink and be merry, eh Gomez? Well, either way one of us is going to be surprised.
_________________
Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
=Guardian, Moderator, UltimaDot Newshound=
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 5:03 am
 View user's profile
Gomez The Mad
Leader of the Senate
Leader of the Senate




Joined: 06 Jun 2002
Posts: 304
Location: Camp of Old
   

Interesting.....I was a christian for awhile, but somewhere along the line God became more fiction than he was fact to me. When people ask what religion I am, I reply that I have no religion. They usually form their own opinions about that and call me a Satanist, etc. But nope...no god, no devil. It's just me and my sawed off shotgun. Hehe.....
_________________
His thoughts are whack.
He's "Mad so he's talkin back.
Brainwashedfrom rock and rap.
No self control, he just lets his emotions go.
~The Definition of a Madman


=Member of the Flamers' Guild=
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 5:15 am
 View user's profile
Beo
Space Defender
Space Defender




Joined: 06 May 2002
Posts: 542
   

quote:
Originally posted by Val

Usually I avoid discussing religion on a message board because it has a tendency to turn into a massive flame war and all that results are hurt feelings and misunderstandings.


Both religions and politics are very inflammable BB subjects. Handle them with caution.
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 5:36 am
 View user's profile
Val
Risen From Ashes
Risen From Ashes




Joined: 18 Feb 2002
Posts: 14724
Location: Utah, USA
   

Unfortunately, I think Pandora opened the box in this case. Pandora hopes it doesn't explode in her face.
_________________
Freeeeeeedom! Thank heavens it's summer!
What do I have to show for my hard work? A piece of paper! Wee!
=Guardian, Moderator, UltimaDot Newshound=
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 5:46 am
 View user's profile
mDrop
High Emperor
High Emperor




Joined: 06 May 2002
Posts: 479
Location: Under the desk
   

Why are we here?

I think our existence has no greater reason, at least none that we could possibly understand. We are just a part of this world and it's existence is the justification of our existence. My personal beliefs are a mix of western existentialism and zen-buddhism. Both see our lives as meaningless, in the big picture atleast. But where existentialism sees sorrow and fear, because we are all empty and worthless, zen sees great happiness and joy, for our lives have been handed to ourselves, to make the best of them. Zen sees our lives as a journey to find oneself and understand the world. If you can see the emptiness, you must look behind it and see how magnificent and beautiful all life is.

Many christian people that I have talked to claim that throwing away the universal meaning destroys morale and good will, since there will be no god-given laws or guidelines. But i think that the fact that there is no greater goal or justification doesn't mean that we can do what we want. I think it places greater responsibility to a person, since he he/she has to judge his/her own actions. And ofcourse the ethics given us by the culture and laws still apply.

Zen has really beautiful ethics, quite similar to original christian beliefs. Everybody should be granted a life without fear of being assaulted or violated by other humans and every action should be considered from other people's viewpoints, so that the harm you do to other people is minimized. (I say minimized because there is no way to live without ever hurting or offending anybody)

Where do we come from?

I think we all are a part of something greater, the whole universe. This goes a bit beyond the zen-buddhist teachings, although they discuss the existence of an universal soul or common existence, that could be interpreted as a god-like entity. I think we all originate from that universal soul, as do all living things. When we die, the part of us that belongs to the universal soul, returns back to life in another being.

The question about life after death is somewhat harder, atleast for me. To think that I would exist as another being is somewhat difficult, our minds can't reach that far in imagination. I guess you could see some similarities between going to heaven and returning to that immortal, universal soul, if you make the assumption that our personality and "mind" will outlast our physical form.

Being from a christian family and having an christian upbringing makes it hard to understand all of the teachings in Zen, especially since I'm self-taught in these matters and have mixed various sources as well as altered a lot to suite my views better, so it's hard for me to explain all the ideas. If anybody here has better understanding about the zen, feel free to correct my mistakes. One of the things I like in Zen is that it allows you to make your own assumptions and form your own view. It doesn't preach, it just teaches.
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 11:33 am
 View user's profile
TheLonePaladin
Mighty Warrior
Mighty Warrior




Joined: 27 Feb 2002
Posts: 1808
Location: San Francisco, CA
   

i'll just discuss the things in the order iremember them

@Val aren't the mormons changing their names to the Jesus Christ Church of Laterday Saints (sorry about the spelling and going back to the mormon topic, i couldn't stop myself ) because "mormon" was the name of some evil chinese god? (or maybe mroman means evil people in chinese....something like that )

@Gomez i am truly sorry you feel that way. if everyone thought the way you do, there would be complete chaos and arnachy, and mass murder and destruction. Christianity promotes peace, love, and happiness. because of this, there's at least some peace love and happiness. no one wants to be confronted on the street by a shady character who says "i'm a bored athiest. since we're all gonna die anyway, i may as well rape you, maim you, embarass you, and kill you." if you believe in something greater, first off, you'll have nothing to fear from the derranged aethiest, and 2, you know you'll never end up being a derranged athiest.

@mdrop well i'm really tired and i can't think of anything to say to you right now. sorry!!!
_________________
=Follower of Righteousness=
"Though the gates that stand between the mortal world and the immortal Realm of Chaos are now closed to me, still I would rather die having glimpsed eternity than never to have stirred the cold furrow of mortal life.
I embrace death without regret as I embraced life without fear."
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 4:10 pm
 View user's profile
ButtOfMalmsey
Village Idiot
Village Idiot




Joined: 07 May 2002
Posts: 785
Location: Mississippi
   

mDrop- the way is not the way.

To help everyone relax, some wisdom from Eric Idle:

Why are we here? What's life all about?
Are we really real? Or is there some doubt?
Well, tonight we're going to sort it all out;
Tonight, it's the meaning of life!

etc.

Hmm, religiously I'm a fairly heretical Orthodox Christian. This is largely the benefit of an overly successful Jesuit education while at Georgetown University. However, my faith brings me comfort, as well as providing me a useful moral grounding and a heap of influential and informational texts, laden with about equal parts wisdom and bunk.

I'm not particularly interested in going into more detail at this time. But rest assured that my views as expressed here are relatively accurate reflections of my views IRL.

As for why we're here, I'm here to talk about NWN and Darklands.
_________________
"It has been a grand journey- well-worth making once."
-Winston Churchill, 1965, on Life

I saw this in a movie about a bus that had to SPEED around a city, keeping its SPEED over fifty, and if its SPEED dropped, it would explode. I think it was called, "The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down."
-Homer Simpson

=Member of the Non-Flamers Guild=
=Member of The Sixth House=
::Captain of the Black Company::
Post Mon Jun 10, 2002 4:11 pm
 View user's profile


Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3  Next
All times are GMT.
The time now is Tue Apr 16, 2019 3:59 am



Powered by phpBB © 2001 phpBB Group
 
 
 
All original content of this site is copyrighted by RPGWatch. Copying or reproducing of any part of this site is strictly prohibited. Taking anything from this site without authorisation will be considered stealing and we'll be forced to visit you and jump on your legs until you give it back.