Christian bronies: meet, greet, and mingle!

[PonyMage 228]

Thanks. I'm actually feeling much better now. Just one of those things that I needed to sleep off. Also sorry to hear that about your Dad.

Yeah he's pretty misogynistic. It was hard shaking that off. For a long time I was a misogynist too. But, I eventually changed because I don't want to go through life with that outlook. It's a misery trap thinking you're the only one (plus a small handful) worth being around, you know? Plus even when I was a kid, I think I can remember feeling uncomfortable, believing that everyone except my family was evil.

 

As I once thought of it, "It's lonely being better than everyone else."

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Yeah he's pretty misogynistic. It was hard shaking that off. For a long time I was a misogynist too. But, I eventually changed because I don't want to go through life with that outlook. It's a misery trap thinking you're the only one (plus a small handful) worth being around, you know? Plus even when I was a kid, I think I can remember feeling uncomfortable, believing that everyone except my family was evil.

 

As I once thought of it, "It's lonely being better than everyone else."

 

Jesus, I'm glad you shook that mindset. Going through life hating and fearing almost everyone around you is no way to live life. I mean "love thy neighbor as thyself" is THE commandment of the New Covenant.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Hey guys, awhile back I asked if you guys found any video games that had religious themes in them. I myself have found such themes in one of my favorite games. I'm not sure how many of you play World of Warcraft but let me lay out where I found some very spiritually poignant scenes in it.

 

For context: the game recently launched its sixth expansion. Which is an addition of location, gameplay, and story content. This one in particular is called Legion and already you can probably guess the significance of that symbolically. Within the game's lore, the "Burning Legion" is exactly what you'd expect, a demon host and consistently one of the most destructive, evil, and dangerous forces in the game's universe. Some of their stock phrases even sounds like a paraphrased quote, "our numbers are legion" "we are legion!" and such.

 

Their most recent invasion and attempt to take the world of Azeroth has prompted the formation of organizations or revitalization of existing ones to combat the demons. In layman's terms, when you create a character, the biggest choice you make is class. (Warrior, mage, priest, etc.) This determines what your skills are and how you fight. Within the world though, each class actually has a societal niche. So for role players like myself who try to act in a persona when we play the game, class can be a very large potion of characterization. The aforementioned organizations are called "class orders" and they are Blizzard's attempt to bring the relevance of one's class back to the forefront of the game's lore where for a long time it was largely inconsequential as far as anyone was concerned.

 

One of the other new features they added was class trials, that allowed someone to boost a new character up to the current stage of the expac and play them up to a certain point before the character gets locked off and you have to commit to them before you're allowed to log in as that character again. One of the class trials I did was the priest, which I've never played as. I've never been one to play the healer in my games you see and the priest class most certainly is one. I've always liked the lore of each class though and Legion has expanded upon all of them. Now religion in most fantasy games and such tends to be a powerful force for good. Spells, rituals, garments, most of them derive from real world faiths, historical and modern. I've noticed fans are often quick to point out that on Azeroth specifically almost all religions have proof that their deities or worshiped forces exist, even when it wasn't asked if they themselves were religious.

 

"The Lady doth protest too much, methinks," but I digress. So I was playing as the priest character and the formation of the order was described as being a united religious conclave of all denominations. Already the terminology isn't beating around the bush. I was tasked with reclaiming a staff that's head was made from the heart of what is essentially, an angel, from a demon general who claimed and defiled the artifact. To assist in this task was a paladin named Boros. Briefly, paladins are holy knights, sitting somewhere between clergy and soldier. We were joined by a demon hunter named Jayce. Also briefly, demon hunters do as the name implies but they do so by absorbing the souls of demons they slay into their bodies. Boros was actually quite welcoming, seeing Jayce as an ally. When I reclaimed the staff and blessed it to remove evil's taint though, Jayce absorbed the slain demoness' power and Boros said "I fear for your soul, demon hunter. It's not too late to be welcomed in the Light." To which Jayce responded. "Spare me your platitudes, Paladin!" Despite the fantastical circumstance and the brevity of the conversation, it actually came off to me as something real people would say to each other. Boros has no problem with Jayce simply being a demon hunter but when he sees Jayce experince an almost euphoric pleasure out of something so twisted, he offers a hand in faith.

 

And what about that faith? While Azeroth boasts many religions befitting the multitude of cultures it has, the one that most resembles Christianity is the Holy Light. (And the award for most generically benevolent religion name goes to . . .) Fans often say it's Christianity and Buddhism mixed together, but as one very familiar with Buddhism, this is patently not true. It has more similarities to Taoism if anything. The Holy Light, like the Tao, is beleived to be a benevolent transcendent force that permeates reality. The chief difference is that the Tao is benevolent but passive where the Holy Light is more actively interventionist like some interpretations of God. Though the faith lacks a messiah figure there's a lot of Christian aesthetics with the Catholic titles, altars, churches, "missionary" adventures, one prominent Cardinal turns out to be working for the demons which might be a nod to the real life historical corruptions in the Church. Or even going deeper, the historical accusations of prominent clergy being Devil worshipers. (Which only recently made me think, did people even conceive back then that one doesn't have to worship the Devil to advance his cause?)

 

Anyway, why do I bring this all up? Sure there's stuff here and there and the imagery is on display, but what's the point? The heart? Well friends, despite being a video game and despite not referring to Christianity directly, there is one quote from the lore that is one of the most inspiringly Christian things I've ever read. Uther the Lightbringer, now dead by current timeline but considered to be one of the greatest heroes in Warcraft lore, was a Paladin and a devout man of faith even by the standards of his vocation. He once said this:

 

"Lad, no one feels ready. No one feels he deserves it. And you know why? Because no one does. It's grace, pure and simple. We are inherently unworthy, simply because we're human, and all human beings--aye, and elves, and dwarves, and all the other races--are flawed. But the Light loves us anyway. It loves us for what we sometimes can rise to in rare moments. It loves us for what we can do to help others. And it loves us because we can help it share its message by striving daily to be worthy, even though we understand that we can't ever truly become so. So stand there today, as I did, feeling that you can't possibly deserve it or ever be worthy, and know that you're in the same place every single paladin has ever stood."

Edited November 14, 2016 by Steel Accord

[Dark Horse 12,961]

Hello everyone!

 

Admittedly, I generally find myself reluctant to participate in religious discussion threads for various reasons I won't digress with, and so I apologize if I come across as a bit "out of place". But if anything I have always loved to discuss the subject from both a historical and philosophical standpoint; and Christianity in particular has quite a heavy history with Ireland and its development over the centuries, so I kind of wanted to share a particular piece of that history that I got to visit a few days ago:

 

My study group was brought to see St. Patricks Cathedral in Dublin for a tour guide, and I must say; it never ceases to amaze me the level of aesthetic beauty the Catholic religion put into some of these churches. It always manages to catch my breath for a moment whenever I step inside such places at the dedication and attention to minor detail that must have gone into their original construction, as indeed was explained to us during the tour. The exterior of the cathedral in particular has a wonderful courtyard area that you can sit and have lunch in, and it really does feel like a kind of 'isolated' zone in the middle of a busy city.

 

I also had the chance of visiting the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris a few years back, as my first experience of Gothic-esque religious architecture, but I never realized we had something so similar here in Ireland too (obviously not to the same scale, but you get what I mean).

 

I was just wondering if any of you have visited or live near a cathedral or monastery and what your personal views or experiences of them are? Are you someone who appreciates the architecture or do you perhaps find them a bit ostentatious and over-the-top? I know that some people can even find them to be a bit intimidating (and there are always rumors that a few are haunted ).

 

I managed to snag a few pictures while I was in there; take your own look if you wish.

 

 

 

[Kaneki 1,073]

Hi guys! After dealing with some depression issues (which I do not deal with anymore, which I believe is the Lord's healing), and attending church regularly again, I can say that I'm back.

 

I gave some thought into things and figured I'd come back to such a welcoming community. 

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Blue

[ChB 18,550]

Hi guys! After dealing with some depression issues (which I do not deal with anymore, which I believe is the Lord's healing), and attending church regularly again, I can say that I'm back.

 

I gave some thought into things and figured I'd come back to such a welcoming community.

Welcome back, Cloggedone!

"Lad, no one feels ready. No one feels he deserves it. And you know why? Because no one does. It's grace, pure and simple. We are inherently unworthy, simply because we're human, and all human beings--aye, and elves, and dwarves, and all the other races--are flawed. But the Light loves us anyway. It loves us for what we sometimes can rise to in rare moments. It loves us for what we can do to help others. And it loves us because we can help it share its message by striving daily to be worthy, even though we understand that we can't ever truly become so. So stand there today, as I did, feeling that you can't possibly deserve it or ever be worthy, and know that you're in the same place every single paladin has ever stood."

Really nice quote! Thanks for sharing this, Steel Accord!

[Kaneki 1,073]

I was wondering, can anyone suggest some good Christian music? I'm used to more secular music, but I want to deepen my musical tastes, especially those that broaden our relationship with God. I do listen to Switchfoot sometimes, who have had some Christian rock hits, to show what kind of that music I have heard before. 

 

Thanks guys!

[ChB 18,550]

I was wondering, can anyone suggest some good Christian music? I'm used to more secular music, but I want to deepen my musical tastes, especially those that broaden our relationship with God. I do listen to Switchfoot sometimes, who have had some Christian rock hits, to show what kind of that music I have heard before. 

 

Thanks guys!

I like Sovereign Grace Ministries, one of my favorites being "In the Valley":

[Sunwalker 981]

I was wondering, can anyone suggest some good Christian music? I'm used to more secular music, but I want to deepen my musical tastes, especially those that broaden our relationship with God. I do listen to Switchfoot sometimes, who have had some Christian rock hits, to show what kind of that music I have heard before.

 

Thanks guys!

I would suggest some traditional Gregorian Chants. They are the one musical style that was born from Christianity, they have some solid musical theory beyond them, which goes way above my head, and they were made to create a climate of contemplation.

 

For me, listening Gregorian Chants help to relax. Be when I am on the street going somewhere or when I am trying to sleep. Here is a radio of them:

 

http://tunein.com/radio/Calm-Radio---Gregorian-Chant-s142218/

[ChB 18,550]

I was just wondering if any of you have visited or live near a cathedral or monastery and what your personal views or experiences of them are?

I've been to St. Peter's Basilica, as well as the Monastery of the Theotokos. Both are really nice:

[Whirlwind 1,055]

What are your opinions on Astral Projection? I've been really considering it recently,

But there this out of body experience could possibly have ties with occult's

[Techno Universal 2,575]

Hey guys I just wanted to drop in to talk about the strange stories from my dreams that are possibly real future events. Of course I am Cristian and also a number of these dreams where Cristian related and where telling the truth of how everything works and who I am. It's actually really deep when you go in to it.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Blue

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I was wondering, can anyone suggest some good Christian music? I'm used to more secular music, but I want to deepen my musical tastes, especially those that broaden our relationship with God. I do listen to Switchfoot sometimes, who have had some Christian rock hits, to show what kind of that music I have heard before. 

 

Thanks guys!

 

Not that I want to discourage you from listening to music with a Christian message but songs don't have to be explicitly Christian to have good messages in them. Most of the Beatles songs are generally positive and preach a message of peace. Judas Priest has a lot of songs about overcoming and conquering evil, in fact a lot of Heavy Metal bands (especially Power Metal ones such as Dragonforce, Freedom Call, and Blind Guadian) have a great many songs about good triumphing over evil.

 

Still if you twist my arm on it, I can think of no one better than the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. Man was a devout Christian all his life and wrote many songs about God and Jesus. God's gonna cut you down, I came to believe, Corinthians 15:55 he even covered otherwise anti-religious or at least cynical songs and turned them into tributes to God. Hurt and Personal Jesus.

What are your opinions on Astral Projection? I've been really considering it recently,

But there this out of body experience could possibly have ties with occult's

 

Yeah Blue's question stands. Look I LOVED Doctor Strange and I love Doctor Strange the comics but persuing astral projection because you saw it in a movie strikes me as "trend spirituality" which I never advocate. G.K. Chesterton once said, "we do not want a church that will move with the world. We want a church that will move the world."

 

The same applies individually as organizationally. You should not pursue an avenue of religious practice because it's culturally popular or looks cool. We must strive for what will remain relevant to us for all of our lives. For instance part of the reason I wanted to study Kung Fu was because it offered a window into Buddhist or Taoist thinking, but I also built this on top of already having practiced karate in my youth and really enjoyed it. So I can confidently say that intense martial art study is something I could do for the rest of my life on top of potentially benefiting me spiritually.

 

Can you say confidently that in say, five years, you'll still be as fascinated with astral projection?

Edited November 22, 2016 by Steel Accord

[Whirlwind 1,055]

 

 

Not that I want to discourage you from listening to music with a Christian message but songs don't have to be explicitly Christian to have good messages in them. Most of the Beatles songs are generally positive and preach a message of peace. Judas Priest has a lot of songs about overcoming and conquering evil, in fact a lot of Heavy Metal bands (especially Power Metal ones such as Dragonforce, Freedom Call, and Blind Guadian) have a great many songs about good triumphing over evil.   Still if you twist my arm on it, I can think of no one better than the Man in Black, Johnny Cash. Man was a devout Christian all his life and wrote many songs about God and Jesus. God's gonna cut you down, I cam to believe, Corinthians 15:55 he even covered otherwise anti-religious or at least cynical songs and turned them into tributes to God. Hurt and Personal Jesus.

Thats pretty interesting statement. Because I have a healthy heart to God. And I me being a drummer and a beginning bassist, I listen to all kinds of music of pretty much any genre and that includes some heavy metal bands. One example I can share is that I'm a fan of the band Slayer. From the general eye people think they are a satanic band.

And while their statement may "look" true, just by listening to the lyrics and the general songwriting is actually more deeper and meaningful than praising satan. Most of Slayer's lyrics can date to some real world politics and maybe even some things that world sees wrong than what the spiritual world does see (not just Satan and God). I seem to find some of that music good to listen too, but my kind of music I listen too daily are mainly alternative rock bands. But thats what I think

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Thats pretty interesting statement. Because I have a healthy heart to God. And I me being a drummer and a beginning bassist, I listen to all kinds of music of pretty much any genre and that includes some heavy metal bands. One example I can share is that I'm a fan of the band Slayer. From the general eye people think they are a satanic band.

And while their statement may "look" true, just by listening to the lyrics and the general songwriting is actually more deeper and meaningful than praising satan. Most of Slayer's lyrics can date to some real world politics and maybe even some things that world sees wrong than what the spiritual world does see (not just Satan and God). I seem to find some of that music good to listen too, but my kind of music I listen too daily are mainly alternative rock bands. But thats what I think

 

No I know what you mean. While it's a touchy issue even here, Slayer's song "Silent Scream" is actually a pro-life anthem. Again, not to turn that into the topic of discussion but it does come from a Christian standpoint.

[Kaneki 1,073]

I wasn't saying secular music with a Christian mention or two per say, more like songs that actually talk about the Lord in a positive way for most of the song, but also connect a Biblical solution to a way to solve a problem, but I'll take that in mind.

Edited November 22, 2016 by Cloggedone

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I wasn't saying secular music with a Christian mention or two per say, more like songs that actually talk about the Lord in a positive way for most of the song, but also connect a Biblical solution to a way to solve a problem, but I'll take that in mind.

 

Fair enough then my Johnny Cash suggestions stand very tall in my recommendations for you.

 

@@Captain Whirlwind,

 

By the way, my above rebuttal was not meant in discouragement of the practice. Again like @@Blue, I have faith that out of body experiences are totally possible. I even think they can be triggered the specifically Christian method is just a mystery to me if it can be. I was merely saying that following it because "that is SO COOL! I wanna do that!" is not a mindset that is ever healthy for religious and spiritual practice.

 

Again to bring it back to my own personal, but still I believe relevant experience, seeing my teacher or a movie perform a high level Kung Fu technique and me immediately demanding to know it myself would be immature and short sighted of me. It's infantile thinking that if I don't do it (or something like it) NOW than it will be gone forever. God gives you the tools that YOU need and he gives other people the tools they need. I'm not saying astral projection is not your tool but merely cautioning that in our lives we must recognize the temptation of power for what it is, even and perhaps especially spiritual power.

 

 

I was just wondering if any of you have visited or live near a cathedral or monastery and what your personal views or experiences of them are?

 

When my family and I were in Washington D.C. we paid a visit to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. It's the largest Catholic Church in the United States.

 

 

When we attended mass there, there was a visiting cardinal and we actually got to bring the gifts of bread and wine up to the altar. Coming from more humble churches with the old wooden pews, being in this glorious castle of faith was overwhelming.

 

There was another one who's name escapes me in Canada that we visited and it was beautiful. Sitting atop a hill, comprised of black rock, built almost like a fortress. Where the aforementioned basilica felt exultant this one felt hallowed if that makes sense. 

@@Dark Horse,

 

While not a cathedral or such, I also paid a visit to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Standing at the actual foot of such a tribute to Christ nearly brought me to tears and I rested my head and prayed on that pedestal.

 

 

 

Oh lastly, by far the MOST holy place I've ever set foot was the cave of revelation on the Isle of Patmos in Greece.

 

 

 

Far more humble than all I've mentioned in appearance but I stood in the place where the Book of Revelations was penned. They were holding mass so I couldn't stay for long but in some ways this is the one I have the hardest believing. I've never been fond of the phrase "I don't believe it" or "I can't believe," so know what it means when I say I still have a hard time believing I was standing in such a place. It seemed almost mythical.

Edited November 22, 2016 by Steel Accord

[Dark Horse 12,961]

@@Steel Accord

 

Woah! You'd have to forgive me for thinking that building was something straight out of old Jerusalem. Never visited a church in that style before. I'd say it's incredible to look upon in person.

 

Absolutely adore the marble design of its interior. The center piece reminds me of an old mausoleum. Very beautiful.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

Woah! You'd have to forgive me for thinking that building was something straight out of old Jerusalem. Never visited a church styled that way before. I'd say it's incredible to look upon in person.

 

Oh it's truly ​resplendent for sure. You honor me with that particular compliment as faith is something us Americans, going solely by majority, take very seriously and us Catholics take our churches very seriously as standing testaments to God's glory. So put those factors together and that's the result.

 

 

 

Absolutely adore the marble design of its interior. The center piece reminds me of an old mausoleum. Very beautiful.

 

Well I sort of neglected to show the altar and for kind of a reason when you see it.

 

[Dark Horse 12,961]

That is... truly something else. I've visited the Liverpool Cathedral when I went over there last year and thought it was one of the most staggering religious structures ever designed (and it is), but I can see that across the ocean it's done with an emphasis on the "glory" part.

 

 

 

us Catholics take our churches very seriously as standing testaments to God's glory.

 

No kidding. That altar is quite a strong message of that by itself. I must admit I'd probably feel slightly intimidated were I sitting there. Just not something I'm used to seeing. Very grandiose, but breathtaking all the same, and that's merely via photographs.

 

 

 

There was another one who's name escapes me in Canada that we visited and it was beautiful. Sitting atop a hill, comprised of black rock, built almost like a fortress. Where the aforementioned basilica felt exultant this one felt hallowed if that makes sense.

 

Interesting that you mention this, I'm intrigued by the idea how one can seemingly experience or even rejuvenate their faith in an entirely new way simply by having a change of locale. These places of worship should realistically serve the same purpose and yet can be so different for how a person perceives it, what they take from it, and how it brings their own faith to them. It might be difficult for me to experience or understand that fully myself, but from what you say here and in relation to the other places you've visited (especially the Cave of Revelation), each of these will have their own 'profoundness' on those who visit, whether it be a grand, imposing structure, or a simple cave tucked away in isolation. Some may find it overwhelming, whereas others might not give it a second thought. I guess everyone is affected differently, depending.

[PonyMage 228]

I have to say those are some breathtaking architectural photos. I've never been to any famous places of worship or even a church at all, but I'd like to see some of them myself someday. There's something about those kinds of places that inspire a feeling nowhere else can.

[Kaneki 1,073]

Wonderful architectural designs there. Nobody does buildings quite this well anymore!

[Steel Accord 6,660]

 

 

No kidding. That altar is quite a strong message of that by itself. I must admit I'd probably feel slightly intimidated were I sitting there. Just not something I'm used to seeing.

 

 

Intimidating is kind of why I shyed away from showing it. I personally like it but both my brothers thought that depiction of Jesus looked a little too much like Zeus in his smiting mood for comfort.

 

 

 

Very grandiose, but breathtaking all the same, and that's merely via photographs.

 

Oh here's the kicker. The domed structure of the mural makes it that no matter where you are standing, Jesus is looking at you. Creating the illusion of His eyes following you.

 

 

 

Interesting that you mention this, I'm intrigued by the idea how one can seemingly experience or even rejuvenate their faith in an entirely new way simply by having a change of locale.

 

I always like to say that going to mass and coming out is like taking a shower for my spirit. "Rejuvenated" really would be the operative word for how I feel afterwards.

 

 

 

These places of worship should realistically serve the same purpose and yet can be so different for how a person perceives it, what they take from it, and how it brings their own faith to them. It might be difficult for me to experience or understand that fully myself, but from what you say here and in relation to the other places you've visited (especially the Cave of Revelation), each of these will have their own 'profoundness' on those who visit, whether it be a grand, imposing structure, or a simple cave tucked away in isolation. Some may find it overwhelming, whereas others might not give it a second thought. I guess everyone is affected differently, depending.

 

I'd be more than happy, indeed, ecstatic, to discuss the specifics of my faith and these places in a PM if you are at all interested.

 

 

 

I've never been to any famous places of worship or even a church at all, but I'd like to see some of them myself someday. There's something about those kinds of places that inspire a feeling nowhere else can.

 

I would recommend even going to a Jewish Temple or the like. Visiting places of worship for faiths not of your own religion or sect can be mind opening.

Wonderful architectural designs there. Nobody does buildings quite this well anymore!

 

Well the ones that currently stand do their jobs, so we don't need to build new ones.

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 10, 2021 by Blue