Christian bronies: meet, greet, and mingle!

[Mario3D13 167]

Ah I see. How about a discussion epistemology for the people here? It seems to be a very appropriate topic as there is a lot of justifications based on presuppositions from a Christian view

 

Well, no one wins unless all sides of the table are heard. So, I agree!

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Ah I see. How about a discussion epistemology for the people here? It seems to be a very appropriate topic as there is a lot of justifications based on presuppositions from a Christian view

 

 

Well, no one wins unless all sides of the table are heard. So, I agree!

 

Which is fine, but please do take that discussion to a PM as epistemology is a worthy thing to talk about but it's decidedly off topic. Yes, even discussing epistemology in regards to Christian views because this thread is for Christian bronies to talk about their faith among peers who share it.

 

If memory recalls Alpine, you once said how you wanted to participate without undermining people's choice to worship.

 

(Side note: I'm Catholic and decidedly pro-LGBT as are both of my parents.)

[Nameless Knight 1,001]

Quick Question: Is it wrong that I extremely dislike people who try to spread the word of Christ by stuffing it down people's throats, and just being an all around Hatemonger?

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

Quick Question: Is it wrong that I extremely dislike people who try to spread the word of Christ by stuffing it down people's throats, and just being an all around Hatemonger?

 

I would say that hate-mongering is unacceptable, regardless of the source, and aggressive / militant attempts at persuading someone to a way of thinking (be it religious, political or anything else) would be futile and unpleasant for all involved.

 

Both such actions can be done out of ignorance rather than malice though, so I would not be quick to condemn those who practice such actions.

[alpinefroggy 451]

Which is fine, but please do take that discussion to a PM as epistemology is a worthy thing to talk about but it's decidedly off topic. Yes, even discussing epistemology in regards to Christian views because this thread is for Christian bronies to talk about their faith among peers who share it.

 

If memory recalls Alpine, you once said how you wanted to participate without undermining people's choice to worship.

 

(Side note: I'm Catholic and decidedly pro-LGBT as are both of my parents.)

Ok sure thing. Simply because engaging in discussion must get past bald assertions and that necessitates debate in the debate forum

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Quick Question: Is it wrong that I extremely dislike people who try to spread the word of Christ by stuffing it down people's throats, and just being an all around Hatemonger?

 

 

 

 

Both such actions can be done out of ignorance rather than malice though, so I would not be quick to condemn those who practice such actions.

 

Condemn no, but because such people are so damning to our faith and faith in general, as well as to themselves, I think it's more than right to call them out on their actions.  

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Anypony else ever be confronted by someone telling them some random fact such as proof of the Earth's actual age with the expectation that you'll deny it or abandon your faith, or does that just happen to me?

Edited January 21, 2016 by Steel Accord

[Reading Heart 167]

Condemn no, but because such people are so damning to our faith and faith in general, as well as to themselves, I think it's more than right to call them out on their actions.  

 

Agreed, it frustrates me considerably, and always reminds me of two scriptures 'It is not good to have zeal without knowledge' in proverbs, and the point in Luke were Jesus rebuked the disciples with the words "You do not know what spirit you are of" 

 

 

Anypony else ever be confronted by someone telling them some random fact such as proof of the Earth's actual age with the expectation that you'll deny it or abandon your faith, or does that just happen to me?

 

I've encountered this Steel Accord, generally it's a indication that they think you will think about things the same way that they do, which is not true, generally it's better to go though life realizing that everyone has different ways of looking at things.  It also makes one more teachable to realize this.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

Condemn no, but because such people are so damning to our faith and faith in general, as well as to themselves, I think it's more than right to call them out on their actions.  

 

Yes, though in the right way - it's all too easy to see a circle of ever more aggressive 'persuasion tactics' between groups that do actually care for each other.

 

On somewhat tangential note about caring, I found a BBC article about a carpenter in Italy who started making crosses out of the driftwood from wrecked boats migrants arrived on, and how one of those crosses ended up in the British Museum. It was nice to see the symbols / tenants of Christianity (both the cross and the caring about others) all wrapped up in a single artifact on display in the UK's premier museum (and this one isn't stolen either, making it a lot easier to deal with.)

[Mario3D13 167]

Which is fine, but please do take that discussion to a PM as epistemology is a worthy thing to talk about but it's decidedly off topic. Yes, even discussing epistemology in regards to Christian views because this thread is for Christian bronies to talk about their faith among peers who share it.

 

If memory recalls Alpine, you once said how you wanted to participate without undermining people's choice to worship.

 

(Side note: I'm Catholic and decidedly pro-LGBT as are both of my parents.)

 

Let me be the first to tell you that you literally just contradicted yourself. I'm Catholic as well, but I believe that committing homosexual acts is wrong. Homosexual tendencies (notice the difference?) are not wrong in and of themselves, but acting upon those feelings makes it become sinful. That is ESTABLISHED Catholic doctrine, found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and you, unfortunately, are in heresy, as are your parents. (Not trying to be mean, but that's what the Church teaches, and I believe it.)

 

May the Lord guide you back to the fullness of the Faith.

 

-Mario3D13

 

P.S. Just in case, here is the link to the Catechism, where it explains the Church's doctrine on the subject: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm

Edited January 21, 2016 by Mario3D13

[simba86 1,541]

Quick Question: Is it wrong that I extremely dislike people who try to spread the word of Christ by stuffing it down people's throats, and just being an all around Hatemonger?

well i have met people like that, they corner you and then drill you about every aspect of your religion and personal life and ask prying personal questions and if you have accepted christ or not and they go on and on and on,  not all christians are like that though

[Mario3D13 167]

well i have met people like that, they corner you and then drill you about every aspect of your religion and personal life and ask prying personal questions and if you have accepted christ or not and they go on and on and on,  not all christians are like that though

 

Yeah; for example, I don't do that to anyone.

[Lithophila 291]

Quick Question: Is it wrong that I extremely dislike people who try to spread the word of Christ by stuffing it down people's throats, and just being an all around Hatemonger?

You are free to have your opinions on it. Its nothing wrong about it. I think its more important to try to be better at living by the words rather than trying to get others to do it. Although there is nothing wrong with sharing your faith with others and to see if its the path for their life

[LittleMac 3,085]

I consider life a dying paradise. Which is why i am depressed at times. And this opening is now stuck in my head. Although anime and melodrama usually have little effect on me. Its more psychological impact of the end of the cycle.

I'd have a pretty similar outlook on life as well

 

That is a pretty cool opening BTW

[Sunwalker 981]

Quick Question: Is it wrong that I extremely dislike people who try to spread the word of Christ by stuffing it down people's throats, and just being an all around Hatemonger?

 

Yeah. Faith is something that only works if done by one's own free will. It is not really possible to force anyone into it. I don't think there were ever anyone who got converted because it was insisted upon them. By lurking on atheist forums and reading their testimonies, I noticed a certain pattern: in many cases those people had their parents either being zealots and forcing the religion upon them.

 

What you can do is being a good example and explaining your faith when needed. People are going to notice that you are being something different and more solemn from the norm of this world. Christ himself never forced anyone, and his words were always backed by his actions. If you don't do what you talk about, the hypocrisy alarm is going to sound on other people's heads. Even the most wicked person have a conscience and a moral sense, so even them can notice when you are being a hypocrite.

 

"Always remember to preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words"

- Saint Francis of Assisi

 

---

 

Anypony else ever be confronted by someone telling them some random fact such as proof of the Earth's actual age with the expectation that you'll deny it or abandon your faith, or does that just happen to me?

 

In person, I don't think so. I don't think that anyone IRL has criticized my faith when speaking directly for me. I had once an atheist teacher who liked to take a jab at religion always he had a chance, but he wasn't speaking directly to me plus he was just annoying rather than offensive.

 

Online, it hasn't happened like you said, but it happened that people actually complained that I didn't fit in whichever stereotype of religious person they had in their head. Like actually pointing out that I said that faith could be defended in a logical manner . It is like they wanted me to be irrational just to complain about faith being irrational, hahaha!

 

By the way, what you described doesn't just happen with you. But it comes down to what I said on my previous answer above, but with reversed roles: a religious stance cannot really be forced upon other people. In your case it is the non-religious side trying to force something. It is annoying, indeed, I agree.

 

The best course of action for everyone here is just debating some stuff just for the sake of debating or exchanging ideas, without expecting the other person to change his mind

[Lithophila 291]

I felt like drawing a fur living a simple life :grin2:

[gamerbrash 32]

Went to BronyCon and passed out The Biggest Question in 2014. Nerd culture is my heart's passion, and I want to evangelize at conventions. 

[DeletedAcc. 32]

Im going to play devil's advocate here: do you believe in Christianity because you believe its true, or because it is the only thing you've ever been taught?

[Mario3D13 167]

Im going to play devil's advocate here: do you believe in Christianity because you believe its true, or because it is the only thing you've ever been taught?

 

I, for one, believe it's true!

[Reading Heart 167]

Im going to play devil's advocate here: do you believe in Christianity because you believe its true, or because it is the only thing you've ever been taught?

 

Ah, that is actually a good question, because your faith should be your own, not just what you have been taught.  However, that doesn't mean that believing what you have been taught is a bad thing, just that you should make sure your 'roots' are 'your roots' not someone else's.  I've seen people whose faith was shaken by leaders who fell into sin.. what that tells me is that their faith was placed in the right place, for trusting in men is not putting your faith in God.

 

 

I consider life a dying paradise. Which is why i am depressed at times. And this opening is now stuck in my head. Although anime and melodrama usually have little effect on me. Its more psychological impact of the end of the cycle.

 

We do live in a fallen world, one that was once the garden of Eden, that is what the bible teaches, but it also teaches that God will redeem it, we have left Eden and are heading toward the New Jerusalem, trade your sorrow for joy..

 

Psalm 30: 11 You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted

Revelation 21:3-4  And then I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “See! The tabernacle of God is among men, and He will live among them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them [as their God,] and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.”

 

So, your sorrow for a fallen Eden is a sign of the Holy Spirit at work in you, for God also sorrows for the evil of the world, but it's not something to dwell on too much, keep your eyes on heaven, the scriptures tell us to store our treasures in heaven, part of this is believing in God's promise for the world to come, this is the expectation of all of us who follow Christ.  Rejoice in that.

[Sudo Krenton 243]

Wow.... this thread kinda blew up on that lgbt thing since I last was on... hmm. Well I guess that's said and done for the time being. It is a rather interesting subject, but susceptible to debate rather easily.

 

On another note, if anyone would like a book to read, I strongly recommend "The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis. I haven't finished, unfortunately, but I will this weekend. It's a short read and nicely laid out.

[ChB 18,550]

Thank you for this thread, Zach. It's so great to know that there are quite a few Christian Bronies in this forum. And thank you, Stardust Balance, for linking me to this thread. 

 

I am an Orthodox Christian. My first and foremost identity is in Christ, not MLP. That said, I am very obsessed with the show. I have a lot to look forward to, as I haven't even finished Season 1, yet. 

 

 

...if anyone would like a book to read, I strongly recommend "The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis. I haven't finished, unfortunately, but I will this weekend. It's a short read and nicely laid out.

I love C.S. Lewis! Haven't read "Problem of Pain," yet, but I liked his Mere Christianity, Screwtape Letters, and the Great Divorce. 

[A Black Circle 1,586]

I have a question;

 

I've heard around that the bible has been mistranslated, and considering what I've seen, I see some truth in it. Would you have any further information about it?

[Sudo Krenton 243]

 

 

I have a question;

 

I've heard around that the bible has been mistranslated, and considering what I've seen, I see some truth in it. Would you have any further information about it?

 

Further information about it regarding....? Did you mean further proof of it being mistranslated or something else? Now, there's a big difference between mistranslated, and different translations. Being one who has studied Latin, I would go on a limb to say this applies to other languages, such as Hebrew and Greek. You can have several of one sentence, each being equally as valid as the other, meaning the same thing, just worded differently.

 

Now, If you're translating from Greek to Latin.... Latin to German.... and then German to English, well there's bound to be some form of mistranslation. A good example of mistranslation actually is your telephone. The data (your voice) is converted in to binary 1s and 0s, and then goes thousands of miles to someone else, decoded from the 1s and 0s and put back into the original. Now, without any modifications, if I was to use this method, anything you would send would sound really fuzzy. The reason being that there is a lot of static that the wires collect, which occasionally jumble up those 1s and 0s (Thank you Hamming and Shannon for devising equations for correct these errors).

Now, if you know there are different ways of translating languages, each having the same meaning, and then you keep on translating, eventually getting to English, well you might as well end up with something dissimilar to what you started with. I would go on a limb to say that nowadays the translations of the Bible are probably verified by more than one person. I could be wrong, but it would make the most sense to me.

[Reading Heart 167]

I have a question;

 

I've heard around that the bible has been mistranslated, and considering what I've seen, I see some truth in it. Would you have any further information about it?

 

There are three issues here actually, first is that the languages from which the bible are translated [Hebrew or Aramaic for the Old testament and Greek for the new] either have words that can have multiple meanings, or a language can have tenses another language doesn't.  This creates issues for translators, what is the best word choice to use in a particular context.

 

The second issue is cultural, sometimes a statement has a cultural reference that has a context in another language that isn't intended in the original text, or meanings have shifted in the language of which the bible is translated into.  You also have the problem of words having multiple definitions, which one do you apply?  

 

The third issue is personal, as in the translator has a personal bias, which colors his choices for all of the above, which is why it's a good idea to study who the translator(s) were, as well as when and why that particular translation occered.

------------------------------------------------------

 

All of that said, here's what someone else said about the problem overall that I think covers it fairly well

 

The fact that there are so many English Bible translations is both a blessing and a problem. It is a blessing in that the Word of God is available to anyone who needs it in an easy-to-understand, accurate translation. It is a problem in that the different translations can create controversy and problems in Bible studies, teaching situations, etc. The differences between the translations can also be a subject of great division within the church body.

 

It is probably wise to have access to at least two or three of the major translations KJV (King James Version), NIV (New International Version), NAS (New American Standard), NKJV (New King James Version), ESV (English Standard Version), NLT (New Living Translation), for comparison's sake. If a verse or passage in one translation is a little confusing, it can be helpful to compare it side-by-side with another version. It is difficult to say which translation is the "best." "Best" would be determined by a combination of the translation method personally considered best and your interpretation of the textual data underlying your translation. For example, the KJV and NAS attempted to take the underlying Hebrew and Greek words and translate them into the closest corresponding English words as possible (word for word), while the NIV and NLT attempted to take the original thought that was being presented in Greek and Hebrew and then express that thought in English (thought for thought). Many of the other translations attempt to "meet in the middle" between those two methods. Paraphrases such as The Message or The Living Bible can be used to gain a different perspective on the meaning of a verse, but they should not be used as a primary Bible translation.

--------------------------------------------------

 

So, the answer to your question is that 'it can be in some ways' this is why we have multiple translations of the bible, and why it's worth your time to read it in several different versions to get all the levels of possible meaning.  But if you want something that tries hard to keep to the original text, I think the interlinear bible has english greek and hebrew side by side, with direct word translations and with a number of concordance indicators,

 

Finally, all of that said, the important thing is that God's message gets through and though the translations are not always perfect, the Spirit can give clarity to the true seeker.  There are certain things that remain true across all versions though:  That God created everything, that Jesus died to redeem mankind, that there is a heaven to rejoice in and a hell to avoid at all costs, that one day God will make all things new.  There are differences in variation, but not theme.

[SigmaBrony 34]

Kinda, I don't go to church or anything, but I still consider myself non-denominational Christrian(with maybe a touch of random spirituality). I'm pretty much of the "you only need your personal faith to be religious" camp.

 

Exact same here, my friend.

Hi, I am SigmaBrony. Pleased to meet everypony