Cannabolics philosophy on bud and the bible

[Maccabee]

What is kabbalah anyway? I read her Kabbalah name is Esther

Kabbalah is Jewish mysticism. It gets pretty far out, but it's an attempt to extrapolate a metaphysical system of the universe from hidden meanings in various scripture and writings. The Tree of Life and its sephiroth are at the core of the system. Traditionally, only married men over 40 are allowed to study it (or something like that) because it's such powerful juju. (As it were.)

The Wikipedia article is fairly deep:
Kabbalah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Honestly, Kabbalah gives me a headache. I tend to think it's mostly a bunch of nonsense with most of its value being in some of the metaphors it brings to the metaphysical table.

The Mahayana metaphysical system, for instance, a lot more appealing to me. More the Prajna Paramita concepts than direct devotional practice--I'm not really capable believing in any kind of divine intercession.

 

[porchmonkey4life]

"I think it started as an experiment--L Ron saying to himself, 'can I really do this?'-- and then turned into a cult. "

You know, I was actually thinking something along the same lines.

"Or at least some kind of quasi-pseduo-religion, considering it might be a criminal conspiracy out to prey on its initiates. The anthropological and legal views don't really reconcile well. "

This issue is very near to my heart. I actually used to be a member of a cult. I was young and still very impressionable, didn't have much of a social life, and didn't have much time for anything besides working to pay the bills and studying for class/exams. I soon myself engaging in more and more activities this "School of Metaphysics" instructed me to engage in each day, until I realized that these practices and exercises were designed to change the way I think, feel, conceptualize my life. I didn't like that. I figured, if they wanted me to be/think/act a certain way, why not come out and say so, rather than trying to trick me into doing so. Also, the people who lived on the "College of Metaphysics" campus really fucking freaked me out. I knew there was some really fucked up shit going on there (I truly suspected a pregnant woman lost her child due to birth complications that would have been avoided had she been inhabiting an normal society). I'm truly grateful for a friend (whom I practiced kung fu with) who told me how rediculous these people were, and how phony he thought their ideal and intentions were. If it weren't for him, I'd probably be staring at a candle right now, pregnant with their leader's child, making a mark with a pencil on paper every time I noticed a 'distraction' arise in my mind.

Welcome to the School of Metaphysics online campus

School of Metaphysics Course of Study Directory

I think most intelligent people who are not desperate for a sense of belonging and meaning in their lives would be turned away by this phrase:

"The only prerequisite for entering this study is a willingness to change. What you will learn here will change the way you see yourself and the world."

They are FREAKS. ALL of them, and they scare the living shit out of me. They need to be stopped before they become part of, or, God help us, the nest Scientology.

 

[Maccabee]

Those are the Akashic triangle people, right? I've had run ins with them before. I think I ejected a pushier emissary from my old college radio station once. It was during a three day festival, everyone was on acid, and he would not listen to me when I told him that trying to recruit tripping people was not fucking cool and would not be tolerated. I think I might have offended him when he mentioned the Akashic record and I laughed: I first heard of the record in the context of a role playing game. ( Akashic Brotherhood - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia , Mage: The Ascension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia )


We also got our fair share of mayan calendar kids.

You will run into some pretty freaky shit reading the literature on new religious movements and intentional communities, that's for sure.

 

[porchmonkey4life]

Yeah, I set their sign on fire. But everything I say on this forum is a lie...they DI mention akashic record stuff at one point, I do remember. They had a weird way of making people want to stay to, including the weird hugging rituals, and even, holding people back in their courses of "study" once they progressed to the "College" so that they'd have to stay there longer...all the while paying for this "learning experience". Oh, and come to think of it, they did have this great aspiration to build a weird triangle/pyramid building where people could live, teach, study, etc. that and their "peace dome" It all sounds nice, but I guarantee if you met a single person on that campus or in any SOM, for that matter, I'm pretty sure you'd agree that they're fucked in the head.

 

[statik]

Ok, I am a Christian...I am what you would call a Calvinist. Google it if you don't know. Anyways, I am also a medical cannabis patient. I want to address cannabis and the devil briefly. To say that the devil "created" something is to give him the same power as God. The devil cannot create anything but lies. I also would like to add that Scripture says that DRUNKENNESS is against God because it leads to debauchery. Yet in 2Timothy, Peter tells Timothy to take wine for his stomach issues; not to get drunk...but as medication. Also, today the market is flooded with pharmaceuticals that have side effects that can often be worse than what you are trying to treat...and half the time doctors don't tell them to you in full. The bases for telling if something is "Good" or not, is to see if it glorifies God. What glorifies God? Pharmaceutical companies out for a buck with no REAL concern for your health? Look at Ritalin and how it's shoved down our kids throats. Or a loving Creator who gave us a plant (by no means should we worship the creation either, only God is worthy of worship) that has been proven for centuries to have medical value, as a safe alternative to dangerous and just as easily abused pharmaceuticals? Did you know that 7,000 people a year die from aspirin? ASPIRIN! How many people has cannabis killed? None. Let's put a time frame on that....No one....ever...in the entire human history! I want to address the "look at what the masses of the church are doing" comment I read earlier...did you know that Scripture says that law is not determined by a majority vote? So it doesn't matter what the "masses" say. A lot of the "masses" also preach a watered down Gospel. Does that make it right? Certainly Not! As for the "Law of the land" question. That says to obey your government, unless it goes against God's Word. Well, there are 12 or so states in the land (USA) that say medical cannabis is ok. Sure the Feds say other wise. But the Feds are also lying when they say cannabis has no medical value. We all know that cannabis is different than LSD,Heroin, and Crack Cocaine. Yet, the federal government says they are all in the same boat...Schedule 1 drugs. Meaning no medical value. A BOLD FACED LIE! And we all know it! What it really comes down to my friends, is what God has planned for you. If cannabis is a stumbling block for you in your walk with our Lord, then get it out of your life. If you love it more than God, then there is a problem. I apologize if I have offended anyone, and I ask for your forgiveness if I have.

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE:

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God, who was also God, humbled Himself as a man and was obedient until death, died on the cross in your place to cover your sins, so you could have eternal peace with God in His kingdom and avoid the eternal cup of His wrath. Now repent (turn away from) your sins put your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, read your Bible daily, and obey what you read. I pray that God softens your heart, opens your eyes and opens your ears to His message, He is already calling you...just be still....and you will hear His voice. Peace to you all my brothers and sisters, may Jesus be a lamp unto your feet to keep you on the path of light. Amen.

In The Service of Jesus Christ

Statik

 

[Maccabee]

I could probably do without the evangelical exhortations, but I appreciate you sharing your viewpoint. It's always good to be reminded that the majority of religious Christians are mostly reasonable people, outside of their strong Biblical convictions regarding certain social issues. No one's perfect. Putting aside issues of faith, if everyone followed the example set by Jesus the world would be a better place. Unfortunately, in my experience the people who most loudly proclaim and promote their Christian beliefs (or religious dogmas in general) are just about the least Christlike people I've ever met. The most Christlike person I've ever met was a Zen monk. He didn't say much at all. Ethics are about acts, not words. The sacred is a state or sense of being, not a state or sense of belonging. Belonging is how society puts the sacred to work for its own ends.

>shrug<

 

[porchmonkey4life]

Puts the sacred to work for the ends of the profane, if you ask me.

I'm suddenly reminded of crazy old Brother "Jeb" and his screeching wife: a crazy religious couple who would stand in Speaker's Circle on campus damning everyone who walked by (I walked right up to to Jeb in the middle of one of his hellfire-damnation sermons, with a joint in my hand, asked him for a light, just to see what vitrol he would spew at me) fun times...but those two were a riot. I actually thought they were a hilarious comedy act traveling for profit, but they were serious. had little booklets and everything with laugh my ass off cartoons about various acts that would land you in the fiiiiiiirrrrrrrrres of Heeeeeeeeeeeeelllllllll!!!!! I miss those days.

 

[statik]

Yeah, I had to do the evangelizing. Sorry about that, but it is the great commission from Jesus. I completely agree with you about "Christan's" being un-Christ like. We are told to forgive, which not many do. We are told to be loving, and not many are. Many are outright hypocrites. Many think that they are better than others, but God created all men equal. It is not our job to judge the world. It is God's and God's alone. To quote Gandhi, " I like their Christ, but I don't like their Christians." There is so much truth in that. Another quote, I don't remember who said it, "I will believe in the Redeemer, when the Christians look more Redeemed." God tells us to be humble, meek, and to have a servants heart...I wish more of my brethren could realize how important those implications of God's word are to our faith. Maybe then the world would be a little more receptive of His message. Thanks for your response my friend. I would love to clear up any questions you might have.

 

[porchmonkey4life]

Why do Christians like Brother Jeb and his wife (can't remember he name) exist? Why doesn't God strike them down and get it over with?

 

[Maccabee]

Why do Christians like Brother Jeb and his wife (can't remember he name) exist? Why doesn't God strike them down and get it over with?

Provided that kind of God, watching from above with a long beard and thunderbolts, existed--I think the answer would be free will. Our Calvinist friend here may have a more complex and satisfying answer. Calvinism is quite complicated when it comes to questions of free will, predestination and salvation.

 

[statik]

What they are doing is preaching damnation. Which is part of God's message, but not all. God's real message is that He gave us a way out of it! Of course one has to understand the torment they will experience without Christ's atoning blood, but to preach nothing but that is to only preach part of the Gospel. Do you know what the word "Gospel" means? It means Good News! The Gospel is the good news of peace with God. While we where yet still sinners (enemies) with God, He sacrificed Himself in our place to redeem (pay ransom) us from hell. Why doesn't He strike them down? Thats all in His will and His keeping. It is not my place to judge them, or to even try and figure out what God is achieving through them. All I can say is that I understand preaching hellfire, and I do condone it, but to point a finger and give blame on every passer by, is judgmental. How would he know (Jeb) if someone he is pointing at is a devout Christian or not? I am all for open air preaching (standing in the square) but we need to be careful when we do so. Otherwise we just push people away, yes, the Gospel is uncomfortable for most people to hear....but we shouldn't make it impossible for them to hear it's true meaning.

 

[Maccabee]

I doubt you'd be comfortable with an open Satanist preaching his views in the public square. Or, how about a fundamentalist Muslim? That might bother most Christians more, ironically enough.

Sorry, I'm not trying to bait you. I'm all for free speech, but there are forms of street preaching, however, that amount to verbal abuse or harassment.
People shouldn't have to endure being called sinners for walking down the street. I don't care if it's a 15 year old in miniskirt, a gay couple, or whatever.

Giving them a piece of your mind right back doesn't help, it just reinforces their perception of themselves as misunderstood martyrs in a degraded society.

How does that kind of preaching not violate the admonition not to judge others lest ye be judged, or to let the innocent cast the first stone, or not to look to the speck in another's eye but the log in your own? I'd include the admonition to love thy neighbor, but these kinds of preachers tend to insist their message is 'love' as it brings the hope of salvation. I doubt the people they attack feel very loved by God while the crazed preacher is screaming at them.

 

[porchmonkey4life]

Yeah and they fucking MONOPOLIZED Speaker's Circle, which is the only place on campus strategically located so that a speaker's voice is heard far and wide.

Cult Educational Video - Show to Class - Beware of Mind Control Techniques - No Sex Nor Porn Shown

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[statik]

Oh no, Macabee....why did you have to bring up predestination? LOL. It still makes my head swim. It is hard even for me to fully grasp. All I can say is that it is impossible for us...with our finite minds...to understand the infinite mind of God. One way to explain it is this....do we have free will or are we predestined? Yes! That is the answer...both. I want to address the word "free-will" briefly. We do not truly have "free" will. We have will. According to the words of Christ, we are all slaves to sin, and it's father...the devil. We can choose to remain slaves to sin, or repent and become slaves for God. Personally, I would prefer to be a slave to someone who loves me so much He would and did, die for me. I think most people have a presumptuous view on God and their beliefs about Him, Hell, and Salvation. Most people are too full of pride (true original sin, the reason Lucifer fell) to let go of their preformed ideals. No one wants to admit they are wrong. No one wants to admit that deep down, there is no real good in the human heart...including their own. To grow upwards in God is to grow downward in pride and in your view of yourself, self-hate really. Not the kind that drives people to take their own life of course. It is to merely recognize that nothing we do is truly of good accord. Many people will be upset at that statement, but it is truth...we do things...even what appears to be selfless...selfishly. Who can say they help people out and don't expect to be helped back? Or who can say that they help someone and don't have an inward view of themselves as a good person for it? That is pride again my friend. All good things come from God, and God alone. God opposes the prideful and the self-righteous. Wow, I am way off subject now aren't I? Sorry, I get caught up in God and His law. Read Psalm 1! lol ....

 

[porchmonkey4life]

Why must we be slaves to anyone/anything? I don't know about everyone else, but when I feel compelled to help someone, I do it because I fucking feel for them/their plight, not because I would expect the same from them; I do it because I am a human being, and I could give a shit if God wants to give me a cookie or brownie points for it.

 

[Maccabee]

Yep. The way Calvinism grapples with these questions is one of its most interesting qualities. Intellectually speaking it's very engaging. What do Calvinists make of Weber's theory on the Calvinist ethic of predestination being at the core of early American capitalism?

The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Here's the meat of his theory:

In the absence of such assurances from religious authority, Weber argued that Protestants began to look for other "signs" that they were saved. Calvin and his followers taught a doctrine of double predestination, in which from the beginning God chose some people for salvation and others for damnation. The inability to influence one's own salvation presented a very difficult problem for Calvin's followers. It became an absolute duty to believe that one was chosen for salvation, and to dispel any doubt about that: lack of self-confidence was evidence of insufficient faith and a sign of damnation. So, self-confidence took the place of priestly assurance of God's grace.

Worldly success became one measure of that self-confidence. Luther made an early endorsement of Europe's emerging labor divisions. Weber identifies the applicability of Luther's conclusions, noting that a "vocation" from God was no longer limited to the clergy or church, but applied to any occupation or trade.

However, Weber saw the fulfillment of the Protestant ethic not in Lutheranism, which he dismissed as a rather servile religion, but in Calvinistic forms of Christianity. The "paradox" Weber found was, in simple terms:

* According to the new Protestant religions, an individual was religiously compelled to follow a secular vocation with as much zeal as possible. A person living according to this world view was more likely to accumulate money.
* The new religions (in particular, Calvinism and other more austere Protestant sects) effectively forbade wastefully using hard earned money and identified the purchase of luxuries a sin. Donations to an individual's church or congregation was limited due to the rejection by certain Protestant sects of icons. Finally, donation of money to the poor or to charity was generally frowned on as it was seen as furthering beggary. This social condition was perceived as laziness, burdening their fellow man, and an affront to God; by not working, one failed to glorify God.

The manner in which this paradox was resolved, Weber argued, was the investment of this money, which gave an extreme boost to nascent capitalism.

By the time Weber wrote this essay, he believed that the religious underpinnings of the Protestant ethic had largely gone from society. He cited the writings of Benjamin Franklin, which emphasized frugality, hard work and thrift, but were mostly free of spiritual content. Weber also attributed the success of mass production partly to the Protestant ethic. Only after expensive luxuries were disdained, could individuals accept the uniform products, such as clothes and furniture, that industrialization offered.

In his remarkably prescient conclusion to the book, Weber lamented that the loss of religious underpinning to capitalism's spirit has led to a kind of involuntary servitude to mechanized industry.

 

[Maccabee]

Why must we be slaves to anyone/anything? I don't know about everyone else, but when I feel compelled to help someone, I do it because I fucking feel for them/their plight, not because I would expect the same from them; I do it because I am a human being, and I could give a shit if God wants to give me a cookie or brownie points for it.

Nietzsche isn't for everyone. And if you go too far down that path you turn into Ayn Rand, which is not a good thing in my opinion. Of course at that point you more or less stop wanting to help people, because it intrudes on your agency as an individual.

There needs to be a balance between the common good, which implies certain duties of the individual to the whole, and personal freedom, which implies a certain deference of the whole to the decisions of the individual.

 

[porchmonkey4life]

Haven't gotten around to reading Rand's Fountainhead, but I did read another one...can't remember the title...about trains and a woman owning a train company or something...loooong time ago.

 

[Maccabee]

Haven't gotten around to reading Rand's Fountainhead, but I did read another one...can't remember the title...about trains and a woman owning a train company or something...loooong time ago.

I think that's Atlas Shrugged, her 'Objectivist' screed? I don't know, I find Rand's ideas to be the height of ignorant hubristic claptrap and I have a similarly low opinion of her followers and devotees.

 

[porchmonkey4life]

you don't get much pussy, do you, my friend?