So, I don’t like to take sides in the whole crazy right vs left nonsense going on these days. I have some left viewpoints and some right. Right, for instance, I am more hardcore anti-Islam then anyone I have heard of. Left, for instance, I think the poor should have health care and the justice system needs a massive overhaul. That said, I do not believe the hard core alt-right is represented here, though I have seen the “snowflake” term used a few times.
The “snowflake” term as a slur is absolutely dumb, meaningless, and backfires.
I am a very unique person. I think everyone on here is a very unique person. So, that is that. Unique people have different needs and wants.
I am willing to pay for most of my unique needs and wants. And I sure want some to come through politics. Who isn’t?
I think considering that concept as bad is saying one’s own self is average.
As for sexual differences, as this is leveled at trans, gay, and lesbian at times, though I think most on the “men’s rights movement” is a certain kind of militant gay (and far from the majority)… if you do not have sexual differences, then what do you have? I can right off tell anyone one major sexual difference about me that “stands out” is I am especially well endowed.
Thankfully, that does mean I can pretty well use the same toilets you guys use, but it is usually impossible for me to pee sitting down on one unless I want to get Freddy Krueger wet.
Not that I complain.
© 2026 – SoulSequel
30 responses to ““Snowflake” Is A Dumb and Meaningless Slur”
The entire premise that the United States doesn’t have to be united to be great (again?), is so monumentally moronic. I guess it’s to be expected in a society dominated by people who hold appearances, e.i. shallow ideas, in higher regard than pragmatic understanding.
The snowflake shit is another symptom of working people trained by millionaires, who serve billionaires, to be divided, fighting amongst themselves, giving the majority of their lives to servitude and lawn farming. It’s insanity.
While I’m not against “personal rights”, I’ve spoken often about the “social responsibility” to the entity (Country) granting those rights. And from this responsibility to a greater whole, comes the unity that is so lacking when everyone is just so up on extracting their “personal rights”.
Everyone spits into smaller and smaller factions until there is “just me” and everyone/everything need to cater to me. Unity — or even just basic consideration for others — is shattered.
I do not know, again, that is very vague, so I can neither agree nor disagree.
I had a really good native “coyote teacher” once who used vagueness as an invite to explore something deeper on my own rather than just relying on input from others.
You spoke in another thread about whether America could be “great” without unity. My entire reply was a comment on the growing dis-unity that is apparent everywhere; with the greatest dis-unity being isolation into “just me”.
“I had a really good native “coyote teacher” once who used vagueness as an invite to explore something deeper on my own rather than just relying on input from others.
You spoke in another thread about whether America could be “great” without unity. My entire reply was a comment on the growing dis-unity that is apparent everywhere; with the greatest dis-unity being isolation into “just me”.”
Again, though, you really can not know my perspective and need to slow down on making presumptions.
For instance, as I just finished pointing out in another thread to you, my experience on American diversity is extreme. I live now around first gen immigrants from all over the world, and very often have worked around this sort of extremely diverse environment. Where there are not literally folks from other countries, either literally, or first gen, there are so many second and more gen American cultures and subcultures.
Even moreso, past twenty years, been working online, so most of my friends these days are from other countries. My current company is based where I am. We even have prayer’s at company meetings. The company is over 120 years old. Texas. Which is, contrary probably to your perception, one of the most diverse states in the US!
I have slept with four women! One was British, the other Hispanic.
The other two were and are from far different cultures then my own, though white. I have children with both. One is from California and Northern climates, all mormons. The other is mostly from hardcore South Boston Southern Irish.
And so on.
Saying this sort of thing to me says you are not sensitive to diverse cultures.
I really dislike Islam even more then Trump and his crew does. There was a time, when I first read the errors of them – back in the 90s, on my own! – that I harassed some nearby. There were times I was so angry and wished horrible things for them. But, long since then, God educated me. Even though I had already some good friends who were very religious Muslim before all of this, I needed more experience.
Same with fundamentalist Christian. Though it is a toss up for me which is worse, almost.
However I feel and detest their beliefs, I generally have to watch my temper and approach, and attempt to be diplomatic. I also have long ago decided I am for freedom of belief.
Albeit, only way the truth can be assured to reach people.
There is a very old saying that the what people see is a function of what we put out for them to see. And if they point out what they see and it’s not what we intended to be seen, there is the invite to do something about it.
Or the presumption that they are playing some game and are “out to get me”!
Someone seeing “something that isn’t there” is spiritually no threat to me. But their seeing something I was not aware I was transmitting? That’s a valuable gift! (A gift that tends to come only from the closest of friends out to help you, and the bitterest of enemies out to hurt you!)
I appreciate your allowing that the diversity of Texas is “probably” contrary to my perceptions. While not immersed in it as deeply as you, I have spent considerable time there and have insight on “the lay of the land” and people on the land. (It remains the only state where someone tried to sucker-punch me for a perceived slight of “stealing his load” (I had the wrong kind of trailer!), and concerned Texans came to my support and offered to beat him up for me!)
“Saying this sort of thing to me says you are not sensitive to diverse cultures.”
Actually I worked for many years in the summer camp industry and got to know a lot of visiting workers and campers from other nations; and still maintain a network of international friends who have returned home after working in a very casual and open environment with me. (There’s nothing like living in cramped quarters with someone 24/7 and seeing them with all their masks off and defenses down, to really get to know them — and “the flavor” of the culture they are from).
Our sensitivity to diverse cultures and their idiomatic differences may be different. But they one is no less valid than the other’s
“Same with fundamentalist Christian. Though it is a toss up for me which is worse, almost.”
The common “heinousness” . . . is “religion”. Religious process. The things they do hoping to earn Divine favor/reward or validate/prove righteousness-of-self. The exact same trigger, drives them to a similar mindset out of which atrocities become “the will of Allah/God”. (Recognizing that killing someone physically and killing them with actions/words/mindsets is the same in God’s sight).
I agree that only the Truth can be assured to reach people. And this is where our valid witness of Truth comes in: not a “false witness” based on religious process, but a “true witness” based on successful fellowship with the Holy Spirit as was intended and made possible by Jesus’ life and sacrifice.
“I appreciate your allowing that the diversity of Texas is “probably” contrary to my perceptions. While not immersed in it as deeply as you, I have spent considerable time there and have insight on “the lay of the land” and people on the land. (It remains the only state where someone tried to sucker-punch me for a perceived slight of “stealing his load” (I had the wrong kind of trailer!), and concerned Texans came to my support and offered to beat him up for me!)”
Truckers are a very small subset of the population. Though, it can be representative, as I have known a diverse group being truckers. However, the behavior you are describing is specific to some parts of culture in Texas and not others.
Psychopaths are a certain small percentage of the population.
There definitely is, however, some systematic bad driving here, and some systematic bad behavior. I suspect the weather may be behind no small part of that.
It tends to be consistently very hot and humid which can make tempers fly.
There are some major majority part of Texas culture that can have very “tough” elements, and very kind elements.
Though that I saw much more in small towns, then where I am now. I have lived in various places through out the US.
And, literally living around a diverse group all the time is different then having done that once.
Even the base Texas small town culture is far from the upper middle class, wealthy, ‘far from Texas’ sort of culture I grew up in.
“The common “heinousness” . . . is “religion”. Religious process. The things they do hoping to earn Divine favor/reward or validate/prove righteousness-of-self. ”
Very many totalitarianists are atheist, but they are the very same way. The extreme edges and sometimes leadership of secular culture is as bad off as with fundamentalists.
“Someone seeing “something that isn’t there” is spiritually no threat to me.”
The matters I talk about are real. While it is near impossible to digest without firsthand experience, I know no one ultimately can walk away from me discussing them fully confident I am just making up things or seeing things which are not there.
“I had a really good native “coyote teacher” once who used vagueness as an invite to explore something deeper on my own rather than just relying on input from others”
I want to say it is “gypsy fortune teller” type speech. But, I think you are trying to be authentic. I am heavily trained in being vague and general, it is necessary for establishing rapport at times, and has been made into a science via “hypnosis” research.
Generally, I try and use that training for being the reverse, specific, which is also part of the training.
People can have problems with being specific, and so have problems with accuracy in finding their problems. Be those simply minor problems or other forms of bad accuracy.
Conversely, “code talk” with “spiritual people” (should I just change the motiff here to spies), we can often talk interchanging all sorts of terms and words with others.
One of my favorite examples of late is that “homeless guy” I spent a month with back in the nineties I like to talk about. Later incarnations included a major boss at a major retail corporation. He has this private company called “blu3 lava”. 3 put in place there instead of “e” to avoid search engines. One time, I happened to discover that form of lava is real — it is the kind made from liquid sulphur lava!
Funny him.
My associates are kind of weird, though I am not sure if they exceed my weirdness.
When it comes to non-disclosure, the intent is very important: whether the spirit of it is to keep people in the dark and maintain control over them/the situation . . . or as an invite for someone to exercise their own faculties and resolution skills.
Coyote teaching is definitely the latter; where spy training is probably more of the former. We are speaking similar language, but for different purpose.
I have recognized a tendency for people to mis-interpret my being specific and direct on spiritual matters . . . for my judging them as a person. So when I see this I switch to Coyote teaching that simply invites them “into the library” where they can find their own answers . . . if that truly be their wish.
This is similar to the difference between the car someone drops on you as a gift and the one you have to work for and fix up yourself. Gifts are nice. But they rarely are as appreciated as the one you have to work for yourself.
“When it comes to non-disclosure, the intent is very important: whether the spirit of it is to keep people in the dark and maintain control over them/the situation . . . or as an invite for someone to exercise their own faculties and resolution skills.”
First of all, this is literally angelic, though it, at one time, took the cover of intelligence for language purposes.
As that metaphor well fits, and fitting matters from a very alien place needs whatever metaphors can fit well. But it is important to understand it is not 1 to 1.
Where there is secrecy is in protecting sources.
It is not some weird “spirit of control”, and speaking in metaphoric, coded language is spiritual.
You seem to be seeing demons and evil spirits everywhere, from the way you talk.
Also, you want to paint everything as evil spirits doing evil things. Or you paint everything as games of some sort, again, seeing evil everywhere.
As for being blunt about your accusations, I would think it is best if you remain so. It is best for your own heart health. Thinking negative things about others and not stating them can make you hate them in your heart. It causes the darkness to fester.
Are you getting that saying these things even in your non-direct way is probably painful to do? I am sure. I certainly find it humorous in a way, and even woke up this morning considering how childish and absurd it was. But, I invite you being open, honest, blunt.
It does not offend me, I wonder and delight in it, as long as you are not just making up strange insults for my benefit.
Lol!
Really don’t be like cults or neo-nazis and islamists, afraid to be upfront about your negative beliefs on others because it is so indefensible! If these things are true, you can surely elaborate, expound on, provide details for, and stick by without feeling shame.
It’s so much safer to spit on a smaller faction though.
That should have read “split” not spit!
But still an amusing comment! Consider that a smaller faction makes a far harder target to hit with a loogie-bomb!
“The entire premise that the United States doesn’t have to be united to be great (again?), is so monumentally moronic. I guess it’s to be expected in a society dominated by people who hold appearances, e.i. shallow ideas, in higher regard than pragmatic understanding.”
I see. Well, being genuinely independent, I saw the term as pointing at, say, situations like not letting trans people have bathroom access if they are full blown trans.
That kind of thing I do not like, as many do these sorts of things targeting those who have a difficult time belonging anywhere, and they do it saying that is Christian.
Likewise with gay marriage and such.
Last thing I want is for people to view Christ as bigoted, but this is the message that fundamentalists put out, so it is something I often find myself having to mop up afterwards on… and usually fail.
Despite the fact that everybody knows Christ would not be doing these things and saying these things.
I find these sorts of issues often a mixed bag. I detest Nazism and Communism, so I certainly detest fundamentalism Islam. I detest fundamentalist Christianity. And so on. Varying degrees. Hinduism can get this bad way. Atheism very often does.
On the other hand, it is a tight rope, as I believe it is important to regard with sympathy the immigrants in the land.
Generally, I think this is how a lot of people approach the problem. Though others do this, and they approach it with naiviety, not understanding or having looked into what Islam teaches.
Good example I am reminded of while writing this is the homosexual in V for Vendetta who has the terrible taste of admiring the koran. That kind of sympathy is sick and deplorable, as Islam is strongly anti-gay.
Can I sell change to Muslims by approaching them in this direct manner? No. And that is what matters to me.
“The snowflake shit is another symptom of working people trained by millionaires, who serve billionaires, to be divided, fighting amongst themselves, giving the majority of their lives to servitude and lawn farming. It’s insanity.”
I see. Well, again, the term is something that you have learned, and the wider public is not exposed to. At best, I read cracked, and have not gotten an accurate definition from there.
I do believe plenty of left wing movements are ludicrously too far off. Perhaps obviously, as I am a Christian. You work in the same industry I do, have you ever been to San Francisco? The place is a left wing Nazi haven, where everyone is fascist “different” in the same way.
Dare I smoke anywhere or eat meat or something.
There is liberalism as in “liberty” and which maybe libertarianism best leans towards (good spirit, but not practical), and then there is the liberalism which pretends to be laid back and non-judgmental, and is anything but.
I may have had different exposure to that term.
While it was still pejorative, a lot more thought and meaning went into its likening someone as “fragile” and prone to be blown around by even the slightest breeze or melt away (or melt down!) should conditions stray outside a certain comfort zone. Lacking enduring substance and grit.
“I may have had different exposure to that term.
While it was still pejorative, a lot more thought and meaning went into its likening someone as “fragile” and prone to be blown around by even the slightest breeze or melt away (or melt down!) should conditions stray outside a certain comfort zone. Lacking enduring substance and grit.”
I see. Well, luftballoneyegouge gave me a definition which I have not expected. Your definition does seem kind of vague, I mean, I am not sure if I am for that or against it.
Granted, in general, I certainly do not admire the “alt-right”, as there is a lot of neo-nazism, which I hate even more then extreme Islam. Barely. It can be a coin toss, perhaps.
Left wing definitely goes too far as well, however, and this is common.
Unfortunately, I pick and choose what I believe, which means I can’t ever be a card carrying anybody.
Maybe the association of “snowflake” with “cuck” makes me think it comes from the “men’s right movement” which I find absolutely detestable and a near oxymoron. Seems to be created by a lot of female haters, and women have had a hard time of things across nearly all cultures and time. Merely because they are “weaker”.
The “cuck” concept coming from MRA seems especially ironic and detestable, as these are loser guys who “can’t get any”… and instead of blaming themselves, they blame women as whole, which is sickening. Never mind that “men’s right movement” is so endemic of whining we see so much today, and perhaps, one of those very worst of these “snowflake”‘s out there.
“I see. Well, luftballoneyegouge gave me a definition which I have not expected. Your definition does seem kind of vague, I mean, I am not sure if I am for that or against it.”
I’m counting a difference between something that is given to us and we can say “That’s nice”; and something we work for ourselves! Sometimes being vague is an invite to the latter. (Coyote teaching)
I do understand your sediments against “extremism”. Personally, I find GREAT traction in expanding this to cover all “religious process” (which by it’s nature can and does run amok given time, because it’s serving the flesh). That then covers Islamic religion, Christian religion, Fundamenalist religion, Neo-Nazi religion, the various political-party religions, gender religions etc. They are ALL the same process, worn just slightly differently. Greater understanding in one, gives greater understanding across the board.
I do relate with what you say about at least the appearance of “picking and choosing” and not being “card-carrying” anything. What I “pick and choose”, is Life. Life more abundantly. Spiritual Life and Truth. And EVERY successful religion or “movement” HAS to have elements of this to be remotely believable and “follow-able”.
The “appearance of picking and choosing”, recognizes that ALL of these religions/movements have done THEIR “picking and choosing” from The Truth — and the practicing student of spirituality simply re-assembles what has been fragmented to service the flesh.
Like you, I see the “men’s right” movement as purely reactive and emotion-driven — making it just another “religion”. And they do make use of the term “snowflake”. But I do like the broader and perhaps more functional allusion to something delicate, fragile, easily “melting down” if conditions are not perfect.
A group of “card-carriers” misusing this term (to me at least) doesn’t invalidate good uses of it.
(Though the “wise use” of a pejorative, is a very tricky and dodgy business to begin with!)
“I do understand your sediments against “extremism”. Personally, I find GREAT traction in expanding this to cover all “religious process” (which by it’s nature can and does run amok given time, because it’s serving the flesh). That then covers Islamic religion, Christian religion, Fundamenalist religion, Neo-Nazi religion, the various political-party religions, gender religions etc. They are ALL the same process, worn just slightly differently. Greater understanding in one, gives greater understanding across the board.”
True Christianity is not a joiner clique, nor represented by any of the most vocal groups who claim to be Christian, some notable exceptions aside.
Ultimately, the bad groups are as cults, even some major groups. And, ultimately, cults are microcosms of totalitarian systems. What are totalitarian systems but tyranny, and what is a primary equated word with tyranny in New Testament prophecy? The anti-christ. Jesus is the exact opposite of the Anti-Christ.
The true Church is invisible and indivisible. I would like to say there is nothing like it, but there are other corporate beings out there, such as what people call “Satan”. Many, they are one.
But, unlike Satan, the Church is explicitly documented in this way from the beginning.
Invisible, because one never knows who truly is a follower of Christ. Many who claim to follow Christ do not hold his word. Many who do not claim to follow Christ, do hold his word even without knowing it!
So it is the evil is mixed in with the good.
People view the world separated into cultures and subcultures, races and nations. But, under all of that is the real battle and the real landscape. There are multiple, titanic corporate beings, and they are pitched in a vast struggle.
The organization and behavior of these vast, corporate beings is largely unseen by the populace and all but the eyes of Heaven.
Amos and Revelation talks about some of this. About armies walking in lockstep coming even into people’s home. While this was literally true in days past, and remains isolated true today, it is very true these days as global communications has made it so the armies can come into everyone’s house and very room.
“True Christianity is not a joiner clique, nor represented by any of the most vocal groups who claim to be Christian, some notable exceptions aside.”
Agreed. Most only celebrate convenient elements of Truth as a function of worshiping a messiah of flesh/emotions as savior.
“Ultimately, the bad groups are as cults, even some major groups.”
My thought is that surreptitious bastardizations of Truth are perhaps more insidious than “in-your-face” alterations of Truth. “The cults” are blatantly visible alterations of key elements of Truth. What happens in most Christian religion churches flies under the radar of even those participating in them: worship of emotions/feelings/flesh “jams” their radar to the workings of the Spirit.
The thing about Satan (and by extension evil), is that it’s NOT “created in God’s image”. In fact, it is patently “un-creative”. It cannot create anything new or unique; it can only alter and despoil pre-existing creative good. And perhaps that’s just part of why Satan hates us so? We can write or compose or create something entirely new and unique (the part of us created in God’s image).
He can only take what exists, and twist it.
I like your allusion to “the sheep and the goats”: the presumption of the goats that they are sheep; and sometimes the sheep’s surprise at it being a sheep! (Matt 25:37). There’s also a verse I cannot find right now that suggests that there will be those who are “unknown” and “surprising” to us who will show up at the Wedding Feast of the Lamb and take their rightful place at the table.
The games that people — and vast corporate beings play — are in God’s hands. And they will earn the just reward of their actions in proper time. My arena is the “story of MY life” — not theirs. I can pay heed to it, learn the proper lessons from it. But ultimately, they are in God’s hands to deal with.
And His children are also in His hands. (Rom 8:38-39) Ie, fear and paranoia are disallowed!
The above is largely true.
So, no comment.
Second response, on another aspect here:
“I do relate with what you say about at least the appearance of “picking and choosing” and not being “card-carrying” anything. What I “pick and choose”, is Life. Life more abundantly. Spiritual Life and Truth. And EVERY successful religion or “movement” HAS to have elements of this to be remotely believable and “follow-able”.”
I am not faulting you for talking about your self quite a bit. However, I will note that I do believe it is important for everyone to look at anything of their own self which they take pride in and consider how it is that they are either graced by God, or not.
I do nothing on my own, even if I am considering some warning of Christ, or some admonition.
Accuracy is a favorite term of mine, because God has put that term and concept in my path. Christ as if takes me to the shooting range, and I am initially bad of a shot. Isn’t that on my own? Christ shows me how to become a better shot. I see what Christ does, and I follow it. If I do not follow it, Christ manipulates me so I do follow it.
I state, I am not a joiner, I do not belong, I am an outsider. But, I am also an ultimate insider, I do belong, and I have limited sense of individuality. I have great sense of individuality, and limited sense of individuality.
I do not look for other groups, because I already have a group. I do not look for a political or religious group, because I already have a group. I do not look for friends, because I already have friends, who are all ultimately one friend. I have a wife, I have family, but ultimately, I only have one, Christ, and God.
I did not choose this for myself, but this is the way it has been for me since I was a child. Literally. I can speak of being a small child who sank beneath the water, when I had a voice inside tell me I can walk. I also later literally sank in water a second time in my youth, and Christ appeared through a person and pulled me out from my watery death. My life, as young as it was, was literally passing before my eyes.
Around this very same time, maybe even earlier, my much older brother and sister were excited, coming back from a walk. They had found a note on the sidewalk addressed to me, my “bestfriend”.
I remember distinctly in first grade literally talking to an invisible person within, whom later appeared with the very same name they gave me very many years later. And all through the years, God has constantly been my companion within. Even though so many years I did not recognize I was always not monologuing within, nor living life alone, but was dialoguing and interacting with God.
About twenty, twenty five years ago, God started to mark this out to me by commenting inwardly and emphasizing this by making sounds outwardly, in creation. Ever since then, that has been how it is.
Almost all of my life, I have been physically “alone”, but never really alone, as I see others do. As a child, I preferred to be with my “imaginary friend”, and in later years, I went much of my twenties even both celibate and “alone”. It was nothing to me.
While I have long had a family these days, most of the time, I spend “alone”.
I “socialize” and “communicate” with others, at times, but barely.
I have a world, but that world is largely comprised of those who are unseen, as I am unseen, and this entire world is unseen by the world. People can pass it on the street, on here, wherever, but they have no idea that behind the walls and windows and doors… there is something altogether alien, as if from very, very far away, the ends of time and the ends of the very universe.
Finally, I may seem to write to you, or to others, but I write to many others, and for the future, always in mind.
“I am not faulting you for talking about your self quite a bit. However, I will note that I do believe it is important for everyone to look at anything of their own self which they take pride in and consider how it is that they are either graced by God, or not.”
I’m glad to hear it! It is the very basis of our “true witness” — so long as it is us under the lordship of the Spirit. (Anything else is just ego, and false witness).
“Accuracy is a favorite term of mine”
Mine as well; specifically accuracy of the words and terms we use/misuse. You will notice for example I’m very attentive to people calling “happiness” a manifestation/proof of God’s will — when “joy” is the attribute specifically and conspicuously talked about as a function of fellowship with God’s Holy Spirit.
Correctly parsing what the term “religion” truly means is another drive.
“If I do not follow it, Christ manipulates me so I do follow it.”
My experience has been that the Spirit of Christ rarely resorts to manipulation; though we can perceive it as this when a part of our flesh is chronically at odds with the Spirit and we express desire to master this aspect of our flesh. I saw it with my question of whether MJ usage was to His glory and if not to show me . . . and suddenly and with regularity, “kingdom tasking” would land on my doorstep while I was intoxicated and the Holy Spirit “unavailable” (because another spirit was mastering me).
I find that God affirms my individuality in such a holy way, that I can more easily set it on a back burner when there needs to be “more of Christ, less of me” (ie, for tasks that require more Spirit than flesh to accomplish).
And I always look for the larger body or family of Christ! I never stop looking! Because it is a “network” like no other. Also one is never closer to God, than when face-to-face with someone made in His image.
Any my experience these days is less of looking for the angels, as being found in the role of one as empowered by the Spirit and my past training.
Most powerful spiritual figures in the Bible (and in the lore of other spiritual paths) have spent time alone “in wilderness” — with just themselves and God and unseen hosts. But their efforts only “became witness” to the world of flesh when they left wilderness and participated with the various “congregations” that were set before them. Otherwise, all the time spent in wilderness was simply for selfish purpose. (And some theologies assert that such selfish “hoarding up” of spiritual dispensation will effectively limit spiritual growth)
“I have a world, but that world is largely comprised of those who are unseen”
I offer the observation that those “who are unseen” are not the ones in need. And I would rather be there for the one physical person in need (the closest we can get to God, with that person “created in God’s image”) . . . than boast of networks of 10,000 angels that I sup with unseen by all.
I echo your last paragraph.
“Mine as well; specifically accuracy of the words and terms we use/misuse. You will notice for example I’m very attentive to people calling “happiness” a manifestation/proof of God’s will — when “joy” is the attribute specifically and conspicuously talked about as a function of fellowship with God’s Holy Spirit.
Correctly parsing what the term “religion” truly means is another drive.”
Arguing over happiness and joy being equivalent words I do see as semantical nonsense.
Also by implying you are aware of this equation answers your own challenge which you made to me earlier, which I now see I certainly rightly ignored.
Stating that happiness is all that matters is self-explanatory, everything else is but a means to an end, and that end is happiness. A god who is good is a god who provides vast happiness to all, right now this is not yet seen, but it will be seen.
“My experience has been that the Spirit of Christ rarely resorts to manipulation; though we can perceive it as this when a part of our flesh is chronically at odds with the Spirit and we express desire to master this aspect of our flesh.”
Communication is ultimately about manipulation. Manipulation is inert and benign. You are thinking of it only in negative terms, as the language of culture has it.
Being “controlling” is something else. But, if you look at communication, you can say you are trying to get someone to do something, think something. To get words or concepts or something into their heart for change. When you buy something at the store, you are communicate to bring about activity, hence manipulation.
Seeing the glass as half empty does not mean it is not also half full.
Bragging about how you have had to be manipulated in the past, and now do not, I do not see as much more then you constantly trying to compare your self to me. Which I do not see as spiritual.
“And I always look for the larger body or family of Christ! I never stop looking! Because it is a “network” like no other. Also one is never closer to God, than when face-to-face with someone made in His image.”
Okay, you can tell your self that. I do not think that is what Gabriel meant when he said he stands before the Almighty Lord to John the Baptist’s Father.
I do not think Moses begged to see the face of God, he meant he wanted to see one of his parishioner’s face.
But, be satisfied with what you are satisfied with.
“Any my experience these days is less of looking for the angels, as being found in the role of one as empowered by the Spirit and my past training.”
This is also not what I mean, nor what I am talking about.
“I offer the observation that those “who are unseen” are not the ones in need. And I would rather be there for the one physical person in need (the closest we can get to God, with that person “created in God’s image”) . . . than boast of networks of 10,000 angels that I sup with unseen by all.”
Woot, good for you, that sounds like a vaguely Paul-ish kind of thing to say.
That continues to be comparing your self to me, showing me you are very uncomfortable with my experience, very defensive.
Maybe you are feeling you must try to win converts all the time, anywhere, and even worse, maybe you feel I am broken in some obvious ways to you… and that is why you are bothering to read all of these long posts of mine and respond?
If you felt that everything was more then good with me, you probably would feel then that you should not respond?
Anyway, I do not need your responses, I am not getting much from them at this point. You do not seem to need any information from me, but just to use me to make your self feel better. To work off some guilt, maybe? I do not know.
I do not mind responding to errors, it does help me improve my communication.
Explaining the situation….
Well, first what comes to mind is the two times in Scripture where such numbers were presented. Can that be recalled to you? In both cases the person was blind.
But this reminds me quite a bit of someone who is saying, “there are seven billion people on the planet and I have to save them”, so they go and knock on doors on the weekend. Or look for who God might put in their path.
Someone else comes along and creates an internet sensation which reaches everyone.
Or, say, there is a beleagured city occupied by axis powers, and only a handful of resistence fighters left. Along comes an immense army sorrounding the city in the dark. And the resistance fighters are against this saying they do not need the help.
It does not matter, the whole city is sorrounded and about to be overtaken. So why do they even try to resist such an effort? Are they wanting personal glory and do not care about true results at such a late stage in the game?
Or, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. In programming I have run across folks who insist on using archaic languages and methodologies, while newer systems can greatly up their speed and delivery.
Or, hey, modernization. A factory manager is about to be fired because his factory is no longer competitive. Sadly, everyone is about to be fired and replaced with robots, but he is told he will not only keep his job, but get a pay raise, and exceed from now on his competitor’s output. He quits in a rage, not because his workers will be fired, but because he wants to do everything the hard way.
Or, there is the malaria problem. Some may insist on old methods such as netting and balk at the new gene editing process that will entirely wipe out the mosquito population. Yet if they kept on their own way, malaria would continue to kill millions, while if they accept the new way it can go the way of the dodo.
You can stick to your old ways and keep your head in the sand, if you wish.
Reinforcements are here and it is such that there is more with us then against us. Even including seven billion people against us.
I do not even speak for just one person, but I am aware that just as governments of the world snort up all sorts of data and have systems for singling in on critical data that matters… so too do the dark spiritual powers of the air. And the good Heavenly powers.
Now can this great troop placement remain for a thousand years with no visible outward action? Yes.
Or, might action be suddenly taken overnight, like a thief at any time? Yes.
To a degree, all are already expecting this, so no need to raise the trumpets in that way.
But they are all almost invariably expecting an attack from the south or east or west, when the attackers are already inside the very city and amongst everyone. Just as Jesus warned.
Happiness is a reaction. Joy is a choice: but an elusive one without Christ
That is FAR more than just semantics. It’s the difference between enslavement and freedom. A focus on happiness is a focus on being controlled and manipulated by Outside Agency.
Manipulation requires consent, in the presence of true freedom at least
There is a difference between seeing half-empty and making a focus of the negative.
Thank you for affirming that comparison games are not of the Holy Spirit.
Winning converts is a religious game; and often more for our own Glory then for God’s.
I respond because that is of society of relationship of fellowship of participation. Even if you do make unnecessarily hard at times!
This too is part of a control drama that really is not necessary.
“Saving people” is the Holy Spirit’s job. Ours is the bear witness to the Truth. And I presumed this was what our conversations were about.
Technology is just a tool. Relationship with something dead can never lead to Life. That is still religious thinking.
The resistance fighters in your story are suffering from Foolish Pride that isolates them. Meaning that at this moment in time, they fight not for Life but for death. (For this is the natural consequence of Foolish Pride).
Regarding the manager wanting to do things the hard way. Do you believe we are in an era of spiritual shortcuts.
And do you believe there is a new revelation beyond Christ: a new modern and improved way?
Preparing for attack when the victory has already been won is a bit perverse.
“Happiness is a reaction. Joy is a choice: but an elusive one without Christ”
I disagree, though can see your viewpoint as being partially true.
Scripture states, and my own observation is, God does provide some level of happiness to all people. We can observe this with everyday folks from all walks of life, though mostly “the salt of the earth”.
(You can observe how distinctly miserable are those who are very wrapped up in the ‘desires and cares’ of the world.)
To make a distinction, we are talking semantics here. That is my response, I am sorry. Believe it or not, I do not like to make calls like this (and tell people I am doing so).
Joy, happiness… kind of like the whole trust, faith, confidence, conviction, belief thing. Sometimes such nuances can be useful, often they can certainly lead to unnecessary confusion.
However.
Obviously. The joy that God gives to all, is different from the joy people receive from the Spirit of God.
I certainly see that as a gift from God….
Does this mean there may not be necessities of reminders and even, at times, outside education? Sure, just as though John *very well* said, ‘you do not need teachers, the Spirit will teach you all things’ that does not mean to be an absolute global truism or he would not have even bothered to write that very letter!
But it is a critical observation often ignored.
So, what is it like? Like a car that we are given, but before we know how to drive? What do you think.
I see little separation between the inside gift and outside gift, ultimately.
For instance, God gives these gifts, of what? Information. We get information inside. We get information from God outside. Through others, but from God. People are, at best, simply conduits.
We can get confused, however, and view how things work in the world and think the Kingdom of Heaven and the grace of God works the same way.
Information. Is that too edgy, too daring, or maybe I am failing to stick to my own advise in the very previous paragraph?
What is medication? Information. Information of a different kind. It communicates to our bodies spells, telling it various things.
Does God give us a spiritual pill that gives us joy? Or is joy ultimately a product of the information God gives us? I would say, the later, even if God can give us joy without it being connected to any information but the pure emotion.
In practice, I certainly find a limitation on that gift of joy however. That it does accompany information. Whether we receive it from within, or without. We do a lot of both, though people often are unconscious in their processing of the information given within…
Why such limitations? It makes the world go around, is one obviously observation which anyone can make, no?
It is the spiritual currency. Not all of it, perhaps? Or maybe not. But, it can certainly be traded and is traded. Hence, I ever bother to communicate with anyone else, ever. Like here, with you. (Though, note, I am considering larger scale matters in sorts of things, and also my own education. For one, forcing me to communicate can certainly make me forced to bring to conscious comprehension that which before was only unconscious.)
Money is bad, money is good… money is the central ingredient of an economy. An economy is the topgraphy of the business world, and superficial layers of the regular world. But the metaphors there can be applied to all sorts of social systems that are highly functioning.
Bees might be said to have an economy of pollen and honey.
We have a lot of different information economies.
Semantics aside, I certainly consider even the most unspiritual of information economies still, really, intangible, and spiritual. Not the good kind of spiritual, but spiritual. As is “the internal”, but different matter.
Walls hit here? Many language walls.
Much of what happens here? Attempts to translate and communicate matters which are so new and distant from mainstream culture the language remains extremely poor for it.
We always need something to “make us happy”, therefore it’s reactionary. Joy is pro-actionary. The Bible uses the word “happy” or talks about happiness just 30 times; but about joy and rejoicing over 300 times. (meaning it’s 10x more important?). Happiness “happens” as reaction to things around us; including God and His works. Joy is more powerful though because we can even have “joy in suffering” — or when there’s nothing to cause the happiness-reaction.
This is far more than just semantics. It’s the difference between freedom to choose, and reactionary slavery.
Joy and peace were proclaimed upon all at Jesus’ birth; so there are degrees of it “ambient”. But to have joy as one’s strength likely requires spiritual regeneration.
“Sure, just as though John *very well* said, ‘you do not need teachers, the Spirit will teach you all things’ that does not mean to be an absolute global truism or he would not have even bothered to write that very letter!”
We don’t “need” them, as in God is not rendered powerless by an absence of them; but we still can benefit from them when they are there.
My thought is that we are given spiritual “birthright” without mature knowledge of how to fully/properly use it: but then grow into it under the Spirit’s tutelage.
Inside and outside confirmation, are of the Spirit: provided “the Lie” is kept at bay.
There is a tendency in the flesh to think that God is but an echo of us; and that the kingdom of heaven is an echo of the kingdom of the world: when it’s more like the opposite of this. Our ego twists it.
What I hear you calling “medication” and “information”, many Native tribes called “medicine” — recognizing that there was both good medicine and bad medicine.
Joy is the product of Christ coming into the world — the hope of salvation and right relationship with God. Even those who disavow Christ and God with their lips, still seek “the joy” of being saved (safe) and righteous (right). So the gifts proclaimed at Christ’s birth (joy and peace) are still there in twisted measure but not in their purer form.
Sorry, I am not persuaded…
From the start of your post, you are comparing the words “joy” and “happiness” to ancient languages… even these languages would be inaccurate. Typically, for such matters, going to the “blue letter bible” (an online concordance) can be useful, but even there the definitions could be incorrect and there can be much debate.
The angels had ambient? They were aware of a great event, and had joy reacting to that event… Jesus also speaks of angels rejoicing at various good behavior of human beings, and being saddened or feeling as loss, where that behavior is lost…
Certainly part of the problem here, is I am around truly joyous people. I am pretty darned happy myself, and attempting to convince me otherwise would be impossible.
I have “ambient joy”, sure… but, then, backing all of that is an exalted place I did not put myself, and that certainly includes a long background of great gifts and treasures.
I certainly rejoice when I hear good words and see good behavior, and every single day I wake up to a life fantastically unbelievably incredible. All through the day I reflect on this, and it certainly provides a high perch with fantastic joy.
Unlike being a literal billionare or such, this is truly real and eternal.
The implications and facets of it all are too numerous, too deep, too big for me to fully comprehend in a single day, in years, in decades. So that river ever pours.
A cynic could certainly disbelieve me, but that would not take anything away.
I am kind of lost here, however, at your point.
“This is far more than just semantics. It’s the difference between freedom to choose, and reactionary slavery.”
Okay, but…
“My thought is that we are given spiritual “birthright” without mature knowledge of how to fully/properly use it: but then grow into it under the Spirit’s tutelage.”
Much of what you are writing, I do not disagree with, but no, I do not think salvation is of our own making. There is an illusion of choice. The world is full of choices.
We have illusions of choices we make, to say, accept gratefulness or be grateful and such.
It seems like you are trying to push the whole “free will” explanation on me, so not sure what you are saying.
I do make right choices in such matters, and when I do make the right choices, is it not because I know the right choice to make?
And I know that by the grace of God…
But, are you even arguing the typical “free will” versus “bondage of the soul” point? I am not entirely sure.
I have no boasting in my salvation at all. Faith does not provide such allowance.
Where and when I make right choices, it is because God has communicated to me and educated me.
Where I do not, I am a finite and so fallible being…
I largely do not disagree with Luther’s book “bondage of the soul”, which was instrumental in helping to define the reformation. The Catholic argument was that there is choice. Whatever the case, Luther well argued a lot of the major points some five hundred years ago…
But, is this even what you are attempting to persuade me on?
Then keep it simple.
What “”makes”” you happy?
What “takes away” your happiness?
Additional response:
“I offer the observation that those “who are unseen” are not the ones in need. And I would rather be there for the one physical person in need (the closest we can get to God, with that person “created in God’s image”) . . . than boast of networks of 10,000 angels that I sup with unseen by all.”
I think, in general, you are missing the forest for the trees in dealing with me and this situation. I do have to say it is pretty severe.
You have a lot of barbs to throw out, stating that you believe this somehow helps, though you also do this indirectly. I think you have stated that I am unspiritual, game playing, controlling, secretive, egotistical, worshipping angels, and trying to get others to worship angels, and so on.
It would actually be a lot more of an interesting conversation if, instead of just kind of indirectly throwing out these “helpful” comments, you would be more blunt.
But, just taking those as it is, I have also gotten no advice, no comments, no suggestions whatsoever. Despite finding myself in an extremely peculiar situation.
Further, I find, if there were sound reasons for such accusations, that might actually be helpful. Being indirect, or “coyote” whatever, is actually very tricky about all of this. And no wonder, as the coyote is associated with “the trickster”.
My general inclination here is just to think that you really have a severe disconnect. But, still, there is little to nothing I can do with that, as you are so vague and indirect.
Either the situation is as I say, or it simply is not. You do seem to be responding as if you accept what I am saying — I do not recall you offering any alternatives, except at one juncture stating maybe these are simply people working through the Spirit.
Which, already is a matter that I have considered, deeply, and from every angle I can.
Which then leaves me in the place of someone who has this happening to them and around them, and being told that speaking of it is bad, and in a wide variety of bad ways.
If I worked for a research company and spoke of that, where I had extensive resources at my disposal, I do not think anyone would take that as a sign of my own personal failures and incapabilities. And that is with fallible human supervisors. In my case, the supervisor is, obviously, God.
I don’t think God would put an egotistical, unspiritual beginner in such a situation as I find myself, and I am at a loss as to why anyone would assume God would.
Even if they do not like some things I say, why would they assume such a thing? It patently makes no sense at all, except that there is some wide disconnect there happening. On one level, they can accept this is really happening, but on the other level they only are capable of feeling and therefore showing disdain to the one it is happening to. Which is, quite frankly, bizarre. And only further reinforces my poor viewpoint of trusting others on these matters.
If I did not actually require or could use any actual input on these matters, that is one thing. But as that would actually be useful, this is something else. I am both entrusted with such resources and knowledge, and find myself entirely isolated from any sort of outside human resources whatsoever.
It reminds me of the character in the Sixth Sense who was trying to tell his psychiatrist that he could see dead people. But, his psychiatrist could not accept that. Eventually, he went crazy and killed his psychiatrist. The psychiatrist comes back as a ghost and meets another kid who can see dead people. Only this time, he is led to believe the kid. It is only later, when he listens to an old tape recording, does he realize his old patient really was seeing dead people, too.
He was a good psychiatrist, but there was a deep disconnect.
So, it ended up so he could not help, only harm.
Watching all you snowflakes in this thread getting butt hurt is hilarious. Keep on.
I don’t call them snow flakes. I call them what they are…LOSERS.