Laura's Book "From Paul to Mark" is out!!!! ... And in French too
- Thread starter Chu
- Start date
There is a new (follow-up) book by Eric Cline: After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations (2024)
SMM
The Living Force
I don't know where else is better to share this, and it's not worth it's own thread, so here it is.
I am reading From Paul To Mark Paleochristiany on Kindle. I noticed a typo:
Sprate, as in separate.
It's in chapter 2, titled "Paul's Mission". The screenshot helps with the location of the typo.
I am reading From Paul To Mark Paleochristiany on Kindle. I noticed a typo:
Sprate, as in separate.
It's in chapter 2, titled "Paul's Mission". The screenshot helps with the location of the typo.
Rhythmik
Jedi Master
Firstly I'd like to thank Laura for the gargantuan task of researching and writing this masterpiece.
I finally finished it. Because I have been a slow reader, and also that the book sent me on many side quests of research. As I mentioned in another thread, I had never read the NT so as I was reading through the book I realized that I needed to read Paul's Epistles to gain a better understanding of what was being discussed. Then every so often I'd encounter an interesting name or incident and so I would go and research who that person was and what history says about them. It was a super interesting experience and I learned SO much about Christianity and history in general.
I echo some of the sentiments in this thread that it is heart-breaking that the story and teachings have been so manipulated over time into what they are today. The vast majority of Christians upon hearing a hypothesis like this would clutch their pearls, stick their fingers in their ears or simply ridicule the suggestion, without ever looking into it or seriously considering it. The irony there is that they would feel that they would be engaging in sacrilege by daring to question or look deeper into their religious texts - but actually they would be gaining a clearer understanding of their religion and faith. But they've been taught (or spiritually threatened) not to question whether the entire Bible is the word of God and will be content to believe what most followers tell them to.
I just have a question - would there be any benefit or use into going to a church? Not like the weekly ritual practice, but I often travel and love visiting churches around the world due to how impressive they are. But the act of praying inside these churches, would that have any effect or is it simply the act of prayer and intention that matters, regardless of the location that you're in?
I finally finished it. Because I have been a slow reader, and also that the book sent me on many side quests of research. As I mentioned in another thread, I had never read the NT so as I was reading through the book I realized that I needed to read Paul's Epistles to gain a better understanding of what was being discussed. Then every so often I'd encounter an interesting name or incident and so I would go and research who that person was and what history says about them. It was a super interesting experience and I learned SO much about Christianity and history in general.
I echo some of the sentiments in this thread that it is heart-breaking that the story and teachings have been so manipulated over time into what they are today. The vast majority of Christians upon hearing a hypothesis like this would clutch their pearls, stick their fingers in their ears or simply ridicule the suggestion, without ever looking into it or seriously considering it. The irony there is that they would feel that they would be engaging in sacrilege by daring to question or look deeper into their religious texts - but actually they would be gaining a clearer understanding of their religion and faith. But they've been taught (or spiritually threatened) not to question whether the entire Bible is the word of God and will be content to believe what most followers tell them to.
I just have a question - would there be any benefit or use into going to a church? Not like the weekly ritual practice, but I often travel and love visiting churches around the world due to how impressive they are. But the act of praying inside these churches, would that have any effect or is it simply the act of prayer and intention that matters, regardless of the location that you're in?
This is among the lines of "it's not where you are that matters, but who you are and what you see." Though, if you happen to visit a church, that can be turned into an opportunity.
My husband and I like visiting churches too. We take my mom when she visits, and we make a point of going to any church in whatever town. She's an atheist, but she likes visiting churches as part of local culture, history and art. Often, they would be empty. If that's the case, I would sing Signor Pietà or similar, and then I say out loud FOTCM prayers. For me, that's the full experience. If there are people, I just light up a candle for loved ones.
Most people go to churches with good intentions, whether it's visiting or just devotion for the divine, or to think about people they lost, or like my mom who likes just to check out local culture and history. Churches often have better energies than other tourist places. At least that's my experience.
Same here. My wife, some very close friends, and I also enjoy visiting churches and monasteries. In my country, there are thousands of old monasteries, and many of them are located in the mountains, surrounded by beautiful nature.
My wife and friends enjoy practicing Christian rituals and following the widely accepted rules and narratives. I don’t. But I still enjoy going there—being with my wife and friends, spending time together. I like lighting a candle and listening to local myths about each specific monastery. It’s especially interesting to experience all of this with the knowledge we’ve gained from Laura’s book, this forum, and the sessions.
It’s fascinating to have all of this as a foundation and then explore the locations, architecture, rituals, and local myths.
When people pray, I usually recite the FOTCM prayer silently in my head—mainly out of consideration. I prefer not to draw unnecessary attention by doing something different from everyone else.
I agree with this.
Several years ago, I was traveling with @Chu for a family visit in Vienna. We entered a church and it was PACKED. This was not long after the most intense periods of "what is a woman" and MGTOW and all that nonsense. When we left the church, I actually wept. Sometimes we tend to think of church-goers as "less than" because they've been brainwashed by evil organized religion! Whoa is me! But in that moment, what I saw was a ton of people filling a church and having mass - people believing in something greater than themselves, participating in a traditional ceremony, etc. Everyone does the best that they can with what they've got...
The churches here in France are usually empty, so this was a pleasant shock. Some of us here also went to Christmas Eve mass last year, and it was quite nice (and pretty full). If nothing else, it was a nice contrast to the turbo-commercialization of Christmas that has invaded Europe from the USA over the past decades. We even have "Black Friday" (pronounced in a thick French accent). It's hilarious/sad.
Anyway, I don't think we should view these things in such a binary way. We have a prayer list, and we pray - in our way. Others do it their way. When I enter a church, I cross myself if there is holy water because that's what I was raised to do, and it symbolizes something important for me - something different than what it meant in the past, but who cares? The intent matters. Others look at me and might see "a good Catholic", but I do it for my own reasons.
Plus, visiting most churches/cathedrals (at least in Europe) is awe-inspiring when you consider the sheer size and scope of the construction alone. So yeah, why not? Maybe we could use more things in our lives that inspire awe (besides bigger and better bombs) - and also that add a bit of humility.
My family attends the Lutheran church and I go on occasion. I don't say the apostles creed with them, but some of the hymns are beautiful and I love to sing along. The pastor studies hebrew, greek and aramaic and he is open to discussing other texts, though we don't always have agreement on them. I suggested Pauls Necessary Sin: The experience of Liberation to him and he agreed with the translations that Ashworth proposed. He does a traditional service for the older generation and a more open one for the younger generation, the latter sometimes upsets the older people so he has his work cut out for him catering to the traditional and the new. He's a genuinely nice man and has a great sense of humor, I like him.
Trending content
-
Thread 'Coronavirus Pandemic: Apocalypse Now! Or exaggerated scare story?'
- wanderingthomas
Replies: 30K -
