What Have You Given Up For Lent, Or Sacrificed?

[Neil_Anthony]

Neil, you seem determined to narrow the perameters so that at some point some mysterious conscious tells you that everything your mind tells you is to be ignored. I suppose it it theoretically possible,and thus you can have your obedience in the face of all empirical evidence to the contrary.

But what exactly do you think conscience is? I would think that in some part it is a recognition that the evidence is squarely against what you are being told. More than a gut feeling surely. Conscience is also in some part a combination of empathy, compassion, notions of right and wrong.

Perhaps you have some other definition, but if you desire to make it that black and white, then of course, if your conscience (undefined) calls you to obey in the face of anything and everything else, then by all means obey.

I wasn’t talking about my conscience, I said “what if”.

I think that for some people conscience might tell them to make choices based on rational investigation, other people’s consciences might tell them to obey a certain person. For example the apostles consciences must have told them to obey Jesus, even when he said things that seem strange.

I’m not sure what my conscience tells me… something inside me keeps telling me to reject ideas that don’t make sense, but I’m not sure if that is my conscience or my pride.

 

[emeraldcoast]

I’m not sure what my conscience tells me… something inside me keeps telling me to reject ideas that don’t make sense, but I’m not sure if that is my conscience or my pride.

Pray, pray and pray so more, my bother in Christ…

God Bless!

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Well first off, I gave off YouTube. I sometimes can’t believe at the amount of energy I spend dealing with the jerks there. -.-;; Though I still do go there to watch anime and hear music, I haven’t logged in to my account and have refrained from going to any vid where I’m likely to get into an argument.

The second one is a lot tougher though. I’m not sure I wanna divulge it here but let’s just say I’m trying to abstain from certain… fetishes. Sad to say, I’m not sure I’m doing a very faithful job.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

I wasn’t talking about my conscience, I said “what if”.

I think that for some people conscience might tell them to make choices based on rational investigation, other people’s consciences might tell them to obey a certain person. For example the apostles consciences must have told them to obey Jesus, even when he said things that seem strange.

I’m not sure what my conscience tells me… something inside me keeps telling me to reject ideas that don’t make sense, but I’m not sure if that is my conscience or my pride.

Neil, a rereading of what I wrote does unfairly suggest that I was referring to you, and I was not. You is an all encompassing term for me, which sometimes does seem directed by my mistake. I do not mean it to refer to you.

No doubt we have landed in a place more impossible to figure out. What exactly is conscience and does it work the same in all people? I’m certainly sure I don’t know.

When I am in a quandary, I guess I look to many things. I look certainly to logic. I look to whether the empirical informaton I am unsure about is the same kind of thing that seems to work in other areas. Example, if we can make electricity work and the combustion engine, etc, then perhaps we aren’t too far off the mark in evolutionary theory. I also look to whether I’m in the majority or minority, and how large or small those both are. While not a sure indication, they should give us pause if we are in a signficant minority, assuming people in great numbers actually think about the subject. I also would compare it with other norms of good and bad, right,wrong, etc. I’m particularly driven by thoughts that the position should not harm or limit other humans by its very nature, especially if they have done nothing to put themselves in this place, but even then it gives me great pause to affect others in ways they might have no say in.

Pride is a thing we all encounter, expecially here. We all have a tendency to be supported by those who agree with us, and find fault with those that don’t. That too is dangerous and can lead to knee jerk reactions without truly examining issues. I guess the best thing is to take it to prayer on a regular basis. I do some of my meditation with things like that, asking God to help me with dangerous feelings such as pride, lack of humility, anger and such. I find it useful.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

Well first off, I gave off YouTube. I sometimes can’t believe at the amount of energy I spend dealing with the jerks there. -.-;; Though I still do go there to watch anime and hear music, I haven’t logged in to my account and have refrained from going to any vid where I’m likely to get into an argument.

The second one is a lot tougher though. I’m not sure I wanna divulge it here but let’s just say I’m trying to abstain from certain… fetishes. Sad to say, I’m not sure I’m doing a very faithful job.

I think God upholds our best efforts, and is never quite as hard on us as we tend to be on ourselves. Blessings,

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I think God upholds our best efforts, and is never quite as hard on us as we tend to be on ourselves. Blessings,

Thanks, but I’m afraid you may not understand just how far gone this bad habit/addiction of mine is or just how seriously sinful and shameful it is. >.>;;;

 

[sambos671]

Thanks, but I’m afraid you may not understand just how far gone this bad habit/addiction of mine is or just how seriously sinful and shameful it is. >.>;;;

I have a friend addicted to entertianment. Anime (which at its worse is very disturbing and evil) and also what I call “Neverending Nights” (Neverwitner Nights). He’s lost Jobs got himself in an unhealthy sexual relationship with a person that seems to feed into this endless cycle of self destruction. In the end he’s lost his relationships with family and friends and has isolated himself to his room with the pale light of a computer screen and speaking to immature adolesent teenage boys (he is in his 40s) about character generation etc… Its one of the sadest things I’ve seen. So these addictions are rough and need prayer. I’ll keep you in prayer.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I have a friend addicted to entertianment. Anime (which at its worse is very disturbing and evil) and also what I call “Neverending Nights” (Neverwitner Nights). He’s lost Jobs got himself in an unhealthy sexual relationship with a person that seems to feed into this endless cycle of self destruction. In the end he’s lost his relationships with family and friends and has isolated himself to his room with the pale light of a computer screen and speaking to immature adolesent teenage boys (he is in his 40s) about character generation etc… Its one of the sadest things I’ve seen. So these addictions are rough and need prayer. I’ll keep you in prayer.

Uh thanks…but actually… you couldn’t have missed it any further. T_T

I love anime and its been my dream to have a successful career in the industry (be it as a writer for a manga or perhaps even a video game). As such, I know how important it is to not get carried away. However, I don’t think its nice to say that its “evil and disturbing” at its worse. You first have to define what you mean by “worse”. I think from your post you’re saying that an unhealthy obsession with it is bad and I agree but if you’re saying things along the line of what makes a “worst anime” then I’m afraid that’s more of a question of art. There are a lot of things that would make an anime/manga series suck you know. :\

My problem isn’t anime addiction. In fact, I still have a ton of series that I have yet to finish reading/watching. Its just that recently I’ve been having a hard time writing because my mind has been craving for the thing I’ve been trying to abstain from. I admit, it’s somewhat related to the anime culture but its just a lot more complicated than that.

 

[sambos671]

Uh thanks…but actually… you couldn’t have missed it any further. T_T

I love anime and its been my dream to have a successful career in the industry (be it as a writer for a manga or perhaps even a video game). As such, I know how important it is to not get carried away. However, I don’t think its nice to say that its “evil and disturbing” at its worse. You first have to define what you mean by “worse”. I think from your post you’re saying that an unhealthy obsession with it is bad and I agree but if you’re saying things along the line of what makes a “worst anime” then I’m afraid that’s more of a question of art. There are a lot of things that would make an anime/manga series suck you know. :\

My problem isn’t anime addiction. In fact, I still have a ton of series that I have yet to finish reading/watching. Its just that recently I’ve been having a hard time writing because my mind has been craving for the thing I’ve been trying to abstain from. I admit, it’s somewhat related to the anime culture but its just a lot more complicated than that.

There are anime that aren’t bad. I’m suggesting the worst. Were they depict raping machines and some S&M with gory details. So more people in the feild to stop this kind of stuff the better. That’s what I’m talking about. I’d stay away from movies that depicted the same thing. I don’t have a problem with the medium of communication. Just whats communicated and since anime is a popular medium you have a wide range of interest from the innocent to the evil. The medium is fine. I understand addictions and how easy it is to fall into the trap but the best thing to do is to stay away from occassions where temptation is easy. ie if you’re an alcoholic stay away from bars or events that serve that type of drink. Knowing what I know of anime I suspect that your’s is more biological and thats just a tough one. If you’re young its even worse! Fortunatley God is merciful and will help you but you gotta stay away from things that will set it off. also praying and fasting (and wearing a hair shirt may help ) . I’ll still keep you in prayer.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

There are anime that aren’t bad. I’m suggesting the worst. Were they depict raping machines and some S&M with gory details.

Hnn! >_>;;; flinches and sweats guiltily

Fortunatley God is merciful and will help you but you gotta stay away from things that will set it off.

I’ll keep doing that, (at least till Lent’s over >.>;; ). I can actually manage to stave it off completely. Lately however, it seems I’ve really been having a hard time writing my story without having to give in just to keep the fire of my ideas going. (TToTT)

also praying and fasting (and wearing a hair shirt may help ) . I’ll still keep you in prayer.

Not sure if I can find one of those. Although, every time I fall, I have been filling my head with mental images of me driving a stake through my right hand or creating a copy of myself that embodies those addictions and blasting it with some uber-brutal spell.

Does that count? <.<;;

 

[sambos671]

Not sure if I can find one of those. Although, every time I fall, I have been filling my head with mental images of me driving a stake through my right hand or creating a copy of myself that embodies those addictions and blasting it with some uber-brutal spell.

Lena Inverse would be proud! Especially of the Uber-brutal spell. As long as you gave her some food

The scriptures say what ever is of Good report, noble,… think on these things. And also that in our thoughts we need to work at being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Doesn’t happen overnight but through a lot of self sacrifice.