Something interesting I noted this morning: After receiving a post from J Galt this morning, I ventured over to that thread (not to post, just to read some of the headlines and a few of the messages). It seems that they are kind of serious about starting their own religion.
When someone over there proposed it, I thought it was a joke, however, they are (so far) persisting in it.
It brings to mind a couple things. One, what Jesus said about idle words: "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement." Matt 12:36
Two, the validity of the "Freudian Slip" concept, that our mistakes in speech (and I include idle words, words that are said "in jest") reveal something of what is going on inside us.
It also reminds me of something that happened about 10 or more years ago. At the time, the computer I was using was a Tandy Model 100, with a 300 baud modem. (Still have it, but don't know how to connect it to the internet and use it for email). My first experience using a modem was with that machine. I found a listing of local BBS's and called one, called "The Weasel's Den". I registered, including my phone number, and tried to use it, but mostly fumbled around during the first session. The owner of the bbs called me a few minutes after I disconnected, probably to find out if the phone number was real or if I was trying to hack into his system.
There was a limit of 300 words per message, and a time limit per user of a couple hours or so per week.
I posted a message, inquiring if anyone was interested in talking about the Bible or anything spiritual. Got a few scurrilous replies, including one from "Satan". I responded to each one as reasonably as possible, and over the course of a few months, the operator of the BBS decided it was good for business to have me there. He gave me unlimited access and added 3 more phone lines and modems, about the time I finally got tired of it.
Some time later, I called it again, to see what was happening (but not to post anything). The BBS operator had started his own religion and religion forum on "The Weasel's Den".
On the Galt thread, it seems like deja vu.
But - people have been doing this for thousands of years. They either seek and find the true God or they find a substitute to fill try to fill the "God-shaped vacuum" inside them.
I'd like to help them, but they put a lot of obstacles in the way of love and reason.
John |
