I think it depends on how we define "deluded". If you admit that you have been mistaken in the past and that you're willing to be proven wrong... you're not delusional. You're being reasonable and rational. However, if you believe that you're absolutely right in all doctrinal matters and that all who don't believe exactly like you are Hell bound... that my friend is being delusional.
I see this poll as counter intuitive. It's the ones who admit that they might deluded or those who state "other" who are most likely not deluded. In fact, it's most probable that it is those who answered that they are not deluded who most likely suffer from the greatest delusion.
I'm going to go find a mountain where I can sit and be alone. Should you need to seek more wisdom... drop me an email.
This is the best answer. I am going to the mount as well - but I am taking the entire congregation - you know, safety in numbers...
__________________ "It is inhumane, in my opinion, to force people who have a genuine medical need for coffee to wait in line behind people who apparently view it as some kind of recreational activity." Dave Barry 2005
I am a firm believer in the Old Paths
Articles on such subjects as "The New Birth," will be accepted, whether they teach that the new birth takes place before baptism in water and Spirit, or that the new birth consists of baptism of water and Spirit. - THE PENTECOSTAL HERALD Dec. 1945
"It is doubtful if any Trinitarian Pentecostals have ever professed to believe in three gods, and Oneness Pentecostals should not claim that they do." - Daniel Segraves
Let's see, "how could I possibly know if I'm deluded" is (to me) a logical answer, and a good choice even for those NOT deluded. Yet isn't this choice more or less merely agreeing with a definition of "delusion," and begging the question? Therefore, the choice "Yes, I'm deluded" is also bad even if true, because you're not supposed to recognize your own delusion. If you're not supposed to recognize own delusion, then "No, not deluded" is bad for the same reason, even if someone could be so arrogant about EVERYTHING they believed. So, that leaves "other" by default. But if "other" is the best vote for me, then I'm supposed to EXPLAIN my "other" vote. But I am rather now explaining my "How do I know?" vote, with no chance to explain "other", since it's not my vote.
This is my best attempt at pleasing Timmy, hope he likes it.
Marcbee
Um, but... well, you started by explaining why "how could I...." is a good vote (nothing wrong with agreeing with the definition of deluded!), then why "Yes" is also bad.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Um, but... well, you started by explaining why "how could I...." is a good vote (nothing wrong with agreeing with the definition of deluded!), then why "Yes" is also bad.
Per common experience, the "lesser evil" (best of 3 of the choices) defaults to being considered "good" in relative sense.
<<nothing wrong with agreeing with the definition of deluded>>
Nothing "wrong with" but the point of poll was presumably to classify ONESELF, and merely agreeing with a pop definition is irrelevant to classifying oneself.
Delusion is something that only a superior knowledge can assert about someone else, not oneself. Is it possible to "believe" what we know is false? No, because inherent in "belief" is the implication that the holder thinks it's true. Timmay, you're just yanking chains in a fun way.
Marcbee
Per common experience, the "lesser evil" (best of 3 of the choices) defaults to being considered "good" in relative sense.
<<nothing wrong with agreeing with the definition of deluded>>
Nothing "wrong with" but the point of poll was presumably to classify ONESELF, and merely agreeing with a pop definition is irrelevant to classifying oneself.
Delusion is something that only a superior knowledge can assert about someone else, not oneself. Is it possible to "believe" what we know is false? No, because inherent in "belief" is the implication that the holder thinks it's true. Timmay, you're just yanking chains in a fun way.
Marcbee
Aw man, you're on to me! (But then, isn't everybody? )
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
I was talking to a non-Christian friend of mine and he brought up a very similar point in our discussion. He essentially asked; if Christians (including Apostolics) are filled with the Spirit and reading the same Bible... how do we come to so many different opinions and understandings? I told him that it was because of flesh. He had an answer that deeply troubled me. He said that he believed that our confusion was from God and emailed me this verse...
"Likewise, We also made a covenant with those who call themselves Christians, but they too have neglected much of what they were enjoined. As a result, We stirred among them enmity and hatred, which will last till the Day of Resurrection and soon Allah will inform them all of what they have one. O people of the Book (Jews and Christians)! Now Our Messenger has come to you to reveal much of what you have concealed from the Holy Books and to pass over much which is no longer necessary. There has come to you from Allah a new Light and a clear Book, with which Allah will guide to the ways of peace all those who seek His good pleasure and bring them out of the depth of darkness into the light of His grace and guide them to the Right Way." - Surah 5:14-16, Al-Ma'idah, The Koran
He believes that this enmity and hatred among us is a fulfillment of prophecy found in the Koran and that it will reveal to the entire world that we don't have the truth. He believes that, because of this division, Islam will shine before all of humanity and triumph around the world.
Don't be very disturbed about the Surah Brother. At the time Al'Quran was penned, there was already many bitter against each other sects of Christians. No big deal for a false prophet to take credit for it.
The surah represents an Islamic attempt to use the divisiveness to convert confused Christians to Islam. At least the various Christians aren't driving truckloads of explosives into each other, like the sunnis and the shias.
Using unity as an argument point is kinda futile from the beginning, there are dozens of islamic sects and they generally don't like each other at all. Proving the the "new Light and Clear Book" isn't so enlightened and not so clear.
I wouldn't call all the differences just because of the flesh, we have free will. That doesn't go away when we recieve the Holy Ghost. We still have brains that because of our raising, education and etc still contains philosophies and outlooks towards issues that is going to color how we approach Christianity. Naturally, there will be differences even among people who embrace the same core doctrines. Doesn't make God wrong, or even us deluded, just makes us people.
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Last edited by John Atkinson; 06-17-2009 at 10:05 AM.
Aw man, you're on to me! (But then, isn't everybody? )
Maybe not, considering the hundreds of serious answers you provoke. Of course, underneath you are serious about what you believe (or around here, rather "don't believe.") Was it true in olden days, the court jester had BETTER been pretty good, or else got thrown out on his ear? Maybe that's "ear" not "ears", considering the previous king, as in "BE FUNNY or else."
... At least the various Christians aren't driving truckloads of explosives into each other, like the sunnis and the shias.
..
truckloads of explosives?
maybe not literally,
but there is an awful lot of hate, division, gossip, lies, character assassination, organizational sectarianism, etc. among Oneness Apostolic Pentecostals which is just as bad. How many preachers have been butchered by other preachers in our "political games"? How many people have been killed or wounded and left to wander in the wilderness by our church and organizational splits? Some one has said that the church is the only army that buries its wounded.
truckloads of explosives?
maybe not literally,
but there is an awful lot of hate, division, gossip, lies, character assassination, organizational sectarianism, etc. among Oneness Apostolic Pentecostals which is just as bad. How many preachers have been butchered by other preachers in our "political games"? How many people have been killed or wounded and left to wander in the wilderness by our church and organizational splits? Some one has said that the church is the only army that buries its wounded.
What was the answer to the prayer of Jesus, "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us"?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Um, but... well, you started by explaining why "how could I...." is a good vote (nothing wrong with agreeing with the definition of deluded!), then why "Yes" is also bad. 
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