Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmy
(Oh, I should admit my hypocrisy regarding my previous post: I believe I can tell a real sign from a fake one. They're all fake!  ) |
So, if a hypocrite admits hypocrisy, are they still a hypocrite?
Ya, I recall an era in apostolica when the spriritual art of discernment of signs was a bigger deal than today. Probably the 1988 prediction fiasco made many preachers back off a bit (to their credit!)
IMO, Signs are fake as soon as we ascribe fake (unsubstantiated) meaning to them. And since "meaning" is kinda the definition of a sign, then all religious signs are fake. But as long they they *seem* right to enough people, the belief survives. Here's one (link below) that no doubt created euphoric ecstacy for some catholicks. What are the chances of that "angel" appearing in the sky on that day, at that place, in that manner? Since it did appear, the chances were 100%. But what would be the chances of it appearing if predicted TO happen at a specific time, place, and shape? Those are the odds people suppose were being met, but actually were not. Humans are naturally disposed to 1. see patterns 2. count the hits and forget about the misses. Same thing happens with divine healing--we report the hits, and give God credit, but don't include all the misses preceding the hit. Add medicine to the equation, and it's uncanny how much God's ability to heal has improved directly proportional with man's inventions. So far, God's healing rate for limb amputees is zero. Tooth restoration rate, however, is excellent! These days you can even choose a natural tooth color.
Timmy, the deep weeds are fun to get into, (that is, after this thread, which you coaxed me into since I merely ticked a box on the poll question.) But my kind of heresy should be kept on your Cafe-a-blog thread, so I'll be happy to piggyback over there. Seems the main forum ought to be Apostolic, which apparently means "I believe in some kind of Bible-derived God."
I believe you are tolerated for being affable and funny. I will not be, even though I'm WAY MORE ex-apostolic than you! (20 years' worth of believing it.)
Here's the "sign of the pope's angel."
http://weather.aol.com/2013/03/15/di...6pLid%3D284150
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