#Faith Conversations

[nathan-r-dooley]

A Taste of 🧩 THIDDEN: The Light That Burns Without Consuming

📄 RIDDLE I am fire that does not destroy,A flame that draws but does not devour.I dwell in mystery on holy ground,Yet I speak with perfect power. To the proud I am peril,To the humble, a call.What burns within MeConsumes not at all. What am I? 🔍 The Scriptures That Unlock the Clues The beauty of THIDDEN is that the answer isn’t found by solving a puzzle in your mind—but by searching the…

[epiphainie]

tommy kinard standing between two lanes. one says "tell him you're sorry you got scared and left and this time stay" the other says "commit domestic terrorism for him to show your fealty and commitment" and like any well-adjusted gay person he picks the second one

[multistanninglifestyle]

A: Do you believe in fate?

N: No, do you?

A: Luck then?

N: Only the bad sort.

[sha-brytols]

Can i ask how u feel about elthina then? Since u said ur feelings are complicated. Dw if u dont want to answer!!!

undeniably the true antagonist to da2 and in my opinion a very clever representation of the chantry's frankly terrifying role in like. all of the major conflicts of da2. but also painting her as inaffably evil or acting out of some diabolical self-serving purpose is (imo) hugely missing the point

[artist-issues]

Christians, start talking about why homosexuality is a sin. Stop avoiding the topic. If we can’t talk about it with people who disagree with us, it only says something untrue. It’s just a sin, like all the other sins. It’s just a twisted desire, just like all the other twisted desires. “Such were some of us.” It put Christ in the cross, it condemns the person who sells their soul to it to eternity without Him. Don’t make it any less or any more than that by avoiding the topic. The Bible doesn’t treat it like a taboo topic.

Honestly so many people are deconstructing or dropping away from the faith because they don’t know how to be loving and talk about how the Bible is right when it says homosexuality is a sin. So they don’t talk about it, but everyone who disagrees with the Bible does—so no truth is coming in, just lies, and no wonder that one thread unravels the silent “Christian’s” whole faith.

Because listen, listen, marriage is a picture of the Gospel, and love is Christ. So when they twist those two things, and you decide they’re right, everything else falls apart because they’re all connected.

So yes, it’s too not-special-at-all, just another twisted desire, for you to be afraid to talk about it. But it’s also too important to know the truth about it, and replace the lies about it, for you to be silent about it.

Just tell ‘em it’s like every other sin. Your desires are twisted and you can either choose to identify with them, or you can submit them to Christ and identify with Him while he untangles the desires. You can be god of your own life until it’s time to spend eternity without Him, or you can admit He’s God. That’s it. By making it “special” you’re feeding into the lie that homosexuality is some special, unique, sacred part of a person’s psyche that has to be treated as such. Even if you’re against it. No, it doesn’t. The Gospel conversation is the same, whether the sin they embrace is homosexuality or not.

You want to be with someone of the same gender romantically, sexually? Well, I want to turn my car wheel into oncoming traffic. The difference between me and you is, I agreed with reality—my life isn’t mine, so my desire to end it isn’t right, and I won’t live by it. I’ll give it to the God who made me. You, on the other hand, aren’t there—yet. You’re still living out the lie that you were made for you, and every passing twisted desire that doesn’t line up with reality is your governing authority.

But the answer is the same. Jesus took the punishment for me, and you, committing cosmic treason against the loving God who made us to be god, ourselves, and twist up the love He invented us for. He took the punishment for all that, and He can straighten out the scoliosis of your soul. The answer’s the same. So why’s the conversation taboo? Because Barnes & Noble put a whole celebratory bookshelf out? Because Instagram shows you reels of people wailing when it’s brought up? Get over it. Stop treating people who celebrate their sin like their sin is more powerful than whatever sin Christ saved you from.

[goldkirk]

I don’t know how to explain any more clearly that it doesn’t MATTER if it seems legitimate to you. You have got to fact check every single headline and post and claim on the left just like you need to do on the right.

The left is NOT immune to misinformation and rushed reporting. And the more emotionally polarizing or shocking the talking points, sound bytes, and headlines are, the worse it is and more frequently it happens.

Learn to verify through multiple independent sources. If you can’t do that, you can’t trust it.

If you have to wait extra hours for the real information to come through vetted channels—NOT just one individual somewhere everyone links to, and not just one single media source either, EVEN if it’s a major news network—thats just how it has to be. What news outside of genuine local disasters near you TRULY needs your outrage and post-sharing in the next hour specifically?

Misinformation works best by not seeming like misinformation and by fitting in with the rest of what you already expect to see. It doesn’t help anyone to not be able to recognize and avoid the stuff.

[margindoodles2407]

Alright, everyone, say it with me: The Catholic Church Has No Power Or Authority To Change Her Doctrines Or The Moral Law

[cursoulla]

the urge to spill all my headcanons for Noir/Nier(Original) aka Shadowlord,, but holding myself back… actually what inspired this was- oh god. just a lot of body horror and… worship, reassurance… *vibrating at inhuman frequencies*

let’s just say. i’m in my feelings about them very OFTEN. i shan’t gush further and will let the emotion I tried to convey in this piece do it for me,

[cantpickyourgenre]

Another super interesting storyline that could come out of resurrected!Bobby is if they delve into what his afterlife/coma was like. Did he see his family? Does he feel lingering guilt because he chose to come back to his current life? Was he sort of haunting his team? Hearing how sad and lost and guilty they all feel in his absence? Did it cause him to question his faith? Reaffirm it? It’s just so much more interesting if he’s alive.

[maythedreadwolftakeyou]

perhaps my most #cancelable videogame take i can post on this website is i think that the kind of people who say that anyone who picks the "morally wrong" or "mean" options in video game dialogue should, as a player, feel bad about their own choices/morals in real life. is that those people are just another flavor of the kind of dudes who play Disco Elysium and get mad for not being rewarded for picking the facist options. both of these groups are reducing games to "a thing I want to agree with me and everyone else who doesn't either suffers or does not have the option to play a character who behaves otherwise" rather than "a medium where you get to (or even Have to) explore different kinds of characters in order to experience the full depth of the story and characters in it."

When I want to pick options in a game that are mean, negative, arrogant, or ignorant, it's because I want to explore what would push a character into becoming that kind of person. Sometimes I want to see how the NPC characters who I-The-Player like/agree with react to someone who is fundamentally different from them. I think it's GOOD actually when the narrative allows you to push limits and especially when it has the option to then punish you for it in some way, such as losing options/routes later on, or companions straight up abandoning you for your choices. It DOES often make me deeply, viscerally uncomfortable to make choices in a game that are so counter to my own, but it means I get to experience that discomfort in an isolated environment and also think about what it means, what would push the character or even yes a real person into actually feeling those things. And I get to play with what ways the narrative could challenge them/make them grow over the course of the game--or on the other side, it can let me make a character who does start off more open/accepting but let the events of the narrative push them into being more reactively closed-minded instead.

I like that we have invented a medium where you can play a game multiple times and experience it differently depending on the character you play as. Books and TV and movies are all static--the greatest draw of games to me is the ones that are responsive, that can tell a slightly different story every time--when other characters in the game respond differently to you because of it, or some paths open up and others don't. And so yes it did disappointment me when a franchise that previously had these elements, Dragon Age, did not include them in the most recent installment. I don't think games should have options where you get to just hit a button to say something racist with no consequences or exploration into why a character would do that. but like, if i can only ever play a game as an upstanding person who is morally right all the time in basically the same flavor for every dialogue. I only get to truly play that game Once, you know? And I only get to see the way the companions react to someone they like and trust. And never really go deeper than that.

So like... I just sit and think about the scenes you can get in Inquisition. with Cassandra breaking down, because she fears she placed a would-be tyrant at the head of a powerful organization--that she searched and searched and chose wrong. Of Varric who is desperate to convince you not to become a monster, like the last person he feels betrayed him. Vivienne intentionally pissing you off because she wants to see how far you'll go when angered, how much she has to worry about your reactions. They say so much about the companions, what they fear most, and where they will draw the line. And especially in Inquisition, at these crisis points--you don't have to double down. Your character can have a come-to-Andraste moment where they go "woah... is that really how people see me? is this what i want?" and I think that kind of option can do way more for encouraging actual players to examine the choices they make in stories, more than locking the player into supportive, non-aggressive options does.

now. do i think all games execute these flavors well? no. writers and devs will have their own biases and blind spots, even if they are otherwise well-intentioned. and I don't think the ends of the scale need to extend from "absolute angel" to "horrible bigot", because the real complexity of course lies in the middle. I am not asking for games to let me be bigoted at every turn, what I want is games that let me make the protagonist deeply flawed in one or more ways--fearfully closed-minded to things outside their upbringing, or afraid of change to the status quo, or who want to advance their own aims regardless of consequences to others. I actually agree that the game was correct not to include any options for disrespecting Taash and their personal journey for example, but I do wish... idk maybe that we could have had a scene where if for instance the player character avoided outside-world missions relating to clearing away blight, they could confront us on how this might devastate the natural world and its creatures like dragons, and push us into trying to resolve it. Or in the other direction, if you spend the (currently meaningless) time giving money to background NPCs begging in the cities, Neve could could have a special cutscene thanking you for your attention to people otherwise beneath notice. You know?

And of course not every game can do this, I can write those sentences up there that represent hundreds of hours of dev time, of course they can't do it all. But the prior games usually did have at least a little of this, and that was enough to make me really fall in love. I KNOW the tumultuous development cycle, restarts from scratch, interference from higher-ups all contributed to why Veilguard was unable to hit those same marks this time. And we probably won't ever know how much of the loss of options/reactivity was intention vs a side effect of these things. But I wish people wouldn't frame players who miss these aspects as insane/morally corrupt. When for most of us it's because we genuinely enjoy challenging and exploring these aspects of reality in fiction in a way entirely unlike what we actually support in real life. i fully acknowledge not everyone desires to play this way. and that's fine!!! i am glad people can enjoy doing a "good" run each time that brings them joy. but for me it really limits the potential bounds of my enjoyment i guess. I like media that is complicated and messy and makes me think, and extra so when I get to see how playing that way impacts the greater story around it.

[erinwantstowrite]

OOC quotes/hints from Chap 12

(minor spoilers underneath the cut! these are out of context, and the chapter is not actually out yet!!)

[walkswithmyfather]

Esther 6:1-11 (NIV). [1] “That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. [2] It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. [3] “What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “Nothing has been done for him,” his attendants answered. [4] The king said, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about impaling Mordecai on the pole he had set up for him. [5] His attendants answered, “Haman is standing in the court.” “Bring him in,” the king ordered. [6] When Haman entered, the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?” [7] So he answered the king, “For the man the king delights to honor, [8] have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. [9] Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king’s most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!’ ” [10] “Go at once,” the king commanded Haman. “Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king’s gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended.” [11] So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!”

“Listening Through Restlessness” By In Touch Ministries:

“Sometimes a sleepless night is a sign that God has something to say.”

“When we’re too preoccupied to hear God’s voice, He may get our attention by giving us a restless spirit. The book of Esther gives us a wonderful example of this. In the sixth chapter, we see that King Ahasuerus “could not sleep, so he gave an order to bring the book of records” (Est. 6:1). As a result, the king became aware of an assassination plot against him that had been foiled by a man named Mordecai. The ruler made plans to honor him.

What the king didn’t know, however, was that Haman—one of his royal advisors—had targeted the hero Ahasuerus wanted to celebrate. Not only had Haman plotted to hang Mordecai (Esther 5:14), but, as this month’s Bible study explains, he’d also planned to kill all the Jews. Because of Esther’s request (Esther 7:2-4), the king intervened, saving not just Mordecai but the entire Jewish population.

Now, what started this process? It was a restless night. The king did not know why he couldn’t sleep, but we know—he had insomnia because God was trying to get his attention. The Lord had something important to say to Ahasuerus, and His way of getting through to him was an unpleasant night of sleeplessness.

How often has this happened to you? In such moments, ask the Lord, “What is it that You want to tell me?” You’ll discover that God can and will speak to you.”

[caeslxys]

I’ve mentioned this elsewhere but it feels relevant again in light of the most recent episode. Something that’s really fascinating to me about Orym’s grief in comparison to the rest of the hells’ grief is that his is the youngest/most fresh and because of that tends to be the most volatile when it is triggered (aside from FCG, who was two and obviously The Most volatile when triggered.)

As in: prior to the attack on Zephrah, Orym was leading a normal, happy, casual life! with family who loved him and still do! Grief was something that was inflicted upon him via Ludinus’ machinations, whereas with characters like Imogen or Ashton, grief has been the background tapestry of their entire lives. And I think that shows in how the rest of them are largely able to, if not see past completely (Imogen/Laudna/Chetney) then at least temper/direct their vitriol or grief (Ashton/Fearne/Chetney again) to where it is most effective. (There is a glaring reason, for example, that Imogen scolded Orym for the way he reacted to Liliana and not Ashton. Because Ashton’s anger was directed in a way that was ultimately protective of Imogen—most effective—and Orym’s was founded solely in his personal grief.)

He wants Imogen to have her mom and he wants Lilliana to be salvageable for Imogen because he loves Imogen. But his love for the people in his present actively and consistently tend to conflict with the love he has for the people in his past. They are in a constant battle and Orym—he cannot fathom losing either of them.

(Or, to that point, recognize that allowing empathy to take root in him for the enemy isn't losing one of them.)

It is deeply poignant, then, that Orym’s grief is symbolized by both a sword and shield. It is something he wields as a blade when he feels his philosophy being threatened by certain conversational threads (as he believes it is one of the only things he has left of Will and Derrig, and is therefore desperately clinging onto with both bloody hands even if it makes him, occasionally, a hypocrite), but also something he can use in defense of the people he presently loves—if that provocative, blade-grief side of him does not push them—or himself—away first.

(it won’t—he is as loved by the hells as he loves them. he just needs to—as laudna so beautifully said—say and hear it more often.)

[theblogwithoutfear]

On Daredevil: Born Again and Matt Murdock's Religious Convictions

One of the most glaring differences between Netflix's Daredevil and Disney's, thus far, has been in the (lack of) overt religiosity. While a lot of folks are upset about this, I actually think it's an important creative choice that tells us a lot about the state of Matt's mind and his soul.

Matt Murdock has always been a man of powerful convictions, and possesses a strong sense of both morality and ethics. He is also a deeply divided man, and has divided his life into two separate personas: The Lawyer, and The Devil. Very rarely is he ever Matt Murdock: The Man.

These two personas have mirroring missions, drives, and beliefs; both The Lawyer and the Devil work to defend the innocent, expose the truth, and punish the guilty. They work to carry out "the law."

However, they are carrying out two very different laws—and so they are, quite frequently, diametrically opposed.

The Lawyer side of Matt Murdock is deeply intertwined with the legal system. The Lawyer has a deep sense of ethics, integrity, and a faith in the power of the American justice system. Though he recognizes that it is not always just or equitable, The Lawyer continues to work within that system and believes that it can be redeemed from corruption. The Lawyer operates based on ethics.

The Devil side of Matt Murdock, ironically (or perhaps not ironic at all), is deeply intertwined with his Catholicism. Rather than the legal system, The Devil follows a higher law: the law of God, at least as far as Matt interprets it. The Devil cares about deeper issues of good vs. evil, and believes that he is carrying out the will of God as His soldier. The Devil understands that there is a deeper good in the world than the law; he operates based on morality.

In Daredevil: Born Again, Matt has given up Daredevil. He tells Fisk that he "lost the privilege;" he no longer believes he is worthy of acting as an arbiter of God's higher law. After losing Foggy and attempting to murder Dex, Matt cannot reconcile his conviction for carrying out God's law with the tangible results of his pursuit of it.

In episode 2 we see Matt standing outside a church while a choir sings "I am unworthy that you should enter under my roof." Matt feels too unworthy to enter, and also feels too unworthy for God to enter into his heart. He has "lost the privilege" of Daredevil; and thus, he has "lost the privilege" of practicing his faith like he used to.

Being Daredevil was an act of worship; without Daredevil, Matt can't (or won't) pursue the higher law.

However, during the Hector Ayala trial, it's clear that Matt is missing the sense of spiritual guidance, comfort, and wisdom that he found in the practice of his religious faith. One of the most beautiful, and telling, sequences of the show thus far is when he sits in the empty courtroom.

The shots are framed deliberately to remind us of a chapel. The aisle, the pew-style seats, the white light streaming in through the high windows, the judge's seat almost like an altar at the head of the room. Especially with the solemnity and solitude of the moment, we are meant to see the courtroom as Matt's substitute for a church.

This is taken even farther when Matt pulls out the piece of his horn, clasping it in his hands like he's praying the rosary.

Matt, although he claims to no longer need Daredevil, clearly misses the deep sense of spiritual connection he no longer has—both from his faith, and from Daredevil. Because the two are inextricably linked.

The Devil cannot worship at a church, nor can he practice a higher law.

Therefore, The Lawyer substitutes where he can. He worships at a courtroom, and practices the literal law.

To me, the lack of religious imagery in this show is not the writers shying away from a depiction of faith; rather, it seems to be a deliberate choice: they're showing us that Matt, although he still believes in God (see: the cross pendant), cannot worship Him fully until he picks up his mask again.

And obviously, he will.

[solasfenheral]

i thought I might’ve been misremembering the compassion route!companion quest but like. idk man this just rubs me the wrong way. What do you MEAN it’s no longer their time, they’re still alive, they’re still in pain and confused and trying to seek out their lost children and torn from their dreams what do you MEANNNNNNN!!!!!!

[moash]

just read the moash interlude. don’t know how to feel about it. anyone else feel like sanderson just like decided he didn’t like the direction he had been going with moash and tried to backtrack?