Comments on: Four Truths I, Personally, Hold Self-Evident

By: Larry Perwinkle

Larry Perwinkle — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:35:34 +0000

True. Be joyful. It took me a long time to figure this out.

Some of my happiest memories are of living in my 77 vw bus in the Colorado mountains.

Most cool things you can fit in your head. All your worldly processions should fit in one bag.

Christianity is a belief that makes some people comfortable with the reality of death. Don’t let anyone shove it down your throat.

By: shea bell

shea bell — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:30:52 +0000

I agree with Nathan. Why do you have to say you’re a martian to be a martian? Just be a martian!!

Doh! I mean christian.

By: admin

admin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 18:02:36 +0000

You got us, Shea! You’re right, too. I wasn’t disagreeing with you in particular, just mentioning some stuff.

And you’re right, Rodgar, I’m not perfect and I don’t expect anyone else to be either. I realize that my opinions on Christianity, the religion in which I grew up in and watched as the adults and leaders in our Church consistently acted like hypocrites on such a regular basis while at the same time being so adamant about pushing their beliefs on others that I just have found myself completely disillusioned by the whole thing.

And yes, I have taken in multiple young men off the streets and hooked them up with a place to stay, found them or helped them find work, and got them back on their feet again to go out into the world.

I live by a certain set of morals and rules for my own life, and I stick by them. I don’t push them, forcefeed them down my son’s throat and chastize others for not believing in them as well. They are my rules and they are mine to live by. I don’t accompany them with the idea that if you don’t believe what I believe, you’ll burn in hell forever.

I know people are not perfect, but practicing what you preach is 100% essential in my opinion. If you want to live a different life, do it, but don’t say you believe in Jesus Christ, in what he was all about and then criticize me for helping out the down and out because it seems dangerous, simply because they are in fact down and out.

And I do realize that their are plenty of Christians out there who do live the life they read about, so cheers to them.

By: rodgar

rodgar — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 03:06:05 +0000

Is Christianity a farce? Why do you hold Christians to standards you yourself don’t live up to? Have you ever taken in a young man living off the streets, loved him, housed him, and helped them to a better life? Well I have, he is now my adopted son. I love him as if he was my own flesh and blood. And guess what, I am a Christian and know I am not perfect. And neither are you……..

By: Shea Bella

Shea Bella — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:12:58 +0000

PUUUUHLEASE! Both Barenaked and Nathan know the point I am making. That we may not always be happy because of things we must do in this life. If you want a few million references on how you cannot always be happy when taking care of a sick mother, raising a child, and staying married…then just let me know. Not that these things make us exclusively UNHAPPY. But you can’t exactly pursue your joy in life when you are being selfless in these areas.

You two. Sheesh.

By: Rene

Rene — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:04:45 +0000

Thanks Nathan, I needed that especially right now as I am surrounded by freakishly superficial people here in Los Angeles, at Christmastime.

You have spoken the truth, feel free to continue anytime.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:42:07 +0000

Truth be told! I’m in concurrence, indeed, as I would feel only happy to repay my mother the chicken soup & late night coughing downpayments she’s installed with me, find nothing but joy and mild annoyance at times with raising the boy, and can only imagine the fun toss around times one might have with their limbless true loves.

By: barenakedfamily

barenakedfamily — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 15:04:20 +0000

Amen brother teen.
Does not pursuing happiness in fact include taking care of your invalids… when the alternate means misery for yourself?
Perspective – a sick mother may be better off in a home; A child better off with foster care; a partner in rehab.
Nor do I disagree with Shea Bella.
Black & White does not work in a world where by definition they are defined as ‘absence of color’ & ‘all the colors’.
-Greg

By: Shea Bella

Shea Bella — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:19:40 +0000

While I agree with you about following happy at all costs, there are occasions when we must be selfless. Like taking care of your mother when she is sick, or raising a child, or staying beside your partner when they have lost their limbs. I don’t mean to play devil’s advocate…but I guess it is freeing that we always have the right to choose what we do with our lives. We all just hope we have made the right choices.

Living in a VW bus is not wrong or extreme, DAMN STRAIGHT.

And for the love of all things pleasant, people get over your possessions.

And yes, Christians can be raunchy.

Ok, see I only disagreed with you about one thing. One REALLY GIANT thing.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:20:39 +0000

You’ve said it all just as it needs to be said. Unfortunately, for many people, these truths are not so self evident. I come to this from following Tumblewagon and I look forward to future writings!