Comments by "Tim Trewyn" (@timtrewyn453) on "What Is Religion?" video.

  1. Religion can be a reaction to a near-death experience or a personally perceived miracle. Religion can be a part of your enculturation into a society. Religion can be a manipulative tool. Religion can be a test of political loyalty. One can be asked to do what might strain conscience or even seem absurd, in order to demonstrate to a religious leader that one's personal integrity can be set aside or overcome and the bidding of the leader carried out, cultic. Religion can be a sincere quest to know God. The speaker does well to say it is not a settled matter, and anyone does well to realize religion can be a very dangerous thing.
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  2. An astute comment. R as a manipulative tool for G1, often the high functioning sociopaths, who have no conscience in the way of invoking the divine for self-interest. "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'"
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  3. No. In a quietly audacious way, we put God on the spot. We are not to put words in God's mouth any more than we should put words in our spouse's mouth. I'm not interested in hearing from another part of me. The proposal is that God is interested in a relationship, but invisibility and inaudibility, perhaps necessary for omnipresence, put God in something of an unbelievable position. I experience God as unexpected reason, moderation, rebuke, and love. Seriously ask for the Spirit. A personal relationship is supposed to be a two way street. Go ahead. Tell God if God seems a no show in your life.
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