10-22-2004, 08:38 PM | #201 | |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
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(ps - and just to clarify my question - the Bible is REALLY clear that "doing" is NOT what saves us. "Doing" is just a natural result of believing "Doing" is also evidence of our belief ) OK, Merry, get ready - you're next!
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
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10-22-2004, 08:39 PM | #202 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Not where I want to be ...
Posts: 15,254
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(note to participants - if Nurv finishes, then go ahead and make your opening statement, Merry, and start with the questions, everyone else. I typically can't post on weekends - too busy having fun family time! I'll catch up on Monday.)
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-23-2004, 04:29 AM | #203 | |
High King at Annuminas Administrator
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(Yes - that was only a joke... O'Hare airport is named for a Chicago aviator who died in action in WW2)
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My Fanfic: Letters of Firiel Tales of Nolduryon Visitors Come to Court Ñ á ë ?* ó ú é ä ï ö Ö ñ É Þ ð ß ® ™ [Xurl=Xhttp://entmoot.tolkientrail.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=ABCXYZ#postABCXYZ]text[/Xurl] Splitting Threads is SUCH Hard Work!! |
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10-23-2004, 02:03 PM | #204 | |||
Co-President of Entmoot
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Swan Song Part 1:
I’d be honoured to answer your questions R*an, as well as Valandil’s and Lizra’s. Unblock your ears, get comfortable, and prepare for… *fanfare* Nurvingiel’s Swan Song! (by W.A. Mozart). After this it’s Merry’s turn. It took ages to write this for various reasons, so I hope I don’t cross-post with anyone. Quote:
1. Love a. My boyfriend: I have a wonderful boyfriend who I've been dating for nearly three years, and though we're currently separated by thousands of kilometers, the love between us is still very strong. Merely thinking about him makes me happy. *happy sigh* Yes, I'm a bit sappy in this department, but I don't care. I love my boyfriend. b. My friends: I have wonderful friends who I love, and spending time with them makes me happy. Remembering good times with them and planning future ones makes me happy. I also enjoy the present, today was a great day with my friends even though we froze our butts off all afternoon. (Note to self: never utter the phrase "It's pretty warm out, I don't need my down-filled jacket" in northern Sweden in October. ) I also have a core group of friends who have been my friends since I was 13. They are such wonderful people that they bring joy into my life even though we’re far apart right now, and don’t get to see each other much. c. My family: My family are so loving and supporting. Even though we're also far apart, I don't really feel like I'm away from them. I just got a (very) belated birthday present from my brother, and that just made my week! Knowing we're always there for each other provides a solid base upon which to build my life, and positive stability helps build a positive future. (By positive stability, I mean my parents are good role models, and I’m not stuck in a rut – a different sort of stability.) 2. Irrepressible Optimism: I'm a lucky person, so it’s hard to stay sad for long. Even though I had some rough times at the beginning of my second year of university, this was largely caused by things within my control. Upon realizing that, things went quite well for me. Being in charge of your own life is an empowering and cheering feeling. Considering how lucky I’ve been in my life (I had a very wondeful childhood) how could I not be of a cheerful nature? 3. Luck: Up to this point I’d say if I wasn’t happy, actualizing 1 and 2 in my life would make me happy. But with luck you can only make it in your life to a certain point. Where I’m going with this, is you can’t choose your parents or the country in which you were born. This is random chance, and I was lucky enough to be born into a family with loving parents with a good marriage, and both sets of grandparents in my family were loving and supportive of my parents. So I came into the world into a stable environment (no family feuds or anything) who also lived in a country that is at peace, and has been for many years. Not many people are this fortunate, and I’m extremely thankful that I am. I appreciate it as deeply as someone in my position can, though I suspect it’s more valuable than I can ever hope to know. I also have general good luck, like not seriously hurting myself the times I’ve crashed on my bicycle, not falling asleep in an exam after pulling an all-nighter (never do this, it’s very very wrong) etc. Luck, of both the important (your parents and country of origin) and less important (general luck) help create happy moments and/or situations in your life. My views on the important variety of luck have to do with my beliefs on the allocation of resources. I’m involved with a lot of threads right now (and the mysterious “real life” whatever that is) so I’m not going to start one at the moment. Sorry inked, maybe later.
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"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
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10-23-2004, 02:04 PM | #205 | ||||||
Co-President of Entmoot
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Swan Song Part 2:
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I think I have the gist of what a Christian ought to do from attending church, but reading the Bible is definitely important. Ultimately, I feel that someone can be a Christian on whichever level they choose as long as they fulfill our previously established definition of a Christian. For those of you who just came in. our previously established definitions is: you must believe in God, believe that Jesus is God's Son, and he died for our sins, and you must try to follow God's wishes as best you can. (Or something like that.) Quote:
We’re all full-fledged students of the university, some of us are more advanced than others. You have to read the textbook to get the degree, but you can still be a student before you’re finished reading it. Quote:
Oh, and both Nurv and Nurvi are equally good nicknames. Thank you for listening to my swan song, and all my other opinions and responses! I really enjoyed all your insightful and intelligent questions... and the other ones too! (Just kidding guys! )
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"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
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10-23-2004, 05:27 PM | #206 | |||||||||
Elf Lord
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Fountain Valley, CA
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Okay, finally able to be online again for a while. Splendid writing once again, Nurvi .
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I am a non-denominational Christian, myself. I'm probably closest to Protestant Evangelical, although it's difficult to say. I believe some things as Catholics do, and some things that no denomination has agreed to. I believe those things largely because of evidence and personal experience. Quote:
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Jeepers! I have found I agree with next to everything you wrote in Part 1, and there are no blatant disagreements . This is strange! Another example of labels not always working perfectly . I'll go and eat, and after that will respond to Part 2.
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If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." |
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10-23-2004, 06:19 PM | #207 | ||
Co-President of Entmoot
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Hey Lief, good to see you! Thank you for your kind compliments about my writing. My previous two posts are my swan song, so I'm not going to have a lot of responses to your posts. However, I will avidly read them - they are very interesting.
I will comment that I agree with all your responses. Yes, I do think God shows different things to different people.
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"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
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10-23-2004, 06:38 PM | #208 |
The Infamous Tea Hobbit
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Hi Nurv
This is all very interesting and I love this type of thing. Still not sure I get the general idea of what you believe, so srry if this question is completely useless and all. What exactly do you believe? Do you categorize yourself in a certain religion?
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If I can stop one heart from aching, I shall not live in vain. -Emily Dickinson But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought By the touch of the Master's hand. Though she be but little, she is fierce! -MSND |
10-23-2004, 06:49 PM | #209 | ||||||||||
Elf Lord
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Fountain Valley, CA
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I didn't speak of Leviticus. But there are scriptures on the subject definitely in the Old Testament, but also in the New Testament in several places. I can certainly see such evidence as being paltry in the extreme to a nonChristian, but to a Christian the word of scripture deserves very, very serious consideration. In several places the scripture claims to be the Word of God, and it has been believed to be the infallible Word of God by Christians from the first century A.D. until now. Quote:
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Further, if you look at many of the cases of homosexuality nowadays, I've heard that many of the people came from rather strange backgrounds, with loss of a parent fulfilling a certain role, or too little in the family of a certain gender. I believe that these things can sometimes lead to the rising of homosexual inclinations. I also know people that no longer are homosexual, but once were. One of them speaks at seminars on the subject, knows enormous amounts about the history of homosexuality, its causes and ways in which it can be cured. He has a wife and children now, and I very much don't believe that he has those inclinations any more. Quote:
Further, I am not convinced that homosexual love is the same as heterosexual love. I am sure that they do have strong emotional attachments to one another, but I don't see how it can be truly the same. Man is clearly from creation intended to be with woman. They can produce children. A monogomous match between a man and a woman has minimal genetic health issues, and is deeply fulfilling. Homosexuality cannot say the same. There are far greater risks of STDs among homosexuals then among heterosexuals. There is a far higher suicide rate among homosexuals then among heterosexuals. Often (I am not saying always, but often) homosexuals are more promiscuous then heterosexuals. Even based upon simple physical evidence, without even getting into the strong voice of scripture on the subject, I think there is ample reason to avoid engaging in homosexuality. Even if you are unfortunate enough to have the inclinations! Quote:
Let me compliment you again on excellent writing and intelligent, well thought-out opinions . Fare thee well! ~Lief
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If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." |
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10-23-2004, 06:55 PM | #210 | ||
Co-President of Entmoot
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Most of the post was about my and your feelings on homosexuality. I'm going to quote your post in the "Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals" thread and we can keep talking about it there.
See you over there buddy! And thanks for all your effort in responding. I appreciate it. And without further ado, Meriadoc Brandybuck takes the stage! [Enter Merry]
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"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
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10-23-2004, 09:30 PM | #211 |
Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!)
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Not where I want to be ...
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OK, Merry, it's all YOURS!
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. I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva! |
10-23-2004, 10:19 PM | #212 |
King of Nargothrond
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Canada! eh?
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I've been reading and waiting to respond (don't ask me why I've waited), this is awesome...Rian creates another deep and memorable thread...I love ow people are so open about beliefs here...its awesome, and I appreciate that candidness and community, the fact that we need not worry about being shot down. It is one of the reasons I am still here.
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"THE EAGLES ARE COMING, THE EAGLES ARE COMING......AND A MOTH!!!!!" |
10-23-2004, 10:37 PM | #213 |
Elf Lord
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Fountain Valley, CA
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Great to see you here, Finrod! Have you come ready to share, or content still to read?
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If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." Last edited by Lief Erikson : 10-24-2004 at 03:15 PM. |
10-24-2004, 12:07 AM | #214 |
King of Nargothrond
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Location: Canada! eh?
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I think it is Meriadoc's turn. But I'll be more than glad to go sometime after him...
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"THE EAGLES ARE COMING, THE EAGLES ARE COMING......AND A MOTH!!!!!" Last edited by Finrod Felagund : 10-24-2004 at 01:39 AM. |
10-24-2004, 07:05 AM | #215 |
Warrior of the House of Hador
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So would I.
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Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230 |
10-24-2004, 08:10 AM | #216 | |
Mirthful Maiden
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I know this should be discussed in the other thread, but I just wanted to say that I am very impressed with your post Leif. I agree with many of your statements, especially this one.
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On a side note - Rian, kudos to you I very much enjoy reading this thread, even though I am hardly here enough to post in it.
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The Elves represent, as it were, the artistic, aesthetic, and purely scientific aspects of the Humane nature raised to a higher level than is actually seen in Men.~ J.R.R. Tolkien Wanna play? www.thievesguild.com |
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10-24-2004, 09:27 AM | #217 |
Domesticated Swing Babe
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Reality
Posts: 5,340
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IMO, that is a total bunch of hooey. How nice you know what everyone's body is happy doing Elvengirl. The brain is part of the body.
You know.....There is this thing called reality....anti gay people should check in every once and awhile. |
10-24-2004, 09:50 AM | #218 | ||||
Co-President of Entmoot
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About the rest of your post, well, it is more appropriate in the GLB thread. Quote:
So cmon guys, let's ask Merry some questions! I've got one. Question One: What forms the core of your beliefs Merry? And why? Let's get right into the thick of things...
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"I can add some more, if you'd like it. Calling your Chief Names, Wishing to Punch his Pimply Face, and Thinking you Shirriffs look a lot of Tom-fools." - Sam Gamgee, p. 340, Return of the King Quote:
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10-24-2004, 04:28 PM | #219 |
Magnificent Master of Buckland
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Buckland, U.S.A.
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Why I believe what I believe
Sorry for the delay.
Nurvingiel: The Bible forms the core of my belief, which is the Catholic religion. Most everything about the Christian religion can be found there. For instance, the rules that we should live by: 1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. 4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 5. Honour thy father and thy mother. 6. Thou shalt not kill. 7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8. Thou shalt not steal. 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 10. Thou shalt not covet any thing that is thy neighbour's. These are the Ten Commandments given to Moses by God, but there is another said by Jesus: Love thy neighbor as you love yourself. (Or something close to that.) I believe in the Creation of the world. The Lord is the Creator of everything. I don't think that the world was made in 6 days: most likely over a long stretch of time, but to God it would seem 6 days. God gave us free will, and Satan tempted Adam and Eve and that is where we get orginal sin; yet orginal sin is washed away by Baptism, one of the the Seven Blessed Sacraments.
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But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say to much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place. -Meriadoc Brandybuck Is there anything I can do that wouldn't inconvenience me?.-Adrian Monk Hogan: What's a definate factor that we can count on? Newkirk: We don't know what we're doing. Do you wanna split a pineapple? -Shawn Spencer |
10-24-2004, 04:32 PM | #220 |
Domesticated Swing Babe
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Reality
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Oh Lord! I think my mommy's calling me.....
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