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 | Blogs > reallysaved > From Where I Sit > sensibledreamer - Spreading Taoism |
sensibledreamer - Spreading Taoism
4/22/2006 8:04 amLast Read: |
One of my callings from the Lord is as a Watchman. I am one who stands upon the wall of wherever the Lord places me, and watches for evil that tries to enter in. When I see evil entering I am to sound the alarm, blow the trumpet! The evil that the Lord shows me is my responsibility and woe to me if I do not blow the trumpet! Sensibledreamer did a post today and she quoted a Taoism Philosopher in it. I believe that is highly inappropriate on a Christian website. Christianity and Taoism are mutually exclusive! They don't mix! Please do not buy into her beliefs. Adhere to the Word! Stay the course! Do not compromise! Be blessed! |
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4/22/2006 11:32 am |
Thank you for being the eagle's eye. 
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4/22/2006 12:02 pm |
Jean, Please stop and think about the hurt you are doing. She posted a quote that discusses how "water" is meek and mild. That it will "soften" and edify. Yes, it was by a Taoist. But we quote authors and songs etc. everyday without looking to see what faith the person is. I doubt that she was using her words to support the Taoist doctrine in any way. She is a very kind loving and caring Christian that I admire. It was used to be an analogy to illustrate that the living water of Gods word, is gentle and mild in yet it will nourish the soul and cleanse the sins of the sinful. Please, I know you also are a good person at heart. But I feel you are on a witch hunt to prove that you are strong and willing to go the distance for God. There is not one person here that would doubt you are a solid Christian. But at the risk of being branded something other than I am. I will state that your actions here are bearing out another Taoist belief system, "There is a little bit of evil in all good and a little bit of good in all evil" You mean well as did she, but your actions will cause hurt to another. She meant well but her words offended you. So now where do we stop the in fighting and realize that we stand together as a united front for the good of God?
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4/22/2006 12:53 pm |
You know this is awesome, the Lord has told me not once but twice that He has called me to be a watchman. I really didn't know what all this fully entailed. I've just left it up to Him to guide me. Please if you can help me understand this better I would appreciate it greatly. Elizabeth
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4/22/2006 12:54 pm |
You Go Girl 
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4/22/2006 1:23 pm |
I don't agree with you, Jean. She used the words of a wise man which do not in any way nullify her Christian faith. I'm going to write something here in the hope it will shed some perspective - I hope you will take it in the spirit in which it is written. Where I work, a group of us get together for lunch, and none of the group (except me) are Christian. And yet, many wish to provide their expert opinions on Christianity. One day we had a discussion about a book written by a theologian - can't remember the name of the book or the author I'm afraid. But the premise of the book was how the death and resurrection of Christ did not actually occur but was rather a metaphor in the Bible. It was about how the Bible should be read for its wisdom and the actual events are all metaphors. Well, the point I tried to get across to the group is this - there were many wise people around, and a lot of religions have many good things in them - confucionism, taoism, hinduism, etc. etc. They may even, and often do, mirror the wisdom in the Bible. So what distinguishes us as Christians? The fact that Christ ACTUALLY died for our sins and raised us to eternal life with His resurrection. I don't think the fact that SensibleDreamer quoted a wise saying from Taoism in any way reduces her faith - she was probably seeing how it mirrored the wisdom in the Bible. God bless, G “Faith makes a Christian. Life proves a Christian. Trial confirms a Christian. Death crowns a Christian.” Annonymous
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4/22/2006 4:09 pm |
Jean, Here is an exact quote of what you posted on her blog. Why are you quoting a Taoism philosopher on this Christian site? I believe this is entirely inappropriate. Taoism and Christianity are mutually exclusive. You cannot be a Christian and buy into Taoism at the same time. Sorry. This goes a long way toward showing me where your heart is at. The last line in red makes judgment as to her level of commitment to the lord and comes against her as a person. Please, if you did not intend your words in that way explain how they should have been taken as I would appreciate a deeper understanding of your position on this topic.
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4/22/2006 6:07 pm |
What Sensible Dream wrote (that I could find) was QUOTE In this world, there is nothing softer or thinner than water. But to compel the hard and unyielding, it has no equal. That the weak overcomes the strong, that the hard gives way to the gentle -- this everyone knows. Yet no one asks accordingly. Lao-Tse: UNQUOTE Without a mention of the author; 99.9% of people would have absolutely no idea where the phrase came from and would assume it was poetry. Lingusitically it is presents just as a line in poetry. So, Really Saved; what are you going to do, never read a newspaper, magazine, poetry, literature again! Many, many, many people of faith and in faith service use quotes from other beliefs and religions - to demonstrate one God for all people. Robyn2006 wrote QUOTE But at the risk of being branded something other than I am. I will state that your actions here are bearing out another Taoist belief system, "There is a little bit of evil in all good and a little bit of good in all evil" You mean well as did she, but your actions will cause hurt to another. She meant well but her words offended you. So now where do we stop the in fighting and realize that we stand together as a united front for the good of God? UNQUOTE Brother listen to the words of this wise sister. Remember 111Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? JAMES 4 11:12 Finally - there are a couple of legal issues that you may need to contend with when you take this tack towards other people. You may have heard of slander and defamation. The Net does not protect you from legal claims of this nature;nor should it.
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4/22/2006 7:36 pm |
Upset, no. Disappointed, yes. You are welcome to your own opinion Jean. But I did not feel comfortable allowing the discrepancy of your words to go unchecked. Thank you for clarifying them. Have a good evening.
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4/22/2006 9:11 pm |
Jean, Please stop and think about the hurt you are doing. She posted a quote that discusses how "water" is meek and mild. That it will "soften" and edify. Yes, it was by a Taoist. But we quote authors and songs etc. everyday without looking to see what faith the person is. I doubt that she was using her words to support the Taoist doctrine in any way. She is a very kind loving and caring Christian that I admire. It was used to be an analogy to illustrate that the living water of Gods word, is gentle and mild in yet it will nourish the soul and cleanse the sins of the sinful. Please, I know you also are a good person at heart. But I feel you are on a witch hunt to prove that you are strong and willing to go the distance for God. There is not one person here that would doubt you are a solid Christian. But at the risk of being branded something other than I am. I will state that your actions here are bearing out another Taoist belief system, "There is a little bit of evil in all good and a little bit of good in all evil" You mean well as did she, but your actions will cause hurt to another. She meant well but her words offended you. So now where do we stop the in fighting and realize that we stand together as a united front for the good of God? One does need to make a distinction between the Taoist Philosophy and the corruption of that Philosophy into what is known as the Taoist Religion. I do believe (hope) sensibledreamer was quoting Lao Tzu the philosopher and not promoting the Taoist Religion. Lao Tzu was just a man who put forth some standards of living and never claimed to be anything else. His words were only later on corrupted into a religion by others. Taoist Philosophy The formulation of Taoist philosophy is attributed to Lao - Tzu (fl. 6th or 4th century BC) and Chuang - Tzu (c. 369 - c. 286 BC) as well as the Lieh - tzu (compiled during the Han dynasty, 202 BC - 220 AD). Three doctrines are particularly important: Tao (way) is nonbeing (wu), the creative - destructive force that brings everything into being and dissolves everything into nonbeing; return (fu) is the destiny of everything - that is, everything, after completing its cycle, returns to nonbeing; and nonaction (wu wei), or action in harmony with nature, is the best way of life. Chuang - tzu taught that, from a purely objective viewpoint, all oppositions are merely the creations of conceptual thought and imply no judgments of intrinsic value (one pole is no more preferable than its opposite). Hence the wise person accepts life's inevitable changes. The Lieh - tzu said that the cultivation of Tao would enable a person to live for several hundred years. Taoism teaches the devotee to lead a long and tranquil life through the elimination of one's desires and aggressive impulses. Taoist Religion Often regarded as a corruption of Taoist philosophy, the Taoist religion began in the 3d century BC with such practices as Alchemy (the mixing of elixirs designed to ensure the immortality of the body). The alchemy was carried out by Taoist priest - magicians at the court of Shih Huang - ti of the Ch'in dynasty (221 - 207 BC). These magicians were also acclaimed as spirit mediums and experts in levitation. They were the heirs of the archaic folk religion of China, which had been rejected by the early Confucianists. Among the prominent features of Taoist religion are belief in physical immortality, alchemy, breath control and hygiene (internal alchemy), a pantheon of deities (including Lao - tzu as one of the three Supreme Ones), monasticism and the ritual of community renewal, and revealed scriptures. The Taoist liturgy and theology were influenced by Buddhism. Its scriptures, the Tao - tsang, consist of hundreds of separate works totaling more than 5,000 chapters. Among the principal Taoist sects to emerge was the Heavenly Master sect, founded in West China in the 2d century AD. It advocated faith healing through the confession of sin and at one time recruited members as soldiers and engaged in war against the government. The Supreme Peace sect, also founded in the 2d century, adopted practices much like those of the Heavenly Master sect and launched a great rebellion that went on for several years before ending in 205 AD. The Mao - shan (Mount Mao) sect, founded in the 4th century, introduced rituals involving both external and internal alchemies, mediumistic practice, and visionary communication with divinities. The Ling - pao (Marvelous Treasure) sect, also founded in the 4th century, introduced the worship of divinities called T'ien - tsun (Heavenly Lords). The Ch'uan - chen (Completely Real) sect was founded in the 12th century as a Taoist monastic movement. Eventually the Heavenly Master sect absorbed most of the beliefs and practices of the other sects and, in the 20th century, became the most popular Taoist group.
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4/22/2006 10:08 pm |
I agree with Robyn. It's just a quote....I have guoted Walt Whitman, and I'm not homosexual......I'm also not a man.....And I'm also not dead. I see these warnings as a witch-hunt also...Born out of fear. Fear of what? Demons? Fear that all the christians on this site are weak newbies and easily influenced? If you really feel that the person is trying to sway everyone from Christianity, then why don't you witness to her in love? Pray a prayer of Christ's love..God's love... To be honest, Jean, I love you very much, and I enjoy your posts, and am thrilled that you found the Gripper. But I do have to say this... You have to trust in the faith level of the Christians on this site. You have to trust that they have the wisdom of the Lord. You have to trust that the Holy Spirit will show each individual the truths and untruths. Christ never rejected someone, because of their religion. If he had, then ALL GENTILES WOULD NEVER BE ADOPTED IN AS THE CHILDREN OF GOD. Through Jesus Christ the barbarians were given the right to be saved. The greeks who worshipped idols were saved. Please remember that Sensibledreamer is a human being...She is not the quote she used...She is not taoism....She is loved by God. Let us not be led by fear, but by the Spirit of God in Love and Righteousness.... No one get saved, because the town cryer will alert everyone to stay away from a person and throws them out of the community...We are about SALVATION.....We are about GRACE..We are about MERCY....We are about LOVE.... Let us minister one to another in LOVE. Tea
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4/23/2006 2:46 am |
You people need to smell the roses and see they have poison in them Poland didnt think much about letting their guns go at first either Jean is protecting the weak feeble people around here which is apparently you...you know the ones that dont know any better YOU owe her an appology Your type of attitudes are the type that got millions of babies murdered by ignoring what was going on regarding getting abortion legalized This is a Christian site...not the local community site Its not a Universalists board Not a Buddists board Not a mormons, or some other cult Guess What? She out of LOVE for YOU was protecting YOU! and you are %$@*! and idealogic to see it Lets see...embrace eastern religion and what it has to say or embrace the true teachings of Jesus Christ....one of us is here(embracing Christ) and some of you arent...you are okaying pagan lies and teachings...so in effect you are accessories. Shame on U This is how we get people deceived by new age wolves like Rick Warren with half truths
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4/23/2006 5:17 am |
One of the biggest problems with the church, today is its heed to the world's call to be more "tolerant". To the church that means accepting any who come to Christ, irregardless of race or background. To the world that means beating the standards of the church down until it is nothing more than another social club. The church needs watchmen and gate keepers more now than ever in its history. I agree with what Dennis (Tropical Guy) posted above me...Jean has done absolutely nothing wrong.
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4/23/2006 6:34 am |
TeaKitty wrote: "Christ never rejected someone, because of their religion." Sorry, you are wrong, they were called the Pharisees. It was a religion chock full of human philosophy and tradition. Jesus rejected both it and those who vigorously defended it: Matt 23:27 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones , and of all uncleanness. KJV I'm sure he was speaking in a still small voice as he was saying this...
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4/23/2006 7:08 am |
See this is the biggest reason so many people don't want to be Christians. He gives us feet so we can stand firmly on the ground not so we can use them to kick others around for their wrong beliefs. Love them to the Lord not beat them to the Lord. Of course your new man will be on your side because love is blind but let's not let your witch hunting push people further away from the truth. Someone's got to humble themselves and apologize and you say that what sensibledreamer said shows alot about where their heart is at but I ask where is yours if you can't humble yourself and admit you might of been a little harsh. John
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4/23/2006 7:57 am |
both in response to Robyn: first you said, "I made no comments on her as a person and I will not." later you said, "I stand corrected. I had forgotten what I wrote on her blog. I did make a personal judgement and I stand by it." both very strong statements but totally contradictory. so which is it?? i agree with john above, some humility and repentance here could go a long way.
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4/23/2006 9:51 am |
Some brains and common sense could go a Looooooooooooooooooooooong way too 4ewe You do not love people to the Lord. It is his goodness and kindness that brings a person to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Jean doesnt hate this person. Thats what you dont get.
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4/23/2006 9:55 am |
TeaKitty wrote: "Christ never rejected someone, because of their religion." Sorry, you are wrong, they were called the Pharisees. It was a religion chock full of human philosophy and tradition. Jesus rejected both it and those who vigorously defended it: Matt 23:27 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones , and of all uncleanness. KJV I'm sure he was speaking in a still small voice as he was saying this...
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4/23/2006 10:43 am |
Jean, Posted to TeaKitty That is very true. Sensibledreamer is claiming to be a Christian while she is embracing the teachings of a false religion What right do you have to say she is "claiming" to be anything? That would be the same as me stating that you "alleged" yourself to be a Christian. Either statement would be unconscionable and wrong! She and God know the reality of her heart. It is not my place or yours to judge anyones commitment to the Lord. Posted to Godsservant What someone posts on their blogs here becomes a teaching. People are held accountable as a teacher for what they post here Currently, I see you teaching intolerance, judgment, bitterness, unforgivingness and division. This is beneath you Jean. Please I am begging you Stop this now. You are hurting Gods children. He loves each of us but you by your own words state that we each are accountable for what we post. She posted a quote nothing more nothing less. At no time did she state that she was Taoist or even that she supported the faith practice. You however have posted very cruel asides and you will indeed be held accountable for those. Do you honestly need to dig a deeper hole with this mess? I know it is hard to back up from a position and when your pride is involved its even more painful. But what will hurt worse, some humble pie..or seeing a beautiful child of God slandered and driven from a place of fellowship, learning and growth? Please Jean stop this now. Father God, I come to you now broken hearted for the pain inflicted here today. Please Father touch the hearts and minds of all here today and show us your love and mercy. Convict our spirits today Lord. Drive out this vile spirit of devision that seeks to undermine what was built for Your good. Father please bring closure, peace and healing here today. I ask these things humbly in the name of thy son,Jesus Christ. Amen
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4/23/2006 12:28 pm |
I have stated my case here. I don't think I can make my opinion and my stand any clearer than I have. I also don't have any desire to go back and forth over the same stuff, over and over again. Therefore, I have decided that I am not going to respond to any more comments made on this post. You are welcome to stop by and say whatever you feel like, within reason, but just don't expect a personal reply from me from this point on, okay? As Forrest Gump said, "That is all I have to say about that!"
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4/23/2006 12:38 pm |
Jean, I feel that you are just nit-picking my comments now. You know that I mean Christ turns no man away who comes to him and surrenders his life to the Lord....And I know that the Lord loves us all, thus the gift of Jesus Christ. Remember that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him shall be saved. John 3:16 Please do not set your heart hard toward me...I am a sister in the Lord who proclaims Jesus as my Lord.... Your statement "reallysaved replies on 4/23/2006 9:40 am: LOL! Still small voice! ROFL! Amen!" Really hurt me, that you would be so gleeful and happy to prove a point that I was trying to make wrong (I guess I din't make my point clear enough), but I was hurt and stunned. It really hurt me, and brought me to tears that you would find someone trying to make a point to me so funny at my expense. TeaKitty
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4/23/2006 2:49 pm |
TeaKitty Jean Loves You. You are one she tried to protect as is me and everyone else. The truth is like a sword and people do not understand that the truth is what sets a person free. Just like tough love. Maybe some people here need to realize that a little leaven messes up the whole loaf? Then whos's responsible? Who lets the bad in? Personally I am sorry you are hurt. But I also understand where Jean is coming from. I have had several people come out later and say they were sorry I stood up against the universalists. Its not fun standing up. It can be very lonely. The people that want set free and want the truth will eventually be set free by the truth.
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4/23/2006 2:51 pm |
111Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? JAMES 4 11:12 That is in responce to a fellow believer and that is probably not the case here.....also I can show you scriptures for admonishing people teaching other faiths or jesus's than the real Jesus too
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4/23/2006 2:57 pm |
hmmm, well I see that the point of my post was missed entirely, by both you, Jean and by Dennis. but will leave it at that...
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4/23/2006 3:31 pm |
TeaKitty wrote: "I feel that you are just nit-picking my comments now. You know that I mean Christ turns no man away who comes to him and surrenders his life to the Lord....And I know that the Lord loves us all, thus the gift of Jesus Christ." Teakitty, I will apologize to you for my part in this misunderstanding of your quote. When you stated "Christ never rejected someone, because of their religion", I saw that as false, as stated. I would tell someone 100 times out of 100 that it is a false statement. And I would quote the same scripture I used above, with others if necessary, to prove my point. Now, I see that you meant something completely different, something I agree wholeheartedly with, that Christ will never turn someone away who comes to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. The "still small voice" comment wasn't directed at you, it was merely an afterthought directed toward the countless folk I've met in the past that believe Christ was always meek as a lamb. He wasn't, and many places in scripture clearly show His righteous anger and zeal. I hope and believe that Jean's comment was only directed toward that last remark of mine, and not toward you at all. Anyway my sister, I would humbly beg your forgiveness for any hurt you have felt as a result my part in this misunderstanding. TeaKitty, I remain your brother in Christ, Ed
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4/23/2006 9:00 pm |
> --------------------------------------------------- > Thank you Ed for the apology. You are a dear brother in the Lord, and I believe the goal of all, or mostly all of Christians on the bigchurch website is to grow closer to Jesus, and truly be Christ like. I believe that we all want to encourage our brothers and sisters in the name of the Lord. We both had a misunderstanding...Mine was that I didn't make my thought clear enough....Please know that I, too, apologize for the misunderstanding between us. God bless you dear brother, and may we both be like King David and constantly be people after God's own heart. TeaKitty Jean, I should have worded my comment better. It was confusing as to what I was writing. Thanks for pointing out that the LOL ROLF was not directed to me...I assumed that it was, since it was posted on a reply to me....Thanks for clearing that up! I too apologize for the misunderstanding between us. Let us all lift up the name of Jesus! You take care sister, and God Bless you, and I love you. TeaKitty
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4/24/2006 6:30 am |
Wow - this is quite a topic!!!! I'm not going to add fuel to the fire here but the bible is clear in that we are to move forward in life with blinders on....I think of a horse here - he has blinders on so as to not be distracted to look to the right or look to the left but to follow the straight and narrow path. And it is a very narrow path with distractions all over the place. Jean is trying to keep young christians here at big church on the straight and narrow. There are soooo many non-christian teachings out there and satan weasels his way into distorting God's truth. Christians can and do fall prey to their influences!!!! We are watchmen and are to behave like one. That means distinguishing between false teaching and only following God's word here people. It doesn't say that we are to be tolerant......too much of today is about tolerance. And if we as christians are not tolerant.....we are perceived as being harsh and judgemental. Jean is a very kind person and simply because she was posing the question regarding the maturity of the writer and to the beliefs of that writer. Perhaps the writer will learn from it and be more careful what she chooses to follow? Defend the Word and all the truth in it. Jean you are a watchman!!!!
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4/24/2006 7:20 am |
Dear all, I think since this is about me, I should reply. I have put some replies on my own blog as well. Just to explain how I think, I want to become the sort of Christian that would have rescued a slave (even if they were not saved), that would have sheltered a Jew during the 2nd world war, and that would have sheltered a muslim or a hindu during the separation of India, or a disident or bhudist in China in Mao's time. I just dont think I could become that sort of christian if I have hate, fear and suspicion of other religions in my heart. I want my Christian values to work at a human level and by giving that to the world, I hope one day if my Christian family is in a tight spot because of their beliefs someone will show them mercy and protect them because they know that a Christian would do the same for them. I've explained the origin of why I used that quote and it is to do with a collossians quote on gentleness and kindness, one I think is very hard to do, but very true and rewarding also. I try to keep it in mind always. I thank you and love you all for your comments and I understand where they are coming from, I just think God has another path for me in this area. Love Cath
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4/24/2006 7:37 am |
I don't agree with you, Jean. She used the words of a wise man which do not in any way nullify her Christian faith. I'm going to write something here in the hope it will shed some perspective - I hope you will take it in the spirit in which it is written. Where I work, a group of us get together for lunch, and none of the group (except me) are Christian. And yet, many wish to provide their expert opinions on Christianity. One day we had a discussion about a book written by a theologian - can't remember the name of the book or the author I'm afraid. But the premise of the book was how the death and resurrection of Christ did not actually occur but was rather a metaphor in the Bible. It was about how the Bible should be read for its wisdom and the actual events are all metaphors. Well, the point I tried to get across to the group is this - there were many wise people around, and a lot of religions have many good things in them - confucionism, taoism, hinduism, etc. etc. They may even, and often do, mirror the wisdom in the Bible. So what distinguishes us as Christians? The fact that Christ ACTUALLY died for our sins and raised us to eternal life with His resurrection. I don't think the fact that SensibleDreamer quoted a wise saying from Taoism in any way reduces her faith - she was probably seeing how it mirrored the wisdom in the Bible. God bless, G
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4/29/2006 9:22 pm |
SCREAM Jean from the top of the wall, sound the trumpet, ring the bells. The Bible is very clear and you GO GO GO GO GO GIRL!!!!!! Pamela
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