Quote from: BitChick on May 30, 2013, 06:17:16 PM

Quote from: QuestionAuthority on May 30, 2013, 05:54:41 PM

Quote from: BitChick on May 30, 2013, 05:29:01 PM

Quote from: Rassah on May 30, 2013, 04:36:58 PM

Quote from: BitChick on May 29, 2013, 09:11:26 PM

I am deciding what to listen to and what influences my mind. I have found I need to have a filter on at all times.

Sounds to me like you are describing that blindfold you mentioned earlier, and that you are the one trying to get others to put on the blindfold as opposed to "seeing" and being frustrated at others wearing blindfolds.
How is selectively picking what you allow yourself to see and read supposed to be "opening your eyes and seeing?"

That is a good question. I can see your point. I have no problem studying all religions and beliefs or philosophies or even reading books that I do not "agree" with. It is really important to understand others and where they are coming from. I think many Christians are ignorant about what others believe. All religions have some good elements in them, otherwise why would anyone follow them? So in order to respect others, it is really important to try to understand them! That said, there are things that I can instantly know is not right and be selective and not allow myself to look at. For example, pornography is one thing. It is degrading to women. I suppose someone could justify it in that it celebrates the beauty of women, etc, but I think that it leads to lust and thoughts that are not "pure" so I try to to avoid having it around our house. I really don't want to expose my kids to it either. So, I shelter myself, and my children from it. Or songs that are violent, angry, full of cussing etc. What good comes from that? I am not necessarily opposed to any style of songs, per se, although I really don't care for rap too much, but if the message behind the song is good then I thing is is great. There are many TV shows I will not watch after watching it once or twice. Why? The message in the show is trying to promote a lifestyle, or thinking that is hedonistic. I have found in my life that if I allow those things in I slowly begin to think that those things are normal. We can see the shift in our own society. There were things that were not accepted 50 or 60 years ago that are now "normal." Many would say that is a "good" thing. I, on the other hand, think it is a dangerous movement. Also, there are so many different ideas out there. How does one know what truth really is? We are in a world that is getting to a point where there is almost no belief in absolute truth at all. Everything is becoming more relative. I personally believe in absolute truth and that my foundation is the Bible. This is my own personal belief and I know many of you will stop reading right there and say I am a Bible-thumper and discredit everything else I say. But that is where I am coming from. I suppose someone could argue that the Bible is my "blindfold." I think the Bible has become my lens that I try to look through to measure what is good, right, pure etc.

I guess the question I have is why wouldn't people selectively pick what they watch? Do they think that they can just watch anything and it won't affect them? Do they see things that they don't agree with but then not worry about it affecting them? Maybe they do not even have a moral compass by which to measure things? I think it is just that whatever is entertaining, or interesting, or funny, or makes them feel good etc. is what most people watch, read, or fill their minds with, personally. (not all people I know)

Also, it is wrong to try to shelter myself, or my children, from things that are not wholesome?

There is nothing wrong with trying to protect your children. In fact, that's your job as a parent. The sad truth is that the parents are not the ones, at least in my country, that corrupt children. It's the public school system, peer pressure, Sunday school and summer camp that corrupt children. The first time I got high was after church with the son of one of the church deacons. The first time I got laid was under the bleachers after school. Both were great experiences by the way.

Sex and drugs are tempting for a reason. Wink

I have been hurt by people in the church too, but it still does not change who God is and the fact that the Bible is true. I think the thing that pains God more than anything (and we see this in the parables when Jesus tells off the rabbis and Pharisees) is when those that are supposed to be following Him hurt others, especially children! The Bible even says "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

You sound like a good person. Good people will be good with or without God. Religion is a way for good people to rationalize all the bad that exists in the world without going crazy. It also gives them a tool to try to make bad people good. I guess from that standpoint there is nothing wrong with religion. I'm glad you found something to give you comfort.