Original Sin?

Quote: FrGamble

The first three are painfully obvious to anyone; your problem is with the concept of original sin.?

Original, venial, mortal, it's all nonsense to me.
It would drive me insane to walk around all
day worrying if I'm offending god or not. But
that's the intent, isn't it, that's why so many
suffer from Catholic guilt. And how could stealing
a paper clip possibly be an insult to god, c'mon.

Quote: chickenman

not only did the Church have answers to these questions and other deeper questions about the meaning of life and who we are as human beings, but these answers were beautiful, reasonable, and inspiring to me. .

I did the same thing at that age, went looking
for answers. And I found them in a different
place than you did. There's nothing wrong
with religion, as long as it's not harming anybody.
If it gives you peace and harmony, more power
to you. It would do the opposite for me.

Quote: FrGamble

Face, thanks for the question. I wish I could write as well as you in order to give an answer. I fear that the medium of the forum and writing might not be conducive, it is something better talked about sitting in the backyard over a few beers. Nevertheless I will give it a shot.

You do well enough explaining. Thanks for taking the time =)

I guess I asked because I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately, and "commitment" is a concept I keep coming back to. I see many here and at WoV who have it by the ton, and you and your faith seem to exemplify what I've been pondering. You're "all in". I'm sure you have other hobbies, interests, and passions, but no one doubts your commitment to the cross.

I'm finding I lack that, and I'm not sure why. It's there sort-of, but never at a level that I've seen in others. I know I write passionately about certain things at times, and none of that is concocted or faked... but it's always a temporary thing. You've all followed along as I worked hours every day for months getting my race team going, but now, even considering I have absolutely nothing to do, it just sits. For the time being, I'm just not into it. Same with fishing. Guys are still pulling late season trout as recent as yesterday; I haven't gone out once. Still have nothing to do, no reason not to go. I'm just not into it right now. My job? For 6 years I worked every day. I'd put in my 8 hours, come home, and continue researching gaming math, AP, marketing, game play. I did it until I went to bed. I did it on weekends. I did it every day. Then one day - poof. Couldn't handle being in a casino even one more day.

I see people who give their lives to a cause or stay with a company for 30+ years, and I just wonder. How? Why? Are they insane to ignore all the other things life has to offer? Do they have it figured out and are on the path to mastery? Do they even have a choice, one way or the other? I dunno. But I wonder.

I guess I always assumed your faith was for a reason I would consider "dumb". Probably grew up that way, probably was enrolled into church before an age you could choose to do otherwise, probably had a pastor father. I suppose I view a lot of the religious like this - not much conscious thought, just doing it because you were raised with it.

But it appears I was wrong. You were lucky enough to "find a calling". And all it took was an open heart and being brave enough to search for it. Kudos.

Quote: Face

But it appears I was wrong. You were lucky enough to "find a calling".

Joseph Campbell calls it following your
bliss. Find what you like to do above
all else and make that your life's work.
You'll find it if you keep looking and
don't get sidetracked.

Quote: Nareed

3) I give it likes and shares on Facebook.

Of the three, I've no doubt the third one makes me feel good, but is as near to useless in promoting the podcast as makes no difference. If I had a large Facebook following, then it might make an impact and be actually helpful. As it is, it does nothing much. For many people these kinds of symbolic gestures take the place of actual, useful actions. If their religious leaders promote this, I can understand the problem better.

I reckon you've heard the old starfish story before.

A young boy was walking down the beach after the tide had gone out and for miles of beach there were starfish stranded on shore dying. He walked along picking up a starfish at a time and flinging them into the ocean to save their lives. An old man walked by and said, "Son don't you see how many starfish there are - miles and miles of them, how can you possibly make a difference?" The little boy stooped down picked up a starfish, flung it into the ocean, and said, "It made a difference to that one." The old man scratched his head, bent down and picked up a starfish.

Quote: Evenbob

Original, venial, mortal, it's all nonsense to me.
It would drive me insane to walk around all
day worrying if I'm offending god or not.

You've got to stop thinking that way and instead think about how can I best show my love for God and others. The two greatest commandments Jesus gives us say nothing about not sinning - they boil down to love. If you focusing of loving others a happy byproduct is your sins don't worry you and are less frequent.

Quote: FrGamble

You've got to stop thinking that way

Tell that to the congregation, they're the
ones wracked with guilt for letting god
down all the time. I would be a neurotic
mess. I'm thankful every day my parents
were not religious and let me go my own
way. Breaking free of the god curse would
have been a hard road to go on.

Quote: FrGamble

your sins don't worry you and are less frequent

If you don't believe in sin they don't bother
you at all. Why would they. I don't believe
in Bigfoot either and spend zero time every
day thinking about him.

Except you do worry about your mistakes and to a point that is a sign of a healthy person. By the way as someone who works very closely with many Catholics and a large congregation they are not wracked with guilt or neurotic, you are using a false and exaggerated premise for your argument.

Quote: FrGamble

as someone who works very closely with many Catholics and a large congregation they are not wracked with guilt or neurotic,

I'm sure catholic guilt is an urban myth (rolls eyes).
The thought that we're here on earth to 'behave
ourselves' is a silly idea and not one borne out
by any kind of actual proof.

We are hear to love each other. The proof is how you feel when you don't.