Comments on: “Hi-Jacked” Part 1 http://aholydiscontent.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/hi-jacked-part-1/ Thoughts of a rebel by nature, stolen by the Gospel Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:17:47 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: aholydiscontent http://aholydiscontent.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/hi-jacked-part-1/#comment-117 aholydiscontent Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:37:32 +0000 http://aholydiscontent.wordpress.com/?p=218#comment-117 Good to hear from you buddy. I couldn't agree more...One of my main purposes of this post was to get the wheels in people's heads turning about the many other things that we simply do out of habit, tradition, culture, or ritual. I'm hoping that by the time I post a few more entries containing examples of things that we've hi-jacked it will cause a...hmmm....holy frustration or rebellion with the way things are, and a pursuit of TRUTH. I will certainly look into those books, and would like to let you know that I have also done a heavy amount of research on the history of "the church" (Catholic, protestant, New Testament, etc.) I actually just finished a GREAT BOOK I think you would like called "Pagan Christianity". It's rich in History, and explains in much detail how we got where we are today, and why. I love it. It has challenged everything I grew up with that I've always had a hard time understanding. I will be the first to admit that things are WAY off in America. The term Christian, and the "faith" carries little weight anymore. It saddens me. However, in the midst of all the re-thinking and challenging the status quo and the norms I simply cannot ignore Christ as Savior. I cannot ignore my access to the Father through Christ, and what He has done. I have seen it manifested in so many ways in my life over the past two years as I have retreated from tradition and upbringing. It has led me to some disturbing findings about the sin of man, and corruption. However, I have experienced freedom from it all, and a dependence/reliance upon the Holy Spirit of God that lives inside of me. I'd love to chat more sometime! We need to catch up! Good to hear from you buddy. I couldn’t agree more…One of my main purposes of this post was to get the wheels in people’s heads turning about the many other things that we simply do out of habit, tradition, culture, or ritual. I’m hoping that by the time I post a few more entries containing examples of things that we’ve hi-jacked it will cause a…hmmm….holy frustration or rebellion with the way things are, and a pursuit of TRUTH. I will certainly look into those books, and would like to let you know that I have also done a heavy amount of research on the history of “the church” (Catholic, protestant, New Testament, etc.) I actually just finished a GREAT BOOK I think you would like called “Pagan Christianity”. It’s rich in History, and explains in much detail how we got where we are today, and why. I love it. It has challenged everything I grew up with that I’ve always had a hard time understanding. I will be the first to admit that things are WAY off in America. The term Christian, and the “faith” carries little weight anymore. It saddens me. However, in the midst of all the re-thinking and challenging the status quo and the norms I simply cannot ignore Christ as Savior. I cannot ignore my access to the Father through Christ, and what He has done. I have seen it manifested in so many ways in my life over the past two years as I have retreated from tradition and upbringing. It has led me to some disturbing findings about the sin of man, and corruption. However, I have experienced freedom from it all, and a dependence/reliance upon the Holy Spirit of God that lives inside of me. I’d love to chat more sometime! We need to catch up!

]]> By: -Will- http://aholydiscontent.wordpress.com/2008/11/26/hi-jacked-part-1/#comment-116 -Will- Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:55:48 +0000 http://aholydiscontent.wordpress.com/?p=218#comment-116 Apologies for not keeping in touch as often as I’d like. I was just perusing some of your stuff, seeing what I’ve missed, seeing where you’re going and I came across the Hi-Jacked post. I agree with what you’re saying, most people have no idea why they do the things they do; not just in terms of the holidays but in most aspects of life, including religion. After reading through your post I felt it necessary to point out the irony here, in the most benign way possible of course. I was talking with Jason last night (an activity that I don’t recommend for people who suffer from migraines) and I realized that he is a good model for the average person who considers themselves Christian. He went to church for long enough to get the idea of what to do and how to act (actual church history notwithstanding), he knows the scriptures that are important, ect… However, what he doesn’t know is how Christianity was founded; and so this is what led me to my quandary. You use the phrase Hi-Jacked to illustrate what we have taken from history that was not meant for us or about us. With this sentiment in mind I urge you as a friend and as an intellectual sparing partner to take the good advice you’re giving in your post and look into the actual origins of Christianity and the New Testament. I would suggest reading Jewish histories such as the histories of antisemitism; there are some really good books you can get for cheap on Amazon (Holy Hatred by Robert Michael and, Antisemitism: Myth and Hate from Antiquity to the Present by Marvin Perry and Frederick Schweitzer) plus I have a ton of notes from my classes on Jewish studies that may help too. You may find that Thanksgiving is not all that people have Hi-Jacked. Hoping all is well, -Will- Apologies for not keeping in touch as often as I’d like. I was just perusing some of your stuff, seeing what I’ve missed, seeing where you’re going and I came across the Hi-Jacked post. I agree with what you’re saying, most people have no idea why they do the things they do; not just in terms of the holidays but in most aspects of life, including religion. After reading through your post I felt it necessary to point out the irony here, in the most benign way possible of course. I was talking with Jason last night (an activity that I don’t recommend for people who suffer from migraines) and I realized that he is a good model for the average person who considers themselves Christian. He went to church for long enough to get the idea of what to do and how to act (actual church history notwithstanding), he knows the scriptures that are important, ect… However, what he doesn’t know is how Christianity was founded; and so this is what led me to my quandary. You use the phrase Hi-Jacked to illustrate what we have taken from history that was not meant for us or about us. With this sentiment in mind I urge you as a friend and as an intellectual sparing partner to take the good advice you’re giving in your post and look into the actual origins of Christianity and the New Testament. I would suggest reading Jewish histories such as the histories of antisemitism; there are some really good books you can get for cheap on Amazon (Holy Hatred by Robert Michael and, Antisemitism: Myth and Hate from Antiquity to the Present by Marvin Perry and Frederick Schweitzer) plus I have a ton of notes from my classes on Jewish studies that may help too. You may find that Thanksgiving is not all that people have Hi-Jacked.

Hoping all is well,
-Will-

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