tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post3349902983449506968..comments2024-03-28T21:32:26.550+00:00Comments on Bruce Charlton's Notions: Pascal's advice to those who want to be Christian but cannot make themselves do itBruce Charltonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-11234451270462635122012-11-03T01:35:32.640+00:002012-11-03T01:35:32.640+00:00I guess it depends on what version of Christianity...I guess it depends on what version of Christianity you're talking about, but some theological views of atonement view the Crucifixion as one big trick on the Devil...C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-40930209958440032562012-11-02T19:41:01.659+00:002012-11-02T19:41:01.659+00:00@bgc - I apologize, you're right. I have limit...@bgc - I apologize, you're right. I have limited knowledge of Presbyterian Christianity and little else.<br /><br />@C. - I did not mean for one to get ahead over a comrade/brother, but pagan Myth seems to celebrate cunning towards enemies. I assume lying and deceit should not be permitted in a fair society, but against giants and monsters anything goes.George G.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-17376229321547202642012-11-02T16:09:05.513+00:002012-11-02T16:09:05.513+00:00George G. - I think you're being unfair on the...George G. - I think you're being unfair on the pagans. I only really know anything about the Nordic pagan societies but "using lies and deceit to get ahead" seemed to be frowned on a lot more than it is today, no matter how many stories there were about gods doing it. <br /><br />And even these could be compared to stories of saints using deceit to carry out ultimately good acts (St Alban's martyrdom, St Elizabeth of Hungary and the roses...)<br /><br />Anyway Bruce, I love getting to read this stuff every morning (American time zone...). Thank you.C.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-86343650254663616762012-11-02T14:09:49.094+00:002012-11-02T14:09:49.094+00:00@GG Take care not to read and understand Pascal,...@GG Take care not to read and understand Pascal, if you wish to remain in a state of delusional denial about life. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4683970826895755480.post-20261956987228999402012-11-02T14:02:45.867+00:002012-11-02T14:02:45.867+00:00What to lose? Perhaps a share of the material pie....What to lose? Perhaps a share of the material pie. To keep my offspring from slavery in a world where deceit and lies are needed for success.<br /><br />To be docile - to be trampled upon? To turn the other cheek and allow oneself to be injured, raped, pillaged by enemies?<br /><br />At least the pagan gods gave room for deceit - even celebrated it - as a tool towards success over enemies. Instead of seeing the incessant struggle of life as a reason for escape and denial, they embraced the eternal struggle and allowed for full participation in it.George G.noreply@blogger.com