What is currently on your mind?

[RileyG]

Especially if they are obsessed with you.

Cats are very loyal

 

[Michie]

Cats are very loyal

Yes they are. I’ve had them all my life and have worked with an animal rescue here. He finally gave me a break when I put him in our bed. Cleaning the pantry while I have the chance now! Lol

 

[Paidiske]

I was at a parishioner's house yesterday for a bit, and their cat came and curled up on my lap. I joked that I had established a very important pastoral relationship, and I would need to visit often to maintain it...

 

[Michie]

I was at a parishioner's house yesterday for a bit, and their cat came and curled up on my lap. I joked that I had established a very important pastoral relationship, and I would need to visit often to maintain it...

That’s cute! And of course, you must!

 

[Michie]

I don’t know… maybe it’s me because of the issues with my sister but I do notice a higher concentration of conspiracy theorists these days along with some believers seeing Satan around every corner, etc. Is it just me or is anyone else noticing it too?

 

[timothyu]

Well the CT's of the last few years are continually being proven right especially regarding the pandemic, however we are seeing a surge in an anything goes attitude where universal truth is no longer the foundation of civilization but fragmented into everyone's truths. Satan means adversarial to the will of God so that means the rebellion is increasing. This renowned anthropologist sums it up quite nicely as history once again repeats itself..

 

[Elliewaves]

I don’t know… maybe it’s me because of the issues with my sister but I do notice a higher concentration of conspiracy theorists these days along with some believers seeing Satan around every corner, etc. Is it just me or is anyone else noticing it too?

Yes, I have seen it. Older believers I've respected a lot in the past now are spouting a lot of conspiracies, celebrity gossip/ obsession, etc... it just seems wrapped up in Qanon stuff. They've seemed to replace the Bible for just culture war things that tickle their ears and are afraid of everything while also cheering on the death of people they don't agree with. Maybe it's just that social media is very persuasive and can be convincing without any fact or groundings in in reality. Some people just watch Youtube videos from quacks and believe it to be true. If your faith isn't solid or in any kind of way sincere, you are going to get caught up in worldly nonsense. It's a bad look.

 

[Michie]

Yes, I have seen it. Older believers I've respected a lot in the past now are spouting a lot of conspiracies, celebrity gossip , etc... it just seems wrapped up in Qanon stuff. They've seemed to replace the Bible for just culture war things that tickle their ears and are afraid of everything while also cheering on the death of people they don't agree with. Maybe it's just that social media is very persuasive and can be convincing without any fact or groundings in in reality.

I think social media does have a lot to do with it. It’s all about heading for the hills, conspiracy topics such as Illuminati, etc. it’s disappointing to see a lot of people in society fall for this blather. Let alone Christians. It just seems to be spreading in epidemic proportions. Makes you feel like you are living amongst the lunatic fringe.

 

[timothyu]

Here is what we are living amongst

 

[Paidiske]

It just seems to be spreading in epidemic proportions. Makes you feel like you are living amongst the lunatic fringe.

Unfortunately, social media has given every nutcase an easy way to spread their nuttery. And many people start with something only slightly off-kilter and quickly get sucked in.

I think we, as a church, ought to be paying a lot of attention to what's involved in de-radicalisation, because that's effectively what some of our work is going to amount to, in coming years and decades.

 

[Michie]

Unfortunately, social media has given every nutcase an easy way to spread their nuttery. And many people start with something only slightly off-kilter and quickly get sucked in.

I think we, as a church, ought to be paying a lot of attention to what's involved in de-radicalisation, because that's effectively what some of our work is going to amount to, in coming years and decades.

I’ve seen the effect it has has on my sister. People that are struggling should stay away from it. I really feel that those that spread these sort of things on the internet and elsewhere will answer for it. It is not healthy. My sister was a huge follower of David Icke and others. I remember talking about the royals in the UK being Lizard people, sexual abuse of children, etc., it devoured her. It’s evil imo.

 

[Chesterton]

Paid property taxes for the year. Highway robbery imo.

Yep. Most of the year I live under the delusion that I own my home. Then comes that time of year when I'm reminded, nope, you're just renting from your landlord, the county.

Property taxes are bizarre to me because every human needs shelter to live - a place to sleep, eat, etc. It's basically just a tax on living, being alive. Plus I have other property. Why don't they tax me for owning a refrigerator? Why don't they tax my guitar?

Sometimes I see homeless people on the street and think, maybe they've got the right idea, lol.

 

[Michie]

Yep. Most of the year I live under the delusion that I own my home. Then comes that time of year when I'm reminded, nope, you're just renting from your landlord, the county.

Property taxes are bizarre to me because every human needs shelter to live - a place to sleep, eat, etc. It's basically just a tax on living, being alive. Plus I have other property. Why don't they tax me for owning a refrigerator? Why don't they tax my guitar?

Sometimes I see homeless people on the street and think, maybe they've got the right idea, lol.

Oh yeah. We own everything as well. Property taxes have risen here and it’s not cheap.

 

[timothyu]

Why don't they tax me for owning a refrigerator? Why don't they tax my guitar?

You do realize the government filters all these posts and you've just contributed to their weekly think tank on taxation and given your blessing.

 

[RileyG]

Yes they are. I’ve had them all my life and have worked with an animal rescue here. He finally gave me a break when I put him in our bed. Cleaning the pantry while I have the chance now! Lol

I adore cats! Too bad I don't have any

 

[Michie]

I adore cats! Too bad I don't have any

Aw! Maybe you can adopt one soon.

 

[timothyu]

Everyone needs a companion, preferably non-human, in order to deal with humanity itself.

 

[Michie]

Everyone needs a companion, preferably non-human, in order to deal with humanity itself.

Amen to that. They are known health boosters on several levels.

 

[Aaron112]

Everyone needs a companion, preferably non-human, in order to deal with humanity itself.

In this lifetime, and in the next,

the best companion for the sheep

is the shepherd of the sheep.

 

[timothyu]

For sure. It is quite noticeable and solitary when there is no other life in the home except your own. Plants don't count as they have little personality to speak of. Perhaps that is why God got creative.