The Books/Reading Thread
- Thread starter Matt
- Start date
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
stephahnie
Member
Don't worry .. I will be sure to keep it for you to read, along with the other 1,900 self help books I get from my job.
The Ozzman
Melted by feels
stephahnie
Member
I read that Arthur Neresian book when I was about fifteen. It was one of the best books I've ever read. It goes right up there with Catcher in the Rye. I hope you enjoy it.
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
The Ozzman
Melted by feels
stephahnie
Member
In my opinion it is very well written. I read the entire book within a few hours. Do you ever read any Palahniuk by any chance?
The Ozzman
Melted by feels
I've read Choke and Fight Club. This day in age, that question is like asking someone if they have 10 fingers.
stephahnie
Member
True, I'm pretty sure everyone has read those two books. My favorite is actually Lullaby. Some similarities in The *bleep* Up actually remind me a little bit of Palahniuk's writing, that is why I brought it up. In a very subtle way though.
The Ozzman
Melted by feels
stephahnie
Member
Oh okay. I'm trying to limit my use of the word fuck anyway, so it is alright. I find myself saying it way too often that sometimes I say it when I shouldn't.
Einherjar86
Active Member
Even if it's written by Christians
Is it impossible that a Christian could write a decent self help book?
I seriously can't stand some of the anti-Christian sentiment that goes on on this forum. People seem to think it's okay, whereas anti-Semitism is unthinkable. It's terribly hypocritical, in my opinion.
started
That's supposed to be a good fantasy trilogy.
V.V.V.V.V.
Houses Ov Mercury
1). It's not impossible, but it is improbable. Very many Christian doctrines focus on non-science and very platitudinous ways of "helping" yourself, most of which are just feel good bullshit (which, maybe, is the point of self-help books) but I feel like they should at least appeal to people in a secular way so as not to marginalize consumers. I don't like professed Christian anything, just as I don't like professed Atheist anything. It's equal on both sides. I don't really understand where your anger/ire is coming from.
2). From anti-Semitism, things such as National Socialism or Fascism (or whatever you equate with Hitler I suppose) seem to logically or illogically follow. Thinking a Christian most probably cannot write a self help book worth a goddamn if it professes Christian belief systems or professes Christian dogma in an overt, irritating way is not 1-to-1 equivalent to "anti-Semitism", and it's mildly amusing that you'd even post this.
Jimmy... Dead.
contemplative curmudgeon
Einherjar86
Active Member
1). It's not impossible, but it is improbable. Very many Christian doctrines focus on non-science and very platitudinous ways of "helping" yourself, most of which are just feel good bullshit (which, maybe, is the point of self-help books) but I feel like they should at least appeal to people in a secular way so as not to marginalize consumers. I don't like professed Christian anything, just as I don't like professed Atheist anything. It's equal on both sides. I don't really understand where your anger/ire is coming from.
2). From anti-Semitism, things such as National Socialism or Fascism (or whatever you equate with Hitler I suppose) seem to logically or illogically follow. Thinking a Christian most probably cannot write a self help book worth a goddamn if it professes Christian belief systems or professes Christian dogma in an overt, irritating way is not 1-to-1 equivalent to "anti-Semitism", and it's mildly amusing that you'd even post this.
Dude, just admit you're a hypocrite and we can move on.
There is an inordinate amount of Christian-bashing that goes on on this forum. People don't seem to realize that they're practicing the same intolerance they blame Christians of. I'm not defending the Christian faith or Christian ideology. All I'm saying is that people accuse Christians (in general, many times) of the same flaws they themselves possess.
The tone of your statement negatively generalized Christians. I just think it's amusing.
Jimmy... Dead.
contemplative curmudgeon
Maybe he just has reasonable contempt for religion in general, like most rational people.
and how is he negatively reflecting Christian principals? He's clearly speaking his mind which is definitely not a Christian trait. Having free range to bash religion for it's flaws yet accepting it as a belief in reality is one thing (most of it being jokes), but comparing that to the complete evil that is religion & religious intolerance (both for and/or against one's god(s)) and social pressures through fairy tales and exploitation ( i.e telling someone they are going to burn in hell ) is another.
You can't compare the two, You are being much too precious.
and how is he negatively reflecting Christian principals? He's clearly speaking his mind which is definitely not a Christian trait. Having free range to bash religion for it's flaws yet accepting it as a belief in reality is one thing (most of it being jokes), but comparing that to the complete evil that is religion & religious intolerance (both for and/or against one's god(s)) and social pressures through fairy tales and exploitation ( i.e telling someone they are going to burn in hell ) is another.
You can't compare the two, You are being much too precious.
Einherjar86
Active Member
Reasonable contempt for religion in general leads to (on this forum) contempt for Christians in general. I see it frequently. Andy's honestly not that bad; that statement just made me think of dozens of other times I've seen comments similar to that.
Finding no reason to believe in Christianity (or any form of spirituality) or take it seriously is no reason to hold contempt for those who do choose to practice it. It's similar to anti-Semitism because there is no direct relationship between Judaism and what constitutes a specific Jewish person's negative characteristics. Finding fault in a human being's personal ideology is no reason to find fault with that human being. However, on this forum Christians are continually berated for being irrational and idiotic. More often than not, these criticisms are meant for Fundamentalist Christians; but general comments blur the lines and can lead to contempt for Christian individuals.
Maintaining Christian (or any spiritual) beliefs does not discount a person's capability to think logically or rationally. Martin Heidegger, frequently considered one of the twentieth century's most important philosophers, believed in God. He was also (to be even more extreme) likely an anti-Semite. That being said, he produced some of the most important texts in the history of philosophy.
Generally claiming that a Christian couldn't compose a self help book that utilized rational and logical techniques is fallacious.
Finding no reason to believe in Christianity (or any form of spirituality) or take it seriously is no reason to hold contempt for those who do choose to practice it. It's similar to anti-Semitism because there is no direct relationship between Judaism and what constitutes a specific Jewish person's negative characteristics. Finding fault in a human being's personal ideology is no reason to find fault with that human being. However, on this forum Christians are continually berated for being irrational and idiotic. More often than not, these criticisms are meant for Fundamentalist Christians; but general comments blur the lines and can lead to contempt for Christian individuals.
Maintaining Christian (or any spiritual) beliefs does not discount a person's capability to think logically or rationally. Martin Heidegger, frequently considered one of the twentieth century's most important philosophers, believed in God. He was also (to be even more extreme) likely an anti-Semite. That being said, he produced some of the most important texts in the history of philosophy.
Generally claiming that a Christian couldn't compose a self help book that utilized rational and logical techniques is fallacious.
