tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531477.post114401589834585803..comments2023-09-28T08:27:24.369-05:00Comments on The Truth As Best I Know It: Philosophy of "RENT"Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07725829998119648772noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531477.post-1145760664005566362006-04-22T21:51:00.000-05:002006-04-22T21:51:00.000-05:00Thanks for the post. As a methodist, I guess that...Thanks for the post. <BR/><BR/>As a methodist, I guess that fatalism wouldn't work for you. Presbys on the other hand, well, there it is. <BR/><BR/>It sounds like the group you are speaking of is taking a cue from the 12-step movement. In 12-step groups, we talk a great deal about both living in the moment and accepting life on life's terms. The serenity prayer we use is very much saying the same thing, that I don't have control over anything but my choices, and the I have to accept what is in front of me. I don't hear this so much as fatalism but rather abandonment of power. Since the only thing I can change is me, and that is only through giving myself over to the care of God, then other attempts to rule life will only bring about resentment and self-pity, and this is what leads to destructive behavior. Ultimately, the 12-steps are not fatalism, but more akin to Zen. Or, that is my experience.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08954413651635300181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8531477.post-1144262924353081362006-04-05T13:48:00.000-05:002006-04-05T13:48:00.000-05:00Your reinterpretation of "No Day But Today"'s fata...Your reinterpretation of "No Day But Today"'s fatalism rings true, as there sometimes seems to be a very fine line between fatalism and hope. <BR/><BR/>My favorite high holy day is Ash Wednesday, as we are reminded in word and deed that "You are dust, and to dust you shall return." Yes, that is soberingly true, when we consider our physical bodies, but why is it such a crucial tradition to remind people of this fact on a day we are called into prayer and reflection in preparation for Christ's death and rising? The most obvious answer is that our mortality stands in stark contrast to the eternal life beyond, and we are reminded of this as an impetus toward repentance before that mortal end finds us. <BR/><BR/>I have pondered a different answer, however. Ecclesiastes is known as one of the most depressing books in the Bible, most notably for its refrain, "everything is meaningless." Indeed, in English, and in a day and age where everyone is seeking "the meaning of life," that sounds pretty depressing. The Hebrew word used here, however, is "hevel," which literally means "vapor." Vapor, like the dust we are, is fleeting, almost undetectable. Such is mortal life, when considered in the great scheme of eternity. If that's not a "life is short, so make the most of it" message, I don't know what is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com