GOING DEEPER WITH PAPA-PEPPER: The Deep Thinker
Whatever happened to deeper thinking and more thoughtful contemplation?
At least here on steemit there seems to be a higher concentration of individuals at least willing to consider that things may not be as they should.
Over the course of this life, my thoughts on many aspects of this life have drastically changed. Previously, I hadn’t really given much thought to a lot of the way that society was structured, life was live, or governments were run. Though I have never been very skilled at “going with the flow,” living for pleasure and distracting myself with drugs and alcohol to prevent me from thinking were my main hobbies.
Through the American education system I had certainly been taught what to believe and what to think but I had never really been taught how to think, so in many ways my mind was taken out of potential commission.
QUESTIONS & DOUBT
Without being free to question things or doubt there validity, we will never personally test them. Though we will not always conclude matters with 100% accuracy, we must still be encouraged and inspired to at least consider that something may be wrong, before we will ever be able to conclude that it could be right.
In this world, in this society, in this country, and within the spiritual realms I have done a lot of questioning and doubting, especially over the course of this last decade. I think that too many of those who consider themselves to “skeptics” are only skeptical about what is convenient. They will doubt the existence of God because it is convenient to have a way to believe that they will not held accountable for their actions, but they will not be skeptical about so many other matter down here on earth.
I’ve got some series planned where I dive into various areas of deeper thinking and I am looking forward to sharing them with you, but I want you all to understand the following. I do not care what I want to be true or would prefer to be valid. In my contemplations and considerations, I try to process information without a predetermined goal or bias, and then adjust my thinking and life based upon the results of my observations, whatever the outcome.
THOUGHTS ON THINKING
Some of what I have shared over my previous months on steemit have fallen into the category of deeper thinking. Since too much deep thinking can drive a man mad, there must be other areas of life that consume some of our thoughts and existence, so though certain posts will touch on these things, you will also continue to find a healthy variety.
A few times as I have shared, I have been both hesitant and a little uncertain if I should. Certain ideas can be offensive and I’m not always sure how others will respond. Obviously, there is an ideal way to interact in a respectful and understanding manner, but not everyone always wind up doing so. Thankfully, I have been blessed by the interaction here on steemit, and even when there has been a disagreement of reasoning, belief, or understanding, the previous disagreements that others have had with me have been done in a very respectful manner, so for that I thank all of you.
A GOOD EXAMPLE
To remind some of my longtime followers, and to expose some of my newer followers, to a good example of some of my thoughts over the years and where they have lead me as an individual, I’ll link a series that I once (hesitantly) shared. The title of the series was “THE LONG STRANGE JOURNEY HOME” and it sums up some conclusions that I have drawn thus far quite succinctly.
PART 1 - INTRODUCTION
PART 2 - THE FOOD SUPPLY
PART 3 - EDUCATION
PART 4 - CHILDBIRTH
PART 5 - HOME BUSINESS
PART 6 - HOUSE CHURCH
FULL STEEM AHEAD!
TO CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS POSTS IN THIS SERIES, CLICK THE LINKS BELOW:
GOING DEEPER WITH PAPA: INTRODUCTION
GOING DEEPER WITH PAPA: THE WILD-MAN
GOING DEEPER WITH PAPA: THE GARDENER
GOING DEEPER WITH PAPA: THE ENCOURAGER
GOING DEEPER WITH PAPA: THE HOMESTEADER
GOING DEEPER WITH PAPA: THE LYRICIST
FOLLOW
Hoping to meet you face to face one day, God willing, my friend and fellow thinker... ;) 😄😇😄
That would be nice @creatr!
Good read! I'm feeling similar thoughts lately. I especially resonated with this part here and will likely quote you on this in the future if you don't mind, and if you do mind I'll just reword it myself, lol.
"Without being free to question things or doubt there validity, we will never personally test them. Though we will not always conclude matters with 100% accuracy, we must still be encouraged and inspired to at least consider that something may be wrong, before we will ever be able to conclude that it could be right."
Only part I disagree with you a lil bit on is in regards to God. I could actually make the argument that if one is moral without the fear of being punished or the reward of being good, that they are being more pure in their intentions.
Is someone really doing good if they fear suffering in hell forever, or if they are doing it in exchange for eternal heaven? Or, what about the person who just does good to do good, and for no other ulterior reason than just because they want to do good and it makes sense to them for them to do such?
Anyways.. Not trying to get into an argument. Just throwing that out there. Thanks for the good read!
Feel more than free to use that quote, I am glad that you liked it.
I understand where you are coming from on the other part too, perhaps we can discuss more later.
Excellent observations, friend @apolymask... May I respond from a personal perspective?
While hell is most certainly a fearful thing, what the organized church has taught it to be for so long is far from what scripture actually teaches. God is a consuming fire; when anyone ultimately stands before God, they will either be regenerated or consumed. Scary, but not an endless torture chamber.
As to your second point, there is no amount of "doing good" that can ever merit our redemption. The only way eternal heaven is available is as a gift from God.
Both of these concepts are nicely and concisely summed up in this scripture:
Also not seeking an argument or debate here, just offering up my perspective. My God, Jesus, has freed me from bondage to old ways, gifted me with eternity, and consequently I am liberated to voluntarily do good in the world and to peacefully interact with all my neighbors who will thus interact with me.
Thanks for letting me use the quote pepper, and sure we can talk about it another time if you'd like. Thanks for being understanding as well.
In response to creatr. I knew I should have been a lil more specific in my statement and not uses the extremes of heaven and hell, but also I should have added.. That doing something in the "name of" could be similar. To do good in the name of anything other than good, imo is not the most pure good. Good for it's own sake, to me.. Is the most pure, not in the name of any specific God, but just because you feel it's right.
I could also argue I have an understanding that I am eternal, and that I have been freed from bondage of old ways, and that I am also liberated to voluntarily do good and all of that, but I don't need to cite any specific name of being or entity other than myself. To me, it's almost.. Giving away your power when you give it to another being like that. And I was just go a little further to say that.. I consider myself pretty spiritual, I've had experiences that have shown me windows into other dimensions, and I do believe there is more to life than this, but I don't see some kind of being as a God, and it's not a "him" either, if anything it's a combination of man and woman, and it's a spiritual energy that makes up everything, including the bad and evil things. So.. You could say I'm closer to a pantheist and I believe "EVERYTHING" is God.. And I respect your views, but.. I don't necessarily think I'm lacking because I see everything s God instead of the way you see God. Whether my view is more fuzzy or more clear, it's different.. And I'm glad we can have differences and still communicate respectfully. Too often that is not the case when it comes to this topic.
There were times in years past when I would share observations with people, and they would say things along the lines of "wow man, that's deep." It took a while, but I eventually realized that wasn't a compliment. Apparently, the practice of thinking is not popular among many people these days, which makes me appreciate posts like this.
Yeah, that comment is often used to dismiss the discussion and move along,
Thanks @timothyb!
Another stellar post. Thanks for sharing and keep up the great work.
Thank you once again!
I'm in the same boat with you other than I don't drink alcohol, or partake of any drugs other than caffeine not because I am against them, I just don't like them.
But I share similar thoughts and a lot of my posts should show that I often am posting based upon some deep dive or odd thought I may have been juggling on that particular day. I just wait for some inspiration to light my mind on fire and that's usually when I write.
I believe you do that too. At least that is how it seems to me as a spectator.
I thought of you yesterday when I was in St. Louis... I saw a bilboard for "Pantera Pizza" and your metal posts came to mind. Then I thought of making an album cover "Vulgar Display of Pizza."
I think that steemit is a great place to share those random thoughts or deep mental dives, and although I do not catch them all, I sure have enjoyed some of yours @dwinblood! Looks like your recent Primus and fake news ones were excellent!
You partially inspired the quick one I just posted. Your post made me realize just how much this place seems to be expanding my mind. This is VERY good.
I am glad to hear that you find me partially inspirational!
That con-sourcing one is an important topic not many people really know about. If you happen to do any research this is a topic anyone that wants to write articles about could be beneficial to us as a people.
It is out of sight and mostly out of mind, yet in reality I believe it is far worse than outsourcing and does the same things as outsourcing but worse.
Followed and Rs-d, Happy Sunday
Thank you kindly, followed back!
Deep, I love contemplation and intellectual Insight. The world needs more of this. I lost two relationships due to "intellectual cheating".
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Awesome @papa-pepper! Thanks for peeling back the different layers to papa-pepper.
You have touched on some of these things here and in the past.
Modern schools teach humanity to conform to the wishes of the State agenda, not to think, or reason. I have debated teachers on this -- they lose off the start because they are greased with a state sponsored paycheck and cannot form reasonable, critical arguments being in a clear fiduciary and often social conflict.
#Fluoride in the water dumbing people down. FACT. Not opinion. Search my name and fluoride for clear cut medical based resources on this.
People are overworked and underpaid, the largest bloodless transfer of wealth is happening, still, to this day. No time or energy for anything else.
From last point -- tied in -- all this online non sense --- people are dumbed down and smartphones etc -- are zombiefying people -- I suspect, strongly by design along with the Big Brother factors.
Relational and Emotional IQ are being lowered combining all these factors and also -- people do not want to confront that which holds them back or shines light in dark places.
-- sorry I am not around as much but some of you know what I am dealing with on my end of life which is kicking me in the arse daily and draining me
It's still nice to see you when you do make it around!
I put up a post today about #Steemit101 and similar type things today to try and help and encourage people with some basics if you want to have a look.
I have not posted a twitter link to others' pages before, only mine, on posts, is this better than dropping a direct Steemit link LOL.
It just fits with a lot of what you do. I try to help and encourage people daily
https://twitter.com/BarryDutton/status/833764672503361538
Disclaimer: I am just a bot trying to be helpful.