Seekers of Illumination

[Anomaly]

If you need a third, The Masters are a mercinary force. We fight for good or evil, order or chaos, whatever you need at the time. I'm sure I could find someone that wouldn't mind fighting along side you. If you need it.

[joesteel64]

How would i go about joining?

ok here are my answers

1 Yes
2 Yes
3 I don't realy practice any particular religion. However I do believe there is a power higher than myself and I try to serve the greater good.
4 Yes

[Kaitou]

You can start by reading the club's initial post. Long as it may be, it shouldn't prove too difficult to find what you want. I went ahead and quoted Suzu to save you the trouble. He has required a 4-question quiz to be answered.

Originally Posted by Asuka

In order to register for the club please answer the following questions:

1. Would you risk your life in order to save the life of another?
2. Are you okay with dedicating yourself to the club? (Does not apply to how much time you spend in the club, make sure that you participate in club discussion,RPs, etc.)
3. How often do you practice your religion?
4. Do you trust us that we will respect, understand, and learn from your beliefs?

Really, Suzu. Have you ignored the 3 or so posts stating my opinion on this quiz of yours?

Now that Suzu is absent, I guess it's up to TGO to decide whether you're accepted or not.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Anomaly

If you need a third, The Masters are a mercinary force. We fight for good or evil, order or chaos, whatever you need at the time. I'm sure I could find someone that wouldn't mind fighting along side you. If you need it.

Sorry, I overlooked your post. We have yet to receive any confirmation of the battle. It is best to keep the battle as a 2v2 RPB, though, as it will prove to be easier to manage than our previous 3v3. I do thank you for your offer.

EDIT EDIT:
Atma has yet to post even still. The two RPB's I am currently involved in are motionless. Add to that the club's inactivity...Asuka needs to do something about his AOL account.

[T.G. Oskar]

@Tidus102: Well, that was an easy check. I'm not quite sure about saying yes or no: you're still young in the club, and your answers were pretty much lacking, but I'm no one to say if that alone is enough to deny you. Though, you were quite descriptive in one of your questions...

Although...it would be nice if we could help you enjoy your stay in here. I don't mind you joining here. Kaitou, in your hands it is.

@Anomaly: While we appreciate your concern, I assume that this is something we should solve on our own, however. Don't want their already inflated egos to inflate even more: the fact that they have won the last few ToA's does not mean superiority. If at most, it means there's no competition here. So far, however, they declined: either they fear us, or consider us worhtless.

Anyways, I gotta return there: gotta fix some stuff. And they say we whine...oh well...

[Kaitou]

I read your post in the BoD. Couldn't help but notice it rhymed a bit (writing a children's book for school at the moment).

Anywho, it seems some members of the BoD are confusing our battle with the PK's challenges (which they have failed to uphold). Also, your previous post stating our challenge was drowned out in all their spam. Akira also seems to be taking a week vacation starting Sunday.. Perhaps getting the thing started is a bit more difficult than it needs to be.

I don't mind having Tidus join. It would be easier if we had a current discussion going on. I'm brain-dead from my current schedule, school and all, so I can't think of a decent topic.

[T.G. Oskar]

Well...a very dear family friend we know during a long time came recently to our home, and spoke about fear of God. Now, I'd like to ask: what do you think about fear of God? And, incrementing the discussion: what do you think about fear of the Divinity? Especially, about the use of the word "fear", since the connotation of the word "fear" is rather narrow, and negative...

Now, I know that the perspective of the club is wider, but I really have this in my mind, and wanted the opinion of other people. The reason why I stated "fear of God" before "fear of Divinity" is more a part of my belief than anything else, but feel free to discuss about it, as I assume most religions have a similar trait.

@Tidus: well, since Kaitou and I seem to agree, I assume that means you join!! Congrats!!

[Kaitou]

I never fully understood the concept. The idea brings me back to my previous thought, that fear is a powerful device used to have others obey and follow. Many, whether they admit it or not, simply follow a religion in fear of the consequences should they not. "Do good, prosper in Heaven. Do bad, burn in Hell."

Also, there's nothing wrong with coming from a Christian perspective. It's important that different views are given, from different religions and beliefs, not excluding Christianity. This will be easier when our membership grows, since it doesn't help that the majority of our members are Christian.

EDIT: I do not want to take sides in the argument between you and Toro, but I suggest you leave it as it is. Let them satisfy their egos. ..Something similar to our discussion on the US's retaliation after 9-11.

[T.G. Oskar]

...you know, that's not the definition of fear that the term "fear of God", or "fear of the Divinity", is meant to have. The term used is more of a term of "respect, reverence, and acceptance". In the common Christian conception, it means a fatherly respect of Him, a reverence for being God, and accepting that, because of him, we are what we are.

However, it would be nice to consider if other religions have this concept. Actually, it would be nice to know if Pagans have a similar, if not greatly similar, concept. Of course, the term "fear" could be used in it's most literal sense: fearing what the divinity says for fear of retaliation.

Glad to know the BoD holds us in high respect...they do not dare insult us. Unless "light bulb" could be considered an insult. I feel useful, actually. More than a bloodstained rusty sword, actually...

[Kaitou]

Originally Posted by Kai

EDIT: I do not want to take sides in the argument between you and Toro, but I suggest you leave it as it is. Let them satisfy their egos. ..Something similar to our discussion on the US's retaliation after 9-11.

Let them do what they want in the safety and immunity of their club.

Originally Posted by TGO

...you know, that's not the definition of fear that the term "fear of God", or "fear of the Divinity", is meant to have. The term used is more of a term of "respect, reverence, and acceptance". In the common Christian conception, it means a fatherly respect of Him, a reverence for being God, and accepting that, because of him, we are what we are.

Oh, haha. I guess that's different. In some way, I can link this to my definition. "Respect God and prosper in Heaven, or else burn in Hell." Christians cannot respect God truly, however, with that as their motivation.

[T.G. Oskar]

Ok, then I'll guess I'll stop it for a while, though I actually probably gave them some activity to boot. Probably they'll say "what an idiot", or something like that. Wonder what they'll say?

Now, the mot important thing in here is: in no moment does it say anything about "burning in Hell". It only says to respect, revere, and accept the Divinity's role in your life. It often falls upon "failing to comply will result in dire consequences", that way lies madness. Fear should not be the driving gear of faith. I often couldn't concur with the word "fear" in it, because it often meant that fear was the driving force beneath belief, while we were often led to believe that belief by fear was not the right way.

[Anomaly]

I think fear is a bad choice of words on the translators part. There are much better words in the english language. Revere would've been better...respect, of course, goes without saying...in awe, even, would be suitable. Though it says serve the lord with fear and trembling, its not the fear of hell but the fear of the disapproval of a loved one. It's the difference between not wanting to be bad so you can avoid being beaten with the belt and not wanting to be bad so you'll avoid making your mother cry.

Of course she might still beat you, but what would wrench at the heart more would be seeing the dissapointment...knowing you failed, when you had every oppertunity to make amends.

or something like that.

Fear doesn't work as an insentive to religion. The crusades and the inquisition brought many converts, but have also created the bulk of the enemies of christ. That and dotting parents

Meantime, how big of a light bulb are we talking? I mean I could do some serious damage by shattering one in someones face and then grinding the heel of my boot into their skull while their on the ground. I doubt anyone would see that coming, but then thats why you'd have the advanatage over a rusted peice of tin.

[Kaitou]

Or I can puncture one's heel with the bloody rusted tin by placing it on their doorstep, infecting him with tetanus and whatever was in the blood.

Fear is a powerful tool. In many places in the Bible, it tells how the sinful will be punished. Emphasis isn't placed on disappointing God, but rather being one of His 'sheep.' Otherwise you will, shall I say it.."Burn in Hell."

Another powerful tool, rewards. Many picked up or converted to Christianity because they like the idea of Heaven, rather than viewing life as fleeting and meaningless.

And yet others view themselves as mere puppets to a higher being. Their entire life and everything that happens is governed by God. They are helpless to do anything but obey.

Of course, people find other reasons to follow God. Pure faith is difficult for most to grasp. It is difficult to believe in something you cannot see or touch when other, more sound, ideas exist.