Gemma Therese

Whatever.

Gemma Therese

Bible Humper

Hello again Gemma, I looked through the sites you linked earlier.

I noticed that the "Therese" in your name comes from a famous member of the Discalced Carmelites, so is this the order you are leaning towards joining?

Also, a question on the vows. I notice that the Discalced Carmelites vows include swearing yourself to a life of "silence and solitude", is this what is commonly understood by the term "vow of silence"? You must be prepared to never speak again?

If you don't mind, could you also explain what is meant by "self-denial" and "hidden apostolate"?

Thanks,

P.S. I guess the reason you weren't posting here for the past couple weeks was because you were up here in Toronto for WYD? How did you like it?

[ August 10, 2002: Message edited by: Splashing Colours Of Whimsy ]</p>

Eudaimonist

True, but reason is essential to human living.

Just because there is more to life than reason, that doesn't mean that you can dispense with reason when it becomes inconvenient. Reason is our distinctively human method for acquiring knowledge and testing knowledge claims. Abandon reason, and you abandon your ability to check your beliefs to see that they correspond well to reality. It is dangerous in the extreme to be fickle in the application of reason to the challenges of human life.

Sure, there is more to life than reason. There are such values as courage, love, and friendship, but these are not tools of cognition. They can give us information to use in our thinking, but they can never replace thinking.

You said you would pray for us, and in return I will hope that you will one day see the of reason.

Corona688

Since you admit you cannot convince us... then why are you here?

ex-preacher

So why are you here?

Bluenose

"God does not wish Hell on anyone. PEOPLE CHOOSE HELL. Gemma Therese"

What about the vast majority of humans who never heard of Hell, the church or JC ?

"Hell" is not even in most of the O.T. because the dualism of the Persians' Zoroaster did not even infect the Hebrew religion until late in the game.

Also, which one are you refering to:
sheol = 'the unseen state',
hades = 'the unseen world' [that one's Greek]
gehenna = 'valley of hinnom' [outside of Jersusalem where they burned the trash]
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Gemma Therese

Splashing,

Yes, the Carmelites are a strong possibility. A life of "silence and solitude" does not mean one is mute. When the nuns do manual labor, they do not speak, unless it is related to their work. Twice a day they have recreation times when they can speak to each other. I do not think the life of Carmel is an easy one -- but Christ would not call me to such a life and not give me the stength to live it. (Self-denial -- they fast from meat and heavy food from Septmeber to Easter. Hidden apostolate -- they do their work in seclusion from the outside world).

You assume too much -- I was not at WYD.
Just busy with work. Next summer, however, I am going to make a pilgramage to France to see Lisieux (hometown of St. Therese and her Basilica), the uncorrupt body of St. Bernadette (in Nevers), and the Chapel of the Miraculous Medal (in Paris).

Take good care,

Gemma Therese

Gemma Therese

Then I feel very bad for you.

Gemma Therese

[ August 11, 2002: Message edited by: Gemma Therese ]</p>

Doug

Gemma,

Why are you praying for us? Please be specific.

If the answer is as I suspect and you are praying for our souls, then I agree that it is a rude thing to say.

Gemma Therese

I am praying for you, that you have good, peaceful lives, and that someday, God will reveal Himself to you, as He has to so many.

Gemma Therese