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That’s not what life is about in Christianity at all. Life is about choice in Christianity. Freedom. You can choose to live for yourself or for others, for the
by wryoak 2y ago
That’s not what life is about in Christianity at all. Life is about choice in Christianity. Freedom. You can choose to live for yourself or for others, for the world. Dwelling on one’s suffering is a form of egoism that distances one from others and thus God. That’s why suicide is a sin in Christian theology, because it arises from individualism, which denies the Holy Spirit that comprises and composes us all. Asking “why don’t they have the right to kill themselves” is the wrong question from such a theological standpoint. The right question is “why aren’t we rushing to their aid, especially when we have the chance to prevent the type of suffering that would inspire such egoism.” That opportunity certainly won’t always exist, sometimes organisms just break, it’s just the risk of material existence, and coping with that powerlessness is also a part, no doubt the hardest part, of shedding ego.
- Frederation 2y ago[flagged]
- hellojesus 2y agoI posted this quote in another comment, but felt the harshness of your tone may have been dervied from the topic of Christianity. Christianity isn't the only religion/world view that has the perspective that your life has value to others, even if you yourself feel doomed. From the Havamal, the wise words of Odin: > The lame can ride a horse, the handless drive cattle, the deaf can fight and win. It’s better even to be blind, than fuel on a pyre; a corpse is of no use to anyone.
- Frederation 2y ago[flagged]
- hightrix 2y agoThis is a gross comment to make towards anyone. This does not belong on HN.
- karencarits 2y agoThank you for a great comment! I just wanted to highlight the notion of meaning, as you touch upon, that all challenges and sufferings make opportunities to choose God. At least in the Catholic Church, unity with Christ (including, metaphysically, taking part in his suffering on the cross), and letting one's ego go, is the point
- int_19h 2y agoThere are many different strains of Christianity. In some of them, like many varieties of Calvinism, the notion that people have freedom to choose anything is explicitly rejected.
- astura 2y ago>Life is about choice in Christianity. Freedom. This depends heavily on the "flavor" of Christianity.
- Neonlicht 2y agoUniversal healthcare would be a Christian duty then? How's that working out?