Why we struggle, by rev Micheal Dowd

Great presentation. Thanks so much Eve. :-)

Awesome! that explains so much about what I've been struggling with; both in terms of my addictions, my concept of higher power, and science. Extremely helpful.

Thank you EVE!

Very pleased to meet Dowd thanks to you, EVE. Enjoyed perusing his website EvolutionaryChristianity.com, too.

he rocks!!

Becareful of wolves in sheeps clothing... his message is not Biblically sound.

http://www.fundamentalapologetics.org/page52.html

mudphud wrote:

Becareful of wolves in sheeps clothing... his message is not Biblically sound.

http://www.fundamentalapologetics.org/page52.html

He's your wolf.. but erm.. not everyone believes exactly the way that you do... so.. to others, he rocks.

(but i do have understanding Mud, you need to preach the Bible, coz it's what you believe.. and a lot of fundamental Christians don't speak up for what they believe)

And not all Christians are fundamentalists.

I appreciate Andrew's strong beliefs; I have some pretty strong beliefs myself, about a variety of things. Of course, we should all realize that we are different and support each other in our common task, which is our recovery.

In terms of this man's (and apparently, his wife's) message, I think the relevant part for all recovering gamers is the part where he describes how the brain works. It's helpful for us to understand our struggle, and it's helpful to realize that we are not some kind of inferior human beings--we are just the kind that can't deal very easily with the modern environment. I often feel like I should have lived as the shaman or healer in a small village; my sensitivity, intuition, scientific curiosity would have been satisfied, and I would be interacting every day with people I knew and cared about; in some cultures it would even have been OK to be the kind of person we now call "gay" (this category didn't really used to exist, although the people in it always have). There would have been few if any overstimulative activities to engage in, and even bipolar "disorder" can be very helpful when it comes to responding quickly to threats (no one would have been able to "turn it on" and think crazy fast like I used to be able to, before my meds slowed me down). I could have been a total wierdo, chewed mushrooms during my highs and shared the amazing insights to help my people.

In the modern world though, I'm a screwed up addict who can't sit in his cubicle for 8 hours and just work steadily on one task after another. And that world is working very hard to make me engage in the overstimulative activities on the one hand, but also to punish me for my lack of calm, steady conformity on the other. Welcome to the struggle. :)

Kate1song wrote:

mudphud wrote:

Becareful of wolves in sheeps clothing... his message is not Biblically sound.

http://www.fundamentalapologetics.org/page52.html

He's your wolf.. but erm.. not everyone believes exactly the way that you do... so.. to others, he rocks.

(but i do have understanding Mud, you need to preach the Bible, coz it's what you believe.. and a lot of fundamental Christians don't speak up for what they believe)

Kate, I just wanted to point this out for those who are seeking God and who may be mislead by this man who claims to be a "Christian".

I have seen the healing power God has delivered in my life, my wife's life, my kids' lives, and the people who seek Him. God is the thing everyone needs, but few will humbly submit to Him. Instead, we ALL (including me) try to have the power and do it ourselves, which have always failed for me.

I respect everyone's beliefs, and I know seeking God is not for everyone. I am not here to preach, convert, or recruit. Your relationship with God and your beliefs are your personal journey. It is impossible to preach to people who do not want to hear nor interested in a relationship with God. Thus, my contributions on OLGA are not to preach, convert, or convince. Rather, I am sharing and planting seeds, and sharing the truth when I see falsehood.

I am also following the 12 Steps... as the 12th Step is:

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we carried this message to others who game excessively and practiced these principles in all our affairs.

Personally, I am sharing my "spiritual awakening" and "knowledge" of what works for me to help others who desire to escape their addictive behaviors. In my opinion, Rev Dowd can really misguide people and actually turn people away from a relationship with God, who was the answer to my decade long struggles with gaming.

Glad we can all have our own beliefs. Personally, Rev. Dowd helped me establish a more thorough connection to God.

Sharing your beliefs, Mud, is one thing; but denouncing someone elses' is another thing entirely. Talk about your own beliefs but do not pronounce anyone else Christian or non-Christian. That is not your mission.

Patria wrote:

Glad we can all have our own beliefs. Personally, Rev. Dowd helped me establish a more thorough connection to God.

Sharing your beliefs, Mud, is one thing; but denouncing someone elses' is another thing entirely. Talk about your own beliefs but do not pronounce anyone else Christian or non-Christian. That is not your mission.

I apologize if I did this.. but when did I do this? In regard to Rev. Dowd... as a public figure, I think it is fair game to discuss his teaching. If he is wrong, it is important to voice our opinions to avoid misguiding people. I don't call anyone out here on OLGA.

It's okay with me for Mudd to disagree with Dowd and with me, for that matter. God's big enough to take care of all of us! And God alone has the power to bring us all to any form of understanding. Let's look for where we agree - love, kindness, patience, humility...

I repeat, your brand of Christianity is not everyone elses'. There are Christians who do not believe in the fundamentalist approach. There are Christians who agree with certain interpretations of the Bible that your approach doesn't agree with.

But to denounce other's opinions about God/Christianity is not doing anyone anything but create controversy.

I know what you believe. Allow others who call themselves Christians to voice their viewpoints as well.

You do not have to call people out if they feel differently. But yet you do.

You say this guy is wrong, but that is YOUR opinion. Not mine or others. Please allow the rest of us to be ok with OUR beliefs.

Patria wrote:

I repeat, your brand of Christianity is not everyone elses'. There are Christians who do not believe in the fundamentalist approach. There are Christians who agree with certain interpretations of the Bible that your approach doesn't agree with.

But to denounce other's opinions about God/Christianity is not doing anyone anything but create controversy.

I know what you believe. Allow others who call themselves Christians to voice their viewpoints as well.

You do not have to call people out if they feel differently. But yet you do.

You say this guy is wrong, but that is YOUR opinion. Not mine or others. Please allow the rest of us to be ok with OUR beliefs.

What Rev Dowd teaches is against what is in the Bible. There is nothing wrong with pointing this out.

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. - Matthew 7:15

To sit back and let someone teach falsely to others is also wrong. I have a right to voice my opinion. Why are you trying to quiet me?

I don't try to quiet you, nor argue with your beliefs.

If I am completely wrong and my points have no credibility, then my comments should not bother you.

Someone wiser just told me to let God and let go.

I'm choosing to do that.

Reminder to all:

1. Our common welfare should come first; personal recovery depends upon OLGA / OLG-Anon unity.

2. For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority - a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

mudphud wrote:

If I am completely wrong and my points have no credibility, then my comments should not bother you.

I know why your comments bother Pat.. and it has little to do with point making credibility nonsense.

Our human brain origin is still pretty much a mystery.. thats about the only credible thing I can truly believe.

I like the sci fi movies that open the idea that humans could have come here from outer space... loved "Battle Star Galactica"

I do think that the ability to map out brain function is amazing.

Pat, Thank you so much for posting the Traditions. It's important for us to appreciate the wisdom of those who have successfully recovered before us.

I'm just going to lock this thread. We're not here to debate beliefs and I don't think it's helping anybody with their recovery.