late night discussion

This is a discussion that i had with my cousin. He and I often hold discussions like these, but I would like to know you're opinions as well. I value each and every one of your opinions and beliefs. And I respect them. So, whatever it is that you say you believe, I won't tell you you are wrong. That gets us nowhere but into a circle argument (which can be quite fun depending upon the subject :) )

2:31amJon

if living is a constant quest for awareness, the awareness we gain at the end is the real goal. in other words, death is the discovery and complete understanding of the end

2:32amBen

so, would there be an after death in order to enjoy the discovery?

2:33amJon

no the discovery is death itself and the awareness that death is the ultimate truth

2:34amBen

hmmm, personally, i don't believe that, but you already know my views.

2:36amJon

yea i do but i just want you to try to see a much larger picture of the world instead of just seeing it through some "chrstians" eyes

2:37amBen

i already told you that i do. i don't limit myself to looking through just one point of view. i come at it from all sides and figure out what i personally believe.

otherwise i would be forcing my views and opinions on everyone around me

2:38amJon

and you can't do that by being a "christian". being a "chrstian" and calling yourself one limits you to a point of view predetermined by those that have taught you and have brain washed you into thinking whta they think is true

2:40amBen

i prefer to think of myself as a "follower of Christ". and just because i am that, does not neccessarily mean that i don't, or can't, look at it from a different perspective or point of view. it is simply what i have concluded that i believe

2:41amJon

and you are one of the few ppl that i know of who hasn;t tried to tell me that im wrong

2:41amBen

of course not! where would that get us? nowhere. we would do nothing but go around and around in a circle.

telling you that you are wrong is about as pointless as trying to move a solid brick wall

only you can determine or decide what you believe.

2:42amJon

so you would agree to the fact that we are what we are cause what we have done has changed us from what we were

2:43amBen

in a sense.

ever experience that we evered experienced shapes and molds us into what we are today

sry, meant every

lol

hey, do you mind if i posted this discussion of my blog?

on

2:45amJon

true but what greater gaol is there than proving to a friend that the only thing that truely matters in life is how you live it not what is after life

i dont care man. i brought it up for a topic of discussion and a blog is a place of discussion

2:46amBen

hmmm, i don't entirely agree with that one. i would have to say that it is a mixture of both. i believe that what we do in this life, affects us in the next.

2:48amJon

i would disagree. if pople were more concerned with the now and not the after we would have far less problems

2:51amJon

i would more precisely say that why live for tomorrow when you're alive today?

2:53amBen

that is a valid point. however, that wasn't exactly what i meant. what i meant was to live each to the fullest (you know, don't miss oportunities, and do your best in work and such) while also giving some thought to tomorrow.

2:54amJon

yes you should live to the fullest but you're not going to if you're thinking about tomorrow

2:56amBen

ah, but i said to give some thought to tomorrow, not constantly dwelling on it. for example, when you ask a girl out, you set a date right? isn't that "thinking about tomorrow"?

2:56amJon

the tomorrow i was talking about was a next life not the future

2:58amBen

the same concept applies though. and that was what i was talking about as well. see, the way i see it, the afterlife is sort of like setting up a date, or some event, like a concert. it's something to look forward to, but not constantly dwell upon

3:01amJon

if youre so intent on the after life ive got to wonder why so many ppl arent willing to take more risks in their day to day lives they are like rats in a cage constantly looking for something but never getting anything accomplished

3:03amBen

but people do take risks. all the time. for example, did you know that there are a lot of people that are killed or beaten, or tortured everyday because of their beliefs? and especially because they are trying to share them with others? there are some who live in constant danger and can't even be spoken about because it would endanger them.

3:04amJon

and thus they are proven right or wrong or even worse... cowards.

3:05amBen

how is dying for what you believe cowardice?

3:06amJon

no thats not what i said i said that not revieling who you are or what you think is cowardice

what will cowardice get you in life... nothing on those that are bold will get far

3:09amBen

i know, and i agree with that. wholeheartedly. if you are threatened and you put up no resistance, then that means that you never really understood what you actually believed or not.

3:10amJon

nore were you truely tested.

3:12amBen

exactly. if you had truly tested yourself, you would have known yourself and your personal convictions. thus, you wouldn't have cracked right away, if even at all.

3:12amJon

and cowardice is a pth that only a few have ever walked away from

3:13amBen

very, very true. once you give in to cowardice, it is incredibly hard to get out of. i know that one personally. however, im not staying in it. im trying to fight my way out.

3:15amJon

and that really all one can do is fight until to break through only relying on those that you can truely count on

3:16amBen

now that a true statement. if we can't rely on anyone at all, life would suck!

3:17amJon

relying on some one and using them however is a fine line and one that can be mastered with a relative ease once you've figured out what strings to ull at what time

3:20amBen

that's also true. personally, i would rather rely on someone rather than use them. relying on them means that they stick with you no matter what you face. kind of like sam and frodo in The Lord of the Rings. frodo told sam to go home so many times but he didn't. on the other hand, if you simply use them, there's that nasty little business of discarding them like a used paper towl. then you have at least one enemy who will most likely be out to get you.

3:21amJon

most every one is out to get you and your lot in life is to try and find the few ppl who are there with you

3:22amBen

then learn to do as i do, try to keep peace with everyone. now, im not saying be a pushover. just learn to avoid conflicts. words can be as sharp as swords you know.

although i would say that only a handful are out to get you and the rest,other than the few you rely on, could care less

3:24amJon

sure avoiding comflicts can be occasionaly beneficial but stirring up some can always be used for you benefit as well

3:26amBen

hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!! man, now that's a good point. i should have seen you would bring that one up. i agree with that. sometimes, conflicts are neccessary to accomplish the task you need done.

now, i hate to say this, but it's almost four. and im tired

3:27amJon

epescially when the conflict is between to of your own competitors leaving you unnoticed and quickly rising to the top

lol true.



Well, that's it. Like I said, Jon and I often have these discussions. I find them enjoyable and even refreshing at times. But what about you? What's your opinion? Feel free to post comments here, or if you came from my facebook, then post them there and I will transfer them over. Ok, peace out!