Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom?? - Other Topics Forum - Discuss Pop Culture, Arts and Entertainment

So my girlfriend just graduated from a Lutheran University and at her Convocation (graduation) the speaker closes by saying this: "Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom".

Apparently it is the schools creed. Does anyone else find this a fairly strange and dated moto? I mean wtf...

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05-12-2008 , 12:41 AM

dtemp

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,505

Its a Christian university. What did you expect?

Fearing god just means acknowledging there is a greater power, one of the basic tenets of Christianity.

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05-12-2008 , 12:44 AM

pokerclack

journeyman

Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 255

I believe I also went to your GF's school, I always laughed at that motto.

so stupid

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05-12-2008 , 12:45 AM

General Tsao

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lol religious-zealotaments

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05-12-2008 , 01:19 AM

Anacardo

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I use those exact words as an away message sometimes. Very simple, sound theological principle. If you're not down with that, consider reformulating as: wisdom begins with the acknowledgment of one's own profound limitations as a flawed, fallible, mortal creature.

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05-12-2008 , 02:42 AM

JDalla

Total Boar

Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 15,537

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anacardo

funny, I agree with the rephrasing 100%, but with the original 0%.

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05-12-2008 , 02:48 AM

Tapow Dayok

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,121

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDalla

funny, I agree with the rephrasing 100%, but with the original 0%.

+1

Great idea when Socrates came up with it thousands of years ago--in fact, it was better then (before we had to bring God into the equation.)

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05-12-2008 , 03:25 AM

evank15

adept

Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,056

I expect nothing. I fear no one. I am free.

-Nikos Kazantzakis

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05-12-2008 , 03:48 AM

illusionS

grinder

Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 561

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anacardo

if it's interpreted the way you interpret it, i agree it's a sound principle. i just dont think everyone reads the quote from the op and thinks it means what you said.

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05-12-2008 , 04:27 AM

#10

Beatngreet415

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Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,068

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anacardo

sound theological principle.

Oxymoron, DUCY? Seriously.

The way you rephrased it took all religious context out of it. Consequently...it made sense. Coincidence?

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05-12-2008 , 04:34 AM

#11

PurpleLight

grinder

Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 660

Thats a failure of a statement

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05-12-2008 , 11:44 AM

#12

xxThe_Lebowskixx

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cardo - those are not the same, yours does not acknowledge God. yours is fine. the god one is lame.

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05-12-2008 , 11:55 AM

#13

General Tsao

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yesss, another thread where the atheists and religious people do battle! Don't worry atheists, the Christians will always forgive you.

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05-12-2008 , 11:58 AM

#14

schundler

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 3,640

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anacardo

I disagree with this pretty strongly, and moreover, I don't believe this is congruent with Socratic recognition of personal ignorance in a productive way.

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05-12-2008 , 03:46 PM

#15

Qwijibo

grinder

Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 455

Are you really expecting different responses from this forum?

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05-12-2008 , 03:58 PM

#16

nath

the second coming of the second coming

Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 68,701

"Whoever can see through all fear
Will always be safe."

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05-12-2008 , 04:12 PM

#17

Tapow Dayok

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,121

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taso

yesss, another thread where the atheists and religious people do battle! Don't worry atheists, the Christians will always forgive you.

[x] Atheists in this thread
[ ] Vocal Christians in this thread
[ ] Desire for Christian forgiveness

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05-12-2008 , 04:15 PM

#18

Not_In_My_Name

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I'm a fairly devout Christian and I've always thought God-fearing was a kind of odd phrase since from my understanding fear doesn't have much to do with it - more respect and belief.

Last edited by Not_In_My_Name; 05-12-2008 at 04:25 PM.

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05-12-2008 , 04:30 PM

#19

4_2_it

Preventer

Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 24,744

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

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05-12-2008 , 04:54 PM

#20

A_C_Slater

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Admitting that what happens after death is a complete and total ****** mystery is the axis from which all true wisdom comes. Anything or any claim otherwise is hopeful thinking or someone trying to sell you something.

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05-12-2008 , 05:27 PM

#21

CrayZee

veteran

Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,700

GF: Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom??
BF: Yup.

Standard line.

Edit: Does you gf believe this or just the school?

Last edited by CrayZee; 05-12-2008 at 05:40 PM. Reason: Spazz Trolling. Sorriez cyber net.

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05-12-2008 , 05:50 PM

#22

CrayZee

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Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,700

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anacardo

If you're not down with that, consider reformulating as: wisdom begins with the acknowledgment of one's own profound limitations as a flawed, fallible, mortal creature.

How is that the same as the OP title? That's like 2x as good, at least.

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05-12-2008 , 05:54 PM

#23

kerowo

lolcat

Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 37,190

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05-12-2008 , 07:16 PM

#24

Anacardo

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Quote:

Originally Posted by CrayZee

How is that the same as the OP title? That's like 2x as good, at least.

It's all the same, if you just toss in the existence of God. DUCY?

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05-12-2008 , 07:22 PM

#25

Claunchy

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Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 10,758

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anacardo

It's all the same, if you just toss in the existence of God. DUCY?

Yeah, but these are 20-something dudes on the internet. The mere mention of God sends them into a frenzy.

WHY DO U NEED GOD TO KNOW UR NOT PERFECT? HUH?

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