WWW.RIDESIDE.NET

Posted by rladew on 2005-06-21 21:23:39 +0000

sounds like the guy who sits in back of me... _______________________________

Posted by tgl on 2005-06-21 23:46:56 +0000

Funny, _I'm_ an awesome, holy, man.

Posted by Frederick the Younger on 2005-06-24 14:43:07 +0000

Dude, that's awesome. See, even the inarticulate can find inner joy through worship. Was that guy drunk? I don't know about you lrf, but I am flattered to be a topic of conversation from so fine a lady as pamsterdam. FtY of the OD P.s. - If any of you want more information regarding Opus Dei, please contact me at info@opusdei.org or iheartescriva@opusdei.org

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 14:50:24 +0000

He might have been drunk on the love of Jesus. Or even the metaphorical blood of Jesus. Regardless, he made my day. On a completely serious note, FtY, you are right - one does not need to be well dressed or well heeled or well spoken or well educated to find great joy in spirituality. In its purest form, spirituality equalises all humanity, do you agree?

Posted by Frederick the Younger on 2005-06-24 14:58:06 +0000

Despite my comedic/snide comment in the above post, I do not doubt the man's sincerity, or more importantly his unbridled joy. Ask yourself, what inspired that state? Was he a step away from speaking in tongues? As a recruiter for OD, I do not discriminate in a base manner; just on merit of spirit and a willingness to hear the word of God. "...God is calling you to serve Him in and from the ordinary, material, and secular activities of human life. He waits for us every day in the laboratory, in the operating theater, in the army barracks, in the university chair, in the factory, in the workshop, in the fields, in the home and in the immense panorama of work. Understand this well: there is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it" - Msgr. Escriva at a homily given at the University of Navarre, October 8, 1967

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 15:06:32 +0000

The final sentence of the homily you quote is especially beautiful: [i]Understand this well: there is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, and it is up to each one of you to discover it.[/i] I have the utmost respect for people of all faiths, FtY, and it seems you do as well. Is the OD as secretive as I understand it to be? Would you be willing to lay out for the RSD the down-low (DL) on the OD, as it differs from what is commonly known about Catholicism?

Posted by Frederick the Younger on 2005-06-24 15:26:09 +0000

Opus Dei is not secretive at all, IMO. Almost all of our beliefs, goals, and even infrastructure can be found on the web... can all organizations claim the same? One important note: most of us, say 95%, are not clergy... just proud worshippers... and we ARE Catholic!!!! LOL All in all, Opus Dei is a really good method for any CATHOLIC Christian to know their Faith more fully, to create a concrete strategy for Christianizing the world and to build up the kingdom of God via ALL members of the Church, LAY and clergy. As it is more cerebral and intellectual, it may not attract everyone just as the Cursillo and Charismatic Movements are not for everyone either. It is fully legitimate and fully recognized by the Church, from the Roman Pontiff on down. All I can say is to check it out by attending a day of recollection, make a retreat or talk to some members of Opus Dei to see if it is for YOU. Read Msgr. Escriva's monumental work, "THE WAY" and see if it helps you in developing a spirituality; a plan of life. If not, at least it won't be a waste of time by any means. Everyone walks away with something from that book, I swear... Please, don't gather your information about Opus Dei from Mr. Daniel Brown... I actually liked the books, but they are FICTION (and honestly not very precise regarding our organization). Help this helps a little. Anyone care to attend a meeting in Boston? I know the New Interest Leader (NIL rep) for your area... very nice gal. And it's free! And a free lunch! Grgrghagrar... free lunch (homer-ization/Simpsons)

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 15:50:04 +0000

FtY, I'm getting kicked out of my office building and will respond properly either after dinner tonight or sometime tomorrow, I promise. I can tell you now, though, that as sweet as your offer is - I will never commit to any one faith. I was raised Baptist by an Anglican and a (half-Jewish) Methodist and left the church at the age of 16, never to return. I have friends who are Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Catholic, Protestant of various persuasions, agnostic, Wiccan, and atheist, and I love & respect them all and I'm absolutely sure that they're all following the right path. OK, I have to run, I'll write again soon. x PS - Yes, I know OD is Catholic. :)

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 17:20:29 +0000

OK, sushi has been inhaled and I am now prepared to return to this exchange. So, when you say "Opus Dei is a really good method for any CATHOLIC Christian to ... create a concrete strategy for Christianizing the world and to build up the kingdom of God via ALL members of the Church," that reminds me a bit (just a bit) of the Morman faith's goal of baptising every person ever born (posthumously if necessary) as a Morman, in order to secure their place in heaven. Now, I realise that this isn't quite what you meant by that phrasing, can I ask what you do mean by it? Is Opus Dei, then, evangelical Catholicism? Would that be an accurate interpretation? I have to say that the invitation to meet with a NIL rep also has the scent of evangelism about it. I'm interested in how overall Catholicism differs from the Catholicism of OD members, especially regarding the way in which an OD Catholic relates to his/her faith and God as opposed to how, for example, a run-of-the-mill Roman Catholic does. I admit that before reading [i]that book[/i], I hadn't really heard of Opus Dei, nor have I heard much about the OD outside of those pages. I could read the website link, but I have to say that I'm more interested in individuals (such as yourself) than I am in organisations when it comes to matters of faith. Do you believe that belief in Christ is the only path to God?

Posted by Frederick the Younger on 2005-06-24 17:51:36 +0000

Many roads lead to the same place. I choose the path best for me. I want to share my discovery & joy with the greater world. With that pure knowledge, there is nothing that can stop me. I think America is the most amusing nation with regards to it's conditional beliefs (keep in mind, I am originally from the States). I must away for the evening, but I will post more on this. Warmest Regards and God's Light, Frederick (and, Sincere Apolgies to anyone that might view my posting as trolling, religious prattle or offensive material... is not intended as such... I post on other boards as well and have had mixed reviews)

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 17:56:18 +0000

FtY, don't worry abou being seen as trolling - I asked you to chat about it and you submitted to my request. I thank you for that. I'm still interested, now in what you say about America's conditional religious beliefs. I agree wholeheartedly with you re: "Many roads lead to the same place," and I'm glad that you found a path that feels right for you. Where are you, then, if you're not in the US? Are we *gasp* living on the same continent?

Posted by frame609 on 2005-06-24 18:16:21 +0000

Posted by tgl on 2005-06-24 18:37:03 +0000

My head is spinning here. I need to re-read FtY's contributions to this board. Thought (he) was an insider. Still think it might be pamsterdam.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 18:40:22 +0000

Um, yeah. Truth is, I still don't know if s/he's kidding. I went into it thinking, "Hey, I'll play it straight as see if FtY reveals him/herself through an utter lack of research on his/her chosen second personality." And... um... maybe FtY is just FtY. Or maybe G is laughing her ass off right now. Or Ed. Or... Mike?

Posted by frame609 on 2005-06-24 18:48:19 +0000

I'm always under indictment as being the fake account king. Very flattering, but it's not me.

Posted by G lib on 2005-06-24 18:48:48 +0000

My guess is that the entire list of 'online users' is lurking around, waiting for FtY to come out of the closet by either slipping up or getting outrageously out of control. . F the Y, You win! Tell us who you are... ________________ --Feminazi

Posted by frame609 on 2005-06-24 18:49:02 +0000

I don't see Rory or BQ's name on the roster right now....

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 18:51:41 +0000

It is Rory's sense of humor, if it is a joke. I also thought that maybe it could be a female who shares that same sense of humor...

Posted by frame609 on 2005-06-24 18:53:00 +0000

....and where's the Bix?

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 18:55:10 +0000

I also was suspecting Randy, since clicking on FtY's e-mail address yields a firstnamelastname-at-yahoo address, and said firstnamelastname also comes up (on a Google search) as belonging to someone who contributes to [url=http://www.epicadv.com/default.asp]this[/url] online community. D&D, anyone?

Posted by tgl on 2005-06-24 18:55:59 +0000

One could always email him. Straight off of gang members.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2005-06-24 19:00:05 +0000

I don't think FtY is G, however I do think she is a librarian.

Posted by frame609 on 2005-06-24 19:01:33 +0000

Our very own Deep Throat.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 19:01:55 +0000

Then why is "her" e-mail name coming up on a Massachusetts role-playing website? Hm... Biz3K has surfaced.

Posted by dawnbixtler on 2005-06-24 19:03:43 +0000

Not a deep voice per se, but I would describe it as quiet. Certainly quieter than Rory's....

Posted by G lib on 2005-06-24 19:05:21 +0000

Honar? What makes you think that, 10D? ________________ --Feminazi

Posted by G lib on 2005-06-24 19:06:18 +0000

No offense, but having a quieter voice than Rory wouldn't take very much... ________________ --Feminazi

Posted by Rory_Stark on 2005-06-24 19:14:44 +0000

I learned it from Rollins.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2005-06-24 19:16:53 +0000

Process of elimination, and then a guess... kinda like the way I play Clue. Maybe she's Miss Scarlet.

Posted by tgl on 2005-06-24 19:18:34 +0000

Sir, I know BizQuig3K, and he is no role-player. Yeah... I've got a level 7 elven wizard sitting in my satchel back home. A Randy Nanigan connection, I'm sure. Worcester. Wait, do _I_ know a Daryn?

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 19:23:20 +0000

Yeah, Randy's written all over this, I reckon.

Posted by pamsterdam on 2005-06-24 19:25:54 +0000

From the role-playing website: Contact Information President: Matthew Pearson Vice-President: Brian Torsey Vice-President: Dr. Adam Elbirt Volta Campaign Manager: Matt Pearson Myanthea Campaign Manager: Michelle Stutzman War of Ages Campaign Manager: Damien Smith Blood Lines Campaign Manager: Doug Gaskell Epic Adventures LLC Shrewsbury MA

Posted by tgl on 2005-06-24 19:52:05 +0000

Kinda like how I play bridge. 6 NT!

Posted by rladew on 2005-06-24 19:55:24 +0000

I'm always surprised when someone who I otherwise think is funny, smart, and well-written admits to liking Rollins' spoken word, having read his books, and how powerful his work is and how much it means to them. _______________________________

Posted by Rideside Ref on 2005-06-24 19:57:57 +0000

Posted by G lib on 2005-06-24 20:01:35 +0000

I'm flattered, but it's not me... ________________ --Feminazi

Posted by Honar the librarian on 2005-06-24 20:18:43 +0000

Did I ever tell you about that time I cataloged the book where Opus Dei was like the new [url=http://lms01.harvard.edu/F/C9GITQREE7YDS985QLQLY4JU6HY7EPQGTJHA46Q56MVMX5HABC-03084?func=full-set-set&set_number=163425&set_entry=000001&format=999]Elders of Zion[/url]?

Posted by tgl on 2005-06-24 21:06:07 +0000

I learned it from watching you.

Posted by G lib on 2005-07-07 21:01:11 +0000

I learned it from watching you. Priceless, TGL. ________________ --Feminazi