Nostr notes by Dominic ♰

Hi Tom, thank you for your reply. I can see how offering to pray ...

2026-10-22T13:30:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…2q9e
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Hi Tom, thank you for your reply. I can see how offering to pray could be seen as condescending. That is not the heart of why I would offer it to you or anyone. Truthfully, I don't know anyone's beliefs until they tell me. I know others might be unwilling to be a part of it. Still, I appreciate your answer.

I would ask "Would it be OK?" and allow you to decide if that is ok in the situation. I don't think I"m better than or speaking down to those I pray for. It's the opposite, it would be to lift them up, and serve them, but that is a different topic maybe for later.

As for the questions about if I think the entire Bible is literal truth, I ask myself, "Do I really believe all the parts? From Genesis to Revelations? Even the hard parts like how this miracle was recorded or how animal fit in the Noah's ark? How God allowed Sodom and Gomorrah to be judged? How God the Father was crush His Own Son for my sins? How Jesus resurrected?" The short answer is yes. Why? That is a long story I'm still on a journey of faith.

About the part of metaphorical? yes, because Jesus spoke in Parables. Also, in Revelations, there are visions and the angel explains the John the meaning of the horses and lots of symbols. It's difficult but also parts are easy. For example, why people were blaspheming God, even though God was punishing them? I get it 100% because I did the same thing. I blamed God and turned against God even more for a while. It's relatable to me and I see myself in those who once were God-haters. I do believe in that too. It's 10:22pm right now Thursday night. I might sleep soon Tom, but I like talking with. I like talking about my faith too. It's not because I want to convert you, it's making me realize what I believe and why? Atheists are not the ones I"m afraid of. I have questions and doubts and sometimes deny things too, but I think I'm learning how to be honest and choose which God, or man to follow. I am not going to follow me, as if I'm the authority. I have experience but it's fallible. I honestly know only Jesus has the truth and best love and answers to anything including how to be a faithful husband, how to not be self-righteous. Regarding clergy being corrupt, that part is relatable too, because once someone starts their journey of faith, they could be put in positions of service (clergy) and then be tempted (as lucifer was) to be the top, prideful, and try to over throw God (as some have tried to oust another in the name of faith), so I am going to keep my eyes for false teaching and false prophets, because I don't want to be duped and I also do not want to be self-deceived and I don't want to deceive anyone, even a child. They have trust inside them and to lie and hurt a child is totally wrong and Jesus preached against that too in Matthew 18 when he talked about if anyone leads of of these little ones into sin it would be better for that person to be tied with a stone and thrown off into a cliff. So that is how I live, in fear of God, but I also love God. He is the One who truly sees me, and gets me, even my wife and I don't truly see or get each other, but God knows her and God knows me and when we trust each other, we surrender to him, it will work out. Either, I'll be disciplined or humbled or taken care of or something else. Well, I can't think of any questions right now, but if you want me to ask you some or if you have some for me, I'm open and hopefully will respond in a day hopefully.

. Thank you for answering if you would have joined the ...

2026-10-17T13:30:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…tq3s
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. Thank you for answering if you would have joined the Christianity subreddit. Ok, I will ask questions soon. I have a lot of assumptions truthfully but would like to hear from a real person and not think my own.

I understand there are con artists out there. It makes me sick. In my view these are "false prophets" who claim to be good and holy while making themselves rich and hurt others. I'm very against that, although I understand that it is possible how others might see me and others like me, as a con-artist. I'm not going to defend that is how others want to see me. But there is truth, wherever I have lied once, I would agree that I did intend to deceive and I have lied before. I think that should be said if we are going to have a real and genuine honest discussion.

On the topic of good people trying to save others, I agree, there are people saying that Jesus' saves and I also believe it, however here is where I differ, I'm not Jesus, just someone who trusts in Him. I do believe that Jesus saves and also believes that I don't save. In fact, when I look deep within me, it's dark, lonely and toxic. Therefore, I can't save myself or my wife or children. I'm very much human, flawed, and many other character defects. I also have anxiety and other things. So when I hear others perceive me as trying to save someone, ...I can only think they don't know me or understand my message, how I think and who I'm about. . Actually, the only message I have is my own experience, strength and hope. I have learned there is a thing called codependency where one tries to save others. Considering a damsel in distress scenario I have played the role of trying to save another woman, truthfully, I fell on my face. My wife and other women I have never saved but my codependency lied to me telling me that she needed my help and my whatever. I was dead wrong there. So yes, good people (I am not good) might try to save (really codependency) then learn later they were actually making the other I to a god/goddess type of a figure. Thus, it's a belief and deep rooted emotional tie to someone. So I realized that and I don't try to save any women. Even when sharing my story or faith, I realize they also have their own issues and to put a burden on them trying to fulfill some kind of goddess role to me, is unrealistic and selfish of me. I also think people like me who talk about Jesus or quote Bible verses with well intentions are trying to influence and give others a voice and hope and chance to hear what Jesus has to say, in the way He said it, and let them decide for themselves if they are interested in God and His desire and His plan. There is also an issue of authority. If I work for a boss, he would want me to work and be willing to work. The pay would be money for earning a living. With Jesus, he commanded his followers to preach the word to everyone, and I am happy too, not for money, I get paid zero money, not for performance, I don't think I'm earning any cool points or "paying off debts" by what I do or who I am. I don't think others really get that but it's ok. It's not about me, I'm not going to boast. I can boast in my weakness and where there is a strength it's a gift from God. Ok, so if I may, I would like to ask you the next question, by the way, it's 10:12pm here in Japan. Here is the scenario and please tell me how you would have responded, it's a true story, not fake. This is my story. Ready? I was at work, there was a person who sneezed, I said "God bless you" he got upset and angrily told me "Don't say that" and I said, "I hope and pray you feel better" and he got really upset saying "Why? Because if you don't pray you will go to hell?"

And he walked away. I walked over to him saying "Hey I'm sorry I bothered you but I don't know how to say anything like "bless you" because I only wished good health to you. That was the interaction. More than 4 years ago. He is an atheist and I'm a Christian and now we are not like that anymore. We are friendly towards each other at work. So now you have seen one of my experiences with someone who is an atheist. How would you react if you sneeze and I said "God bless you". Would you get furious? What would be your first thoughts? Or later thoughts? Am I saying God bless you so I can get out of hell? Because that is how I was accused when my intentions were to wish good health on him, someone I work with, someone I care about. I wonder how you personally would have responded if that was you.

Please let me know if you want. But if you feel like I'm targeting you or trying to debate you, please ignore, or block me. I don't mind at all. Also, it's 10:21pm in Japan now Saturday night and I might not get back to you in a timely manner. Maybe in 24 hours on my Sunday night if that is cool with you. I would rather ask questions to you directly and not make it like you have to speak on behalf of an entire group of people. This is how I try to form friendships. Good night

Ok, well, thank you for wanting to talk. I had a lot of debates ...

2026-10-17T11:39:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…pjlt
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Ok, well, thank you for wanting to talk. I had a lot of debates on Reddit on a Christianity subreddit. I couldn't understand why athiests or others who would join a christianity subreddit to talk to Christians or discuss Christianity things, so why would they do that? I have guesses and opinions but if you are an athiest, I think it's better to get your opinion, and not guess or have my own delutions, that is why question to you for now. Also, I'm in Japan time zone, this is my own Mastodon instance, and your on a different instance, I'm just glad we can talk on the fediverse. Also, just you know a little about me. I was raised as a Christian, but I left God many times to do lots of things I'm not proud of. I have a wife and three children, two cats, and on bird. I work in It and live in Japan so it's 8:38pm right now. Anways, that is me, so if you want to ask me things, I am open to it. I can't understand emotions and tones in text, but will do my best to assume that you are speaking in good faith with me.

Hi Tom, I'm a Christian and I wonder if you are ok to talk ...

2026-10-17T11:27:18Z

In reply to nevent1q…zkc4
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Hi Tom, I'm a Christian and I wonder if you are ok to talk with me. I don't plan to convert you or argue with you. I hope we can talk if you wish here on the fediverse.