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Betty wondered, “I don’t know why the materialists haven’t figured this out yet”

Spirited: The answer to Betty’s question points to the reality of man’s fallen state, what Christianity calls sin.
For many materialists-—perhaps the greater percentage— the answer is: “Pride of Mind.” For others it is both “Pride of Mind and Pride of Flesh.”

For a smaller yet profoundly significant few, it’s what Voegelin called the ‘gnostic spiritual disease,’ which at its most extreme, is such complete rebellion against the Father that there is refusal to even be “in His image.” Karl Marx is one primary example of this disease; today’s Transhumanists are another. Here we see a longing to escape the hated ‘meat machine,’ even if escape means somehow transferring one’s ‘essence’ to machines.

“Vain fantasies” is but one way in which God summarizes these philosophies.

Thank you so very much for sharing your insights, dear spirited irish!

Truly I suspect some of those suffering from the spiritual disease were given over to illness because they realized that God IS and willfully chose to worship the creature instead of the Creator.

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.– Romans 1:20-32

To God be the glory!

[ “Pride of Mind and Pride of Flesh.”(sin) ]

Some identify with the flesh, some identify with the spirit.. yet others with the Spirit..
Tied up in identity are the roots of who you are..

Little wonder, "You MUST be born again"- Jesus..
Its not about what you believe but Whom you Are that counts..

Jesus came to make a family.. some family members think screwy things.
Unless they are indoctrinated and dogmatized.. i.e. John ch 10..