for Alternative Bushido2/8/2005 c1 lonewoulf
it's really about time someone made this connection. It's brief, but gets the point across (though theres more). As a Japanese Christian (who very much admires bushido) I give it 2 thumbs up.
it's really about time someone made this connection. It's brief, but gets the point across (though theres more). As a Japanese Christian (who very much admires bushido) I give it 2 thumbs up.
1/20/2005 c1 
9Michael Gerard
That was ... wow. Awesome how you've linked history of the samurai to christianity. personally i've hit a religious dilemma only recently, and still don't really know whether or not I believe in God. But what you've done here is fantastic and has induced new hope into me. Thank you.
9Michael GerardThat was ... wow. Awesome how you've linked history of the samurai to christianity. personally i've hit a religious dilemma only recently, and still don't really know whether or not I believe in God. But what you've done here is fantastic and has induced new hope into me. Thank you.
1/1/2005 c1 6Green Beret
nice comparison there. i hope i went into reading this one with an open mind, because i tried to.
good history like the guy said before, and i cant really comment on the theology. what i can do, i say very well done for making the comparison. as someone who is really not sure where he stands religiously, i find it very impressive that you can make these links between religion and history.
well done, thanks for reviewing graveyard shift.
6Green Beretnice comparison there. i hope i went into reading this one with an open mind, because i tried to.
good history like the guy said before, and i cant really comment on the theology. what i can do, i say very well done for making the comparison. as someone who is really not sure where he stands religiously, i find it very impressive that you can make these links between religion and history.
well done, thanks for reviewing graveyard shift.
12/30/2004 c1 58Chris Taylor
ok, as a man who (i believe) has an open mind, this didnt really say much, other than (and please correct me if i'm wrong) that we should die for our god, er, always follow the bible. now dont get me wrong, if that's your thing, go right ahead and do that. but i personaly believe that people should follow their CONCIEONCE (probably not spelled right :S) instead of just some book. the things that happened in the bible probably DID happen, but as for God... i still dont think so. (p.s., i'm a canadian athiest, so if this IS the wrong impression, then i'm sorry). It was pretty interesting though, always wanted to know a little bit of history about the samourai's. thanks dude.
Peace and Chicken Grease
58Chris Taylorok, as a man who (i believe) has an open mind, this didnt really say much, other than (and please correct me if i'm wrong) that we should die for our god, er, always follow the bible. now dont get me wrong, if that's your thing, go right ahead and do that. but i personaly believe that people should follow their CONCIEONCE (probably not spelled right :S) instead of just some book. the things that happened in the bible probably DID happen, but as for God... i still dont think so. (p.s., i'm a canadian athiest, so if this IS the wrong impression, then i'm sorry). It was pretty interesting though, always wanted to know a little bit of history about the samourai's. thanks dude.
Peace and Chicken Grease
12/27/2004 c1 14Carrollesque
Excellently accurate history, but shaky theology. A minor point is that you might want to fact-check if Samurai's had to be born into a Samurai family. I'm pretty sure this isn't true.About your theology. Very interesting, and yet incredibly sparse. Left me with a lot of questions. Your point still eludes me in your comparison of Christians to Samurai's. Also, your original point about honor seems to fall by the wayside. You explain in clear terms why many chrisitans are willing to sacrifice their lives, but the rest is very foggy.One last thing, lose the whole ABC thing. You don't have to justify yourself to your readers.This review may seem kind of pessimistic, but honestly, I thuroghly enjoyed it, and would like to see it become better.
14CarrollesqueExcellently accurate history, but shaky theology. A minor point is that you might want to fact-check if Samurai's had to be born into a Samurai family. I'm pretty sure this isn't true.About your theology. Very interesting, and yet incredibly sparse. Left me with a lot of questions. Your point still eludes me in your comparison of Christians to Samurai's. Also, your original point about honor seems to fall by the wayside. You explain in clear terms why many chrisitans are willing to sacrifice their lives, but the rest is very foggy.One last thing, lose the whole ABC thing. You don't have to justify yourself to your readers.This review may seem kind of pessimistic, but honestly, I thuroghly enjoyed it, and would like to see it become better.
12/26/2004 c1 3Undeserving316
Very interesting, I really liked this.
Best Skeptic, I don't believe what is being said is that we can't ever question our faith. Many people question things from time to time, heck famous people in the Bible have questioned things, but I believe what was being stated is that while God allows it, we shouldn't really doubt Him. I don't know, I can't really explain what I'm thinking, but i hope you caught somewhat of the drift.
And Ryu The Magi, i also don't believe that what was being said was meant to come across as a do this or you'll be punished thing. The essay was simply a comparison between Samurais who greatly loved and honored their masters and Christians who (hopefully) greatly love and honor their God. I also really doubt that the author was saying we should go out there and rage war against non-Christians, but rather that we should be ready to "fight and defend" our God against the attacks satan throws. Afterall, I remember reading in the Bible of how we're to take up the armor of God and fight for our faith (not a direct quote of course), so the comparison was very well done. I honestly can't name the book in which the verse I mentioned was written, but I'm pretty sure it's in there. Anyway, i just figured I'd express my own opinion in here...yeah. I hope I didn't offend anyone in anyway by this, but if I did then I apoligize. God bless!
~Undeserving316~
3Undeserving316Very interesting, I really liked this.
Best Skeptic, I don't believe what is being said is that we can't ever question our faith. Many people question things from time to time, heck famous people in the Bible have questioned things, but I believe what was being stated is that while God allows it, we shouldn't really doubt Him. I don't know, I can't really explain what I'm thinking, but i hope you caught somewhat of the drift.
And Ryu The Magi, i also don't believe that what was being said was meant to come across as a do this or you'll be punished thing. The essay was simply a comparison between Samurais who greatly loved and honored their masters and Christians who (hopefully) greatly love and honor their God. I also really doubt that the author was saying we should go out there and rage war against non-Christians, but rather that we should be ready to "fight and defend" our God against the attacks satan throws. Afterall, I remember reading in the Bible of how we're to take up the armor of God and fight for our faith (not a direct quote of course), so the comparison was very well done. I honestly can't name the book in which the verse I mentioned was written, but I'm pretty sure it's in there. Anyway, i just figured I'd express my own opinion in here...yeah. I hope I didn't offend anyone in anyway by this, but if I did then I apoligize. God bless!
~Undeserving316~
12/25/2004 c1 Amaranth of Grey
Ah, yes, now that is a fascinating perspective. I have not heard of such an alagory. I like it. There are many alagorys you hear in Christianity, do not get me wrong, I like them. But seldom do I do I hear any about honor. I liked your essay, (would this qualify as an essay? I don't know, but nice work none the less.)
Ah, yes, now that is a fascinating perspective. I have not heard of such an alagory. I like it. There are many alagorys you hear in Christianity, do not get me wrong, I like them. But seldom do I do I hear any about honor. I liked your essay, (would this qualify as an essay? I don't know, but nice work none the less.)
12/23/2004 c1 A Samurai of Christ
Excellently written! I really enjoyed the comparison and essay, fantastic job!
Excellently written! I really enjoyed the comparison and essay, fantastic job!
12/21/2004 c1 RyuTheMagi
*sigh* It saddens me that so many view God in this way. God is the most beautiful being in the universe (and beyond), but the fact that you call use "warriors of god" is rediculos. I refuse to believe in a God who wants us to be his warriors. I want peace, not war.
I refuse to believe in a God who wants perfection and obedience from creatures he crated imperfect and individual. If he wanted us to obey him without question, we would not have free will. Christans (and Jews, and Muslims) all believe god says "do good" and yes, he does. its the last part "Do good, OR ELSE" that bothers me. When you do a kind act out of fear of the consequences if you dont its not a kind act at all. Its sort of like when a teacher has you write a sorry letter to another student. Your not really sorry, but you have no choice.
This is in no way a flame, and i respect you views. I was just giving you mine. And yes, i have read the bible. Reading the bible is what made me decide i dident like the concept of a religion based on Divine Child Abuse.
Peace to u -RyuTheMagi
*sigh* It saddens me that so many view God in this way. God is the most beautiful being in the universe (and beyond), but the fact that you call use "warriors of god" is rediculos. I refuse to believe in a God who wants us to be his warriors. I want peace, not war.
I refuse to believe in a God who wants perfection and obedience from creatures he crated imperfect and individual. If he wanted us to obey him without question, we would not have free will. Christans (and Jews, and Muslims) all believe god says "do good" and yes, he does. its the last part "Do good, OR ELSE" that bothers me. When you do a kind act out of fear of the consequences if you dont its not a kind act at all. Its sort of like when a teacher has you write a sorry letter to another student. Your not really sorry, but you have no choice.
This is in no way a flame, and i respect you views. I was just giving you mine. And yes, i have read the bible. Reading the bible is what made me decide i dident like the concept of a religion based on Divine Child Abuse.
Peace to u -RyuTheMagi
12/19/2004 c1 26BestSkeptic
Would not it be considered an unattractive aspect of a religion to never question its ideas?
26BestSkepticWould not it be considered an unattractive aspect of a religion to never question its ideas?