@NotLooking2Play Another really good one of is indeed The Screwtape Letters, or his lessons on evil. Mind you, take your time with that one. It's dense in Christian philosophy. One favourite quote is: “Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one--the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts…”

@val70 I am really enjoying this book, but you are right about taking your time. I find myself needing to read and reread, and sometimes even re-reread, to really gain a good understanding of what I am reading. So, far, it has been a really wonderful book, though, and well worth the effort to understand what I am reading.🙂

@val70 life is viewed as a journey or a test, not in a punitive sense, but as a spiritual formation process where challenges (trials, suffering, temptations) serve to develop faith, virtue, love for God, and dependence on Him, preparing us for eternity and purifying our souls, with Jesus's own testing as the model for overcoming. These tests reveal our character and strengthen our resolve, helping us grow closer to God and become more like Christ.

@val70 anyway i cant deal with protestanism mental gymnastics

@RisingMorningStar7 Life is something completely different to what there will be afterwards. Only by acceptance that life is here and now to live, well, that's only way to further oneself. Does one need to accept suffering? No, because one needs to stay whole for what's important. Love God and thy neighbour. It's never about yourself but your conduct towards others. The issue about rich people isn't one about them being rich but them not spending enough time to the needy