The Resurrection: An Electrifying Moment

The question whether the resurrection of Christ was as a spirit or with a physical body might be perplexing. What does it matter? It certainly matters to others who have commented on this blog in different ways. Perhaps one view is easier to believe than the other. I'm not sure that is it. But I am also not sure as to why individual people feel answering this question is so important. Whatever your reasons, why not set aside the squabbles as to who is right? Why not share to help each other rather than argue over differences?

For myself, believing in a physical resurrection makes the whole idea more real. Maybe it does seem like science fiction to some. I say it’s true. I don’t have empirical evidence, but I believe it enough to live as if I did have that empirical evidence. This is why I find family history important, if we are going to be together in our life after death, then why not get to know those who have gone before—since we will one day meet them and shake their hands.

FamilyHistoryGeek
www.familyhistorygeek.com

This is one good article about the Lord Jesus Christ. The thoughts were simple but meaningful in the sense that it can hold our breath to remember the atoning sacrifice of the Son of God to give hope to mankind about the eternal plan of salvation of the Heavenly Father.

The reflection of faith can be manifested by the content of writings as it conveys the importance of acknowledging the role of the Saviour for us to overcome death which before was the ultimate destiny of a dying man in flesh.

I know that the Lord is alive! Mary Magdalene saw her as well as the early Apostles of Christ. They see Him walk, smile and lived with them for a season. Jesus is the Christ the fulfillment of the law of Moses; and we will see Him in his exalted presence.

Thanks Mike for a very enlightened views. It really pays to serve the Lord.

Mary At The Tomb -

I feel we are somewhat in agreement with your comments:-) Personally, I love that it was Mary who found the empty tomb, and who was then the first witness to the Resurrected Lord. Although, at that time, she did not have the experience of touching and feeling Him, yet...

Heather -

I am not in disagreement with your statement in regards to our Savior's plea, but I still stand by my comment as something that should be considered as well.

I believe a powerful lesson was taught for all, in that perfect cry and to whom the Savior was crying out to.... His Father!

The Savior's greatest agony was not on the cross, (and yet there is no doubt that crucifixion is a physically horrific way to die for anyone) but Mormon's believe that this greater agony, which was both physical, spiritual and mental - actually took place in the Garden of Gethsemane - where the Savior sweat great drops of blood,etc...

The Atonement of Jesus Christ was the completion on the cross - of both of these 'sufferings' which brought about the Atonement for all mankind; overcoming both death and sin in this process - and Glorifying the Father - Resurrection's Victory!

tDMg

LdsNana-AskMormon on HubPages

You must have loved Mel Gibson's snuff film.
Easter is my favourite too. Where else can you practice scape-goatism with just the right mix of ritual human sacrifice and cannablism.
Mmmm Mmmmm

I find the Ghost's first long speech to Hamlet quite electrifying, but that doesn't cause me to believe that ghosts speak in iambic pentameter, or even that they exist.

This, like the vexing fact that when you die you are dead, is one of the innumerable things that we must all eventually face, much in the way that St. Paul indicated (1 Corintthians 13:11).

Robert James:

I interpret Christ's plea to God differently. His plea was because Heavenly Father left him, as he could not bare to see the suffering of his only begotten son. It was not a plea of deliverance, as Christ had the power to command his spirit to leave his body, but rather a plea to his father to stay with him. Christ had the power to death and to stop the pain anytime he wanted to.
"Luke 23: 46
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

Not all the four apostle writings are in agreement on what transpired at the tomb that early morning.

Being a Jewish culture, I suspect that the first 'knee jerk' reaction from the men in the room, is to have Mary M. spout out scripture and probably may of said, "Be still woman." [humor] Mary M.
must had great faith in telling them.

What is interesting, why was Mary M at the tomb and so interested in this person called the Savior?

HD
www.lds.net

As a practicing Christian I consider the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross adequate to my needs, while the resurrection affronts my sense. The accounts of Christ's crucifixion are compelling and authentic. In contrast, accounts of Christ's resurrection appear sketchy and dream-like, the kinds of stories one makes up or develops from and for a yearning, bereaved community. Add in the disproportion: the resurrection posits an astounding reversal of nature, but since then 2000 years have passed without anything resembling a second act. May we consider the beauty and worth of Christianity without its supposedly central event. The standard rejoinder is that one needs faith to believe in the Resurrection. Obviously generations and millions do so believe, confirming each other like the responses on this post. I may owe believers much for enabling Bach, Michelangelo, Monteverdi, and Giotto--altogether a perpetual resurrection of sorts.

Robert James,

My dear old friend... Jesus Christ did everything in submission to the will of His Father - Who Is our Father.

I have no doubt that Jesus Christ Himself fully understood the process when He uttered those very specific and plea-ful words. Those very words that are given to inspire humility in all mankind unto Him Who Is Greater than us AL.

Jesus Christ lived a perfect Life, so that we might 'see' what perfection IS. Can we doubt that the very last words on the cross, were anything less than Perfect?

Perhaps, His very words of which you have referenced, were His Great and Last Words... so that "we" who would choose to follow Him; would know how and to Whom our cries for help should be sent Unto?

Humility was and is His Name. Let us not miss that very poignant message, powerful above all others; for those who would walk in His path - unto Salvation and ultimately overcome this world through Him.

Jesus Christ, The Master Teacher - even as He hung on the cross, or what I refer to - as The Covenant.

tDMg
LdsNana-AskMormon

LdsNana-AskMormon on HubPages

Ancient text of the Holy Bible, which has done fairly well in sales, etc... testifies of the Resurrected Jesus Christ being seen of over 500 individuals.

Please tell me of other events so great, where this many witnesses can attest to an absolute such as the Resurrected Lord?

As well... Jesus Christ testified that he had "other sheep". This testimony of the Savior's was recored by His Apostles...

Low and behold, but what should come forth today - but a witness which describes an appearance of Jesus Christ - the exact way it should come forth. Jesus Christ did show Himself to multitudes in a place referred to as Bountiful; and it was as He said it would be... Him as the Resurrected Jesus Christ.

Wow... should we not have expected that IF Jesus Christ told us specifically about these other sheep, that there was purpose in this declaration.

Mormons believe that Jesus Christ prepared the way for His people - that they would know how to recognize this record as given of Him.

There is no other recored that has come forth that even resembles the witness of Jesus Christ as the resurrected Savior and Redeemer; as does The Book of Mormon "Another" witness of Jesus Christ.

There is simply no doubt that the Lord Himself, knew what all Christians who believe in Him - would stand today in opposition of - His reality and absolute physical and spiritual resurrection.

Today, the world has ample witness which testifies of the Risen Lord; and even more of those who He has Risen in their hearts, both physically and spiritually.

These are evidences that mere man, cannot refute.

tDMg
LdsNana-AskMormon

LdsNana-AskMormon on HubPages

I was in an email discussion on Comoros Island many years ago with several LDS scholars. It was found that the info was probably not available to Joseph in his day.
Second, the Island was settled by two groups: Arabs and Polynesians. Given that the Book of Mormon has strong Arab/Middle East and Polynesian ties in it, it isn't surprising that we would find such.

There are great articles at www.fairlds.org that discuss this and other issues.

BTW, the LDS belief in Satan being a former member of the divine council is attested to by Methodist Preacher and OT scholar, Margaret Barker, who states that the ancient divine council of Gods is mentioned in Job 1, where Satan and other sons of God/El go to challenge Yahweh for supremacy.

There should be a public debate about taboo topics.

If Jesus was human then it does not diminish him. We are left with his brilliant words and his fundamental goodness which I find to be very inspiring.

I am struck by his plea to God when he was dieing on the cross. He seemed baffled that his belief had not saved him from death or pain. 'Why hast thou forsaken me?'

Yes, I believe the resurrection happened physically, because I KNOW it happened spiritually in my heart.

Blessings

http://dayofpraise.blogspot.com/

After careful analyses, it is my testimony that Jesus did not physically rise from the dead.

The non-scriptural attestation evidence is
nonexistent plus Heaven (if it it exists) is a spirit state where no physical bodies abide.

It is my testimony that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event to occur in history throughout all time... not only in Christianity, but in all the world.

From a Christian perspective, whether an individual accepts Jesus Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind is moot. Because He is and did overcome death and sin, that all men might one day be lifted from the bottomless pit of hell and enjoy eternal life... be it immortality or to actually return and have presence with God Himself.

He is Risen!

This is my testimony, which I am confident I share with million of others...

tDMg

Thank you for this message. Yes, truly, what an electrifying moment that must've been for Mary. I love your word choice, as it also describes the feeling inside of me when I came to know that Jesus is the Christ, and the only begotten son of God. I am so grateful for his sacrifice and ultimate atonement so I can live with him and my Heavenly Father again.

http://www.lds.net

Criticism stems from fear and fear is the antithesis of faith.
Many of the truths expounded by Mormonism or any other religion for that matter need to be understood spiritually and not intellectualy. This requires faith to start with.
Sadly, a contentious spirit cannot feel the the promptings of the Holy Ghost who enlightens our souls of all truth, and who bears witness of God and His Son Jesus Christ.
I find Enry James' comment quite contradictory. Quote: " But Buddhism has all of them and more, without the fairy tales that most religions engage in." after which he says: "don't consider your own fantasy life any more reliable than anyone else's."
There is no need for argument whether a physical resurrection took place or not. You will definitely know in time to come even if your faith might be insufficient for now.
For those of you who are relying on your own intellect or the intellect of scholars - my advice - humble yourselves, get on your knees and ask God for the answer. I believe you will find him infinitely more reliable.
Ever since converting from Judaism to Mormonism I believe that living the principals I have been taught in the church has greatly improved me as a person, improved me as a parent and a husband and allowed me benefits too numerous to mention. It has equipped me to raise children of good moral standing who are deeply respected for who they are. How can this be a bad or weird organization?
Why is it inconceivable to modern Christendom that the heavens could have opened and that God and Jesus Christ could have through an elected prophet restored the true church on the earth. For those who say this cannot be, how would you know this? The only way that you could know would be through revelation and that would mean that the heavens would have had to have opened again. Other than that you are merely speculating and that is not an intelligent way to evaluate anything.
By the way Enry, the Bhuddists I know are all good people and they do have a desire to do good. The Mormons I know are the same and I know many good people from different churches than mine who are great examples to me. It would be nice if we all understood each others differences and respected them.

I want to bear my testimony that I know for a surety that the resurection happened. Without the resurection we would be nothing, we would live and die and that would be the end of us.........so why would we be here? What would the purpose of us be? We are the children of God, his only begotten son was sent to this earth to take upon him our sins, to suffer and die for us so that we may have eternal life, to be able to live again with our Father in Heaven.

To strip the Passover ordinances in Exodus 12 from the Christian faith is to follow the Catholic church destroying God's word to Israel and His law for the promised land. Failure to keep Passover and keep Feast of Unleavened Bread separated you from God's people (Jesus, Abraham, holy city, etc). God calls it a memorial and ordinance forever (Ex.12:14,24).

Passover shows Jesus as Passover lamb better than anything. Children of Israel can see Jesus as the lamb, but they cannot accept Christianity until it accepts and follows God's word through the prophets. Only a false prophet was to come and do away with God's teaching. (Deut.13). Messiah was to "magnify the law and make it honorable". God's new covenant was to be sealing of His law in the people's heart, not doing away with it. Our diseases and national confusions are God's witness against us that we are not on His good side.

God has purpose in all He does and it is all to see if we will follow His word or the doctrines of men. This is the time for restoration lest we be destroyed from off the earth as God's word says, believe it or not.

Parker, Parker, Parker,

Citing a Mormon promotion site as a valid source of information is a "bit much".

Back to reality and history:

First the "pretty/ugly, wingie, flying, talking, fictional connections:

Joe Smith had his Moroni.

Jehovah Witnesses have their Jesus /Michael the archangel, the first angelic being created by God;

Mohammed had his Gabriel (this "tinkerer" got around).

Jesus and his family had Michael, Gabriel, and Satan, the latter being a modern day demon of the demented.

The Abraham-Moses myths had their Angel of Death and other "no-namers" to do their dirty work or other assorted duties.

"Latter-day Saints also believe that Michael the Archangel was Adam (the first man) when he was mortal, and Gabriel lived on the earth as Noah."

Apparently hallucinations did not stop with Joe Smith.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07049c.htm
"This belief in guardian angels can be traced throughout all antiquity; pagans, like Menander and Plutarch (cf. Euseb., "Praep. Evang.", xii), and Neo-Platonists, like Plotinus, held it. Catholic monks and Dark Age theologians also did their share of hallucinating:

"TUBUAS-A member of the group of angels who were removed from the ranks of officially recognized celestial hierarchy in 745 by a council in Rome under Pope Zachary. He was joined by Uriel, Adimus, Sabaoth, Simiel, and Raguel."

"The beginnings of the biblical belief in angels must be sought in very early folklore. The gods of the Hittites and Canaanites had their supernatural messengers, and parallels to the Old Testament stories of angels are found in Near Eastern literature. "

"The 'Magic Papyri' contain many spells to secure just such help and protection of angels. From magic traditions arose the concept of the guardian angel. "

For added information see the review at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel

Contemporary biblical and religious scholars have relegated these "pretty wingie thingies" to the myth pile. We should do the same to include deleting all references to them in our religious operating manuals.

Doing this will eliminate the prophet / profit/prophecy status of these founders and put them where they belong as simple humans just like the rest of us.

PS, CCNL and others:
Nice little article about Comoros and Moroni:
http://www.lightplanet.com/mormons/response/qa/bom_plagerize_moronicumorah.htm
Have a peaceful day, all.

PPS: I guess before I leave since I posted such a long post that I should be truthful in case anyone hadn't guessed, that months ago I "came" to On Faith because I was interested very strongly in helping in "planting missionary seeds" that may bear fruit someday, but have come away loving the articles by Brother Otterson and Sister Flake, learning much from many commenters (whether LDS, religious, or not), expanding horizons, stimulating my mind, getting amused at times, but never once finding any shred of a reason to doubt the truthfulness of the fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I could give a thousand and more reasons why. All the best to each of you.

CCNL,
Thanks for bringing up the Comoros Islands as a lead-in to a post I have been thinking about all day.

Carol,
Delighted thanks for your sweet anecdote, which I read and has been in part of my thoughts today (Easter).

'Had a wonderful Sabbath day, spent with family and friends. 'Up at 7:45, got ready for church, walked up the street to a widow neighbor's home to gather up some fruit tree branches I hadn't had time to gather up yesterday after pruning them due to a family interruption near the end of the project. (We have a special "tree limb" pickup in our city tomorrow morning.) 'Enjoyed church service with my children, one home from college for the day, my two boys involved in the church service as they with the other boys do each week, carrying the trays of small pieces of bread and small cuplets of water so each visitor/member can "partake" of the covenant of remembrance. (My boys have the privilege of representing the Aaronic Priesthood, a preparatory service-to-others calling.)

'Enjoyed the organ playing of a dear "sister" who with her retired anesthesiologist husband goes every month or so to some third world destination where medical teaching about neonatal resuscitation is so sorely needed and the doctors and nurses are so grateful for the training provided to them by these volunteer service missionaries.

'Enjoyed talks by two youth speakers who had prepared their own messages on the resurrection, and by two adults who are good friends of ours. He introduced his message by telling of how he was raised as a Catholic, was an altar boy, thought about becoming a priest, but learned about the LDS faith in high school and joined this church in college, because it answered the deep questions of his religiously inquisitive mind. It was interesting to me that he used the same passage from Kings about Elisha that I had read in a church service when I had to give a talk two weeks ago with others of my family. His wife gave a fascinating talk about how a shepherd really does do all of the things that are mentioned in the Psalm "the Lord is my Shepherd".

'Taught a Sunday School class where a couple told of how she had belonged to the dominant religion of Indonesia growing up, but had been disillusioned from it for several years now, and how grateful she was that she could once again feel trust in God and understand His plan. He told of having been raised Catholic, been an altar boy and thought about becoming a priest, but was grateful to have instead married to a wonderful woman and have two fine boys, and now to have found a church where the members really do live their religion all week, treating everyone with no barriers since we are all children of God and have common progenitors. They expressed that they felt they had been inspired to look for a home in our area, because she had been praying to be able to find a place where the people really loved each other and loved strangers in their midst not just for show but deep down.

CCNL, this same kind of day can have happened a thousand times over all over the world. We don't think a lot about Abraham (though I had a class member read one of his writings in my lesson today), and we don't think a lot about Moroni--we think about what helps our families be happy, and how we can have joy in this wonderful world. This afternoon I was up on the roof of my mother-in-law (a widow) to gather off some leaves that needed to not be left on the roof, after a nice Easter dinner together.

This life is about people helping people, not the caricatures that seem prevalent on this internet website. Mormonism answers the deep religious longing many people have. I share this because I want people like you to not harbor grudges you needn't harbor (it's bad for your health, kind sir) and realize that Mormonism is nothing like Catholicism, so when you attempt to discredit it you have no idea what you're talking about though you may think you do. It is so much deeper than your shallow thinking and shallow talk, that it is like you are yelling out of a foxhole to someone who is flying in a jet overhead and sees the big picture. Got it?

This is one of the times when the scripture "Lay not your pearls before swine." Strikes most closely home.

No resurrected Christ = No hope (sure there is),

Just what part of flawed Mormonism or Christianity don't you understand?

Mormonism- some flaws:

Moroni was a "pretty, talking, fictional thingie" or would a better description be "one of the many hallucinations seen by founders of the major religions" or " a clone of the fictional Gabriel" or "Moroni the golden hornblower", or "son of Mormon, the propheteer/profiteer", or "actually Nephi", or "good buds with John the Baptist, Peter, James, John, Moses, Elijah, and Elias all who ministered to Joseph Smith as angels" or as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angel_Moroni

"Some scholars have theorized that Smith became familiar with the name "Moroni" through his study of the treasure-hunting stories of Captain William Kidd.[2] Because Kidd was said to have buried treasure in the Comoros islands, and Moroni is the name of the capital city and largest settlement in the Comoros, it has been suggested that Smith borrowed the name of the settlement and applied it to the angel who led him to buried treasure—the golden plates. Complementing this proposal is the theory that Smith borrowed the names of the Comoros islands and applied them to hill where he found the golden plates, which he named Cumorah.[3]

To CONCERNED THE CHRISTIAN NOW LIBERATED:

Do you even understand that bunch of jibberish that you wrote?

To Enry James:

Buddhism is full of fairy tales. What are you talking about? Sure Buddhism has good teachings but it doesn't provide any way for anyone to be with their loved ones after this life.

BGone:

If you would like to read the history surrounding the origin of the notion of man's resurrection on earth its on the web at http://www.hoax-buster.org That used to be his second page. And, a demonstration of what we get when technical people get involved in democratic processes like history where what happened is determined by the vote of experts.

I went to a Mormon activity with a friend on Friday because she was singing. Anyway, the song or the spirit or something was so incredibly powerful. I cried and I'm not all that emotional.

Later she told me that it was a Gladys Knight song, and that Gladys Knight is a Mormon!

I had to find that song for Easter. "Mercy's Arms" by Gladys Knight. Lifechanging stuff for 99 cents on itunes....

great perspective from a Mother Superior; Ëvery Good Friday has an Easter

I would even say-- If you strip Christianity of the resurrection, you strip it of ALL it's hope and promise. The resurrection is the reason why Christianity even exists. Had the resurrection not occured, what exactly would be left?

Parker,

Happy Bunny Day to you since Easter did not happen!!

Can you still be a Mormon without the Resurrection? There are too many flaws in the current Mormonism to include the resurrection story.

Clean it up and see what is left historically and then redefine Mormonism.

Dear Mr Otterson

I wish you a wonderful Easter 2008!

Soja John Thaikattil
Sydney, Australia

For those who may be unaware, Kathleen Flake is also a Mormon (Latter-day Saint), and also wrote on this topic. Both essays offer personal insights and can add to an awareness of the beliefs Mormonism has in a literal, physical resurrection of Christ the Lord.

I also bear witness that He lives, the Father of our resurrection which will happen to each and every person ever born into this world. Does knowing I will be resurrected inspire me to live my life "better" than I otherwise would? Perhaps, since along with that knowledge I know that that which has gone out from me in words or deeds will define who I am forever. No living on the cheap, or just for the moment. Mistakes? Many! Grateful for Christ's atonement? Absolutely, with all of my heart and soul.

Happy Bunny Day to you since Easter did not happen!!

Can you still be a Christian without the Resurrection? There are too many flaws in the current Christian orthodoxies to include the resurrection story.

Clean it up and see what is left historically and then redefine Christianity.

Some facts:

1) From an analyses of the documents by many contemporary NT exegetes:

The Resurrection is fiction i.e. it was added to make Jesus akin to the Caesars and Greek half gods/half men.

(1a) Mark 8:31-33 = Matt 16:2l-23 = Luke 9:22, (1b) Mark 9:9b = Matt 17:9b, (1c) Mark 9:12b = Matt 17:12b, (1d) Mark 9:30-32= Matt 17:22-23 = Luke 9:43b-45, (1e) Luke 17:25, (1f) Mark 10:32-34 = Matt 20:17-19 = Luke 18:31-34, (1g) Matt 26:1-2, (1h) Mark 14:21 = Matt 26:24 = Luke 22:22, (1i) Mark 14:41= Matt 26:45b,(1j) Luke 24:7

Conclusion: Many references but only a single attestation and from the Second stratum (60-80 AD).

http://wiki.faithfutures.org/index.php/017_Resurrection_of_Jesus

2) From the course notes of a large Catholic university's graduate theology class:

"Heaven is a Spirit state (no physical bodies abide so where is the resurrected, ascended body????)
Christ's and Mary's bodies are therefore not in Heaven. For one thing, Paul in 1 Cor 15 speaks of the body of the dead as transformed into a "spiritual body." No one knows exactly what he meant by this term.

Most believe that it to mean that the personal spiritual self that survives death is in continuity with the self we were while living on earth as an embodied person.

The physical Resurrection (meaning a resuscitated corpse returning to life), Ascension (of Jesus' crucified corpse), and Assumption (Mary's
corpse) into heaven did not take place.

The Ascension symbolizes the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of the Church.

Only Luke's Gospel records it. The Assumption ties Jesus' mission to Pentecost and missionary activity of Jesus' followers The Assumption has
multiple layers of symbolism, some are related to Mary's special role as "Christ bearer" (theotokos). It does not seem fitting that Mary, the body of Jesus' Virgin-Mother (another biblically based symbol found in Luke 1) would
be derived by worms upon her death. Mary's assumption also shows God's positive regard, not only for Christ's male body, but also for female
bodies."

Amazing how this agrees with Professor Crossan and many other contemporary NT exegetes' conclusions based on attestations and stratums.

Some added thoughts:

According to Reimarus as referenced in R.B. Stewart in his introduction to the recent book, The Resurrection of Jesus, Crossan and Wright in Dialogue,

"Reimarus (1774-1779) posits that Jesus became sidetracked by embracing a political position, sought to force God's hand and that he died alone deserted by his disciples. What began as a call for repentance ended up as a misguided attempt to usher in the earthly political kingdom of God. After Jesus' failure and death, his disciples stole his body and declared his resurrection in order to maintain their financial security and ensure themselves some standing."

From: K.C. Hanson and D. E. Oakman, Palestine in the Time of Jesus, Fortress Press, 1998. p.55

"Stories circulated to the effect that Alexander of Macedonia was not only the son of Philip II, but also of the god Zeus-Ammon (Plutarch, Parallel Lives, "Alexander" 2.1-3.2); Plato was the son of Ariston and the god Apollo (Diogenes Laertius, Lives of Eminent Philosophers 3.1-2), and Augustus was the son of Octavius as well as the god Apollo (Suetonius, Lives o f the Caesars 2.4.1-7). The extraordinary character of these elites reputedly stemmed from both their divine origins and their kingroups. Their kin-groups provided one form of legitimation-political right to the throne and/or social status (thus the importance of Joseph in Matthew's genealogy). Their divine procreation provided another: their honor was divinely ascribed, and their greatness as leaders derived from divine paternity."

let me start with a point of agreement: Mike says
"To take the resurrection out of Christianity is to gut the Christian faith of much of its hope and promise."

ABSOLUTELY. And if one literally believes this story, on a level any more certain than one believes a Fairy Tale, one is engaging in fantasy or wish fulfillment.

Christianity has SOME good effects. But Buddhism has all of them and more, without the fairy tales that most religions engage in.

Base your morality on Loving Your Neighbor. Believe any science fiction stories you want, but don't kill other people based on them, and don't consider your own fantasy life any more reliable than anyone else's.