What is so Wrong with the word, "Mysticism?"

[dakota190]

floatingaxe,

you said it for me. i couldn't think of any good things to add, so i am here to be a witness to your stance and explanation.

[Iryssa]

To me, the word, "mysticism" conjures up thoughts of the occult and eastern religions. I beleive that is mostly what people mean when they use it. I steer very clear of the word, or anything that is described with that term.

I guess this sort of thing must vary a great deal by the people you tend to talk to. Where I live, it's mostly used in the sense of a style of beliefs, not a set (as rtwo so aptly described it). I live in a Bible College town, though...most of the people I spend time with are Bible College students, graduates, or professors.

The first thing that's always come first to my mind when I've heard the word "mystic"--even before I went to Bible College, even before I became a Christian--is an old guy in ancient robes, praying, in a room lit only by a single candle...sometimes there's gregorian chant-style music in the background. I must've read a story about something like that when I was young, but that's what pops into my head.

Me too, and I don't like it. Gives me the creeps.

What's so creepy about the old guy praying? I like the ancient robes and gregorian chants because I've always been kinda fascinated by history, ancient things in general, and the monastic lifestyle...and I love gregorian chant music because it feels like cathedrals made of ancient stones and stained glass, filled with the smell of incense and candles (you can imagine how much I loved the old cathedrals in and around Paris).

[Floatingaxe]

To me, the word, "mysticism" conjures up thoughts of the occult and eastern religions. I beleive that is mostly what people mean when they use it. I steer very clear of the word, or anything that is described with that term.

I guess this sort of thing must vary a great deal by the people you tend to talk to. Where I live, it's mostly used in the sense of a style of beliefs, not a set (as rtwo so aptly described it). I live in a Bible College town, though...most of the people I spend time with are Bible College students, graduates, or professors.

The first thing that's always come first to my mind when I've heard the word "mystic"--even before I went to Bible College, even before I became a Christian--is an old guy in ancient robes, praying, in a room lit only by a single candle...sometimes there's gregorian chant-style music in the background. I must've read a story about something like that when I was young, but that's what pops into my head.

Me too, and I don't like it. Gives me the creeps.

What's so creepy about the old guy praying? I like the ancient robes and gregorian chants because I've always been kinda fascinated by history, ancient things in general, and the monastic lifestyle...and I love gregorian chant music because it feels like cathedrals made of ancient stones and stained glass, filled with the smell of incense and candles (you can imagine how much I loved the old cathedrals in and around Paris).

That's fine. I am not used to the trappings of religion--old cathedrals, candles, etc.

[Iryssa]

Gotcha...I kinda like them. I know prayer doesn't depend on mood, and that we should be in constant prayer...but I find prayer absolutely flows through me in those environments. It puts me in a place where it's actually easy for me to listen to God and to pray. I guess it's just one of those things that some people experience differently.

[Scarletprayers]

To me, the word, "mysticism" conjures up thoughts of the occult and eastern religions. I beleive that is mostly what people mean when they use it. I steer very clear of the word, or anything that is described with that term.

I guess this sort of thing must vary a great deal by the people you tend to talk to. Where I live, it's mostly used in the sense of a style of beliefs, not a set (as rtwo so aptly described it). I live in a Bible College town, though...most of the people I spend time with are Bible College students, graduates, or professors.

The first thing that's always come first to my mind when I've heard the word "mystic"--even before I went to Bible College, even before I became a Christian--is an old guy in ancient robes, praying, in a room lit only by a single candle...sometimes there's gregorian chant-style music in the background. I must've read a story about something like that when I was young, but that's what pops into my head.

Me too, and I don't like it. Gives me the creeps.

What's so creepy about the old guy praying? I like the ancient robes and gregorian chants because I've always been kinda fascinated by history, ancient things in general, and the monastic lifestyle...and I love gregorian chant music because it feels like cathedrals made of ancient stones and stained glass, filled with the smell of incense and candles (you can imagine how much I loved the old cathedrals in and around Paris).

I'm with you, I would love visit the ancient cathedrals and see all the beautiful windows and carvings!

[Floatingaxe]

Gotcha...I kinda like them. I know prayer doesn't depend on mood, and that we should be in constant prayer...but I find prayer absolutely flows through me in those environments. It puts me in a place where it's actually easy for me to listen to God and to pray. I guess it's just one of those things that some people experience differently.

Yep! Jesus told us to pray in a closet! I am happy there!

[Scarletprayers]

Gotcha...I kinda like them. I know prayer doesn't depend on mood, and that we should be in constant prayer...but I find prayer absolutely flows through me in those environments. It puts me in a place where it's actually easy for me to listen to God and to pray. I guess it's just one of those things that some people experience differently.

Yep! Jesus told us to pray in a closet! I am happy there!

FA, we can pray anywhere, and I do, and I bet you do to!

[Iryssa]

Gotcha...I kinda like them. I know prayer doesn't depend on mood, and that we should be in constant prayer...but I find prayer absolutely flows through me in those environments. It puts me in a place where it's actually easy for me to listen to God and to pray. I guess it's just one of those things that some people experience differently.

Yep! Jesus told us to pray in a closet! I am happy there!

I don't fit into any of our closets

[Floatingaxe]

Gotcha...I kinda like them. I know prayer doesn't depend on mood, and that we should be in constant prayer...but I find prayer absolutely flows through me in those environments. It puts me in a place where it's actually easy for me to listen to God and to pray. I guess it's just one of those things that some people experience differently.

Yep! Jesus told us to pray in a closet! I am happy there!

I don't fit into any of our closets