1. You feel bad.
2. You try to feel better any way you know how: usually through some behavior that fails to make you feel any better, and in fact, leaves you worse off than you were in the first place.
3. You now feel worse.
4. Repeat with step 2.

The only way to break the cycle, as you said in your closing paragraph, Dan, is to bring some truth to the party.

It’s important to note that the truth may not make you feel any better. But it does fuel a joy that transcends the emotional weather of your life.

See also Sad, But Not Unhappy for some more thoughts on living with this tension.

So, how the definition of marriage has changed in the last 30 or so years is it has gone from meaning a permanent relationship of responsibility to another person to a relationship of personal happiness and fulfillment. I think this is because children are not a necessary part of the relationship, and it is easy to abandon the relationship when one party disappointed in any way through “no fault divorce”.

Another thing that struck me in thinking about this is that God redefined the meaning of marriage. In the garden he intended for the “two to become one” I think in more ways than just coupling. The idea having roots in the Trinity; perhaps a discussion for a different time. When the law was instituted by Moses; God gave the institution of divorce because society had changed, i.e. “Because of their hardheartedness.”

Similarly, it changed throughout the story line of the bible. From the Garden, to Lemech taking 2 wives to the polygamy of the Fathers of Israel, to the gross polygamy of David and Solomon etc.

However, I do think the meaning of words do change over time. This happens all the time. The definition of marriage has changed in the last 30 years because of divorce, access to birth control and abortion. I don’t think any law, even an amendment to the constitution can stop the meaning of words from changing.

I think the fundamental problem with the world view is the idea that sin does not exist. Stuff just happens. The stuff that happens is determined by your mindset. If so, I would want to start by asking asking if they had ever been wronged. Then if others could be wronged and how much of the right mind set could prevent such things. Then what about earthquakes, floods, famines, can the right mind set prevent such things? I would try to get around to asking if the proper mind set can keep you from wronging others?

Finally I would want to present my world view of a good God who created everything, and part of that creation rebelling against him; which explains the goodness and wretchedness of man. The same God giving his son to pay for our transgressions and faith in him being who he is as being enough for us to be reunited with the real power (of/in/throughout) the universe. It probably will not deliver all your hearts desires in this life but it will realign what your heart desires bringing you ultimate joy.

However, I don’t think the command to “multiply and fill the earth” is a command for each specific follower of God, but for all of humanity collectively. From the passage in Genesis it seems a blessing for being created in the image of God. So, while I wouldn’t say this denomination is sinning; I would say they are severely misguided.

Psalm 78:1 Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
3 Which we have heard and known, And our fathers have told us.
4 We will not conceal them from their children, But tell to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, And His strength and His wondrous works that He has done.
5 For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children,
6 That the generation to come might know, even the children yet to be born, That they may arise and tell them to their children,
7 That they should put their confidence in God And not forget the works of God, But keep His commandments,
8 And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Did you happen to notice that they weren’t dancing to the music? I would venture to say that there would be many people of faith in this video who would “want to go to heaven”… now.

Interesting and very telling.

Also, like Friedman said in the video, Capitalism is the most equitable system in human history. People are free to pursue their interests and profit from them. The less free you are, i.e. socialism, feudalism, etc. all fail to deliver goods to consumers and encourage despotism. Directly causing misery to those involved. You can honor God in your suffering however if you are suffer for suffering sake you are not honoring God.

Greed, though, is a tricky sin. It is not as easy to identify in yourself. It is easy to know when you are lusting or stealing, but when are you greedy-ing? I want to do well with what I have and do well with my money honoring God in both. But how do know when my desires are curving in on myself?