The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

When considering this question and symbols in general, I think my favorite Zen aphorism applies:

"The finger is very useful for pointing at the moon, but one must be careful not to mistake it FOR the moon."


Get it?

Blazzy Wrote:

josephb Wrote:Do you all want UAB to represent Satan! I don't! Or does it? Whats the mass opionion?

Satan does not exist. Have you ever had Satan to appear live to you? Have you ever heard or read of Satan appearing live to any one? No, so Satan is not real. Who do you think wrote the bible? Satan? No! God? No! Satan was created by the church to put the fear in people so they would flock into church and pay tithings.

Nothing in Life is bad and nothing in Life is good; therefore, Satan is neither bad or good - he "just is."

Wth? What kind of ridiculous reasoning is that? I've never seen the wind, or Nepal, or you for that matter, but I tend to think they all exist.... (I hope, unless you're the wargames computer )

Also, I have a problem with the "Nothing in Life is bad and nothing in Life is good" statement, and frankly the whole argument; You cant just say these things as fact, because they are opinions and not facts and don't have any basis to be facts. If it's your opinion, so be it, but you can't use them as a defence in an argument, because they really has no basis or concrete indisputible evidence to be true. Just like I can't say "Blue is the best color," since most of the world might not see it that way, even if it is to me. However, IMO, sex = very good, running into a tree on the interstate and your wife getting hit by a car (see Band Dad's post)= very bad..... Now this neither proves or disproves anything about a "satan", but it does at least show that your point is an opinion because to me there are things that are very good in life and very bad in life...... Hopefully you will understand I am not trying to step on your toes too hard......

Wait, I see a trend:

BTR-rooster-voo doo-EVIL
BGV-gay-EVIL
Blaze-dragon-EVIL

It's all right there. Can't believe I never put it together.

Absurd? Of course.

Thanks to ICB. I knew he would add some clarity here. Something tells me if I were still in B'ham, I would be in his congregation.

josephb Wrote:I do worry about all of those things such as the poor, the hungry, the person that who has not been told of God and all the concerns that you mentioned, But this is not the place to discuss them.

What I was asking does pertain to UAB and wanted some good insight on the matter.

I have been truly educated and thank all of you for discussing and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and Go Blazers just not the dragon.

I highly doubt that God is concerned whether or not you support the mascot of your favorite team..... I really hope that He is more concerned with the aforementioned list you spoke of and not the last..... Really, I wouldn't worry about it

DragonClaw Wrote:When considering this question and symbols in general, I think my favorite Zen aphorism applies:

"The finger is very useful for pointing at the moon, but one must be careful not to mistake it FOR the moon."


Get it?

I think so, although I'm not Zen. Just kidding. Let me see, Don't mistake your finger for the moon. Meaning what, don't confuse the two, look beyond youre finger, am I close.

blazertechgrad Wrote:

josephb Wrote:I do worry about all of those things such as the poor, the hungry, the person that who has not been told of God and all the concerns that you mentioned, But this is not the place to discuss them.

What I was asking does pertain to UAB and wanted some good insight on the matter.

I have been truly educated and thank all of you for discussing and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and Go Blazers just not the dragon.

I highly doubt that God is concerned whether or not you support the mascot of your favorite team..... I really hope that He is more concerned with the aforementioned list you spoke of and not the last..... Really, I wouldn't worry about it

Well thank you! I did have some worry about it, but the Rev kind put a perspecive on it.

Since we're getting deep. From a past Sunday School teacher that I have always remembered:It's not the obvious sin that gets you, the obvious distracts while the real sin blindsides you.

MC Blazer Wrote:Since we're getting deep. From a past Sunday School teacher that I have always remembered:It's not the obvious sin that gets you, the obvious distracts while the real sin blindsides you.

Great. Just when we had Joseph a little less paranoid about the whole dragon thing, you go and say something like that. Jeesh.

J/K MC. That comment applies to so much in life.

Joseph, you've shared an unusual public question - with what seem to be good intentions - and you have received a lot of mixed response from a very diverse crowd. I'd like to gently add my response to the mix, as a shepherd and Bible teacher.

Be careful of letting what the Apostle Paul repeatedly calls "the law" steal your life and joy and freedom in Christ, as well as your ability to communicate the infinitely valuable realities of grace and truth to the world around you.

In many passages, the Bible very effectivley uses visual imagery and symbolism, as well as parables and poetry and proverbs, to reveal practical (and often invisible) truths about God and His creation. Christ constantly taught using the imagery of parables and symbols.

Why?

Because the language of the heart is pictures rather than facts. Thus, visual imagery and symbols and comparisons help to more effectively reveal and clarify factual truths.

The Bible uses various symbolic pictures in refererring to Satan, including snakes, lions and dragons. The Bible also describes Lucifer as a most beautiful or attrative creature. In no way do those references equate snakes, lions, dragons or beautiful creatures with Satanic reality or activity. They are used as comparative word pictures to increase our understanding of the nature of the intentional evil that influences mankind.

And yes, evil is real. It doesn't take an advanced degree in religion or philosophy to see that as reality.

But to use a symbol of a dragon in no way represents evil, unless that is the intent of the one displaying the symbol. Just as taking my kids to see the lions at the zoo does not represent seeking evil. The point is the lions, not what they may have symbolically represented in another context.

In reality, there is no required choice between a dragon mascot and the Bible. You can have both.

The New Testament makes it clear that God's children have been given amazing freedom in how they live (Romans, Galatians). Christ modeled that freedom as He constantly offended the rigid, religious people who were bogged down in the misery of fearfully focusing on the tiniest details of life and law. He invites us to not live in that misery of legalism, or to impose it on others, but to walk in the joy and adventure of grace and truth.

Joseph, don't stumble into the all-too-common error of creating another mythical biblical law, when none exists. When that happens then we have mis-represented the truth and beauty of the Bible. We have mis-represented it as another burden to mankind instead of the source of practical and spiritual liberation that it is.

So, in this context, I can assure you that the UAB dragon simply represents UAB athletics. Nothing else.

Grace and peace.

Judging from your last post: You, ranger1386, are a very excellent Bible teacher.

ranger1386 Wrote:Joseph, you've shared an unusual public question - with what seem to be good intentions - and you have received a lot of mixed response from a very diverse crowd. I'd like to gently add my response to the mix, as a shepherd and Bible teacher.

Be careful of letting what the Apostle Paul repeatedly calls "the law" steal your life and joy and freedom in Christ, as well as your ability to communicate the infinitely valuable realities of grace and truth to the world around you.

In many passages, the Bible very effectivley uses visual imagery and symbolism, as well as parables and poetry and proverbs, to reveal practical (and often invisible) truths about God and His creation. Christ constantly taught using the imagery of parables and symbols.

Why?

Because the language of the heart is pictures rather than facts. Thus, visual imagery and symbols and comparisons help to more effectively reveal and clarify factual truths.

The Bible uses various symbolic pictures in refererring to Satan, including snakes, lions and dragons. The Bible also describes Lucifer as a most beautiful or attrative creature. In no way do those references equate snakes, lions, dragons or beautiful creatures with Satanic reality or activity. They are used as comparative word pictures to increase our understanding of the nature of the intentional evil that influences mankind.

And yes, evil is real. It doesn't take an advanced degree in religion or philosophy to see that as reality.

But to use a symbol of a dragon in no way represents evil, unless that is the intent of the one displaying the symbol. Just as taking my kids to see the lions at the zoo does not represent seeking evil. The point is the lions, not what they may have symbolically represented in another context.

In reality, there is no required choice between a dragon mascot and the Bible. You can have both.

The New Testament makes it clear that God's children have been given amazing freedom in how they live (Romans, Galatians). Christ modeled that freedom as He constantly offended the rigid, religious people who were bogged down in the misery of fearfully focusing on the tiniest details of life and law. He invites us to not live in that misery of legalism, or to impose it on others, but to walk in the joy and adventure of grace and truth.

Joseph, don't stumble into the all-too-common error of creating another mythical biblical law, when none exists. When that happens then we have mis-represented the truth and beauty of the Bible. We have mis-represented it as another burden to mankind instead of the source of practical and spiritual liberation that it is.

So, in this context, I can assure you that the UAB dragon simply represents UAB athletics. Nothing else.

Grace and peace.

:uberbow:

All joking aside, very impressive ranger1386.

Ranger put the lid on a complex and confusing thread.. Now lets shine the light on sports, Blazer Sports in particular.

cb4029 Wrote:

ranger1386 Wrote:Joseph, you've shared an unusual public question - with what seem to be good intentions - and you have received a lot of mixed response from a very diverse crowd. I'd like to gently add my response to the mix, as a shepherd and Bible teacher.

Be careful of letting what the Apostle Paul repeatedly calls "the law" steal your life and joy and freedom in Christ, as well as your ability to communicate the infinitely valuable realities of grace and truth to the world around you.

In many passages, the Bible very effectivley uses visual imagery and symbolism, as well as parables and poetry and proverbs, to reveal practical (and often invisible) truths about God and His creation. Christ constantly taught using the imagery of parables and symbols.

Why?

Because the language of the heart is pictures rather than facts. Thus, visual imagery and symbols and comparisons help to more effectively reveal and clarify factual truths.

The Bible uses various symbolic pictures in refererring to Satan, including snakes, lions and dragons. The Bible also describes Lucifer as a most beautiful or attrative creature. In no way do those references equate snakes, lions, dragons or beautiful creatures with Satanic reality or activity. They are used as comparative word pictures to increase our understanding of the nature of the intentional evil that influences mankind.

And yes, evil is real. It doesn't take an advanced degree in religion or philosophy to see that as reality.

But to use a symbol of a dragon in no way represents evil, unless that is the intent of the one displaying the symbol. Just as taking my kids to see the lions at the zoo does not represent seeking evil. The point is the lions, not what they may have symbolically represented in another context.

In reality, there is no required choice between a dragon mascot and the Bible. You can have both.

The New Testament makes it clear that God's children have been given amazing freedom in how they live (Romans, Galatians). Christ modeled that freedom as He constantly offended the rigid, religious people who were bogged down in the misery of fearfully focusing on the tiniest details of life and law. He invites us to not live in that misery of legalism, or to impose it on others, but to walk in the joy and adventure of grace and truth.

Joseph, don't stumble into the all-too-common error of creating another mythical biblical law, when none exists. When that happens then we have mis-represented the truth and beauty of the Bible. We have mis-represented it as another burden to mankind instead of the source of practical and spiritual liberation that it is.

So, in this context, I can assure you that the UAB dragon simply represents UAB athletics. Nothing else.

Grace and peace.

:uberbow:

Thank you so much, thats why I asked the question, to receive some insight and be educated a little on my question. I hope this question has enlightend many and not just myself.

OMYGOD .... Does this mean "Puff the Magic Dragon" is a Satonic song? Mt kids loved that song. I'm a terrible parent ... I bought my kids a Satanic song. I'm going to hell.

The UAB dragon is very scary to me, I think we need to have something that will not scare children when they come to the games. Something softer and maybe a little fluffier. A funny clown, or small food item would make a good mascot. If we wanted something stronger we could have a Indian, construction worker, a big bad Police officer or maybe a funny biker.

Lets talk.

rook360 Wrote:The UAB dragon is very scary to me, I think we need to have something that will not scare children when they come to the games. Something softer and maybe a little fluffier. A funny clown, or small food item would make a good mascot. If we wanted something stronger we could have a Indian, construction worker, a big bad Police officer or maybe a funny biker.

Lets talk.

We could the UAB fish and all tailgate at the fishmarket!

josephb Wrote:Thank you so much, thats why I asked the question, to receive some insight and be educated a little on my question. I hope this question has enlightend many and not just myself.

While finally there was someone to put it into words that you could understand and that you were satisfied with, don't you think that your question would have been better suited for your pastor, preacher, or Bible teacher at your church? You would have probably received a similar answer.

My thought was that you already knew the answer to your question and brought it up to start what could have been a very controversial discussion. Kudos to most everyone for keeping it under control. Personally, my Bible questions are usually reserved to someone in my church that I trust, not a public message board about college athletics. No offense intended to those on this board that are scholared in the Bible.

Uab91Eng Wrote:

josephb Wrote:Thank you so much, thats why I asked the question, to receive some insight and be educated a little on my question. I hope this question has enlightend many and not just myself.

While finally there was someone to put it into words that you could understand and that you were satisfied with, don't you think that your question would have been better suited for your pastor, preacher, or Bible teacher at your church? You would have probably received a similar answer.

My thought was that you already knew the answer to your question and brought it up to start what could have been a very controversial discussion. Kudos to most everyone for keeping it under control. Personally, my Bible questions are usually reserved to someone in my church that I trust, not a public message board about college athletics. No offense intended to those on this board that are scholared in the Bible.

My Pastor is not a UAB fan thanks for your concearn though!

josephb Wrote:

Uab91Eng Wrote:

josephb Wrote:Thank you so much, thats why I asked the question, to receive some insight and be educated a little on my question. I hope this question has enlightend many and not just myself.

While finally there was someone to put it into words that you could understand and that you were satisfied with, don't you think that your question would have been better suited for your pastor, preacher, or Bible teacher at your church? You would have probably received a similar answer.

My thought was that you already knew the answer to your question and brought it up to start what could have been a very controversial discussion. Kudos to most everyone for keeping it under control. Personally, my Bible questions are usually reserved to someone in my church that I trust, not a public message board about college athletics. No offense intended to those on this board that are scholared in the Bible.

My Pastor is not a UAB fan thanks for your concearn though!

And I did not bring it up to start chaos among the fragile fans we do have.