Forums: Religion: Peace and acceptance
2/20/2008 9:54:30 PMPeace and acceptance 

elanabanana
Fort Lauderdale, FL
age: 25

Why can't people just let other people believe differently from them? Why do they always have to insist that THEY'RE the one's who have all the answers?

You got Christians saying they're the only ones who got it right, and all nonbelievers are stupid.

The you got Atheists who say they're the only ones who got it right, and all believers are stupid.

Then you got Agnostics saying BOTH of the other two are stupid, cuz nobody knows for sure anyway!!

Then you got Christians saying Jews are stupid, and Jews saying Christians/nonJews are stupid.

And countless others!!!!


Why can't we all just share our beliefs without trying to force it on other people? Why can we agree to disagree? Listen, the only people I've met so far who were cool with beliefs differeing from their own were the Pagan friends I used to know in high school. They didn't try to "convert" me. They just shared with me THEIR opinions on things, and encouraged me to find out the truth for myself.

And you know what? I did! And guess what? I don't believe in the Pagan religion, but that's ok. Because what I believe is a PERSONAL choice. No one convinced me by arguements and debating. No one forced me. I found it out for myself.

If we could just share our beliefs without trying to force people into agreeing with us, we'd all learn alot more about the universe.

2/20/2008 9:58:49 PMPeace and acceptance 

whofan
Jeddore Oyster Ponds, NS
age: 50

I am a convinced and committed Christian. In fact, I am a pastor but I think you are absolutely right. Arrogance never accomplished anything. Jesus didn't seem to be that way.

2/20/2008 9:59:47 PMPeace and acceptance 

metalman20
New Castle, VA
age: 21

I hear ya on that one.

I'm an Athiest...it was my choice. But, I also have Christian friends, and they accept my beliefs (or lack there of) and I accept theirs.

I respect everyones religious choices...as long as I am respected in return.



2/20/2008 10:05:03 PMPeace and acceptance 

elanabanana
Fort Lauderdale, FL
age: 25

See, thats' how it should be

2/20/2008 10:07:51 PMPeace and acceptance 

whofan
Jeddore Oyster Ponds, NS
age: 50

elana

you sound bummed about this. Have you been affected personally by this issue or is it the state of the world in general with respect to faith that bothers you?



[Edited 2/20/2008 10:10:14 PM]

2/20/2008 10:09:14 PMPeace and acceptance 

whofan
Jeddore Oyster Ponds, NS
age: 50

metalman

an atheist by choice? meaning by random choice or did you feel that nothing else made rational sense? I'm curious. I like to know these things given my proffession.

2/20/2008 10:44:41 PMPeace and acceptance 

quantum777
Beaverton, OR
age: 41

Elana,

Respect for respect is how I live my life and that applies in every aspect.

The problem, I think, is most people truly believe they are doing you a favor but in fact they are probably, in most instances, pushing you further away from where they are trying to take you.

I, personally, have never been told as a Catholic to do anything but respect all other religions for they bear some truth in them, each to a varingy degree. We are especailly not supposed to beat anyone over the head with our bibles. If someone has a question they will ask.

They best way to convert someone is by example, not by any other means.

2/21/2008 8:36:50 AMPeace and acceptance 

skunkbreath
Saint James, MO
age: 89

A true story about peace and acceptance.

I had a friend who considered himself "advanced" spiritually. He would read books about something and, without thinking it through, become an expert in that subject.

Once, after reading a book about how to get along , he was explaining to me how forming a commitee and all discussing the issue untill there was a unanimous agreement.

I pointed out that the larger the group the more likely that there would never be a unanimous agreement and there would occasionally be holdouts, people who wouldn't see things as the majority did. What would you do then?

His quick and very serious reply was, "kill them".



[Edited 2/21/2008 8:39:18 AM]

2/21/2008 8:51:22 AMPeace and acceptance 

dana1956
New Braunfels, TX
age: 51

as a Christian I try to remember God created all people and He does not want anyone to perish. If I keep that in mind and try to love everyone, even those I disagree with I do myself a favor. There are those here I disagree with and will reply to and then there are those that I feel they have a petty agenda and have endless dribble to dole out, those I do not waste my time and energy on because they don't care how you feel, they are the name callers and haters of the world. Before anyone can have an intelligent conversation you have to have someone intelligent to have it with. Seek those who stimulate your mind and avoid those who try to put you down with no apparent reason for doing so except to lump you into a group. Whether that group be Christian, Muslum, Buddist, black, white, asian, man, woman, gay, straight, etc. Though I may not agree with you I may discuss these topics and viewpoints with you or I may not, depending on if you are an closeminded or just a person looking for conversation.

by the way... good post!



[Edited 2/21/2008 8:53:11 AM]

2/21/2008 9:01:38 AMPeace and acceptance 

oceans5555
Chevy Chase, MD
age: 64

Good post, Elana.

People who are strident about their religious beliefs often don't seem to realize how they are offending others and driving them away.

It seems to me that religious stridency and insulting behavior seem self-defeating.

Oceans

2/21/2008 10:12:15 AMPeace and acceptance 

queenofhearts61
Seymour, IN
age: 62

I can accept what others believe, however, I have been a christan long enough and read enough bible; I do not want to discuss it anymore. I come here to hear what others have to say but when they try to claim that no one is good with christianity, then I have a problem. I can't seem to stop from trying to reason with them, that people had to have had morals before christianity or the world would not have survived the thousands of years before it. The bible is not the only thing in the world that has a sense of right and wrong.



[Edited 2/21/2008 10:13:06 AM]

2/21/2008 12:25:46 PMPeace and acceptance 

dana1956
New Braunfels, TX
age: 51

queen,

there are good and bad in everything, even Christians, all any of us can do is try to be good. Some don't even do that. To each there own. But to often I see more people hammering Christians and Christians just trying to defend themselves. It is this pure hatred that PROVES to me that God does exist. Because who cares about a snake lover or dog lover... no one is caaling them delerious or stupid , etc. I am commanded to love all, even storm... but I don't have to talk to him and listen to his insults.