What religon/belief...... - Page 8

GateandGarden · #**106** 04-02-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

You think I'm narrow-minded when I express my views and I'm not allowed to think others are weak when they express theirs?

Since you just said that you "question daily," then it's hard to call you narrow-minded. And from what I know about you as a person, I don't think of you as narrow-minded at all. But some of the comments you've made in this thread have sounded narrow-minded, IMO.

You're allowed to think anyone's weak if you wanted to. I never said you weren't "allowed" to.

DrummerDeanna · #**107** 04-02-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I think you're simplifiying it. There is a way to look at the Bible and say, Hey, there's some value in this. There could be some truth to this" and on and on. (The Bible is just my example; the same applies to any book of its kind). But you don't allow your whole life to depend on it. You're able to say, "Yes, there could be other ways. There are other answers. Because we don't know for sure" and on and on. You can still think for yourself. The Bible does not think for you, but you consider what it has to say. (Again, the Bible is just an example). I think it's called being open-minded. :shrug;

Right. I like the way you put that - that is pretty much my relationship with the Bible. I'm not a literalist - I don't take the Bible word for word literally...but I do find some good and some value in it.

There are open-minded religious folks out there (I'm on of them) - and I simply ask that people give me the same respect that I show them...it's one of the most basic of human rules..EVERY religion has a way of saying, "Do unto others as you'd have done onto you." It's a good philosophy I think....

I don't call non-believers names and whatnot...

ALTHOUGH - I know there's a double standard of sorts here because I dislike the Religious right as much as the next guy and frankly hate religious fundamentalism and extremism..

BUT as Hillary said, I actually am not a fan of extremism in any form...

GateandGarden · #**108** 04-02-2005, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

Do you mean to imply that someone not open to faith is narrow-minded?

I have a feeling I'm going to regret such an assertion, as it seems like too much of a generalized statement, but I suppose that's what I'm implying.

GateandGarden · #**109** 04-02-2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

I did? I don't recall that. I'm confused.

"One doesn't need to have a religion/faith to believe that - it's just the way I am. I have questioned, I continue to question daily - but my association with a religion - or my belief structure do not make me weak - it's quite opposite actually - they make me stronger."

Sounds like a good way to look at things to me.

skcin · #**110** 04-02-2005, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

"One doesn't need to have a religion/faith to believe that - it's just the way I am. I have questioned, I continue to question daily - but my association with a religion - or my belief structure do not make me weak - it's quite opposite actually - they make me stronger."

Sounds like a good way to look at things to me.

That was Dee.

GateandGarden · #**111** 04-02-2005, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skcin

That was Dee.

I feel like such an idiot. I think that's the first time I've made that kind of mistake. Probably won't be the last. Sorry about that, y'all. It kind of takes something away from the debate when I can't even sort out who said what. That's unfortunate.

GateandGarden · #**112** 04-02-2005, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

I thought you were quoting and addressing me. That wasn't me.

Yeah, Paula clued me in. Sorry.

sodascouts · #**113** 04-02-2005, 02:32 PM

It puzzles me that those who are casting epithets at people with different belief systems act so affronted when the same judgment is made upon their own.

Perhaps yours isn't so much better than anyone else's after all.

seeker007nmss · #**114** 04-02-2005, 03:30 PM

Okay, after plowing through ALL the posts I have the following opinions.

1. Why do some have to define their significance by the impact and attention of others? Can't you be siginificant on your own? Be yourself and follow your own way.

2. Why is being percieved "weak" a negitive? It is a beginning, and a place to begin to get stronger. If I hurt my foot and have to use a crutch to get stronger, why is that considered a negative? And weak compared to what? We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it just isn't your path.

3. Just because I am on a path and am not yet ready to consider other point of views yet, why is this "narrow minded?" Perhaps I have to get through this section before I can continue on. Maybe I am not ready yet to see other ways just yet,..if ever, but this is MY path.

4. I get the impression that people feel life is a big competition, where they compare themselves to others. I think everyone has their own paths, their own speed/level of growing and learning. As long as you aren't hindering anothers path, why do you care if they different views?

5. No one has all the answers, (in fact the more you know, the more you realize how much there is left to learn).

6. and finally, I hate to mention this, but....a friend of mine works in homicide and I am afraid your pet cat (if left alone for days as your corpse lays there to be found) will probally feed upon your carcuss. He has seen it happen a few times where little puppy tippy uses old grandma penny for a snack to survive.

(Leaving soapbox now for next person.......)

sodascouts · #**115** 04-02-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

6. and finally, I hate to mention this, but....a friend of mine works in homicide and I am afraid your pet cat (if left alone for days as your corpse lays there to be found) will probally feed upon your carcuss. He has seen it happen a few times where little puppy tippy uses old grandma penny for a snack to survive.

Sweetie, you SO did not have to tell me that. I mean, I guess I'm glad he won't starve but... EW!!!

And I agree with your other points.

heyjupiter678 · #**116** 04-02-2005, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

Okay, what religion or belief do you follow?

I'm an atheist. There's no evidence for god(s), IMO, so I don't have a belief in any. I try to be respectful of others' views, though, and I hope for the same in return.

LikeAWillow · #**117** 04-02-2005, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

Okay, after plowing through ALL the posts I have the following opinions.

1. Why do some have to define their significance by the impact and attention of others? Can't you be siginificant on your own? Be yourself and follow your own way.

2. Why is being percieved "weak" a negitive? It is a beginning, and a place to begin to get stronger. If I hurt my foot and have to use a crutch to get stronger, why is that considered a negative? And weak compared to what? We all have different strengths and weaknesses. Maybe it just isn't your path.

3. Just because I am on a path and am not yet ready to consider other point of views yet, why is this "narrow minded?" Perhaps I have to get through this section before I can continue on. Maybe I am not ready yet to see other ways just yet,..if ever, but this is MY path.

4. I get the impression that people feel life is a big competition, where they compare themselves to others. I think everyone has their own paths, their own speed/level of growing and learning. As long as you aren't hindering anothers path, why do you care if they different views?

5. No one has all the answers, (in fact the more you know, the more you realize how much there is left to learn).

6. and finally, I hate to mention this, but....a friend of mine works in homicide and I am afraid your pet cat (if left alone for days as your corpse lays there to be found) will probally feed upon your carcuss. He has seen it happen a few times where little puppy tippy uses old grandma penny for a snack to survive.

(Leaving soapbox now for next person.......)

I tend to agree with you, especially on point number 5. But I definetely did not need to know the fun pet fact

That must be so disturbing for your friend to witness.

~Marissa~

amber · #**118** 04-02-2005, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seeker007nmss

6. and finally, I hate to mention this, but....a friend of mine works in homicide and I am afraid your pet cat (if left alone for days as your corpse lays there to be found) will probally feed upon your carcuss. He has seen it happen a few times where little puppy tippy uses old grandma penny for a snack to survive.
(Leaving soapbox now for next person.......)

The best part of reading that last one, was that I was just chomping into my bagel!....

Oh, your other points were nice.

Actually, though, it's comforting to know my cats wouldn't starve if I died.

It's a nice way to really, really, be part of the circle of life...

seeker007nmss · #**119** 04-02-2005, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LikeAWillow

I tend to agree with you, especially on point number 5. But I definetely did not need to know the fun pet fact

That must be so disturbing for your friend to witness.

~Marissa~

He is use to it now, but it was disturbing the first time he saw it. (An older lady had a few cats....and Kitties fed on her .....I wont go into the details, but they started on the the things they could reach.....Things not covered by clothing........ eeewwwwww

). Needless to say,....it had to be a closed casket funeral at that point.

GateandGarden · #**120** 04-02-2005, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

Isn't that narrow-minded in itself. Oh well, I must be the most narrow-minded person imaginable because I have no faith in anything, I think the idea of a higher being is as ridiculous as kids' story and I have no faith that there is anything looking out for people. So I'm just narrow-minded. Why the complaints about my accusation of weakness then?

You can say that my statement was narrow-minded, but I think it's kind of circular logic. I don't really know. Whatever, the case, all I can say is that I don't understand much of what you said in this post I've quoted above. I don't mean that like I don't get it, like I have no reading comprehension skills, I just can't understand where you're coming from, I suppose. But maybe it doesn't matter. I guess you don't understand anything I've been saying, either, in the same sense. Whether you have or you haven't, I feel like I can't say anymore about it because I've simply run out of ways to explain myself, and I'm also afraid to say more because I don't want to offend you, nor do I want to risk possibly hurting you with anything I say because I care about you.