that people who are religious can show no respect for anyone else's beliefs but want respect for it. I try to respect people no matter what their belief structure as long as they respect my beliefs. I will not lie about what I believe but its rude and pisses me off when they don't at least respect not everyone believes the same as they do. I feel like slamming them with their own "Good Book" but closed minds only twist wording to their whim.

 

I wanted to say what my thoughts were here but I won't, hopefully this won't get out of hand. Certain subjects here....cause too much of an up roar to talk about sensibly. So lets all play nice.....as humanly possible

 

Yeah... I don't get some people. I've got my beliefs, and other people have theirs. Sure, I might disagree with them... and in a way I feel like some of them are just "wrong" and I worry about that... but that's the thing... I don't believe anything good has ever come from trying to force someone into believing like you do. If someone feels like they're missing something, they'll let you know. There's no need for fighting, forcing your beliefs, any of that. Sure, stand up for your beliefs, but I don't get those people that go out looking for trouble and get into shouting matches and all that kinda thing over Religion. I mean... isn't religion, of all kinds, a personal experience? Just my thoughts anyway...

 

I believe it is human nature, and is not isolated to a "religious person". Do you ever notice in conversation or debate when the other person is talking, all you can do is think about what you are going to say, and hope they will shut up so you can make YOUR point? Guess what? While you're making your point, they are doing the same thing. That is what I mean. All people are rude...all people are stubborn...even athiests and agnostics.

 

religion n politics never go well online lol.

I have my beliefs and if I like others or not I respect thiers.

 

I'm going somewhere... I'm not really sure where, but I'm in a handbasket...

 

Voodoo, I think youve got it right, its all human nature.

LOL im with you tennessee, did we at least remember to pack the popcorn and large sodas?

I have respect for everyone's beliefs, but im an atheist. I dont get angry at different religions/beliefs, just people who have such closed minds they think my way is completely wrong... Dont judge me monkey!

 

Me being a strict atheist as well as being a part of a very religious family, I can honestly say that those who believe strongly in the christian god tend to look down on those who are not a part of their belief system. Now conflict will always arise among our species but I notice when it comes to religion, people tend to die alot more than say, a conflict over a parking space or why the Indians beat Boston. At least according to our very brief time that we as Homo Sapiens have lived on this planet in our present state of evolution. I do not respect irrational beliefs, such as christianity, I tolerate them. Nothing more and nothing less, well maybe sometimes less. An all-powerful god who somehow lost out on his best creation because a talking snake uttered a few syllables? An all loving god who wants you to worhip him or face his wrath in an after-life? Sorry, those beliefs are a little too primitive for me, despite me being half Greek and let me tell you, Greeks have been some of the most pious people in the ages.

Anytime I go to a family gathering I am the only one who doesn't bow down and pay homage to an imaginary being, just before eating to the point of not being able to breathe, which is a sin by the way if you believe this sort of thing. When people become too dogmatic, they isolate themsleves and feel anger when they encounter one who doesn't share their world-view. Or they only become friends with fellow muslims or fellow christians, whatever their form of dogmatism happens to be. I have no set values but I am pragmatic in the decisions that I make in my one and only life. I feel no guilt that I will offend any of the numerous gods that humans have invented over the years just because I have an erection and I live in no fear of an afterlife. Try it sometime...

 

Interesting points, McCone. Here's more of what I think: I believe in God, although my actions and words aren't always perfect, but again, I am human and I am subject to falling flat on my face at any given moment (and usually do). I feel that athiests look down towards christians just as much.Athiests think that christians are stupid for believing in "the invisible man". In my opinion, therearen't manybigger insults than to think someone is simple minded or stupid. I get that sense from the subtle words you've chosen throughout your statement. That is fine, but please consider holding yourself to the same standard as you are holding others to. I agree that organized ANYTHING can become so clogged with rules, ritual, policy, what have you, that it loses it's intended purpose. Now, if people believein God, Buddha, Allah, Zoraster,Zeus, or nothing at all, if it promotes possitive...who cares? If people believethat a crystal or prayermakes them healthy...then maybe it does. That is a possitive outcome, so I am fine with it. Is that making anysense? You, my friend, will never change your mind but realize you won't change mine, either. We can leave it at that, and be very good friends anway, agreed? As long as what we do doesn't hurt eachother...everything is gravy . Even though people have different beliefs, there are many rules thattranscend them all. They arethe basic human kindnesses that are inherent inmost people's value system...we all know what is wrong and what isright and the difference between good and evil. That is at the core of a good person, no matter what you believe in.Okay, I have rambled on enough. Let's goget a pint...[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

^^^ Nice post










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