Calling all non-stamp collectors

[KristyHall]

Quote:
Not an atheist at all - simply refuse to be stamped!

Significant difference.

ooooo good idea!

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

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I respect your right to be an atheist and/or and agnostic. Please don't be offensive over my right to believe in particular faith. I am not drinking any kool-aid. I am also not choosing a religion over reason. I have made an intelligent, reasonable choice about what I believe. To insinuate otherwise is very arrogant on your part.

Tolerance runs both ways.

 

[KristyHall]

Quote:
I respect your right to be an atheist and/or and agnostic. Please don't be offensive over my right to believe in particular faith. I am not drinking any kool-aid. I am also not choosing a religion over reason. I have made an intelligent, reasonable choice about what I believe. To insinuate otherwise is very arrogant on your part.

Tolerance runs both ways.

actually I am not atheist, but it is a term that i actually used for someone who does not follow the main stream of what ever group they are encountering at the time. (I have heard it used for religions, non religions, cults, the american dream, the married with children life, for goth cliques, cheerleader clicks, and by one person when referring to work policy) . I didn't mean it as an actual insult.

 

[KristyHall]

oh btw the reason over religion is another term. When we believe in something that can not be scientifically measure, it is faith. Faith is not bad, in fact it can give hope in a bleak situation, it can guide us, however when we put our beliefs into that of faith we must suspend some sense of reason.

I have faith, but then i have experience things that if it isn't something more than me,. then I apparently suffered optical and auditory illusions, and I would rather believe that I experienced something unexplained. I won't go further into that.

by doing this I have allowed myself to suspend certain sense of reason that I would other wise use in a more scientific situation.

I once read a piece that pointed out the most logical conclusion would be to be an agnostic since there is neither proof proving divine beings nor proof dismissing it.

it doe snot make you, nor me, nor other people who have faith as delusional, or unreasonable, or unintelligent but we shouldn't try and make it out to be anything other than it is either. Not an insult, just trying to explain to you from the side of someone who spent years as an agnostic. Nor am i saying the analogical approach I have taken in identifying and processing belief in a way i can understand is the correct way. It is just how I reconcile myself with my own faith. Everyone has their own way to fit faith into their view and lives.

 

[Illia]

. . . Back to the topic.

 

[KristyHall]

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you're right, sorry

 

[sourland]

No need for an apology. You were called out - you replied.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I'm not offended by the term atheist. I AM offended by the insinuation that if a person follows a particular faith that they are "drinking the kool-aid" and seeking religion over reason. Which is pretty much what you have said.

Your choice in a belief system is your choice. While I might disagree with someone about what they believe, the fact that they differ from me does not make them stupid, unreasonable or mindless followers. It makes them different from me. You yourself preach tolerance over hate (as stated in your burning thread). Why would you then come on here and say exactly the opposite? It is unlike you to do so. I am disappointed. Normally I enjoy your posts and thoughts on things (even when I disagree with what you believe). I am disappointed that in this thread amongst others that believe as you do you feel free to bash others beliefs.

I am an intelligent, reasonable and reasoning, strong-willed woman. My faith and belief system has grown out of that intelligence, reasonableness, reasoning and strong will. True faith in something is not always an easy choice. True belief is rarely a matter of blindly following what you are told. My faith has grown out of struggles and is very real to me. I assume that your belief system has grown out of the same struggle. Don't cheapen mine because you disagree with it.

I respect your right to believe in what you like. Please respect mine.

 

[KristyHall]

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if that is how my post came across i offer an apology. I was trying to be witty using a term I have heard in reference to many specific groups when one choose snot to follow the mainstream system, group, belief, etc they (the people using such terms) are currently in as I have explained in detail in my above two posts. I d on't know how else i can try and explain my intentions.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

ACK! You all type faster than I type!

Kristyhall- I have always found you to be interesting and intelligent. I don't mean to be sensitive about the topic. Your wording on this one though was offensive. Your path is different from my path. Differences are what make the paths interesting.

Sorry to hijack. I'll leave you all to your discussion now.