Can we all just get along? RANT

[Rozzie]

Try to convert me once and I'll tell you that I'm not interested (same goes for inviting me to your religious establishment, regardless of religion).

Try to convert me a second time (or invite me to your religious establishment), and I'll tell you again that I'm not interested -- and avoid you in the future.

Try to convert me a third time (or invite me to your religious establishment) & things are going to turn ugly. You will at this point most likely get told exactly what I think of X set of religious beliefs and exactly where you can put them.

Some religions believe that continued proselytizing of non-interested parties is REQUIRED on their part, so in that case, it is VERY unlikely that we are going to get along for very long.

This is my "in person" reaction. I reserve the right to react differently online...

If you can't have respect for the fact that I am not interested & don't wish to convert, then I no longer have to have respect for your belief that you are required to try to win me over to your system of beliefs. (Generic you...)

 

[mom'sfolly]

I think for true believers in "one true religion" have trouble accepting that other faiths or belief systems may be valid. If a person wholeheartedly believes that their religion is the only true one, they will not see the need to be respectful of different beliefs. If the true faith also embraces conversion, it is the true believer's responsibility to convert, not to discuss, debate or potentially even tolerate another point of view.

It is hard to discuss things calmly and with civility if you think the other party is deluded, misinformed, or otherwise wrong. This is why so many religious discussions go south so quickly. The moderators have to be very zealous to keep things inoffensive.

For the OP, an agnostic that doesn't hold any firm religious viewpoint is probably someone who is more tolerant of different points of views than someone who holds their beliefs hard.

 

[redhen]

Quote:

You win..

 

[chickaddict]

This might sound strange, but I actually enjoy reading the opinions of those that I don't agree with. I find that I learn more about myself and my own ideas on subjects I normally don't think about.

 

[PineappleMama]

^Kinda like letters of recommendation... DH's professors all have rules about those... one in particular will be totally, brutally honest about your positive AND negative traits as he sees them... tells you that up front... and he will NOT let you read the thing. That part I don't get. If those negative things really bother you, to the point you'd blast them for it, why not do so to their face so they have some hope of changing it for the better? It's like when your friend (who you presumably care about) has a glob of spinach in their teeth... and is on their way to a date, interview, etc... if you don't tell them then aren't you partially responsible for the humiliation they'll get later?? Eh, I'm weird though... self analysis and overthinking have been friends of mine for a long time...

 

[debilorrah]

I am gonna stick my foot in the quicksand. Is anyone gonna help me?

 

[kstaven]

Quote:
Have you seen how nasty some of those forums can get also. I think the point is. If we step back and consider how we would like someone to listen and respect our opinions then maybe we would act a bit better. Its not that any of us have to agree but common courtesy. You can apply that to poultry, farming, cooking, child rearing, religion, and politics. The simple fact is that when that courtesy is lacking then no matter the topic issues will arise. I think the moderators would love love love if this concept would take hold and spread a bit. They could probably lay off the Rolaids at that point.

And we are all guilty of this at some point. So its not a finger pointing game.

We mods are way past the point of rolaids some days!

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Have you seen how nasty some of those forums can get also. I think the point is. If we step back and consider how we would like someone to listen and respect our opinions then maybe we would act a bit better. Its not that any of us have to agree but common courtesy. You can apply that to poultry, farming, cooking, child rearing, religion, and politics. The simple fact is that when that courtesy is lacking then no matter the topic issues will arise. I think the moderators would love love love if this concept would take hold and spread a bit. They could probably lay off the Rolaids at that point.

And we are all guilty of this at some point. So its not a finger pointing game.

We mods are way past the point of rolaids some days!

I can imagine even Nexium may not help on some days!

 

[debilorrah]

My own personal feeling is that if you have a religion, are human, have a soul, have a heart, have feelings, then you can accept others beliefs, no matter what YOU may believe. Unfortunately, that is not the case with most of humanity.

 

[kstaven]

Quote:
I agree. Considering the varied backgrounds and belief structures of the mods here that type of approach has made it a pleasure to work with the mod squad. That, and when you consider the general diversity on this forum, the number of members, and the thousands of posts a day I would have to say the vast majority here are pretty level headed and considerate. If this wasn't the case BYC would have never grown into what it is today. So it is a hats off to all concerned situation.