I make this post in response to an extremely long post started by Fizz which was recently closed. That post was I’m sure, started with good intentions, and many good things were said. However, many people showed disrespect to others and there was quite a bit of “smack-talk” and arguing. I wish to clarify one or two things: 1) A persons beliefs are theirs and theirs alone. Each person, even individuals who share the “same” belief system, have their own set of ideas and beliefs as to what is right and wrong, true and false. It is NO ONES place to state that there is a one true belief, or that everyone who doesn’t agree with them is condemned. It is no ones sole decision what is really true, nor is “truth” an absolute. If you wish to speak with people of the same belief system you share, there are places to do so. No one should be excluded from a conversation about intolerance because of their beliefs. That would be the very intolerance that is under discussion. 2) To force your belief system on someone else is an attack on their person. It is also a form of verbal abuse, to tell someone who they are or what they should believe. It is destructive to a personality and a mind to crush their personal beliefs as being wrong, and supplant them with your own. It is in psychiatric circles what is known as the “dream-person” syndrome and is indicative of a closed, morally confused mind. Life is not about absolutes. 3) Regardless of whether or not your personal belief system states that you should “save” people that don’t share your beliefs, it is not acceptable to attack them and tell them they are flat out wrong. To refer to someone who doesn’t believe in the same thing as you as being “in a burning building” is to discount their beliefs as false and state a punishment for them should they not conform to YOUR beliefs. I don’t believe ANY religion has this as a goal, and if it does I certainly wouldn’t want to be a part of it. If religion is truly about love and community, why would you want to exclude someone for having a different point of view. Believing something different from someone else doesn’t mean that your beliefs are incompatible. They simply differ. This is intrinsic to the phrase “point of view.” No one can share your point of view because they are not you. Vice-versa. 4) For a certain individual (unnamed), I must contest. There is NO historical evidence that supports the bible as “true” beyond a shadow of doubt. Evidence of events that occured is not evidence that the interpretation (how important that word is!) portayed in the bible are true as well. Nor is evidence that christians did exist in a certain time or place evidence that a certain statement about that time/place is true. Just because someone was in a plane during 9-11 doesn’t mean they were a terrorist, or a victim, or even american for that matter. They were simply people on planes, many of whom ended up victims. Also remember that the “facts” we know about 9-11 come from a single source, and that much of what we believe to have happened is simply the interpretation the US government wants us to believe. In no way am I trying to imply anything about 9-11, I simply use it as an analogy. So to sum up, I accept everyone and their beliefs. I may not share the beliefs, in fact there are so many different belief systems that in all likelyhood I don’t share yours. However, I will never tell anyone they are “wrong” in their beliefs, only in their facts. “Belief” is not about facts; you don’t “believe” there is air around you, or “believe” that gravity works. “Belief” is about exactly that, what you believe to be true in the absence of fact. Thats as personal as a thing can be, and while you may feel it is your moral duty to convert others to your belief system and berate them for having other opinions… what you are doing is wrong in a most clear example of verbal/psycological abuse. So next time you feel like telling someone they are “going to hell” or thinking about playing bumper planes… remember that all people will never share the same beliefs. That would be the death of individuality. It is wonderful for you to “bless someone,” to “pray” for them, or to wish them a “long life and happiness” (this is an excersise of your personal beliefs), but condemnation is not a decision for a human to make. So feel free to talk to people about what you believe, that is what is known as an idea-exchange and is essential for growth. Just don’t tell anyone that they’re wrong just because you don’t agree with them, and listen to their point of view as well. They may see something from their place in life that is obstructed to you in yours.
I care about you all, regardless of what you believe. Just don’t blind yourself to reality and other people’s opinions in the process. That is MY belief, and I stand by it!
Sincerely,
Speaktoyoda
Answer:
Speaktoyoda, I agree with a lot of what your saying. I just feel bad about the turn that the post took. I am sure that Fizz wasn't expecting it to turn this way. As a "confessed" Christian, I believe that it is always, always, ALWAYS, inappropriate to "force" my belief on any one, however, if approached, I am more than happy to share my life's transformation since I surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a very personal experience for me, and I do not share this openly with people I meet, only to people who ask why and what about "me". I am far from being "Mr.Do No Wrong" yet I've drawn near to the one who took on all my wrong and gave me a whole new hope for living. If someone wants to believe in gumby as a deity, don't look for me to agree. I will however be understanding of anyone who wishes to practice "gumbyism". Thank you very much for starting this post.
Answer:
Christianity teaches us to be gentle, caring, loving, forgiving. How often we forget that. Jesus was a real person. The Romans documented his trial and death. Whether you believe he was more than just a man is the true question.