When someone can explain well, without attacking, I like listening, thinking it over and evalutating. It does not mean that I will agree, but I will think about it. How about you? What do you admire most in a person of a differnt belief?
The ability in a person of a certain belief to understand that someone from another faith, at their core, believes the EXACT SAME THINGS AS YOU, then you will understand fraternity. We're pilots of these bodies, born into certain faiths and families by chance; but we all have the Will to decipher the truth or deception of any dogma. An open mind to all things, even stories that seem like pure mythology. It would be a humiliating burden to fall into the plan of those that concocted the mythologies to keep the uninitiated and low educated people from seeing the truth in the stories, instead getting caught up in their own ego by having "outed" and "debunked" how Jesus and Lucifer are characters in a story....But more importantly are two sides of the same coin (creative energy). The person who sees someone else and will defend them regardless of their faith is a follower of every faith; and simultaneously no faith. The individual who denounces his most core dogmas as beliefs created and interpreted by men who use the faulty tool of alphabetical language to explain ideas that are so innate that placing definitions to them diminish their holiness. The answer is so simple it baffles those who are of such a dense ego that they see beauty in complexity. ANY fool can make something complex, with many rituals and prayers and saints; GOD IS GENIUS, and as such is found in the most simple beauty. Cheers, these are amazing times we live in !
Actually, you captured it well, Smile. My feeling as well - one of the reasons I've enjoyed my tenure here, for the most part - a rare chance to meet people from widely disparate views, many of whom couldn't be further from me, in terms of outlook on life, politics, religion, etc. Outside of a few folks, with whom I unfortunately cannot find a common way to communicate, I find the process really rewarding.
I still think people should be allowed to have sex in public, in fact, they should be rewarded for it! not stoned.
I agree that you must think of every word some people say, but not all people and everything said, because for some people there standards or beliefs are build on something positive and credible for them and you must respect that even though you do not agree, while others are just playing or using crap. Some people and actually many usually post useless comments and ideas or things they do not even know about, they just hear it or see it somewhere else and post it like a robot without even checking its credibility, thinking of it or making sure if its true or not and even do not have the ability to prove it, with these kind of people, its useless to discuss with them for them to show them what is false or true because if they wanted to know the false from true they would search and find it alone which is not the case, as they already formed an opinion and close minded and they do not want to listen, they just want to attack, in this case you discuss with them not for them but to refute them and show to other readers that all of what they had posted are crap. I respect those who ask and listen to the answer, instead of asking and answering themselves in your position as many you might notice here. I respect a person who stay in subject and have the courage to discuss a matter to the end, but most people when you prove there claims to be wrong or refute them or even if he feel he is pushed to the corner and have nothing else to reply to you, he jump and change the subject. I think of a person with a different beliefs and standards from me that he think the same about me when discussing with him, considering this while discussing with someone will be positive and will help both parts to understand each other even if they do not agree, that is if they actually willing to understand each other not just debate each other endlessly. In my opinion the most important when discussing with someone is to know whether: 1. He really want a true answer or explanation. 2. He know the answer or explanation whether its true or not and he is not convinced and asking to clarify or confirm. 3. He has a false answer or explanation and he either believe in it or do not believe in it but in both cases he is using it to attack. 4. He is just wasting time and he do not care. The way of discussion would be different with each one of them and it should be.
Thanks a lot Dodara! Well said! I assumed that everyone discussing what they believe is serious, but you are right: Not everyone is! - Sadly!