Apology to Fundamentalists

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   stillcuriousposted 12 years ago

   If I’m lucky, no one on Hub Pages remembers me. But, I’ve never been lucky so I am back to apologize to the fundamentalists.  I told myself I left in disgust at the forums; but the truth is I was disgusted with myself.  I had never been exposed to some of the beliefs as shared here and, in my confused shock; I conducted myself in a manner that goes completely against everything I have ever believed in. I do consider it an obligation to openly admit when I am in the wrong, even if it takes an exorbitant amount of time to swallow my pride enough to do it.
   
   Anyhoo. I won’t elaborate further. To explain myself might add insult to insult already offered; but I will say that I firmly believe each person has the right to follow their own conscience; wherever it leads and mine is of no more value than yours. My actions were wrong and I hope you will forgive me.

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      Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      you were called 'just curious' ?  I wondered why you vanished suddenly.

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         stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yep. That's me. Motown talked me into coming back, but I think I'll check into the Edweirdo filter after I've eaten a little crow here.  I definitely got too weird for my own comfort.  I'm obviously not wired to take religion seriously.

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            jacharlessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            ello ello!
            James here (formerly Twenty One Days), welcoming you back!
            
            

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               stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Oh my gosh!!! My favorite hubber.  Love the new Avatar, too.  I have to say, I did miss reading your posts the most. Is the book ready yet? 

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                  jacharlessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Good To See You.
                  And thank you.
                  Yes, book one is in the hands of an agent, as we speak.
                  The Ism ©™ title is just about there.
                  
                  James.

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                  Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Welcome back to the rascally kittycats,not really hehe..
                  
                  Theres a place for everyone here. We are all worthy
                  
                  Cuz I said so
                  
                  Welcome

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            Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Sorry to hear you felt uncomfortable.  I was really enjoying your posts.  Then suddenly your account was gone

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            recommend1posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Don't eat too much crow.  Fundamental religion is about burning the books, regressing civilsation, dumbing down the masses etc etc.  Keeping cool and polite when dealing with no argument - just  banging on about what one or the other absolutely knows to be true and all different - is wearing and frustrating.
            
            However, it is good to stay above it and retain your dignity.
            
            I for one am glad to see you back.

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      TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Your a good person to even admit that. Alot  of us would not. God bless you.

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      SirDentposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      You are forgiven.  Welcome back!!!

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         stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Thank you Sir Dent. You always were a sweet heart. I knew you would forgive me.

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      Quilligrapherposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If you are ever looking for someone on Hubpages with a little authority, come to me.  I have as little as everybody else.
      But, if I had a whole bunch of authority, I would place your avatar and the following verse above the doorway to the religious forums:
      
      He drew a circle that shut me out.
      Heretic, rebel a thing to flout.
      But love and I had the wit to win,
      We drew a circle that took him in.
      --Edwin Markham

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         Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Quill, I wish we all had the grace to recognize how little authority we have...lol  GREAT statement. 

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      DoubleScorpionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Welcome Back, Curious!!!

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      aka-djposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I noticed I'd lost a follower. (You were a follower, no??)
      Then your profile was gone.
      Then YOU were gone.
      
      Good to "see" you here again.
      I wondered what happened.
      
      I notce none of your "adversaries" apologised for anything they said to you.
      It's (a lot) one sided here.
      
      Anyhoooo welcome. !!

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         Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I wasn't an adversary

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            aka-djposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            You'll have to stop taking my posts as personal all the time.
            
            I have no-one particular in mind.
            
            I'm glad you are of a clear conscience though.

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               Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               you were saying it was one-sided

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                  aka-djposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  It is, isn't it.
                  
                  I have reasonably sought apologies from certain hubbers, without success.
                  
                  In my mind, it is one sided.
                  I certainly have apologised for comments and assumptions I'v made, incorrectly.
                  PLUS, I have observed other conversations between hubbers whith the same results.
                  
                  BTW, that's my opinion and observation. I have to say I haven't seen EVERY SINGLE post every single person has made. Sooo....

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                     Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I can't see where anyone apologizes here except for SC.  Some just say you're forgiven etc, but don't apologize.  I'm not sure what you're getting at.

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                        aka-djposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        I don't hink I need to explain it any better.
                        
                        I believe you've read getitrites responses to my (recent)posts in another thread.
                        The last few stand as a good example of what I mean.

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                           Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           I thought you were talking about this thread.  You are very confusing to follow

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                           stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           I got what you were saying dj.  You are right. But, I wasn't looking for any reciprocal behavior. I apologized more for me, than them.  I don't get the fundamentalist thing, but I had no right to look down on their beliefs.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I remember you.   
      ...Not sure if I'm willing to carry the label of "fundamentalist" since I dunno how others, or even you, define it.
      But your post sounds very good.

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         stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You are right.  We all label things differently. I would define you as fundamentalist and the apology was extended to you, among a select group of others.

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            Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Then, thanks, and I forgive you.

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   Valemanposted 12 years ago

   I think I can understand where you are coming from.  I am an atheist, and am opposed to the forcing of religious belief or morality onto people who do not share such views.  I also consider myself liberal and left-wing, and feel the need to argue against injustice based upon religious dogma.  However, having recently been attacked myself by people who consider themselves liberals, I have come to realise how intimidating such people can be.  There are extremists on both sides of the debate, and I am beginning to question my own right to ridicule religious beliefs, which to me may seem ridiculous, yet may be held dear by people, and which give them meaning to their lives.  And what right have I to say the religious believer is holding onto an archaic belief system?  Just, as they should not feel that they have the right to ridicule my atheism.  There is a lot of anger surrounding the question of religion, when it could be possible to agree to disagree in a way that does not belittle those of different views.  Having said that, I doubt human nature will ever truly allow such a state to exist.

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      Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree ridicule doesn't help any discussion.  People get really touchy with their personal beliefs and tend to over-react. 
      I persevere here, because I'm curious as to how people come to believe what they do.  Sometimes it's so frustrating, I feel like just not bothering at all.

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         brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Just by reading the book, praying and avoiding sin and number one: keeping my eyes on the person and works of jesus the author and finisher and everything inbetweener of my faith.

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            Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Do you think you are above ridiculing and judging others?

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   Aficionadaposted 12 years ago

   I would also like to say Welcome Back.  I recall that your posts tended always to be quite thought-provoking and interesting.  At least, the ones I read were.    I agree with TMM that it takes a big person, a good person, to admit that they are eating crow.  I'm not sure that you "need" to, but then I didn't and don't read everything in the forums.  I remember that in the last thread where I saw you, I made a comment that made a lot of sense to me until I let it sit for a day or so.  When I reread it later, I realized that it could easily have been understood in a different way from what I meant.  I'm guessing that sort of thing is the cause of a lot of disagreements here!
   
   I don't know about Edweirdo's filter, but I believe the new sign-in page has the ability to show forum threads only in certain categories - I think!  If you play around with it, you may find that it will help you to see only (or primarily) the ones you want to see.

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      livelongerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. I must have missed the posts you're talking about, still/justcurious. I thought your posts and Hubs were thought-provoking and well-considered.

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   Motown2Chitownposted 12 years ago

   Welcome back, my friend.  I, for one, welcome you with open arms!  Maybe we all take ourselves a bit too seriously now and then.  Let's just try to stop that and be friendly to each other no matter what our differences.  I'll join you in the quest!

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      stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Motown.  Sounds like a fun quest, but I'm done tilting at the old windmills.  This forum strangled all the curiosity about religion out of this cat, I hope.

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         Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I just meant the quest to be friendly.    I know you're not done with that one!

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            stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Friendly is good.  I'll just tell them to talk to the hand if they bring up relition.

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               Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Awesome.  Just remember to say it in a friendly way!

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         Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         your cat still has 8 lives left?  This forum can be frustrating - I keep telling myself to frequent here less and write about my views in my new blog instead

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            stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I don't know anything about blogging.  Probably not a bad thing to check out.

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               Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I've just started out with a free blog with google blogger - seems easy enough to use.

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                  Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  That's where I blog also, Baileybear, and I've found it very easy to use so far.  It's nice because it's for the purely personal stuff that wouldn't be suitable here.  I have to admit that writing hubs is more of a challenge for me, but the blog helps with the flow of words and ideas sometimes.  That's nice.

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                     Baileybearposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I haven't written any hubs for a while.  I've been writing on my website and blog instead.  The blog is good to gets something shorter out.

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                        Motown2Chitownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        It is.  I haven't paid much attention to my blog, but I'm going to start doing so.  I'm committing to set aside a block of time each day for writing, and the first part will be for just blogging.  Then I'll move to hubs.    Happy blogging!

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   brotheryochananposted 12 years ago

   I thought you needed a rest. Glad you did.

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      stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      My my.  If I have caused some confusion; let me clarify.  My opinion of your opinions stands unchanged.  Actually, it was your posts and the fact that others felt compelled to cheer you on that pushed me to speak out. If you thought this was a blanket apology, it was not.

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         brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         well that is unfortunate. It seems you have come to half of your senses.
         get some more rest.
         Others cheered me on because you were off the deep end and i purported biblical truths that you just were not able to process.
         Good luck in the future

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            Daniel Carterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            For being such a follower of "Jesus", your ego is pretty massive, based on this post.
            Where's the love? I'm not feeling it based on what you wrote here.

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               Jonathan Jancoposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Good to see you again Daniel, I was worried you had gone the way of other hubbers that I miss dearly.
               

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               brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               what a shame. Were you around for the conflagration that preceded these posts? I don't think you were.
               What you mistake for ego is of course only assurance and confidence.
               And the love... well you first need to understand "the love" and then you can find it. You see, love does many things according to the situation. A hand may get slapped when it reaches for the hot burner and bandaid get applied when an owie occurs or a stern warning is proclaimed when danger is imminent, even a rebuke can come from love, or a correction or encouragement. Love may even be in the background waiting for an instance to come forward.
               Perhaps you feel what you need or want to feel and that is entirely your situation. Do you feel love when you write a song?

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               Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I think its kinda mean to take sides.
               
               On one hand Curious makes an opology then later edits it by sayinhg oh by the way thats not a blanket opology . In effect Im sorry to you ,and you ,because I like you , but I dont like you ,so Im not sorry.
               
               I have agreed with some points that BrotherChan has said and also been supportive of opinions of just curious in previous posts,as with others.
               
               I agree with very little that Mark believes in for example ,but I don't dislike him for diagreeing with me.

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            Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            This statement coming from YOU of all people? What a joke.

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               brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               and that statement coming from you is typical. Remember salvation awaits everybody from jokers to disgruntled egoists. I am not sorry to have put mortal wounds in your theology over the past time and your anger at me is understandable, your doctrines of self - sucked, but,  Please try to put the anger away and remember, truth can hurt and Jesus knew this.

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            stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            And this is exactly why I turned off the email notifications on the droid. It would have been nice to find some droll atheist post here to make me laugh so I could calm my spirit before I responded; but I can assume Beelzedad and Mark have better things to do than think of something obnoxious to say about this thread.
            
            I have only one thing to say in response. I left this forum because there is no way for a person that loves the message of Jesus to participate. You drag his good name through the mud with every post. Those who cheered you on drag his good name through the mud. There is nothing of Jesus in your interpretation. There is nothing of God in your heart.
            
            It is not my place to sit in judgment of you and the only way that I can find my way back to the footsteps of Christ and try to live that truth is to run as far as I can away from those such as yourself.  I do pity you when I can force the compassion to rise above my revulsion.

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               Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Um didnt you just do what ya said you werent going to do -judge?
               
               Or possible did you mean something else.
               
               Personally I find Marks comments rather repetitive and occassionally immature ,but I guess its a personal thing.

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                  stillcuriousposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes I did.  And if you had bothered to take the time to read the entire post you would have noticed that I did notice that.  But that isn't your style, is it? Those of you so anxious to ensure that everyone that doesn't agree with you knows they are headed to hell are in too much of a hurry to ever stop and think. What's the fun in that? You might actually understand a different point of view.
                  
                  Cheer the little god on.  By my memory you do it well.  And if I remember, Mark was only attempting to be a reflection of the conduct of the Christians empty of any glimmer of Christ.  You summed it up almost perfectly. You are all repetitive; but not sometimes immature.  I would say it was closer to always.
                  
                  Now that we have both sat in judgment of each other I'll be on my way.

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                     Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I did read all of your post, I made comment on your last paragraph is all.
                     
                     My style according to you seems to offend you?
                     I am a little perplexed by that statement ,but you indeed are within your right to think whatever you want.
                     
                     I think its cute that you are quick to defend Marks actions as well, but suggests your opology to Fundamentalists just might be little insincere.
                     
                     Still good to see your up and running again sharing your thoughts again without bias or judgement

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                     brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     uh oh here she goes again.
                     She didn't solve her dilemma, she avoided it. She didn't dig into the word of God to discover truth, she took a holiday instead. There's a big difference. She turned off the email notifier so she wouldn't have to respond. Avoidance. Now it seems she only wants a laugh or two.
                     Why is it every time a person corrects someone or points out the 'way' that those who pointed it out are derided? This is why i more enjoy an atheist free forum so that christians can compare and analyze scripture, instead of getting dragged through the mud, told their tome is useless and pointed to equally deceived atheists like whats his name - dawkins.
                     Oh well. Praise God anyway and in all things, praise the Lord!

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   Cagsilposted 12 years ago

   Hey JustCurious/Stillcurious,
   
   Welcome back.

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   IntimatEvolutionposted 12 years ago

   We all make mistakes.  But not all of us the courage to own up to them.  That makes you truly terrific!

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      carol3sanposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hello everyone.  Nice meeting you all. No I don't remember stillcurious.  In fact I am fairly  new to hub pages and am just beginning to post on the forums.  I love reading you guys interestingcomments.

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         Eaglekiwiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Welcome to Hubpages Carol and specially to the forums.

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