Arguments Over Religious Beliefs-Just LIVE and Let Others Live!

1. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 12 years ago

   In the religious and philosophical belief forums, there seems not to be a consensus regarding the relgious/philosophical/spiritual beliefs of others who believe differently!   Can't we all come to a consensus of letting others be and going our own way, minding our own business?   What do you think about this premise?

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   1. 69

      AshtonFireflyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think that respectful religious/philosophical/spiritual debate is healthy. It is (most times, depending on who you debate with) intellectually stimulating.
        The attackers and haters--yes they can go away and leave everyone alone. The people who are genuinely willing to respectfully discuss and debate their thoughts--I respect them.
        To be honest, if people begin to attack me personally, then I just ignore them or end the debate. It's not worth my time. My mission in debate isn't to pompously try to tell people who stupid they are. It's to have an intellectual conversation and share ideas.
        That's just my two cents.

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      1. 84

         gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         +1.

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      2. 80

         Precious Pearlposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I agree.  Debating one's stand should be done with honor and respect.  You don't have to agree with someone to see their point of view.  You don't have to resort to abusive language and name calling when your view differs with theirs.  I see no need to be offensive just because someone disagrees with how I believe.

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   2. 61

      kessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Each of the sides find their purpose through the other.....
      
      The unbelievers needs saving,,,,from their unbelief.
      The believers needs saving from their belief.
      
      The believer believes they are smart/right/know because of the unbelievers
      The unbelievers believer they are smart/right/know because of the believers.
      
      One cannot exist without the other.

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      1. 84

         gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Haha!  This is getting QUITE INTERESTING!

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   3. 60

      A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's a great idea. Now, who is going to convince the Evangelists?

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      1. 84

         gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Oopsy!

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   4. 61

      twosheds1posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That would kind of shut down the whole forum, wouldn't it?

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2. 46

   Ericdierkerposted 12 years ago

   There is an old saying, that I think came from Ben Franklin: Bad things happen when good men do nothing. Now I admit I have never seen a religious/belief conversion as a result of an argument. But I would hesitate to endorse any premise that led toward apathy toward our fellow humans. "Can't we all come to a consensus of letting others be and going our own way, minding our own business?" can restrict the motivation to help one another.
   
   I think that if we error at all on content we should lean toward erring in favor of free speech. Open exchanges of ideas, even opposite ones, is part of the integrity of our global internet activity.
   
   Perhaps I should not have anwered this, as it would seem our positions are antagonistic?

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   1. 84

      gmwilliamsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Of course, intelligent discourses are wonderful and healthy but some people cannot comprehend this concept and go for the jugular, personally attacking those who they disagree with!  This is so sad indeed!

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   2. 61

      twosheds1posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Agreed. Online discussions may not directly lead to conversions, but they can sow the seeds of doubt in one's position enough that over time, opinions can change. I've seen it happen. And the solution to speech we don't like is MORE SPEECH!

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3. 84

   gmwilliamsposted 12 years ago

   To paraphrase the late educational psychologist and motivational speaker, Dr. Leo Buscaglia, we don't have to love and/or agree with others but PLEASE DO NOT HURT THEM!

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4. 60

   eternals3ptemberposted 12 years ago

   Gmwilliams, if everyone on the internet got along and we all acted civil, the Internet would self-destruct. Thats what happens, you know; satellites explode upon exposure to agreement. That being said, I think you're right, we should just find a way to get along dispite our differences a- *boom*

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5. 46

   Ericdierkerposted 12 years ago

   I have been giving this some thought and review and find it amazingly similar to problems that were faced in the late '90s.  We begain forums to discuss and truly debate important internet governance issues. Most were either under the umbrella or direct management by ICANN (Internet Corporation for the Assignment of Names and Numbers.
   
   The problems came about between public policy people and technical engineers. We just did not speak the same language or have the same foundation for our understanding each other. Folks who just barely disagreed became angry and frustrated with the other side because they were saying the same thing differently. The only restriction that worked well was "no personal attacks".
   
   Here atheists speak a language of truth by proof and the spiritual speak a language of truth by faith. Neither is right in the other's language. Both are right in their own language. Seeking understanding through rigorous debate is a great goal. Seeking to prove the other wrong is not worthy of time spent.
   
   I suppose my conclusion is that individual restraint is our only proper option for censorship. And generally that is best excercised by not responding to baiting, easier said than done.

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