Why do some forget that there are enlightened, progressive, & liberal religionis

1. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   Why do some forget that there are enlightened, progressive, & liberal religionists & that all
   
   religionists are not narrow-minded & judgmental dichotomous people?   Many of us put religionists into one category when such isn't necessarily the case at all.  Religionists aren't a monolith.  Religionists are different in their outlook, consciousness, philosophy, & mindset- they are INDIVIDUALS.
   
   

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2. 48

   Ericdierkerposted 9 years ago

   I am that "religionist" that gets labeled. It is OK with me. I really like going to church. I am not a member and I see it as a physical fun thing to do. But it has little to do with my daily routine and spirituality. In fact it has almost nothing to do with it. But church is cool, and I love to sing and dance and there is no better place than with friends and neighbors. I like the litany of church. It is just calming and delightful and they do a great job. I like to punch in a few bucks to help pay for the stuff. The sound system is awesome and deserves our respect. My young son really loves all the hugs and high fives.
   But my Christianity is closer to a Zen model. There is great peace in the gospel of love. We do not just practice loving around here we study it and profess it. If you get me started you will hear very little scripture and a whole bunch of down time just contemplating.
   I think the greatest sermon I ever heard is when my mom just held my hand and sat with me. I had stage 4 cancer at the time and she was just coming to Jesus as her life waned.
   I don't really get it. I reckon I am not supposed to. But they can label me as they choose and I will not be offended. I am what I am.

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   1. 86

      Annsaloposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I've been on HP for 6 years and seen MANY of your posts, and I certainly wouldn't say you are one of those "narrow-minded & judgmental dichotomous people".

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   2. 48

      Ericdierkerposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I wonder if some times I do not stray away and do harm. Perhaps I should be more careful, or is that care full?

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3. 76

   jlparkposted 9 years ago

   I'm guessing they're blinded by the message they are trying to get across - much like the evangelical religionist.
   
   It could be though, they are like this because they are tired - tired of those more vocal and more prominent examples of those people that they are generalising everyone as trying to force their faith in everyone - trying to force laws through to block things tha their faith doesn't agree with (abortion, MarriGe equality etc). Tired of the people who please persecution because they aren't allowed to discriminate against others. Those who given religion a bad name.
   
   So these liberals, non religious who generalise all are blinded because they are tired of fighting against those people and are just trying to get it out there to say 'keep your faith to yourself' type of things.
   
   Me? I'm not religious in the slightest, but I understand and scknowledge that the examples I see loudly on the news, on HP, are not the best examples of those who have faith. That most people arent anything like these people - happy to be faithful,but acknowledge that not all are the same, nor should they be forced to follow the faith of themselves. That respect people for being who they are no matter who they worship (or don't).
   
   Respect is the key.

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4. 78

   Oztinatoposted 9 years ago

   Great question!
   I have put this question many times in debates on HP to various atheists. Most atheist arguments rely on a stereotype of religion as "right-wing back woods fundamentalist". Stereotypes are the foundation of bigotry. Such atheists are very numerous on HP. I've pointed out to them that stereotyping does not aid discussions and leads to cultural genocide. For example,  indigenous people have religions integral to their culture. Another example are Tibetans whose cultural identity is tied up with their religion.
   Now for the answer:
   such atheists do this because it suits their very weak arguments against religion. The stereotype is the very foundation of their arguments and as a result their entire point of view crumbles. Many such persons claim to be scientific types which further exacerbates the gigantic hypocrisy of indulging in stereotype based "arguments".
   The definition of a true bigot is someone who won't change their narrow minded stereotypes even after education.

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   1. 72

      getitriteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Most of the atheists arguments on here are EXTREMELY strong. Neither right wing fundamentalists or liberal Christians have any evidence to support the outlandish claims of Christianity. They both become angry at the atheists for causing dissonance.

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   2. 0

      SonOfSkyrim201posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      All religious people are brainwashed! All 95% of the worlds population!

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   3. 78

      Oztinatoposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Getrite
      you just proved my point: you limited your argument solely to a stereotype yet again.

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   4. 72

      getitriteposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes Fard, anybody who believes in things that dont exist are brainwashed. A lie is a lie no matter how many people believe it.
      @Oz I dont know how u come to that conclusion. I based my comment on what ALL Christians have in common. U have NO argumen

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5. 83

   tamarawilhiteposted 9 years ago

   If you do not judge anything right or wrong, then you lose the ability to call wrong things wrong to stop it, from murder to rape to assault. And you lose the ability to say bad things are bad because it is all on a sliding scale, from adultery to pornography.
   And calling making judgements of right and wrong bad is itself a judgement.
   
   Societies need moral standards, and judging actions against those standards is not immoral - it is necessary to prevent society sliding down to its lowest basest impulses.

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6. 60

   Rich kelleyposted 9 years ago

   Dichotomy.
   Right and wrong
   black and white
   light darkness
   life death
   my way your way
   up down
   left right
   winner loser
   
   No one wants to be on the wrong side of anything, so many today are in the "who is to say" group, the in the middle group. The defender of either side, while not accepting either. To belittle the side not agreed with is humorous. Live and let live but keep your voice down please. What ever floats your boat just stay out of my water ways. Accept my wrong as right or you are wrong. My way or the highway as if walking is not an option. The situational ethics is still here and hanging on. Progressively wrong is becoming the norm because enlightenment isn't all it is cracked up to be. A slave to what makes you comfortable and secure is not justification for being correct. The alpha one decides to follow is going to pray on someone/something.

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