Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I notice that many of the threads are ongoing arguments between believers of [enter something here] and non-believers.
Neither side will ever convince the other of their position, so I ask: why respond? Is it a visceral need to be right and to be acknowledged as being right?
Each side disputes the validity of the others' arguments. Each side argues from their "higher moral ground" position.
Why does anyone care what anyone else believes or thinks?
I am part of a minority in my religious beliefs, and it would never occur to me to tell someone else they are wrong and then try to "prove" it. I am not diminished by people not believing as I.
My mordant curiosity is asking these questions.
It is human nature to ponder questions of existence. Part of that pondering is challenging contrasting views and being challenged by them.
As to why people care what others believe? Such things as basic civil rights and public safety often turn on beliefs. That is reason enough right there.
As for the notion that no one can convince anyone else of something? The world is full of atheists and used to be theists, and vice versa. They came to their present positions for a variety of reasons, some of which including being convinced by rhetoric.
It is human nature to ponder questions of existence. Part of that pondering is challenging contrasting views and being challenged by them.
As to why people care what others believe? Such things as basic civil rights and public safety often turn on beliefs. That is reason enough right there.
As for the notion that no one can convince anyone else of something? The world is full of atheists and used to be theists, and vice versa. They came to their present positions for a variety of reasons, some of which including being convinced by rhetoric.
It's often a form of modern-day witch-hunting for those with little to no faith in their governing bodies.
It is human nature to ponder questions of existence. Part of that pondering is challenging contrasting views and being challenged by them.
As to why people care what others believe? Such things as basic civil rights and public safety often turn on beliefs. That is reason enough right there.
As for the notion that no one can convince anyone else of something? The world is full of atheists and used to be theists, and vice versa. They came to their present positions for a variety of reasons, some of which including being convinced by rhetoric.
How does what you believe violate my civil rights? We have penalties for breaking laws. In a Democracy everyone has a right to push their agenda.
Neither side will ever convince the other of their position, so I ask:
1. why respond?
2. Is it a visceral need to be right and to be acknowledged as being right?
3. Why does anyone care what anyone else believes or thinks?
Hi Lillie, This is my take.
There is an innate desire, albeit often unconscious, to be accepted, loved, liked, noticed, approved of.
This need or desire is mistakenly translated into being agreed with; if not agreed with there can be residual patterns
of feelings from childhood of hurt, shame, profound rejection, leaving low self-esteem, even anger.
Ha, the terrible, old 'being picked last for the kick ball team'.
When confident, secure, at peace, mature emotionally and psychologically the need or care to be agreed with,
approved of, liked, noticed are not necessary any longer. Yay.
Then, the differences in belief systems, preferences, styles, attitudes, values, possessions,
choices do not bother us or effect us...the need to debate, argue and be right vaporize.
The indifference to change another is laid to rest and tucked in...and such a peaceful wisdom and
freedom is felt...allowing us to give to another what we want...approval and acceptance !
The ego is placed in some backroom, called out when really needed...not for the adult sandbox shoving.
There is an innate desire, albeit often unconscious, to be accepted, loved, liked, noticed, approved of.
This need or desire is mistakenly translated into being agreed with; if not agreed with there can be residual patterns
of feelings from childhood of hurt, shame, profound rejection, leaving low self-esteem, even anger.
Ha, the terrible, old 'being picked last for the kick ball team'.
When confident, secure, at peace, mature emotionally and psychologically the need or care to be agreed with,
approved of, liked, noticed are not necessary any longer. Yay.
Then, the differences in belief systems, preferences, styles, attitudes, values, possessions,
choices do not bother us or effect us...the need to debate, argue and be right vaporize.
The indifference to change another is laid to rest and tucked in...and such a peaceful wisdom and
freedom is felt...allowing us to give to another what we want...approval and acceptance !
The ego is placed in some backroom, called out when really needed...not for the adult sandbox shoving.
This is just my take, remember.
Truth. Hunger for approval presents itself in strange ways, agreement being one.
I notice that many of the threads are ongoing arguments between believers of [enter something here] and non-believers.
Neither side will ever convince the other of their position, so I ask: why respond? Is it a visceral need to be right and to be acknowledged as being right?
Each side disputes the validity of the others' arguments. Each side argues from their "higher moral ground" position.
Why does anyone care what anyone else believes or thinks?
I am part of a minority in my religious beliefs, and it would never occur to me to tell someone else they are wrong and then try to "prove" it. I am not diminished by people not believing as I.
My mordant curiosity is asking these questions.
I have some very close friends who thoroughly enjoy vigorous discussion and thoughtful debate.
Although one could categorize each of us differently, we don't fall into that trap. We don't label each other as liberal, conservative, religious, spiritual, atheist etc etc.
We are friends who respect each other, and who all earnestly desire truth.
The labels, names, descriptions, and such merely serve to box us in. To hamper our search.
I have some very close friends who thoroughly enjoy vigorous discussion and thoughtful debate.
Although one could categorize each of us differently, we don't fall into that trap. We don't label each other as liberal, conservative, religious, spiritual, atheist etc etc.
We are friends who respect each other, and who all earnestly desire truth.
The labels, names, descriptions, and such merely serve to box us in. To hamper our search.
Humility and mutual respect are essential.
I don't find arguing to be productive. I love instruction and correction, because I know that I am the beneficiary in correction as it opens my eyes to see past myself which promotes living growth.
When you can't see past yourself, the grave becomes the final destiny. Joseph saw past himself, offered forgiveness to his brothers and served them. He gave instruction for his bones to be carried out of Egypt and into the promised land, as he looked to the land of the living. He knew that Egypt was not his final destination or theirs, according to the word God spoke to Abraham as Joseph also looked past himself to the God of the living.
The lying serpent claimed to open eyes, while only opening eyes that didn't see past themselves, as they only saw nakedness and sought to cover their nakedness. And then in Adams response to God after the sin was the same in nature, only trying to cover himself as he couldn't see anything past himself. In the judgement on the serpents head, the promised child was spoken to once again open their eyes to see past themselves and look to the word God had spoken.
I can spell out the same things throughout the scriptures.
I have some very close friends who thoroughly enjoy vigorous discussion and thoughtful debate.
Although one could categorize each of us differently, we don't fall into that trap. We don't label each other as liberal, conservative, religious, spiritual, atheist etc etc.
We are friends who respect each other, and who all earnestly desire truth.
The labels, names, descriptions, and such merely serve to box us in. To hamper our search.
Humility and mutual respect are essential.
Absolutely. Such a discussion would be pleasurable and enlightening. Quite impossible sadly in the way this forum is designed. Thus the struggle to obtain something here that is simply not available.
Sometimes when a believer asks why we have to fight, what they are really asking is why can't we all just have a nice echo-chamber tea party where everyone basically agrees or agrees to disagree.
Your choice of words/acknowledgment is telling i.e. ‘have to fight’; point being, ‘fighting’ is ineffective communication. Why do you feel as though you have no other options than to fight or have a tea party, lol? There’s plenty of reasonable middle ground to be had; or even better, simply don’t engage if others’ beliefs rile you - as they have every right to have said beliefs no matter how foolish they are, or how badly you want them to believe as you do.
As an atheist myself, I’m wary of those who ‘preach’/argue atheism with an anti-theistic (or excessively personal) slant. There is always a reason/need behind one’s behavior; and, when it involves anger/hate, it usually comes down to psychological dysfunction, as a whole. At the end of the day, per the thread, much of it has little to do with religion or atheism.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
My edit of your quote.
