Have you converted/lost faith as a result of this forum? (America, Jewish)

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by Throx

I gained much respect and understanding of the Hindu faith. Gained much knowledge about Judism and Mormon Christians. My Buddhist faith is the same.

Lost just about all of my faith in protestant Christianity and the ones that practice it.

Dude! No! Come back to the light Maryann! LOL

What's funny is before I opened this thread I KNEW, absolutely, that the poll would reflect a high percentage of those saying they were the same in their beliefs after visiting these forums. But it's 100%! LOL...The Christians all say they are stronger in their faith and probably all athiests would say they are only more confirmed in their beliefs...

Be careful how you view the world; it is like that.

[Ms.Charlotte]

Originally Posted by WCRob

I came in here believing the very same things I still believe right now. Nothing has changed. It's highly unlikely, though not completely impossible, that anyone is going to change their position by visiting a forum. One of the reasons I get sick of debates in forums is because very rarely does anyone actually change their position. It's just about arguing, that's all. People want to let their voice be heard, in the hopes that others will support them, thereby boosting their own sense of "being right". But when others disagree with them, it launches a whole big argument about why the opposing parties are wrong. Rarely is either side of a debate convinced of the "truth" presented by the opposing party.

I don't know, WCRob. While one may not change their views, they can certainly learn things and gain perspective, don't you think? I've certainly learned a lot here.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by Ms.Charlotte

I don't know, WCRob. While one may not change their views, they can certainly learn things and gain perspective, don't you think? I've certainly learned a lot here.

I can DEFINATELY say I've learned LOADS about alot of things and gained alot of perspective as well.

[Ms.Charlotte]

Okay, let's hear from the two people who checked off "were religious and are now atheists". Jeff, what did you do?? You come on for 10 minutes and the faithful are fleeing!
j/k, j/k.
You know I love ya!

[lilypad]

Nope too old and stubborn to change now! And do hope I will continue to keep the time on a forum in context with that of real life--that it is just a fun past time with some nice people (mostly), nothing more.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by Ms.Charlotte

Okay, let's hear from the two people who checked off "were religious and are now atheists". Jeff, what did you do?? You come on for 10 minutes and the faithful are fleeing!
j/k, j/k.
You know I love ya!

Yeah, that would be interesting!

[june 7th]

Originally Posted by b. frank

No, I don't really know people who strive for Christian-style peace but consider themselves atheists. I think that person would probably be an "angry at the world" type (which seems to be the prevailing view of ALL atheists to many Christians) and they may be more open to Christianity than the kind of atheists that I know.

If anything, I think people come to this forum, in large part, as a means by which to VALIDATE what they already believe. Even as an atheist, there is something to be said about reading opinions that differ from mine, as well as reading those words that are posted by others who think as I do. We all want to see, read, something that resonates with us. So I think that ultimately, we all seek our own sense of personal validation in what we do here. If we did not get that, most likely the vast majority of us would not be here.

At the same time, that which resonates with us, and that which we find validating of our own beliefs, is NOT, (in my June opinion) necessarily due to exclusively reading ideas that only support my "view." If nothing else, a case could be made for the fact that oftentimes it is when a person is confronted by their own polar opposite views that they find self validation. I suspect that there are times when both believers and nonbelievers read each other's words, only to react/respond with and thereby come away having reinforced what they already believe. In any human interaction, I think that our beliefs are often reinforced by being exposed to thoughts, and ideas that are so vastly different from our own.

I quoted b. frank above as his words struck a chord with me. My immediate reaction upon first reading them were: "I am an atheist who strives for 'Christian-style' peace. But I am certainly not angry at the world." However, what I am really trying to say here is that peace is peace. Be it Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, and yes, atheist! I don't think any of us can truly say that we have "the corner on peace."

--At least I hope not, as we live in a very large world. And if true "world peace" is even something we hope for, then I think we have to consider that...And,

Take gentle care.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by june 7th

If anything, I think people come to this forum, in large part, as a means by which to VALIDATE what they already believe. Even as an atheist, there is something to be said about reading opinions that differ from mine, as well as reading those words that are posted by others who think as I do. We all want to see, read, something that resonates with us. So I think that ultimately, we all seek our own sense of personal validation in what we do here. If we did not get that, most likely the vast majority of us would not be here.

At the same time, that which resonates with us, and that which we find validating of our own beliefs, is NOT, (in my June opinion) necessarily due to exclusively reading ideas that only support my "view." If nothing else, a case could be made for the fact that oftentimes it is when a person is confronted by their own polar opposite views that they find self validation. I suspect that there are times when both believers and nonbelievers read each other's words, only to react/respond with and thereby come away having reinforced what they already believe. In any human interaction, I think that our beliefs are often reinforced by being exposed to thoughts, and ideas that are so vastly different from our own.

I quoted b. frank above as his words struck a chord with me. My immediate reaction upon first reading them were: "I am an atheist who strives for 'Christian-style' peace. But I am certainly not angry at the world." However, what I am really trying to say here is that peace is peace. Be it Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, and yes, atheist! I don't think any of us can truly say that we have "the corner on peace."

--At least I hope not, as we live in a very large world. And if true "world peace" is even something we hope for, then I think we have to consider that...And,

Take gentle care.

Basically, all June is sayin'...is give Peace a chance...

[kawgpz550]

Originally Posted by june 7th

If anything, I think people come to this forum, in large part, as a means by which to VALIDATE what they already believe. Even as an atheist, there is something to be said about reading opinions that differ from mine, as well as reading those words that are posted by others who think as I do. We all want to see, read, something that resonates with us. So I think that ultimately, we all seek our own sense of personal validation in what we do here. If we did not get that, most likely the vast majority of us would not be here.

At the same time, that which resonates with us, and that which we find validating of our own beliefs, is NOT, (in my June opinion) necessarily due to exclusively reading ideas that only support my "view." If nothing else, a case could be made for the fact that oftentimes it is when a person is confronted by their own polar opposite views that they find self validation. I suspect that there are times when both believers and nonbelievers read each other's words, only to react/respond with and thereby come away having reinforced what they already believe. In any human interaction, I think that our beliefs are often reinforced by being exposed to thoughts, and ideas that are so vastly different from our own.

I quoted b. frank above as his words struck a chord with me. My immediate reaction upon first reading them were: "I am an atheist who strives for 'Christian-style' peace. But I am certainly not angry at the world." However, what I am really trying to say here is that peace is peace. Be it Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, and yes, atheist! I don't think any of us can truly say that we have "the corner on peace."

--At least I hope not, as we live in a very large world. And if true "world peace" is even something we hope for, then I think we have to consider that...And,

Take gentle care.

Will SOMEONE please pass June (Miss Massachusetts) the new Miss America Crown?

That was very well said June! I only WISH I could post so eloquently!

[kawgpz550]

While some of my views have changed, my beliefs and faith has only gotten stronger!