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.
1. who is there
2. who is not there
3. that YOU are there
I disagree with you on number 3,because I know I will be there it won't be a surprise and as far as number 1 God will be there and as far as number 2 Satan will not be there.
Perhaps you could start by simply respecting the person, and their right to their religious beliefs. You don't have to agree with a theist, (and there are atheists on our forum who prove that point), but you can still have respectful dialogue with those of differing beliefs, (again, many of our resident atheists do). It is not necessary to slap folks in the face because they believe in a way that is not compatible with your own thought process, as the OP did. It is not respectful, (indeed, it is counterproductive), to accuse others of not thinking, simply because they have come to a different conclusion than yourself about religious/spiritual beliefs, (and yes, this is true for both sides).
Personally, I am well aware that many atheists are highly intelligent people, and I certainly would not accuse them of not thinking, because I believe in a Creator, and they don't. That would be the height of arrogance, on my part. I have actually learned a great deal, here on our forum, listening to the atheists' reasoning. But, for me, although I cannot prove the existence of a Creator, I see enough "evidence", if you will, around me, that convinces me that one exists. By the same token, I actually understand why atheists do not believe, (because I listened, and gave some "thought" to what they had to say), and although I have not come to the same conclusion that they have, I still can respect their reasoning, and I appreciate it when they can be respectful of mine. Agreeing is not necessary.
You may have a right to believe what you want to believe, but you do not have a right to have your beliefs respected. If I concluded that 1 + 1 = 5, my conclusion would be wrong and would not deserve to be respected.
Your smarmy attitude is not going to discredit anything I have said. I've heard it all before, that I am close minded because I always have a rebuttal, and that if I'd just take a moment to understand what they're saying I would totally agree with them all of a sudden. All of it is rubbish, I recognize my own biases.
You may have a right to believe what you want to believe, but you do not have a right to have your beliefs respected. If I concluded that 1 + 1 = 5, my conclusion would be wrong and would not deserve to be respected.
Your smarmy attitude is not going to discredit anything I have said. I've heard it all before, that I am close minded because I always have a rebuttal, and that if I'd just take a moment to understand what they're saying I would totally agree with them all of a sudden. All of it is rubbish, I recognize my own biases.
I think Celtic Lady made a good post. Are you saying that I should not respect your unbelief?
I think Celtic Lady made a good post. Are you saying that I should not respect your unbelief?
I'm saying that a person needs to present a respectable argument for his or her beliefs if he or she wishes to have them respected. Fallacious arguments are not respectable.
A quick study of logical fallacies and rhetoric would help you understand what does and what does not constitute a respectable argument.
I'm saying that a person needs to present a respectable argument for his or her beliefs if he or she wishes to have them respected. Fallacious arguments are not respectable.
A quick study of logical fallacies and rhetoric would help you understand what does and what does not constitute a respectable argument.
I don't think anything I could say would cause you to respect what I believe.
With your kind of thinking I should not respect what you don't believe.
The use of the word "unbelief" is too bizarre.
Beliefs that are fabricated without any logic, reason or evidence to support the beliefs do not deserve respect. Not all beliefs are, nor should be respected. Many beliefs about many things circulate in our world, there is no reason to respect them all. Respecting all beliefs is anti-progressive and often harmful to individuals and/or groups. Some beliefs can motivate people to commit atrocities.
Respect is something that must be earned.
People who blather beliefs, without providing any reason, logic, or evidence merely demonstrate their brain-disconnect and lack of reality.
People that can EXPLAIN their beliefs by using reason, logic and evidence deserve a hearing.
Anybody can claim anything. That's easy. Those who make a claim, and then prove it by reason, logic, and evidence can be respected. That would be progress.
Last edited by Visvaldis; 04-01-2008 at 08:30 PM..
BTW...truths are not determined by the number of followers.
Nor is truth determined by the loudest voice.
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.
). It is not necessary to slap folks in the face because they believe in a way that is not compatible with your own thought process, as the OP did. It is not respectful, (indeed, it is counterproductive), to accuse others of not thinking, simply because they have come to a different conclusion than yourself about religious/spiritual beliefs, (and yes, this is true for both sides).
