I Asked This On The Last Board, But Here Goes....

[The_Heretic]

Virtually every thread- regardless of the original subject, gets turned into a slap-fight-fest betweent the religious [mostly the Chriistians] and the atheists.

So,

Who here has changed their view as a result of reading the other side argue their version?

[AlineaHeart]

Originally Posted by The_Heretic

Virtually every thread- regardless of the original subject, gets turned into a slap-fight-fest betweent the religious [mostly the Chriistians] and the atheists.

So,

Who here has changed their view as a result of reading the other side argue their version?

I don't recall this question but okay.

I view the question as having two meanings - have our views of religion/spirituality changed and/or our views of the people that hold them. My spiritual beliefs haven't changed (why get narrow?).

However, I used to fall in the "xtians are repressing us, damn them" camp to the point I was anti-religious. I particularly held that view in relation to abortion but I'm sure if I really delved into it, that would boil down to money or something else as the root cause. Looking around, I just don't see xtianity "shoved down my throat" any more than, say, other people's favorite sports teams. Religion/spirituality is a big buffett - if you don't like something, leave it on the bar.

As for who possibly influenced this change, I think Deeez. He's repeatedly said something to the effect that what someone believes makes no difference to others (unless a scam is involved, obviously).

[W.M.DEEEZ]

Whenever new people used to show up in the old neighborhood, I would mention that they would NEVER get anyone to change their views. There are a couple of members that are/were capable of keeping an open mind, but the overwhelming majority won't come down off their positions.


When I arrived at Maher almost 2 years ago, it was my first message board. I was an angry individual, sickened by the way the country had turned. This was just after it was "safe" to discuss the obvious scandal that was being perpetrated by this regime.

I used to scream at the tv news programs. Although I got ignored/abused the vast majority of the time, the board was a great way to learn about a variety of other's views on topics that were important to me.


Quickly, I stopped screaming at my tv, and felt much better for having the opportunity to have meaningful discussion with a select few.

Better than primal scream therapy, for sure.






I developed a kinship with a very small group, and even though we never agree on every issue, we have the ability to at least try understand how the others might feel the way they do, possibly due to the other's life experiences.


I eventually learned that we all come here for our own reasons. Although my frustrations in life are many, they aren't made any less so by abusing others verbally, on the internet. If you pay attention to the moon phases, you will be amused by the predictability of the arguing here, when the full moon is near.


Have I changed my views? Perhaps admitting that I have gained a better understanding of certain issues would be more accurate. Although I never agreed with Carmen's style, and was usually frustrated at her refusal to actually address the issues that could have led to great discussion...she did cause me to ponder "what I felt" about many important topics.



I will say this...I have learned quite a bit about many things because of the discussions on these boards. My eyes were opened, and google was just a click away.

[Environment Man]

Although my views were not changed i know my posts changed many.

[Teri B.]

Originally Posted by Environment Man

Although my views were not changed i know my posts changed many.

And too "many" not for the better.

I don't consider myself a "Christian" cause I don't like any of the connotatoins that word has. I consider myself a humble student of Christ and many other religions. I wish most so called "Christians" today would just try to emulate Christ, instead of behaving with such arrogance, hubris.

Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity.

[Environment Man]

Originally Posted by Teri B.

And too "many" not for the better.

I don't consider myself a "Christian" cause I don't like any of the connotatoins that word has. I consider myself a humble student of Christ and many other religions. I wish most so called "Christians" today would just try to emulate Christ, instead of behaving with such arrogance, hubris.

Oh aren't you just so pious and righteous? WEll hurry up and finish your studies for it is a finite body of information. I did and Christianity won. It answers all of my importaant questions. It DOES feel good to be found instead of the confusion of being lost, as I have found most here.

[Teri B.]

Originally Posted by Environment Man

Oh aren't you just so pious and righteous? WEll hurry up and finish your studies for it is a finite body of information. I did and Christianity won. It answers all of my importaant questions. It DOES feel good to be found instead of the confusion of being lost, as I have found most here.

There are scholars who have spent their lives studying Christ and The Bible, and are still studying, so maybe you could give them some tips. I have no problem with your "faith" in what you believe - I admire that. What does rub the wrong way is your arrogance and condemnation of others. We are not worthy of judging others, and I don't think Jesus would approve. But hey, this can be a tough crowd for Christians, and I just think your nastiness only affirms what those who dislike Christians already think.

If you're so knowledgeable, how about sharing some of what Christ was about rather spending so much time telling everyone how superior your beliefs are?

[ericgtr]

Originally Posted by Environment Man

Although my views were not changed i know my posts changed many.

Originally Posted by Environment Man

Oh aren't you just so pious and righteous? WEll hurry up and finish your studies for it is a finite body of information. I did and Christianity won. It answers all of my importaant questions. It DOES feel good to be found instead of the confusion of being lost, as I have found most here.

Most here? I take it this is because they don't see things your way? Well let me jump on the band wagon here with you and help spread this message to all.

Everyone, if you don't see things EM's way then you are all hypocrites, lost and confused. Save yourselves before it's too late and change all of your beliefs! Chop chop

-Your friendly admin

[Environment Man]

Originally Posted by Teri B.

There are scholars who have spent their life studying Christ and The Bible, and are still studying, so maybe you could give them some tips. I have no problem with your "faith" in what you believe - I admire that. What does rub the wrong way is your arrogance and condemnation of others. We are not worthy of judging others, and I don't think Jesus would approve. But hey, this can be a tough crowd for Christians, and I just think your nastiness only affirms those who dislike Christians already think.

If you're so knowledgeable, how about sharing some of what Christ was about rather spending so much time telling everyone who superior your beliefs are?

I have neither condemned anyone not judged anyone. I have describe their beliefs. If they are unbaptized they are unwashed. If they do not believe in God they are pagans or atheists. That is not judging but it is describing. I leave it to Jesus and God to judge me and everybody else. This is not a tough crowd for me. It is a very easy crowd because those who believe in mud as their god and Darwin as their Jesus are simply lost.

[lollipop]

After reading EnvironmentMan's verbal feces it convinces me even more about the illegitimacy of religion.