Quote:
Originally posted by Yorick:
Regarding my "arrogance", there is no insecurity. Odd that you would think it so. It is precisely the opposite my friend. Doubts and crisis of faith were things - are things - that I embrace as a precursor to a deeper level of understanding, not something I fear or remove myself from.
Regarding my "putting down" other religions, I post reactively, not proactively to ideas and theologies posted. I spent six months on here before people even knew I was Christian. I have actually shown restraint regarding my objections. Shown tolerance of other beliefs. I try wherever possible to challenge the central generic teaching, not an individuals interpretation. I respect anyones right to believe what they will. This respect must be mutual however. I am not pantheistic. Christ is not "one of the ways" one can take, but in my belief the only way. Tolerating my position is as important as me tolerating theirs.
I do care about others Dio. I care that others have not tasted Grace. I care that others are on a path to what I percieve as oblivion. I previously had no care for those that didn't want to know Christ. That was their business. Between them and God. It was arrogant of me to presume to impose my truth upon others. I knew where I was going and that's all that mattered. Consequently I only spoke of my theologies to fellow believers, taught in bible colleges, had fellowship with others on the same path.
However I have had a growing concern for others - especially after WTC. I have seen the spiritual ache and hunger in people I have spoken to that I'd have never thought possible. I've had people willing to hear, willing to open their minds in an attempt to find the same God I know. If I know him, who am I to keep that to myself? Knowing God has given me such inner peace, such joy, perception, creativity, love of life, friendliness, connection, thirst for knowledge, artistic appreciation and satisfaction, that I shouldn't be keeping that "secret" to myself. If I speak of it, and people reject it, so be it. At least I have opened my heart to them, and given them an option.
I now have to find a balance between offending, and yet adhering the growing impulses to speak.
These are my beliefs. Part of the things I have to compromise when practicing tolerance. Part of the things that in tolerating me, must also be accepted, if not agreed with.
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Yorick, well said.
I apologize for my ealier outburst against you. It was out of line.
Regarding tolerance, I understand your point, and I respect your awareness of the need to strike a balance between the desire not to offend and the desire to speak out.
One thing I would ask you to keep in mind, however, along the lines of not offending
, is that the very nature of your religious position can be perceived by people who don't believe as you do as intolerance.
Many people in the world, myself included, take the position that pretty much all religions are equally valid. They each are a part of God's truth, each an imperfect manifestation of the deeper Divine.
A position, like yours, which takes one of those religions and declares it to be THE truth, can be perceived by its very nature as being a good deal more intolerant than other view points like the above mentioned one.
However, I see from your comments that you are in fact aware of this dilemma, and of that I am glad.
Regarding my comments about you being arrogant, I realize that arrogance can often be confused with strength of conviction. Hell, I myself have certainly been accused of being arrogant in the same way lately, for my own convictions, so I sympathize with you
Again, my apologies