Religious posts--let's take a break for a bit

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Aviendha: I've been avoiding any religious threads since then.

But Avi, avoidance (and denial) are not the answers. Tact and consideration are. It's not the topic that's the problem, it's the way it's discussed. There are many controversial topics that can be discussed, religion being just one.

Not co-incidentally many of these controversial discussions have meaning. They are important to people, and are what seperates a forum from a glorified chat room - the quality and depth of the discussion.

[ 07-04-2002, 12:07 AM: Message edited by: Yorick ]

[canadianvixen]

MANY Forums just totally ban ANY talk about Religious postings and other touchy subjects--I won't do that. But let's take a break from them for a bit.

Amen

Originally posted by Yorick: quote: Originally posted by Aviendha: I've been avoiding any religious threads since then.

But Avi, avoidance (and denial) are not the answers. Tact and consideration are. It's not the topic that's the problem, it's the way it's discussed. There are many controversial topics that can be discussed, religion being just one.

Not co-incidentally many of these controversial discussions have meaning. They are important to people, and are what seperates a forum from a glorified chat room - the quality and depth of the discussion.[/QUOTE]Yorick, I don't mean to be offensive, but tact and consideration do not seem to be in use in over half the religious discussions. Some people know how to keep the conversation within the boundaries of a discussion without crossing the line into an argument. Others simply cannot do this. I struggle. I see someone expressing a belief that contradicts mine and I bite. I want to try to burn there beliefs, and make them realise they are wrong. It's this natural defensive instinct that will always come out, and I'm sure it's the same for others too.

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Aviendha: I see someone expressing a belief that contradicts mine and I bite. I want to try to burn there beliefs, and make them realise they are wrong. It's this natural defensive instinct that will always come out, and I'm sure it's the same for others too.

Very interesting. Why is this the case?

[johnny]

Yes Avi, it is !

Originally posted by Yorick: quote: Originally posted by Aviendha: I see someone expressing a belief that contradicts mine and I bite. I want to try to burn there beliefs, and make them realise they are wrong. It's this natural defensive instinct that will always come out, and I'm sure it's the same for others too.

Very interesting. Why is this the case?[/QUOTE]I just wanted to point out Yorick, that you have never spoken to me on a personal level. Every response you give seems to be a criticism or a way of putting down what I am saying. I'm an honest and open girl, and I don't like that being used against me!

Maybe if you weren't so smug about your knowlegde and beliefs, I would respect you more.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Aviendha and Yorick,

Let's step back and take a deep breath. It is EXACTLY this type of "exchange" that has led to the moratorium being put in place.....and now we are turning the "moratorium" thread into yet another "Religious debate". [img]graemlins/fight.gif[/img]

Aviendha, I understand your "defensive instinct". My initial reaction is often the same to Posts that disagree with my POV. ( ) That's why I will often wait - sometimes several hours - before Posting a Reply. I read what the person has said and then I try to look at it objectively so that I can offer a reasonable counter-argument. It is very hard not to try to "win" the debate and "show the other person how wrong they are". I understand this completely. But that isn't - or shouldn't be - the point of our discussions here. The purpose is simply to offer different POV's and maybe look at our own beliefs through the eyes of those who differ with us. :ponder:

You asked if it was not possible for me to discuss other issues...yes, it is....but I don't enjoy the other threads nearly as much. I thoroughly enjoy someone challenging my beliefs (in a respectful manner). It forces me to re-evaluate my faith. I've experienced my greatest growth as a Christian since I began debating my faith with atheists and other non-beleivers. I have had to examine WHY I believe the things I do, looking past the refrain of "because it says so in the Bible." This has increased my knowledge and strengthened my faith.

But I've also learned a GREAT deal about the faith of others on this forum. I may not agree with their beliefs, but I'm always interested in learning more about them.

Yorick I admire your passion, brother, and your knowledge of other religions far exceeds any that I will ever have. [img]graemlins/starhappy.gif[/img] But, as I've mentioned before, your passion seems to be a liability at times. It is often very easy for someone to "bait" you into a "heated discussion". [img]graemlins/1pissed.gif[/img] Again, I understand completely. To your credit, I have seen less and less of this recently. You've become much more "objective" in your Posts and that is wonderful. But you still seem to have a need to "get in the last word". Sometimes, you just have to let it go. [img]graemlins/hippysmile.gif[/img]

So, let's just let this entire subject drop before Ziroc ends up having to CLOSE his own thread. How embarassing would that be? [img]graemlins/awcrap.gif[/img]

I was dismayed by the moratorium at first, but I see now that it is - indeed - VERY necessary.

[Melusine]

Wow Cerek.
You never cease to impress, mate. It's such a good thing we have people like you around here. [img]smile.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

[K T Ong]

I may well have a few things to learn from you, Cerek. [img]smile.gif[/img]

And I honestly have to say I can understand Aviendha to a certain extent...

[Memnoch]

Originally posted by K T Ong: I may well have a few things to learn from you, Cerek. [img]smile.gif[/img] And I honestly have to say I can understand Aviendha to a certain extent...

No offense, KT - but your second comment justifies your first comment completely. Kind of like one step forward, two steps back, you know what I mean?