Religious Detractors Within

Namaste Jesus

Namaste Jesus

Praise the Lord and Enjoy the Chai
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It might be just me, but after looking around at different faith based forums and seeing post after post where one member of a given faith blasts a fellow member for not believing exactly as they do, I've come to the conclusion that the biggest detractor for any given religion, is not those of an opposing faith or even the beliefs within that faith, but it's very own members. I'm not talking about calm discussions over varying viewpoints, but this whole, I'm right and you're wrong thing that goes on within a given faith. It just doesn't send the right message.

Thoughts? Possible solutions?
 
You are right NJ. Not much intra-faith dialogue going on these days. Seems to me to be a hardening of the arteries within all major religions because of a tendency towards more and more religious extremism. Don't like that last word, give me another one to put in it's place! Fact is people seem way less willing to even tolerate, much less accept, people within their own faith.
 
In my experience, the biggest detractors are those that effectively deify their book, to the exclusion of all others.
Those that see their scripture as a possible sign post to truth have an open horizon.

Here's a Kabir poem for all:

Lift the veil
that obscures
the heart

and there
you will find
what you are
looking for
 
As said above... Nobody believes exactly as someone else...hence over 3000 Christian denominations... That darn Martin started it all...

Science is the same way...when something is questionable... Folks disagree and work toward something that they can prove...but in religion...very little can be proven, it is mostly a house of cards held together by faith and belief...

Of course some may be upset about that but we can't prove gods or G!d Does exist no more thand we can prove faeries or elves or angels or even Abraham existed...

Tis life, in science proof is what moves things forward to consensus and new theories.... Religion downt have that luxury
 
wil said:
As said above... Nobody believes exactly as someone else...hence over 3000 Christian denominations... That darn Martin started it all...

Science is the same way...when something is questionable... Folks disagree and work toward something that they can prove...but in religion...very little can be proven, it is mostly a house of cards held together by faith and belief...

Of course some may be upset about that but we can't prove gods or G!d Does exist no more thand we can prove faeries or elves or angels or even Abraham existed...

Tis life, in science proof is what moves things forward to consensus and new theories.... Religion downt have that luxury
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I could probably write an essay on what I agree and disagree with (each separately) in your statement. Maybe I will come back to it when I have more time.
 
Or maybe start defending others who don't believe as you do?

Most often this comes up when we perceive our beliefs have been trampled on.
 
Or maybe continuing to support, explain and describe your own beliefs rather than trying to discredit others...

We've has this same discussion over the years.... And once back in 2006 when I suggested I may be the issue and offered to take a sabbatical on of our proud fundamentalist bible thumpers insisted I not...that the discussion itself was valuable... All in the way we perceive...
 
Human nature ain't changing anytime soon I suppose. I just wish we could accept differences in belief without feeling the need to belittle them. Especially within the same faith.
 
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Yup...been that way for thousands of years... When it comes to decorum and respectful discussion this place has a higher percentage than most...

And is small enough not to attract a constant flow of prophets, proselytizers and buttheads...
 
Namaste Jesus said:
I've come to the conclusion that the biggest detractor for any given religion, is not those of an opposing faith or even the beliefs within that faith, but it's very own members. I'm not talking about calm discussions over varying viewpoints, but this whole, I'm right and you're wrong thing that goes on within a given faith.
Click to expand...
I think it's a combination of ego, arrogance and ignorance all rolled up in a ball of misguided political correctness giving folks the idea they're more than they are, know more than they do and deserve more than they're entitled too. What do we do about it? Our best... not to let it get us down.
 
Aussie Thoughts said:
I think it's a combination of ego, arrogance and ignorance all rolled up in a ball of misguided political correctness giving folks the idea they're more than they are, know more than they do and deserve more than they're entitled too. What do we do about it? Our best... not to let it get us down.
Click to expand...
Although it is not always followed I Do like that the Quran gives us warnings for those that teach that they will be held accountable for any errors they perpetuate in the afterlife..
 
BigJoeNobody said:
Although it is not always followed I Do like that the Quran gives us warnings for those that teach that they will be held accountable for any errors they perpetuate in the afterlife..
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Yay, we'll let hundreds of thousands of folks die here at the hands of the Taliban, al shabab, Isis, whatever.... But after they die...
 
wil said:
Yay, we'll let hundreds of thousands of folks die here at the hands of the Taliban, al shabab, Isis, whatever.... But after they die...
Click to expand...
shortsightedness is also a problem when trying to understand religion. Most religions speak of an existence outside of this one that makes this one seem torturous compared to the greatness of the greater existence, and easy against the lesser. We don't intend to let people die. It is Allah's will either way. If he decides your test is done, it is done. If he wants it to continue, he will allow it to continue.
 
Aussie Thoughts said:
I think it's a combination of ego, arrogance and ignorance all rolled up in a ball of misguided political correctness giving folks the idea they're more than they are, know more than they do and deserve more than they're entitled too.
Click to expand...
The sad part is, those most guilty are seldom even aware of it.
 
Robber attacks you in the street...you die... Allah's will?

Isis blows up a mosque, Allah's will?

Taliban slices a journalists head, Allah's will?

A school bus of children hit by a drunk driver?

Allah's will?

So should the drunk, or the robber, or the taliban or Isis be punished for assisting ALLAH?
 
wil said:
As said above... Nobody believes exactly as someone else...hence over 3000 Christian denominations... That darn Martin started it all...
Click to expand...

That's a problem. Are you saying Christianity needs another reformation?
 
wil said:
Of course some may be upset about that but we can't prove gods or G!d Does exist no more thand we can prove faeries or elves or angels or even Abraham existed...
Click to expand...

We can prove whether or not gods exist. They reside in nature. Science has something to say about them.

wil said:
very little can be proven, it is mostly a house of cards held together by faith and belief...
Click to expand...

In your mind what's the "very little" that "can be proven?"
 
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