ChatterBank1 min ago
Be yourself!
43 Answers
Often we want to be somewhere other than where we are, or
even to be someone other than who we are.
We tend to compare ourselves constantly with ohers and wonder
why we are not as rich, as intellegent, as simple, as generous,
as saintly as they are. Such comparisons make us feel, guilty,
ashamed, or jealous...
We are unique human beings, each with a call to realise in ife
what no one else can, and to realise it here in the concrete
context of the here and now.
We will never find happiness by trying to figure out whether
we are better or worse than others. We are good enough to
do what we are called to do.
Be yourself!
even to be someone other than who we are.
We tend to compare ourselves constantly with ohers and wonder
why we are not as rich, as intellegent, as simple, as generous,
as saintly as they are. Such comparisons make us feel, guilty,
ashamed, or jealous...
We are unique human beings, each with a call to realise in ife
what no one else can, and to realise it here in the concrete
context of the here and now.
We will never find happiness by trying to figure out whether
we are better or worse than others. We are good enough to
do what we are called to do.
Be yourself!
Answers
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-- answer removed --
You really cant answer a question without
some litle dig. You dont like what I say so you resort to being insulting. I
haven't time to read all your inane threads.Your answer to everything [and it
varies little //I cant get my head round it, so it must be a fairytale//. That
seems to be your only argument and it's wearing thin and you wonder why
people of other faiths dont want to debate with you. You throw up the same
argument all the time. All this because I wrote a text. [You didn't have to read
it, but you chose to and twisted it out of all proportion. Never mind, I think
I''ll get over it. I have an opinion that's different to yours. So what. Live with it!
some litle dig. You dont like what I say so you resort to being insulting. I
haven't time to read all your inane threads.Your answer to everything [and it
varies little //I cant get my head round it, so it must be a fairytale//. That
seems to be your only argument and it's wearing thin and you wonder why
people of other faiths dont want to debate with you. You throw up the same
argument all the time. All this because I wrote a text. [You didn't have to read
it, but you chose to and twisted it out of all proportion. Never mind, I think
I''ll get over it. I have an opinion that's different to yours. So what. Live with it!
Cupid, //Please tell me why you comment at all when you have no interest in religion or spirituality?//
Yet again the same old question. Perhaps believers don’t actually read what others write - hence their failure to recognise and acknowledge not only the glaring flaws in religion that atheists attempt to illustrate, but their purposes in attempting to illustrate them. See the thread posted specifically in an effort to address that question once and for all. It’s right below this one.
http://
As for hostility, the religious regularly see contrary opinions as hostile, but in general non-believers don’t. Sensible people may be offended by personal attacks, but they are not ‘offended’ by conflicting views. ‘Offence’ is a word that is much abused – and it’s used all too often simply as a means of shutting other people up.
And incidentally, don’t confuse atheism, which is an absence of belief in any supernatural god, with absence of spirituality. If you think your god has a monopoly on spirituality, then you don’t understand spirituality.
Yet again the same old question. Perhaps believers don’t actually read what others write - hence their failure to recognise and acknowledge not only the glaring flaws in religion that atheists attempt to illustrate, but their purposes in attempting to illustrate them. See the thread posted specifically in an effort to address that question once and for all. It’s right below this one.
http://
As for hostility, the religious regularly see contrary opinions as hostile, but in general non-believers don’t. Sensible people may be offended by personal attacks, but they are not ‘offended’ by conflicting views. ‘Offence’ is a word that is much abused – and it’s used all too often simply as a means of shutting other people up.
And incidentally, don’t confuse atheism, which is an absence of belief in any supernatural god, with absence of spirituality. If you think your god has a monopoly on spirituality, then you don’t understand spirituality.
-- answer removed --
Ok birdie, you say you once had a faith like me. If it's not too personal what
changed. I mean I have had my christian faith for over 20 years. I've suffered
pain and loss the same as everyone else but instead of blaming God it
strengthened me. Dont think me rude if i dont answer straight away because
I'm tired and I will read any answers later today!
changed. I mean I have had my christian faith for over 20 years. I've suffered
pain and loss the same as everyone else but instead of blaming God it
strengthened me. Dont think me rude if i dont answer straight away because
I'm tired and I will read any answers later today!
-- answer removed --
-- answer removed --
Thankyou for your answer birdie. Even I haven't read the whole bible! I went
to a church of England primary school where we had daily assemblies and
r.e lessons about once a week. I don't remember ever feeling forced to
follow a certain creed. I didn't become a christian until my late 20's. Church
of England weren't quite as strict as the catholic schools.I hope we can still talk
from time to time. I love discussing my faith with other people. Mr. cupid and
I used to be friendly with a couple of Mormon lads. I found it very pleasant, we
were able to discuss our faith in God even though there were quite a few things about each others faith that was different. We always had a tin of
hot chocolate when they visited as they are not allowed drinks with caffeine.
Good night. Sleep well.
to a church of England primary school where we had daily assemblies and
r.e lessons about once a week. I don't remember ever feeling forced to
follow a certain creed. I didn't become a christian until my late 20's. Church
of England weren't quite as strict as the catholic schools.I hope we can still talk
from time to time. I love discussing my faith with other people. Mr. cupid and
I used to be friendly with a couple of Mormon lads. I found it very pleasant, we
were able to discuss our faith in God even though there were quite a few things about each others faith that was different. We always had a tin of
hot chocolate when they visited as they are not allowed drinks with caffeine.
Good night. Sleep well.
-- answer removed --
Birdie, //I find it truly astonishing that religious folk continue to defend their particular holy scriptures (and therefore their religious beliefs) when people such as myself accuse them of being riddled with genocide, rape, paedophilia, torture, murder, etc.//
But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance.
But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance.
What were you thinking of cupid? Posting a religious tract, picked up in a church (shock horror) in the Religion and Spirituality section of Answerbank. Only atheists contributions welcome here. Anyone else's will be ripped apart in minutes.
To comment on Naomi's post - "But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance."
What is there to defend? The poster did this with the best of intentions and she will not make that mistake again. Why do you want or need other Christians to "defend" their views. They can see the strong band of critics/knockers and dont want to contribute as they too will be shot down and ridiculed.
I find this whole area sad and dont understand why atheists feel the need to endlessly argue and air their reasons to justify their "non-belief". I think a lot of you do have an ability to argue your corner but what are you hoping to achieve? Do you want someone to prove you are wrong? No. Do you want to make a believer lose their faith? Maybe, but unlikely to happen. Do you just enjoy religion bashing? Probably.
To comment on Naomi's post - "But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance."
What is there to defend? The poster did this with the best of intentions and she will not make that mistake again. Why do you want or need other Christians to "defend" their views. They can see the strong band of critics/knockers and dont want to contribute as they too will be shot down and ridiculed.
I find this whole area sad and dont understand why atheists feel the need to endlessly argue and air their reasons to justify their "non-belief". I think a lot of you do have an ability to argue your corner but what are you hoping to achieve? Do you want someone to prove you are wrong? No. Do you want to make a believer lose their faith? Maybe, but unlikely to happen. Do you just enjoy religion bashing? Probably.
Grasscarp, //What is there to defend?//
Are you serious? Just one example. The church and the mosques are currently arguing with the government on the subject of gay marriage and we have a thread on that very subject running here at the moment. Several believers have indicated that they oppose it – but only one has given a reason. Now if the rest of these people think their opinions are valid, it is not enough to say ‘no’ and expect everyone else to accept that. Why should they? Because the naysayers are religious? If they want to join the discussion, then they should be prepared to defend their position.
//what are you hoping to achieve?//
For one thing, I would like to achieve a situation where people like Cupid don’t tell me that if I believe in Jesus it will ‘turn my life around’ (or words to that effect) – as she has done. Additionally, I would like people like Goodlife to stop telling me I’m doomed because I don’t believe as he does – and of course that, in his opinion, applies to anyone who doesn’t believe as he does – so watch out the rest of you! Now think about all of that. Why Cupid thinks I would want to turn my happy life around I have no idea – and if being doomed means spending eternity with sycophantic people who are so selfishly concerned with their own mortality that they wilfully ignore the misery religion creates to their fellow human beings, then bring on the doom! Forget eternity –five minutes with any of them would be too long!
If you still don’t understand why people oppose religion, as it appears, may I suggest you read the thread I posted for you.
http://
The thing is, Grasscarp, what you’re saying is that non-believers should shut up simply because you don’t like what they’re saying. People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
Are you serious? Just one example. The church and the mosques are currently arguing with the government on the subject of gay marriage and we have a thread on that very subject running here at the moment. Several believers have indicated that they oppose it – but only one has given a reason. Now if the rest of these people think their opinions are valid, it is not enough to say ‘no’ and expect everyone else to accept that. Why should they? Because the naysayers are religious? If they want to join the discussion, then they should be prepared to defend their position.
//what are you hoping to achieve?//
For one thing, I would like to achieve a situation where people like Cupid don’t tell me that if I believe in Jesus it will ‘turn my life around’ (or words to that effect) – as she has done. Additionally, I would like people like Goodlife to stop telling me I’m doomed because I don’t believe as he does – and of course that, in his opinion, applies to anyone who doesn’t believe as he does – so watch out the rest of you! Now think about all of that. Why Cupid thinks I would want to turn my happy life around I have no idea – and if being doomed means spending eternity with sycophantic people who are so selfishly concerned with their own mortality that they wilfully ignore the misery religion creates to their fellow human beings, then bring on the doom! Forget eternity –five minutes with any of them would be too long!
If you still don’t understand why people oppose religion, as it appears, may I suggest you read the thread I posted for you.
http://
The thing is, Grasscarp, what you’re saying is that non-believers should shut up simply because you don’t like what they’re saying. People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
Naomi in response to what you have said
People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
I am not imposing my beliefs on others. There are certain beliefs held by religions. This is a so called Religion & Spirituality thread. Heaven (if I am allowed to use that word!) help a religious person who wants to post something on here. Why the need for us to explain or justify ourselves? I felt really sorry for cupid who meant nobody any harm and posted an innocuous item, but was met with the usual brickbats and arrows and sent away with a flea in their ear for daring to venture on the thread.
Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here. If we say something we are imposing our beliefs and if we say nothing we are not defending ourselves. Can't win.
People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
I am not imposing my beliefs on others. There are certain beliefs held by religions. This is a so called Religion & Spirituality thread. Heaven (if I am allowed to use that word!) help a religious person who wants to post something on here. Why the need for us to explain or justify ourselves? I felt really sorry for cupid who meant nobody any harm and posted an innocuous item, but was met with the usual brickbats and arrows and sent away with a flea in their ear for daring to venture on the thread.
Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here. If we say something we are imposing our beliefs and if we say nothing we are not defending ourselves. Can't win.
-- answer removed --
Grasscarp, //Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here.//
Unlike you, I am not hostile to people – my objections are solely to the widely promulgated lie that is organised religion. However, since one or two others have taken your stance recently, it would appear that my sins in caring for the plight of the millions of real people affected by the injustices and the human misery that religion brings to this world, are great indeed – although actually, I suspect you are now grasping at the feeble straw that is that pathetic bandwagon. Nevertheless, if it’s true that my presence here keeps believers away, it would indicate that they – and their apologists – are experiencing a dearth not only of moral principal, but of confidence in the veracity of their chosen faith – because if I were in their position, and my conviction were as strong as they claim theirs to be, I would stand my ground regardless of the opposition.
You say you don’t impose your beliefs on anyone, but in attempting to silence any opposition, you are, in fact, endeavouring to do precisely that.
And incidentally, Cupid was not sent away with a flea in her ear. As Birdie has rightly said, she continued to have a rather lengthy and civilised discussion with him – but perhaps your indignation is such that you failed to notice.
Unlike you, I am not hostile to people – my objections are solely to the widely promulgated lie that is organised religion. However, since one or two others have taken your stance recently, it would appear that my sins in caring for the plight of the millions of real people affected by the injustices and the human misery that religion brings to this world, are great indeed – although actually, I suspect you are now grasping at the feeble straw that is that pathetic bandwagon. Nevertheless, if it’s true that my presence here keeps believers away, it would indicate that they – and their apologists – are experiencing a dearth not only of moral principal, but of confidence in the veracity of their chosen faith – because if I were in their position, and my conviction were as strong as they claim theirs to be, I would stand my ground regardless of the opposition.
You say you don’t impose your beliefs on anyone, but in attempting to silence any opposition, you are, in fact, endeavouring to do precisely that.
And incidentally, Cupid was not sent away with a flea in her ear. As Birdie has rightly said, she continued to have a rather lengthy and civilised discussion with him – but perhaps your indignation is such that you failed to notice.
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