Should people of religion be allowed freedom of expression?

[naomi24]

A few of the Christians on AB said recently they don't contribute much any more because they cannot discuss things between themselves since all the non-believers jump in and undermine their beliefs. May I suggest that if anyone of any religious persuasion would like their questions to be answered only by those with similar beliefs, they specify that when posting? If they make it clear, I for one will do them the courtesy of keeping out of it.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Oh diddums Christians! Fancy having to defend your beliefs when you air them on a public forum!

Sorry, but that's not how the Answerbank (or the Internet in general, and indeed LIFE) works.

[naomi24]

Waldo, where's your heart? Or am I just too soft? :o)

[wizard69]

naomi, of course people of religion should be allowed freedom of expresion but also people of NO religion should be allowed to question that expresion.
For instance, since Mani's return to A.B I think that I have behaved courtiesly towards him (in fact ive made a pledge to myself to tone down my criticism, and, to be honest I have realised that I may have gone overboard in some of my posts and the religious on here have been right to say that I have been antagonistic) but is that courtiesy returned?
I asked Mani...in a civilised way... to explain his beliefs to me http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Cul ture/Religion-and-Spirituality/Question405691- 2.html
and got nothing in reply. I was not trying to undermine his beliefs in any way, in fact the opposite. I was really trying to understand his understanding of the bible (what is literal and what is not...and how do you know the difference?)
So why the deafening silence? He took the time to answer you so why not me? If a religious person had asked something of me and I had not replied what would that imply about me?
Waldo is obviously right in what he says...if you gonna post your beliefs in a public forum then your gonna have to defend them...same as us with no faith to speak off

[wizard69]

Mani...I understand that time might have been a factor in your non answer but I really am interested in a reply.

[Theland]

Time is definitely a factor in prparing a reply.
Sometimes I personally do not have the answers to questions posed, but, I learn and maybe one day ..... But please do not expect me to answer your points comprehensively at the drop of a hat. I am not a theologian, just a Christian.

[Theland]

.... and "Diddums" smacks of mockery, precisely the sort of thing that would keep a poster, from posting. So, hey Waldo, how about encouraging a conversation rather than strangling it at birth?

[naomi24]

Hello Wiz, yes I know you're right - and I know Waldo is right, but the fact is these people aren't posting because we're intimidating them and I felt sorry for them, that's all. I think they want to discuss the intricacies of their beliefs between themselves, and I just thought perhaps we ought to give them the opportunity.

As for Mani, I had to push him for an answer, didn't I? It didn't come right away. In fact I don't think he was talking to me when he went away - (were you Mani?) - but I was genuinely pleased he was back and I didn't want that to continue so I pushed.

Your behaviour with Mani since he's been back has been exemplary, and I am really pleased. Perhaps it is a time thing - we know he's working voluntarily at the prison, and he hasn't been around AB for a while, so maybe he'll get back to you as soon as he's back here.

Hmmm - don't be daft - if a religious person had asked you something and you didn't reply it would be a miracle - and you don't believe in those!!!!

Are you going to come down to the Luna thread with Theland and me? Please do - it's a bit of light relief - but be a dear and do us all a favour - keep your infernal wand well under wraps!

[WaldoMcFroog]

Sorry, but if 'x group' of people throw a hissy fit merely because their views are challenged, 'x group' deserves to be called babyish.

[Theland]

Fair do's Waldo. I shall at least ry and rise to your challenges, which are out of my sphere as I am not a theologian - I'll try.

[mibn2cweus]

I try to assess questions posted as to whether they are appealing to a general audience or to a specific category of respondents.

If they are seeking a discretely religious viewpoint I usually bow out (at least until it evolves into in irresistibly mouth-watering all out blood bath). However if the question asks about why atheist, non-believers, non-Christians etc, do this or that or implies self-righteous religious superiority, I consider such questions as open for discussion by all concerned.

When I post a reply I anticipate and appreciate a non-pandering, let�s have it, give it your all, show me what you�ve got response. Isn�t this what uncovering and revealing the truth demands of everyone? Judge and prepare to be judged so that we might be liberated from our ignorance and enjoy the benefits of increased knowledge.

When we cease speaking out about what is on our minds, the time has come for us all to be truly concerned.

[brionon]

Theland,'' Sometimes I personally do not have the answers''
I personally ? What does that mean ?

[naomi24]

mib, "If they're seeking a discreetly religious viewpoint I usually bow out". That's precisely my point, and exactly what I've offered to do. We've had questions on here before specifically aimed at Christians or specifically aimed at non-believers, and people have respected that. I wasn't for one moment suggesting that we cease speaking about what's on our minds. That's the last thing I'd want. Heaven forbid! :o)

[Octavius]

Naomi, I think it has more to do with the lack of reasonable debate. Whilst I can acknowledge and accept the views of another, whether that be atheist, right wing Christian, Islam, Orthodox Jew, Scientologist, a seer of dead people or even followers of David Icke, I can respect their beliefs and views and debate accordingly at an adult level.

The issue here is that as a "religious person", any views we present are just hounded down with the generic �its all rubbish etc� argument which negates any reasoned debate. Eventually it gets so tedious that it becomes pointless making any contribution. In the end we just see many many random and inane Qs from the "non religious" in the hope that their buddies can boulster the responses into double figures. Your other Q about belonging seem to fit very well with those types.

I personally have never asked anyone to �defend� their faith, so why should the people above believe that I should?

As for you waving your little white flag of peace and staying out of a Christian debate, I very much doubt your capacity to do so, even if requested.

[naomi24]

Octavius, oh good grief. You're at it again. What on earth are you talking about? I wasn't waving a little white flag, nor did I ever intend to stay out of the Christian debate. I wouldn't be here if that was what I wanted. A few posts earlier in the week suggested that some wanted to discuss their faith with like-minded people, rather than argue with non-believers all the time, and I thought it would be reasonable to give them the opportunity to talk without interruption occasionally simply because I think this board should be available to everyone to discuss whatever they wish to discuss. You may not like the questions, and you say that Christians are constantly hounded down, but it seems to me you get plenty of reasonable debate - and from people who are more logical than you, and equally as well informed as you - if not more so - but perhaps that's your problem.

I honestly tried to be fair, Octavius - but I won't make that mistake again. You deserve all you get here. Full of Christian kindness you ain't!

My apologies guys, forget I ever asked the question.

[luna-tic]

I have never seen on R&S, a question provoking answers only from people of religious following or only from non-religious people lasting that long unless you disagree on the methods or theories behind one or the other.
No, we don't have to enter into any of the debates, especially just to be derogatory toward a person's beliefs or being antagonistic but if we all agreed on everything or just said, Oh I better not answer or say anything because the other people might find it repetitive, then everyone, religious, non and not sures might aswell get their coats and R&S and probably the rest of Answerbank shut up shop for good.
But I and many other people do find pleasure from entering the debates, heated or not.

[mibn2cweus]

luna, no more talk about closing shop please . . . after 41 hours I was beginning to wonder?

[luna-tic]

Could of been my singing Mib on other threads?
:0)

[naomi24]

Me too mib.

Luna, definitely not. After performances like that it's clear that your singing is what keeps this place going! :o)

[diver19]

Notice the Christians never said thanks for trying naomi24. Sanctimonious g*ts.

[Theland]

Ahem! Thanks for trying Naomi.