Religion

Dorian Gray

(13,850 posts)

487. So you answer

Wed Jun 5, 2013, 07:44 AM

Jun 2013

with a VERY "thinly" veiled insult.

And that you would attribute what I said to living an unexamined life shows how limited and literal your own world view is. I've had the wonderful fortune to live in other countries and meet people from a variety of cultures. I've learned from them, and my own faith, which I've admitted has been an ongoing struggle, is really the only faith I need concern myself with. That doesn't mean I can't or shouldn't study their beliefs or traditions. But I've said that throughout this topic.

There are many of us who are not prone to disproving the beliefs of others. It doesn't matter to us. It has nothing to do with living an unexamined life. It has more to do with the way we are wired. I will always be more of an artsy girl than a science girl. I don't believe in absolutes. (Hence one of my struggles with my faith.) And hence my ONGOING introspection and life examination.

But, feel free to dismiss this with a one line, assumptive, pithy post, as well.

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Christians; how do you regard Hinduism? [View all] edhopper Jun 2013 OP

Im not xtian, but i had an "encounter" with godess Kali darkangel218 Jun 2013 #1

I believe people have a right to the religion of their choosing newfie11 Jun 2013 #2

I wish more people shared your position. cbayer Jun 2013 #4

My religion keeps me busy enough... goldent Jun 2013 #3

ding dongs aren't candy dlwickham Jun 2013 #417

Hostess' advertising agency in the 1970s would not agree with you. goldent Jun 2013 #420

In other words edhopper Jun 2013 #427

Those are "other words," I'll give you that much. goldent Jun 2013 #481

Not responding was your best option. cleanhippie Jul 2013 #537

Which do you find more difficult? Spelling or typing? Christain=Christian and goods=gods. shraby Jun 2013 #5

Thanks for the corrections edhopper Jun 2013 #6

What about mentally harmful? cleanhippie Jul 2013 #538

So you all want to miss the point edhopper Jun 2013 #7

I am curious if you have had a problem a Hindu believer newfie11 Jun 2013 #8

I don't think their beliefs are any different from Christians edhopper Jun 2013 #10

Ok newfie11 Jun 2013 #14

That's what I think too. hardcover Jun 2013 #277

"can be valid and true" Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #12

The only role of doubt I see edhopper Jun 2013 #19

That definition is specific to you Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #26

Most responses are of the edhopper Jun 2013 #28

Why would you say that they are contradictory? cbayer Jun 2013 #15

So there is no reality to your beliefs? edhopper Jun 2013 #21

I don't think religious beliefs can be classified as real or unreal. cbayer Jun 2013 #32

Your "god" and the "gods" of Hindus skepticscott Jun 2013 #98

Now, now, now edhopper Jun 2013 #101

Wow, I forgot all about skepticscott Jun 2013 #103

Rubbish. LTX Jun 2013 #150

If you want to play word games, fine skepticscott Jun 2013 #154

If I am reading you correctly (and I may not be, of course), LTX Jun 2013 #163

My point is that the "gods" of Hinduism skepticscott Jun 2013 #192

Thanks for the clarification. LTX Jun 2013 #193

Alphabets are sets of symbols skepticscott Jun 2013 #467

I think you are overstating your case. LTX Jun 2013 #496

If alphabets are not arbitrary skepticscott Jun 2013 #497

Convince me that they would not. LTX Jun 2013 #498

Nice job of moving the goalposts skepticscott Jun 2013 #500

Well, if that is your (very narrow) claim, then fine. LTX Jun 2013 #501

Alphabets exist skepticscott Jun 2013 #515

Been drinking a bit? n/t LTX Jun 2013 #518

As I think about it, perhaps the issue can be phrased better. LTX Jun 2013 #502

Madame Bovary is something called fiction edhopper Jun 2013 #155

Snark, without a whit of understanding. LTX Jun 2013 #168

As scott said edhopper Jun 2013 #173

What you label "word games" LTX Jun 2013 #183

Nice fake indignation edhopper Jun 2013 #202

Oh but I do understand from real books and the Madame Bovary. LTX Jun 2013 #227

Have you seen Warren Shibles's book-length annotated bibliography on the subject of metaphor? patrice Jun 2013 #423

It's a fiction that a middle-class woman can mistake fashion and possessions and a disingenuous patrice Jun 2013 #413

Yes, there is an underlying reality; where do those minds and imaginations of believers exist? patrice Jun 2013 #220

The fact that the minds of the people imagining gods exist skepticscott Jun 2013 #232

"...only a single path to salvation...." Deep13 Jun 2013 #279

Whatever. I'm not here to defend fundamentalist christian belief systems. cbayer Jun 2013 #284

You ccontinue to think that the concept edhopper Jun 2013 #298

LOL. It's a 2006 AP/AOL poll of 1,000 people about angels. cbayer Jun 2013 #344

What percentage of Americans do you think believe in angels? trotsky Jun 2013 #386

Plain and simple it has no impact on my belief as a Christian, none. Leontius Jun 2013 #44

It's not necessary to reconcile anything. They are entitled to their reality and I'm entitled shraby Jun 2013 #45

So like the Republicans edhopper Jun 2013 #49

OMG! Did you really just go there? cbayer Jun 2013 #149

I think the point of my question is quite clear edhopper Jun 2013 #151

Your point is quite clear Starboard Tack Jun 2013 #156

So challenging a believer's faith is baiting? edhopper Jun 2013 #157

Who said faith gets special protection from questioning? Starboard Tack Jun 2013 #164

First edhopper Jun 2013 #171

Who says their faith is "better" than others? That's your assumption. Starboard Tack Jun 2013 #178

This question edhopper Jun 2013 #205

Faith Bater? cleanhippie Jul 2013 #539

Yes the point of your question is quite clear - to challenge people's faith. cbayer Jun 2013 #159

I called no one a Republican edhopper Jun 2013 #161

Sure you did, but that's neither here nor there. cbayer Jun 2013 #167

No, I said edhopper Jun 2013 #176

OMG! You just completely avoided my question. cbayer Jun 2013 #179

do the number of creationist matter to the fact of evolution. edhopper Jun 2013 #262

No, it doesn't answer it at all. cbayer Jun 2013 #264

I do not base what I think about God on faith or believe edhopper Jun 2013 #289

Then you have established for yourself a strong basis for your atheism. cbayer Jun 2013 #291

No I don't base it on my "experiences" edhopper Jun 2013 #297

And everyone else is delusional, perhaps even schizophrenic. cbayer Jun 2013 #346

cbayer, I have to hand it to you, defacto7 Jun 2013 #392

How do you think this post throws shit in the fan. cbayer Jun 2013 #403

You really missed the point of my question. edhopper Jun 2013 #428

"I think you are...not the slightest interested in being honest OR tolerant." cleanhippie Jul 2013 #540

You're not trying very hard to live in a fact-based world in this thread. okasha Jun 2013 #451

Learn what? edhopper Jun 2013 #458

Learn that the issue you're attempting to raise here okasha Jun 2013 #512

So why respond at all edhopper Jun 2013 #523

To point out to you okasha Jun 2013 #525

I meant if it is a nonissue to so many edhopper Jun 2013 #531

question arely staircase Jun 2013 #445

No you are far off. Conservative Jewish edhopper Jun 2013 #457

Yes. LiberalAndProud Jun 2013 #482

Well, it sounds like you are a firmly rooted atheist. cbayer Jun 2013 #495

To the extent that religious belief is personal, I'm okay with it. LiberalAndProud Jun 2013 #499

So I would say that your religious non-beliefs are personal and would cbayer Jun 2013 #520

I think that analogy Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #435

Yeah, edhopper Jun 2013 #437

It's interesting to think Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #450

I think reality is reality edhopper Jun 2013 #459

I'd like to think about this Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #473

Why scince works so well edhopper Jun 2013 #474

I have absolutely no problem with science Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #475

Yes, again. LiberalAndProud Jun 2013 #508

I can certainly agree with that Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #532

One of my favorite movies and one that profoundly changed my life is Rashomon. cbayer Jun 2013 #470

Interesting Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #472

Definitely take a look and let me know what you think. cbayer Jun 2013 #478

I would recommend Kurosawa Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #480

I believe I've seen Seven Samuri Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #483

Congrats on the bambino! cbayer Jun 2013 #494

I am not going to stop believing in Christianity because a majority does not believe in it. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #9

Do you think all their gods are real? edhopper Jun 2013 #11

Whatever the divine is in the end all our prayers go to the same place. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #13

Which is a complete non answer. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #31

Read post 34. Maybe it is a better answer. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #35

Does it matter what others think newfie11 Jun 2013 #16

How do I know they are praying to entities who aren't there..for all I know I am too. shraby Jun 2013 #46

Why do the believers here continue to talk about an argument not in discussion? edhopper Jun 2013 #17

Why are you just asking Christians this question? hrmjustin Jun 2013 #18

It is immaterial to atheist edhopper Jun 2013 #22

Rewrite the question to address me Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #24

Ok all I can say is I believe my religion with all my heart. I do not know why I do but I do. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #25

Because this is a forum that encourages the meeting of thoughts, rather than mere Q&A /nt demwing Jun 2013 #51

No it is a discussion forum edhopper Jun 2013 #53

It is what it is, regardless of our definitions demwing Jun 2013 #58

Or that they simply don't want to think about edhopper Jun 2013 #59

You're right. It's about you. demwing Jun 2013 #68

It's from edhopper Jun 2013 #78

Is it? You know what I think? I think... demwing Jun 2013 #81

:) edhopper Jun 2013 #82

I don't know about you demwing Jun 2013 #87

To each his own. There are so many religions out there asjr Jun 2013 #20

And how do the reconcile their beliefs edhopper Jun 2013 #23

I accept others have other ideas on the divine than I do. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #27

So there is a divine something or other edhopper Jun 2013 #29

I would say we have our own ideas and believe them firmly but some can accept that it is hrmjustin Jun 2013 #34

Has it occurred to you that all of them have it right as to what it is? LTX Jun 2013 #189

No edhopper Jun 2013 #194

What do you mean all right? That we are mentally not right or just wrong on our opinion? hrmjustin Jun 2013 #196

All of them are correct. edhopper Jun 2013 #200

Just to be clear you believe not only that religious people are wrong when they believe God has hrmjustin Jun 2013 #201

No edhopper Jun 2013 #203

Ok. Thanks for clarrifying. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #204

What is your view edhopper Jun 2013 #206

I just let them be. But we should not make excuses like the devil made me do it. We need to account hrmjustin Jun 2013 #208

well said arely staircase Jun 2013 #402

Agree. patrice Jun 2013 #418

To me that is the problem with all of them. They all have strong beliefs. asjr Jun 2013 #30

Who says they have to? Common Sense Party Jun 2013 #305

I am trying to think of what edhopper Jun 2013 #312

Enlighten me. Common Sense Party Jun 2013 #313

No thanks. edhopper Jun 2013 #315

Well, I found your OP nonsense and I took the time Common Sense Party Jun 2013 #322

You must be a better person than me. edhopper Jun 2013 #325

Why should they have to? okasha Jun 2013 #341

Your chance of getting an actual explicit answer: 0.01. Nt. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #33

Perhaps because there is no actual explicit answer and no one here is invested cbayer Jun 2013 #36

Perhaps, or perhaps all the religious people here find the honest answer embarrassing? Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #37

What do you imagine the *honest* answer to be? cbayer Jun 2013 #38

The honest answer of a true believer is that the other gods are bullshit. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #40

But there are believers here who don't see it that way, cbayer Jun 2013 #41

Except that their posts aren't "answers" skepticscott Jun 2013 #102

it's just the one he likes best okasha Jun 2013 #107

Yes, and it reeks of shit. Nice way to bait an argument tho. n/t Inkfreak Jun 2013 #127

Nice way to avoid edhopper Jun 2013 #130

It seems to be a regular sport around here. cbayer Jun 2013 #134

I saw that a new thread was created in another "religion" group for discussion of this thread goldent Jun 2013 #141

A call to arms. Some things are best ignored, imo. cbayer Jun 2013 #143

I thought "calls to arms" were against DU rules. okasha Jun 2013 #511

Used to be, but no longer. cbayer Jun 2013 #519

I don't think I have edhopper Jun 2013 #152

It's because there is almost zero discussion in this thread of the actual question asked in the op. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #165

I think I have answered the questions here. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #242

I think that you have too Lordquinton Jun 2013 #252

Good I just responded to another of your post a sec ago. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #257

Who are you to say that. I would never say such a thing. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #42

I'll let John speak for your god. And then Isaiah. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #70

What is it you want me to say that they are all false God's. I will not! hrmjustin Jun 2013 #72

Your bible clearly does. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #73

You are under the misconception I believe everything in the bible. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #74

Do you believe that your god is the one true god? Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #75

I believe in the Trinitarian God. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #76

So you won't tell them what you actually believe. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #92

In all fairness edhopper Jun 2013 #97

I don't understand you! Do you want me to people they believe in false God's. That would be plain hrmjustin Jun 2013 #106

I don't care at all what you say to other people. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #111

I have stated my beliefs. If it is not good enough for anyone that is not my problem. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #114

Yes you have edhopper Jun 2013 #117

Good then you know what it is and I won't have to explain it again. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #118

I think I do edhopper Jun 2013 #121

Well now you have it. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #123

For the umptheenth time edhopper Jun 2013 #113

What do I think of their faith? I think it is cool. I think it is an ancient honorable faith. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #116

But you don't believe their gods edhopper Jun 2013 #119

No I have said this already. I believe in Christianity. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #120

Okay edhopper Jun 2013 #122

Ok hrmjustin Jun 2013 #124

I think most faiths are an attempt by human beings to answer thucythucy Jun 2013 #275

I appreciate your long thoughtful post edhopper Jun 2013 #287

Your link simply says that the majority of those polled, thucythucy Jun 2013 #310

I appreciated your response edhopper Jun 2013 #314

Do you know, and would it matter to you, that some of those views you "believe in your heart"... eomer Jun 2013 #357

There 2000 years of stories of Christians killing others because they did not believe how they did. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #359

I wasn't imagining that you would change your views. I was hoping you would offer some thoughts eomer Jun 2013 #366

Trinitarian thought has been around a long time and would have developed in peace and in war. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #367

If Trinitarianism had lost the war with Unitarianism then you would be a Unitarian. eomer Jun 2013 #368

If I had a few more brain cells I might have thought of it. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #369

Of course not. Of the millions of people who are Trinitarians, many are brilliant. eomer Jun 2013 #370

I was making a joke! hrmjustin Jun 2013 #371

Someone did also think of Unitarianism. The point isn't whether someone would think of it. eomer Jun 2013 #372

Ok well I am sorry for the humor but there really nothing I can say because I believe it. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #374

We are doing something about it by discussing it. eomer Jun 2013 #379

Point taken! hrmjustin Jun 2013 #380

Thanks for engaging with me. eomer Jun 2013 #381

Your welcome. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #382

Don't mind at all, I'm a member of a Unitarian Universalist congregation. eomer Jun 2013 #384

I love going to UU churches. The people and clerg are friendly and they don't push nothing on you. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #385

Yes, it's interesting that my wife and I both felt like we had come home... eomer Jun 2013 #389

I was raised RC and changed to Episcopalian at 18. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #390

We've had nice experiences at Episcopalian churches. eomer Jun 2013 #396

It is sort of the chestnuts roasting on an open fire type of church. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #397

If I may interject ... Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #395

Do you know, and does it matter to you okasha Jun 2013 #452

Yes I do know, and yes it does matter. eomer Jun 2013 #460

Just how responsible do you want to be held? okasha Jun 2013 #509

Something as radical as that, but probably a bit different. eomer Jun 2013 #521

Actually what you were suggesting to justin okasha Jun 2013 #526

Actually I meant it a bit more generally than that, but you're right - that's what follows for me. eomer Jun 2013 #527

So perhaps okasha Jun 2013 #528

That depends on what you mean by North American "democracy". eomer Jun 2013 #529

Last paragraph okasha Jun 2013 #534

This would be a better discussion in its own thread Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #522

Interesting, thanks. eomer Jun 2013 #530

I'm not sure I can give a good recommendation Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #533

I don't think that's a fair assessment, WS. LiberalAndProud Jun 2013 #506

I should have put quotes around "True Believer". Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #507

There has to be circular reasoning, I think. LiberalAndProud Jun 2013 #514

Embarrassed by what? hrmjustin Jun 2013 #39

DU knows me as Demwing demwing Jun 2013 #43

A post that truly needs a recommend. Too bad we can't do that. shraby Jun 2013 #47

I'd give it a recommend, too. okasha Jun 2013 #108

That only makes a molecule of sense if skepticscott Jun 2013 #104

And if that is true edhopper Jun 2013 #112

What makes sense to you is for you to determine, not me demwing Jun 2013 #115

They're your claims and your arguments skepticscott Jun 2013 #125

The post was given as a specific answer to a specific question demwing Jun 2013 #128

It is not necessary for something to be "blobbish" to be experienced from different perspectives. patrice Jun 2013 #410

nice post /nt demwing Jun 2013 #426

And six people looking at the object skepticscott Jun 2013 #468

Well, hell, I'm going to Rec! that. :-) patrice Jun 2013 #415

Our role is not to judge, Thats my opinion Jun 2013 #48

Not the quetion at all edhopper Jun 2013 #50

Listen dude, and listen carefully...... shraby Jun 2013 #52

I am sorry edhopper Jun 2013 #54

You're missing the whole point. You're the one giving special treatment to religion. shraby Jun 2013 #56

Yeah, well, like, that's your opinion man. edhopper Jun 2013 #61

And the Jihads Lordquinton Jun 2013 #138

Yeah, the op is dangerous. It could start a holy war! Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #169

Uhm, that thinking is part of the core of Christianity, and exclusions... Humanist_Activist Jun 2013 #424

Was "expouse" meant to mean "expose" or "espouse?" 2ndAmForComputers Jun 2013 #535

"You have the right to engage in your activity, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action." demwing Jun 2013 #55

If your question is how do I regard Hinduism my responds is with respect and adoration. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #57

So the exact quesion is, "How do you regard Hinduism?" Thats my opinion Jun 2013 #131

Context edhopper Jun 2013 #135

If you were to be honest, your post here would be... cbayer Jun 2013 #136

The question is edhopper Jun 2013 #153

I don't need to reconcile anything. cbayer Jun 2013 #158

I have no beliefs edhopper Jun 2013 #160

But what you are hearing here flies in the face of what you think is true. cbayer Jun 2013 #162

No what i see here is people edhopper Jun 2013 #166

Perhaps the people at DU value the public sphere more than you think Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #170

Perhaps edhopper Jun 2013 #172

Then why don't you trust their responses? Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #182

Exactly. You are seeing just what you anticipated seeing. cbayer Jun 2013 #174

So you are agnostic edhopper Jun 2013 #175

If I had to choose a label, which I am not particularly interested in doing, cbayer Jun 2013 #177

Seeking truth edhopper Jun 2013 #195

You keep saying "not real" but you don't know whether that is true or not. cbayer Jun 2013 #235

I know that there is not one edhopper Jun 2013 #239

No one here has asked for exemption from questioning cbayer Jun 2013 #256

Then why are you trying to answer a question that was directed at Christians? Lordquinton Jun 2013 #260

Probably for some the same reason self-described atheists are answering it. cbayer Jun 2013 #267

I used Christians because I think edhopper Jun 2013 #290

One can also substitute atheism. cbayer Jun 2013 #292

Sure, we do it all the time edhopper Jun 2013 #294

The exact same statement can, and is, made by people of faith (edited) cbayer Jun 2013 #295

When asked why they believe edhopper Jun 2013 #296

Ed H. So the context of yor question is? Thats my opinion Jun 2013 #188

That's a damn fine biopsy of the thread. rug Jun 2013 #191

Necropsy. okasha Jun 2013 #453

Thank you for answering this time edhopper Jun 2013 #199

live and let live- no question about it lunasun Jun 2013 #60

Not even remotely what I asked edhopper Jun 2013 #62

What exactly are you asking? hrmjustin Jun 2013 #63

This edhopper Jun 2013 #64

Here hrmjustin Jun 2013 #65

What happened to "how do you regard Hinduism?" Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #66

Hinduism was chosen for the purposes of discussion edhopper Jun 2013 #67

Was my answer helpful or not what you weree looking for? hrmjustin Jun 2013 #85

In terms of your own beliefs edhopper Jun 2013 #88

Well I would call mself a devote Christian but I am not a conservative one, but I think hrmjustin Jun 2013 #90

Yes and I apologize for the snark comment lunasun Jun 2013 #186

Accepted edhopper Jun 2013 #197

to each their own... madrchsod Jun 2013 #69

Hinduism is so diverse. ForgoTheConsequence Jun 2013 #71

I know edhopper Jun 2013 #79

Hinduism is not strictly speaking polytheistic. rug Jun 2013 #77

I am aware edhopper Jun 2013 #80

There is a better answer that the Hare Krishna should have given demwing Jun 2013 #84

That's a fine answer but it does allow cheeseburgers. rug Jun 2013 #86

By that philosophy, there is no "living" thing that does not possess a soul. demwing Jun 2013 #93

What about Carrots? Lordquinton Jun 2013 #139

That's a very western idea demwing Jun 2013 #142

So it's ok to eat some things with souls Lordquinton Jun 2013 #144

"OK"? - Not the term I would choose demwing Jun 2013 #181

Next you'll say that many Christians worship... MannyGoldstein Jun 2013 #94

I'm still trying to figure out who "us" is. rug Jun 2013 #96

I think that is edhopper Jun 2013 #100

Several Species of Small Furry Animals MannyGoldstein Jun 2013 #109

! rug Jun 2013 #126

I'd better start repenting like a sonofabitch MannyGoldstein Jun 2013 #132

Whoa someone got a bad batch of acid in the 70's !! lunasun Jun 2013 #184

You'd have to check the edit history of the bible Lordquinton Jun 2013 #140

No, the plural has been there and was the subject of much scholarship and controversy. rug Jun 2013 #145

There's a good followup question to the first Lordquinton Jun 2013 #146

How about it's a glimpse into what God is? rug Jun 2013 #147

So let's hear the main question answered again. Lordquinton Jun 2013 #148

This. rug Jun 2013 #187

You do realise that while it may seem like a coy answer Lordquinton Jun 2013 #198

Why do you feel inferior? rug Jun 2013 #210

"No religion teaches it contains the whole and entire truth." edhopper Jun 2013 #212

Yes, of course I do. rug Jun 2013 #213

Are you really saying edhopper Jun 2013 #215

Yes I am. rug Jun 2013 #217

I see edhopper Jun 2013 #219

Uhm, you do know that your own church claims exactly what you claim it doesn't... Humanist_Activist Jun 2013 #425

Uhm, you do know that the church you left does not claim to possess all truth. rug Jun 2013 #431

But it does claim edhopper Jun 2013 #432

That's true. rug Jun 2013 #433

So you see the point of my question edhopper Jun 2013 #434

I do see your point but it's a misplaced one. rug Jun 2013 #438

Good thoughts edhopper Jun 2013 #464

Consistency, coherence and outcome. rug Jun 2013 #471

Your using that quote like a 21st century rationalist. It wasn't written by such; nor was it patrice Jun 2013 #421

I will try to say this again edhopper Jun 2013 #430

You know a lot about straw men Lordquinton Jun 2013 #221

I do. I've seen enough of them. rug Jun 2013 #224

Also comes up when people haven't answered a question Lordquinton Jun 2013 #226

I'm sure you'll find your answer in the 13 posts in this thread alone. rug Jun 2013 #231

What about it? Lordquinton Jun 2013 #233

Look, these are the rules. rug Jun 2013 #236

For that to be the case, you'd have to supply an answer Lordquinton Jun 2013 #241

No, what you've gotten are answers and discomfort. rug Jun 2013 #243

Distractions aren't answers Lordquinton Jun 2013 #250

Too bad for you nobody said red. rug Jun 2013 #253

No, they didn't like the question Lordquinton Jun 2013 #271

It was better without the edit. rug Jun 2013 #274

Maybe it was Lordquinton Jun 2013 #276

Christians question God all the time. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #255

why do you accept that edhopper Jun 2013 #263

I have faith that it happened. I believe that Jesus walked the earth and was here to save us. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #265

I find it very refreshing that you can give an answer Lordquinton Jun 2013 #272

Others may not agree with you but thanks for the complement. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #273

So my question is pertinant edhopper Jun 2013 #288

Well as I said before I generally accept others have different opinions from me on faith so I would hrmjustin Jun 2013 #300

Yes edhopper Jun 2013 #301

Your welcome my friend! hrmjustin Jun 2013 #302

'us' here is 'Elohim' .. Phillip McCleod Jun 2013 #493

Why do you think that word was used? rug Jun 2013 #504

as with many/most names of supernatural beings in the torah.. Phillip McCleod Jun 2013 #516

I really like that point about validity and truth. & Yes, Hinduism has an ultimate trinity: Brahma, patrice Jun 2013 #225

i dunno MFM008 Jun 2013 #83

this thread does more to expose the intellectual dishonesty and logical failings of believers... mike_c Jun 2013 #89

Except that edhopper Jun 2013 #91

I gave a very straight forward answer demwing Jun 2013 #95

So you see none of them as real, edhopper Jun 2013 #99

No, I see ALL of them as real demwing Jun 2013 #105

I should have used literal edhopper Jun 2013 #110

Care to be more specific? rug Jun 2013 #133

If the critique of religion is that it is not rational, why on Earth would anyone expect logical patrice Jun 2013 #228

Here's a summary of the various conceptions of their fate: dimbear Jun 2013 #129

I think all of those Gods exist or existed. LuvNewcastle Jun 2013 #137

Well my friend, you answered your own question Peacetrain Jun 2013 #180

I love wishing Hindus many happy returns on their birthday! Vinnie From Indy Jun 2013 #185

Did you get what you wanted from this thread? hrmjustin Jun 2013 #190

I did not know what I would get edhopper Jun 2013 #207

The Christian next door told me Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #209

As our beloved President Clinton said edhopper Jun 2013 #211

They dance around this well. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #214

What I was rslly trying to get at edhopper Jun 2013 #216

It's an irrational value judgment based on faith. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #218

I do not believe non-christians go to hell. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #223

Unfortunately edhopper Jun 2013 #230

This is true, but if there is a God they are not it. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #234

They have to. 2ndAmForComputers Jun 2013 #536

I'm still not sure why anyone thinks that anything that could be said on this topic could be patrice Jun 2013 #222

You know? edhopper Jun 2013 #229

You seem to think that you know. cbayer Jun 2013 #237

Keep telling yourself that edhopper Jun 2013 #240

Tell myself what? That you keep making dogmatic statements? cbayer Jun 2013 #246

It's called ahteism edhopper Jun 2013 #248

But you come off as gnostic. cbayer Jun 2013 #254

if i wasn't sure about the existence of gods edhopper Jun 2013 #258

the irony is rich arely staircase Jun 2013 #444

I agree. And that rather common mistake obviates the essence of rationalism too. It doesn't patrice Jun 2013 #244

It's impossible to debate or discuss with dogma. cbayer Jun 2013 #247

I think it would be helpful if more people had just at least an orientation on linguistics and patrice Jun 2013 #249

That's my point. What some people call belief appears to be a type of knowing to me, not patrice Jun 2013 #238

Thanks for explaining further edhopper Jun 2013 #245

You are welcome. I hope you don't take this thread too personally. There's just so very much patrice Jun 2013 #251

if i were to be truly offended edhopper Jun 2013 #259

Christians on DU won't accept the core beliefs of Christianity. Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #261

Why did you link to an advocacy group, not an academic study? Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #266

Then why don't you tell us what the Christian doctrines are? Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #268

I am neither a Christian nor a scholar of Christianity. eom. Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #270

Where do you get this stuff? cbayer Jun 2013 #286

Talk to any Catholic edhopper Jun 2013 #299

Hasn't been limited at all. if this refers only to Catholicism then why cbayer Jun 2013 #343

Matthew 22:36-40 demwing Jun 2013 #304

Sure edhopper Jun 2013 #319

Granted, I'm no Christian demwing Jun 2013 #323

I'll go along with you there. edhopper Jun 2013 #324

Wow. What an ugly post cbayer Jun 2013 #285

Perhaps you're unaware okasha Jun 2013 #513

You might want to check out the work of Rev. Dr. Christopher Duraisingh, thucythucy Jun 2013 #269

When I was a believer, I fooled myself into thinking... Deep13 Jun 2013 #278

Think of it as a roulette game where in your entire life you get one chip. Only thing unusual- dimbear Jun 2013 #280

cash in without playing and buy an ice cream cone. nt Deep13 Jun 2013 #281

Your logic is flawed. demwing Jun 2013 #306

I assume both are factually accurate. Deep13 Jun 2013 #454

They are both valid, that's correct demwing Jun 2013 #456

All of that is YOUR words & the words of those whom you find agreeable. Since faith is not reason, patrice Jun 2013 #364

Yeah, I never really accepted the "linguistic turn" in historical theory. Deep13 Jun 2013 #455

It's just one of those things, as you have confirmed... trotsky Jun 2013 #282

All that has been confirmed from me is that I believe my religion and others believe in theirs. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #308

As an outside observer, that is exactly what I see. trotsky Jun 2013 #320

"That's the pat on the head." hrmjustin Jun 2013 #321

And other believers may find it insulting if you think that Jesus died to forgive their sins. trotsky Jun 2013 #326

I don't tell them that. If my opinion is asked I give it. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #327

You don't tell them that, but you believe it. trotsky Jun 2013 #330

I confirmed this a long time ago. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #332

what does it say about someone if they are insulted by what others think? arely staircase Jun 2013 #329

telling others what they "secretly believe" is the patronizing pat on the head arely staircase Jun 2013 #441

hrmjustin admitted he did. trotsky Jun 2013 #442

why is it so important to you arely staircase Jun 2013 #443

What's important is that people be honest. trotsky Jun 2013 #446

were you once a member of a fundamentalist or evangelical denomination? arely staircase Jun 2013 #447

Nope, and since you cannot talk about the issues but instead want to attack me, trotsky Jun 2013 #448

i dont believe i have ever attacked you personally arely staircase Jun 2013 #449

Ah, the old edhopper Jun 2013 #465

no, it is the literalist thinking arely staircase Jun 2013 #466

It's a discussion forum edhopper Jun 2013 #477

proselytizing with the passion of a true believer in something arely staircase Jun 2013 #479

How dare I edhopper Jun 2013 #488

Not everybody Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #484

Not sure how that follows from what I posted, trotsky Jun 2013 #489

I regard it with respect Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #283

It's not about questioning their beliefs edhopper Jun 2013 #293

Why do I need to question anybody's theology? Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #348

I fail to see how the quantity of people believing in something that I believe is untrue Common Sense Party Jun 2013 #303

It's a trap demwing Jun 2013 #307

He can try all he wants. Common Sense Party Jun 2013 #311

My sex life is none edhopper Jun 2013 #317

Its about how you can trust you subjective belief edhopper Jun 2013 #316

Any religion that is sustained by a caste system is inherently corrupt. OregonBlue Jun 2013 #309

Okay edhopper Jun 2013 #318

I believe: arely staircase Jun 2013 #328

I believe mamsdad Jun 2013 #331

Welcome to DU and welcome to the religion room. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #333

The question is not about a littany of what you believe edhopper Jun 2013 #335

i know, and i answered that as well arely staircase Jun 2013 #338

welcome to du arely staircase Jun 2013 #339

So you don't want to think about edhopper Jun 2013 #334

"Maybe I am wrong and they are right" - but you agree that you cannot both be right? Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #342

i don't know arely staircase Jun 2013 #350

1. "Hindu" is a placeholder for "incompatible religious belief system". Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #363

well it would seem to me I am being asked to say that either they or I are wrong arely staircase Jun 2013 #365

This is a great post, arely staircase. You have said it much better than I cbayer Jun 2013 #373

thank you arely staircase Jun 2013 #387

Again, the issue is not "do you respect your Hindu neighbor". Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #388

they are not incompatible arely staircase Jun 2013 #391

So religion is entirely an internal construct with no external reality? Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #394

maybe arely staircase Jun 2013 #398

There are several possibilities that explain all these incompatible religious belief systems Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #404

with a whole bunch of "buts" and "howevers" arely staircase Jun 2013 #406

There's no denial Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #485

I am quite aware that most people live an unexamined life. Nt. Warren Stupidity Jun 2013 #486

So you answer Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #487

I am not asking about squaring with other faiths edhopper Jun 2013 #490

This I appreciate Dorian Gray Jun 2013 #491

Thanks edhopper Jun 2013 #492

Ed, why don't they answer the question? Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #336

I think their faith edhopper Jun 2013 #337

i answered his question arely staircase Jun 2013 #340

How do you reconcile that with Xtianity? Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #345

Not all Christians believe in hell. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #347

"Not all"? Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #349

I believe in the apostles creed. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #351

exactly arely staircase Jun 2013 #353

Every believer takes what they want from the words of the creed as is our right. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #354

take the decent into hell part arely staircase Jun 2013 #355

I like it. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #356

and that is cool too arely staircase Jun 2013 #358

That is right my friend! hrmjustin Jun 2013 #360

i have always loved this quote and it instructs my walk with Christ arely staircase Jun 2013 #361

I love it! hrmjustin Jun 2013 #362

I like the way the one that is supposed to be engraved on his headstone ends: patrice Jun 2013 #383

I don't believe in a literal heaven or hell arely staircase Jun 2013 #352

If Jesus is an absolute truth, how would he NOT be accessible to anyone whether they call "him" patrice Jun 2013 #376

Er, because they don't believe that? cbayer Jun 2013 #375

don't believe what specifically? Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #377

Don't believe "that their faith is more true than somebody else's". cbayer Jun 2013 #401

so you don't believe in The Great Commission? Manifestor_of_Light Jun 2013 #407

I've never even heard of the Great Commission. cbayer Jun 2013 #408

it comes from matthew arely staircase Jun 2013 #411

While I have never heard the term, the definition you give is essentially what I was cbayer Jun 2013 #412

it is used by fundamentalists as a reason to pester people, arely staircase Jun 2013 #414

Thans for the explanation. cbayer Jun 2013 #416

I know this wasn't addressed to me arely staircase Jun 2013 #409

Don't confuse dogma with what has been attached to dogma for various reasons that patrice Jun 2013 #405

I'm actually into Hinduism's non-dual Advait Vedanta philosophy deutsey Jun 2013 #378

you are going to hell! arely staircase Jun 2013 #393

They are as entitled to 840high Jun 2013 #399

and what of your fellow Christians edhopper Jun 2013 #400

Modern science can tell us that the Earth is 6,000 years old. They can believe what they want but hrmjustin Jun 2013 #422

My question is edhopper Jun 2013 #429

You have answered your own question my friend. One can always be wrong. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #440

Thanks edhopper Jun 2013 #461

Some people don't live there religion as much as they use it as a crutch. hrmjustin Jun 2013 #462

May I try to answer the question as if I were a believer? defacto7 Jun 2013 #419

The Jewish people's edhopper Jun 2013 #436

It's inaccurate to described Judaism as a faith Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #439

While I appreciate the reponse edhopper Jun 2013 #463

When we were 13, Bad Thoughts Jun 2013 #469

It depends on the Jew edhopper Jun 2013 #476

I hope I can add to this discussion by explaining what is it that Hinduism teaches Vietnameravet Jun 2013 #503

That's quite lovely. LiberalAndProud Jun 2013 #505

Very true. Those two countires are dominated by Muslims Vietnameravet Jun 2013 #510

It is a pattern that has repeated itself over our history. LiberalAndProud Jun 2013 #517

Thank you that is enlightening edhopper Jun 2013 #524