In Reply to: Re: Why is it? posted by Perry on February 10, 2005 at 02:39:42:
I think every so often I bring up this topic and have a debate. I don't want to imply to those who retain their Christian faith that I think it's wrong or I look down on them, I just don't retain that faith anymore.
Discussions with my Dad usually end with us nodding our heads as we privately shake them in disagreement. I know that (dad) will probably always be a Christian, and since I don't want to offend him, or others who retain that belief, I try to respect it in my disagreements or differences of opinion (believe it or not, one of my closest friends is a Mormon, the other a very solid Christian). I only get pushy when I feel I'm being pushed myself.
For this reason I generally avoid debates over religion because I feel every person has the right to believe as they choose, and the right to respect for that choice, as long as it doesn't hurt others or children, or they don't try to push it on me. What does really bug me is if someone tells me I'm 'way off' with my beliefs or way or thinking, that sort of gets to me. My dad has fortunately learned to curb his opinion and learn to respect mine.
One way I see it is that there are just way too many viewpoints and belief systems, and every person will be coming from their viewpoint and belief. On occasion I've found it harder to debate things with Christians if the subject is directly opposed to what the Bible says, or brings in a question about the Bible (should've heard my Christian friend after I finished reading Anne Rice and told her Jesus had some vampirical traits). I just don't really care to get into an arguement that I won't win, that I don't want to win, because winning may cost me the friendship.
Anyway, on this board I enjoy reading different religions viewpoints cause we all are so far from each other we don't have to take it seriously and can pick and choose from what others say. I just get edgy when it develops into a mini-war online.