In Reply to: Re: There were no new rules posted by Acheick on September 02, 2006 at 11:55:43:
I agree with Acheick, and I thank WC for being so very patient. I've learned a great deal, from both of them, as well as quite a few other posters.
My Journey does happen to be one that abandoned dogmatic atheism a long time ago, as well as pre-PC "agnosticism" (a word coined ny Aldous Huxley when he rejected Christianity out of hand, saying '...because of my CHOSEN world view and because of my sexuality...", and then said he was "...also not gnostic...", as in Hindu and Greek-based gnosticism. I also EXPERIENCED the Hindu variety of that; pre-TF.
I DO have something to say. I even believe that I have some ANSWERS, since I have seen that taking the position that "there are absolutely no absolute" is an absurdity.
I do invite dialogue, versus hit-and-run monologue, followed by vindictive and insulting ad hominem attacks, and a refusal to answer pointed and well-considered questions. Oh, yeah--the self-pity is a nice touch as well; very mature and helpful to all (not). Yeah--I have shown it, too. :-(
I currently have a very troublesome and difficult life, as a lot of you do, and I get quite a lot out of coming here, as well as other boards, and hearing ALL sides. It does give me something to hear and think about, besides my own problems.
I have come to all of these places, in the past, even while struggling with suicidal ideation. Most of it DOES trace back to my TF days; some pre, and some post, ad well.
If I had not come through a series of experiences causing me to NOT be a calvinistic Christian, I would have as easily blown out my brains, as if I had personally been an atheist.
Albert Camus said that, if God did NOT exist, seeing the universality of great suffering in the world, and the truth that most people die in exquisite pain, the ONLY philosophical question MUST be not IF, but only when, to do so.
So, coming here has helped me more than some of you might think. I fell I have the right to challenge you , whether you like it or NOT, if I keep the rules of the board.
And maybe, just maybe, I might have something to say that may similarly help YOU avoid a bad decision--maybe a final one.
I welcome all who come here, where the anonymity of being a nobody is actually quite healing.
Since we all do enjoy that anonymity, through pseudonym usage, why not enter into discussions in a manner not conducive to personal attacks?
I learned to question the sub-Christian belief system of David Berg. How can I NOT, after that experience, question ALL belief systems claiming to have all the answers; which dogmatic atheism definitely does, and QUITE a few others do, as well.
Very sincerely,
OT2