A truce between Atheists and Non-Atheists?

by palmtree67 699 Replies latest jw friends

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  AGuest

  I did get some positive things out of it, dear NC (peace to you!). Mostly positive, actually (I've chosen to ignore most of the negative - it was just too silly, IMHO). And no tension for me, actually. Actually, there are a couple/few posters that have me chuckling in disbelief, if not ROTFLMBO. And while I promise that I will TRY not to respond to their... silliness... I can't promise I will always succeed. Like now, for instance:

  I take issue with what is being said and claimed. Regardless of who they are.

  No one cares what you take issue with. Really. Truly. No one.

  For example...it someone completly new came on the forum and started teaching people about dragons being Jesus I would take issue with what they say. (I am using that as an example since it is you making the point)

  Why? Why would you CARE? YOU claim you don't even believe in "Jesus." So, whatever someone says about "Jesus"... what's that to YOU? You tout me for saying who I speak to and who speaks to me. Who died and left YOU the forum "boss of no one can say anything about 'Jesus'"? What in the world makes you thing that your taking issue with such is of any particular importance?

  I think some people think they are being targeted or something because of WHO they are rather than WHAT they say and claim.

  Well, if they ARE... then... Oh, wait... I keep forgetting: YOU said that. My bad.

  I do not speak for any other atheist.

  Well, maybe not tonight... and, again, we should all be grateful for THAT. Even the other atheists.

  Just wanted to clarify that your point does not pertain to me.

  Actually, it does. And since you're now insinuating that you might even "believe" in "Jesus" (I mean, again, why take issue with what someone says about him if you don't???)... even more so.

  Still, please... you are making this too easy. Why not just leave the "heavy lifting" to folks like, say, dear NC... or bohm... or Size? I mean, you're really gonna hurt yourself if you keep this up.

  A slave of Christ,

  SA, who is just tired of this silliness. Really.
• 

  AGuest

  And why would that be Aguest?

  Oh, girl, c'MON! Please! I at least gave you credit for understanding THAT! Tell me you're joshing. Really. Please. Please tell me that your question is rhetorical. Because I am SO afraid it isn't, truly. In fact, I truly think you really don't know.

  A slave of Christ,

  SA
• 

  still thinking

  No one cares what you take issue with. Really. Truly. No one....aguest.

  Again....are you speaking for everyone?

  I stated I take issue with what is said, not WHO said it. Can you say the same with that type of comment? that comment seems pretty personal to me.
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  NewChapter

  I take issue with what is being said and claimed. Regardless of who they are.

  Yes, I think that is an important distinction. That we need to go after ideas, regardless of who they come from. On the reverse, we can also applaud ideas, regardless of who they come from. Focus on the idea, not the person. That will not remove all tension, because some people are emotionally attached to their ideas, and so may feel attacked. But I think the challenge is healthy anyway, and the rest is just a personal issue that each person can work out for themselves.

  That's a very good way to approach it. Nicely said.
• 

  still thinking

  Oh, girl, c' MON ! Please! I at least gave you credit for understanding THAT! Tell me you're joshing. Really. Please. Please tell me that your question is rhetorical. Because I am SO afraid it isn't, truly. In fact, I truly think you really don't know...Aguest

  No really, spit it out Aguest. I am not a mind reader...if you have a personal opinion of me I'm sure you would like to tell me. You seem to be hinting enough. Spit it out if you really feel you need to.

  Otherwise...I'll just ignore such baiting comments.
• 

  palmtree67

  Focus on the idea, not the person.

  Yes, sometimes, it's too easy to see who is making a comment and getting offended before we even read it, or read it LOOKING for something to take issue with.

  Focusing on the IDEA that someone is trying to get across, might eliminate some of these looooong posts where every word and phrase is disected until the poor person's post is rendered meaningless and more time is spent defining and re-defining words than on what the person actually said.
• 

  tec

  ONLY THE OWNERS can... and so should... say who can, can not, should and should not post here... as well as what they can, can not, should, and should not post here. Since then, all ARE here by implied... OR EXPLICIT... invitation of the Owner(s)... and some, including myself are here by the latter, although such may not be known to all... no one else should think they have the "power" to state otherwise, and so should refrain from stating, implying, insinuating, alluding to, or demanding that someone NOT be here... or post what/as they do.

  We ARE all guests, however... no matter HOW long we've been here. Whether for years, a decade, or more... or just a few days/weeks/months. Only two here are not guests, but owners. Householders, if you will. And until the householder puts out the pineapple*... or walks one to the door... one should feel "at home" and do their thing, but always observing the "rules" of the "house." Because, again, one really is... just a guest.

  Two points I think that bear repeating.

  I have to be honest and state that while some good points were brought out in this thread, I am not left with a good feeling at the end (if this is the end of the thread)

  Some insults and quite personal attacks were both made and handled in the same way that they always are. So no, I am not left on a hopeful note. Because everything seems exactly the same. Perhaps outside of this thread, things will be different. Perhaps people will have taken the good, applied the advice they gave to themselves, and post elsewhere accordingly. Time will tell.

  I am truly sorry, but that is how I honestly feel.

  Peace,

  tammy
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  NewChapter

  I'm sorry you are left not feeling that some good things happened here, Tec. That's a shame. But I made some personal connections, and that's all I'm responsible for. Maybe you can go back and see if there is something you can take away too. I've decided not to focus on the insults etc, and that's what I take away. If I did focus on the negatives, perhaps I would feel the same. But just committing myself to ignore the baiting is pretty huge. I'll mess up and take bait here and there, but I'm more focused to leave it be.
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  palmtree67

  Tec:

  I have to be honest and state that while some good points were brought out in this thread, I am not left with a good feeling at the end (if this is the end of the thread)

  It really does help to focus on the ideas and not the person.

  And ignore the ones who are just posting to cause problems.
• 

  NewChapter

  It really does help to focus on the ideas and not the person.

  And ignore the ones who are just posting to cause problems.

  Exactly. That's one powerfuly good thing to take from the thread.