by Xena 38 Replies latest jw friends
Xena,
Everytime I see an author of a thread, respond to everyone who posts, it affirms that some people still have, and show, common courtesy. It is such a simple act, yet it shows more than tolerance, it shows compassion and appreciation for other's.
Good for you.
Danny
Depends on what it is I am suppose to tolerate.
Though because I disagree with a belief, that does not give me the right to be cruel with my expression of opposition.
Harmless? Well, that is another matter.
From a distance, the WTS seems like just another religion. A little odd with their beliefs in no celebration of holidays and refusal of blood. But, once the facade of conservative dress and heavy bookbags are scratched off the surface a much more sinister picture begins to form and the dirty WTS underbelly is exposed and can no longer be considered "harmless".
Andee
Are we equal to our beliefs or do our ideas make us?
If so does attacking the ideas of another equate to attacking that individuals person?
That can happen.
However, I strongly advocate attacking ideas. I want my ideas and philosophies to stand for what they are (irrespective of my personal implementation of the ideas). Please attack my ideas - and I reserve the right to attack yours on this board (as long as Simon let's me do so). By the same token I harbor no ill intent to anyone and truly hope that everyone can find their own fulfillment and happiness. Please see my questions and "attacks" for what they are. If I call you stupid slap me. If I call your idea stupid, prove me wrong or ignore me.
Jack
"Treat me nice, and I'll treat you nice. Treat me bad and I'll ignore ya!"
-Gomer Pyle
It is commonly said . . . that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I deny it. A truth learned in a certain light, and attacked in certain words, by men of wit and humour, may, and often doth, become ridiculous, at least so far, that the truth is only remembered and repeated for the sake of the ridicule.
Lord Chesterfield
Whether ad hominem or ad opinio, ridicule is counter-productive.
Craig
Andee,
***But, once the facade of conservative dress and heavy bookbags are scratched off the surface a much more sinister picture begins to form and the dirty WTS underbelly is exposed and can no longer be considered "harmless".***
Oh so true.
Funny how seemingly harmless idea's turn into utter evilness. I suppose when Charles Taze released his then pioneering effort, Photo Drama of Creation, many would have considered it harmless. Yet the foundation of his 'harmless' musings, went on to set the stage for other's to build thier own 'harmless' beliefs.
Today some 6 million or more suffer the effects of what an insignifcant, white bearded, bible student, in the late 19 century, offered up as his 'faithful and discreet' interpretation ( beliefs ) of what was god's 'plan of the ages'.
We collectively have paid a tremendous price for his 'harmless' ramblings.
Danny
Why thank you Danny that was very sweet of you to say so [:|]
BG, I agree nothing wrong with disagreeing, but do so in a constructive way. As for beliefs being harmless, well some are and some aren't. The majority of people I know now appear to hold an assortment of beliefs that, while I might not agree with them, don't appear to be harmful to anyone. I suppose I should have been more specific, sorry But you are right (again ) some seemingly harmless beliefs are at the root harmful. The individuals with these types of beliefs need to be reasoned with and hopefully made to see the ill effects of their belief system.
donkey, I think some people have a hard time understanding the difference between attacking ideas and not people and sometimes it isn't always easy to attack the idea and not the individual since people tend to so closely relate to their beliefs. Like walking thru a minefield sometimes isn't it?
lol hannibal I think I like that better than "don't feed the trolls"
Amen ona...
Xena,
I just wanted to clarify that I certainly agree with the spirit of your post! To me it's message of "live and let live" (Just as long as an innocent party is not being hurt) is one that could use more application around XJW boards.
Danny,
We collectively have paid a tremendous price for his 'harmless' ramblings.
Indeed.
Andee
BTW: Happy New Year Xena and Danny!
donkey, I think some people have a hard time understanding the difference between attacking ideas and not people and sometimes it isn't always easy to attack the idea and not the individual since people tend to so closely relate to their beliefs. Like walking thru a minefield sometimes isn't it?
It is big issue for some. Some of us are closely attached to our ideas. Some of us EQUAL the sum of our ideas and for those their ideas are more apart of them. We all have collective groupings of ideas - that is what makes each of us intellectually unique. People who are attached to their ideas tend to be believers rather than searchers. A believer by having their belief invalidated is akin to having their very reason for existence invalidated. That's a strong statement but please think about it. We all hear about change and how we need to be adaptable. Most people think they are adaptable - unfortunately that's not true. If it was they would not feel threatened when their beliefs or ideas are challenged. They would welcome the opportunity to learn and experience something new.
If we cannot change our ideas then we risk living a lie. Living and believing a lie makes us very vulnerable to disappointment and when we discover it we lose our purpose to live. Many have killed themselves over this. Searchers always leave the possibility of having their ideas falsified on the table. They know that in life there are no absolutes and they live life to savor life itself. Ideas sould be enhancements not constraints; they should be tested to become strong - not hidden and protected.
For those who come here merely for support - that's fine. Hopefully they can understand that if they don't want to have their ideals hurt they should not cast them in the ring. Others are searching for truth or clarity or new ways of thinking - only by leaving the shore of comfort can we find new horizons.
Ideas sould be enhancements not constraints; they should be tested to become strong - not hidden and protected
This jumped off at the page at me. Excellent!
And just the complete opposite existence for a JW.
Andee
BTW: Happy New Year to you too! Heee Hawwww!
