Hi Rem,
I appreciate your thoughtful response. I just have a few comments to make about it.
What makes me feel sick is when I see ignorance – just
like I think you might feel frustrated inside because your sister believes all of that JW
garbage. Now I don’t know if you feel that way or not, but I have a hard time believing that
you think her beliefs are A-OK.
My problem with my sister isn't necessarily in that I disagree with her beliefs: it's in the fact
that while I respect them and would coexist with them in our relationship, she can not do the
same for me. Again, the issue is respect and tolerance.
The problem here is that the opinions that are being proposed on
this thread are uninformed opinions. There is such a thing is fact and fiction –
certain things are factually correct and are
supported by evidence and others are not.
There were those, in time past who insisted there was scientific evidence that the world was flat. When
they were told otherwise, they declared the idea the concept of the ignorant. This isn't a situation
that can be completely explained as simply as knowing that two plus two always equal four.
Isn't it just a little bit arrogant (and I'm not singling you out, Rem, I am applying this in general
to anyone who calls the beliefs of another ignorant) to think that anyone who doesn't believe our 'reality' or our 'fact'
over 'fiction' in these philosophical matters is uninformed? Because this is exactly what they are, philosophical. There is no formula to totally explain every occurrance in human life, and I'm glad about that. Otherwise I'd feel like my future was already written.
Also, I didn't, at any point say that I wouldn't accept a scientific reason for things (I'm pulling
an example out of my hat here, so don't jump on me y'all *LOL*) example: near death experiences
being a biological subconscious reaction explainable by biochemistry (I'm not saying they are or aren't,
again my opinion isn't the point here). I would be open to considering all information on the matter before
I come to my own decision on it. Then, I would hold my opinion whether or not it was the scientifically
popular one, because it is the right one for me. Just as you must choose the right belief system for
yourself.
I just wish that you could say something like, 'I believe this to be so, and this is the reason, (insert
evidence here) but I respect your beliefs without needing to declare you ignorant for holding
them.'
I am open minded: to science, to less explainable phenomena, to lots of things. That to me
is the greatest luxury of no longer being one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I don't have to have
all the answers, for myself, or anyone else. That is very freeing.
Thank you for the interesting exchange, I look forward to future posts from you. We may continue
to have differing opinions on this subject, but we have made each other think today, I believe, and that is always a good thing.
Es
The Four Agreements:
Be Impeccable With Your Word
Don't Take Anything Personally
Don't Make Assumptions
Always Do Your Best