News3 mins ago
Be yourself!
43 Answers
Often we want to be somewhere other than where we are, or
even to be someone other than who we are.
We tend to compare ourselves constantly with ohers and wonder
why we are not as rich, as intellegent, as simple, as generous,
as saintly as they are. Such comparisons make us feel, guilty,
ashamed, or jealous...
We are unique human beings, each with a call to realise in ife
what no one else can, and to realise it here in the concrete
context of the here and now.
We will never find happiness by trying to figure out whether
we are better or worse than others. We are good enough to
do what we are called to do.
Be yourself!
even to be someone other than who we are.
We tend to compare ourselves constantly with ohers and wonder
why we are not as rich, as intellegent, as simple, as generous,
as saintly as they are. Such comparisons make us feel, guilty,
ashamed, or jealous...
We are unique human beings, each with a call to realise in ife
what no one else can, and to realise it here in the concrete
context of the here and now.
We will never find happiness by trying to figure out whether
we are better or worse than others. We are good enough to
do what we are called to do.
Be yourself!
Answers
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Cupid - “... Please tell me why you comment at all when you have no interest in religion or spirituality?”
I think you'll find that I've already answered that question [01:13 Tue 12th Jun 2012]. It's also been the subject of two other earlier threads:
“If atheism is not a religion...” by Sith
http://
and
“Why are non-believers interested in religion?” by naomi24
http://
Why do you think I wouldn't have an interest in religion and spirituality? Because I'm an Atheist? Do people who believe in religious miracles have no interest in science and man-made technology? Your question is asinine.
I think you'll find that I've already answered that question [01:13 Tue 12th Jun 2012]. It's also been the subject of two other earlier threads:
“If atheism is not a religion...” by Sith
http://
and
“Why are non-believers interested in religion?” by naomi24
http://
Why do you think I wouldn't have an interest in religion and spirituality? Because I'm an Atheist? Do people who believe in religious miracles have no interest in science and man-made technology? Your question is asinine.
You really cant answer a question without
some litle dig. You dont like what I say so you resort to being insulting. I
haven't time to read all your inane threads.Your answer to everything [and it
varies little //I cant get my head round it, so it must be a fairytale//. That
seems to be your only argument and it's wearing thin and you wonder why
people of other faiths dont want to debate with you. You throw up the same
argument all the time. All this because I wrote a text. [You didn't have to read
it, but you chose to and twisted it out of all proportion. Never mind, I think
I''ll get over it. I have an opinion that's different to yours. So what. Live with it!
some litle dig. You dont like what I say so you resort to being insulting. I
haven't time to read all your inane threads.Your answer to everything [and it
varies little //I cant get my head round it, so it must be a fairytale//. That
seems to be your only argument and it's wearing thin and you wonder why
people of other faiths dont want to debate with you. You throw up the same
argument all the time. All this because I wrote a text. [You didn't have to read
it, but you chose to and twisted it out of all proportion. Never mind, I think
I''ll get over it. I have an opinion that's different to yours. So what. Live with it!
Cupid, //Please tell me why you comment at all when you have no interest in religion or spirituality?//
Yet again the same old question. Perhaps believers don’t actually read what others write - hence their failure to recognise and acknowledge not only the glaring flaws in religion that atheists attempt to illustrate, but their purposes in attempting to illustrate them. See the thread posted specifically in an effort to address that question once and for all. It’s right below this one.
http://
As for hostility, the religious regularly see contrary opinions as hostile, but in general non-believers don’t. Sensible people may be offended by personal attacks, but they are not ‘offended’ by conflicting views. ‘Offence’ is a word that is much abused – and it’s used all too often simply as a means of shutting other people up.
And incidentally, don’t confuse atheism, which is an absence of belief in any supernatural god, with absence of spirituality. If you think your god has a monopoly on spirituality, then you don’t understand spirituality.
Yet again the same old question. Perhaps believers don’t actually read what others write - hence their failure to recognise and acknowledge not only the glaring flaws in religion that atheists attempt to illustrate, but their purposes in attempting to illustrate them. See the thread posted specifically in an effort to address that question once and for all. It’s right below this one.
http://
As for hostility, the religious regularly see contrary opinions as hostile, but in general non-believers don’t. Sensible people may be offended by personal attacks, but they are not ‘offended’ by conflicting views. ‘Offence’ is a word that is much abused – and it’s used all too often simply as a means of shutting other people up.
And incidentally, don’t confuse atheism, which is an absence of belief in any supernatural god, with absence of spirituality. If you think your god has a monopoly on spirituality, then you don’t understand spirituality.
Cupid - “... You dont like what I say so you resort to being insulting. I haven't time to read all your inane threads.Your answer to everything [and it varies little //I cant get my head round it, so it must be a fairytale//. That seems to be your only argument and it's wearing thin and you wonder why people of other faiths dont want to debate with you...”
The fact that you admit you haven't got time to read all the threads I linked (by the way, they're not *my* threads; they were posted by others) goes some way to explain your blind faith. Clearly, you're not interested in logic and reasoning – you'd rather live in your own little bubble and believe in tall tales.
You claim that I fail to believe in god and can't understand why others do so because I, “... can't get my head round it...”. You are surely joking. On the contrary, I understand perfectly well why people believe in god. Why? Because I used to think the same way you do. What I don't understand is why someone such as yourself is unwilling to listen to arguments against your faith and who simply dismisses them as being 'insulting'. If I've insulted you, then I apologise. However, if you (and others) insist on posting such patronising bunk as your original 'question' then don't be too surprised if people want to debate, discuss and (if necessary) ridicule what you've voluntarily chosen to post.
As for people of other faiths not wanting to debate with me, I think we all know the individual you're referring to. He chooses not to debate with me because I have demonstrated time and time again that the ridiculous claims he makes for his religion are nothing but hot air and bluster. He has now chosen the route of the child by pretending to ignore my posts whilst tacitly acknowledging them to others. I trust that you will not be joining him in his arrogant petulance?
The fact that you admit you haven't got time to read all the threads I linked (by the way, they're not *my* threads; they were posted by others) goes some way to explain your blind faith. Clearly, you're not interested in logic and reasoning – you'd rather live in your own little bubble and believe in tall tales.
You claim that I fail to believe in god and can't understand why others do so because I, “... can't get my head round it...”. You are surely joking. On the contrary, I understand perfectly well why people believe in god. Why? Because I used to think the same way you do. What I don't understand is why someone such as yourself is unwilling to listen to arguments against your faith and who simply dismisses them as being 'insulting'. If I've insulted you, then I apologise. However, if you (and others) insist on posting such patronising bunk as your original 'question' then don't be too surprised if people want to debate, discuss and (if necessary) ridicule what you've voluntarily chosen to post.
As for people of other faiths not wanting to debate with me, I think we all know the individual you're referring to. He chooses not to debate with me because I have demonstrated time and time again that the ridiculous claims he makes for his religion are nothing but hot air and bluster. He has now chosen the route of the child by pretending to ignore my posts whilst tacitly acknowledging them to others. I trust that you will not be joining him in his arrogant petulance?
Ok birdie, you say you once had a faith like me. If it's not too personal what
changed. I mean I have had my christian faith for over 20 years. I've suffered
pain and loss the same as everyone else but instead of blaming God it
strengthened me. Dont think me rude if i dont answer straight away because
I'm tired and I will read any answers later today!
changed. I mean I have had my christian faith for over 20 years. I've suffered
pain and loss the same as everyone else but instead of blaming God it
strengthened me. Dont think me rude if i dont answer straight away because
I'm tired and I will read any answers later today!
I'll try to keep it short (but will probably fail).
Basically, I grew up in a 'Christian' home. It was a given that Jesus and God literally existed. I was instructed to say prayers before going to bed and I did just that. I went to a school where prayers were said every day thanking God for all the wonderful gifts he had given us and I went to Sunday school for a good number of years.
I believed in the literal existence of God until I was about 11 or 12 when I started to seriously learn about physics, chemistry and biology. It was then that I noticed cracks in the biblical world-view that I had accepted as being true. Things such as a vast 'ark' full of animals escaping from a world wide flood, people physically parting seas, virgin births, people literally rising from the dead. Nothing I had been told that was true seemed to make sense any more. I rather quickly came to the conclusion that the whole 'God' thing was just a massive pack of lies – rather like Father Christmas or the Tooth Fairy; a comforting lie told to reassure you that everything is okay and you'll always be looked after and safe.
Since then, I have continued to educate myself about philosophy, logic and various sciences. In my adult life I have read the bible (both Old and New) in its entirety and have also read the Koran. Whilst I admit that both of these tomes contain a great many 'good' lessons they also contain far too many horrendous and monstrous examples of people (and deities) being unnecessarily cruel, callous and murderous.
I find it truly astonishing that religious folk continue to defend their particular holy scriptures (and therefore their religious beliefs) when people such as myself accuse them of being riddled with genocide, rape, paedophilia, torture, murder, etc. The evidence is there for all to see and it is only the wilfully blind who chose to pretend that it isn't there or that it isn't important or that it can be quietly explained away.
Basically, I grew up in a 'Christian' home. It was a given that Jesus and God literally existed. I was instructed to say prayers before going to bed and I did just that. I went to a school where prayers were said every day thanking God for all the wonderful gifts he had given us and I went to Sunday school for a good number of years.
I believed in the literal existence of God until I was about 11 or 12 when I started to seriously learn about physics, chemistry and biology. It was then that I noticed cracks in the biblical world-view that I had accepted as being true. Things such as a vast 'ark' full of animals escaping from a world wide flood, people physically parting seas, virgin births, people literally rising from the dead. Nothing I had been told that was true seemed to make sense any more. I rather quickly came to the conclusion that the whole 'God' thing was just a massive pack of lies – rather like Father Christmas or the Tooth Fairy; a comforting lie told to reassure you that everything is okay and you'll always be looked after and safe.
Since then, I have continued to educate myself about philosophy, logic and various sciences. In my adult life I have read the bible (both Old and New) in its entirety and have also read the Koran. Whilst I admit that both of these tomes contain a great many 'good' lessons they also contain far too many horrendous and monstrous examples of people (and deities) being unnecessarily cruel, callous and murderous.
I find it truly astonishing that religious folk continue to defend their particular holy scriptures (and therefore their religious beliefs) when people such as myself accuse them of being riddled with genocide, rape, paedophilia, torture, murder, etc. The evidence is there for all to see and it is only the wilfully blind who chose to pretend that it isn't there or that it isn't important or that it can be quietly explained away.
Thankyou for your answer birdie. Even I haven't read the whole bible! I went
to a church of England primary school where we had daily assemblies and
r.e lessons about once a week. I don't remember ever feeling forced to
follow a certain creed. I didn't become a christian until my late 20's. Church
of England weren't quite as strict as the catholic schools.I hope we can still talk
from time to time. I love discussing my faith with other people. Mr. cupid and
I used to be friendly with a couple of Mormon lads. I found it very pleasant, we
were able to discuss our faith in God even though there were quite a few things about each others faith that was different. We always had a tin of
hot chocolate when they visited as they are not allowed drinks with caffeine.
Good night. Sleep well.
to a church of England primary school where we had daily assemblies and
r.e lessons about once a week. I don't remember ever feeling forced to
follow a certain creed. I didn't become a christian until my late 20's. Church
of England weren't quite as strict as the catholic schools.I hope we can still talk
from time to time. I love discussing my faith with other people. Mr. cupid and
I used to be friendly with a couple of Mormon lads. I found it very pleasant, we
were able to discuss our faith in God even though there were quite a few things about each others faith that was different. We always had a tin of
hot chocolate when they visited as they are not allowed drinks with caffeine.
Good night. Sleep well.
Cupid - “... Even I haven't read the whole bible!...”
You should. You really should. It's a book that should be read in its entirety before passing critical judgement upon it.
To illustrate this point, no one would read just a third or half of 'Macbeth' and then claim to understand the whole play with all its nuances. And yet that is what millions (if not billions) of people do all over the world: they read the 'nice' bits of the Bible (or the Koran or the Torah) and ignore the really, really unpleasant bits.
With all due respect, if you believe in God, do yourself a favour and read the whole thing.
Good night to you too. Gosh I'm tired!
You should. You really should. It's a book that should be read in its entirety before passing critical judgement upon it.
To illustrate this point, no one would read just a third or half of 'Macbeth' and then claim to understand the whole play with all its nuances. And yet that is what millions (if not billions) of people do all over the world: they read the 'nice' bits of the Bible (or the Koran or the Torah) and ignore the really, really unpleasant bits.
With all due respect, if you believe in God, do yourself a favour and read the whole thing.
Good night to you too. Gosh I'm tired!
Birdie, //I find it truly astonishing that religious folk continue to defend their particular holy scriptures (and therefore their religious beliefs) when people such as myself accuse them of being riddled with genocide, rape, paedophilia, torture, murder, etc.//
But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance.
But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance.
What were you thinking of cupid? Posting a religious tract, picked up in a church (shock horror) in the Religion and Spirituality section of Answerbank. Only atheists contributions welcome here. Anyone else's will be ripped apart in minutes.
To comment on Naomi's post - "But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance."
What is there to defend? The poster did this with the best of intentions and she will not make that mistake again. Why do you want or need other Christians to "defend" their views. They can see the strong band of critics/knockers and dont want to contribute as they too will be shot down and ridiculed.
I find this whole area sad and dont understand why atheists feel the need to endlessly argue and air their reasons to justify their "non-belief". I think a lot of you do have an ability to argue your corner but what are you hoping to achieve? Do you want someone to prove you are wrong? No. Do you want to make a believer lose their faith? Maybe, but unlikely to happen. Do you just enjoy religion bashing? Probably.
To comment on Naomi's post - "But most don't defend it. They ignore it - just as it has been ignored in this instance."
What is there to defend? The poster did this with the best of intentions and she will not make that mistake again. Why do you want or need other Christians to "defend" their views. They can see the strong band of critics/knockers and dont want to contribute as they too will be shot down and ridiculed.
I find this whole area sad and dont understand why atheists feel the need to endlessly argue and air their reasons to justify their "non-belief". I think a lot of you do have an ability to argue your corner but what are you hoping to achieve? Do you want someone to prove you are wrong? No. Do you want to make a believer lose their faith? Maybe, but unlikely to happen. Do you just enjoy religion bashing? Probably.
Grasscarp, //What is there to defend?//
Are you serious? Just one example. The church and the mosques are currently arguing with the government on the subject of gay marriage and we have a thread on that very subject running here at the moment. Several believers have indicated that they oppose it – but only one has given a reason. Now if the rest of these people think their opinions are valid, it is not enough to say ‘no’ and expect everyone else to accept that. Why should they? Because the naysayers are religious? If they want to join the discussion, then they should be prepared to defend their position.
//what are you hoping to achieve?//
For one thing, I would like to achieve a situation where people like Cupid don’t tell me that if I believe in Jesus it will ‘turn my life around’ (or words to that effect) – as she has done. Additionally, I would like people like Goodlife to stop telling me I’m doomed because I don’t believe as he does – and of course that, in his opinion, applies to anyone who doesn’t believe as he does – so watch out the rest of you! Now think about all of that. Why Cupid thinks I would want to turn my happy life around I have no idea – and if being doomed means spending eternity with sycophantic people who are so selfishly concerned with their own mortality that they wilfully ignore the misery religion creates to their fellow human beings, then bring on the doom! Forget eternity –five minutes with any of them would be too long!
If you still don’t understand why people oppose religion, as it appears, may I suggest you read the thread I posted for you.
http://
The thing is, Grasscarp, what you’re saying is that non-believers should shut up simply because you don’t like what they’re saying. People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
Are you serious? Just one example. The church and the mosques are currently arguing with the government on the subject of gay marriage and we have a thread on that very subject running here at the moment. Several believers have indicated that they oppose it – but only one has given a reason. Now if the rest of these people think their opinions are valid, it is not enough to say ‘no’ and expect everyone else to accept that. Why should they? Because the naysayers are religious? If they want to join the discussion, then they should be prepared to defend their position.
//what are you hoping to achieve?//
For one thing, I would like to achieve a situation where people like Cupid don’t tell me that if I believe in Jesus it will ‘turn my life around’ (or words to that effect) – as she has done. Additionally, I would like people like Goodlife to stop telling me I’m doomed because I don’t believe as he does – and of course that, in his opinion, applies to anyone who doesn’t believe as he does – so watch out the rest of you! Now think about all of that. Why Cupid thinks I would want to turn my happy life around I have no idea – and if being doomed means spending eternity with sycophantic people who are so selfishly concerned with their own mortality that they wilfully ignore the misery religion creates to their fellow human beings, then bring on the doom! Forget eternity –five minutes with any of them would be too long!
If you still don’t understand why people oppose religion, as it appears, may I suggest you read the thread I posted for you.
http://
The thing is, Grasscarp, what you’re saying is that non-believers should shut up simply because you don’t like what they’re saying. People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
Naomi in response to what you have said
People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
I am not imposing my beliefs on others. There are certain beliefs held by religions. This is a so called Religion & Spirituality thread. Heaven (if I am allowed to use that word!) help a religious person who wants to post something on here. Why the need for us to explain or justify ourselves? I felt really sorry for cupid who meant nobody any harm and posted an innocuous item, but was met with the usual brickbats and arrows and sent away with a flea in their ear for daring to venture on the thread.
Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here. If we say something we are imposing our beliefs and if we say nothing we are not defending ourselves. Can't win.
People can believe what they like, but that doesn’t give them the right to impose their beliefs upon others without challenge – and neither does it give them the right to demand that others respect those beliefs without challenge – which is what you appear to be doing.
I am not imposing my beliefs on others. There are certain beliefs held by religions. This is a so called Religion & Spirituality thread. Heaven (if I am allowed to use that word!) help a religious person who wants to post something on here. Why the need for us to explain or justify ourselves? I felt really sorry for cupid who meant nobody any harm and posted an innocuous item, but was met with the usual brickbats and arrows and sent away with a flea in their ear for daring to venture on the thread.
Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here. If we say something we are imposing our beliefs and if we say nothing we are not defending ourselves. Can't win.
Gasscarp - “... I felt really sorry for cupid who meant nobody any harm and posted an innocuous item, but was met with the usual brickbats and arrows and sent away with a flea in their ear for daring to venture on the thread...”
I think you're being a little patronising here. As you can see from reading this thread, it was I who immediately criticised Cupid's original post. However, I didn't just say the post was frivolous and leave it at that; I explained why I thought so. Since then, Cupid and I have had a rather civilised discussion about our own beliefs and how we came to arrive at them.
You seem to be implying that Cupid has been been left battered and bruised by the experience. I rather think you're exaggerating the facts.
You further say (to Naomi), “... Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here...”. I disagree. I think that you simply don't like the fact that atheists now have a voice. You never seem to say anything of any real substance. You just bemoan the fact that atheists are quite adept at pointing out the logical flaws in the theists' belief systems.
You also say, “... If we say something we are imposing our beliefs and if we say nothing we are not defending ourselves. Can't win...”
This really is whinging of the highest order. No one has a problem with you or anyone else posting what you believe to be true. However, since this is a Q&A / discussion website, other people can and may disagree with you. The answer is simple – don't post if you don't want to hear other people's opinions.
I think you're being a little patronising here. As you can see from reading this thread, it was I who immediately criticised Cupid's original post. However, I didn't just say the post was frivolous and leave it at that; I explained why I thought so. Since then, Cupid and I have had a rather civilised discussion about our own beliefs and how we came to arrive at them.
You seem to be implying that Cupid has been been left battered and bruised by the experience. I rather think you're exaggerating the facts.
You further say (to Naomi), “... Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here...”. I disagree. I think that you simply don't like the fact that atheists now have a voice. You never seem to say anything of any real substance. You just bemoan the fact that atheists are quite adept at pointing out the logical flaws in the theists' belief systems.
You also say, “... If we say something we are imposing our beliefs and if we say nothing we are not defending ourselves. Can't win...”
This really is whinging of the highest order. No one has a problem with you or anyone else posting what you believe to be true. However, since this is a Q&A / discussion website, other people can and may disagree with you. The answer is simple – don't post if you don't want to hear other people's opinions.
Grasscarp, //Your hostility keeps people who have religious beliefs away from here.//
Unlike you, I am not hostile to people – my objections are solely to the widely promulgated lie that is organised religion. However, since one or two others have taken your stance recently, it would appear that my sins in caring for the plight of the millions of real people affected by the injustices and the human misery that religion brings to this world, are great indeed – although actually, I suspect you are now grasping at the feeble straw that is that pathetic bandwagon. Nevertheless, if it’s true that my presence here keeps believers away, it would indicate that they – and their apologists – are experiencing a dearth not only of moral principal, but of confidence in the veracity of their chosen faith – because if I were in their position, and my conviction were as strong as they claim theirs to be, I would stand my ground regardless of the opposition.
You say you don’t impose your beliefs on anyone, but in attempting to silence any opposition, you are, in fact, endeavouring to do precisely that.
And incidentally, Cupid was not sent away with a flea in her ear. As Birdie has rightly said, she continued to have a rather lengthy and civilised discussion with him – but perhaps your indignation is such that you failed to notice.
Unlike you, I am not hostile to people – my objections are solely to the widely promulgated lie that is organised religion. However, since one or two others have taken your stance recently, it would appear that my sins in caring for the plight of the millions of real people affected by the injustices and the human misery that religion brings to this world, are great indeed – although actually, I suspect you are now grasping at the feeble straw that is that pathetic bandwagon. Nevertheless, if it’s true that my presence here keeps believers away, it would indicate that they – and their apologists – are experiencing a dearth not only of moral principal, but of confidence in the veracity of their chosen faith – because if I were in their position, and my conviction were as strong as they claim theirs to be, I would stand my ground regardless of the opposition.
You say you don’t impose your beliefs on anyone, but in attempting to silence any opposition, you are, in fact, endeavouring to do precisely that.
And incidentally, Cupid was not sent away with a flea in her ear. As Birdie has rightly said, she continued to have a rather lengthy and civilised discussion with him – but perhaps your indignation is such that you failed to notice.
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