How to be religiously tolerant?

[Perfection]

I agree completely. Taking this one further - if you show to be vulnerable to such things there are people who will do it just to get under your skin as well.

I'm guilty of that

 

[Sahkuhnder]

OK, I'm having a tough time with MobBoss and PriestOfDiscord's avatar sameness. I read the last post thinking it was MobBoss and I choked on my drinking water. Uncanny.

Ah, good to hear that. Well not really 'good', but it's nice when someone admits making the same mistake you made. I re-read the post and kept thinking 'this sure doesn't sound like MobBoss'.

I feel slightly less of a complete idiot now. You have my thanks.

 

[Gr3yL3gion]

By not trying to convert them. (I know it's hard for a anychristian to do that as they believe they are trying to save those antheist or people of other religion).

Some people just don't want to be saved.

 

[Neomega]

Civ General, I like you.

And I just want to say I am sorry for threads where I berated peoples religious beliefs. I got religious beliefs mixed with politics and religion.

I have been shocked recently to find how many of my really neat friends in real life are christians who actually believe Jesus is the Son of God. I just had a jaded view of Christians as right-wing brainwashed hate filled illogical wing-nuts for a long time from my upbringing.

Now I realize there are many Christians who carry the message of love.

Peace.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I think it even depends on how you are trying to convert them. If you say, "I believe that I have the truth, and it has helped me greatly in my life; I invite you to learn more and see for yourself if it is the truth", I don't see that as objectionable. If you say, "You need to accept the truth or be eternally condemned, because what you believe now is wrong", that's not so tolerant.

 

[Fox Mccloud]

I'm tolerant of tolerant Atheists.

I am not tolerant of the kind of the intolerant atheist that thinks he's more enlightened then everyone else.

 

[El_Machinae]

Naw ... we're just more enlightened that the intolerant faithful

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Naw ... we're just more enlightened that the intolerant faithful

Hey, I can get along just fine with atheists who say, "Based on my understanding of the universe, it's hard to believe that God exists." I have a little more trouble with the sort who say, "God is obviously no more than an infantile fantasy that people use as a crutch because they aren't as intelligent/mature/able to confront the universe as me, and [insert blanket statement about all believers based on a stereotype of one particular religion here]", in other words, when they seem to be motivated more by a desire to feel better than believers.

 

[El_Machinae]

"God is obviously no more than an infantile fantasy that people use as a crutch because they aren't as intelligent/mature/able to confront the universe as me

I get tired of hearing/reading that too, and I don't even believe in God.

 

[Bill3000]

Hey, I can get along just fine with atheists who say, "Based on my understanding of the universe, it's hard to believe that God exists." I have a little more trouble with the sort who say, "God is obviously no more than an infantile fantasy that people use as a crutch because they aren't as intelligent/mature/able to confront the universe as me, and [insert blanket statement about all believers based on a stereotype of one particular religion here]", in other words, when they seem to be motivated more by a desire to feel better than believers.

I don't see how that is any different than intolerant atheists, except the intolerance is toward all religions rather than a specific religion or all other religions. Wouldn't one still need to be tolerant of intolerant religions? If so, the same would apply for that form of atheism.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I don't see how that is any different than intolerant atheists, except the intolerance is toward all religions rather than a specific religion or all other religions. Wouldn't one still need to be tolerant of intolerant religions? If so, the same would apply for that form of atheism.

I am tolerant of at least their right to hold that particular view. I just find that I am not able to have a meaningful discussion with them on religion, as I could with the other type of atheist I mentioned.

 

[punkbass2000]

I think it even depends on how you are trying to convert them. If you say, "I believe that I have the truth, and it has helped me greatly in my life; I invite you to learn more and see for yourself if it is the truth", I don't see that as objectionable.

It's not objectionable, but it can be annoying.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

It's not objectionable, but it can be annoying.

Well, if they are really sincere, a simple, polite, "no thank you" should suffice. I mean, maybe you find it a little annoying, but telemarketers are more annoying - and they don't care about my soul, just their commission. Just try to convert them back and see how they react.

 

[punkbass2000]

I agree, except I don't find telemarketers to be more annoying. More or less equally so, on the whole. Either way it is admittedly a mild annoyance, to my mind. But to my knowledge others find it to be more annoying than that. Personally I don't think the whole idea is worthwhile, but that's just my take.

EDIT: Oh, and convert who back to what?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I agree, except I don't find telemarketers to be more annoying. More or less equally so, on the whole. Either way it is admittedly a mild annoyance, to my mind. But to my knowledge others find it to be more annoying than that. Personally I don't think the whole idea is worthwhile, but that's just my take.

EDIT: Oh, and convert who back to what?

It was just a joke. I mean, if someone tries to convert you, try to convert them to your views using the same methods.

But as far as annoying - we would often just walk up to people, introduce ourselves, then offer to talk to them about our faith. Some people got really worked up by our presence (far out of proportion to anything we had done or said) and start screaming or slamming doors, but most people were fine with it, even though the majority didn't want to listen to us.

 

[puglover]

The key to being tolerant is to not raise yourself above others. Have respect for others. A theologician described the ideal situation of a Christian sharing his faith as, "A beggar telling another beggar where to find food." Humility is the key to tolerance. Listen to others with respect to the logic they present. Weigh the logic yourself, and share your conclusion, but remember to respect others and listen.

Always be on a quest for new logic, new perspectives that you can compare with your own opinion as you build and strengthen (and even scrap and start from stratch sometimes) your worldview.

I can be intolerant sometimes, and if anyone sees me doing so, feel free to PM me. I want to stay open.

 

[punkbass2000]

It was just a joke. I mean, if someone tries to convert you, try to convert them to your views using the same methods.

I can't see any reason to do that, though I seem to anyway.

But as far as annoying - we would often just walk up to people, introduce ourselves, then offer to talk to them about our faith. Some people got really worked up by our presence (far out of proportion to anything we had done or said) and start screaming or slamming doors, but most people were fine with it, even though the majority didn't want to listen to us.

Well, that's basically it. Some people really don't like it. Personally, I don't much care for any unsolicited visit or phonecall. I think some people find religious unsolicited visits particularly annoying.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well, that's basically it. Some people really don't like it. Personally, I don't much care for any unsolicited visit or phonecall. I think some people find religious unsolicited visits particularly annoying.

Maybe, but I think they tend to overreact.

 

[punkbass2000]

Well that may be true. But I don't see that as much of an excuse to do something which you know people don't like.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Well that may be true. But I don't see that as much of an excuse to do something which you know people don't like.

Except that the overwhelming majority don't mind at all. And you can't let "you know some people won't like it" be a reason not to do something if you think it's right.