Random Thoughts Thread

[Ack]

*high fives marurun*

*low fives marurun, just to be different*

[prfsnl_gmr]

*high fives marurun*

*low fives marurun, just to be different*

*attempts to high five marurun, trips, acidentally hits marurun on the face instead, awkwardly, but sincerely, apologizes, offers to low five marurn, just to be safe*

[BogusMeatFactory]

In short, I hope this hits on some of the points you're going after, jp1.

I tend to view faith from a libertarian perspective. People are free to believe and practice to their hearts content, as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others.

For me, I grew up relatively Christian or at least understood some of the underpinnings of the Christian faith. I was baptized Catholic, didn't regularly attend mass or any church growing up, and only began to understand Catholicism after my family had some pretty rough spots that prompted my mom and dad to start going back to Church. I didn't necessarily want to be part of that but felt obligated to make sure my family worked through its issues. Eventually, when I left for college I decided to get confirmed, as my dad was also finishing up his confirmation. Shortly after being confirmed in the Catholic Church, I didn't really go back. I really liked the parish and the people who were part of it, but I just couldn't integrate or find connection to the faith that so many others in the parish were steadfast or resolute about.

For me, not being raised in the environment of a church helped me view and respect other faiths a little bit more. I think the unintended consequence was that seeing all of these other world faiths and the people who celebrated them made me grapple with my whole understanding of a higher power. With so many religions in the world and many of them describing a life after this one, I had to consider that there might not be solely one route to this next plane of existence. That helped me arrive at my own definition of my agnosticism, I think if I am a human being who treats others with fairness, dignity, and respect, and should I be met by a higher power -- my actions in this life prior will forgive my naivety and uncertainty in believing or following a single religion.

What turned me off from organized religion? I won't talk about systemic, world-wide things. Around me I saw people who put too much emphasis on being a devout Catholic, then leave church and be hypocritical, oppressive and uncaring of others. I've seen people of faith be critical of other faiths but be bullheaded to the point of absolutes. For me I really only draw the line when it becomes less about people using faith to guide their own lives, but when faith starts impacting the lives of others in a harmful way.

I am innately curious about people's faith, because for them it is an identity that is incredibly salient to them and I find that to be important to understand their experiences and how it shapes them as a human being. I don't see the harm in freely discussing faith, as long as it's respectful and sensible.

Blu, I very much relate to this viewpoint and commend you for having a very level-headed approach to religion. I couldn't agree more with you!

[marurun]

Hey, fives are cool. But I'm disappointed nobody is offering an awkward squid.

[darsparx]

Man this may sound odd, but I'm really contemplating saving up for a small sound system for my room(which would probably include a reciever just to help switch stuff and help make use of a second display). This switch I picked up for 20 just isn't cutting it for what I wnat to do in my room and I don't like how big and bulky my maxwell soundbar feels *sigh* plus I kinda figure it'll take quite a few months but it would be nice to be able to easily control everything somehow...

[KalessinDB]

I'm with marurun, I'm pro-science. I also describe myself as agnostic, but that's only sort-of accurate. It's the most accurate thing to say that anyone will understand/take seriously at the very least

I'm also anti-zealotry, anti-extremism. The Ricky Gervaises of the world are, in my opinion, every bit as harmful to world peace as the Islamic extremists (or the Christian extremists, lest we forget the David Koreshes of the world, or the Judaic extremists, or any other extremists). Those who are, as you put it, loudly atheistic are in my mind less atheist and more anti-theist. I've occasionally seen people use that as a badge of honor, for some twisted reason, but to me anything that spreads blind hatred is a terrible thing.

Hate individuals if you must hate at all (there's a handful of people who have been vile enough to earn that emotion from me through my life, though very few), don't hate groups.

[jp1]

I'm with marurun, I'm pro-science. I also describe myself as agnostic, but that's only sort-of accurate. It's the most accurate thing to say that anyone will understand/take seriously at the very least

I'm also anti-zealotry, anti-extremism. The Ricky Gervaises of the world are, in my opinion, every bit as harmful to world peace as the Islamic extremists (or the Christian extremists, lest we forget the David Koreshes of the world, or the Judaic extremists, or any other extremists). Those who are, as you put it, loudly atheistic are in my mind less atheist and more anti-theist. I've occasionally seen people use that as a badge of honor, for some twisted reason, but to me anything that spreads blind hatred is a terrible thing.

Hate individuals if you must hate at all (there's a handful of people who have been vile enough to earn that emotion from me through my life, though very few), don't hate groups.

I like this, and it is very much what I was getting at. Thanks for summing it up nicely Kalessin.

[dsheinem]

The Ricky Gervaises of the world are, in my opinion, every bit as harmful to world peace as the Islamic extremists.

Wait, what??? Sorry, but this is just nuts!

About the most harm Gervais has ever caused the world is forcing someone to change the channel. He's not spreading "blind hatred" in any sense of the concept.

[Luke]

The Ricky Gervaises of the world are, in my opinion, every bit as harmful to world peace as the Islamic extremists.

Wait, what??? Sorry, but this is just nuts!

About the most harm Gervais has ever caused the world is forcing someone to change the channel. He's not spreading "blind hatred" in any sense of the concept.

Yeah, Kalessin makes zero sense here.

[Ack]

The Ricky Gervaises of the world are, in my opinion, every bit as harmful to world peace as the Islamic extremists.

Wait, what??? Sorry, but this is just nuts!

About the most harm Gervais has ever caused the world is forcing someone to change the channel. He's not spreading "blind hatred" in any sense of the concept.

Would you have preferred the Joseph Stalins to represent the atheists?