(October 19, 2015 at 3:09 am)robvalue Wrote: Even for the nice religious theists who I respect, every so often I still can't help these little thoughts popping into my head...
"Doesn't it bother you that you sound totally crazy?"
I know the situation is way more complex than that which is why I'd never announce it to someone, at least not until they cross a certain line with their spiel. Knowing where to draw that line is the hard part. All religious talk sounds just like crazy talk to me.
I suppose... I'm using the filter of, "I don't believe you really believe that. I accept that you think you believe that, you've convinced yourself that you do, but your actions are not consistent with that belief." I'm not accusing anyone of being disingenuous, just of not being fully aware of what beliefs the subconscious parts of their brain use to make everyday decisions.
It's once the actions are consistent with the professed beliefs that we have a crazy person.
More commonly, some of the actions support the professed beliefs, and often these are the ones that trouble me the most such as persecuting others, or people frustrating themselves by denying aspects of their own identity.
I like to think that I'm a diplomatic, compassionate person.
I'd rather be patient, engage, and have someone open up to me, and open their mind,
than ridicule them.
If a Theist isn't arrogant or unkind, and act with what are obviously good, if misguided intentions,
I will be a lot more patient.
However, if they persist in their endeavor and assertion that their is the right way,
I will be just as persistent, and ultimately not withhold any arguments,
however unpleasant they may find those arguments.
When they get upset and think I'm on the attack,
I'll remind them that I allowed them to dictate the direction of this,
and it was THEY who had an agenda...
....and they must be willing to take responsibility, at that point,
that regardless of how good their intentions may have been,
they will ultimately be held responsible for being apologists for something that has a distinctly dark side to it.
on the other hand,
if I encounter a presumptuous, arrogant, judgemental Theist bitch,
then I kinda tend to go into Beast Mode....
....and end up driving home with her ovaries dangling from my rearview mirror.
