(August 15, 2017 at 2:26 pm)Fr33Th1nker Wrote:(August 15, 2017 at 9:09 am)Mister Agenda Wrote: He could be a deist. That's not so much of a contradiction. As long as he doesn't think scriptures are authoritative, it's an unusual position but not outside the bounds. Freethinkers aren't required to be atheists, though most of them are.
It's not just about scriptures. Anything or anyone who claims to be an authority of something or anything should be questioned. It just so happened that I am on a personal mission to truly find out if my Faith in God is really justifiable or not. Why do you think that in spite of decades of debates and presentation of facts there are still atheist and theist? People will believe what they want to believe and stick with it no matter what because of pride, ego, ignorance, arrogance or self righteousness. I am aware of these things and am hoping not to succumbed to these things.
I thought I could find the answers here. Unfortunately, the Atheists I have encountered are similar to the bible thumpers and self righteous believers I have met. I don't want to generalize all Atheists but I feel it might take me a while to find the right people. Unless you can recommend someone who is really open minded and a free thinker and is willing to share their knowledge or insight, it would be my great pleasure and I will be grateful.
(August 15, 2017 at 2:18 pm)Whateverist Wrote: Can't disagree with any of this. Well said.
A word of advice though, don't argue for your bonafides. Let them come indirectly and over time as people see how you express yourself on various points.
I personally don't have any doubt that a person can't be both a free thinker, rational and a believer. Though, if their belief is anything off the shelf where they wind up accepting the dogma of any organized religion whole cloth .. I will be very skeptical.
Thank you Whateverist and thank you for the warm welcome on the other post. It's not just about scriptures or dogma. I am the type of person who will question anyone or anything who claims to be an authority of something that must be followed. Also, to be honest, I should have mentioned in my post that I just researched the reply that you have commended from the internet because I want to come up with an appropriate response. I apologize if I mislead you or the persons I sent that message to. I don't mean any disrespect to anyone here. I am really here to learn not to educate or debate. At the same time, If I think that a statement is false, I will courteously point it out and work it out with that person unless his mind is closed.
Your advice is sound and I really appreciate it. Although it is understandable that people will have an initial animosity towards me because of my beliefs I hope that they would cut me some slack. After all, this is your abode and I am just a visitor here.
Some will. Some won't. The person who created these forums sincerely desires that this be a place where people of all persuasions can meet and discuss what they will, preferably with respect but also with wide open freedom of speech. You can see the tension between those two goals.
It just isn't a comfortable place to be to have to defend yourself or your beliefs. If it were me I wouldn't let the adequacies of my beliefs be the topic of discussion. When you do, it can become personal and you end up provoked to respond in ways you obviously aren't otherwise inclined toward.
Anyhow I do look forward to hearing more from you.
