(February 7, 2012 at 9:02 am)Rokcet Scientist Wrote:I enjoy sharing a differing opinion. It challenges established, possibly biased, beliefs. It encourages personal growth. It doesn't have to be shared spitefully or hatefully though, which was I believe the point of the OP. To answer your question we should ealize that we're all different and not ignore those differences. Ignoring something is to deny it's existence and if emphatically a way to automatically show disrespect. Yes you and I as an atheist and a theist have a fundamental difference in beliefs. You probably feel my beliefs are delusional because my beliefs seem irrational to your worldview. I feel your beliefs are incomplete and you're denying evidence that is clear from my worldview. I however have a fundmental respect for you as a human and for your right to hold whatever belief you like. Assuming, generalizing and ignoring are just nicer ways to disrespect someone who has a different opinion that you.
See, I don't think it's about finding a common ground on 2 opposite beliefs, I believe it's about showing a fundamental respect for each of us as individuals. With all respect to Mr. twain, I think civility is meeting there on mutual respect, where east and west can meet, share a beer and laugh at themselves.
"There ought to be a term that would designate those who actually follow the teachings of Jesus, since the word 'Christian' has been largely divorced from those teachings, and so polluted by fundamentalists that it has come to connote their polar opposite: intolerance, vindictive hatred, and bigotry." -- Philip Stater, Huffington Post
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
always working on cleaning my windows- me regarding Johari
