(March 15, 2014 at 10:03 am)discipulus Wrote: Regardless of one's beliefs, you should love them. You may disagree with the doctrine, that is fine. But you should still respect them and honor them as fellow human beings. As much as is in your power you are to live at peace with all men. We all know this is the right way to live. If we know it and fail to do it, we have no one to blame but ourselves.
I have many theists in my family and among my friends. I don't hate them because of their beliefs, I love them.
I think their beliefs are unsupported by evidence and rational thought, but that doesn't mean I hate them.
It is a bit sad that many of them (like you) believe they are born damaged, and destined for eternal torture, unless you can believe in the ridiculous.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
