RE: Trying to save people
August 20, 2014 at 3:41 pm
(This post was last modified: August 20, 2014 at 3:49 pm by Thumpalumpacus.)
(August 19, 2014 at 2:47 pm)Statler Waldorf Wrote: I think most people tend to like being around other people who think just like they do. Just my thoughts.
Fixed for accuracy.
(August 19, 2014 at 4:11 pm)Luckie Wrote: I try to be hands off, when it comes to those whom I know with religion. The more I try to be accepting of their beliefs, the more I realize that their lives are in struggle and torment, because of their beliefs. I haven't yet figured out how to help people like this, besides being sure of myself and offering a beacon of reason and light to their darkness, should they choose to take it.
It's been my experience that being completely earnest with believers, about my lack of faith, my apathy towards their religion, and my interest in being real, looking deep, and what could be interpreted as spiritual (though I feel it in a completely non-woo way) fosters discussion and promotes thinking outside our boxes, for both participants in the conversation.
I perhaps flatter myself to say that this approach sometimes is helpful -- but I've gotten thanks from people of all (non)beliefs for listening to them and their concerns and considerations. And at the least, I haven't gone out of my way to antagonize anyone.
(August 19, 2014 at 4:42 pm)ShaMan Wrote:(August 19, 2014 at 4:11 pm)Luckie Wrote: The more I try to be accepting of their beliefs, the more I realize that their lives are in struggle and torment, because of their beliefs.Compassion has turned my angst into understanding, and where I formerly saw hypocrisy, I now see the ignorance which leads there, and my zeal has become well tempered in its fervent expression.
Beautifully put.
