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RckyMtnActivist - yep, still stirring things up, whether I want to or not
posted by
gomedome
on December 19, 2005 at 4:09 PM
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Hey gome...
Been out of touch for a couple of days, glad to see you're still stirring things up!
posted by
RckyMtnActivist
on December 19, 2005 at 3:50 PM
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AllergicHobbit - it takes time to get to know another blogger's perspective
For example; your use of the image of Friedrich Nietzsche and the brief summary of him in your last comment, implies that you felt I had never heard of him. I not only know who he is but have read his works extensively. You will find that my contentions and perspectives are not derived from a position of ignorance.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 2:58 PM
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Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher of the late 19th century who challenged the foundations of traditional morality and Christianity.
I'm not bashing you on your beliefs. I thought you would agree with this guy. I'm trying to understand where you are coming from.
I bashed you on your statement about the idiots.
posted by
AllergicHobbit
on December 18, 2005 at 2:30 PM
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The Golden Rule is common sense.
posted by
reasons
on December 18, 2005 at 2:14 PM
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FLIGHTPATH -- your comment poses the million dollar question
How do we in fact all get along? ......it's becoming painfully obvious that the answer to that question is not found in any religious dogma.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 2:09 PM
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AllergicHobbit - I've had worse images dropped in my comments
here's a link to go along with your picture
HERE
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 2:07 PM
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posted by
AllergicHobbit
on December 18, 2005 at 2:01 PM
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Questions. Debates. One day, we'll know. In the.meantime, we might as well
all get along.
posted by
reasons
on December 18, 2005 at 1:58 PM
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Gomedome, LOL, you're funny...I am patient, but when pushed too far,
I bite and bite hard, as you've witnessed on occasion. Some days it feels so good I think I missed my calling of Bitch of the Year, but 2006 is right around the corner.
posted by
Ariala
on December 18, 2005 at 1:42 PM
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Fair enough
Perhaps the added readership will make up for my brain fart.
Just call me Jackass.
posted by
AllergicHobbit
on December 18, 2005 at 1:20 PM
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AllergicHobbit -- the way this site is set up is that the blog author has
full control over comments that are left by others. Comments can be deleted from the blog by the author, also individual's can be blocked from commenting. The general rule of thumb is to not use the blocking utility unless you absolutely have to, same goes for deleting comments left by others. One thing you must apprise yourself of, is this site's accepted etiquette. Dropping insults immediately will get you into a lot of trouble and possibly kicked off the site if that trouble escalates. However, controversy fuels blog rankings, so one must find the fine line between being insulting and stimulating others to response.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 1:17 PM
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Truce
I must confess, If I knew that my comments could not be deleted I probably would not have posted them.
I'm new. I find it a bit strange that I can post my comments, but you can't delete them.
Is this true?
posted by
AllergicHobbit
on December 18, 2005 at 12:52 PM
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renigade3 -- the point you are making is a blog subject in itself
If an individual is confident in their personal convictions there is no need to convince others that they are on the right path. It is the ones that squawk the loudest that seem to also be trying to convince themselves of their own beliefs.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 12:35 PM
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blackcat30 - how true - there are other debatible subjects that can turn
people into chuckleheads. Some people just cannot handle debate of any sort. It is not until they at least learn how to listen to an opposing viewpoint, that they have any hope of growing beyond the limitations posed by their own perspectives.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 12:28 PM
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gome--Wow...When I saw your idiot comment in the context
that a certain hobbit put it, I was pretty insulted. But after I read your post, I see what you are saying. It would be like me saying that a Muslim would have to prove to me that he doesn't believe in destroying western society. It's a stereotype, but one that a select few (I'm afraid) have earned. Although let me state (for the record) that very few religious beliefs draw out those types of feelings in me--with the exception of the most fundamental of people. I am devout in my faith, but not fanatical. As a matter of fact, I met with my priest last week to ask him exactly why--when confronted by those who believe differently--I felt so little desire to stand up and proclaim mine as the one true faith. "It's simple, Reni," he said without even batting an eye. "You are secure in who you are and what you believe. I would be more worried if you did confront everyone who doubted your belief in God or the way in which you choose to worship him." And there it was. I don't have any desire to push my faith and religion on anyone. It took me a long time to get here, and it was a very long journey--but it was MY journey. Yours may be different. But truth is, no one can say with any certainty that we won't all end up in the same place. And so I leave you to your journey and hopefully you leave me to mine. And maybe every now and then, when one of us has a flat or needs a drink, we can help each other out. To me, it's that simple. Unfortunately, others of us seem to have forgotten that name calling does not make for a pleasant trip.
posted by
Renigade
on December 18, 2005 at 12:26 PM
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I usually try to stay away from political or religious debating which is
why I can say that I try not to hold a person's beliefs against them. Their beliefs have nothing to do with mine. It really shouldn't be a defining factor unless they make it one.
Honestly, I've seen people "get stupid" over a variety of debatable topics. It's not limited to religion. The problem I find occurs when a person has such strong convictions that they refuse to listen to another point of view or even acknowledge that another way of thinking is valid. It's their way or the highway, and well, that's very very frustrating.
posted by
-blackcat
on December 18, 2005 at 12:22 PM
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billy_cargo - did you notice that a number of people were able to actually
read and comment on the questions posed in this posting? They read the same words that this last blogger read. I find it ironic that I make a prejudicial statement, concede that it is purely prejudicial, then have someone come along to give credence to my prejudice.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 12:11 PM
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AllergicHobbit - "Will visit this blog again. Nope" - gee, thank you
That's the entire point that you seem to be missing. You come to a post and read something you find objectionable and think that somehow I care if you come back again? Why would I want dialogue with someone that misses the entire theme of a posting, then posts mindless and half baked contentions as rebuttal. Attempting to refute a prejudice instead of addressing the question posed in the post. This stuff may be all beyond your comprehension but using erroneous examples to solidify your contention hardly proves your point.
Einstein did not believe in a traditionally defined God, regardless of how your religion wants to spin it. The truth of the matter is that he was ostracized by the Christian religions during his lifetime because of his divergent views on God. Mother Theresa on the other hand was by no stretch of the imagination an intellect, she was merely famous for self sacrificing charitable works and held by all accounts an average intellect. I could go on with your examples but suffice it to say, nice try buckeroo, you have to do a lot better than tired propoganda if you want to prove yourself as nothing more than just another........
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 12:07 PM
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Gomedome - I don't agree with you but I'm sorry to see such a jackass
visited your post...
posted by
FreeManWalking
on December 18, 2005 at 11:46 AM
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Oh, yes. Almost forgot. I apologize about the "Mr. Numbnuts" comment.
posted by
AllergicHobbit
on December 18, 2005 at 11:44 AM
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Gomedome's Checklist
Sense of humor: Nope
Polite: Nope
Tolerant: Nope
Jumps to conclusions: Yep
(I'm a deist)
Will visit this blog again. Nope
posted by
AllergicHobbit
on December 18, 2005 at 11:30 AM
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AllergicHobbit - you may want to read this site's user agreement
before you charge into people's comments sections with insults and even more insulting drivel. You believe in a traditionally defined omnipotent creator...so what? Now if you want further dialogue with me, you have to prove to me that your not just another God squad idiot. You are not doing so well proving this at the moment. I suggest that you do not read this blog if you cannot handle what is written in it.
posted by
gomedome
on December 18, 2005 at 10:54 AM
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You CAN"T be serious!
You wrote:
Anyone professing a belief in a traditionally defined omnipotent creator, must prove to me that they are not an idiot.
Read it and weep:
My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.
Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)
The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not.
Eric Hoffer (1902 - 1983)
Traditional interpretation of God : illimitable superior spirit
Now who’s the idiot, Mr. Numbnuts!!!!!
posted by
AllergicHobbit
on December 18, 2005 at 9:26 AM
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Lensman - if I'm honest with myself, yes the hypocrisy that is the
catholic church began my doubts about religious organizations. Appreciate however that I have long since stopped carrying any enormous hatred for them.....too much work and I was doing all of it. Such is the nature of carrying grudges. The carrier does all of the work alone. Instead, I just kept my eye out for when I see the bible thumping crazies staging an uprising. One must throw their two cents in when this happens, or we will be overun.
posted by
gomedome
on December 17, 2005 at 11:58 PM
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JanesOpinion - that's a pretty honest answer
The reality is that religion can be the greatest divider of all emotionally held philosophies. Imagine losing a valued friendship, due to what, from an outsider's view, seems like some minor biblical interpretations. That is my perspective on it. The friendship has value above and beyond any religious beliefs, true friends are more valuable than gold. One group following a dated offshoot interpretation, as derived from within a religious community, is not aligning with another group following a dated offshoot interpretation, as derived from within a religious community. Same book, two different versions, both communities adhering to what they believe, are that book's most important aspects but both should at least agree on one thing.
One God.
posted by
gomedome
on December 17, 2005 at 11:53 PM
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Ariala - I haven't seen you do anything you should regret ..yet
I have however, tap danced with pure glee when someone finally annoyed you to the point of you letting them have it. Of course, I felt your discomfort for having to endure to the point of "female vulcanic eruption" but it was a pleasing spectacle on a number of other fronts. One begging to get told...got told. How can you not applaud that?
posted by
gomedome
on December 17, 2005 at 11:42 PM
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Gomedome
I get what you're saying, although "idiot" seems like strong language. But I suppose you've chosen that term to reflect your frustration. I'm a bit of a fence-sitter, being agnostic, but it has allowed me the opportunity to view both sides of the God/oblivion debate. I wish I had the same hard-over, bury-the-needle conviction that both sides exhibit. I confess, I'm torn. I guess we're all children of our circumstances. We are what we've experienced. My experiences have been mixed. I almost envy you your experiences, or, by the same token, those of dyed-in-the-wool Christians, so that I could be certain in one direction or another. I guess, for the time being, I'm an observer. I should probably do some back-reading in your blogs, as I'm sure you must have laid out at some point what it is that has brought you to your current way of thinking. So far, I've gleaned that the misdeeds of Catholic priests and the Church is at the root of it.
posted by
Lensman
on December 17, 2005 at 7:46 PM
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Oops, I did not completely answer your question. Regarding this Mormon friend, yes, I did hold her beliefs against her . . . for awhile. Eventually, the relationship went back to normal except that we just don't discuss our personal religious beliefs since we both have major differences. So you could say that we tolerate the differences but don't agree so it just never gets discussed.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on December 17, 2005 at 3:52 PM
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Definitely a valid observation.
I remember being so disappointed after hearing that this friend, for whom I had such respect and admiration, was a Mormon. I had hoped she and I were on the same "wavelength," only to discover we were not. I still value her friendship very much, but we generally don't talk about spiritual matters -- at least on a personal level -- since Mormons (although they call themselves Christians) are a sect whose belief system I cannot agree with.
posted by
JanesOpinion
on December 17, 2005 at 3:47 PM
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I think it nearly impossible not to have our emotions hold things against
others, but I make a conscious choice not to let my emotions rule against my better judgment about a person, no matter what they believe. When they cross the line and push and mock me to my face, well, my defenses do go up and then I may say something that has to be said, which I may or may not regret later.
posted by
Ariala
on December 17, 2005 at 1:19 PM
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