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There is a difference between 'convince-and-convert' monologue
and seeking respect and a degree of understanding for one's own beliefs. A good rousing discussion of differences always has the potential to update one's own beliefs with new information, or a new way of looking at them, or of actually reconfirming them, whereas preaching to the choir is cheap validation without any challenge to one's certainty.
posted by
Ciel
on February 28, 2007 at 10:31 AM
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gomedome
I figured it was something along those lines as well. Despite the obvious, I most certainly hope it's not something tragic.
posted by
Talion
on February 28, 2007 at 7:40 AM
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Talion - you are probably right on that one but there is another factor
An inescapable truth is that you can't run a business and blog fulltime at the same time. The superhero would be costing himself untold amounts of income in his quest to vanquish the dastardly villains. That may explain the lull.
posted by
gomedome
on February 28, 2007 at 7:25 AM
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gomedome
You think so? I don't. This is simply a lull. Part of superheroism is also the adulation of the masses. Once the hero gets a taste of that, it's hard to give up. I'm sure there's more in store.
posted by
Talion
on February 28, 2007 at 6:45 AM
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Talion - a comment that only you will understand
The square jawed comic book super hero has realized that one cannot be a super hero when the dastardly villains won't give them the time of day.
posted by
gomedome
on February 27, 2007 at 7:32 PM
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Talion - why is it that so many of those who would suggest that others are
"lost," "blind," and "confused" seem to be complete screw ups?
I have yet to meet a person using these terms to describe others whom I would want to emulate.
posted by
gomedome
on February 27, 2007 at 7:29 PM
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gomedome
I too can't stand the "lost," "blind," and "confused" references, as if I haven't thought long and hard about my stance. Even worse is being labeled "arrogant" (I think you know a thing or two about that). The whole foundation of their position is there's something "wrong" with those who don't believe as they do and these well-wishers who have such concern for my soul are very quick to point it out. Gee, thanks. They don't realize the "tough love" approach will never work if there's no love.
My folks are all Christians (Lutheran), but fortunately I was raised without it being forced on me. This made making my own decisions far easier because I didn't have to deal with the guilt of "betraying" my upbringing and family, so to speak. Living in the Bible Belt, it's hard, if not impossible to escape God and Christian references. It's surprising how often the creep up, even at work. I can't say I hide my true feelings, but I certainly have enough sense to keep them to myself and let people assume what they wish. Afterall, the squeaky wheel gets replaced.
posted by
Talion
on February 27, 2007 at 6:37 PM
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strat - I eventually got to a point where I had put up with enough of
attempting to keep the peace.
Some family members got "told". My patience for those outside of family who want to push irrational beliefs in my face is now non existent. I have little patience for those who attempt to use all of the time worn catch phrases to belittle others that are not supporting their delusion.
posted by
gomedome
on February 27, 2007 at 12:36 PM
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My problem is --
and I find this far more offensive than straight out conversion harassment -- is that when I tell someone, sorry, I don't buy that, they dismiss with it with a "Oh, you don't really believe that," or some such. That jacks up my temper in a big way, for some reason, and next thing you know, you got a good holy war -- or lack thereof -- going on.
I know; temper, temper. On the other hand, screw these people. Even family.
posted by
strat
on February 27, 2007 at 12:21 PM
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Tonyzonit - right on - all of us have, at one time or another, pretended to
believe.
In my case, I have pretended to believe just to placate others. Sometimes it was family members whom I did not want to offend, other times it was self serving to gain either favor or a business contract. This is just how the world works, the believing majority will always solicit this response upon occasion from those who do not believe.
posted by
gomedome
on February 27, 2007 at 8:25 AM
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'Beliefs' are for people who can't stand the truth.
Often, clever people pretend to hold these beliefs to fool the many people who do hold them or also pretend to hold them, and manipulate them.
posted by
Antonionioni
on February 27, 2007 at 8:20 AM
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