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What religion are you? Poll

Discussion in 'Religion and Spirituality' started by Clemsonpanther, Aug 7, 2013.

What religion are you?

  1. Protestant

    9 vote(s)
    16.7%
  2. catholic

    7 vote(s)
    13.0%
  3. Mormon/Jehovah Witness/etc

    1 vote(s)
    1.9%
  4. Judaism

    2 vote(s)
    3.7%
  5. Hinduism/Bhuddist

    2 vote(s)
    3.7%
  6. Athiest/Agnostic

    24 vote(s)
    44.4%
  7. Other

    8 vote(s)
    14.8%
  8. Islam

    1 vote(s)
    1.9%
  1. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    MC, I accept your gracious words and your assertion that you meant no offense. I likewise accept that Two Tacos intended no offense either. But FinD has been the wisest one of this discussion. To simply return evil for evil or insult for insult or even thoughtless statement for thoughtless statement advances the world not one step!

    One of my regular prayers (or maybe my agonies) is "God protect me from the people on my side!" Unquestionably to me the biggest obstacle to the proclamation of the Christian faith today is the actions of too many Christians. Many of the attributes of people who exhibit the traits you mention MC or that have gotten in your face TT are the people of whom I speak. Yet, dismissing them or worse using their same tactics does your side no more credit than their actions please God.

    I am simply calling for civil, respectful discussion of all topics, even religion and faith. FinD was right, it likely means I truly am mad for asking for such in cyberspace. I hope that in 15+ years here (or in its predecessor sites) I have witnessed to my faith by my actions and respect for others. If you never meet another thoughtful Christian in your everyday life, I would hope that RevRick and Padre and theRev and even myself have acted in ways that suggest that not all Christians act the same way and certainly not in the caricatured ways of others.
     
  2. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    How can you have real discussion about beliefs if no one is honest about their beliefs? Why even have that discussion, what could you possibly learn? If your belief system, or ego, is so fragile that some one expressing contrarian beliefs is personally insulting then you have no business having an adult conversation.

    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  3. cdz12250

    cdz12250 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Yes. And as in every situation where we have two competing rights, we balance the harms.

    I think it's more harmful to shun people who can't help being what they are than to infringe on others' right to shun them. Only my opinion, of course.

    And your edit hit the nail on the head. Keep on fighting the good fight, Reverend.
     
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  4. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I believe that your belief system is quant and silly. (But fascinating)

    You believe (correct my if I'm wrong) that my belief system imperils my immortal soul.

    We both believe (again correct me if I'm wrong) that humans are flawed beings. That the best of us love each other despite, or even because of our faults. So, there isn't any reason to take insult from the others perceived faults in our respective beliefs. To me that is the basis of civil discourse on this subject. Not hiding those perceived flaws.


    When I generalize please understand that is what I'm doing. I judge individuals as individuals, I try not to let the general prejudices that experience has given me weigh in on those judgments to heavily, though I know sometimes they do. While I have a general perception of Christianity, I judge an individual by how they apply that faith.



    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  5. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    I have no opinion regarding your soul though I do presume you have one. That would be about judgment and I work hard at not exercising that option. My promotion of Christianity is not so others would avoid hell but because I believe the Christian faith is a better way to live now. Yes, I do believe in an after life (for me heaven is living in the presence of God) but I am a Christian for the here and now not simply to gain some reward later. Christianity is a way of life to me not simply eternal "fire insurance".

    Yes we are flawed and yes we need to be honest in our discussion.

    I am beginning to understand that you have a very, very different understanding of "civil discourse" than I do (and perhaps others in this thread). Equating Christ with a zombie or calling another's belief system "quaint and silly" to me is intentionally insulting at best or arrogantly dismissive at worst. It seems from the thread others would agree your language is provocative. I will accept your assertion that it is not your intent but it is hard to discuss something with you if that is your medium of discourse. We clearly disagree about what constituted "civil"

    If you want a discourse on religion then let's start a new thread. I am satisfied with your point and I guess you understand mine.
     
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  6. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    I feel like you're trying to win an argument and not really make an honest point. You know being civil is not an argument flaw. It should make you question everything you know, that I of all people, have to tell you that.:lol:
     
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  7. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    If I didn't know better my friend, I would think TT thinks you are even more devout in Christian beliefs than I am! Makes me wonder which of us is making a stronger witness!:lol:
     
    Fin D likes this.
  8. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    Ha, no. He just thinks I'm being argumentative for the sake of being argumentative.

    The truth of it is I've been actively trying to be more accepting then people have been of me. I truly believe in matters of faith (or lack of faith) the high road is better.

    Politics? The lowest, dirtiest road you can find. But faith? High road.
     
  9. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'm not. I honestly believe that certain things are silly. If someone believes that homosexuality is a sin, then that is what they believe. In a conversation about beliefs they should lie to be "civil"? You don't want a discussion about beliefs then. You want small talk. I find it fascinating to see how the bible gets used to condemn or espouse things. I like to find out why people believe what they believe, regardless of how it fits with my beliefs. I cannot even begin to have that conversation until I learn what they actually think.




    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
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  10. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    I'm fairly certain you can have an increasingly more in depth and meaningful discussion if you simply explained that the Bible and concepts of God and Jesus seem bizarre to you instead of kicking down the door and saying things like "zombie messiah" is ridiculous. Both get your point across. One is more likely to get respectful and meaningful conversation. Again, you know this.

    I've been the pissed atheist. No progress was made. I completely understand why atheists and non Christians are pissed. You may or may not achieve common ground and respect by taking the high road on matters of faith, but its guaranteed you won't achieve those things taking the disrespectful view.

    Hell even on the micro scale, Ohio is a great non judgmental guy, he doesn't deserve an attitude when discussing his beliefs. The guy currently in the PoFo crapping all over the place? Sure. Ohio is not him though.
     
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  11. dolphindebby

    dolphindebby Season Ticket Holder Luxury Box

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    Ohio, you've handled this well.
    I try to be a good Christian, I hope that I can relate to people they way you do.
    I don't judge any one else and I pray they won't judge me, because of my beliefs.
     
    Ohiophinphan likes this.
  12. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member


    "Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones." ~ Marcus Aurelius
     
  13. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    I've never heard that quote, but its how I live my life. Thanks for that.
     
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  14. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Zombie Messiah is the perfect summation of my beliefs about the story. And you just called them ridiculous. Which is fine. And yes, when asked, zombie messiah is my go to descriptor. I find very few get offended if they care enough to ask instead of preach. Usually, they want a more in depth description. And, if they don't ask, I don't offer. I'm not trying to change or denigrate anyone's beliefs. Merely expressing my own, which is what I thought this thread was for.


    And I agree Ohio's Beliefs and practices are refreshing. Even my Christian friends think that my beliefs, not the way I live my life, will keep me from heaven in the afterlife. Though they try not to judge me as a person. I have one friend that summed it up like this: "It's not that there is heaven and hell, it's that there is knowing and loving God, and not knowing and loving God. If you don't know and love him in life how will you know and love him in death? It's the presence or absence of god that is heaven or hell." I rather like that. But, I'm still going to his version of hell.

    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  15. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    I didn't say your summation of your beliefs were ridiculous. I said the manner with which you declared your beliefs were ridiculous.

    I seriously don't understand why you're fighting this so hard. You know the specific wording you used is intentionally controversial. I'm not sure why you're pretending there's no such thing as being courteous and polite anymore. Its just bizarre at this point. If you can't understand how what you did puts someone on the defensive then...I dunno what to tell you.


    All fair and good.
     
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  16. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    I thank you for your kind words to me. But if you and I were to start a discussion and your opening point about Christianity was "Zombie messiah" that would end the discussion with me. I would walk away. Maybe that is my problem, I will accept that. I will try and understand you when you speak like that but please hear me: words not only have meanings but they also can be selected to elicit more discussion or cut discussion off. I urge you also to review how you choose to make your point. Is it for further discussion? or is it for shock value and an urge to cut things off? Do you discuss to understand and inform or do you discuss to shock, insult, and win? You claim it is the former, I am telling you your words make it the latter.
     
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  17. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I'm "fighting it" because I don't agree. Why in your estimation is calling something bizarre not offensive, but directly referencing the two parts that you find the most bizarre is?

    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  18. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Maybe missing tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language changes things. The resurrection and everything that goes it, and all of the mysticism that accompanies being the messiah are my issues with the story of Christ. Which can all be summed up in two words: "zombie messiah". The philosophy espoused, and non messianic actions (feeding the masses, not creating the bread) in the story I find to be good, even profound.


    There are a lot of people, good people, that would call my belief system sinful, evil even. Should I be offended by that and refuse to engage them? I could I guess, but why? Who really has the problem? How do their beliefs effect mine, or me personally? I should lose the chance to communicate with them because how they state their beliefs? Or, want them to be untruefull? Which spares me from what? I say no to all that. But, I'm also not going to change how I state mine.

    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  19. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    I'm not talking things that are offensive across the board, I'm talking specifically about religious discussion. I called your approach bizarre, you're calling someone's god a zombie messiah.

    All I'm saying is that in matters of faith, try to be respectful of the other person's beliefs. When they aren't respectful of your beliefs it upsets you and puts you on the defensive. I'm not saying be a ***** and capitulate and defer to everyone else's beliefs, I'm just saying if you're entering into a faith discussion with someone open minded and accepting like Ohio, don't use the same hammer you would with hate filled Christians.

    Go back through the recent posts from this thread, you'll see a bunch of non believers telling believers how silly their faith is. That makes us atheists look like the Christians that do the same thing to us that we hate.

    As atheists our world view is often based on reason. Blasting a handful of Christians for their beliefs who have not been rude, judgmental, damning, etc. towards us is not reason, but anger and emotion.
     
  20. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    No you called my approach ridiculous and said I should say I found that their beleifs were bizarre instead.

    So again, I ask why in your estimation is calling something bizarre not offensive, but directly referencing the two parts that you find the most bizarre is?

    Someone stating that they find my beliefs evil is not disrespectful in the context of a discussion about their beliefs. Same token, I don't think my summery of the Christ story is disrespectful in the context of a discussion about my beliefs. I am not blasting Christians, I do not have anger, I am however not a a Vulcan, so I pretty much always have some emotion in my writing. I also find it silly to want to converse about someone's beliefs and then get angry at what they are.

    **edit** I did blast those Christians that get weirdly overly sensitive about all things Christ. I haven't seen any in this thread, so that might not have been appropriate.
     
  21. Fishweiser

    Fishweiser New Member

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    Dang, fin is nailing it!! good stuff!!
     
  22. Fishweiser

    Fishweiser New Member

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    Starting off a non confrontational religious topic with "zombie messiah" would be like trying to go to a bar and having a non confrontational football conversation with a guy who knows your a dolphins fan and says, "I just cant follow a team that has a ******ed fish mascot and gay colors" LOL!!
     
    Fin D likes this.
  23. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Yes, how horrible? Why would you care? :confused1: Unless, the homophobia? I don't see how that is relevant though...
     
  24. Fishweiser

    Fishweiser New Member

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    I think you missed my point. I thought you would understand it differently. Personally Id not be interested in talking football if somebody referred to my team in such a manner. Id take it as he was only trying to trash the phins. Its a situation where my assumptions could be wrong, but if his comments were all I had to go on, then it would be hard to want to talk football with the guy from there on out....thats what i was trying to say...
     
  25. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Oh, I see. I don't think that is a good analogy. Him saying that Tannehill throws deep balls like an epileptic and that Philbian has the locker room presence of Skeletor would be better. Colors and logo are too superficial to football to be a good comparison. Could you talk football to that guy? (Okay, not a fair question. If you post on this site chances are you do)

    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  26. Fishweiser

    Fishweiser New Member

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    LOL!! Yeah, those kinds of guys arnt just here, trust me! LOL!!...but yeah, maybe it was a bad analogy..
     
  27. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    It's readily apparent that you, RevRick, and theRev are Christians pastors, ministers, etc. Are you telling me Padre31 is a man of the cloth too? I never wudda guessed.
     
  28. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    No Padre is not a pastor and despite your thoughts neither is "theRev". They are just dedicated lay people as is Dolphin Debby who I should have mentioned the first time through. RevRick is Methodist pastor I believe and I am a Lutheran.
     
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  29. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    inching to 100k posts
    When the track record is bad, best to attack the questioner I suppose.

    Never thought you as the sort who bought into fairy tales Mr C, why are you buying in now.
     
  30. Den54

    Den54 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    AMERICA!
    Being insulted is a personnel choice.
    People should get over themselves or get thicker skin.
     
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  31. MrClean

    MrClean Inglourious Basterd Club Member

    What is the fairy tale you think I am buying into?
     
  32. Pagan

    Pagan Metal & a Mustang

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    Not making fun at all, but I had to chuckle when I read that because all that went through my mind was Damone telling Rat "You're the assistant to the assistant manager at the movie theater" in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. :tongue2:
     
  33. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    Understood and no offense taken. Since that is an historic title for the Pope and indeed all pastors, I wonder if the writer of the screenplay was aware of that and thinking about it when he/she wrote that line?

    Haven't corresponded with you in awhile. Hope you are well!
     
  34. dolphindebby

    dolphindebby Season Ticket Holder Luxury Box

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    HI pagan. I wanted to say hi, I haven't talked to you in a while.
     
  35. Pagan

    Pagan Metal & a Mustang

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    Thank you both, I'm doing well in the one part of my life that I want to. Something looming on the horizon that if it goes through will be something I've wanted a long time. Hope you two are doing well also.

    And FinD, we have had our head-butting sessions, but kudos to you in this thread. Geez...I'm agreeing with you again. Maybe there IS a God? ;)
     
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  36. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    I'm keeping my fingers crossed in hopes the funding goes through for the operation so that you can finally become the woman on the outside that you've always been on the inside.:up:
     
  37. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Haven't you guys heard of crowd funding? Where's the kick starter? I'd donate for that.

    Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
     
  38. Pagan

    Pagan Metal & a Mustang

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    I'll never be half the woman you are, Fin.
     
  39. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    I know...because you're twice the woman I am.
     
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  40. Two Tacos

    Two Tacos Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Wait, this thread is about math now?

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