Can We Have a Discussion Without Arguing in a Pleasant Atmosphere?

Hello Adoniah, Yes, you may find many folks on here who would be ready for a religious discussion in a pleasant environment. In fact, there have been many such discussions in the course of my mylot experience where folks agreed to disagree and shared ideas and thoughts in a constructive manner. of course, there are those who wouldn't like a discussion without essentially attacking others' beliefs in a very condescending manner. My view on them is that they don't write or discuss to understand or to further their knowledge and understanding but just to convey their point. They believe that without attacking, they can't win. Then, there are those who go to Anti- type of sites like Anti-Christian, Anti-Islamic, Anti-Pagan etc to spout whatever they please without even verifying the claims in a reasonable manner. Despite all that, I still believe it's possible to have great religious discussion here. Shalom!

I'm game - although in the thread starter we need a conversation starter, what philosophical belief do you want to get into? As far as religion as one sort of philosophy, my parents were of two different religions so they left it up to us kids to decide. My mom raised us to think of others, to respect others and to know good from evil. I choose not to follow any organized religion. I do like earth based religions - like many native american religions and the wiccan phiolopshy. I like the idea of accountability that these religiouns have - of responsibility. I believe in respect - of yoursself, others and the planet. And I believe we should be respectful, compassionate and kind as a matter of course, not because we're supposed to - leaving us stuck at the reward and punishemnt level - punished if you don't, rewarded with a place in heaven if you do .

I am Christian, I am proud to be a Christian. I have no problem with other peoples beliefs. I feel we all have soemthing to offer, whether your beliefs are different then mine. Who am I to say my belief is the only one or the right one. My beliefs are the right ones for me. I do go to church, United Church of Christ. One thing that my church does that I really like, is to tour other churches and learn about other religions. The minister takes the kids when they go to confirmation class, others are welcome to come along too. I think its a good thing to learn about other peoples beliefs. I hope this discussion stays friendly.

I have also had discussions with people that have gotten angry because my beliefs are different. My sons girlfriend is convinced that I raised my son wrong because he did not attend the same church that she did. Yet she says she loves him, I must have done something right. I raised my son to know right from wrong, good from evil. I taught him to treat all people with respect and to help someone if they need it. He grew up compassionate, generous, and understanding. I also gave him an understanding of the religions that I knew about, but never forced him to follow my beliefs. I chose to let him choose for himself. I feel all people have their own beliefs. It is totally up to the individual. No one should be put down for thinking the way they think or feeling the way they feel.

No, they are not ready. As long as questions are seen as attacks. Or as long as people star posts that Are meant to demean someones point of view, it will never happen.As long as people think their religion is the Only correct way and all others are wrong, it will never happen. It takes a lot of respect to just shut up and listen and I mean really listen to other's point of view.And sadly people are too busy trying to show why their religion is better than all others to do that. I am so glad to hear that people are sitting around and having meaningful, sometimes heated discussions about important topics like religion somewhere in the U.S. And I am surprised ans pleased to hear it is happening in "sunny" Florida.

To be honest, I really don't think the overwhelming majority are ready for that, and so, in general, I vote with my feet by walking away from discussions that leave themselves open to overtly religious or political tampering. I believe that however civilized people purport to be, that in that kind of discussion there is always an agenda. On the other hand, philosophical questions are delightful. Sometimes there is a fine thread between them.

I agree completely with you my dear Adoniah, bad mouthing here on mylot destroys our cordial community feeling and am one person who does not enjoy intolerance of any form however different a point of view or belief may be from my own because it really stinks to be engaging in arguements with one another from a dug in position!

Hello Adoniah, Both of my parents were Irish, Roman Catholics. I was born, baptised, and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church. Although my earliest years were spent among the heathens of Hawaii. I grew up learning about the old Polynesian gods from my hula teacher, who I was very close to. Then we moved to San Diego, where I nearly succumbed to pneumonia. My recuperation was long and oh so boring!!! That's when I was befriended by an adult neighbor, a Taoist. She was an amazing woman!!! Then it was Catholic School until H.S. graduation. Though it was not uncommon for our schoolmates to be of faiths other than Catholic. We had Protestant, Buddhist and Jewish kids there while I attended. One of my dearest friends was Greek Orthodox. During my first University experience I was introduced to Born Again Christianity, and Pentacostalism, by way of two friends. Then during my second University experience, one of my closest gal friends was Jewish. I was regularly invited to join her for Friday evening Shabbat observance. It was from her that I developed a deep respect for Judaism. My third year there, I lived in an all girls, international dorm, where most of our Buddhist, and Middle Eastern Muslim students lived. Although, I will say that the bulk of my perception of Islam came from a wealthy Jordanian male student. He and I partnered regularly for research and UN projects. Great guy, who ended up unhappily returning to Jordan and pretending to be a good Muslim. He was very unhappy about leaving the USA, and the freedom he so enjoyed here. Since then, I have studied and respectfully explored or been exposed to Bahai, Druidism, Gnosisism, Mormonism, Spiritualism, Religious Science and Unitarianism, all the while remaining firmly rooted to the Catholic tradition. To this day I am still most comfortable with the Catholic tradition. Though not with the Papal edicts, or the politics of the Roman Catholic Church. As such I remain affilitated with The Church of Antioch - which is a non-Papal, ancient Catholic sect that honors mysticism & learning as part of the development of our relationship with our Creator. Unravelling The Divine Secrets, as it were. I guess it would be fair to label me a Pantheist, though I am monotheistic at heart. Without question, I believe that there is only one Source! I do not recognize a difference between any deity who facilitates goodness among mankind. I have known amazing people from pretty much every religious affilitation. For similar qualities, ideals, and commitments to exist toward the betterment of mankind from most every organized religion, this simply confirms for me that there is one True Divine Source, who has been know throughout time by many different names. I've always been a history buff, and Theology/World Religions) fits in very nicely, since the history of religion is inextricably linked to the history of mankind. Any religion that truly walks the talk of goodness over evil earns none other than sincerest respect from me. The way I see it, that's what it's all about -- communities teaching and developing goodness. Then interaction between similarly committed communities. And so on, and so forth. And yes, it is my experience that many in this community are ready, and welcome these types of discussions. Of course there are those who are not able to refrain from proselytizing. Though the best way to not let that ruin a discussion is for no one to take the bait!

I'm a Methodist. I was raised in a non denominational Christian communal house by a hippie preacher converted Jew father and a die hard liberal recovering baptist mother. I was raised to respect all faiths and spiritual paths and to seek knowledge wherever I could. I also came to understand that there are a number of people who have been beaten down by religion. Christians who make a statement and if someone disagrees, they consider it a personal attack; Athiests and Pagans who are so used to being slammed for their beliefs that if a Christian says boo, offense is taken. This is why a peaceful discussion on religion can only be had in a controlled environment. This discussion seems to fit that bill. But it could take only one person to come in and say that Jesus is the only way to salvation to turn the nature of the discussion around. And that was just one example. I don't mean to point out Christianity as though Christianity is the only faith guility of this behavior. Knowledge it the key to understandng and peace. Respect is the key to a peaceful exchange of ideas and learning.

I think that MyLot, just like in the real world, you will find those that are negative or angry in heart and will do what they can to ruin your day or bring down the spirit; but then again there are plenty that will enjoy the moment and take it for what it is. Most people tend to fall in the middle and do not get "sparked" up by too many things unless it falls at the extreme of their tolerance level. Here at MyLot you must remember that this is an open discussion site full of different opinions where a person might be braver to express their views or let their inner self out as it is safer typing it out at home than face-to-face. The subject matter alone may bring out the "fighting mood" in many members, and I have found some very determined members who seem to feel it is their task to convert or sway others to their way of thinking. I like to hear all sides and discover more about ideas, influences, ways of living that I really do not know much about. I so enjoy finding someone who is willing to share their religious or political or cultural beliefs, etc with me without anger, resentment, or need to change my way of thinking. I have become more tolerant and introspective of situations because I try to see beyond just my side. You are fortunate to have a good group to discuss things with so openly. Good luck here to find other positive forums!

When I was younger I spent many years mostly being harassed and mistreated over not having the majority religion, which both makes me understand the importance of tolerance and sometimes have to struggle to be tolerant, at least against the religion of those who abused me. When I first started having peers of a bigger variety of religions, we formed a sort of interfaith group that included Pagans, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, and Humanists... I hope I'm not leaving anyone out. I loved learning about other people's beliefs then, and I still do. Right now, I'm part of a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, which also includes people of many different religions. It's so neat to see people of different beliefs not only getting along, but actually supporting each other on their separate spiritual journeys. I'll get on topic eventually, I promise! What I'm trying to say is that I usually feel very at home with people of different beliefs, and don't really have a problem with discussing things most of the time, as long as the person I'm discussing with isn't being rude to me. I have been on some discussions on mylot that were really good between people of different beliefs, where it seemed MOST people were being polite and well-behaved... but usually not all. There are some people who are just never going to learn, I think.

Hi Adoniah, Religion is one of my favourite topics, and I am not out to convert anyone, so I'm delighted that you started this discussion. I am tolerant towards all unless I see them trying to take away the rights of others. I was born and raised a Christian, of the Anglican faith, and my wife and I raised our three children in that faith. However, I was raised to respect the beliefs of others and passed this on to my Children. Today, I find that I can no longer accept many of the teachings of the church, and here I refer to the Christian church as a whole. I have no desire to unite with another religion, although I have great respect for the Buddhists. I am a spiritual person but not religious. I do believe that life is without beginning or end, and think that reincarnation may be a possibility, but know that for now, it is all a great mystery. I know too that these are my beliefs, and that I cannot prove anything to another. I intent to read all the responses here, and I hope that there are many people ready for this kind of a discussion. Blessings.

This is the way my extended family has become, now that the agitator is no longer in our lives. We're learning so much more about each other than we ever knew, and are interested in our differences, not frightened of them! This is the way life was meant to be!!

A very thought provoking topic Adoniah. Funny, as a matter of fact I had an experience the other day discussing with another friend about the old belief relating to an eye for an eye, capital punishment and punishment in general and how this pertains to one's beliefs particularly about God.. There was another friend there who was getting angry while listening to us. We both weren't angry with each other we were having a good honest exchange of ideas. People have difficulty with taking things personal, and don't understand how you can actually have an exchange without being defensive. My friend and I who'd had the discussion, talked about her reaction afterward and how our mutual friend got upset with us and why. She percieved that we were arguing and was very uncomfortable with the fact we were both in disagreement, but we were not very surprized at her reaction in hindsight. Some folks rather take the path of least resistence and say nothing for fear that might make them appear argumentative, or worse unliked. Many folks do not know how to resolve differences of opinion. They have learned to become either passive or aggressive and there isn't any in between. They have never seen within their own family life the possiblity of resolving problems let alone understanding how to express individual thoughts and feelings. Conflict resolution they call it. This lack of conflict resolution and inability to safely and freely express myself completely, was definately the way I lived growing up. Thank God I've learned through some hard lessons to be honest with myself, to have a willingness even to be willing, and to be open minded in all my affairs, as much as possible. This is a daily walk sometimes a minute by minute, having a mindfulness in my life. Thanks for posting this Adoniah Namaste

I think when it comes to faith and what you believe in your heard and mind to know to be true it is always going to get a bit crazy. I too being a Jew and black am always looked at side ways and sometimes i feel like i have over explain my faith. but i don't get upset or want to argue about it. everyone has their views so i will just listen

Only open minded people can have an open discussion about religion. The army of bible bashers on myLot will not allow you to do so. They are fanatic about their religion and will not allow you to question anything about it. If you do... it is regarded as blasphemy and they will crucify you in the name of God. I would have loved to be on that boat of yours and discuss religion with an open mind.

I think it's profoundly important to be able to discuss idea without getting angry. And our society is in danger if we do not learn such virtue. I would not proselytise as in the sense of forcing people to change into my position. But I would expect people to changed position when their thought pattern is not quite right. I would also be willing to change my opinion if I am made to see that I am not quite correct. I think when we have such open mind that our discussion becomes meaningful. Whatever background we are from if we learn to discuss, and not go after the others' throat, I think the world would be a much nicer place to live. With regards, headhunter525

Through sharing and communicating we learn. IMO, through judgement of the beliefs and ways of others, we can become bigoted and angry, and this anger only hurts our Self. As a Zen practitioner, I aspire to follow the "rule" of non-interference, meaning that whilst I have an interest in the philosophy of others, I will never interfere for we each are on our own "journey" and are viewing different things. Zen is not a religion as such, but can be applied to any religion if you so want. What has fascinated for years, is the way that all the ancient religions that may have been separated by vast distances and were totally unaware of each other have similar aims and beliefs, and the only difference is just the terminology used. :-)

Most websites aren't a good forum for philosophical discussion, especially for the topics of religion or politics. To make matters worse, it seems that most people under 40 ascribe to the debating philosophy of "if they scream loud enough and long enough their opinion is correct" ... which we know is a quite false assumption on their part. Further, I find most of these screamers to be spouting only sound-bites of religious dogma that they have been spoon-fed, instead of speaking from a point of true religious study or actual faith.

"it is much easier to do that when you are in a pleasant atmosphere,rather than when you are on the defensive". You are right!!.. Any discussion is better when there is not anger. But i understand that with time someone are angry. When this happens ..it is good to stop a little, go to the bathroom, drink a water..lololol I am a Christian but i respect the free choice of each. Remember that respect dont mean agreeing. Who has the same thought of Christ dont may be anger the person who thinks different. The christian should love everyone and may disagree whit the behavior of them. I love many people who have thoughts that i hate.