i sincerely apologize........
By Sweetchariot
@Sweetchariot (1718)
United States
October 23, 2009 1:55pm CST
To begin with, I want everyone to know that this discussion has been posted in the categories of "Christian", "Believers", and "Religion"...all 3. You will understand why, after reading below. However, I fully understand that 2 of these 3 postings may be deleted because of duplication...but I hope all 3 will not be.
So...with this in mind, let me continue.
I am a Christian...I believe in God, the Father, God the Son, Jesus Christ, and I believe in the Holy Spirit. I am also a Christian who believes in the teachings of The Catholic Church.
With this said...I want to apologize for any time that I have criticized your beliefs, your unbeliefs, your God, your religious or non-religious practices, your search for the truth, or your acceptance of some other higher power, other than mine.
That is not my intentions, and I wanted only to share the joy in my life with others. However, in doing so, I have assumed that you do not have the same joy in yours. By assuming that, is very wrong of me. I should not judge your way, anymore than I want you to judge mine.
Unfortunately, the categories of "Christian", "Religions", and "Believer" have made it easy for mylotters to come in use this site as a pulpit, a podium, or a stage to get their message across. However, in doing so, we have opened up the world for multiple debates that often lead to sarcasm, anger, judgement, accusations, and all other negative flaws that we really don't want to display to each other, but inevitably do in this type of discussions.
These sites should be used to reflect our beliefs, not battle it out, with words that attack. While we share with one another our source of our beliefs, we should be displaying the actions of that so called belief, rather than fighting with words. While a healthy debate can be a good thing, a debate always calls for some persuasion, and emotions get involved.
So, For me, before I respond to any discussion in these categories, I will fully critique my response, to be sure that it reflects what I believe, and I will refuse to respond to any derogatory discussion, response, or remark that go against the act of a Christian. I am not here to argue the truth, I am not here to proudly proclaim that my beliefs are the right ones, and look down on others that do not share my view...rather I only want to share my opinions.
Therefore I ask all of you, that when reading my responses or discussions, to remember that they are only my opinions, and in no way am I trying to persuade you to come to my side. And if I unknowingly offend you in my response, please let me know, so I can apologize for the way I expressed my self. There are at times I should use a B*tch check, to see how responses can be portrayed...sometimes I am not aware of how it can come across.
Thank you, and I hope these categories can used in a positive way, rather than a place to make a stand, regardless of whom we hurt along the way. This is no way to reflect the way of a Christian.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@artistmel2000 (438)
• United States
23 Oct 09
Thanks for the spoiler, but I don't think all of that was necessary. Some people do get carried away in those categories, and we can choose to engage in the argument or simply leave it alone. I appreciate and respect your beliefs and am happy that you respect others' beliefs as their own. As you said a good healthy debate does bring in emotion and persuasion. That's what a debate is supposed to do, however, it's supposed to do that based on fact, and not simply because someone can argue the best.
Stand strong in your convictions and try not to belittle others' beliefs and I think you'll be fine.
Hang in there!
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
23 Oct 09
Thank you for your feedback....It was necessary for ME to do that, so I can stay on track and respond the way I should, and not just to win the argument.
@EnglishTeaDuck (862)
• United States
29 Oct 09
I appreciate your thoughts. I too am a Christian and I am quite prepared to state my beliefs on here, to defend a point and to debate. It is a discussion forum after all! But I think this can be done in a friendly and respectful manner, and I have sadly seen people saying things to others like 'you must be psychologically damaged to believe that' etc!
Its not needed, as adults we can surely share our views without resorting to such petty personal insults.
I respect you saying what you needed to for your own peace.