Could This Be Why Believers Can't Leave Unbelievers Alone?
@mythociate (21432)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
October 29, 2012 8:30am CST
Because G-d Himself hangs out with the unbelievers?
As it says in the Qur`an (the end of 002.019): "... They (rejecters of Faith) press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death. But Allah is ever round the rejecters of Faith!"
There is no law--they say--without sin. 'Sanctified' Christians don't look at life as 'Good V Bad' so much as 'Within- V Not Within-Our Father's Will.' Judging anything 'not within Our Father's Will' as "sinful," they feel they must condemn its practitioners to 'the fire' (as the Qur`an says the unbelievers are condemned).
Before you start to think that that's what I believe, I'll tell you the way I see it: the common path is a circle-road. The road is sort of a tunnel/hallway, so you can't see that it's a circle. & it's ever-so-slight a curve, so you can't really tell it's a circle.
The only way you know is that you pass by the same feature in the tunnel every long so-often. There are many paths (of several types) leading off of the common road. Only one type of off-path is 'right.' Believers just agree on that path-type & try to steer themselves- & their fellow citizens-to those off-path-types
As it's only possible for G-d to convince unbelievers that they're wrong to 'reject Faith' (Qur`an 002.006-007 "As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe. Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil ..."), G-d must-needs concentrate G-d's presence on them.
As G-d feels the need to concentrate on them, G-d's followers feel the need.
1 person likes this
7 responses
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
29 Oct 12
"The road is sort of a tunnel/hallway, so you can't see that it's a circle. & it's ever-so-slight a curve, so you can't really tell it's a circle." Sounds ever so like a description of the Hadron Collider to me!
To be honest, it seems to be mostly 'Christians' who go around proselytizing and trying to show others the error of their ways. Most Muslims either leave us alone or condemn us automatically to the scrap heap without wanting to 'save' us.
I see that, by unconsciously writing 'us' I have included myself (and perhaps you) in the 'unbeliever' category. I didn't mean to do that because I am not an unbeliever (and nor, I think, are you) but, because I don't happen to be a Catholic or a New Age Adventist or a Jehovah's Witness (amongst others), I am sometimes classed as one!
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
29 Oct 12
I think (right here right now, anyway) I'm more a Buddhist.
(I'm sure you know that doesn't mean 'I worship Buddha,' it's more like 'I follow Buddhas when they are successful, and keep my eyes-&-ears open for ways I can be 'just as'- or more successful.')
I guess my goal as a Buddhist is inner peace---the peace that comes from being sure that you're working/walking on steady ground (not sinking sand).
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
29 Oct 12
I think that it is perfectly legitimate to describe oneself as a Bhudding Christian or a Buddhing Agnostic (or whatever). English is such a glorious language, ain't it!
@natliegleb (5175)
• India
29 Oct 12
they try to force their thoughts upon us and make us to believe all the time ,but if there is proof,i would do so for sure
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
29 Oct 12
I think most believers in my own faith, Christianity, which is the only one I can really speak for or about, believe because of something they have experienced. That's why it's so hard to dissuade a true believer, because it's hard to convince most folks that someone they know or even have simply met, doesn't exist.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
29 Oct 12
I hate that people believe some things just because people tell them ... like the things any woman I've ever touched says about me.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
20 Nov 12
People you've met, people you've been told enough about to have a very-convincing dream; whatever
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
29 Oct 12
Are you Jewish? You are spelling G-d the way I do! That is so sad. It makes G-d sound like some stalker! If a person doesn't believing G-d , Why in the hell would G-d waste His time trying to make Himself real to them?They will not get it and that is ok. See I believe there are many True paths to G-d, Allah, Jesus, or whatever name G-d goes by For you. It is the bullying that turn Many people off . Assuming that your path is the Only way does nothing but start a holy war!
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
29 Oct 12
It was good to see G-d spelled this way! We are similar in our views of paths except I wouldn't call Any path " off path" All paths lead to the Being I cal G-d.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
30 Oct 12
Right.
Just that some paths seem to lead in 'the exact opposite direction.'
1 person likes this
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
29 Oct 12
I think I was thinking of you when I wrote (above) 'Before you start to think that that's what I believe, I'll tell you the way I see it: ... There are many paths (of several types) leading off of the common road. Only one type of off-path is 'right.' (using the 'quip-marks' there to indicate that 'it's "right" in s subjective-not -objective way') Believers just agree on that path-type & try to steer themselves- & their fellow citizens-to those off-path-types angel"
And the G-d thing (I attributed to you in someone else's discussion): I didn't know it's 'out of respect for the name of G-d'; I thought it was 'God' is just a title that you "name" someone who fills that role---like 'mom' or 'dad' or 'soldier.'
1 person likes this
@artemeis (4194)
• China
30 Oct 12
Religion aside, I feel that we humans are all the same since time where we will always be trying to convince the other party to our perspective, understanding and even way of life.
Starting with this forum here where all of us with different views and understandings come together not only to discuss but to convince the other of our convictions.
Then, there's that door-to-door salesman trying to convince you into buying his wares, so that he can have his livelihood and bring home the bacon at the end of the day.
Then, there are the everyday couples where one of them will try so hard to convince the other to believe that they are right for each other and that they should stay together for the rest of their lives. So from all these examples, you can see that there will always be a believer and an unbeliever and we will always be trying to convert the unbeliever be it the other side of a discussion group, the housewife at the other side of the door, the girl at the other side of the proposal, the job interviewer and the list goes on. We are actually doing the convincing and conversions almost everyday.
I believe it is human rather than religion here.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
30 Oct 12
I think here we're more like salesmen---offering our wares in order to 'bring home the bacon' (although here it's more like 'bring home the bacon bits to add to the bread-&-butter we get from our jobs' )
Another difference here is that our 'pay' doesn't weigh so much on 'whether we reach an accord (by "selling" others on our position)', but more on 'whether others LOOK AT our position.'
@sulynsi (2671)
• Canada
30 Oct 12
It is impossible to force anyone to accept a faith.
I regularly "offer" to share my beliefs with others. I feel it is part of my faith, to give others the opportunity to learn what I have discovered myself.
You might liken it to, hmmm how can I compare it? My parents brought me up to offer a visitor a drink at least. They may refuse, which is entirely their right. But I feel I should at least offer. I'm not going to drag their mouth open and drain it down their throat, nor would I make them feel guilty for not accepting my hospitality. That would be silly.
I find it kind of funny that one may be accused of being judgmental if you offer to share your beliefs with others. Actually, if I DON'T offer, I am making a judgment "oh, he/she wouldn't be interested in this" Who am I to say that? Not qualified. Not a mind reader.
So, I just offer. Not push, just offer.
BTW, Would YOU like a cup of tea?
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
Wow sulynsi, you really did a great comparison there which is very true. I hope I can also have a broad knowledge and wisdom to be able to think that way. Well, I know that with constant reading and studying the bible I will also be like you.
I once offer to share my beliefs to some old ladies before. They were sitting in front of a house, there are 3 of them. The moment I arrived and greeted them, and asked what is keeping them busy in that lovely Saturday morning, one of the old lady told me "Nothing! We're just talking about other people's lives in here!" I was at first disappointed on her answer but I tried to smile. In my personal experience with unbelievers, I think that they feel insulted with the mere fact that I spend money, time and effort to come to them to offer what I believe. But it was never my intention to insult them in any way. What I always hope is that I would find someone who will also accept the message that God wanted all of us to know. I never mean any harm to others.
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
30 Oct 12
I think that believers won't leave unbelievers alone because they are motivated by their love for God. They aren't being paid for doing so I don't think it is because of money. God loves us so He doesn't any of us to be destroyed. (2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.) Because if He isn't, He should have let our first parents die the moment they committed the sin. But instead of doing that, He gave humans the chance to repent.
And of course, it is one of the signs that the end is near like what is written in these two bible verses:
Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be preached among all nations.
Matthew 24:14 This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.
@Paper_Doll (2373)
• Philippines
31 Oct 12
I didn't mean it's the end of everything, it is the end of this current system, and the yes, a new beginning, the beginning of God's Kingdom.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
30 Oct 12
Why do you read that as 'the end of absolutely everything?' I know that the end of everything takes place at everything else's beginning, that the only things that are destroyed are the things which are not brought into existence again (light when the light-switch is off, ideas when the brain's not charged, material objects when 'their inner gravities are overcome' (when the objects are broken/crumbled/ground/vaporized), etc.)
@franseman (516)
• Philippines
29 Oct 12
Biological we are animals on this beautiful planet. There is really nothing that makes us different except for the brains. With those brains people can make nasty plans. Those brains gave us materials other animals can't make. And with those materials we polute this wonderful world.
Now if there was a god who created this world, why would he allow us to destroy his creation?
Yes i do believe. In myself and the ones near.