Calling all human beings

[Godlovesmetwo]

I'd rather communicate with an open-minded non-believer than a closed-minded believer.
I'm wondering if there are any places on this forum where human beings can have a chat about life in general without getting into serious theological debates. It should be known I'm catholic just in case you have a problem with catholicism. I just want to be upfront about that but would prefer not to talk about it really, unless really necessary.
Just a shame that we can come to a forum and feel alienated because all our conversations have to be religious. No-one seems to want to relax and be themselves. Well that has been my experience on OBOB. It lacks the personal touch in my view.
Aren't we called to love another? Rather than score points over one another?

 

[Murby]

I'd rather communicate with an open-minded non-believer than a closed-minded believer.

I like that statement.....
What would you like to talk about?

The problem you're seeing about how the conversations tend to go is due to the fact that all the really interesting stuff is inevitably positioned on the lines that divide us.

Conversations tend to fall under a few specific categories.. a) Controversial stuff that generates lots of interesting debate and that most people can participate in like politics, abortion, religion, etc.. b) General stuff dealing with every day life, which tends to be kind of boring, c) Technical conversations which are also very interesting but tend to exclude all but maybe 1% of people who are educated in the specific field or topic.

Sometimes something good comes along that defies the above categories.. We've had some good discussions over dietary choices (meat vs vegetarians),, drugs (is alcohol or marijuana more dangerous), and a few others.. but these types of subjects are kind of rare and don't pop up much.

In addition to the above, there are some pretty hard core religious people in this forum who don't seem to be capable, or willing, to have a conversation without quoting biblical passages.... Its a forum based on religion so I guess there's no surprise there..

But hey, if you come up with something good, I'm all ears!

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Yes it is a religious forum so I can't really be surprised. But sometimes I think I'm seen simply as a threat or a boost to someone's else's viewpoint. They are not really interested in anything else about me except either my level of commitment to God or my stance on an issue.
Are there any other Australians on here for example? What do people do besides worship the Lord?

 

[Murby]

Here's a silly question for you.. Is your avatar a real photo of you? That guy does not look happy at all...

But sometimes I think I'm seen simply as a threat or a boost to someone's else's viewpoint.

I don't understand this comment.. Why would you be seen as a threat??

They are not really interested in anything else about me except either my level of commitment to God or my stance on an issue.

Ya, I've seen a lot of that.. folks tend to judge others based on the "god-o-meter" as I call it.
So who are you? Based on your comments, I'm beginning to think that perhaps you're a pastor or some other religious authority? I have no problem with that.. I'm not the least bit religious but one of my best friends used to be a next door neighbor who was a pastor of the local church.. We played racquetball together every Saturday.

What do people do besides worship the Lord?

Well, I don't worship anything but I do raise some farm animals, garden, read about astrophysics and cosmology, raise my young child, chop firewood for exercise, and I design industrial processing equipment.

How about you? What are you into that's not religiously orientated?

 

[brinny]

I just saw the thread...

stopping in to say hi...

i'm all for fellowship..

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

I mean I'm seen only in light of the debate. No one seems interested in the whole person. Which sounds like a real moan I know so you can ignore that. Anyway no I'm not a pastor, priest or otherwise. No that is not me in the avatar, but I am 58 years old and unemployed. I used to be a primary school teacher, then teacher of English overseas, then janitor/cleaner. Now I cant even get that kind of job. I swim in my free time and walk and recently really trying to focus on life's meaning through getting back into my original faith,Catholicism.

 

[brinny]

I mean I'm seen only in light of the debate. No one seems interested in the whole person. Which sounds like a real moan I know so you can ignore that. Anyway no I'm not a pastor, priest or otherwise. No that is not me in the avatar, but I am 58 years old and unemployed. I used to be a primary school teacher, then teacher of English overseas, then janitor/cleaner. Now I cant even get that kind of job. I swim in my free time and walk and recently really trying to focus on life's meaning through getting back into my original faith,Catholicism.

searching for life's meaning is always a good thing.

So are open conversations about it.

Do you miss working?

 

[brinny]

....oh, and just in case anyone wonders...

i likes smilies

 

[Murby]

I used to be a primary school teacher,

So basically you were one of our underpaid hero's.
We pay idiots millions to chase leather balls around grassy fields.. and we pay those teaching our children pennies..

And people wonder why our country is so screwed up.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

OK thanks Brinny
And can I just say, that I feel there are other people who may feel alienated like me on this forum, who "yes" may appreciate prayers but don't appreciate advice like "just pray". Sometimes people prefer a more human approach, validation for having interests and concerns outside religion.
I feel time running out for me, and no real sign of hope career -wise. I need to lose weight and "yes" I am trying but maybe not hard enough. I am trying to appreciate every day, sunshine and other God given beauty. But negative thoughts often rule the day. Maybe deep down, I think I'm "done" with this life and more interested whether heaven really exists so I can go there.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

So basically you were one of our underpaid hero's.
We pay idiots millions to chase leather balls around grassy fields.. and we pay those teaching our children pennies..

And people wonder why our country is so screwed up.

I agree teachers are underpaid. I just don't have the motivation to face kids all day, 5 days a week anymore. So I quit. problem is I've had these low level jobs since then, and now I'm not even fit enough to do them.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

 

[brinny]

So basically you were one of our underpaid hero's.
We pay idiots millions to chase leather balls around grassy fields.. and we pay those teaching our children pennies..

And people wonder why our country is so screwed up.

yes, i agree that he's a hero...teaching is a hard job and thankless so many times. Teachers ARE heroes, and sometimes don't recognize it.

Thank you for the many lives you've influenced, bettercallpaul.

 

[brinny]

OK thanks Brinny
And can I just say, that I feel there are other people who may feel alienated like me on this forum, who "yes" may appreciate prayers but don't appreciate advice like "just pray". Sometimes people prefer a more human approach, validation for having interests and concerns outside religion.
I feel time running out for me, and no real sign of hope career -wise. I need to lose weight and "yes" I am trying but maybe not hard enough. I am trying to appreciate every day, sunshine and other God given beauty. But negative thoughts often rule the day. Maybe deep down, I think I'm "done" with this life and more interested whether heaven really exists so I can go there.

You may be right in that there may be many who feel alienated here on CF, and as such, this thread can be a place of warmth and fellowship, and fun and laughter, and sharing, and yes, just being "human" with each other.

You done a good thing.

Yay!!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[brinny]

hahahaaa! A smilie party!!!!!

Wheeeeeee!!!!

 

[mnorian]

I'd rather communicate with an open-minded non-believer than a closed-minded believer.
I'm wondering if there are any places on this forum where human beings can have a chat about life in general without getting into serious theological debates. It should be known I'm catholic just in case you have a problem with catholicism. I just want to be upfront about that but would prefer not to talk about it really, unless really necessary.
Just a shame that we can come to a forum and feel alienated because all our conversations have to be religious. No-one seems to want to relax and be themselves. Well that has been my experience on OBOB. It lacks the personal touch in my view.
Aren't we called to love another? Rather than score points over one another?

To me; this is equivalent to going to a car forum and complain they want to talk about cars. I feel just the opposite; it seems people here would rather talk about politics; argue about esoteric scripture interpretations; or chit chat about small things; the nity-grity of the Christian walk is often left aside.

 

[Mountain_Girl406]

I mean I'm seen only in light of the debate. No one seems interested in the whole person. Which sounds like a real moan I know so you can ignore that. Anyway no I'm not a pastor, priest or otherwise. No that is not me in the avatar, but I am 58 years old and unemployed. I used to be a primary school teacher, then teacher of English overseas, then janitor/cleaner. Now I cant even get that kind of job. I swim in my free time and walk and recently really trying to focus on life's meaning through getting back into my original faith,Catholicism.

We have something in common then, in trying to move back towards Catholicism in some way. I'm also a teacher. I'm not a good swimmer, but otherwise am very into fitness, mostly of the outdoor variety. I wish we could keep threads going on the fitness board to support each other on what we like to do.

 

[brinny]

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

We have something in common then, in trying to move back towards Catholicism in some way. I'm also a teacher. I'm not a good swimmer, but otherwise am very into fitness, mostly of the outdoor variety. I wish we could keep threads going on the fitness board to support each other on what we like to do.

Hi. Caught me moaning on here eh. Well I did contribute to my own problems I admit, to some extent on OBOB. Good news though. I've found a very "enlightened" poster shall we say, in the Liberal Catholic sub-section. His name is "Martinius" and he sounds far more human to me, and makes a lot of sense. I sometimes think of the money I could be making teaching, which is not bad here, but no I don't miss the stress one bit.

 

[afishamongmany]

Hi Paul - you called? Despite my pseudo I am human - in a finny kind of way.
Can empathise with what you say about just talking, though don't feel alienation. Forum land is what it is, communication "but not as we know it".
Have been surprised at how little hanging out goes on in the Chat place. I suppose what we're looking for is some equivalent to what we Brits call 'the local', that is a pub where you'd 'pop in' fairly regularly knowing that there would be someone (or two or three) there you could chinwag with while enjoying a favorite beverage.
Is this possible to parallel in cyberspace? Duno?
Anyway mate I'm off to dreamland.
Keep rowing the boat. Every day a gift.
@ Brinny (the socks)