Religious Tolerance

[Montalban]

We are all here for only one reason. We are looking for the truth.

What is your definition of unbelief?

If someone believes every path is truthful, is it called "unbelief"?

The Lord is tolerant with all of us, not just Christians.

When the time comes, you'll know too.

The Lord said I am the truth, and the Way. For you to believe that my truth is relative, when in fact my truth claims to be absolute is illogical. We both can't be right! Unless you modify my idea of truth to suit yours, or visa versa.

 

[Lokisdottir]

Isn't that itself trying to impose your ideas on him? He obviously feels, as part of his belief, very strongly about it. You're asking him to stifle his freedom of expression on an issue very important to him, because you feel uncomfortable about it.

Your freedom -v- his freedom.

I'm not imposing ideas, I'm giving advice.

He thinks that by preaching hellfire, he'll win non-Christians over to his side. But he's wrong; all he's doing is pushing us farther away.

It would do him well to change his tactics, but if he stubbornly refuses, then you have to wonder, what is his REAL motivation? Concern for our souls, or a simple desire to annoy people?

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

The Lord said I am the truth, and the Way. For you to believe that my truth is relative, when in fact my truth claims to be absolute is illogical. We both can't be right! Unless you modify my idea of truth to suit yours, or visa versa.

I am also saying the same thing.

The Lord said "I am the truth, and the Way".

Has anyone reached the Lord yet?

Only the Lord is the truth. Not what you and me say is the truth.

 

[Hydra009]

Those of unbelief are hear for only 2 reasons. They are looking for the truth or are trying to tear it down.

Are you sure about that?

We as Christians express our beliefs and are labelled intollerant.

There's a difference between expressing your beliefs and cramming them down other people's throats.

When the time comes many are going to find out just how tollerant th Lord was with all of us.

As a side note, Pascal's Wager isn't going to change anyone's mind.

 

[Montalban]

I'm not imposing ideas, I'm giving advice.

He thinks that by preaching hellfire, he'll win non-Christians over to his side. But he's wrong; all he's doing is pushing us farther away.

It would do him well to change his tactics, but if he stubbornly refuses, then you have to wonder, what is his REAL motivation? Concern for our souls, or a simple desire to annoy people?

You are giving advice based on your ideas that such statements of his faith are not to be heard. You are imposing your ideas! I state what I believe to be true too, only you are denying you do.

 

[Montalban]

I am also saying the same thing.

The Lord said "I am the truth, and the Way".

Has anyone reached the Lord yet?

Only the Lord is the truth. Not what you and me say is the truth.

Your version of who is the Lord and mine differ. If not you'd be an Orthodox Christian, or I'd be 'Hindu' as you are. I find it very odd that you're arguing such an untenable position. We both obviously have different ideas, you're arguing we don't!

Like the Chinese saying "Many spokes share the same hub" (I think it's from Tao Ching, if memory serves), you want to believe we all believe the same thing. I don't. The very fact I don't disproves your point.

 

[Lokisdottir]

You are giving advice based on your ideas that such statements of his faith are not to be heard. You are imposing your ideas! I state what I believe to be true too, only you are denying you do.

Where did I EVER say that his "statements of faith" are not to be heard? They're being heard all right, the trouble is they're not having the effect he most likely wants them to have. Is this so difficult to understand?

By the way, do all Christian "statements of faith" have to involve telling others why their faiths are wrong and bad?

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

You are giving advice based on your ideas that such statements of his faith are not to be heard. You are imposing your ideas! I state what I believe to be true too, only you are denying you do.

Lokisdottir was not imposing his ideas.

He was just trying to explain to the "believer" that there is a difference between calling himself "saved" and calling "unbelievers" hell-bound.

It hurts the "unbelievers". If a "believer" thinks an "unbeliever" is hell-bound, let him keep it to himself.

 

[Montalban]

There's a difference between expressing your beliefs and cramming them down other people's throats.

What if it's part of his belief to cram those beliefs down your throat?


Pascal's Wager...
http://www.thewhyman.jesusanswers.com/whats_new.html

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

Your version of who is the Lord and mine differ. If not you'd be an Orthodox Christian, or I'd be 'Hindu' as you are. I find it very odd that you're arguing such an untenable position. We both obviously have different ideas, you're arguing we don't!

Like the Chinese saying "Many spokes share the same hub" (I think it's from Tao Ching, if memory serves), you want to believe we all believe the same thing. I don't. The very fact I don't disproves your point.

Ok.

My version of the Lord is "He is formless. In the purest sense, He should be worshipped as a Spirit. But we can also use images and statues as symbols to try and reach that state."

What is your version of the Lord? And tell me which is truth?
Me worshipping Shiva idols, etc... or you worshippong Mary images etc....?

Just tell me. I want to hear. I believe God is Spirit. WHat do you believe?

 

[Montalban]

Where did I EVER say that his "statements of faith" are not to be heard? They're being heard all right, the trouble is they're not having the effect he most likely wants them to have. Is this so difficult to understand?

You are telling him that here! You are obviously suggesting that they are repugnant (not necessarily to you, but to some; driving them away). As I said, you are the only one denying what you are saying.

By the way, do all Christian "statements of faith" have to involve telling others why their faiths are wrong and bad?

They might, what of it? As a 'tolerant person' who are you to judge?

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

What if it's part of his belief to cram those beliefs down your throat?


Pascal's Wager...
http://www.thewhyman.jesusanswers.com/whats_new.html

What if it's part of Lokisdottir's or my belief not to shut up and take our medicine.

 

[Montalban]

Ok.

My version of the Lord is "He is formless. In the purest sense, He should be worshipped as a Spirit. But we can also use images and statues as symbols to try and reach that state."

What is your version of the Lord? And tell me which is truth?
Me worshipping Shiva idols, etc... or you worshippong Mary images etc....?

Just tell me. I want to hear. I believe God is Spirit. WHat do you believe?

That's a different argument you are trying to get me to buy... before you were arguing we're all worshipping the same thing, but now you're not. You have contradicted yourself.

 

[Lokisdottir]

What if it's part of his belief to cram those beliefs down your throat?

In that case, he's obliged to keep them to himself.

"You have a right to swing your fist. I have a right not to be punched in the face. So your right to swing your fist ends where my face begins."

Or, in this case, "Your right to cram your beliefs ends where my throat begins."

And before you say it, yes, I know none of this applies here on Christian Forums. But in the real world it does, and if anyone offline tried to use the excuse that it's part of their beliefs that they should heckle me, they'd soon learn otherwise.

 

[thirsty]

Not at all. I'm here to discuss with other non-Christians, engage in some friendly debate, and hopefully learn something. People from all different religions, from all parts of the world, post here--I've even seen one poster from Antarctica. It's a very interesting place to be, so that's why I'm here.

You're free to express your beliefs all you want, but is it really so much to ask for us to have one thread that doesn't talk about hell? We can't stop you of course, but if your mission is to bring us to the Lord, you're shooting yourself in the foot. The more you preach damnation, the less likely we are to convert, 'cause all it does is alienate us and make us think you're hateful.

I am sorry that I do not sugarcoat the truth. What would you like to hear, a lie?

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

That's a different argument you are trying to get me to buy... before you were arguing we're all worshipping the same thing, but now you're not. You have contradicted yourself.

If someone's nature is to fight over differences and not see the underlying truth, then I cannot help but to take a defensive stand here.

 

[Born_to_Lose_Live_to_Win]

I am sorry that I do not sugarcoat the truth. What would you like to hear, a lie?

Do you know the truth yet?

Does just accepting Christ and repenting for your sins make you the leading scholar on what is truth and what is not?

You don't have to sugarcoat the truth. But also try not to coat it with a foul-smelling bitter paint.

 

[Montalban]

In that case, he's obliged to keep them to himself.

"You have a right to swing your fist. I have a right not to be punched in the face. So your right to swing your fist ends where my face begins."

Or, in this case, "Your right to cram your beliefs ends where my throat begins."

And before you say it, yes, I know none of this applies here on Christian Forums. But in the real world it does, and if anyone offline tried to use the excuse that it's part of their beliefs that they should heckle me, they'd soon learn otherwise.

Cool, then you understand why I write posts against Islam! Welcome to the intolerant club !

 

[Montalban]

If someone's nature is to fight over differences and not see the underlying truth, then I cannot help but to take a defensive stand here.

Now you've lost me.

Before you were arguing that we all really believe the same thing. This was disproven by the very fact we were arguing that point. Now I don't know where you're at.

 

[rahul_sharma]

Do you know the truth yet?

Does just accepting Christ and repenting for your sins make you the leading scholar on what is truth and what is not?

You don't have to sugarcoat the truth. But also try not to coat it with a foul-smelling bitter paint.

This type of talk is again going to lead this thread into a dogfight.

I hope you understand what I'm trying to say.