Why share when people disagree with your version of the universe?

[Shempster]

OK, this for certain a philisophical issue.
I figured out the number of variations of belief in God and the universe. Its the same number of people who believe anything.
Whats worse, its all a matter of perspective based on ones experiences and discoveries.
So when my ideas are so different, why bother sharing? People either get mad, avoid you, stamp you a "hypocrite" or a "heretic", ect.
Seems like the people with the most outrageous ideas truly believe what they do based on an experience or enlightenment.

My one thing is that I see every bad thing in the universe as being propagated by demons/fallen angels. I believe if you get rid of their presence around you that most of your troubles ease off and temptation is much easier to deal with.

I'm sure each of you have some sort of experienced-based belief that works for you. Or perhaps you really like a particular preacher and go with his every word...same thing. So if I share that, most times I get "NO, WE are responsible for everything we do and its all personal choice".
So why bother sharing if doing so sets people off?

 

[True Scotsman]

If someone hadn't shared their ideas with me, about 15 years ago, I'd probably be miserable as I was 15 years ago. I think you are absolutely right about bad things being propagated by demons, but not demons in the literal sense. The demons are false ideas and contradictions that one holds. Do away with them and life is eminently better and more fulfilling. That's why I share my ideas and when I debate with someone it's not about beating them or converting them, it's about getting to the truth. If I could go back in time to that moment and exchange it for winning a billion dollars in the lottery, I wouldn't make the trade. I mean that sincerely, that's how much it means to me.

 

[Eudaimonist]

So when my ideas are so different, why bother sharing?

Because they are different!

Why "share" ideas when you know the people you share those ideas with already have them? What would be the point?

I share ideas for many reasons, but partly because I find it interesting to explore perspectives I might not have considered. This is stimulating, and can even spark ideas of my own.

I also hope that someone else might expand their horizons just a little even if they disagree with me. If the light of reason burns a tiny bit brighter as a result, then it is all worth it.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[TillICollapse]

I think that most people who think, "I'm just sharing what I believe," are actually not *just* doing that. Many times, they are trying to give you their version of the truth, and in their eyes (unbeknownst to them) it's up to you to accept it and work with it, or reject it. So, if you set out to give people what you think is the truth, I think you will find yourself experiencing that experience of "People are rejecting what I'm offering. So what's the point ?" Those who keep doing it anyway, have decided to believe the idea of, "Hey, so long as I keep shotgun blasting my truth, I'm bound to hit at least something that will stick with someone."

I'm reminded of a friend of mine, who always looked for opportunities to "evangelize" someone. And one day they told me, "No one seems to want to hear what I have to say on certain topics and things," and I said in return, "Well, did they ask to hear what you had to say ?" And they realized that most of the time, they were trying to insert themselves into situations they weren't invited into.

Conversely, I think if you set out to actually share ... you will find your approach to people much differently. You begin to discern and weed through those who aren't interested in learning, or sharing, or exploring with you ... and stop "wasting your time" with such people in those context. It's not that such people are a waste of time, rather, you just begin to learn to discern who is actually wanting to hear you out and see what it is you bring to the table, verses someone who is waiting to only have you listen to them. You also begin to see where you can have common ground with someone, so you can relate to people in meaningful ways instead of always trying to put a square peg in a round hole with them.

You also will find that everyone, even the ones who think they already have it figured out ... everyone pretty much has something to offer you. They may not really want to learn what you bring to the table, but you can learn what they can bring to the table if you wish. And you can do so "free of charge" lol. They are more than eager to share their "truth", and you can pick through and explore what you wish.

And of course you can find those who truly do want to explore what you have, and learn something new, etc and so forth. They want you to share, and have something to share in return. Those symbiotic experiences can be grand

I would say, though ... don't take for granted that not everyone is in a conversation or such in an "In it to win it" debate type of fashion. Many of us read and actually ponder and consider what another has to say.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

"Celebrate the differences" - that was part of the essensce of a humanism I learned in psychology class.

 

[Catherineanne]

So why bother sharing if doing so sets people off?

When I discuss something it is usually because I want to find out what I think about it. It doesn't bother me what other people think, except to the extent that their thinking can help mine to become clearer, one way or the other.

 

[True Scotsman]

When I discuss something it is usually because I want to find out what I think about it. It doesn't bother me what other people think, except to the extent that their thinking can help mine to become clearer, one way or the other.

Yes. This too!

 

[Gottservant]

I have struggled with this quite a lot (years, say).

What I have found is A) people are more interested in working things out for themselves (if you are so knowledgeable, you would help them) and B) the most you can work out for someone is what you learn trying to be their friend, not your own authority (most of the time).

Also, I think that, as the Bible says, people are basically just becoming more selfish (hard to swallow, but its true).

 

[quatona]

OK, this for certain a philisophical issue.
I figured out the number of variations of belief in God and the universe. Its the same number of people who believe anything.
Whats worse, its all a matter of perspective based on ones experiences and discoveries.
So when my ideas are so different, why bother sharing? People either get mad, avoid you, stamp you a "hypocrite" or a "heretic", ect.
Seems like the people with the most outrageous ideas truly believe what they do based on an experience or enlightenment.

My one thing is that I see every bad thing in the universe as being propagated by demons/fallen angels. I believe if you get rid of their presence around you that most of your troubles ease off and temptation is much easier to deal with.

I'm sure each of you have some sort of experienced-based belief that works for you. Or perhaps you really like a particular preacher and go with his every word...same thing. So if I share that, most times I get "NO, WE are responsible for everything we do and its all personal choice".
So why bother sharing if doing so sets people off?

Hadn´t it been for people who shared their "version of the universe" with me, I wouldn´t hold the worldview I am holding now.

 

[Paradoxum]

I think false beliefs affect public policy, and harm or violate people in the end.

So I share my beliefs because I think it makes the world a better place.

 

[Rajni]

So why bother sharing if doing so sets people off?

I share what I believe so that it's available to those who
are looking for information.

I don't see much point in debating things to death these
days, since the arguments against much of what I
believe have long ago become redundant, and remain,
to my mind, inadequate.

So I simply share what I believe when the opportunity
arises, and then move on, especially if I get the sense
that those involved are in it more for the sake of
argument than for the sake of obtaining a wider
knowledge or understanding of the various
perspectives out there.

There are plenty of folks who genuinely want to learn of
alternative worldviews, and that's the audience I'm
aiming to reach.


-

 

[BabylonWeary]

I'm still waiting for someone to prove the universe exists. I like the Bible, in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and there are more than just one verse. Or perhaps, in the beginning was the Word, is that the universe? Maybe there's some expectation people have, if one could just get to the top of the pile then one becomes the everlasting know-it-all. People tried that thousands of years ago, that tower got knocked down for a good reason.

 

[The-Doctor]

Something's are true whether you believe. In them or not

 

[paulm50]

OK, this for certain a philisophical issue.
I figured out the number of variations of belief in God and the universe. Its the same number of people who believe anything.
Whats worse, its all a matter of perspective based on ones experiences and discoveries.
So when my ideas are so different, why bother sharing? People either get mad, avoid you, stamp you a "hypocrite" or a "heretic", ect.
Seems like the people with the most outrageous ideas truly believe what they do based on an experience or enlightenment.

My one thing is that I see every bad thing in the universe as being propagated by demons/fallen angels. I believe if you get rid of their presence around you that most of your troubles ease off and temptation is much easier to deal with.

I'm sure each of you have some sort of experienced-based belief that works for you. Or perhaps you really like a particular preacher and go with his every word...same thing. So if I share that, most times I get "NO, WE are responsible for everything we do and its all personal choice".
So why bother sharing if doing so sets people off?

My problem with people quoting the KJV of god creating the Universe is. The original Hebrew version didn't mention anything more than what the people could see.

As for demons/fallen angels doing all the bad things. The bible says it was god punishing us. Where are the bad things attributed to demons/fallen angels in the bible and where are they attributed to us not doing as we're told, or to god?

 

[paulm50]

If Luther hadn't shared his thoughts and beliefs, where would we be now?

It's the ability to share that enables us to learn. The easier it is to share, the more we learn. Which is why our knowledge of what's around us is growing so fast today.

 

[pshun2404]

I know that because we humans share thoughts and ideas I have learned to see many things from a perspective of more information and have thus grown in many ways...this is why I think sharing is an essential part of God's plan for beings with a will such as we have.

 

[paulm50]

I know that because we humans share thoughts and ideas I have learned to see many things from a perspective of more information and have thus grown in many ways...this is why I think sharing is an essential part of God's plan for beings with a will such as we have.

It's a most essential way to learn. We should never let other inhibit our sharing.

 

[Smidlee]

Sharing things you care about is very human. It's the reason we like to shared pictures of our children and grandchildren.