In several recent topic posts it was suggested that any discussion here should be related to religion and that in any statement including deities and/or religious dogma should the validity of belief in these be taken for granted. But is that indeed so?

If I would start a topic "why would "god/gods" exist?" that would be a proper topic for this Religious Discussions board.
It relates to religion, includes a statement on "god/gods", and provides either an opinion on or a question about either of these.

And about "I believe" : if I would post a topic about the non-existence of god/gods, I would start such an opinion topic with "I do not believe that", as I can not provide any OSE for deities to exist, or not to exist. So why would anyone not have to post "I believe that" before posting statements like "God does this or knows that"??

Religious discussions are just normal discussions about a rather precarious subject that involves a lot of opinion and often very long toes. And people who can not handle that should reconsider their participation on a board like this.

Any comments ?

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Because it you it is a belief, to a christian it is a fact and you merely believe things wrong since you don't accept it.

And while you want to see the word believe, to be honest it is starting to get old, since your posts are merely repeating , "you need to say beleive" it is actually almost sad that you wish to attack and attach for little reason in Christianity areas. Since you don't believe I see little reason for you to want to discuss things, unless you have other motives beyond just wanting to be a pain to christians. And to be honest if you don't like the fact that Christians feel it is a fact and don't want to accept that perhaps you need not to be posting there, if you don't like it.

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Religious discussions are just normal discussions about a rather precarious subject that involves a lot of opinion and often very long toes. And people who can not handle that should reconsider their participation on a board like this.

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Cred, I have to admit that I am reconsidering participating on the religious discussion boards. I have had calm, logical discussions with people on this board, but someone always comes along that will not accept a discussion about anything other than their specific faith and insists on proving that their faith is fact.

As you know I do not believe in organized religion or church, and apparently that makes many people uneasy, even angry. I also don't have a problem with someone not believing in God. Some of the best conversations I've had in the Religious Discussion board have been with atheists, none of them ever tried to get me to stop believing, none of them made fun of my beliefs, even though they questioned my beliefs, no one preached, and when I asked questions I got answers. I cannot say the same about conversations I've had with Christians, not all, but enough that I'm seriously considering not coming back to Religious Discussions.

I have no desire to attempt to have a conversation only to receive quotes from the bible, prayers for my doomed soul and the like. Questions go unanswered and when I ask again then I'm a trouble maker, if I don't have the same beliefs then I'm wrong and there will not be a discussion about what I believe and why.

I thought the Religious Discussions board was just that, a place to discuss religion, whether you believe or not. A place to ask questions, whether you believe or not. A place to talk to other people with different beliefs, different ideas and learn from each other. I for one would love nothing more, but I don't think it's going to happen.

Still considering whether to continue going to this board, we'll see. I have to say Cred, I've enjoyed our recent conversations, and I thank you for finally finding a word that describes my faith, I'm proud to be a Deist. :)

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

... to a christian it is ...
... in Christianity areas ...
... a pain to christians ...
... that Christians feel it is ...

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I did not mention Christianity.
This topic has NOTHING to do with Christianity.

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Originally Posted by Fr_Chuck

... And if you don't like the fact that Christians feel it is a fact and don't want to accept that perhaps you need not to be posting there, if you don't like it.

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I did not mention Christianity.
This topic has NOTHING to do with Christianity.

I posted on the Religious Discussions board about what are Religious Discussions. The first time the word Christianity came into the topic was in your reaction.
Many posters here may be unaware that "Religious Discussions" is not the same as "Christian Discussions".
But you as Moderator/Christianity Expert should at least know the difference, even with your own bias.

:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Still considering whether or not to continue going to this board, we'll see.

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I understand. A post like Chuck's speaks volumes!

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

I've enjoyed our recent conversations, and I thank you for finally finding a word that describes my faith, I'm proud to be a Deist. :)

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Good for you. And don't let them drive you against the wall for refusing to except their bible and beliefs!
I'll see you around!

:)

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Originally Posted by Credendovidis

I did not mention Christianity.
This topic has NOTHING to do with Christianity.


I did not mention Christianity.
This topic has NOTHING to do with Christianity.

I posted on the Religious Discussions board about what are Religious Discussions. The first time the word Christianity came into the topic was in your reaction.
Many posters here may be unaware that "Religious Discussions" is not the same as "Christian Discussions".
But you as Moderator/Christianity Expert should at least know the difference, even with your own bias.

:rolleyes:

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Um let me see you did not say anything about Christianity BUT what religion are the people that come to this board that you are referring to since you 'seem' to be referring to the 'religious' people that come to this board. Let me see that would include Catholics (which are Christian) and people who call themselves Christian along with one Muslim. Other than that I really don't see any other 'religious' people here so I agree maybe Fr_Chuck should have said 'Christians, a muslim and whatever other religion'. What other religions would you have liked him to include in his statement?
But then you would have likely said he should only be speaking for himself and not others, which I have also seen you do!
So Fr_Chuck was giving his opinion based on HIS Christian belief which IS a religious discussion.
Why do you nit pick words like you do?? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by N0help4u

Why do you nit pick words like you do?????

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Why do you "nit pick" yourself? Seems to be your favorite activity...

:rolleyes:

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I only nit pick at the nit picking :D

Crede,

I normally use the word "I believe",it has become habit while posting around the Desk,but this does not mean that if I were to not use the word,members who do not follow my beliefs will think that I am stating something I do not believe.

Those who are not of my faith or even of my faith will know when I state anything religious,that it is my beliefs,it is quite obvious that I am talking about my beliefs.

As Fr-Chuck said,to someone who does not believe or follow my faith it may seem only a belief,but to me it is the truth and fact(which you insist on calling belief because you do not believe them).

Anyway,stating "I believe" need not be an issue on any religious board because it is obvious when anyone posts it is their belief.

I agree Firmbeliever, even if you didn't say 'I believe' and you are Muslim I still follow you quite well.

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

I have to admit that I am reconsidering participating on the religious discussion boards. I have had calm, logical discussions with people on this board, but someone always comes along that will not accept a discussion about anything other than their specific faith and insists on proving that their faith is fact.

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Yeah and some choose to question why others speak of their faith as evident Truth?

Guess you just have to allow each their own opinion, and stay clear of questions that you really don't want an answer to after all.

Religion is a subject that usually causes hurt feelings, anger, a whole range of emotions, not all positive.

I actually go to the religious discussion board because I'm interested in hearing other peoples point of view, I do have to admit that I get upset at times and then lash out, although I'm working really hard at not doing that anymore.

As for questioning peoples beliefs, well that's part of religious discussion. If you are in a room full of people chances are you will not believe the same things as everyone else. Sometimes people can have rational discussions about their differing beliefs, other times it's just not possible.

I will admit that it bothers me allot when people try to explain their beliefs by using the bible, because I don't believe that the bible is Gods word, so quoting the bible when answering my post or question is like slapping me in the face. I don't mind the first time someone does that because they don't know that I don't believe the bible is relevant, but after specifically telling them that, and having them post bible scripture over and over again, well, that does upset me. Ex: If you were discussing satanism with a satanist and he/she quoted from the satanic bible and you expressed to them that you don't believe in that book but they continued to quote from it, you'd be upset right?

If we could all, and I do mean all, just respect each other and put our differences aside then we could discuss anything, but that's not possible, we all think we're right, and we're all willing to fight to prove it, and all that does is cause anger, dissention and another thread being closed. It's gotten to the point that I can pick which thread will be closed long before it ever happens, just by what the thread is about and who joins in the discussion.

There are people I can discuss religion with, surprisingly it's usually the people who do not even believe in God. Maybe it's because I don't try to convince them that God exists anymore than they try to convince me he doesn't.

I guess the main question is, what does everyone expect to gain from discussing their beliefs? Is it knowledge, is it curiosity, or is it just to stick up for your belief?

Discussion, to me, usually are begun to resolve a dilemma or question. I think that the questions board is for more cut and dried answers, but here in discussion there may be more than one answer given and also the reasons for the belief in that answer. I do not state "I believe" before every statement, because I have been taught how to properly cite things that are not my thoughts/beliefs. So, what I say I believe withouth having the redundant statement. The Word of God is my reality--whether you believe in it or not.

I have found that most of the posters in this section are Christian, of some denomination or other. There are some who are Christians with no afiliation, and there are some here who aren't sure where they fit. I don't really like to box people's beliefs into different compartments, so I use two--saved and unsaved.

I don't like the "pick the poster apart" type of discussion. This seems to be counterproductive and causes the poster to be defensive. I don't know about you, but when I'm defensive, I don't listen. Even in a religious discussion you can be nice and civil to others.

My responses will come from a Christian background and will be backed up by the Bible. This is my foundation and my focus in life. This is where I learn how I'm supposed to be, act and everything else. So everything I respond to is shaped by this. I will cite my beliefs with scripture and I will often post scripture alone as it stands very well to answer some posts without my interpretation or comment. God speaks better than I can.

Having said this... you know where I stand.

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Originally Posted by Credendovidis

In several recent topic posts it was suggested that any discussion here should be related to religion and that in any statement including deities and/or religious dogma should the validity of belief in these be taken for granted. But is that indeed so?

If I would start a topic "why would "god/gods" exist?" that would be a proper topic for this Religious Discussions board.
It relates to religion, includes a statement on "god/gods", and provides either an opinion on or a question about either of these.

And about "I believe" : if I would post a topic about the non-existence of god/gods, I would start such an opinion topic with "I do not believe that", as I can not provide any OSE for deities to exist, or not to exist. So why would anyone not have to post "I believe that" before posting statements like "God does this or knows that" ???

Religious discussions are just normal discussions about a rather precarious subject that involves a lot of personal opinion and often very long toes. And people who can not handle that should reconsider their participation on a board like this.

Any comments ?

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Religious discussions... hmmm...


I believe should be about learning about and loving GOD and each other.:D

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Originally Posted by inthebox

Religious discussions...hmmm...


I believe should be about learning about and loving GOD and each other.:D

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But there are other boards for that. There's the Christianity board, I believe a Muslim board, and other boards that are for discussing the belief of God. From my understanding the religious discussion board is for people of all faiths, be it Atheism, Christianity, Deism, whatever.

Sure it is about discussing the belief of God and yes that should include any and all God's that each religion believes in but Atheism has no faith or believe in so therefore they still are discussing God, ---whose ever God that may be

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Originally Posted by N0help4u

I agree Firmbeliever, even if you didn't say 'I believe' and you are Muslim I still follow you quite well.

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That is what a discussion should be about, getting a point across of our own view of the topic, and to read others view,not necessarily follow/accept,but to know and understand.

To me that is a discussion, trying to prove each other wrong is a debate,which I do not like,because when someone actually tries to tear my beliefs apart,it saddens me as my reality and perception are all connected to my faith which I take as fact and truth.

I understand why anyone of any faith feels defensive of their beliefs in a debate,but prefers to put their point across in a discussion.

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Originally Posted by firmbeliever

That is what a discussion should be about, getting a point across of our own view of the topic, and to read others view,not neccessarily follow/accept,but to know and understand.

To me that is a discussion, trying to prove each other wrong is a debate,which I do not like,because when someone actually tries to tear my beliefs apart,it saddens me as my reality and perception are all connected to my faith which I take as fact and truth.

I understand why anyone of any faith feels defensive of their beliefs in a debate,but prefers to put their point across in a discussion.

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I'm still working on not being defensive, getting there slowly but surely. :)

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

But there are other boards for that. There's the Christianity board, I believe a Muslim board, and other boards that are for discussing the belief of God. From my understanding the religious discussion board is for people of all faiths, be it Atheism, Christianity, Deism, whatever.

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We used to just post on the Christianity board, but the authorities on this site moved stuff here and created this section to try to keep the Q & A separate.

"You can please all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time."