posted July 26, 2003 10:47 PM              

You did ask a question, no? You asked a yes or no question, in fact. You may not see the point in someone posting that they're not an atheist, but that person may see a point in posting it.

Why wouldn't this thread be interesting to those who are religious? Some discussions about religion interest me and I'm not religious.

posted July 28, 2003 06:28 AM              

I don;t think anyone has any ill intentions. I just want to make sure that people feel comfortable posting and that everyone understands that, being a public forum, we can't limit the people who post/reply.

Being a non-theist, I understand posing the question and not wanting a huge argument to ensue.

As for the rest, we can agree to disagree. Curiosity is one thing, and I think this is a great topic, but we cannot tell people not to reply just because their response is not what we wanted.

posted July 28, 2003 06:55 AM              

What if I said, anafaery, don't post here. How would that make you feel?

posted July 28, 2003 03:09 PM              

And I am speaking from both sides right now because in addition to be a so very sensitive person I am also an extremely "blunt" person and I can't tell you how many times I have been told by friends and family that they don't like the way that I speak to them and then I think about it and I realize what they are talking about. It is (most of the time) not my intent to be rude or mean or hurt feelings but I have a need to get my point across in a concise way without misunderstanding and so I say things very plainly and I do so sometimes, without thinking about it because it is my nature (and some nurture).

P.S. I would like to say something gently - to control what is said in a forum is not desirable in reference to personal feelings and in reference to the well-being of the site as a place where there is unbounded love and and openess. We can't control what people choose to say but you could always choose to say that you do not mean to have a heated discussion about something or the other. Or you could always make your topic: calling all atheist and agnostics (which I admit is kind of exclusionary but on the other hand you will probably get religious people replying anyway; it's a hot topic but nice to have here because everyone tries to respect everyone's feelings)
Okay one more "OR"
Or you could just say what you have to say and the people who believe what you do (and if you are atheist or agnostic you will be in no short supply here(i think)) will respond in kind and you will be able to make posts which they will respond to and have a post conversation going. And at the same time you will be able to see what people who don't believe what you believe think. And they might have something to say that you have never even thought of before.

HEY ALLY- Why do you think that this thread would not be interesting to religious people? People who believe in God are not necesarily closed-mided.
I for one think that every single world religion is only a part of a greater whole.
Like the pieces of a puzzle.
Buddhism and Catholisism!!Two parts of same collective???!!! yes.
So I would have something to say in favor of every side (i think) And not just because I am a Libra. I would also have something to learn from every side.
Oh by the way since it is in the topic of the thread- I do believe in God...but consider the above statement.
What do you think about that, ally (especially) I would like to know what you think about what I said. By the way, what is(are) your sign(s) ally?

posted July 28, 2003 03:24 PM              

id have to say in any case id aquiesce to that. if there was a thread that said 'god- who believes' then in the message it said 'please no athiest postings, we dont want an argument' id respect that.

if i was asked to not post in this particular forum, same thing, although id like to know what i did wrong.

same with the whole forum. heck, what choice do i have? i respect wishes like that. i would want to know why though, just to see what i did wrong so i could work on it.

not trying to argue a fairly unimportant point, thats just my honest answer.

posted July 28, 2003 04:23 PM              

And I think that only reason that such attention is being paid to "don't reply" is because it sounded (to me) like- I am not interested in what you have to say if you are relgious, I am only interested in speaking to those who are atheist or agnostic. It also sounded like you had animosity or lack of respect for religious people.
I know that it sounds like jumping to conclusions but that is what it sounded like to me. No one had any way of knowing that you specifically did not want to start a debate. The reason that you gave was "Because there's no point in replying" To me, that sounds nothing like "I don't want to start a debate."
The way that things are worded is very important in general it is the whole point and subject of diplomacy. And if you are addressing people who are of a ceratain nature (not saying that people here are or are not of any particular nature) then you want to address them in a manner that they will be positively responsive to (without compromising who you are of course)whether or not you think that it is childish or whatever adjective with negative connotations that you choose to use.

Just one more thing: what if I were to say that you feeling alone because of a lack of people that feel the same way you do is childish? With the reason that adults should be emotionally and mentally developed enough to realize that being alone has nothing to do with whether or not you share the same views with others?

posted July 28, 2003 04:48 PM              

"Just one more thing: what if I were to say that you feeling alone because of a lack of people that feel the same way you do is childish?"

posted July 29, 2003 10:01 AM            

We too often think of the internet as an impersonal tool and tend to overlook the the people attached to the screen. It can be a dumping ground for one`s emotions or a genuine place used to elevate the s-elf. The choice and responsibility belongs to each person.

If we think of ours-elves as guests in anothers home and speak and act accordingly;we will be treated as a welcomed guest. Citizenship starts with s-elf and thats the purpose of Global Unity (my onion!).

Value yours-elf first then you will see the value of the other. We are diverse in thought, belief, and deed; thats what makes us unique; your very own Elf .

May we promote ours-elves in the spirit that Lindaland was created for. There will be no censorship here, and freedom of expression and speech rules supreme, but please be courteous and respectful of others while doing so. Linda had a talent for speaking her Mind without offending others. Let's try to do likewise. She was very opinionated, and when we debate with each other in a loving manner, we do her name justice. Peace, Light, and Love to all. (Welcome Knowflakes)

Religious/nonreligious, I am just me and I hope I am accepted as such.I`m learning, growing and err and stumble. I`m simply walking my path and pray daily to be part of the solution ,not the problem. The me-of- me salutes the you-of-you and I`m fortunate to know you! all.

juniperb

posted August 03, 2003 07:16 PM              

i would honestly ask for one person in this forum - just one!- to say that they have never had something they said taken the wrong way and been crucified for it. its happened to me- during a post about one thing i made a comment (something about early astrologers guessing) which i didnt mean, but i never heard the end of it.

anafaery, i know you are being impartial but as an example- in the 'bush: antichrist' thread you just had someone have a go at you for saying something about the drinking water in africa yeah? you didnt deserve it but thats the way it goes.

who here has never had that happen to them?

anyway, i shall restart the purpose of this thread:

ally, i personally do not believe in god or any other 'being' sitting in the sky watching over us all. as some of you know i also dont believe in astrology so that may not come as a surprise.

posted August 03, 2003 10:36 PM              

i was feeling quite awful after reading that post. i had a WONDERFUL day in the mountains (my 'god', remember? it was an AMAZING drive, ill tell you about it today maybe in free for all, look for it ) then i got home and came to this wonderful place and saw that post. it really was upsetting because it came out of left field, and there were other reasons personal to me. i had spent the day with family, and those days are always highly emotionally charged.

you made me feel better, thank you

lets get back to our astrology debate soon, ok im rarin to go, just not right this moment as im soooooo drained.

seeya later

posted August 04, 2003 04:17 PM              

Sometimes I think there is no relationship (aka "God") between orders of life. That we are an accident in physics, nothing but light composes everything. Density is light energy compacted. Split cells and there is more light and intercellular space. Light is an emination of energy. Split energy and you get sound.

I have studied Judaic-Christian studies, read the Bible, Catholicism, Buddhism, Western Astrology . . . you name it, I read it out of curiosity of what stories people create.

Then I came to realize life is uncertain, and knowing this is power in itself.

Sometimes, and this is moving towards definitely, I know there is a Creator. And I don't need to have faith because I have knowledge. This is a powerful stance as well.

So, I did a 50/50 answer. You didn't say you wouldn't take 50/50

Cheers,

posted August 04, 2003 04:31 PM              

It's a lot easier to ask directly than to assume things (trust me, I learned the hard way ). Assumption is another story too, just like any beliefs. Truth is, people will say anything to prove their point. The value placed in those points are subliminal.

I do it too And, it's fun. At least, when one knows the difference and realize it's all empty space with sounds differentiated. Then, nothing is as serious as we once thought it was.

Funny ain't it?

Cheers,