26 Jan 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyIn our arena here, American Christians, to a degree, sometimes appear to downplay theological differences between themselves, and overplay theological differences they have with non-American Christians, when interacting with these aforementioned 'foreigners'.
Here's a place to footnote comments you may have that would be off topic in active threads and/or wouldn't merit a thread of their own.
For example, American Christian X might strongly disagree with the God-of-Eternal-Torture concept subscribed to by American Christians Y and Z. But American Christian X will defend the God-of-Eternal-Torture beliefs of American Christians Y and Z, if they are criticized or disagreed with by, say, European Christian W.
Another manifestation of this is American Christians rarely declaring each other to be 'not Christians' but being quite happy, at the drop of a hat sometimes, to declare non-American Christians to be 'not Christians'.
This is simply an impression I have after inhabiting this forum for many years and I don't claim to have any empirical evidence! 😀
26 Jan 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyHere's another "footnote comment". There is a rather interesting debating tactic used here ~ by religionists more often than by non-religious posters ~ and perhaps it's used on other forums too, but certainly there's quite a bit of it here ~ and that is, point blank on topic on target nail on the head completely pertinent direct candid and timely questions are ignored and ignored and ignored, and then later, when those questions have shuffled off into the steadily retreating pages of the posting archive, they are all collectively described as having had nothing whatsoever to do with the discussion, and so booted into touch. Quite a lot of genuine discussion is evaded in this way.
Here's a place to footnote comments you may have that would be off topic in active threads and/or wouldn't merit a thread of their own.
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyAnother "footnote comment". I detect a contempt for, and hostility towards, Catholics and Catholicism here among many of the forum's Protestants that I do not encounter in 'real life' here in Indonesia where I move in largely "Christian" circles (and always have) where Catholics and Protestants are all jumbled together (and Muslims too). In fact, I first truly became aware of the extent of this contempt and hostility only after I left Britain 24 years ago and then came into more personal contact with American Protestants on my travels.
Here's a place to footnote comments you may have that would be off topic in active threads and/or wouldn't merit a thread of their own.
26 Jan 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyYet another "footnote comment" that would probably make for a largely ignored thread although it is an observation that might be germane on threads from time to time where a certain rhetorical device is being deployed.
Here's a place to footnote comments you may have that would be off topic in active threads and/or wouldn't merit a thread of their own.
Why do some religionists demand that non-religionists propose alternative religionist beliefs that will trump and replace the religionist beliefs they already hold and then seem to suggest that the non-religionist's failure to do so is some kind of evidence of the veracity of what the religionist believes?
This always strikes me as a really odd and fatally weak 'debating' device.
26 Jan 15
And another "footnote comment". Religious people are much more likely than non-religious people to resort to the rhetoric of bumper sticker declarations, fridge magnet ideas and perhaps the occasional bit of overwrought word salad or word play. Who are these nuggets of nincompoop intended for? They are not going to change anyone's unbelief into belief. So they must be for the satisfaction of the bumper-stickerists themselves, which begs the question: do these kinds of anodyne utterances actually work for them as spiritual people?
Yet another "footnote comment" that would probably not make for a particularly lively thread, so I'll offer it as a footnote here instead simply to air the opinion: it's regrettable that there aren't more voices here in this community from more religions.
The discussions involving Christians and the non-Christians are all well and good, as are the Christians discussing things with Christians, but this place would be much more interesting if there were Jews and Muslims and Hindus here, and more Buddhists, and so on.
A more diverse mix might prompt the occasional bit of hate speech from certain quarters, but ~ that aside ~ overall, this forum would be better off if it had a bit more of a varied dramatis personae.
26 Jan 15
Originally posted by FMFThis is not true, on reflection. There was of course the hard line chip-spitting Protestantism in Ulster personified by Ian Paisley as I was growing up, but I didn't really take that to heart ~ he seemed a bit beyond parody, although I am sure he wasn't harmless.
In fact, I first truly became aware of the extent of this (Christian) contempt and hostility (towards Catholic) only after I left Britain 24 years ago....
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26 Jan 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyNot to belabor the point, but it would be good to have information on where, when, and in what context she wrote or said this. It seems like a glib over-generaliation.
"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." ~Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
"Quotations by Author
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962)
US diplomat & reformer [more author details]"
http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Eleanor_Roosevelt
The quotation contains six nouns; one is "people". Her focus is on three categories of mindset in discussions.
26 Jan 15
Originally posted by JS357I am not sure it is all that important what the context was, unless we are defending Eleanor Roosevelt for some reason. Either the quote makes good sense, or it doesn't. It doesn't really matter who first said it, or what context, or whether or not they were right to say it.
Not to belabor the point, but it would be good to have information on where, when, and in what context she wrote or said this. It seems like a glib over-generaliation.
I personally disagree with the quote.
26 Jan 15
Originally posted by twhiteheadtwhitehead, I appreciate your impartial objectivity and certainly respect your freedom to "disagree" with the quotation.
I am not sure it is all that important what the context was, unless we are defending Eleanor Roosevelt for some reason. Either the quote makes good sense, or it doesn't. It doesn't really matter who first said it, or what context, or whether or not they were right to say it.
I personally disagree with the quote.
26 Jan 15
2 edits
Originally posted by divegeesterThat "God's donkey" played a significant role in the spiritual lives of your family from your Thread 157748
Are you going to share at least one thing that you have learnt from another "valued" poster?
02 Feb '14 13:44 :: 3 edits
Originally posted by divegeester
"I'm not in the habit of promoting stuff (other than my own opinions), but for anyone interested I found this book a blessing. I know the author, not well as he is a friend of my parents; but I have met the man and found him to be a fellow seeker and struggler. He also has a great strength. Copies of his unpretentious account of his life with Christ are free of charge. I recommend a read."
http://www.godsdonkey.com
26 Jan 15
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyWell that was something that I learned that know about me, now why don't you tell us one thing that you have actually learnt (aside from stuff you have found out) from any other "valued" poster?
That "God's donkey" played a significant role in the spiritual lives of your family from your Thread 157748
02 Feb '14 13:44 :: 3 edits
Originally posted by divegeester
"I'm not in the habit of promoting stuff (other than my own opinions), but for anyone interested I found this book a blessing. I know the author, not well as ...[text shortened]... t of his life with Christ are free of charge. I recommend a read."
http://www.godsdonkey.com
26 Jan 15
Originally posted by divegeesterOriginally posted by Grampy Bobby (OP)
Well that was something that I learned that know about me, now why don't you tell us one thing that you have actually learnt (aside from stuff you have found out) from any other "valued" poster?
RHP Spirituality Forum: Miscellaneous
Here's a place to footnote comments you may have that would be off topic in active threads and/or wouldn't merit a thread of their own. Since 2012, I've made it a point to go to the site profiles of some contributors to access their most recent posts. Which "contributors"? Varies but includes atheists, agnostics, theists and believers in Christ. Why? Because I care about and learn from them; and respect their intellectual integrity. All of you are invited to post here, except trolls. -Bob
Will do without prodding in my own good time. By the way, the adjective "valued" doesn't appear in the original post.