As some of you may or may not have noticed, I get myself involved in many religious dicussions/debates/threads. I figured I had better post this to make sure everybody understands where I am coming from so there are no misunderstandings.
1: I do not now, nor have I ever persumed to judge somebody based on religion, sexual orientation, or anything else.
2: I believe that God will make the final judgement on all men FAIRLY, and it’s no business of my own or anybody elses.
3: I will ALWAYS believe that God is more of a benevolent father-figure then a vengeful, wrathful, mean guy.
4: I will ALWAYS believe that God is as merciful as he is Just
5: I do not now, nor have I ever wished to offend somebody, indicate they are going to burn in hell, or change somebodies belief system. A religion is an intensely personal thing, and I have no wish to interfer in personal beliefs.
I put this in GD because I realize other people don’t believe this, or have a problem with it.
“The bitch, oh the bitch, the bitch is back…I’m a bitch cuz I’m better then you, it’s the way that I move
The things that I do…” Elton John
“People try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend…” The Moody Blues
“To start, press any key. Where’s the any key?” Homer Simpson.
As you’ve already noticed, Pepperlandgirl sometimes the GD Religion threads get hopelessly gnarly, and turn into nothing more than bouts of mud-slinging, with no light being shed on either side of the argument. If you ever feel like a discussion is going exactly nowhere, you are fully entitled to pull up in time and quit (“pull up! pull up!”). Nobody expects you to go balls-to-the-wall with somebody like–well, I’d better not name any names or I’ll get in trouble. Suffice it to say, you can quit any time, babe, and nobody will think the worse of you for it. Feel better now?
Unless, of course, you’ve made some big flat gonzo statement like, “Cattle mutilations happen and I can prove it!” But in that case, you would still be entitled to officially throw in the towel and walk away. The only people who might shout, “Chicken!” at your retreating back are the ones whose opinions don’t count much anyway to the rest of the SDMB.
Please don’t get discouraged by what may be happening in GD and quit the SDMB. You are a good poster, never wasting anybody’s time, and that’s what’s important around here.
There are plenty of other, nicer people to talk to.
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast!” - the White Queen
This is not really a Great Debate, so I’m going to scoot it over to MPSIMS, pepperlandgirl. You can just refer people over there if you want them to see this (it’ll be locked in this forum).
Pepperlandgirl, all I want from you is to keep posting. Believe what you want, just don’t leave.
So far, in two threads of yours, you and I have had some damned interesting discussions, and we seem to be able to eventually come to understanding what the other is saying. You have tremendous potential. Don’t let some of the weirdness that goes on here get to you. Stick around. You’ll learn a lot. I know I have!
Cristi, Slayer of Peeps
I made my husband join a bridge club. He jumps next Tuesday.
I kinda doubt this is in reference to our conversation over on the GD board, but just in case…
I hope you don’t think I was either offended or put off by what you have been posting.
Nor do I feel like you have either judged or condemned. You present your opinion and I take it as such. I may post back with a challenge that asks you to defend your opinion further, but I’m not attacking it or getting defensive in anyway.
I like people who can post their views without giving into the urge to call names, taunt, or belittle. So far, I haven’t seen that from you.
I have no reason to doubt your sincerity, so the thought is much appreciated, pepperlandgirl. But as someone who posts often on an equally potentially inflammatory subject (i.e., homosexuality), you’re going to have to take it as read that, no matter how nicely you say it, somebody’s going to flame ya.
If you can accept that it will happen, and not get bent out of shape over it, then you’ll be fine.
Thank you for the encouraging words, especially you Cristi. I posted this not because I felt offended, I rarely take things personally, but because I am terribly afraid of offending somebody else. I came to this message board hoping to have great conversations and debates on all topics, and so far I haven’t been disappointed! So far this message board is one of the few highlights of the internet for me.
Thank you everybody for making this site such a cool place to hang out!
“The bitch, oh the bitch, the bitch is back…I’m a bitch cuz I’m better then you, it’s the way that I move
The things that I do…” Elton John
“People try to tell me thoughts they cannot defend…” The Moody Blues
“To start, press any key. Where’s the any key?” Homer Simpson.
No doubt about it, the SDMB is something of an oasis in the vast wasteland of mindless content called the Internet. Even the bitter disagreements are generally argued from positions of strong information, clear reason, and fairness (okay, not always, But mostly), and difficult or controversial admissions are met with humor, empathy, and support, instead of the knee-jerk flames you get in other forums (okay, not always, but mostly). Happy to see someone else of open mind find themselves a niche here.
