Correct Me If I'm Wrong....., Tolerance is a wonderful thing

Ranger
Please point out where I've been 'judgemental'.... And, if I have, then I will apologise. I was just pointing out that some of the newer posters on here were being a tad 'tetchy' to those that are professed pagans.... as is their right to be on this forum. After all, they requested this forum, and have every right to post in peace.

BTW only friends call me 'Cat' - others call me by my full name - ie Catriona - the pronounciation of which is Kuh tree uh na (long tree).... Just so you get it right next time.

Like I said, I'm not one to argue, 'Catriona'.

I'm for the Vulcan Department! Live Long and Prosper!
Now if I can get my finger's in place...................oh hec, beam me up!
Annabelle

I would love to add my 2 cents if I may. I am a Wicca/Pagan how ever you want to refer to me, and my husband is an agnostic. Nobody likes being told that they're beliefs are wrong nor do they like having someone elses beliefs pushed onto them. If I'm not mistaken pagans are supposed to be the most tolerant, so can we please have a tolerant forum?

How nice to stumble upon a thread that claims 'Tolerance' in the title, yet shows so little of it in the thread.


There should not be a separate forum for Christianity. There should simply be a Religion forum. Separating ourselves IS the entire problem.





Everybody..................CHILL!

and have a beer.

oldraven: Though it may be later realized that Christianity teaches to respect other people. Not other religions considered an abomination to God.
I'm not saying anything against the other, just a fact.

Oldraven,

I agree with you. There's so much we can learn from each other, though some things may be difficult/painful to confront. Isolationism and antagonism do not help any of us! I've been trying to stay out of the discussions so far, so as not to accidently offend those I'm trying to learn from. Just couldn't keep still now.

Everyone, please mellow out and relax.

Dreamer1

Thats one of many areas that paganism and christianity differ. Christians are taught to respect only those who share they're religous beliefs, and condemn those who don't. Where as pagan are taught to respect everybody and everything and condemn none no matter what .

Indeed, this thread raises questions. Many of the threads I've been reading have been cool enough. This one got kindof hot there for a while. Thought I was in the crossfire of a flamewar.

I know there are Christians who can't stand the concept of other religons existing (Heaven forbid that there's another school of thought) And I've read some pagan sites that are pretty harsh on the Christian world. You'll get bad apples in any group I guess

This forum does have a decidedly Pagan title, but since when does that mean we have to sounds like we're driving other religons out here.... How are we going to learn from each other if everyone is playing in their own little sandbox?

Sure, if that's the intent of this specific forum to be specifically Pagan discussion then have at it and create a forum for discussion about every religon represented in the group of us who read these. But let's leave the flame throwers at the door, no matter who posts to what forum.

I don't agree with some of the beliefs stated on these forums, and there are some people who I suspect are a little more closed-minded than I believe is healthy. But I am not going to say anything about who, what, where, when, or why I feel that way because for one, that's against the core of my own belief to say that someone is right or wrong. Plus, I would be wrong to say someone shouldn't post what they have to say.

So what if we have some Christian views in a Pagan forum, or vice versa? so long as they are relivant to the topic, I'd hope that their presence would help add some color to it by introducing another perspective on whatever the topic is.

I disagree with several people, and have trouble accepting some people's beliefs. However, that's my problem, not theirs. That's an evil that I should deal with on my own terms and not inflict on others. Believe me, I wish I had an easier time accepting people's beliefs than I do, perticularly views that are in strict conflict with my own. Whoever believes like that, believes they're right for a reason. Who am I to say they're wrong or right?

note: On the comment of single minded Christians or Pagans, Seems like I notice each to be a minority in their group.

Good points! I personally have tried to live my life as if there were no higher powers and no afterlife. That means that ultimate responsibility for action and reaction lies on my shoulders alone and I only get one life to make the best of it and not mess up anybody else's trip along the way.

Of course, I do the above with the complete understanding I could be and most probably am completely wrong!

RON

Whoa, Celeste of the Stars1.

I am a very, very conservative Catholic. But I look for the good in every faith tradition until they show me that there is no good in them. I do NOT judge Wiccans because their faith conflicts with what I happen to believe.

It was a long faith journey for me to get where I am. I think that I examined/practiced every tradition, except possibly Shinto. I travelled the pagan route for several years, and found that it was not for me.

Even John Paul II says that we should always look for the good in all religions, even though we may not agree with them. That is why he has gone to several interfaith prayer meetings. These included Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Buddhists, Pagans, and some whose affiliation escapes me.

So let's all just relax and worship (or not ) as we see fit. Debate is great. I personally feel that educated conversation between persons of differing viewpoints is the best way to grow intellectually and spiritually. But generalizations (by anyone) tend to dampen the exchange of ideas, because people tend to become defensive when others generalize about them. Not that I've ever done that, snicker, snicker, snort .

Just my tuppence.

Andy

Thank you andylucy. You took the words right out of my mouth.

This

all depends on the teacher. Yes, some ministers/pastors/priests will tell you to avoid all other religions. Yet some teach you about other religions and their beliefs in a way of respect. Every pastor I had growing up leaned toward the first. They didn't speak of other religions at all, more so avoided the subject. But the last pastor I had before I left the church (not for diferences, I just lost the draw to the building, faith was disapearing in that church, and I wasn't about to watch it die around me) made an effort to teach us youth about what others believe. So that we can understand and respect all other people. Even when I made some slightly rude remarks, being young and supid as I was, he simply ignored me and went on with the lesson.

Please, I don't generalize about paganism, so don't do the same about Christianity. I do admit I have an easier time accepting Bhuddism than Paganism, but I'm trying. Some ideas are just ground in very early. Angela has a sort of mixed belief. She believes things from many religions, including Christian and Pagan beliefs.

It's not easy, but the only way to have someone respect your religion is to respect everyone elses. And that, I can proudly say, is where I stand.

I was under the assumption that everything had "chilled" since there hadn't been a posting on this thread in 21 days. At least until this past weekend......< sigh>

Sorry Barddas. Just blame me for being a n00b.

It's all good m'friend. Just preventative damage control....LOL!


Have one on me