Where Is The Tolerance?

When I saw the Faith and religion forum, and read Ken's Sticky thread at the top, on guidelines, I assumed this would be a safe place to share my faith in God, with other people of faith. Instead, it seems that whenever a Christian does this, they are immediately "slapped down" by non-believer's posts. I don't understand this, and am finding it hard to even begin sharing, because it seems like some post just to bad-mouth God, and all that comes with Him. I just find it hard to understand.

 

I'm an atheist. I seldom answer religious posts except some that ask about my religion. To me it's atheists that are being put down, especially by Christians, on facebook and other forums, but I haven't seen any such on this forum.

 

I agree 100%. I would not shirk giving an opinion, but I would not criticise anyone for their faith or, indeed, lack of it. The only thing I do object to is discrimination on grounds of race, colour, creed, gender or sexual orientation. We are all human and deserve respect accordingly.

 

I would never attack others for their beliefs nor try to impose mine. I was born amidst a Catholic family and I was taught that God exists and understand people's faith regardless their religion even if I have found myself exploring many other different beliefs to make my own.

Even though if all roads lead to Rome, similarly has to be when it comes to believe in God or learn about his word, but certainly tolerance is key factor to discuss about because all opinions are respectable.

 

I agree with all the above about tolerance, I guess I am a don't know, religion makes no sense to me, but I can no more prove that no god or gods exist than any religion can prove they do. I can't be an atheist for that reason, but I am not sure I am an agnostic either? I found the quote below, so maybe Agnostic-Atheist sums it up perhaps?

What is an Agnostic Atheist?
An agnostic atheist has two qualities: they don't happen to believe in any gods and they don't claim to know for sure that no gods can or do exist. Not believing that some claim is true while also not claiming to know for sure that it's false is not only easy, it happens in lots and lots of different topics. It would be a surprise if it didn't happen when the topic is the existence of gods.

For some strange reason, though, many people have the mistaken impression that agnosticism and atheism are mutually exclusive. But why? There's nothing about "I don't know" which excludes "I don't believe." On the contrary, not only are they compatible but they frequently appear together because not knowing is frequently a reason for not believing. It's often a very good idea to not accept some proposition is true unless you have enough evidence that would qualify as knowledge.

http://atheism.about.com/od/aboutagnosticism/a/atheism.htm

 

Well, wife and I are both Christians and darn proud of it. Many have their opinions about Christianity and other religions, but many go "way to far" in disagreeing with how someone feels about having religious beliefs or not having those beliefs.

My wife was part of a Bible Study that met at lunch once a week at her last job. The company didn't mind as long as the thing was kept "low key". There were 5 ladies in the group and no men........why no men, I have my thoughts of "why" there weren't. Anyway, they would meet in the back of the lunch room. I met my wife during lunch/Bible Study once and noticed just how many people would "glance at" or "stare" at us, like to say to themselves "why it that going on here?". I really didn't participate, but sure had my eyes open as to how people looked at the ladies.

At a job I use to have, a Supervisor tried starting up a Bible Study, but could only get two people to attend. After two times, she decided not to continue it.

As for me, and I've asked this of my wife as well: We read the Bible. I have my own Men's Devotional Bible with Daily Devotionals in it that are highly interesting. My wife has written two small Prayer Books and is in the process of writing a few more. Now, what we DON'T do is............try to get strangers interested in Christianity. In today's world, that can be dangerous! I don't feel like getting yelled at, cussed at or even shot!

 

I have to agree myself about tolerance and where is it. I was raised Catholic and although I am no longer a member of the church I still have a strong belief in God and am spiritual. So, when I go to a forum such as some the OP mentioned I expect to find differing views and be able to share those views. Yet on some of these I have found that because I believed in God I was less then welcomed I couldn't believe it. There were those who were actually calling believers stupid. I don't go around telling non believers to believe and I wasn't taking kindly to them telling me not to. I think when it comes to religion we need to be open to different viewpoints. I think that's what forums such as this one are meant for. Sharing different viewpoints with one another, without getting ugly or insulting about it. I find that this is one of the few places I have gone to where religion is discussed and we don't go after one another for our beliefs. That's all I ask is that we can all share our beliefs without judging one another for them.

 

I never get angry with anyone who doesn't believe in God. That is the antithesis of what Jesus taught. It's not that He believed "anything goes," or that ideas about the Kingdom of God are relative...not at all. He just didn't intend for His followers to beat people up with the Gospel. I really hope people see Christ in me , even though I say things like, "damn it" ,etc. once in awhile. I think Christians get too caught up in petty things, and confuse rules and regulations with holiness. Personally, I believe anything I do is between me and God. After all, someday it will just be the two of us, face to face, nobody else.

 

Hi there

I've been on almost all the bible forums online, the ones I know of at least, or found JR. There are always nay-sayers or disbelievers but for me personally, if I want to talk about my faith, I try to remember that my Lord and Savior is in control of all things, and I have nothing to fear. Not that my human nature (the flesh) doesn't bring me grief at times, lol Although politics as we see them today, don't hold a candle to the importance of discussing our faith with others, it's a tough crowd in there as well. All the folks I know online know that too well

I believe in the God of the bible, although I don't fully understand some things, I still believe, and look to Him only as the one, true God. Some of you know how I wander off "into" worldly things, but when I am beat up enough, sharing slop with the pigs (like the prodigal son) I come crawling back, and there He is, not just waiting for me, but with open arms

I'm so glad to find this section because I had joined yet another "christian" forum, but realized here, I already know many of you, yeehaw!! Denise, a sister in Christ

PS I've wandered so far in the last 2 years, some of you may be shocked to find I am a believer born-again in 93, hugs, moi

 

I am glad to meet you as I want to know more about others beliefs Sheldon. I appreciate you sharing, and honestly can understand a bit about atheism because I have also been a non-believer in Christ. Some days I still wonder if He is real. I don't tell folks I "know" He is the one true God, I only have faith that He is. If I could "prove" He is God, then He would not be an infinite God. If He isn't infinite, and science or other could figure Him out, then I would not begin to believe in a finite God.

Hope that makes sense of "why" I believe, or at least one reason Denise

 

Hello Hannah,

It's nice to read your post, and to just be here with you all As I read your reply, I thought of how Jesus spoke, and also answered the nay-sayers. I believe my purpose is to share Christ. So if I stick to following His example (of course I can barely scratch the surface being fully human) then any rudeness, or cruel intentions can not harm me. I do forget often as you will see if we are posting here. Thing is, I try hard to remember, for me, that it is not flesh and blood we are dealing with, but a spiritual battle:

Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

The above is from one of my fave bibles online, biblegateway, and I like the NKJV, but also like other translations. It's just that Nkjv is an easier "read" for me denise

 

Hi Abby! Good to see you around again! The key is to be honest, about where we are, and what we believe. Honest with God, and honest with ourselves. You seem to be on solid ground and are building on a firm foundation. We don't have to be perfect, to come to God....with Him, it's a come as you are party! I have been reading The Message Bible, for the past 3 years. It is really a neat version!

 

I haven't read much of The Message but it seems to be popular with many I couldn't agree more with especially, being honest with ourselves. Just the other day I "remembered" that God already knows all about me, what I'm thinking, so if I do remember that, it is easier for me to be honest with Him. Cool to know He does know me, and He is the only One that truly does denise