The Way We Treat Others (beliefs, grace, recall, faith)

[Lightkeeper]

Does the way we treat others effect our happiness? Does patience and kindness make a difference in our lives? How does it effect us if we accept that others have a different belief system from us? How does it effect us if we degrade others? How does it effect us if we chip away at another's belief system?

[Mister Emu]

Does the way we treat others effect our happiness?

It doesn't affect my mood really.

Does patience and kindness make a difference in our lives?

Yes.

How does it effect us if we accept that others have a different belief system from us?

It makes us more in tune w/ reality, if someone doesn't accept that other religions exist they've been pretty sheltered all their life.

How does it effect us if we degrade others?

Karma's a (female dog)

How does it effect us if we chip away at another's belief system?

As wrong and as mean as this sounds, as I chip away at another's belief and they are coming closer to Christ it makes me feel better, bringing a person to Christ is probably the best feeling you can have.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Does the way we treat others effect our happiness?

Yes. It effects mine, anyway. If I treat other people badly I feel guilty.

Does patience and kindness make a difference in our lives?

Definately. By being patient and kind to others, people can grow.

How does it effect us if we accept that others have a different belief system from us?

It shouldn't at all. People will have different beliefs, and once someone accepts that and doesn't try to press their beliefs on others, they can start to be at peace with the world.

... Man, I spout such strange stuff when I'm exhausted.

How does it effect us if we degrade others?

If you degrade others, you do the same to yourself.

How does it effect us if we chip away at another's belief system?

It gives us no right to complain when someone attacks ours.

[Jaymes]

Originally Posted by Mister Emu

As wrong and as mean as this sounds, as I chip away at another's belief and they are coming closer to Christ it makes me feel better, bringing a person to Christ is probably the best feeling you can have.

And when I chip away at your beliefs, you just get closer to the Vanir and Aesir, which makes me feel better. And nothing is more wonderful than bringing a friend to the company of the gods and goddesses.

[Dadball]

Does the way we treat others effect our happiness? Does patience and kindness make a difference in our lives? How does it effect us if we accept that others have a different belief system from us? How does it effect us if we degrade others? How does it effect us if we chip away at another's belief system?

My belief system mandates that treat I others well, and I feel great about it. Before I knew Christ, this is how I operated anyway.



Have your ever received lousy service? Do you work with people who just gets under your skin? Have you ever given someone an instruction, and they completely ignored you?



I have to yes to all of these, and I guess if we took a poll, that most people would agree. If you recall those times when your interaction with others did not go the way you wanted, the most likely reason was you. Now I know that I just p***ed of a few of you, but hear me out. We train those around us on how they should interact with us. I'm not saying mistakes won't be made, and stuff happens. I'm talking about the way you treat others direct effects how they treat you.



If you deal with people with respect, and show an honest interest they will return the like. If you LISTEN to others, they will listen to you. This I promise is fact, if you look for something not to like in another, YOU WILL FIND IT.



The next time you have a problem like those I mentioned; ask yourself, could I take any responsibility in the negative interaction. If no, I now have a clear conscious that I have done everything in my power to do the right thing. If yes, then through self evaluation I have identified a problem. By identifying it, I now have the power to correct it.



My wife tells my kids that people will like you for the right or wrong reasons. People will not like you for the right or wrong reason. What you should be concerned with is those who do not like you for the right reasons.

[Feathers in Hair]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

Does the way we treat others effect our happiness?
Does patience and kindness make a difference in our lives?

For me, it does. I would not be able to live with myself if I was anything less than kind to others.

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

How does it effect us if we accept that others have a different belief system from us?

Again, while I can only speak for myself, it came as a great relief when I realized that my personal approach to religion allowed for happiness and respect for everyone. I found myself more happy to celebrate the similarities I have with other people.

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

How does it effect us if we degrade others? How does it effect us if we chip away at another's belief system?

I'm sure it effects us all differently. Since my religion says that all religions are 'equal', chipping away at another's belief system would be like removing the cornerstones of a house I'm living in. I know that other religions approach it from the stance that there's is the only true faith. I remember being taught that, while 'witnessing', if the other person saw the good and grace in your religion, it was not through anything you did, but only because the Divinity was working through you. Thus, you wouldn't take any credit if the other person decided to convert.

Originally Posted by Mister Emu

As wrong and as mean as this sounds, as I chip away at another's belief and they are coming closer to Christ it makes me feel better, bringing a person to Christ is probably the best feeling you can have.

You're a stronger person than I to be able to admit that to yourself. I would feel horrified if I knew that I was taking something that another person percieves as precious away from them. Again, that's just my feeling, though.

[Lightkeeper]

I agree with you Feathers. If it works don't fix it. If people need help they will ask for it. My most miserable times are when I feel I have hurt someone else. I know that everytime I chip away at someone else I have hurt myself. I think one of the best things we can ever do in this world is to help someone else have a good day, to brighten their life. Instead of chipping away at their belief system, we can be supportive. What works for one person doesn't always work for another.

[Mr Spinkles]

Originally Posted by Feathers

I would feel horrified if I knew that I was taking something that another person percieves as precious away from them.

I agree with you Feathers.

However, at the same time, I'm searching for the truth. The way I see it, I'll never come any closer to the truth by staying in my comfort zone and never questioning my beliefs--and allowing others to question them. I don't feel bad at all if and when people attack my beleifs--I am not my beleifs, and they are not me. I think it's important that I hear arguments against my own beliefs--it can only aid an honest search for truth. In the debate forums, I expect that other people have come to this understanding as well, and can hear well-reasoned criticism of their beliefs without taking it personally.

So I guess what I'm saying is...I completely agree with you: I would feel terrible if I took something precious away from someone. I just hope that people who consider their beliefs precious know not to expose themselves by posting in debate forums.