Arrogancy (beliefs, preach, church, theist, sin)

[SoulTYPE]

Well put SS, frubals to thee.

Maybe it is also because the believer may think that the non-believer is putting down the believer's religion by not choosing to accept it, if that made sense

[Circle_One]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

I suspect some people gain a sense of self-importance by believing that they have spiritual knowledge and/or insights which are superior to the knowledge and insights of other people. It seems to me that if someone's sense of self-importance rests on such a flimsy grounds as that, then they are in trouble to begin with.

This is to be sure Sunstone, but the thing that always gets me is that they use this condemnation as a means of attempting to convert me. Do people honestly believe that I will be converted from my path unto a religion that has followers so intolerant and ignorant as to tell me I will burn in hell for eternity and that my beliefs are wrong, damning, etc.?

There are better ways to go about attempting to convert someone, are there not? Ok, stupid question, obviously there are, but the above mentioned way just manages to push me further from their beliefs as it makes me see their religion as one of intolerance and bigotry where as the one I follow teaches acceptance and respect of all others.

Now, please do not get me wrong, I'm not generalizing that all followers of said other religion are like this, as I know they are not, there is only a select minority like this, as I've previously said, I'm just trying to get my point across, I mean no offense to anyone, I hope you all understand this.

[SoulTYPE]

Originally Posted by Circle_One

There are better ways to go about attempting to convert someone, are there not? Ok, stupid question, obviously there are, but the above mentioned way just manages to push me further from their beliefs
.

I agree entirely. A forced choice is not a choice and you would only end up not enjoying it and merely "doing it cos that guy told me it was right".

[No*s]

I think both our sides need healthy doses of tolerance. We live in a society that allows for freedom of expression (most of us), and we should maintain that.

If I rant and rave against someone using exclusivity, then I deny my faith. I am called to be meek and loving (and I fail a lot), and when I rant, rave, and attack, I deny this fundamental teaching. Without the meekness and love, everything I say is simply a set of rules and regulations, and it has no life. I, in essence, void my own beliefs.

If, conversy, an inclusivist does the same thing (this time against the counter idea), he must deny also the tenets of belief that give rise to exclusivity. This, in its turn, means that we can objectively recognize a false faith, because we have this principle. This in its turn denies inclusivity, and its whole faith collapses.

Tolerance is a good thing for both our sides . Rather than simply point fingers, we may always try to understand why each member believes as they do. When we understand that, we can go have a pizza or something. Our behavior here puts all our beliefs on the line, and puts us all at risk of hypocrasy. I am certain I have crossed the line many times.

[Master Vigil]

We all want to be special. This shows in lots of aspects of life, not just religion. I personally find that if a person is humble, than that person better reflects their religion. But when they are arrogant, I never want anymore to do with them. I firmly believe that true religion has no title, no book, no laws. This religion is goodness. You may know alot about scripture, or about religious history, but that means absolutely nothing if you don't participate in goodness. A pagan can participate, a jew, christian, wiccan, shaman, taoist, buddhist, etc... I feel leading by example is better than leading by a book, or a big head.

[Scuba Pete]

Christianity was designed to "Love people into the Kingdom" and not to bludgeon them into submission.

The intolerance and arrogance displayed by MANY of the Religious Right is as regrettable as it is counter productive. Many who "claim" to be disciples are little more that power hungry hypocrites bent on promoting their "version" of the truth irregardless of the human pain and suffering. They constantly remind us by their actions that they have theirs so they just don't care about those who disagree with them.

However, many people mistake confidence as arrogance. I am fully convinced that what I believe is true. But I am not arrogant enough to not look at other religions at the same time and with an open mind. Yes, I have changed my mind in the past and it is very possible that I will do that again in the future. It's not as important who is right as much as it is to BECOME right.

[hoomer]

The point I ws trying to make with this thread is 2 fold...

1. its arrogant to assume only YOU have the truth.....imo

2. When one worships one's dogma/religion/science text book ....INSTEAD of God/reality....then one is lost.....

WOrship God not the religion.....

[Circle_One]

Originally Posted by NetDoc

However, many people mistake confidence as arrogance. I am fully convinced that what I believe is true. But I am not arrogant enough to not look at other religions at the same time and with an open mind. Yes, I have changed my mind in the past and it is very possible that I will do that again in the future. It's not as important who is right as much as it is to BECOME right.

As am I fully convinced that what I believe is the truth, but that is not to say that it must be the truth for someone else. I am confident enough in my beliefs to proclaim they are true for me, but I would never push them onto others by telling them my way is the only truth and if they don't follow my way they are wrong and will pay dearly in the end.

[SoulTYPE]

Originally Posted by Circle_One

but I would never push them onto others by telling them my way is the only truth and if they don't follow my way they are wrong and will pay dearly in the end.

Even if you did, it wouldn't go far against those dudes.

[No*s]

Originally Posted by Circle_One

As am I fully convinced that what I believe is the truth, but that is not to say that it must be the truth for someone else. I am confident enough in my beliefs to proclaim they are true for me, but I would never push them onto others by telling them my way is the only truth and if they don't follow my way they are wrong and will pay dearly in the end.

However, one can still be tolerant, even when if we disagree. I can say that I believe in absolute religious truth, and I do. That doesn't cause me to force your conversion or to attempt to do so at every turn. I can respect your views and live in a tolerant society.

Simply by asserting we believe in one truth doesn't mean that we are pushing beliefs on you, and it can be practiced in the opposite direction as well. If that were so, I could easily cry foul every time someone tried to tell me that what is spiritually true for me was for me, but it didn't follow for other people. To conform, I must change these.