What would happen if

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

Seeker of White Light said:
Everyone can have an opinion about my chosen belief because you have to pay tax??? That is a big Yaiks

Everyone can have an opinion about your chosen religion because it exists.
They can also have an opinion about your personal beliefs once you post them on a public debate forum.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

JustGeorge said:
Honestly, I'm not even sure what you're talking about. I think you're wanting to throw Hindu scriptures into the same category as Abrahamic scriptures, which are to be unquestioned generally. In all honestly, not all Hindus place a great importance on scriptures. And that doesn't make them any less 'Hindu'.

I would need a specific example to which scripture you're talking about, and why you think me(or anyone else) not being concerned about your opinion(or an outside opinion in general) on said scripture is an issue.

Where is the problem you're mentioning? Help me out here

My point applies equally to any position, whether it be religious, political, philosophical, sporting, artistic, whatever.
It is simply the concept of saying that one is not interested in addressing criticism of ideas, that is flawed.
That is all.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

Seeker of White Light said:
I am trying to....but none believers keep popping up in my OP here in RF to challenge my belief

That's because you are posting your beliefs in an open debate forum.
Really not sure what you expect to happen.

Even I keep saying, I am here to chat with other believers ain't my fault non believers like my posting that much so they keep coming back

There are forums where debate is forbidden. I suggest you post on those.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

Seeker of White Light said:
religious people would still be able to discuss with each other and share understanding.

Yes, that is what an "echo chamber" is.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

TagliatelliMonster said:
Yes. That would be the echo chamber.

Beat me to it!

9-10ths_Penguin · Oct 3, 2022

loverofhumanity said:
Because the word donation I think was used and donations can only be made by Baha’is so we don’t use public money to further our cause.

So you hit a keyword and you replied without reading the whole post.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

loverofhumanity said:
Anybody is free to question or criticise our religion.

But donations and contributions to further the Baha’i Faith are only allowed to Baha’is.

One of the distinguishing features of the Cause of God is its principle of non-acceptance of financial contributions for its own purposes from non-Bahá’ís: support of the Bahá’í Fund is a bounty reserved by Bahá’u’lláh to His declared followers. This bounty imposes full responsibility for financial support of the Faith on the believers alone..

Lights of Guidance/Those Eligible to Contribute - Bahaiworks, a library of works about the Bahá’í Faith

The Bahai World Centre is exempt from paying taxes. That is accepting financial support from a non-Bahai source.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

loverofhumanity said:
Because the word donation I think was used and donations can only be made by Baha’is so we don’t use public money to further our cause.

But by not paying taxes, you are using public money (there is a proportion of the money in any Bahai organisation account that would be in the public coffers if not for religious exemption).

muhammad_isa · Oct 3, 2022

KWED said:
So if your local temple catches fire, you will pray to god rather than call the fire department?

Both.

JustGeorge · Oct 3, 2022

KWED said:
My point applies equally to any position, whether it be religious, political, philosophical, sporting, artistic, whatever.
It is simply the concept of saying that one is not interested in addressing criticism of ideas, that is flawed.
That is all.

Sure. You can think I'm flawed. I don't even know you, nor do you know me. What does it matter?

We're all flawed somewhere.

If you were my grandmother telling me I'm overspending, or my best friend telling me to watch my temper, I can see showing concern.

But I think one would run into some unhealthy mental afflictions if they were to become concerned what every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the internet thought.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

JustGeorge said:
Sure. You can think I'm flawed.

When did I say, or even suggest, that "you are flawed"?

I said the position of ignoring criticism is flawed.

I think one of the problems in general here is that people don't always respond to the actual point being made but rather automatically assume some kind of personal attack and immediately go on the defensive rather than engaging with the substance of the argument. Which ironically is what this thread seems to be about.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

muhammad_isa said:
Both.

Well, Muhammad did say to the man who didn't tie up his camel because he trusted in god "Tether your camel and trust in Allah".
However, what this means in practice is "I don't really believe that god will come through for me".

JustGeorge · Oct 3, 2022

KWED said:
When did I say, or even suggest, that "you are flawed"?
I said the position of ignoring criticism is flawed.

I think one of the problems in general here is that people don't always respond to the actual point being made but rather automatically assume some kind of personal attack and immediately go on the defensive rather than engaging with the substance of the argument. Which ironically is what this thread seems to be about.

Sorry if I misinterpreted what you were meaning. I'm on day 8 of a 9 day fast and it was morning. The ol' brain doesn't always fire up well in those conditions.

With you saying the position of ignoring criticism always flawed, though? If the guy next door hates my shoes, should put any merit into it? Or what about the Christian extremist who thinks I'm worshipping devils(despite the fact this doesn't even fit into my worldview)? Where do you draw the line? If you pay attention to every bit of criticism by every Joe out there, you'll go mad.

I'll admit language matters whether or not a person perceives an attack or not. We can't view body language on the internet, so if words seem harsh, a person may feel attacked.

The neighbor chuckling and saying "did you buy those shoes from a clown, George?" will be perceived differently than a glare and an angry tone saying "those are just hideous!"

Trailblazer · Oct 3, 2022

KWED said:
Why do you think that the only two options are repressive intolerance or unbridled orgies?

I don't think those are the only two options.

Vinayaka · Oct 3, 2022

loverofhumanity said:
All I know is we cannot solicit money for furthering our Faith. As for being exempt from paying taxes I don’t know.

Most likely it depends on country, as laws on such things vary widely.

TransmutingSoul · Oct 3, 2022

Seeker of White Light said:
I am trying to....but none believers keep popping up in my OP here in RF to challenge my belief
Even I keep saying, I am here to chat with other believers ain't my fault non believers like my posting that much so they keep coming back

Sometimes you just have to let what is offered go by without comment.

It's all about our personal growth, with wisdom comes the knowledge as when to speak up and when to be silent.

Me I am a slow learner.

Regards Tony

muhammad_isa · Oct 3, 2022

KWED said:
Well, Muhammad did say to the man who didn't tie up his camel because he trusted in god "Tether your camel and trust in Allah".
However, what this means in practice is "I don't really believe that god will come through for me".

You're cynical .. you don't believe.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

JustGeorge said:
Sorry if I misinterpreted what you were meaning. I'm on day 8 of a 9 day fast and it was morning. The ol' brain doesn't always fire up well in those conditions.

With you saying the position of ignoring criticism always flawed, though? If the guy next door hates my shoes, should put any merit into it? Or what about the Christian extremist who thinks I'm worshipping devils(despite the fact this doesn't even fit into my worldview)? Where do you draw the line? If you pay attention to every bit of criticism by every Joe out there, you'll go mad.

I'll admit language matters whether or not a person perceives an attack or not. We can't view body language on the internet, so if words seem harsh, a person may feel attacked.

The neighbor chuckling and saying "did you buy those shoes from a clown, George?" will be perceived differently than a glare and an angry tone saying "those are just hideous!"

Of course we don't have to simply accept every bit of criticism as valid, but neither should we ignore it - especially if it is presented as rational, evidence-based argument.

KWED · Oct 3, 2022

muhammad_isa said:
You're cynical .. you don't believe.

But that's the point. Muhammad didn't believe either! If he did, he wouldn't have said to tether the camel.
You see, it's easy to claim faith in god when there is no personal risk, but when a valuable camel is at stake, that certainty of faith suddenly vanishes.

JustGeorge · Oct 3, 2022

KWED said:
Of course we don't have to simply accept every bit of criticism as valid, but neither should we ignore it - especially if it is presented as rational, evidence-based argument.

In my experience, folks are always criticizing. I'd exhaust myself considering all their arguments. So, unless I asked for the criticism or its coming from someone I hold in high esteem, yes, I tend to ignore it. Right, wrong, or otherwise.

I don't get much into many 'rational evidence based' arguments. What do I have to argue about?

What would happen if

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