Support of CR

[Nick_A]

It took me a while to understand but many sites that refer to Interfaith or Comparative religion are actually politically correct in that even though they preach mutual respect, the truth is that they function through favoritism. This means that in order to keep their regulars happy, the rules are selectively enforced. I even saved this quote from a mod on one such site since it is a classic. Most sites are against proselytizing. However, he speaks the truth to me without realizing the foolishness of it. From Acumen:

"I think part of your problem is your confusion about what this forum is about. All proselytizing is accepted here, un-welcomed proselytizing is not."

Then there is the ol favorite Beliefnet which I have personal animosity towards both mods and staff since their political correctness denied the necessary discussion pertaining to recognition of the Armenian Genocide as the congressional bill was being argued. Discussion on the contents of Yair Auron's book: "The Banality of Denial" was denied since Jews found it offensive even though Yair Auron is a respected Jewish scholar.

Coming after me is one thing but when you openly abuse my family and tradition by denying the right to defend recognition of a past horror during a time of congressional debate is pure sleaze. But I've learned that forms of sanctioned selective morality are the norm for those that profess the value of meaningful discussion. It is typical human hypocrisy so it will always arise.

However, I've been sticking with this site since all in all it has demonstrated the least of these traits I've encountered on the Internet. Your experience may be different but it has been my experience, and I've experienced real sleaze. I'd feel free to recommend this site.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Nick_A

...However, I've been sticking with this site since all in all it has demonstrated the least of these traits I've encountered on the Internet. Your experience may be different but it has been my experience, and I've experienced real sleaze. I'd feel free to recommend this site.

Nice! I'm sure I,Brian will appreciate your assessment and "thumbs up?".

v/r

Q

[I, Brian]

Thanks for the comment, Nick_A - I've been variously accused of trying to support a particular agenda, when all I want to enforce is basic civility.

I've often reflected on how sad it is that trying foster civility within disgreement be perceived as a particular faith-based or political agenda.

[greymare]

its a fantastic site , lots of interesting topics of discussion and even more interesting people to meet and greet.
Id just like to also add my thanks to you Brian for setting it all in motion.

[path_of_one]

I ditto thanks to Brian. It's a lot of work and I'm grateful to have this little place to go. I think it's a good balance between civility and lock-down.

[wil]

me too!

[Only Special To God]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

Nice! I'm sure I,Brian will appreciate your assessment and "thumbs up?".

v/r

Q

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Thanks for the comment, Nick_A - I've been variously accused of trying to support a particular agenda, when all I want to enforce is basic civility.

I've often reflected on how sad it is that trying foster civility within disgreement be perceived as a particular faith-based or political agenda.

Originally Posted by greymare

its a fantastic site , lots of interesting topics of discussion and even more interesting people to meet and greet.
Id just like to also add my thanks to you Brian for setting it all in motion.

Originally Posted by path_of_one

I ditto thanks to Brian. It's a lot of work and I'm grateful to have this little place to go. I think it's a good balance between civility and lock-down.

Originally Posted by wil

me too!

Me, me, me!!! I am with them!! I agree this is a nice place to be. I am enjoying the freedom to give my opinion. I know that it may not count, and I know that a lot of people are or are not interested in it, but I do get to display it!

Ian

[Thomas]

I have mixed feelings about CR ...

The one thing I miss here is the genuine inquiry to deepen understanding, and for me this is the heart of Comparative Religion, rarely do I see any genuine inquiry into why one believes, or my reasons for believing it.

I would have to say that 'Comparative Religion' is increasingly something of a misnomer. 'Opinions on Religion' might be more accurate. The object of discussion is usually personal opinions on religion, even personal objections to a given religion, rather than a reasoned and unbiased view of what religions hold as principle.

Time and again, I find myself only responding to clarify misrepresentations of it, and often that misrepresentation is not out of error but intent ... and again often accompanied by a contempt for what I believe.

What strikes me often is how ready people are to abuse something they don't believe in, and obviously don't see it as abusive because they don't believe it, who then show surprise that anyone might find their words abusive, but then cry abuse themselves if they are met in kind.

So I keep going away, and I keep wandering back ... I think, besides Quahom, I'm the only orthodox Catholic posting here. I think there's one Orthodox ... and I think that lack of representation is significant of the reception orthodoxy receives at CR bearing in mind the combined numbers of Catholic and Orthodox in the world, and the numbers posting on other more 'orthodox' forums. I have had delightful discussions with Greek, Russian and Coptic Orthodox, but I would not invite them here — it has to be said that we are not made welcome.

All too often I am told, as I have been most recently, that it's because I'm stupid, ignorant and a blind follower of dogma that I believe in what I do by people who haven't the slightest idea of who I am.

If there was anything I could have, it would be 'orthodox' areas where it is accepted that topics could be discussed — within or across beliefs — without the religion in question being attacked or one's faith in it being derided.

Thomas

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Thomas

I have mixed feelings about CR ...

The one thing I miss here is the genuine inquiry to deepen understanding, and for me this is the heart of Comparative Religion, rarely do I see any genuine inquiry into why one believes, or my reasons for believing it.

I would have to say that 'Comparative Religion' is increasingly something of a misnomer. 'Opinions on Religion' might be more accurate. The object of discussion is usually personal opinions on religion, even personal objections to a given religion, rather than a reasoned and unbiased view of what religions hold as principle.

Time and again, I find myself only responding to clarify misrepresentations of it, and often that misrepresentation is not out of error but intent ... and again often accompanied by a contempt for what I believe.

What strikes me often is how ready people are to abuse something they don't believe in, and obviously don't see it as abusive because they don't believe it, who then show surprise that anyone might find their words abusive, but then cry abuse themselves if they are met in kind.

So I keep going away, and I keep wandering back ... I think, besides Quahom, I'm the only orthodox Catholic posting here. I think there's one Orthodox ... and I think that lack of representation is significant of the reception orthodoxy receives at CR bearing in mind the combined numbers of Catholic and Orthodox in the world, and the numbers posting on other more 'orthodox' forums. I have had delightful discussions with Greek, Russian and Coptic Orthodox, but I would not invite them here — it has to be said that we are not made welcome.

All too often I am told, as I have been most recently, that it's because I'm stupid, ignorant and a blind follower of dogma that I believe in what I do by people who haven't the slightest idea of who I am.

If there was anything I could have, it would be 'orthodox' areas where it is accepted that topics could be discussed — within or across beliefs — without the religion in question being attacked or one's faith in it being derided.

Thomas

Well I can tell you this Thomas. By identifying me with yourself in matters of faith, that is high praise indeed. And it doesn't appear to take a whole lot of Catholics to shake up the joint...

[path_of_one]

Originally Posted by Thomas

If there was anything I could have, it would be 'orthodox' areas where it is accepted that topics could be discussed — within or across beliefs — without the religion in question being attacked or one's faith in it being derided.

Thomas

CR is the best option I've found so far, and I love many of the people here too much to leave.

That said, I can sympathize with your desires, Thomas. I kind of wish there were more of the "walled gardens" as there seemingly used to be- where polite questions could be asked, but our members who do not wish for debate about their religion could go for mutual discussion and scriptural/historic/etc. study.

I'm not sure what the answer is on all that. I can see both sides. I don't mind debate, but I have noticed that it is far more debate-and-deride oriented than the board used to be. I'm not sure if that is inevitable as the board grows ever larger.

[earl]

Thomas & Path, all it would take is to remember Aretha's great song R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Earl

[Nick_A]

Hi Thomas

Well if you think you've got it rough, try being someone like me with an interest in esoteric Christianity and its levels of reality tht includes all the exoteric beliefs on one level. This way everyone gets annoyed as Socrates stated in Plato's cave analogy.

I believe as I do partly for the same reasons as expressed by Simone Weil:

"...It is not for man to seek, or even to believe in God. He has only to refuse to believe in everything that is not God. This refusal does not presuppose belief. It is enough to recognize, what is obvious to any mind, that all the goods of this world, past, present, or future, real or imaginary, are finite and limited and radically incapable of satisfying the desire which burns perpetually with in us for an infinite and perfect good... It is not a matter of self-questioning or searching. A man has only to persist in his refusal, and one day or another God will come to him."
-- Weil, Simone, ON SCIENCE, NECESSITY, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, edited by Richard Rees, London, Oxford University Press, 1968.- ©

For those like me, the ideals of secularism are insufficient and I find the truths as related to cosmology much more satisfying as to the meaning and purpose of my existence.

But this is difficult to discuss because most are unaware of these things and they are insulting to our egotism.

How to get people to feel free as to why they believe as they do requires both the willingness to explain and the willingness to listen. This is easier said than done but hopefully the quality of the site will attract those that have experienced what I've experienced on other sites and tend to share over here. I hope so but who knows what the future brings.

[Nick the Pilot]

Nick A,

I, too, have been treated very harshly by moderators of this Forum. I'm afraid I must agree that this Forum propogates arguing between people of different religions as much as anything esle.

[I, Brian]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

Nick A,

I, too, have been treated very harshly by moderators of this Forum. I'm afraid I must agree that this Forum propogates arguing between people of different religions as much as anything esle.

Hopefully we're going to see everything run a lot more smoothly from now on - and as before, to everybody, if you have complaints about any member of the forums - including staff - I'm happy to receive PM's in confidence about the matter and look to resolve them.

[Nick_A]

Originally Posted by Nick the Pilot

Nick A,

I, too, have been treated very harshly by moderators of this Forum. I'm afraid I must agree that this Forum propogates arguing between people of different religions as much as anything esle.

It may be true but we are discussing it now. Is there any reason why everyone cannot resolve to do better? That is the purpose of discussing it.

I have to be precise in my posts without the acceptable politically correct BS. The path requires this respect and the willingness to be open to uncomfortable realities about ourselves. Naturally I get my share of grief. But all in all it isn't as bad as in other places and I believe people could be willing to do better. If that is the case, what more can be asked? Turn the page and give it a shot. The worst thing you'll learn is that people refuse to change and to grow.