Oh My
You do? Huh. But yeah I've had some fun conversations with you Tzetze. You get my cool bitch seal of approval in these matters.
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
DUMB
Thanks! Now I can use your stamping for a poorly-thought-out concentration camp accusation! :>
[1] This facsimile operated in part by synAC.
Oh My
Poorly thought out...
...
...
Ok.
SO HOW 'BOUT THAT...
...you're...Discordian? Deist? What the fuck are you?
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
DUMB
Loud! Taking positions consistently is for noobs. alternate answers: the goddamn batman; your worst nightmare; etc.
But yes, it is interesting except when it isn't interesting. And you learn so many pentasyllabic words!
edited 25th Apr '11 9:55:48 PM by Tzetze
[1] This facsimile operated in part by synAC.
Oh My
I see...pentasyllabic...
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
DUMB
Five is the holiest of numbers, after all.
[1] This facsimile operated in part by synAC.
Oh My
NO IT IS 4.
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
Gerald Zosewater
I bet this will make me sound like a dick, but snark and attempts to get people to be less fallacious and/or mean have come to be the major things I can hope to get out of religious discussions at this point.
If I'm interested in learning about the religions of the world, there's always Wikipedia.
Ruining everything forever.
Oh My
How does that make you sound like a dick? People are rude fuckers when it comes to discussing this shit so often times wikipedia or books are your best bets. The rare few nice conversations I've had have been worlds better than wikipedia and books, but again they are few and far between. Most conversations are filled with snark, potshots, fallacious statements, cruel overgeneralizations, and overall dickery. As such I often don't bother.
edited 25th Apr '11 10:42:25 PM by Aondeug
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
Eh, nice dicussions of this don't exist.
But I like seeing people reag at each other. :D
It's not exactly naive. And it can happen. But it's tough. And definetly worthwhile.
Oh My
You've clearly never had the joy of having one Juan. CLEARLY HAVE NOT HAD THE JOY.
This is what you have me for though!
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
Loser
Aondeug, I agree, even if I prefer to stay out of conversations about religion most of the time.
The discussions you mentioned remind me of formal interfaith dialogues. Of course, I think those tend to involve academics rather than more representative members of a religious group. Another issue with them that I can see is a lack of attention to people who do not practice a religion.
Still, I think they do some good in uniting people who might otherwise really disagree and not understand each other. I feel like understanding people who are different makes it easier to relate to them and thus treat them as equals. I think ignorance of other people can cause a lot of problems and interfaith dialogues can sometimes be a solution to those issues too.
I apologize for rambling on a bit. I just think that discussions about religion are better when they are actual discussions rather than debates.
edited 27th Apr '11 2:53:41 PM by LouieW
"irhgT nm0w tehre might b ea lotof th1nmgs i dont udarstannd, ubt oim ujst goinjg to keepfollowing this pazth i belieove iN !!!!!1 d
Oh My
Yes learning the other people's positions and beliefs in a non-combative atmosphere brings me closer to them and gives me a greater respect for their positions. It's a bit harder in the combative situations. I'm an emotional person and when tempers are flared it can be hard to really see the other side with true understanding.
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah
...that are actually polite, informative, and enjoyable at all times. And not filled with attempts to convert one another. These things are rare, but I have had them. With people who aren't Buddhist even. Discussing the particulars of my faith with rbx's was a wonderful experience I must say! Just a nice interesting exchange of info on how we and our religions see the world. It was one of my favorite conversations I have ever had. Ever.
EVER.
There may be some criticism of ideas here and there and the occasional joke, but things remain in a nice enjoyable area that doesn't devolve into "YOU'RE A STUPID BITCH FOR BELIEVING IN A SPACE FAIRY", "NO STFU IT'S ALL ABOUT KAMMA STOP IGNORING BUDDHISM", "RAAAAAAARGH GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD" and so on.
Having such discussions with atheists are fun too! Like my Achaan!
If someone wants to accuse us of eating coconut shells, then that's their business. We know what we're doing. - Achaan Chah