Hi Karen. I'm sorry you are done with our interactions. I thought you asked some good questions, and I will continue to think through my answers to them. If you ever want to start up the dialogue again, I welcome it.
No thanks, Jeff Mikels, while I do appreciate your offer. I read the question/answer exchange that you and Karen had going, so I got a decent feel for where you are coming (I'm sure you would add much more for better clarification, as would I if trying to provide a fuller picture of my point of view). Been there, done that kind of thing (I have a long history with evangelicalism as an adult, and it just never took for me).
I have found and experienced some truths which really seem to resonate for me, and I'm glad that you have done the same, though I would challenge as to whether or not you or I have come across "answers," as much as we have most likely come across "that which resonates" for each of us. I think that when it comes to the more abstract nature of reality or a posited metaphysics one may have, we have gone beyond the realm of answers into that of a more speculative "best guess scenario," which I see as being a perfectly fine thing to do.
I think that a problem arises when any of us feel compelled to convince others that we are correct regarding basic worldviews, assuming those with opposing views must somehow be mistaken based upon our personal speculations.
I gather we are all born ignorant, and through our lives we are subjected to many influences and psychological processes, which would seem to make it impossible to know for sure exactly what is going on (even if we are committed to the idea that there is no god or gods or anything of the like). For myself, I find that neither organized religion nor atheism resonate with me, while I admit that I have had both my "spiritual" and "atheistic" moments, no doubt. I'm convinced that many of my own best guesses as to what is going on in my life could be wrong (heck, who knows, I could be onto something, too!), but there just isn't any verifiable way of knowing apart from my subjective experiences and thoughts about them. I don't see how it could be any different for anyone else, while I'm well aware that they have come up with other perspectives on the matter.
I see that my lack of continued interaction has caused you to feel sorrow. It is telling and interesting that when you called atheists potential liars and smokescreeners, you felt no remorse at all. Again, your words have an interesting little twist to them that is so very very familiar in my interactions with Christians.
The sorrow I feel is from you misunderstanding my efforts to give you honest answers. I regret that I didn't communicate the way you needed or wanted.
The sorrow I feel is sadness that you thought I accused you of something or called you a name when I didn't. The sorrow I feel is disappointment that you have decided to end the dialogue.
I wholeheartedly agree. Anyone that feels like they have no answer can start in on ad hominem; no matter what their belief system. Thanks for the comment!
Hi Karen. I'm sorry you are done with our interactions. I thought you asked some good questions, and I will continue to think through my answers to them. If you ever want to start up the dialogue again, I welcome it.
ReplyDeleteJeff Mikels -- I gather that you have "responses," but not "answers."
DeleteHi Ponderer, I have the answers that have satisfied me, and I would be more than happy to share them with you if you would like.
DeleteNo thanks, Jeff Mikels, while I do appreciate your offer. I read the question/answer exchange that you and Karen had going, so I got a decent feel for where you are coming (I'm sure you would add much more for better clarification, as would I if trying to provide a fuller picture of my point of view). Been there, done that kind of thing (I have a long history with evangelicalism as an adult, and it just never took for me).
DeleteI have found and experienced some truths which really seem to resonate for me, and I'm glad that you have done the same, though I would challenge as to whether or not you or I have come across "answers," as much as we have most likely come across "that which resonates" for each of us. I think that when it comes to the more abstract nature of reality or a posited metaphysics one may have, we have gone beyond the realm of answers into that of a more speculative "best guess scenario," which I see as being a perfectly fine thing to do.
I think that a problem arises when any of us feel compelled to convince others that we are correct regarding basic worldviews, assuming those with opposing views must somehow be mistaken based upon our personal speculations.
I gather we are all born ignorant, and through our lives we are subjected to many influences and psychological processes, which would seem to make it impossible to know for sure exactly what is going on (even if we are committed to the idea that there is no god or gods or anything of the like). For myself, I find that neither organized religion nor atheism resonate with me, while I admit that I have had both my "spiritual" and "atheistic" moments, no doubt. I'm convinced that many of my own best guesses as to what is going on in my life could be wrong (heck, who knows, I could be onto something, too!), but there just isn't any verifiable way of knowing apart from my subjective experiences and thoughts about them. I don't see how it could be any different for anyone else, while I'm well aware that they have come up with other perspectives on the matter.
I see that my lack of continued interaction has caused you to feel sorrow. It is telling and interesting that when you called atheists potential liars and smokescreeners, you felt no remorse at all. Again, your words have an interesting little twist to them that is so very very familiar in my interactions with Christians.
ReplyDeleteThe sorrow I feel is from you misunderstanding my efforts to give you honest answers. I regret that I didn't communicate the way you needed or wanted.
DeleteThe sorrow I feel is sadness that you thought I accused you of something or called you a name when I didn't. The sorrow I feel is disappointment that you have decided to end the dialogue.
Still not sorry about saying people with serious questions could be not honest or somkescreeners and are dissmissable. SO FAMILiAR
DeletePotentially being a liar and/or a smoke screener is a human phenomenon, not so much a Christian or atheistic one.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI wholeheartedly agree. Anyone that feels like they have no answer can start in on ad hominem; no matter what their belief system. Thanks for the comment!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete