God Ain't Listening

[The Silver Bullet]

God? If you can hear me...please, no more God threads.

Sorry Slay.
I conduct the work of the Devil. 'Tis fun.

[Yoda]

I'm sure a few folks will regard me as an a**hole for saying this, but I don't understand, nor do I like, the "oh, not another one of THESE" comments. The conversations are generally civil and always interesting. It's not spam. It's not flooding the board. And no one's making anyone read it, either. I'm not a big fan of games like "Word Association" for the most part, but you won't here me complain about it, because someone's enjoying it and it certainly doesn't hurt me at all.

I don't "get" the reasoning behind these gripes. At all.

[Sexy Celebrity]

Ditto.

[LordSlaytan]

Originally posted by Yoda
I don't "get" the reasoning behind these gripes. At all.

Since I'm the only person who said that, I suppose whom you meant by "all" actually means me. I said it as a joke, but you can get defensive then deny said defensiveness if you want. They all end up the same, Chris says, "GOD!". Others say, "Nuh-uh". Then they argue, then Chris out debates people till they give up. Whee.... ;)

[The Silver Bullet]

Or until they get bored as it were. The redundancy of the conversation [yes, no, yes, no, yes, no, I'm leaving, I'll come in, no you won't, yes I will, no, yes, God, no, yes, no, you're wrong, I'm right, no, yes, yes, no...] is boring. I don't see any problem with more threads popping up. I couldn't care less. As Chris said regarding word association threads [or RIPMD threads as I am now calling all relatively pointless threads], if they don't hurt you, who cares.

Let the redundant redund.

[LordSlaytan]

It doesn't actually bother me, I was just messin' around. Sheeze...;D

[Yoda]

Actually, Gummly says is all the time, so "all" refers to you, him, and anyone else who I might've forgotten (don't keep track, but I'm sure others have said the same.

I won't deny some defensiveness. Fact of the matter is that it's really nothing like "yes! no! yes! no!" There's no direct "nah-uh." This is more in regards to Silver, who will almost definitely say that he doesn't really mean that it's all just yes/no/yes/no, but deep down clearly regards it as roughly so.

If ya'll don't dig on it, hey, cool, but believe me when I say it's not pointless nonsense. Hearing that is like any one of us hearing from someone who dislikes movies how pointless it is to talk about them all the time. If you just skim it, sure, it seems like fruitless contradiction; but it's not, as closer inspection quickly reveals.

[The Silver Bullet]

I DO think the conversations are all "yes! no! yes! no!" and what is more I have no desire to claim that I don't think of them that way. You say that you believe in God and then Fire says he doesn't and then you throw facts at each other, that neither of you regard, listen to or respect, convinced all the while that you are right and can not possibly be wrong.

But I agree that it isn't pointless. It sure is as boring as watching paint dry, but hey, whatever yanks your chain....

[Yoda]

I don't know what to say, other than that your entire first paragraph is way, way, way off the mark (no offense, of course). The conversations are nowhere near that shallow and simple. I also slightly resent the claim that we don't regard, listen to, or respect each other's claims at all.

It's nice that you can agree that it isn't pointless, but it's a shame that you erroneously regard it as nothing more than superflous contradiction. It ain't. Not by a long shot.

[r3port3r66]

I am curious Yoda, within these "religious" threads what is it you look for inside someone's post that makes you respond to one and not another?

I mean do you select a certain sentence you think would make a good arguement then reply? Because, with all do respect, I don't think I've ever seen you post something like, "That's a good point," or "I've never thought about it that way before," or, "You're right" inside any of the threads you respond to about God.

I do enjoy reading your responses, it gives me something to think about. Often times you do touch on something I've never really thought about before, but I admit it. Has there ever been a time when someone has posted inside a religious thread and changed your mind about God, and you told them so? If not then maybe SB and Slay are right--it is a little redundant.

[Yoda]

I am curious Yoda, within these "religious" threads what is it you look for inside someone's post that makes you respond to one and not another?
That's a damn good question. :) It varies. I guess I'd say I respond to things I find interesting, or things I see as incorrect. The former for obvious reasons, and the latter, well, because we all feel an impulse to speak up when we think something is wrong.


Because, with all do respect, I don't think I've ever seen you post something like, "That's a good point," or "I've never thought about it that way before," or, "You're right" inside any of the threads you respond to about God.
I'm 99.9% sure I have on numerous occasions, though it should be noted that I'm more likely to respond to something I disagree with. I don't like the idea of someone saying something erroneous and letting it stand there unchallenged. IE: if someone says "murder is wrong," you're not going to feel strongly compelled to say "yeah! You're right!" If someone says it's okay, though, you're far more likely to speak up, because, in that case, you have something specific to add.


Has there ever been a time when someone has posted inside a religious thread and changed your mind about God, and you told them so?
Changed my mind about God how? No one's caused me to abandon my belief in God, if that's what you mean. Heck, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who's done an about-face on such a major issue based on any argument online. I don't believe I've budged any more or less than anyone I argue with on here. Even so, I don't see why that makes it redundant. I stand by my analogy concerning movies: it's similar, but different in subtle (yet crucial) ways. If you don't care for the topic, sure, it all seems the same; but if you do, the difference is significant. The same goes for discussions on movies, music, books, or anything else.

[r3port3r66]

Changed my mind about God how? No one's caused me to abandon my belief in God, if that's what you mean.

If no one's going to make you abandon your beliefs, then why argue?

[Yoda]

Originally posted by r3port3r66
If no one's going to make you abandon your beliefs, then why argue?
Well, for one, I didn't say no one would make me abandon my beliefs. I just said no one has yet. For another, it's hard to accurately test the validity of your beliefs without exposing them to argument.

Plus, it's flat-out educational. And even entertaining.

[r3port3r66]

Duly noted. Your point is hard to argue with.

[Yoda]

Well, I think it could be said that I perhaps spend too much time arguing. It's a pretty subjective matter, but someone could make that claim and I wouldn't be in a very strong position to refute it.

That said, I can honestly say that I do listen to other people's arguments; hell, you have to if you're going to carry on a basic discussion. You can't argue with what you don't read and understand, for one! I do concede that I probably come off the wrong way sometimes. Those who know me know there's no real condescenion or malicious intent. Those who don't now and then assume that I think I'm better than them. I try to assure them that it isn't so, but that's really all I can do on the matter.

Anyway, your questions are always interesting and enjoyable to answer, r66. :) Bedtime for me.

:sleep:

[The Silver Bullet]

Good night Chingo. I'd argue with you about my first paragraph, but it'd just become a I'm right/you're wrong/yes/no/screw you deal...

;D

[Piddzilla]

Must... Not... Engage...

[Sexy Celebrity]

Goodnight, everybody.

[Fugitive]

Originally posted by r3port3r66


If no one's going to make you abandon your beliefs, then why argue?

I've been sitting back and reading these threads on religion/beliefs and tho I do find it interesting, I can't help but applaud r66 for his questions to you, Yoda.
I would like to know why you're so interested in the whole religion thing? I'm agnostic, but open to a lot of different views. You say that you listen to others' views and opinions but it won't sway you in your own beliefs. Why is it you want to know ours? I'd like to know why you're so fascinated by the whole concept - or to note SB why it 'yanks your chain'? Some people search for their identity and look toward religion, tho from your posts, I don't think this is the case, or is it?

[The Silver Bullet]

I'm agnostic...

Oooh, don't tell him that. It means you're finding an easy way out of the issue! Coward!

:D

[Sexy Celebrity]

Originally posted by Fox
I'd like to know why you're so fascinated by the whole concept - or to note SB why it 'yanks your chain'? Some people search for their identity and look toward religion, tho from your posts, I don't think this is the case, or is it?

I know the user name to the left says "Sexy Celebrity" and not "Yoda", but I'm guessing he wants to be proved right and thus make everyone believe in God. Right?

[Yoda]

Originally posted by Fox
I would like to know why you're so interested in the whole religion thing?
You might as well ask anyone here why they like movies. Or music. Or anything. It just strikes my fancy. If I were to postulate as to why, specifically, I'd say it's primarily because the question of God is a very important one.


Originally posted by Fox
Some people search for their identity and look toward religion, tho from your posts, I don't think this is the case, or is it?
I don't think I understand the question. Would you mind rephrasing?


Originally posted by Sexy Celebrity
I know the user name to the left says "Sexy Celebrity" and not "Yoda", but I'm guessing he wants to be proved right and thus make everyone believe in God. Right?
Everyone likes to be proved right; pride will allow for little else. But no, that's not why I argue on this or any other message board, primarily. And I certainly don't do it to convince everyone of God's existence, because, for one, you often have to discover something like that on your own (at least, there are some steps you MUST take independently).

Now, I get to ask a question. :) Why's everyone so friggin' interested in why I do what I do?

[r3port3r66]

Why's everyone so friggin' interested in why I do what I do?

Because if I never questioned why somebody does something, I would never find out their reasons for doing it, and I wouldn't have a job.
For instance, I would have never found out the answer to why the New York Times used to use the phrase "Asian Invasion" freely to describe the influx of immigrants from Asia, or why the Los Angeles Times used the term "Illegal Aliens" to classify people from Mexico, when they aren't really "aliens", but people like you and me. In both cases, the editors of those publications told me they were unaware (yeah right) that those terms were hurting people, and that they would change their practices.
I would have never understood why Dr. Laura Shlessinger would give advice to people when she is not really a doctor at all, and call homosexuals "biological errors" under that guise, knowing that her large audience would believe her, thinking she held a Ph.D.
Of course she refused to comment to me, which told me more than if she had.

I think ou have a little celebrity here; you have great power within these boards. And I wouldn't have a job if I didn't ask what you were planning to do with that sway.
I have a feeling that one day you, Yoda, will be very successful. I'm thinking you'd make a great politician, lawyer or editor of a big newspaper even. When that day arrives, and someone like me comes to interview you about a belief you stand firmly behind, will you then say, "Why's everyone so friggin' interested in why I do what I do?"

[Fugitive]

Originally posted by The Silver Bullet


Oooh, don't tell him that. It means you're finding an easy way out of the issue! Coward!

:D

If I were a coward, I would stay completely silent... ;)

Agnostic to me doesn't mean finding an easy way out, just means exactly what it says: of the view that nothing is known, or likely to be known, of the existence of God or of anything beyond material phenomena.

Stirrer! :D

[Fugitive]

Originally posted by Yoda

You might as well ask anyone here why they like movies. Or music. Or anything. It just strikes my fancy. If I were to postulate as to why, specifically, I'd say it's primarily because the question of God is a very important one.

Now, c'mon Yoda, an interest in movies or music is more like a hobby... a religion as a hobby strikes me as... odd ;)

I don't think I understand the question. Would you mind rephrasing?

When people look for their identity - who they are - some people turn to religion to find answers. I don't think this is the case with you, even tho you seem to think it's just an interest. What can you possibly gain from wanting to know the same things from us? Are you looking to conform us to your beliefs?

Now, I get to ask a question. :) Why's everyone so friggin' interested in why I do what I do?

Because enquiring minds are everywhere and YOU are one of them yourself! :)

[Fugitive]

hmmm sorry, didn't do a great job in partitioning those answers off... stressful day at work....

[Sir Toose]

I'd like to know why you're so fascinated by the whole concept - or to note SB why it 'yanks your chain'? Some people search for their identity and look toward religion, tho from your posts, I don't think this is the case, or is it?


I know the user name to the left says "Sexy Celebrity" and not "Yoda", but I'm guessing he wants to be proved right and thus make everyone believe in God. Right?

Since I start or have started as many of these threads as anyone I'm going to answer this. To quote Piddy, I used to believe that God and Santa were one in the same... fictional stories. I've since swayed away from that and I believe in my heart that God exists. I've liked Yoda for years, often viewing him as the little brother I always wished I had. Never in my time on this planet have I run across anyone so firm and confident in his/her beliefs. I've met 'religious' people who can spit out a biblical quote for everthing but Yoda is different... he has a deeper understanding and I often turn to him for his opinion...especially where religion is concerned. I'm not trying to convert anyone by starting these threads... I'm looking to solidify my own footing.

As for looking for identity... I know exactly who I am now. It's taken a lot of years but the microcosmic mystery of me is solved in my mind. It's time, for me, to take on the macrocosmic mystery of everything else.