Originally posted by Bill in Dayton:
T-
I think you're working off a false choice.
Mr. G maintains if a person doesn't accept JC as his Lord/Savior/etc....he is doomed for all time.
You describe that as "forcing you". Meaning you either submit to his wish willingly or you will be compelled to by some other force.
Nonsense. No one can force true faith. Its impossible. A person can act out the part, but no one ever really, truly knows what in someone else's mind.
Another way to say this is have faith in your faith. All three of us find ourselves in a place in our lives where we profess to have some understanding of what role faith plays in our lives. Each one is different from the other two. I can't say if one of us is right, nor can I say if one of us is wrong. Maybe we're ALL right...maybe we're ALL wrong, eh?
Bill,
"Mr. G maintains if a person doesn't accept JC as his Lord/Savior/etc....he is doomed for all time."
Doesn't this translate as an ultimatum? I know that no one can force a faith upon us but using statements like these can and will come over the wrong way. Had I said that if a person doesn't accept Lord Shiva as their Lord/Savior all hell would've broken loose. I think he is in no position to say these things to anyone. It just isn't right.
"Another way to say this is have faith in your faith. All three of us find ourselves in a place in our lives where we profess to have some understanding of what role faith plays in our lives. Each one is different from the other two. I can't say if one of us is right, nor can I say if one of us is wrong. Maybe we're ALL right...maybe we're ALL wrong, eh?"
That's what I've been saying all the time but apparently it fell on deaf ears. At least you understand.
I don't think it's about being right or wrong, it's about accepting that not all people share the same faith. If one takes the time to study the different faiths, one will notice that they're pretty much all alike. None is better, none is worse. It's not even about that. Whatever faith works for you shouldn't be anyone's problem. Plus culture and upbringing has a lot to do with what will/tends to believe.
Since my son will grow up in a Buddhist environment he'll most likely follow this faith but there's no guarantee he will. That's fine with me for he'll have to find his own path. Sadly, not that many people are as openminded when it comes to religion as those in the Far East. Most kids will adhere to their parents' faith while many just tag along without really belonging. Yet it is a burden to no one for it doesn't harm anyone. So if my son wishes to embrace the Islamic faith, all I can do is respect his decision. If he ends up an atheist, so be it. There really is nothing to it and I don't see why it even should.
I've had a life-after-death experience on December 6, 1969. Were I to have one now, it may turn out to be entirely different. Not that I'm looking forward to it but I am a different person than I was then.
In other words, I'm and adult now and I've embraced a culture totally different from the one I was born and grew up in. This may or may not have a different impact if I were to have one now. Only one way to find out.
Taike
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Bo pen nyang.
[This message has been edited by Taike (edited 08-13-2010).]
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