Again, I think we're going to butt heads over the argument for Evangelism as imperative. I disagree. I don't believe it is my duty to save someone who doesn't believe as I do, or who, by my religious definition, is damned. My religious definition is not the only one, so I would find it difficult and unfair to use it as the blueprint for everyone else. And I think there is a big difference between telling someone when you think he/she is damned, and pressing the issue. I think your approach of informing the person is most definitely justified. And who here could say that they wouldn't try their darnedest to help a loved one? That's part of what love is. But if, after hearing the argument, the person does not decide to embrace it, that's that. To press the issue shows a disrespect for what they consider important.
And you are so, so right about secular "faith" being just as Evangelical. People think that because they don't have a religious title tied to their comments, they aren't being religiously prejudiced. And that's such a crock. There are at least two sides to every argument. And both of them can degenerate. I think it's a function of people trying to feel more important, more righteous, than others, and so they tend to smack down what they don't personally find important, therefore labeling everyone else as "stupid." Which is wrong.
I don't know if you were thinking of thise when you mentioned scientific theories, but my brain went into a tangent: It's just such a leap for me, personally, to see people ignoring scientific discovery and such out of hand just because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. I guess you'd say part of my faith lies in the truth of science, and so of course it's very hard to come up against people who put very little creedence in it. But I guess that's the same way you would feel about someone who doesn't believe in God. For you, it's been "proven," for lack of a better word. For others, it hasn't even come close.
I know there's a way to accept both without demonizing one or the other. And I know people have found it. But most people don't seem to want to try. I guess I like to think that everyone would want to at least try. But then again... these are humans we're talking about...
Sorry, I'm also a bit of a pessimist. Could you tell? ^__^ ♥
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-12-03 05:26 pm (UTC)From:And you are so, so right about secular "faith" being just as Evangelical. People think that because they don't have a religious title tied to their comments, they aren't being religiously prejudiced. And that's such a crock. There are at least two sides to every argument. And both of them can degenerate. I think it's a function of people trying to feel more important, more righteous, than others, and so they tend to smack down what they don't personally find important, therefore labeling everyone else as "stupid." Which is wrong.
I don't know if you were thinking of thise when you mentioned scientific theories, but my brain went into a tangent: It's just such a leap for me, personally, to see people ignoring scientific discovery and such out of hand just because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. I guess you'd say part of my faith lies in the truth of science, and so of course it's very hard to come up against people who put very little creedence in it. But I guess that's the same way you would feel about someone who doesn't believe in God. For you, it's been "proven," for lack of a better word. For others, it hasn't even come close.
I know there's a way to accept both without demonizing one or the other. And I know people have found it. But most people don't seem to want to try. I guess I like to think that everyone would want to at least try. But then again... these are humans we're talking about...
Sorry, I'm also a bit of a pessimist. Could you tell? ^__^ ♥