Learn from this. Your statements here are the most blatant examples of self aggrandizing, arrogant, combative language that I have witnessed for some considerable time. There seem to be two possibilites:
1) You are unaware of the grotesque extent of your self important proselytising. In that case learn from my advice.
2) You are fully aware of it and are being deliberately contemptuous of others. In that case piss off.
You might be intrested to know that I find you contemptuous as well however the difference would be that the engeries I used to reply to your proceeding post...will be alotted elsewhere.
Likewise. Though I hope that congratuations not not in order - we should all strive for civility and progress in our discussions (though I fail in this task often enough).
I can only concur.
Except for millions of personal accounts.
Reasonable doubt holds sway with an abundance of knowledge.
The continuity in the Bible dictates form. Thus the words were inspired of God. (2 Tim 3:16)
The environment *you* discern exemplifies a creator's touch. I've spent my life studying that environment, and learning about how it functions to the best of my ability. I haven't seen fingerprints. Where are they? In the structure? In the function? How do you know, besides a personal account of your own?
Logic suggest that if I and others have found them then you must ask yourself the most relevant questions..."What are my classification of design "and "how is it different from others."
Third and finally...are you actually looking for those finger prints. Or are you looking for anything that discounts the finger prints? Motive is a relevant control to the discussion...
These are questions you should ask yourself.
Again you must Search actively in order to "find"
Where have you searched?...How long have you searched? Is your search complete?
Question you should ask yourself.
As you believe in the Abrahamic God, and a Hindu thinks you are foolish for it, you think thier belief in Genesha is foolish. How can these two beliefs be reconciled? They have books roughly the same age as the Bible, and they attribute the same divinity to the included stories.
In my estimation....These books fall short of the bible in purpose, truth, and prophecy. These things I've posted in another tread.
This is becoming a religious discussion. Perhaps a new thread is needed.
Why do you think your story is more right than thiers?
It is not "my" story.
I didn't write nor inspire it creation.
then both should rightfully be placed into the catagory of "possibly correct"; neither with superiority to the other.
For you this would be a logical course of action.
If you have a faith which places one above all others, that's fine with me.
Faith means something different to most of the world. I belive the Bibles deffinition of Faith is more appropriate for myself. "Hebrew 11:1"
But no one else should change thier ordering based on your faith.
Again that word as though it, itsself describes religion entirely...
I'd encourage you to discard this perception of faith being all encompassing and all that one needs...There is far far more to the bible than faith. And It tells us so.
Convince us first of why you have faith,
I don't convince...I teach...Teaching requires an attentive ear.
Convincing waste breath and resources on the igonorant the stupid and the thoughtless.
using reasons other that your own faith itself, and then we can talk about where it leads us in public discourse and policy.
To do so we'd need a much larger common frame of refrence than we are currently employing in conversation. There is a gulf to be bridged.
Until then, we can debate opinions, but we have to both understand that they are both, in fact, opnions. Strongly held, certainly, but still opinions.
I have very few opinions. But what I'am expressing...is not...from my perspective-an opinion. It is knowledge, not belief. Which is what God requires from us
If it serves you sensibilities to see my expressions as an opinion please feel free with no reprisal from me.
A request can often be insulting; the wording and tone is critical to the perception of any communication.
Not often but such is called sarcasm. I was not using sarcasm
As an extreme example, requesting that a person "get thier stupid fat head out of the way of the TV" is very insulting, even though it is a request. (my apologies to my sister for being so rude as a kid).
Intresting...I hadn't considered this method of asking a question...
I don't insult in this way at least not as manner of rule.
The tone detected may not have been indended, but it certainly exists in the mind of your readers; and that is the sole purpose of communication. If you cannot convey the intended meaning to your audience, then your communication is problematic.
Possibily...Communication is not my strong suit.
That being the case I restrict my response and statement to the line of discussion and direct confrontation.
Your final sentence is extremely rude, IMO. You suggest character flaws in another person without a willingness to find the beam in your own eye.
The beam has been highlighted many, many times. I am open to correction but I'am not beyond retaliation.
That is detrimental to your ability to get your message across.
There are other obsticals togetting a message across...one of them is combativness..which in this sort of discussion I have a zero tolerance for.
Your audience feel insulted, and will close up to your words. If you really want to teach, you cannot be so condescending, or you will never get anywhere.
I wholeheartedly agree.
You do not appear to be someone who indulges in the hightened emotional reaction that most people have.
Far from it...However I'm more than capable of controling my reactions when I have them. I prefer feeling happy rather than brow beating other people for no reason. I prefer a strict on reasonable discussion rather than test of wills.
However, your inflexability and what comes across as self-rightiousness certainly appears combative to me.
I believe this is what is called transposing.
You see my stand as inflexable and it is...That however doesn't have the negative qualitive that is commonly placed on it's use. Even Condescending is a peaceful reaction meant to convey a bridging of difference...It's modern meaning reflects lofty perception and self righteousness.
I don't see myself as self righteous nor arrogant.
I see myself as blunt, direct, honest, passive. To borrow a phrase..."direct honesty is often considered rude." Yet I prefer to be honest and direct. If I really wanted to insult someone I assure you I would not invoke the four letter word variety, but I be most capable of slinging around my fair share of insipid or jujune comments.
Why do you feel that your knowledge is so important that I should learn from it?(honest question)
These are but things I've learned. We all learn with the same method. But we all ignore with the same method aswell.
Listening invovles action...Learning requires a measure of "putting aside" of differences. I know this because I've taught many people before. They all displayed the same social reaction to Learning and the ignorance.
The most stark reality is that I "believe" in things much as you do...but I learn things...but I also see contradictions and If I cannot resolve those contradictions...then I've learned something new entirely.
