For all religious and non religious people?

Question

We spend a lot of time trying to prove who is or isnt right...but, I am curious why it is so important to us that we change others? or make them see our point of view?

Have you ever slept under a homemade quilt...usually it is made with scrap material, so each block is differant...differant materials, colors, and designs., each individual square is differant, some prettier or more colorful than others...and by themselves, they are just silly little squares of sewn together rags...but, when you put them together, they make a beautiful quilt that will keep you warm in the coldest night, and give comfort during the worst sickness....

If we all thought the same, The human quilt would be so colorless without interest....and if we didnt find a way to work together, our little squares would serve no purpose but to just lay unused in some drawer...but, when we fit our differances together, the color of humanity is beautiful, the design draws interest and we actually serve a purpose to the human race.

So, why do we find it so hard to just accept each person as they come, and work together to make the world a better place?

If there is a God, doesnt that seem more like a plan he might of had in mind?

Answer 1

You ought to see the quilts made by the Amish, if you haven't.  They're fairly inexpensive, as well.

We have made our world complicated and all we have left is a voice.  I am not here so much for the purpose of making others see things my way, as I am here for the right to be heard.  I think every American has that right.  Every single one.

Answer 2

wow this is so beautiful

and I totally agree with you

((((HUGS))))

Answer 3

I just want people to be open minded... Not to believe what I believe at all, but to be open.  

Answer 4

I see the point you are trying to make,

as an atheist i am tired of being called a bad person, immoral, a potential murder, and a future criminal etc.

i stick up for what i believe in, or shall i say not believe in - because i was born and raised into a catholic family and felt like an outcast all my life for not believing in God.

Ignorance is not bliss in terms of religion, it will still be there if we choose not to acknowledge it or not.

I have no problem with people who are religious, as my parents are, but when a religious person (mainly Christians) try to force their beliefs on me i feel the need to defend myself and the way i choose to live my life.

Answer 5

I think insecurity plays a big part in all this.  People who are secure in themselves and what they believe usually aren't concerned with what others believe or think.  However, if the person is the least bit insecure, he or she isn't going to be happy until everyone thinks or believes just as he or she does.  That way they get validation.  

Answer 6

LOL...bravo!

Well said!!

(and a star for ya, too!)

Answer 7

Well Jezebel: Since your past record of giving advice only lead to your husband's death, and your death and the death of thousand of others. Lets weight the facts

Should we take any advice from a woman who wants to associate herself with Jezebel?

I say NO

My suggestion is to not listen or do anything a woman who calls herself Jezebel, tells you to do

Answer 8

That sounds wonderful.However,some green squares keep insisting I not be part of their blanket,just because I am a red square.They even say I need to be incinerated for being a red square.So,what's a red square to do?

Answer 9

First off, I love my homemade quilts :) And my favorite one is the ugliest, oldest, falling apartest thing you've ever seen. Whenever someone is sick, it's what they reach for. But to the point...

I agree that the world would be very boring without diversity and diversity in beliefs in fine by me. But then, I am a polytheist so different people believing in and worshiping different gods causes me no distress. My religion also has no belief in needing salvation or punishment for not following certain doctrines. Compare that with those religions that do believe that there is punishment for not worshiping one God and that there is need for salvation. You can understand why some are concerned with what others believe and won't accept the beliefs of others. I don't agree with them but I *understand* it. What I don't understand though is the belief that they have the right to attempt to force their beliefs onto others. Thinking your beliefs are the only correct beliefs is one thing. Actively trying to force others to change theirs is quite another thing. Belief is personal and must occur in the heart for it to be sincere. When it is the result of fear or simply giving in, your religion starts to sound less like a faith and more like a political movement.

Answer 10

I think those who try to force their religion on others are doing to prove that they are "right". To them, the more people that agree with them, the more they believe it themselves.

They are afraid of being the odd one out.

Answer 11

That would make sense to me.  The differences are what give us our strength.  If we were all the same the human race would die off from boredom. ;-)

Answer 12

This is a good ideal yes. Unfortunately some religions actually push against this ideal.  I ponder on this same question alot myself.

Answer 13

If religion where kept in the private sector there would be no need for debate, conversion nor animosity. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Many creeds and cultures are locked out, so to speak, when a Christian majority insists that laws reflect Christian doctrine.

If we were not vocal about our displeasure, we would still be keeping slaves and burning witches at the stake. Atheists would be starved, or stoned. Do you realize that there are still laws on the books in some states that forbid --forbid-- an atheist from holding public office?

Answer 14

The last time we left religious beliefs unchallenged we were in the Middle ages.

Some beliefs are dangerous .

Answer 15

Ok, so how do we run our governments?  Helter Skelter?

Constitutions and governments are run by a collection of professed beliefs.  In the past, those beliefs were left unchallenged by the masses cause the masses were busy physically keeping societies going and accepting their own fates.  Today that is all changing.  Today, the masses are deciding that some of the professed beliefs of yore were faulty with regards to how things should be today!

So we try to agree to disagree and we debate.  Problem is that with many organized faiths, people have been taught to shut their mouths and not speak for themselves. That is a problem in today's society when there are people who disagree with some of the past mores and values.  These things need to be discussed and they will be.

In the future, the quilt of governance will have to be natural, not imposed by old organized religion, because ordinary men can now think for themselves a little more!

Life does not always seem FAIR!

Hi!  I am a Forgive Affirmed Spirit and this is what I profess and try to act like.

Forgive Affirmed Spirit is the belief in a way of life that is a method of grief resolution and functional communication processing involving active listenning, sympathy, empathy and affirmation of shock, denial, anger, guilt, depression, loneliness and hope...a kind of ego-equilibrium seeking methodology.

A Greater Works of communication and action, a way to learn to love your enemies "Advocating mortal life, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you AS IF YOU WERE THEM!"  



And nobody is perfect!  NOBODY!  We are all judgeable, hopefully in a graceful discerning way!   We are all doing our best every moment!

Humans judge everything  as we are a part of it.  Without difference, we have nothing to live for, nothing to witness.  Sin is difference, the relative seriousness with regards to law and survival of other beings, is punishable by the courts. The best way to judge is with as much graceful discernment as one can muster in a given moment!

Life is the question(uncertainty) asked by the exhaling infinitely compacted imagination invention, or no thing, which is completely certain of everything, completely omniscient or all knowing.

When I die, I believe I will be in a new state, aware of all that is and yet divided into the nature of dust that I am in, whereupon my dust shall fall.  My being will remain an infinite part of an infinite being and infinite knowledge without my material human being status of now. So there will be a change.



But my soul, my passions and discompassions, will move on to infinite places of comfort and challenge.  Able to return to this state of uncertainty and free choice illusion for another ride when it is called effectively to do so.

So that the children of God, the creations of God, .. are actually part in parcel of that God or Creation Energy!

This  life is a roller coaster ride. Enjoy your passion within it and whatever gathering of two or more in Forgive Affirmed Spirit to make it better can garner.

Healing be unto you and yours and me and mine in

Forgive Affirmed Spirit

Answer 16

Am with Pangel on this one. This is beautiful. Thank you very much for sharing it with us. I totally agree.

Answer 17

well..I appreciate your analogy but it applies to quilts--not 'salvation' per se!...If you're saying everyone is beautiful and we're all going to heaven together regardless of what we believe...then you make Christ a liar!...'cause it's pretty much recorded, He didn't say that!...And there's the rub,huh?...When He said "no one " comes to the Father except thru Him."...Jesus is the one who 'threw the wrench in the works' so to speak....so if ya got a problem with THAT, you gotta problem with HIM....not me,nor anyone else on earth...I suggest you re-read your Bible and not just the comfortable parts...Christians weren't mandated to make enemies---enemies make enemies!...We were mandated to spread the Gospel(in its entirety,not just the feel good parts)..and make disciples. There's another 'rub' for you...how do you spread the word, and NOT speak out for it? And for those who respond--just by your actions,not your words---better take a good bible language course! You'll find it implies.. by word and deed both.While your analogy is nice, I have to say, it is to doctrine what Hershey bars are to nutrition.    peace.

Answer 18

you are a bit straight talking and mean aren't you?

you criticize people for their beliefs and then go around shouting about how only YOUR beliefs are correct!

ive been following your questions for a while now, and you have this thing that people are all equal and should be who they want to be...

so if you believe that people should be who they want to be, why are you forcing YOUR beliefs on people and criticizing THEM when they dont want to believe it?

Answer 19

God is always right.  read your Bible

Answer 20

There is a God and if you'd like to enlighten yourself with the plan He actually has (rather than guessing)you can pick it up at any bookstore; the Bible. His plan involves believers spreading the good news of salvation.  

Answer 21

I love this question! Its a good one!!

I am a christian but I don't force anyone to join me. I believe that there is one god, but he has also created all other religions according to the way they live and what would make most sense to them.

It may seem like a strange theory but I'm happy with it!

I agree too that the human race would be dull and colourless without the intricately woven and sometimes quirky little beliefs we have, and that if we were all the same, with the same beliefs it would be a pointless existance.

I believe god has a cunning plan too. :P

Thank you for making me think deep :D

Answer 22

Beautiful darling very very well said.

I just am sad that so many here have no idea the message that you are trying to convey.

Answer 23

Nice analogy.

Here is one of my favorite self-sayings: Friends are people who speak in metaphor.

Unfortunately, some people get confused and think it is OK to force someone to be more like them. That is not OK.

Answer 24

Well your idea is good in theory and many people agree with you. But the problem is when a select few try to get their ideas public, i.e. creationism in the school. Then atheists and other religions have to counter protest this and it makes a big mess of things. The problem is who gets the spotlight in the public eye. And if the answer is no one, then everyone feels atheists "won". It's a never-ending cycle.

Answer 25

I have no problem with people believing what they want as long as they keep it in their own house.  But when I have to deal with people on the streetcorner trying to scare me into joining their church because otherwise I'll go to h**l, that's when I get a little feisty.  Sorry, but everything can't be rainbows and pretty quilts all the time.  Religion is dangerous and has to be dealt with accordingly.

Answer 26

That is a beautiful metaphor!!  As a Pagan, I respect everyone being different as long as nobody tries to change me.

Blessed be! )0(