posted
All summer long I've been working with a part-time employee who will go back to college very soon (tomorrow is his last day now that I think about it). He's a 20 year old who's shooting for a degree in law, and he hopes to get into politics within his lifetime. The guy isn't a rocket scientist by any means, but he's sharp as a tack on a lot of subjects, and working the job we do there's a lot of time for discussing things.
On the flip-side, I'm basically the opposite of this guy. I'm 13 years older than him, dropped out of community college waaaay back in my early 20's, and don't get the "standardized" curriculum that he's exposed to on a semi-regular basis. Naturally, this has lead to a lot of differing opinions on many subjects. We never fight about our opinions, it just makes for some interesting debates and the work day usually flies by because of all the cool discussions.
Now here is the thing: There's one certain subject that we've discussed quite a bit. I won't say what it is because I don't want to kick up a shit storm of a war around here, but let's just say that this is a very controversial topic and leave it at that. We've talked about it I don't know how many different times, but the other day I happened to find an article on the 'net that backs up my position on this subject VERY well. Excited, I went to work the next day and told this guy all about this page I'd found and how it tends to really back up everything I've said. Moreover, I told him that I'd copy everything on the page and put it on CD if he didn't want to bother with following any links or anything. Well, basically, the guy told me to not bother.
Naturally I was disappointed, but I came to a conclusion. Though the subject-matter of the topic isn't inherently religious, his views on the matter ARE religious. In other words, he has a train of thought (perhaps a faith) about this subject that he doesn't want shattered. This is a sacred cow kind of belief for him.
Me personally, I don't think there should be anything under the sun that is off-limits for discussion. Granted there's a time and place for everything, but in the end I don't think there is any subject so "holy" or "untouchable" that we can't approach it objectively and at different angles.
My question is this, and it can be a simple yes or no if you don't want to go into detail: Do you have any "sacred cow" kinds of beliefs that you absolutely refuse to discuss? Also, has having these beliefs caused problems with other people?
(sorry for the long post)
-------------------- Like Girls? LikeReal Barefoot Girls?! Then this place is for you! www.dennis-n-mara.com Your best source for some Real Deal Hardcore Barefoot Girls! Posts: 5427 | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I've noticed in my discussions with people they often substitute isolation of their point of view for actual security in it.
When you only allow yourself to be exposed to one point of view it's really easy buy into it.
Lots of "strong believers" in some topics are really practicing some sort of denial.
When I was a kid I would go with friends to their various youth groups. I always asked the hard questions, because I wanted to hear what people had to say about them. I was taken out into the hall several times and told that my comments aren't conducive to building strong christians. My reply was always, "If we discuss these other ideas and the other kids end up choosing to believe in christianiy after the fact, won't they be the strongest of christians?"
When people won't hear of other ideas it is most often because they are afraid of finding out that they may not be as strong a believer as they think they should be.
Trying to debate objectively with such a person will always be disappointing, because while you take something away from the experience, they won't.
Posts: 639 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by ozkar: My reply was always, "If we discuss these other ideas and the other kids end up choosing to believe in christianiy after the fact, won't they be the strongest of christians?"
Thank you! That is entirely my point! The way I see it, if I have a belief or a set of beliefs that crumble under some amount of scrutiny, maybe I need to reevaluate my position, whatever the subject may be.
Don't get me wrong, I believe that people have the right to believe whatever they want, but I think a line of distinction needs to be drawn between what is accepted as fact and what is accepted by faith.
quote: Trying to debate objectively with such a person will always be disappointing, because while you take something away from the experience, they won't.
I agree once again. It's a good thing that I was pretty much just debating for the hell of it with this guy...if I was wanting him to "see the light" I was in for a major headache!
quote: A great example is Music (and other forms of Personal Entertainment).
I do not care HOW much people recommend it... I ain't listening to that Modern Garbage!
It's a strong opinion.
I will not even entertain thoughts of sitting down to MTV or VH1.
I am incredibly closed-minded about music!
But it effects noone but me, and I do not ridicule others who disagree, so I feel it is acceptable.
I agree when it comes to matters of entertainment...what people like really makes no nevermind to me. I've seen people get into these really heated debates over things like video games, bands, favorite teams, etc...some people even go so far as to fist fight over these things!
Some people need to know what kinds of battles are worth fighting!
-------------------- Like Girls? LikeReal Barefoot Girls?! Then this place is for you! www.dennis-n-mara.com Your best source for some Real Deal Hardcore Barefoot Girls! Posts: 5427 | Registered: Jul 2003
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