After all this time, now what?

[greenboy21x]

If you can already assume the answer then the problem is with the question.

hmmmm.... never thought about it like that. Thanks for the valuable insight.

 

[JustGeorge]

I actually have an Indian friend (Hindu) that is a Muslim

This confuses me. How can your friend be a Hindu and a Muslim? Perhaps there is a path I'm not aware of?

Not all Indians are Hindu, of course.

 

[greenboy21x]

I have a question for you, then: You have written "There's something" in your profile box thingie. Is that by any chance a reference to Heidegger's "Why is there something rather than nothing?"? This is a quote that came up in the panegyric at my uncle's funeral some years ago and has stayed with me, for some reason.

I went with "there's something" because nothing in the known universe originated from itself (you/I cannot give life to ourselves) therefore, "there's something" that everything originated from. What exactly that "something" is, I do not know.....yet. And before people begin/asking "well where did that something originate from" there is a fallacy that, that falls under, can't think of it right now though.

 

[rational experiences]

The human truth. A human as a human is a human first.

Science human creation thesis all lies.

About summarises there is no argument ego brother. Time for you to stop lying.

 

[greenboy21x]

This confuses me. How can your friend be a Hindu and a Muslim? Perhaps there is a path I'm not aware of?

Not all Indians are Hindu, of course.

I learned Arabic many years ago. In Arabic, an Indian is called "Hindi" aka "Hindu". So when we think outside of the English language, its makes more sense when someone says " That Hindi is a Muslim". And yes not all Indians are hindus by faith however, all Indians are Hindus by race/ethnicity or whatever. You know what I mean.

Edit to add: Same way not all Jews (race) are well, Jewish (by faith). There are Jews (race) that are Christian or Atheist.

 

[Bird123]

Hello RF community,


I recently joined RF after being a very long time reader. When I created my account I had all these threads that I planned on starting but, now that I finally created the account I find myself too, not sure what word to use, bored? lazy? to post anything.

As I begin typing up my OP I already tell myself “I already know what the Atheist/Muslim/agnostic/Christian/Jew will say” so I delete my post and walk away. I have been feeling the same when replying to other threads. As I begin typing my reply which will have a question to it, again I say to myself “I already know what the Atheist/Muslim/agnostic/Christian/Jew will say”.

Does anyone else go through this?

I used to be heavily (and I mean HEAVILY) involved in a different forum site which I used to post multiple times day, and every time I had that thought or “prediction” of what the “Atheist/Muslim/agnostic/Christian/Jew will say”, I was unfortunately almost always right. These “powers” lol (just kidding) have come from years of watching and listening to debates and podcast between theists, anti-theists, agnostics and atheists. Also from reading and studying and various religions, personal conversations and a heavy involvement of posts on the previous forums I used to be a part of. Even here at RF, most of the time, and I am sure I am not the only one, just by reading the title and a few sentences of the OP, I already know how each sect will reply. While I definitely appreciate the genuine and intellectual conversations with people, actually, as I type this sentence I am asking myself "do it still enjoy it?" I don't fully know the answer to the question anymore.

So, with all that said, I almost feel like I have grown “tired” of all this so my question is, now what?

God gave everyone a different view to guaranty mankind a larger view than one person could see. Are you really sure your view is meaningless. Maybe it's you who does not see.

God places truth all around. It waits to be Discovered. Simply because truth is not immediately Discovered, does that mean one should not be placing truth in the world.

Do people really ever change? You bet they do. Learning, Growing and Changing is what this world is all about.

I have changed countless people in my lifetime. This doesn't happen by remaining silent. If you point others in the right direction every time you see them, it makes a difference. In time people do change, however they always seem to think it was their own idea all along. This doesn't matter for the one caring and placing truth in the world.

So many times people fight to avoid Drama, yet more is learned around Drama than most any other thing. Interaction is a big part of God's system. Interaction should never be avoided.

Be the Rock. When times are turbulent and troubled, there will always be someone to come by and sit on the Rock for a nice little talk. Math might be the hardest lesson to teach, however it leads to Solutions that stare us all in the face.

So, what is next? This isn't the end of the journey. Your possibilities are endless as long as you keep a wide open view and realize that you should no longer decide to limit yourself based upon any beliefs.

That's what I see. It's very clear!!

 

[JustGeorge]

I learned Arabic many years ago. In Arabic, an Indian is called "Hindi" aka "Hindu". So when we think outside of the English language, its makes more sense when someone says " That Hindi is a Muslim". And yes not all Indians are hindus by faith however, all Indians are Hindus by race/ethnicity or whatever. You know what I mean.

I really don't. I'm not trying to be difficult, but that doesn't seem correct outside of perhaps Arabic language(which I don't know even a bit of). There are many groups of people living in India that speak many different languages.

Perhaps some of our Indian friends here know more. I'm curious what @Aupmanyav thinks on this.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Think outside the box.

I like to circle the circled wagons first.

Clearly, posting about heavy equipment and trucks is the perfect remedy for getting tired of debates.

 

[The Hammer]

Sometimes I feel like us Hindus, Buddhists and Pagans get swept under the rug around here.

We certainly do.

 

[The Hammer]

No, I do not know Hindus, Buddhist and all pagans will say. However, from what I have studied when it comes to religions, and I say this will all due respect to all Hindus, Buddhist pagans, I honestly have no interest in learning more than what I already have about them as those religions do not make any logical nor rational sense to me. While I do agree they add a new dimension to conversations, it's not a dimension I find interesting.

Gotcha.

You think we're more nutters than the Monotheist crowd. Np (it happens).

If Pagans, Hindus and Buddhists are irrational. What exactly is a "rational" theist?

 

[VoidCat]

I'll say most of the RFers have more arguments then those outside RF and have surprised me in regards to arguments about Christianity. Even tho offline arguments regarding Christianity I find boring and repetitive. I contribute this to most RFers actually doing more research on their religon then most the Christians I meet offline
But I do find it repetitive at times and easy to guess what some folk will say even on here

 

[Aupmanyav]

I learned Arabic many years ago. In Arabic, an Indian is called "Hindi" aka "Hindu". So when we think outside of the English language, its makes more sense when someone says " That Hindi is a Muslim". And yes not all Indians are hindus by faith however, all Indians are Hindus by race/ethnicity or whatever.

That is OK but for a small correction in the last sentence - All Indians are Indians, whatever their race, ethnicity or religion may be.
Another word used in common parlance is "Hindustani" (of the land of Hindus vis-a-vis Pakistani). Many a times shortened as Hindi, Paki.
However, Pakistanis are said to resent being called Pakis.

 

[anna.]

So, with all that said, I almost feel like I have grown “tired” of all this so my question is, now what?

You've been online, passively receiving information for a very long time and it doesn't challenge you anymore. You need different battles, if battles are what you live for.

 

[Trailblazer]

As I begin typing up my OP I already tell myself “I already know what the Atheist/Muslim/agnostic/Christian/Jew will say” so I delete my post and walk away. I have been feeling the same when replying to other threads. As I begin typing my reply which will have a question to it, again I say to myself “I already know what the Atheist/Muslim/agnostic/Christian/Jew will say”.

Does anyone else go through this?

I do not go through that because I don't care what people think or what they say, so if I have a particular topic I want to discuss I write the OP and I start a thread. The only thing I concern myself with is not offending anyone.

I used to be heavily (and I mean HEAVILY) involved in a different forum site which I used to post multiple times day, and every time I had that thought or “prediction” of what the “Atheist/Muslim/agnostic/Christian/Jew will say”, I was unfortunately almost always right.

I also know what they will say but I do not care as long as I do not offend anyone.

Even here at RF, most of the time, and I am sure I am not the only one, just by reading the title and a few sentences of the OP, I already know how each sect will reply. While I definitely appreciate the genuine and intellectual conversations with people, actually, as I type this sentence I am asking myself "do it still enjoy it?" I don't fully know the answer to the question anymore.

Maybe I am at a similar crossroads as you are. I have been on this forum for four years and I have posted over 31,000 posts and started many threads, most of which were Featured, and many of which went on for a long time, but I am at a different place in my life now. Maybe part of it is because of what is going on in my life is not the same as it was four years ago, and much has changed since the pandemic. I am not the same and other people are not the same. Have you noticed that?

Also, I am not that interested in religion anymore, not that I ever was very interested, but I used to feel compelled to share my beliefs whereas I don't feel that way anymore. I think I finally realized that my beliefs will always be rejected and most people don't even want to hear about them. Although there is one poster who consistently asks me about them, I no longer feel obligated to answer everything, as it is the same questions over and over again.

I know I am not enjoying myself, but I never thought I was. This has been mostly work for me because I want to grow spiritually and share my beliefs, but meanwhile I have lost sight of my own life. Nine years now I have been on forums, and I cannot get my life back. I even had to go back to counseling to work on what I am going to do with the rest of my life.

but, now that I finally created the account I find myself too, not sure what word to use, bored? lazy? to post anything.

So, with all that said, I almost feel like I have grown “tired” of all this so my question is, now what?

I felt that way last week and suddenly out of the blue I got a phone call from an old friend from the forum I used to post on for several years before I came here. I don't know how she got my phone number but that made me think of that forum which I have not thought for years. I had problems on that forum and that is why I left, but I went back a couple of times for short periods but it did not last long.

I went back to that forum this week and the same thing could happen again but I felt I needed a change and to reconnect with some of those people who I got to know very well, since it is a small forum group. I need a more personal interaction right now, but I also believe that God led me back there for a reason. Almost all the posters are atheists and agnostics, there is only one Christian and one Jew. I will still be here on RF but not as much.

 

[Secret Chief]

I learned Arabic many years ago. In Arabic, an Indian is called "Hindi" aka "Hindu". So when we think outside of the English language, its makes more sense when someone says " That Hindi is a Muslim". And yes not all Indians are hindus by faith however, all Indians are Hindus by race/ethnicity or whatever.

This is confusing to many I suspect? The word "Hindu" is an exonym, as I understand. If all Indians are Hindus (by some criterion) it could make the 1947 Partition of India difficult to explain.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I will still be here on RF but not as much.

Alhumdulillah, InshAllah.

 

[greenboy21x]

However, Pakistanis are said to resent being called Pakis

Yes, I have heard and its mainly in the UK as Paki is used as a slur. Which is funny because every other place I have been to in the world Paki is perfectly fine

 

[greenboy21x]

You've been online, passively receiving information for a very long time and it doesn't challenge you anymore. You need different battles, if battles are what you live for.

Not sure if its a "battle" that I am searching for rather, than answer. I do plan on starting a thread (when I get some time) about my "religious journey" so far. I think I might have arrived at my destination but I am not sure how to make that transition, or maybe I am not satisfied with the destination yet. I don't know. I am hoping as i start that thread and talk through it, that will help

 

[greenboy21x]

The only thing I concern myself with is not offending anyone.

Have you tried running for office as a politician? lol

I also know what they will say but I do not care as long as I do not offend anyone.

Dr. Jordan Peterson had a good little interview about free speech and the right to offend. I love that part of the interview and really got me thinking. Now, if you are speaking with 1 person, i think it's very manageable not to offend that person however, when you are addressing multiple people? Well, I think that is impossible today. Just look at what any politician or celebrity tweets, regardless whether you are left or right someone will always get offended. I guess it comes down to how much you are willing to "sacrifice" imo.

Also, I am not that interested in religion anymore

Do you mean you are no longer interested in those conversation or religion at all because, it would seem to contradict your Bahai faith.

 

[greenboy21x]

This is confusing to many I suspect? The word "Hindu" is an exonym, as I understand. If all Indians are Hindus (by some criterion) it could make the 1947 Partition of India difficult to explain.

I am going to assume to you probably don't speak Arabic or else it would not be confusing. Let's try this one and in English. All Jews are Jews but not all Jews are Jews. Confusing? Let's try it like this, "All people that are racially Jewish are considered Jews (for short) or Jewish but, not all people that are racially Jewish are Jews/Jewish by faith". It's the same thing as the Hindu example in Arabic except, Arabic has a way of combining words which is what helps makes that language more concise and precise by using less words.