Are you here to only hear what you want to hear ?.

[Thruve]

If we didn't, would anything ever even be debated?

 

[ChristineES]

Yes that's my question, are we afraid to hear what we don't want to hear, this is what I feel, we have threads where we cannot go to unless we are part of that organized belief. Why be here in the first place if all you want to hear is your own beliefs. This to me is sad, how can we ever grow if all we ever hear is what we believe is true to us, all we are doing is feeding our ego, or treasured beliefs...........yes so sad.

If I was, I certainly would have been disapointed all this time.

 

[psychoslice]

namaskaram

you can go anywhere provided you stick to asking respectfull questions ,
but it is unwise to just barge into a DIR chalenging other peoples beleifs , that is not the best way to learn .

we will all develop our understandings and beleifs better if we actualy take time to listen and respectfully discuss .

it sounds too that you are suffering from just a little injured pride

please understand that any comnts made to you in Hinduism Dir just recently especialy on my part were intended to open your eyes and help you learn about Hinduism .

I am sorry to have to criticise Osho but as you see I am not the only one to have severe reservations about his teachings ....



so ''are we afraid to hear what we don't want to hear,?''

sadly the answer is yes !

Just listen to what you are saying, you are talking down to me as if you have the truth. I don't have any particular beliefs, but I do take what makes senses to me from all religions, even Hinduism. I have read much about Krishna and I love the stories about him, especially the Gita. Its just that I don't see the stories as something that really happened, that's no importance to our spiritual growth, its where the words point that is most beneficial to our growth.

The problem with many believes is that they are, seeing the world and their beliefs as the only world and beliefs that are true. No beliefs are true, if they were, they wouldn't be beliefs, do we need to believe the sun will rise each morning, of course not. And listening to what others say about Osho or anyone, is second hand knowledge, find out for yourself.

 

[psychoslice]

I'm more than willing to hear other points of view, even if they go completely aganist what I believe.

That being said, personal truth tends to be extremely subjective. As such, it's best to not really get hung up on a search for an idealized form of "objective" truth.

Yep, that's just what I feel is true, in fact I like people to say whatever they like about anything I share, because in the end we all know nothing.

 

[psychoslice]

Personally, I've found it much easier to be open to pondering various spiritual viewpoints or dogmatic religious teachings since I've turned agnostic. So far, I haven't found a particular philosophy or religion that rings true enough to commit to that line of thinking. For now, I enjoy being "single". It took a very long time and much call to strength to divorce Christianity. Feeling free from religion means everything to me. I love the peace of mind most of all.

I did initially come to RF to hear only what I wanted to hear, however. That is, my motive was to talk to fellow Christians of like mind who wanted to encourage, edify and love each other in Christ on a daily basis. Cracks were beginning to form regarding my faith at the time and subconsciously I may have been looking for a way out. I only acknowledged this doubt in hindsight. Over a couple of years time and after reading various divergent viewpoints and having endless discussions with people here on the forum and in person, I came to realize my former beliefs were dead.

So, to answer your question, people may come to RF for validation of what they currently believe or perhaps they are searching for a new religious home and need to ask questions. Some people could care less about finding religion but enjoy discussing the subject. In other words, our minds can only "accept" what we are looking for at a particular time in our lives.

To me, it's not so much about holding so tightly onto one religious or philosophical teaching that you've closed the door to further education, but to keep exploring and considering until the ultimate conclusion (or no conclusion) feels right and true with your mind and soul. I will always believe the most important spiritual aspect in life is to continue to build up love and share it as you go. This is not an easy feat to perfect. I'm still learning and fall on my face all the time.

I read all that, and I have to say I thought it was beautifully said, thanks Buttercup.

 

[psychoslice]

On a side note, many people in debates get busy proving that they are right instead of being right. Being busy proving that we are right, we struggle to see the points that the members are raising.

It is important for everyone to think out of the box for a while to see things as they are, of course me included.

Very true, and this is what I am on about, people should chill out and actually listen to others, even though it could destroy your beliefs.

 

[Buttercup]

I read all that, and I have to say I thought it was beautifully said, thanks Buttercup.

Thanks. It's not often anymore I type out that much. But, for you...hey, no problem.

 

[psychoslice]

No, the reason we have DIRs is for like minded discussion, likewise there are sections that allow multi faith debate of a topic. For example, if you have a questions say about the practice of a certain sect of a religion, say like the practice of Sunni Muslims, you'd find a valid and trustworthy answer much faster in the Islam DIR rather than the Comparative Religion section.

That being said, there are in fact some people who just want to hear their right and nothing else. And I have no real problem with that, if that's what makes them happy than why should I ruin their happiness? I for one will be open minded and listen to new points of view but I'm not going to judge those who don't -- it's their choice, a close minded choice yes, but it's still their choice.

Yes that's the political side of it, but still, why wast your life trying to keep yourself secure from what maybe true, to me its a wast of life, with no growth what so ever. But like you said, as long as they are happy, but are they really ?.

 

[psychoslice]

I'm here to discuss ideas. My mind can be changed, but it takes a solid argument.

Is that because you have a solid belief that you believe cannot be shifted, what if you belief is wrong, what will that do to you ?.

 

[psychoslice]

We have the right to choose our experiences. It's a human right. Why in the world would I want to walk into a room of Hindu-bashers and let them spew their venom at me for a couple of hours? I don't walk into sleeazy bars or strip joints or watch violent TV or movies either.

I am so glad we have DIRs on this forum. If you go back a few years and read some stuff in the early days on RF, most of it was people defending their faith against accusations. That's not learning much, or having camaraderie with gentle people of your faith. It's just a crazy free-for-all.

Many of us (like me) learn so much just by reading the stuff in other DIRs. It's eye-opening.

I don't know about entering a thread and bashing peoples beliefs, that's not my style, but I will question their beliefs, big difference.

 

[icehorse]

I'm an engineer by profession and nature. I want to learn what works. If you can show me something that works better than what I already know, I will happily abandon my old tools, for newer, better ones.

 

[psychoslice]

I'm an engineer by profession and nature. I want to learn what works. If you can show me something that works better than what I already know, I will happily abandon my old tools, for newer, better ones.

Yes the Dali lama said something like, "if science proved something we believe to be wrong, we will change that belief" its a good life philosophy to have, thanks.

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't know about entering a thread and bashing peoples beliefs, that's not my style, but I will question their beliefs, big difference.

Yes, tone means a lot, and it's hard to interpret from words on a screen.

 

[psychoslice]

Yes, tone means a lot, and it's hard to interpret from words on a screen.

But if we are truly seeking the truth, wouldn't we see past the tone and see the meaning of the words. or is it our ego that keeps us in our little box. ?.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yes that's my question, are we afraid to hear what we don't want to hear, this is what I feel, we have threads where we cannot go to unless we are part of that organized belief. Why be here in the first place if all you want to hear is your own beliefs. This to me is sad, how can we ever grow if all we ever hear is what we believe is true to us, all we are doing is feeding our ego, or treasured beliefs...........yes so sad.

Are you referring to the DIRs? Sometimes you just want to discuss certain things among your own group and debating wouldn't be appropriate. If you wish to discuss and debate with others, that's what the Debate forums are for. So there's something for everyone here.

 

[psychoslice]

Are you referring to the DIRs? Sometimes you just want to discuss certain things among your own group and debating wouldn't be appropriate. If you wish to discuss and debate with others, that's what the Debate forums are for. So there's something for everyone here.

Yes and no, like I have been on DIR's and have asked question or shared my views on the subject, just because I see the subject differently I have been told to keep away. I call myself a Hindu, Christian, or whatever, I see truth in all of them. But when people expect you to only say what you need to say, or what you should say, well to me personally that's not very intelligent at all, especially for adults.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yes and no, like I have been on DIR's and have asked question or shared my views on the subject, just because I see the subject differently I have been told to keep away. I call myself a Hindu, Christian, or whatever, I see truth in all of them. But when people expect you to only say what you need to say, or what you should say, well to me personally that's not very intelligent at all, especially for adults.

Just because you see truth in all religions, doesn't mean you're a member of all of those religions. I can see truths in most of the religions, too, but that doesn't make me a Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, Muslim, Satanist, etc. So I don't belong in their designated DIRs and they don't belong in the Catholic DIR (unless they're asking a polite question) or the general Christian DIR (unless they're asking a polite question or making a polite and knowledgeable comment).

 

[psychoslice]

Just because you see truth in all religions, doesn't mean you're a member of all of those religions. I can see truths in most of the religions, too, but that doesn't make me a Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, Muslim, Satanist, etc. So I don't belong in their designated DIRs.

What makes a true Hindu, or a true Christian, just being part of the club doesn't make you anything, especially when spirituality is concerned. Jesus was said to say, "there is no Jew or Gentile, woman or man", he meant that we are all one in God.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

What makes a true Hindu, or a true Christian, just being part of the club doesn't make you anything, especially when spirituality is concerned. Jesus was said to say, "there is no Jew or Gentile, woman or man", he meant that we are all one in God.

On this forum, identifying yourself as a member of that religion. You can't just break the rules and claim to be a member of all religions so that you can post everywhere.

Jesus didn't say that. Paul did in Galatians 3. He was talking about the unity of Christians.

 

[psychoslice]

On this forum, identifying yourself as a member of that religion. You can't just break the rules and claim to be a member of all religions so that you can post everywhere.

Jesus didn't say that. Paul did in Galatians 3. He was talking about the unity of Christians.

What Paul wrote is said to come from God, so Jesus did say it. Yes I realize that the rule here is to not go into those threads that are believed to be owned by whatever religion, as if you can own a religion. I'm just seeing the whole thing spiritually, and being the rebel that I am, I can't help but to question what I see as being not spiritual.