Where is the biggest gap in the various belief systems?

[Feathers in Hair]

I was just considering this the other day, when I realized my personal take on things was more pantheistic than polythiestic. I started thinking about the various points of view that we have here on RF, and how there seem to be some that are further apart than others. As opposed to the gaps being in the religions themselves, I am curious about how they occur when the differences are in the approach to religion.

For example, I might have thought that atheists and polytheists would have the biggest gap in their approach. After all, monotheists and atheists only disagree on the existence of one god. It would seem that the other group and atheists would have more to disagree over... but that doesn't usually seem to be the case.

(I should pre-apologize, because not all of the categories would want themselves classed as 'belief systems'. Furthermore, they might not even be viewpoints that are intrinsically opposed.)

So where do you see the biggest gap? Why do you think this is? What do you think can be done to bridge it?

(I would also ask that we make sure that we keep all topics like 'why my approach is right compared to the other one' out of this thread. I think we could learn a lot more from each other by keeping it to a discussion.)

 

[Jaymes]

The biggest gap, I believe, is between anyone who believes that divine law/rules come from a higher power and that people are held accountable according to that, and those that believe morals come from within or from society.

EDIT: Hey, no adding polls after I post. :biglaugh:

 

[KirbyFan101]

Yay, I hold 100% of the votes!

I think atheist/polythiest is the largest difference.

 

[Draka]

I think Fundamentalist/non-fundamentalist is the biggest gap. No matter what religion, there are those who adhere firmly to the scriptures or teachings of it and then there are those who relate the beliefs and scriptures to the times they live in and adjust to fit and are more laid back about things in general. I think this is where the biggest gap comes in...especially because it is WITHIN beliefs of the same following. And this portrays confusion to those outside the religion in question, to the point of not understanding WHAT a certain religion believes. This definitely doesn't help the understanding of a religion to have such two opposing sides.

 

[michel]

I had to go 'fundamentalists/Non fundamnentalists; one is static, and the other evolves (I think I am right in saying that).


But I think the biggest gap lies not in belief systems, but the defense mechanism that seems to engage when anyone challenges another's beliefs.

 

[michel]

IMHO, the biggest gap is in the area of definitions of doctrines and terms.

 

[EnhancedSpirit]

I had to go 'fundamentalists/Non fundamnentalists; one is static, and the other evolves (I think I am right in saying that).


But I think the biggest gap lies not in belief systems, but the defense mechanism that seems to engage when anyone challenges another's beliefs.

I was going somewhere along the same lines as Michel. I think the gap is predjudice, and unwillingness to accept others as they are. There should be differences, and of course there are going to be gaps between belief systems, that's what makes them different.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

Naturalism vs Supernaturalism

 

[Draka]

I think Fundamentalist/non-fundamentalist is the biggest gap. No matter what religion, there are those who adhere firmly to the scriptures or teachings of it and then there are those who relate the beliefs and scriptures to the times they live in and adjust to fit and are more laid back about things in general. I think this is where the biggest gap comes in...especially because it is WITHIN beliefs of the same following. And this portrays confusion to those outside the religion in question, to the point of not understanding WHAT a certain religion believes. This definitely doesn't help the understanding of a religion to have such two opposing sides.

Holy crap! Did I actually write that?:biglaugh: and does it make sense? I was drunk when I came home last night! I guess my brain still works under the influence...surprisingly:jam:

 

[Valjean]

There is a large gap between those who accept the world their five senses presents to them and those who reject it as merely a dream.

 

[michel]

Naturalism vs Supernaturalism

What would you define as supernatural, Deut?

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

What would you define as supernatural, Deut?

That which is inaccesible to the protocols of scientific, e.g., ...

In contrasting the Western religions with science, the most important criterion of distinction is that the supernatural or spiritual realm is unknowable ... Given this fiat by the theistic believers, science simply ignores the supernatural as being outside the scope of scientific inquiry. Scientists in effect are saying:

You religious believers set up your postulates as truths, and we take you at your word. By definition, you render your beliefs unassailable and unavailable.​

This attitude is not one of surrender, but simply an expression of the logical impossibility of proving the existence of something about which nothing can possibly be known through scientific investigation.

- Understanding Science: An Introduction to Concepts and Issues by Arthur N. Strahler

 

[michel]

Fair enough; thanks.