Why focus on the negative

[loverofhumanity]

Thing is, we can all see the faults in others, but rarely recognise those in ourselves. If we all spent a bit less time identifying and correcting the faults in others, and more time trying to improve ourselves, we might all get along a bit better

How awesomely profound. That’s so wise of you to say that.

 

[Psalm23]

Often in religious discussion or even worse in debate, it seems like the focus are on finding all the "negative" in religious beliefs instead of focus on all the good religion does for many people.

You can change bad situation by using goodness.

In certain cases it can be helpful to focus on the negative. In an extreme example , someone could be a part of a cult. There may be physical and sexual abuse. There may be a lot of manipulation and fear tactics. The cult may control who a person is allowed to see and talk with and where to spend their money. If I knew a friend who was involved in a cult and did nothing and said nothing, I would be a part of the problem and not the solution.

In a different example, it is important to recognize and change faulty thinking. A part of CBT
( Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is recognizing cognitive distortions and changing thought patterns to something true and helpful.

 

[Spirit of Light]

In certain cases it can be helpful to focus on the negative. In an extreme example , someone could be a part of a cult. There may be physical and sexual abuse. There may be a lot of manipulation and fear tactics. The cult may control who a person is allowed to see and talk with and where to spend their money. If I knew a friend who was involved in a cult and did nothing and said nothing, I would be a part of the problem and not the solution.

In a different example, it is important to recognize and change faulty thinking. A part of CBT
( Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is recognizing cognitive distortions and changing thought patterns to something true and helpful.

I just had 9 months with CBT treatment, so i know that well

To focus on our own negative side inward is a part og finding the answers we need to move on, but to focus on the negative in a setting that will upset others, is not a good way (in my view)
Helping people realizing they are in danger (as in a cult) does not have to focus on the worsed of the worsed, but one can as them if one has a chance, about how they feel about their life, and then ask what they would like to change. Then explain their options. (Probably many other ways to do it too)

 

[Psalm23]

I just had 9 months with CBT treatment, so i know that well

To focus on our own negative side inward is a part og finding the answers we need to move on, but to focus on the negative in a setting that will upset others, is not a good way (in my view)
Helping people realizing they are in danger (as in a cult) does not have to focus on the worsed of the worsed, but one can as them if one has a chance, about how they feel about their life, and then ask what they would like to change. Then explain their options. (Probably many other ways to do it too)

I once listened to a book on a person who had escaped a cult. There was a lot of physical abuse involved and manipulation and control. In such situations it is best to call the police. In that case , it is an emergency and ought to be handled as one.

 

[Spirit of Light]

I once listened to a book on a person who had escaped a cult. There was a lot of physical abuse involved and manipulation and control. In such situations it is best to call the police. In that case , it is an emergency and ought to be handled as one.

Yes, the police will handle it, and that is a positive thing to do.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Let us be truthful. Call good as good, call bad as bad.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

If each and every religious person was able to let go of their ego, you would see the perfect world religion speak about. Unfortunately not many today are able to let gonof the ego.

Lots of organizations - all made up of people with egos - have been able to improve themselves and take real action to stop harms that they once caused or prevent potential harms that they might have caused.

Religions don't need to wait for "egoless" people to start doing better than they have been doing.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

every garden has weeds. just another thread on the same old tired topic. discussing an idea and its negatives/positives isn't being to someone.

This justification doesn't work for gardens that get special privileges and tax breaks on the grounds that they help to control weeds better.

The response of "*shrug* we're just like anyone else" suggests you should be treated just like everyone else.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I once listened to a book on a person who had escaped a cult. There was a lot of physical abuse involved and manipulation and control. In such situations it is best to call the police. In that case , it is an emergency and ought to be handled as one.

It's a spectrum, not a binary. Plenty of mainstream religious groups exhibit a couple of Rick Ross's warning signs of a dangerous group or leader.

When it comes to religious groups - including cults - between the "nothing's wrong and everything's good" end of the spectrum and the "we need the police here right now or people will die" other end of the spectrum, there are lots of cases where criticism and advocating for change are reasonable responses to a religious group.

 

[Psalm23]

It's a spectrum, not a binary. Plenty of mainstream religious groups exhibit a couple of Rick Ross's warning signs of a dangerous group or leader.

When it comes to religious groups - including cults - between the "nothing's wrong and everything's good" end of the spectrum and the "we need the police here right now or people will die" other end of the spectrum, there are lots of cases where criticism and advocating for change are reasonable responses to a religious group.

There are certainly can be a mix of good and bad. It is good to know the red flags I think.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

There are certainly can be a mix of good and bad. It is good to know the red flags I think.

... and to start responding to those red flags when they start to cause harm, even if the harm doesn't qualify as a crime under the law.

 

[Psalm23]

... and to start responding to those red flags when they start to cause harm, even if the harm doesn't qualify as a crime under the law.

Of course.

 

[Fool]

This justification doesn't work for gardens that get special privileges and tax breaks on the grounds that they help to control weeds better.

The response of "*shrug* we're just like anyone else" suggests you should be treated just like everyone else.

I was speaking of weeds in religion. Jesus even talks about tares among the wheat. I wasn't advocating for one belief system over another

 

[LuisDantas]

Often in religious discussion or even worse in debate, it seems like the focus are on finding all the "negative" in religious beliefs instead of focus on all the good religion does for many people.

You can change bad situation by using goodness.

It is fair and proper to pay attention to what is perceived as dangerous or seriously mistaken.

 

[blü 2]

Often in religious discussion or even worse in debate, it seems like the focus are on finding all the "negative" in religious beliefs instead of focus on all the good religion does for many people.

You can change bad situation by using goodness.

Sometimes the question is, What does 'truth' mean? What then is true?

 

[We Never Know]

People don't complain about the weather when it's sunny.

Really. You have never heard of anyone complaining about getting a sunburn, sweating, its hot, drought, ect?

 

[idea]

You can change bad situation by using goodness.

As a teacher, it is difficult to tell someone they are wrong without embarrassing them. One way past that, is "I've made that mistake too, it is confusing, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is how I see it now "
I do not present myself as all-knowing, I leave room for discussion, I'm human and make mistakes - I let students see me change my mind, let them see me make (and then fix) mistakes, I'm not embarrassed to be an imperfect human and they should not be either.

If everyone in conversation is willing to change their mind, willing to admit being wrong.... talking through issues is beneficial.

 

[Spirit of Light]

Sometimes the question is, What does 'truth' mean? What then is true?

That depends on each situation i think.

 

[blü 2]

That depends on each situation i think.

I'd say it's rarely an irrelevant question and often helpful or revealing.

And ─ not least ─ can lead to interesting debates in the appropriate forums here.

 

[rational experiences]

Being good never owned the bad situation.

Being good owns only one meaning advised.

Being good means you only do good then no bad situation is experienced.