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Worldview

IndigoChild5559

Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
I never said it was the only thing that affects your life, the fact that you admitted it drives you nuts shows this neighbor's heavy walking does affect your life. BTW I never asked for your sympathy, I was only making a point.
You are missing my point. Mountain out of a molehill.
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
A stranger going door to door bringing a message is a different situation than a neighbor going to your door bringing you the same message over and over
I think you meant, " is a different situation than a neighbor" you are familiar with, because when I visit people hundreds of miles away from me, I let them know I am their neighbor.
A neighbor isn't someone living next to me. That's a next door neighbor.
Neighborhoods stretch great distances, but we put up barriers, and set limits, by drinking imaginary border lines.

I understand why that is the case, which is another topic, but what I don't understand, is how a stranger going door to door bringing a message is a different situation than a neighbor going to your door bringing you the same message.
For example...
I carry the message of the good news of the kingdom of God, to the neighbors in close vicinity of my home, and my brothers (spiritual) who are strangers to these neighbors, bring the same message... on other occasions, of course.

Do the people see them as different to me? No. They see us as the same - as one.
How do you see it as a different situation?

There are religious people who will ask which church you go to in the same way they might ask where do you work, or what’s your favorite sports team. If your response is that you don’t go to church, they will insist on an explanation of why, and if you explain you aren’t a religious person, they will believe (which causes them to act) like they are morally superior to you.
Yes. I know this kind of thing you are describing. They aren't trained.
We - Jehovah's Witnesses - receive instuctions on how to approach and engage people in conversation, and prying is one of the things we are taught not to do.
So if any of my brothers are guilty of drilling you with these questions, I apologize.

We don't all listen and learn at the same rate.
Some of us too, come from worldly lifestyles, and are still adjusting our personality. A work in progress.

However, I can understand how that can annoy a person.
Especially, when you are treated as if you don't have a reason for not being religious.

Tell me something though. If I give you a message that you do not like, do you see that as imposing my views on you?

Now are all Christians that way? Of course not; those are only the outliners; but then not all atheists go around caring what Christians believe either; those are only the outliners.
So, say I am a flat earth believer, should any one try to convince me otherwise?
 
Would it be fair to say everybody has a different worldview?

It depends on the resolution you use to examine them.

Everyone has different experiences and slightly different genetic makeup, so we are all unique at the micro level.

Zoom out a bit and we share broadly similar worldviews with many people.

So worldviews are mostly shared, but with a bit of individual nuance.
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
It depends on the resolution you use to examine them.

Everyone has different experiences and slightly different genetic makeup, so we are all unique at the micro level.

Zoom out a bit and we share broadly similar worldviews with many people.

So worldviews are mostly shared, but with a bit of individual nuance.
So each worldview is similar but different in the same way automobiles are similar but different; agree?
 

IndigoChild5559

Loving God and my neighbor as myself.
So each worldview is similar but different in the same way automobiles are similar but different; agree?
What it means is that while no two world views are identical, that they can often be grouped into categories that share certain broad opinions. For example, many people share a naturalistic world view.
 
So each worldview is similar but different in the same way automobiles are similar but different; agree?

In the sense that 2 Formula 1 cars are different, but share many things in common and produce very similar outcomes.

And 2 jeeps are different but share many things in common and produce very similar outcomes to each other but very different ones to the F1 cars.

So we can group worldviews into categories that are roughly accurate and fairly predictable, but with small variations between individuals.

Hence we can easily differentiate between secular humanists and salafi jihadis and accurately predict many things about them while accepting there is variation within the categories too.
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
What it means is that while no two world views are identical, that they can often be grouped into categories that share certain broad opinions. For example, many people share a naturalistic world view.
is it fair to say there will be overlap in some cases and separation in other areas concerning all worldviews? Using your naturalistic example, let's say I have a naturalist worldview, and you have a spiritual worldview, but our political views, and moral views overlap to the extent of being very similar. IOW even though our worldviews might be polar opposite, we might have more in common than someone else who share our worldviews but have different views in other areas. does this make sense?
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
In the sense that 2 Formula 1 cars are different, but share many things in common and produce very similar outcomes.

And 2 jeeps are different but share many things in common and produce very similar outcomes to each other but very different ones to the F1 cars.

So we can group worldviews into categories that are roughly accurate and fairly predictable, but with small variations between individuals.

Hence we can easily differentiate between secular humanists and salafi jihadis and accurately predict many things about them while accepting there is variation within the categories too.
If you and another person you've never met both have religious worldviews, would you assume you both will have much in common?
 
If you and another person you've never met both have religious worldviews, would you assume you both will have much in common?

I would assume 2 British secular humanists, 2 Saudi Wahabbi Muslims, 2 American fundamentalist Baptists etc. would have broadly similar worldviews.

Being told their identity I would be able to pretty accurately guess their views on a wide range of issues. Sometimes I’d be wrong, but generalisations are only generally accurate.

Being told someone was “religious” would be less helpful.
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
I think you meant, " is a different situation than a neighbor" you are familiar with, because when I visit people hundreds of miles away from me, I let them know I am their neighbor.
A neighbor isn't someone living next to me. That's a next door neighbor.
Neighborhoods stretch great distances, but we put up barriers, and set limits, by drinking imaginary border lines.
I was talking about a next door neighbor.
I understand why that is the case, which is another topic, but what I don't understand, is how a stranger going door to door bringing a message is a different situation than a neighbor going to your door bringing you the same message.
For example...
I carry the message of the good news of the kingdom of God, to the neighbors in close vicinity of my home, and my brothers (spiritual) who are strangers to these neighbors, bring the same message... on other occasions, of course.

Do the people see them as different to me? No. They see us as the same - as one.
How do you see it as a different situation?
If you are my next door neighbor bringing the message, If I make it clear to you I am not interested in your message, assuming you are a decent guy, you will respect my wishes. Where as if I were constantly having strangers coming to my door, I have to tell them over and over again I am not interested and after a while it can become bothersome.
So, say I am a flat earth believer, should any one try to convince me otherwise?
It isn’t anyone’s job to try to convince you otherwise. However if that is all you wanna talk about…….
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
I would assume 2 British secular humanists, 2 Saudi Wahabbi Muslims, 2 American fundamentalist Baptists etc. would have broadly similar worldviews.

Being told their identity I would be able to pretty accurately guess their views on a wide range of issues. Sometimes I’d be wrong, but generalisations are only generally accurate.

Being told someone was “religious” would be less helpful.
Do you assume those who share the same religion will have the same world view? Or is it their country of origin that determines it?
 

nPeace

Veteran Member
I was talking about a next door neighbor.
If you are my next door neighbor bringing the message, If I make it clear to you I am not interested in your message, assuming you are a decent guy, you will respect my wishes.
Your saying you are not interested, does not convey any wish.
You should make your wish clear as to what you are not interested in, or I should try to find out what it is you are not interested in.
Is it you are not interested in me visiting your home, the Bible, religion... ?

If all of the above, then you would not see me at your door again... unless I come by to tell you your house is on fire... Or, bring by your mail, which the postman somehow got mixed with mine.

If you aren't interested in religion, I would visit again, since I am not there to talk about religion.
So, it depends on what your wishes are, which you haven't expressed.

If you make clear, you are not interested in my visiting your home, I would not visit your home.

Where as if I were constantly having strangers coming to my door, I have to tell them over and over again I am not interested and after a while it can become bothersome.
Just tell them what you are not interested in.
I have had people tell me they are not interested, and they spoke to me the next time I visited their home.
What's more, they invited us in.

That is because sometimes people are not interested in one thing or other, at one time or other.
So, the next visit, they may be interested in something said in the very first words they hear, or the person's manner, or even the person's dialect or accent.

I'm speaking from experience, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
So, if you do not want this group of people to visit your home, simply make that clear.
I guarantee you, you will see them knocking doors of your surrounding neighbors, but they won't knock yours.

This is because we are organized to preach the good news.
If anyone expresses clearly that they do not want Jehovah's Witnesses calling on their home, the house number, and address goes on a list of "Do not Call", and all publishers are made aware of this, when working the territory.

If it happens that you receive a visit after expressing that wish, it's because the one taking the lead neglected to inform the group that time.
It can happen, since we are imperfect and make mistakes.
I apologize for that.

I can understand your annoyance there.

It isn’t anyone’s job to try to convince you otherwise. However if that is all you wanna talk about…….
It's usually a demonstration of showing care, and being interested in helping persons.
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
Both are important.
Consider the scenario, and tell me if it is possible:

Bob and Joe both have a Christian worldview. But when it comes to economics, Bob is a Capitalist, but Joe is Socialist. When it comes to politics, Bob is Republican, but Joe is Democrat. When it comes to religion, Bob is Trinitarian, but Joe is Jehovah Witness. When it comes to astronomy, Bob is evolutionist, but Joe is Creationist. Is it possible for 2 people to have the same worldview yet sit on polar opposites of practically every major discussion issue?
 
Consider the scenario, and tell me if it is possible:

Bob and Joe both have a Christian worldview. But when it comes to economics, Bob is a Capitalist, but Joe is Socialist. When it comes to politics, Bob is Republican, but Joe is Democrat. When it comes to religion, Bob is Trinitarian, but Joe is Jehovah Witness. When it comes to astronomy, Bob is evolutionist, but Joe is Creationist. Is it possible for 2 people to have the same worldview yet sit on polar opposites of practically every major discussion issue?

All of the things you mention are part of their worldview.

Christianity is one part, capitalism/socialism are parts, attitude to science another etc.

A worldview is the totality of your ideological and cultural beliefs. So you can't have the same worldview and sit on polar opposites, as where you sit on these things is a product of your worldview.
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
All of the things you mention are part of their worldview.

Christianity is one part, capitalism/socialism are parts, attitude to science another etc.

A worldview is the totality of your ideological and cultural beliefs. So you can't have the same worldview and sit on polar opposites, as where you sit on these things is a product of your worldview.
So there is no such a thing as a "Christian worldview", and it is pretty much impossible for 2 people to have the same worldview; agree?
 
So there is no such a thing as a "Christian worldview", and it is pretty much impossible for 2 people to have the same worldview; agree?

There is no single "Christian worldview", there are various Christian worldviews and people who hold similar ones will have very similar perspectives on many issues. We can still generalise reasonably accurately about most people based on understanding the basics of the worldview they hold.

As with all useful generalisations, they are broadly accurate, but you need to expect nuance and variation with individuals.

While people can have very similar worldviews, no 2 will be absolutely identical as we all have slightly different experiences and cognitive make-ups.
 

Kfox

Well-Known Member
There is no single "Christian worldview", there are various Christian worldviews and people who hold similar ones will have very similar perspectives on many issues. We can still generalise reasonably accurately about most people based on understanding the basics of the worldview they hold.

As with all useful generalisations, they are broadly accurate, but you need to expect nuance and variation with individuals.

While people can have very similar worldviews, no 2 will be absolutely identical as we all have slightly different experiences and cognitive make-ups.
So if you have a Christian worldview, what does that say about your worldview? If it says nothing about your political views, nothing about your views concerning economics, biology, astronomy, nothing about your moral views…. I mean in theory one person can have a Christian worldview, the other person might have an atheist worldview, and they will have more in common than 2 people with Christian worldview; agree?
 
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