Your Beliefs

[Fluffy]

On this forum, everyone encounters a wealth of different beliefs and diverse morals with every thread. How have these affected you?

Have any of your beliefs or morals changed because of something someone said on this site? Have you become more firm and dead set in other areas after hearing a particularly convincing argument for something you held dearly already?

Well Ill get the ball rolling I suppose (it might be just me who has experienced this afterall ). I remember when I first came to these forums I was incredibly anti-guns, incredibly anti-drugs and very pro-life. Now I find that I am almost at the opposite end of the spectrum in all these areas, all of which are down to the ideas and experiences on this site. I'd also like to thank everybody who contributed to those, you have taught me a huge amount and continue to do so!

Fluffy

 

[Jaymes]

When I first came here I was very convinced that most Christians were idiots. Seeing people like Melody, Scott, Michel, and everyone else (if I named every Christian who's influenced me on this site the list would be about a page long... I don't mean to leave any of you guys out ) has shown me that it's just a different belief system than I have, despite what I saw growing up.

 

[Melody]

My faith has gotten stronger and my personal beliefs have been refined considerably. This is not only due to the wonderful posts from the christians I admire and respect such as Scott, No*s, NetDoc, Michel, and so many others who I do not mean to slight by not naming individually, but also by those who do not share my belief system and challenge me to think about what I believe....even the atheists.

 

[Lintu]

I've become enlightened on many religions I didn't know much about, such as Satanism. I also have gotten pretty cool support for my change of religion. My base views, however, have not changed, and many of them (pro-choice, pro-gay, for instance) likely never will.

 

[Pussyfoot Mouse]

When I found this place I was completely lost and didn't know what to believe anymore. But so many of you have given me hope that my faith may be regained. It's been a difficult road for me, these past couple of years but I'm beginning to have faith once again.

Thank you All!

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

I have learned a lot more about different religions like satanism and christianity, and i have changed to a "grey jedi"

 

[Doc]

Before I came here, I knew nothing about other christian faiths or eastern religions. All I knew about Quakers was that I once ate oatmeal with the same name. I thought Jedi were nothing more than crazed star wars fans with no life (until I recently became obsessed with the movies). And I have learned loads of other things too numerous to mention.

 

[kreeden]

This is indeed a wonderful forum . I don't know if I have changed all that much ? But many have helped me in so many ways . Often with just a few words , said at the right time , and perhaps not even to me or even in a thread that I had been active in .

And then , I have asked for advice at times , and have received it .

And finually , I have to say that it is a wonderous thing to see people grow . And yes , I have seen it happen near , many times . As no doubt I have , but being as close to the tree as I am , I may not be able to see the forest . But it is a beautiful thing to see in others , and that does this old heart good .

BTW Fluffy , keep our pants on . I believe that this thread has just learnt you a few frudals .

 

[Fluffy]

BTW Fluffy , keep our pants on . I believe that this thread has just learnt you a few frudals .

Everyone always wants the pants on! Thanks very much!

When I first came here I was very convinced that most Christians were idiots.

I had this problem too but specifically with Roman Catholics. No prizes for guessing who reversed that belief rather promptly .

 

[michel]

I have learned a lot - in every field. I have learned to put behind me a lot of my prejudices; I hate to admit it, but one was homosexuality. I now find myself in the position of wanting to support them in any way I can.

Religion; What I knew about Christianity was minimal - I think it still is - but maybe it's less minimal than it used to be.

Heh, I came here to find decent folk, and that is what I have found - faith does not have any bearing on the way I choose my friends either - I think I can safely say that this forum attracts a special kind of person, and I am so pleased to be amongst you all.

 

[James the Persian]

Well, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss religion with people of all faiths without it always turning into a slanging match (the people here are probably the most kind and sincere community I've come across on a multi-faith forum).

My personal beliefs haven't changed by being here. My faith was too solid and settled for that, I think, but some of my beliefs about others have. Peace has shown me a tolerant side of Islam that I admire a lot and which I haven't previously seen on internet forums. Scott has disabused me of some of my misconceptions about Roman Catholicism (hangups from a Protestant past, I think). NetDoc (and he may be surprised to see me write this) has shown me that it is possible to disagree fundamentally with (what I consider) a Protestant without either side having to jump down each other's throats.

Someone else, whose name escapes me at the moment, also showed me that sola scripturalists don't have to be ignorant literalists and another that some atheists at least can appreciate that we simply can't discuss certain issues profitably when we have such incredibly different paradigms.

I'm sure there are more that I haven't mentioned. Katzpur is probably the most impressive Mormon I've come across, though I knew her prior, for instance. In short, I guess this place has made me more tolerant and open to the good people in the religions I disagree with, whilst in no way diminishing my belief in my own Church. That's a very good thing, and thanks to all those, both named and unnamed, who have helped me lose some of my blinkers and (though I hate to admit it) prejudices.

James

 

[jewscout]

i have found that my time here at RF has only further solidified my faith and views. But also talking with other members from other background i have gained a greater understanding of religions that i had no knowledge of in the past (especially wiccanism and satanism) and a new found respect for many of my christian brothers and sisters (michel, No*s, and Scott i'm lookin at you:bounce )

i've also learned, thanx to my time as a mod, to bite my tounge (thanx to maize, pah, and rex for giving me the chance to not be as much of an a$$):bounce

 

[Original Freak]

Well, my beliefs, or lack thereof remain rock solid I too have learned a lot. Not only about topic I find interesting (science, nature etc.) but about various religions. It's increadable, not only the attitudes of most on here, but the overall knowledge of the different religions. I've been dealing with, friends with, and debating with christians and other religious people my whole life but never have I been in the company of such knowledgable people when it comes to their religion.
*group hug*

 

[michel]

I guess I came here with a mish-mash of ideas, all taken from various faiths, built into a 'composite' Religion of my own. That came from a) No religion discussed at home b) None learned at School c) A belief in something that would stop me from harming myself.

Since here, I have recognized that the little I knew of Christianity was the 'backbone' of my beliefs - I had just added bits to make me feel better (In Ignorance).

Now, I am happy to be a Christian, and I've a whole load of learning to do! Cullture shock - you bet!

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

There are few things that I appreciate as greatly as a well-read, coherent theist: I am greatly indebted to No*s, IacobPersul, and Scott.

Beyond that, the forum has led me to refine my understanding of 'religion' and to appreciate theism as a reasonable world view, i.e., it has led me to become a somewhat more nuanced atheist.

 

[Isabella Lecour]

On this forum, everyone encounters a wealth of different beliefs and diverse morals with every thread. How have these affected you?

I'm still farely new here but so far I've learned:
to bite my tounge more often in avoiding threads that are seriously touchy for me...
to laugh out loud thanks to "via" and all the responces to it/him/her...
that there is a much diversty in belife as there is plant life...
appliation of the rules of debate and logic...which is what actracted me to this fourm in the first place.

Have any of your beliefs or morals changed because of something someone said on this site? Have you become more firm and dead set in other areas after hearing a particularly convincing argument for something you held dearly already?

This fourm has strengthed my faith in the nature of people. I am glad that this site provieds and demands that all keep a level head on their sholders when discussing topics. It is an oaiss in a desert of fourms. For that alone I Thank You.

As I said before I'm still new here. Perhaps in times my beliefs will change but not yet.

Isabella

 

[CMIYC]

I believe, every faith and every person hold a wisdom. And one day, if I’m lucky enough to understand one tenth of that wisdom. I surely will be closer to the truth.

Cheers

 

[Natas]

From the start I was impressed with the amount of different beliefs represented here on RF, and the fact that most seemed to be in control of their anger when confronted with totally different views.

While my personal beliefs haven't changed all that much, I do believe as someone once said, "Everyone I meet becomes a part of me". My viewpoints have little meaning to me without something to compare them to.

Personally, I have found that while participating in the topics here, it not only teaches me more about both sides of an issue, but I come to know the motivations behind them better.

It's great to be able to spend a little time with you all here, and I appreciate your politeness, intelligence, and (hopefully) open minds.

 

[DeepShadow]

This place has made me less defensive, and more willing to talk about my beliefs. In the past I didn't respond to people asking questions on certain topics because I had seen it used as bait before. My first posts here were to explain some quotes from Scott1, and I fully expected a backlash, but instead I got gratitude. I was really humbled, and I've been a fan ever since.

Funny, I never even introduced myself all those months ago; seems a litle silly now, but the above is what I probably would have said. This has been a great place to discuss my beliefs. After almost twenty years of baiting and attacks, it's hard to relax, but I'm doing it.

 

[michel]

It's so great to see such a trend of greater understanding that seems to be coming through - couple that with tollerance, and maybe we ought to get the whole world on this forum!