A big question for the evening...?

Question

The last few days I seem to have wasted alot of time on here. The two most popular areas seem to be religion and culture. Is it me or is it a growing problem, the divide over so many things. Does anyone feel that at some point in the next few years things will improve or will things become out of control?. Is there a middle ground where nothing matters and people can just get on? or wil religion,culture,skin colur always be with us.....just a thought.....

On that Im of for a smoke and a glass of wine, anyone care to join me.....lol

Answer 1

A smoke and a glass of wine sound fantastic. Stupid work, cuts into my social life.

Anyways, I don't think its as bad in reality as it is on here. People are antagonistic for pure entertainment on here.

Answer 2

I have the exact same feeling as you. I'm not at all religious, although I was raised in 1980's Ireland as a roman catholic so I know how it is to have beliefs forced on you. I'm agnostic. I don't want to sound condescending to any religious people here but I sometomes feel really sorry for the way you are treated here. Faith is a very important part of a persons life and something that is not easily changed. How many people have reevaluated their beliefs based on what they have read here? Not alot I'd imagine.

I don't believe in virgins being conceived by a ghost. I don't believe that someone could turn water into wine or feed 5000 people with 5 loaves of bread and two pieces of fish or rise from the grave for that matter. But if you get some sort of fulfillment in your life then ok. Enjoy.

Whether its empirical science or an old book you believe in it's going to take alot to change your mind.

Live and Let Live.

Peace .

Answer 3

There's never been a time when people all agreed on religion and politics. The times where there's been the most outward agreement have been times of great repression where expressing contrary views was punished. With the internet, though, you get a lot more open discussion from people of all viewpoints. Before the internet people would have been more civil- the people you were with were the people you had to live with so you avoided controversial topics except when you were with people who agreed with you or people who you knew could debate wihtout rancour. Now there is no such polite restriction so people take extreme positions without regard for social concerns.
I don't see that we will reach a time when everyone will be cool with what everyone else thinks. But it's only a small minority of people that are drawn to these topics and keep up the bickering. Most people don't care as much and aren't attracted to discussing it.
It would be swell if people could relax and disagree without hating each other. I think maybe we are in a time of more extreme "you are with me or you are against me" sort of sentiments and I put a lot of blame on the radio and tv talkshow and commentator blowhards who give people a skewed perspective on what political or religious discussion is all about. But most people will continue to get along and some people will continue to turn red and yell a lot. such is human nature.

Answer 4

This place is indeed a madhouse! Don't take it to heart though. I believe that what we have here is a combo of fanatics (both sides) and immaturity (both sides). Oh, and some of those meddling kids (for the Scooby fans).

I don't believe that what you see here is truly representative of the world. Now, repeat that three times and it'll come true!

Here are some good rules of thumb:

1. Don't try to change anyone's mind. Ain't gonna happen.
2. If a fact-based question is asked, and you have the answer, give it.
3. If an opinion is asked in a polite, respectful manner, go ahead and answer.
4. Don't give in to the temptation to verbally punish anyone for offensive questions. Either ignore them or report them.

About three weeks ago, after nearly having a conniption fit over someone's "question," I took a week long break from this category, and I've come back a new woman with a new attitude. It's back to being fun again!

Answer 5

There is a middle ground and that middle ground is your life. That is what you have to get on with. The problem is a mixture of religion and culture. We are having this pushed at us from all directions now. We can't escape it but we need to be able to discern for ourselves the amount of exposure to it and its relevance to us as individuals. Now we have Muslim this and Islam that and terrorism and extremists and paranoia and because of the pressure exerted by the media and the daily intrusion of all things religious into our lives we don't know which way to turn. All of a sudden we have to 'understand' other religions and be 'tolerant' of other peoples faith. Why? If this carries on we will be in trouble. In fact, we are already in trouble but it's like treading water before the big wave comes. Just look at the situation in the middle east. Where will it all end? Now, having said that, pass the wine please. i don't need a cigarette, I don't smoke. But thanks for the offer...............

Answer 6

The advantage of a forum such as this one is that people can argue these differences instead of fighting over them. Since the differences are inevitable, this is no doubt a good thing. One of the great blessings of the United States is that in general people here have a tolerance for such differences, and people can (and do) just get on.

Answer 7

It's all going to end in an atomic bomb either over power or religion. Both are interchangeable.

Now I sit back wit my hand-rolled cigarette and a glass of 2002 Merlot.

Answer 8

Until the deepy religious cultures of the middle east WANT peace with peoples of other faiths, I see no end or lessening to this conflict.

Answer 9

I think it will get worse-
wish i could join you for the glass of wine, I'll pass on the smoke ole chap.

Answer 10

The time is fulfilled,



and the kingdom of God



has come near;



repent,



and believe



in the good news." I'll have a smoke but no wine thanks. I'm an alcoholic.

Answer 11

I believe humans will always possess a sense of spirituality, particularly the poor, as it enables them to get through their harsh existence as a sort of life-support