I was reading a book on world religions and the author is quite biased against all religions that are not Christian. He says that New Agers (he includes Wiccans in this group) will argue that "Christians are so arrogant. What gives them the right to say that their way is the only way?"
His answer: New Agers are here accusing Christians of being arrogant because Christians believe in a way to God that is exclusive. In other words, arrogance is defined as holding a belief that is exclusive of other beliefs.
According to their own definition of arrogance, New Agers are then also arrogant. Their inclusiveness--their belief that all ways lead to God--EXCLUDES THE BELIEF that there is only one way to God.
I'm interested in reading your thoughts on this.
2006-09-30 05:51:37 · 11 answers · asked by Maria Isabel 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's retarded. That author is retarded, whoever he is. So, Wiccans are arrogant because they think arrogance is wrong? They're being arrogant regarding other people's arrogance? I look at it like this:
You and I are schoolteachers. We got into a classroom with 30 kindergarteners and we each have a plate with cookies. I set my plate down and say "I brought cookies for the chidren, but only the Chrisitian children can have some. Only the Christian kids are good enough for my cookies.
Then you set your plate down and say "I brought cookies for the children, and everyone can have these cookies. No matter what religion you are, you are good enough for these cookies.
Then I say to you, "You're arrogant to think I'm being unfair in my arrogance."
He stupid. What book is that anyway?
2006-09-30 06:10:24 · answer #1 · answered by Sebastian 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hmmm... what a thoughtful and provacative question! Good job!
It sounds like the author thinks that "New Agers" (and by that I assume he means Pagans) regard their religion the same way that Christians usually regard theirs- as the ONLY right religion. You are right, it is definitely a valid point that insisting all ways are equal could be considered just as "arrogant" as thinking that only people who share your belief are following the true religion. However, I think the definition of "arrogance" in this case needs some tweaking. Arrogance is an attitude- a kind of "I'm better than you" attitude. If you allow that, than it is possible for both Pagans and Christians to NOT b arrogant- as long as they concede that they are not, by virtue of their religion at least, better than the other.
2006-09-30 06:04:35 · answer #2 · answered by BabyBear 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where theres a will theres a way. If you are looking for God then good. If you find God and try to discredit everyone else, then not good. I'm not keen on the Abrahamic religions because of their History. I don't want to see another repetition of History. Most Christians books are baised towards Christianity, so why can someone not be baised toward non-Christians?
2006-09-30 06:02:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's very interesting, but I think arrogance is the wrong word here. I think hypocracy is what we're looking for. And yes, we're all guilty of it. The best way to be is just be who you are and who cares about the rest. No hypocracy there.
However, he's not answering the question. He's answering an accusation with an accusation. There's no answer there.
2006-10-02 10:01:21 · answer #4 · answered by kaplah 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've observed this a number of times as well. My thoughts: It's okay to look critically at others' belief structures--that is, after all, the reason you're not following them. But if you're going to say you're open-minded about it, you have to be as open about Christianity as you are about neopaganism. I find it unfair to single out Christianity as "bad" if everything else is A-OK. (Truth be told, it bothers me quite a bit. Hence why I probably confuse the heck out of people on here by criticizing a religion in one question and then defending it in the next. Balance in ALL things.)
2006-09-30 06:05:16 · answer #5 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a Suedo intelectual trying to debase another religion so he can feel better about his own choice.
A true beliver " no matter religion" will find faith and strenth in the act of belief you. You can spot the person not happy with there belifies, they are typicaly the one trying hard to denouce anything that may prove there life choice wrong.
as a pagen my self i feel sad for them. I dont look down at them but i wish they could feel what i feel.
2006-09-30 05:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by illogicalbeats 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ooh!Please tell me the name of the book! I'd be very interested in reading it! I could use a good laugh! I look at it this way : I'm the one who has to live with me on the day to day basis. Most others don't. So a strangers opinion about me doesn't worry me overmuch. I'm also working on my Master's degree in psychology, so from an analytical point of view, it would be very interesting to see how this person justifies their opinions.
2006-09-30 06:00:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Roughly, it's the same thing as saying that people who fight against intolerance are intolerant themselves, because they are not tolerant of intolerance. In other words, it's a game, and attempt to twist someone else's beliefs to get away with whatever you want.
2006-10-02 02:10:51 · answer #8 · answered by ArcadianStormcrow 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I read that book and then threw it away, one of the few times I felt like burning a book. It had no redeaming qualities to it at all.
2006-09-30 05:56:03 · answer #9 · answered by corvuequis 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who thinks that they're way is the only way is arrogant, no matter what it pertains to.
2006-09-30 06:22:15 · answer #10 · answered by Mollywobbles 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋