Why can't we all just get along?

Question

I know we are all opinionated, but why can't we state what we believe and simply let others?
I am non-denominational, no religion, I simply believe in and try to live my life according to the Bible. I say I am a Christian simply because I believe in Jesus as Messiah and my Lord.
Let's get together here and say some good things about one another, instead of something bad or negative.

I will begin the discussion with this:
I do not wish to push my beliefs on anyone, if you decide to choose to live for God that is your decision.
I want you to know I respect your right to believe any way you so choose, and though I do not adhere to your faith, I do not ridicule you.
All I want is to share with you what I believe according to my Bible, and you share with me. So that we may better understand one another. Not fight.

Answer 1

"Why can't we all just get along?"

Because most folks have worse manners when they discuss religion than they do at a dinner party.


Listen, I personally think that my chocolate mousse with fresh raspberry coulis is the best thing you could possibly put in your mouth, and that if you don't swoon over it, your taste buds must be atrophied.

I'm really not kidding about that.

And yet, there are people who don't accept when I offer it.

Fortunately, I was raised well, and take "no thank you" as an answer, so I don't push it on people. Nor do I look at them like they are crazy or berate them for refusing or threaten them with never being invited back to my home, or that they will be considered flawed or inferior, or any of the equivalent things that some religious people do when you decline their "witnessing".

And the corollary is that my friends (amazingly, I have friends who don't adore my chocolate mousse) were also raised well and don't make faces when I offer, or tell me that what I'm offering is worthless or disgusting. They don't berate me for offering. They don't insult my cooking or my taste or my ability to plan a good dinner party. They don't expect me to read their minds and tailor everything to their taste.

As a good hostess, I try to remember which friends declined my chocolate mousse on previous occasions, and rather than offer it to them at a later dinner party, I just have something else for dessert at the parties to which I invite them. My chocolate-mousse-loving friends can handle a dinner party or two where they have something else for dessert (and if they start dictating to me that I *have* to serve it so that they are happy, they're off the invitation list), and there's no need for me to segregate my dinner-party invitees because they don't all agree on the "ultimate dessert truth".

Personally, I will not allow any chocolate-mousse conversion attempts in my home, nor will I permit any anti-chocolate-mousse sermons.

**********

That's my take on it. People who have something in their life that they value above anything else will naturally want to share it with others just like I want to serve my very best dessert. The problem comes when people insist on "sharing" it with those who indicate that they are not interested, or when they thenceforth bad-talk those who decline.

And the corollary problem comes when people cannot show the same good manners in cheerfully saying "no, thank you, I don't care for any" to people wanting to share their religion, that they would at a dinner party.

One of the most profound things I ever heard from a child was this, from a kid who didn't like carrots no matter how many different ways of making them I tried: "If you had the same taste in your mouth when you ate carrots as I have in mine when I do, you wouldn't like them either"

(I had been so arrogant that I was sure that if *I* cooked them, the kid would like them, so I kept trying....this kid was far more mature than I about that situation)

Think about that for a minute.

Answer 2

How refreshing. Just when I think I'm never coming back to this web site because everyone is so mean-spirited, you remind me that we're all not like that. Thank you. I believe we would all be more educated about what others believe if we took the time to read and understand where someone is coming from even if we don;t agree.
I am a Christian and have learned so much more about why atheists think the way they do since I've been on Y/A. And I'm not saying that in a negative manner. Before, I would have just made assumptions that would have been wrong. The true value of debate is to let everyone have their say in a civil, respectful manner. I hope many others will follow your lead.

Answer 3

I don't want you to SHARE anything with me that involves what I believe to be
fantasy. I have nothing to share with you in a belief sense. I talk with a bunch of races about their cultures because I love that. I can talk to you about almost anything too. Just not beliefs. Whenever someone mentions Jesus or a God, I turn off. Its like when I tried to explain Star Wars to my mom and dad back in the 70's and 80's, they just looked at me like I was from outer space.
( they are old school euros)
I can't relate to anyone who puts that in the forefront of their life.
I wish you all the best that the world has to give. Peace.

Answer 4

At core preaching of all religions is Love and compassion towards all. A closed Human mind has a tendency to argue that religion one follows is better than the other. An open mind accepts all. Whenever two closed minds of different religions come together there is a fight. However when two open minds of different religions come together bliss dawns.

Answer 5

We can't get along because those of power use religion or other belief systems as a way to direct people who want something to believe in. Whether it be Islam, God, nationalism, human rights, racism, or just the promise of a better life people will claw, scratch, and kill to get their dreams recognized.

Why do you think we're in Iraq? People were told and believed our security was threatened by Iraq having WMD's (which was false). There was a promise to secure ourselves and to provide freedom to others.

Answer 6

We can, but it takes more time to see the reality.
The omnipotent God has His Divine Plan to raise men up from smaller to broader unity, such as family, tribe, city-state, nation...And the level of world unity is now feasible with amazing means of communications and the maturity of human minds.
Now, the great majority of mankind know how to raise their voice for liberty, happiness, justice, and they also know how to contribute their parts for these goals. Let us all make more efforts in this constructive direction and be hopeful.

Answer 7

I have asked this same question awhile ago. I respect every religion and belief. I call myself independent because I belief a little bit out of each religion. The world would be boring without opinions and disagreements.

Answer 8

Because people are hopelessly trapped in something very similar to "the matrix" not as slaves to machines are they?... but then are they?

Now the reason why they can get along is right in front of your face but you can't see it because you are not paying attention...
people are afraid to let go of their need for fear.

Why are they?.... everyone is different but I see it in them all the time it makes them sick both in mind and body, eventually in the soul and what do you think happens when the soul becomes sick?

Answer 9

Well...

One word:

----------POWER----------

We lie, deceive, cheat, steal, murder, and worse for power: over our environment, over others, over ourselves - though the latter is rare, both as a goal and as an outcome. We, in a generic sense, "push our beliefs" on others because we can use it as a way to manipulate others, as a way to gain evolutionary advantage. Or, in my favorite quote:

"The convoluted wording of legalisms grew up around the necessity to hide from ourselves the violence we intend toward each other. Between depriving a man of one hour from his life and depriving him of his life there exists only a difference of degree. You have done violence to him, consumed his energy. Elaborate euphemisms may conceal your intent to kill, but behind any use of power over another the ultimate assumption remains: "I feed on your energy." "

----------from "Dune Messiah" (Frank Herbert, 1969)[1]

Bleak, I know, but to quote your own source:

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God..."

----------Romans 3:23 (KJV)[2]

Hope this helps...

Answer 10

How many times I have thought of posting this exact question....I agree 100% with you.....God bless !!