I just realized some things are never going to change...time for me to throw in the towel at RS?

Question

I write in an online diary (havent in some while) and today I was looking at some of my old entries. I found one that I wrote 7-31-2005 and realized that the things I wrote about that day are the same things I get annoyed with here. (Way before I ever came here)
So in light of that would it be safe to say that its time to throw in the towel on trying to understand religion or having the religious understand me? That no matter what I say or ask...it really doesnt change anything. It will not change my perception any more that it changes anyone elses?
Im just wondering because many times I have seen people state thier reason for being here was to "educate" yet do you truely feel that you have educated anyone? I used to feel that maybe I could at least give some foundation for understanding...yet I lately I have lost that feeling. And after seeing this old journal entry I truely feel as if I have wasted a lot of time here.
What are your thoughts?

oh here is the link to the journal entry if you are wondering what the heck I am talking about.
http://mydeardiary.com/show_entry.php?de_key=1742416

Answer 1

i was thinking the same thing

i never tried to educate anyone, i was just trying to understand people better, but even thats been difficult

Paz de cristo

Answer 2

Without going to your website, I would venture to say in general that it seems if the same things annoy us year after year they are either not truly annoying enough to actually seek for a solution (if they are personal issues), or we haven't yet learned that we can't change others (if it's a problem of society). I think the Twelve Step Programs have a very good motto. Here's a loose interpretation: Help me recognize and do something about the things I can change, accept and tolerate the things I cannot change, and give me the wisdom to know the difference. As long as you have a connection (communication) with your "Higher Power" you don't need to "understand religion". That's not a prerequisite to inner peace, happiness, and living a good life. God says, "If you seek for me with all your heart (sincerity), you will find me for I am not far from you (he hangs around waiting for us to want him)"....not "may find me" but "will find me". It's a promise. When you have found God, he will show you where to go from there.....and you will continue to be amazed at the changes that will occur if you are willing to follow.

As to whether I feel I've "educated anyone".....that's not really important to me. I'm simply a beggar telling other beggars where I've found bread. It's too good of a stash to keep to myself.

Answer 3

I don't believe I have educated anyone but I might have given the occasional person something different to think about. I hope I have been able to take the fear out of God for a few people and thrown some light on the ridiculous nature of religion. We can only change the world one person at a time. If you have only helped one person to see life differently then you have achieved a lot. I expect you have learned stuff about yourself as you answered other people's questions? I think you might have changed more things than you think.

Answer 4

I am feeling sorry for myself, to be coming in under that crude remark from Julia..but oh well!

May I suggest that change comes from within? I know that sounds trite - but we are all doomed to continue to "prove" our version of reality to ourselves, over and over -by continuing to have the same emotional responses to the same events.

Step back, take a deep breath, have a bath. The only person you can change is yourself. The rest is, as others said before me, for your own edification and clarity. You toss seeds, they land where they do, and some sprout. Some you will never ever know about, but it is so true that we often are not aware of the good effects our positive actions have on others.

People don't want to be fixed or saved. They just just don't, no matter what the approach. So be happy, let all that go. Share your insights, refine your own understandings, and laugh at the rest. Sometimes it's a black humor laugh, but hey -at least your laughing!
Sorry your heart is hurting - hang in there.
Peace

Answer 5

I come here to answer legitimate questions I may have the answer to. I do not come to "educate" anyone, and quite honestly don't think anyone else does either. I've heard the "here to educate" nonsense mostly from bashers and trolls, so the credibility of that excuse has been destroyed. If your goal is to "educate", then you should probably teach school, not hang out in this section to try to get people to change their belief or non-belief to yours. If that's indeed youre goal, then, yeah, a tremendous waste of time.

Answer 6

Thank you for the sincere question--

My advice...chuck the religion, and pony up on the spirituality.
Why? In religion they're trying to SELL you,in a smug way, on the idea that they've got the only path to God, like they met in a smoky back room and cut a deal to get to heaven, and they've got exclusive rights on how to get there...WHEREAS..
Spirituality is about YOU and your personal search,which may involve integrity and character. You may not necessarily have a God that you know personally (it's SUPPOSED to be a mystery) but you very likely might have a SOUL. That is your personal property to which you have exclusive rights. No one should tinker with it, and you have every reason to nurture and protect it. Only you can save your own soul..by seeking wisdom and understanding. It's worth the search..you sleep better at night..Good luck,grasshopper!

Answer 7

Ahh yes, this has happened to me.
Religion... or Religion lite(spirituality) is an act of self castration of the mind. It is better not to try to help anyone in these categories since they have already given up the organ that you would be trying to communicate with. Far better to just ignore them like they are a part of the fauna(animal wildlife) it's not like the religious ever do anything impressive anyway.

Answer 8

I am on a public computer and the blocker will not allow me to view your words... but I can tell you that there are some... a few... who come here actualy seeking TheTruth... I have had some limited sucess here is explaining some of the facts of my faith... but not on YA... I offer any honest seeker the option of email contact to state their question and I respond personaly... I too have come to be worn out with the hate expressed on YA and I do not spend as much time as I did... also I have contacts I am maintaning from the email contacts and that is more productive... most honest seekers leave this site quickly when they see what the truth of it is... and it is hard to make contact with them in short visits here.

Answer 9

You sound so sad...sorry....Maybe you expected too much from this forum. There is a plethora of uneducated, mean-spirited people who ask and answer in ways that exposes their ignorance. Most of them wouldn't have the courage to say the nasty stuff face-to-face. I find the same circumstance in the "Politics" category, but all I'm looking for is a little food for thought. Maybe you'd enjoy YA if you lower your expectations. Maybe not.

Answer 10

While I despair of convincing most of the religionists here, I do hold out hope of at least moderating some of their views. Also I hope that someone lurking on the board might at least see that there are alternatives to scripture thumping of all sorts.

Having said that, some days it does feel like I'm trying to break down a wall with my head.

Answer 11

Heck no, you should not leave. Religion itself isn't so hard to understand. Some of it's followers cannot be understood at all, but I doubt anyone can change that. Still, we can share some knowledge, perspectives and laughs and the people who haven't closed off their minds completely can still learn some things..