What would you like most to be remembered for as far as your time on Religion & Spirituality is concerned?

Question

Do you think you made a difference? Helped people who were struggling with deep spiritual questions? Do you think you helped people understand your point of view concerning your beliefs? What do you think you may have learned as far as interacting with other people on this forum?

This thoughtful question has been brought to you courtesy of Jack

Answer 1

nice question Jack

I don't expect to be remembered at all specifically.
I don't know if I make a difference. People say I do, but in the grand scheme of things will people remember all of us 10 or 20 years from now because we made a difference in their lives? There may be an impression or two that they remember and that might have an impact them in the future,
I suppose if anything - I would like to be remembered as someone who truly loved the Lord, and had love and compassion for others.
I thinkg that comes across in my posts.
The people here have certainly taught me many things. How to be patient, how to be accepting and they have reinforced what I already knew all along... that we are all just people here striving to live our lives the best we can with what we have. No matter our background, level of education, belief system, circumtance or trials. Not one is better or worse than the other. Our common ground is that we are human beings. We are set apart in the animal kingdom. That makes us unique and special and it brings us together.

blessings (((((Jack B))))))
this "bears my heart" answer has been brought to you courtesy of ramjet :)

Answer 2

If I left R&S today, it's doubtful if in a few weeks or months I'd be remembered at all ... that's just the nature of this forum, participants come and go. I hope I have been helpful, and made a positive contribution to the dialogue while I've been here -- and most of all, done no harm to the perception of my Catholic faith by others in what I have said or how I've said it.

Unlike the community where I live, Christianity is under fire here and questioned rather pointedly on a daily basis. From this I've learned that we do not serve our faith well by tossing out trite phrases and preaching condemnation, and we'd better dig a little deeper and do some homework (not to mention grow a backbone, in some cases) if we truly intend to give an answer for what we believe -- because some of the toughest questions a Christian will ever face can be found right here.

Answer 3

I would most like to be remembered for my open mind and strong sense of direction. I think I've made a difference because even though I am an atheist and have my atheist times where I'm mad about someone telling what I should and should not believe (as anyone, religious or non-religious has felt), I always stand up for what's right. I don't watch other atheists harass theists, and I don't watch theists harass atheists - I address both issues and stand on an "agree to disagree" agreement.

I think I have helped people understand some of my beliefs and theories, as well as learning from other people's beliefs, theories, and points of view, taking more into consideration when I speak.

I've most learned that many, many people are still just as racist today as they were years and years ago, because Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln set forth their plan to make blacks and whites equal people. I've learned that many, many people don't often research claims before they ask a question, and that antagonizing others is like a game.

Answer 4

Interesting question, Jack B.,...

Given a choice, I'd like to be remembered as the guy who was the level-headed 'referee' in the perpetual conflict between R&S theists and atheists...

But I do not believe that will be the case...

As much as I'd like to think that I've 'helped' anyone with my Q&A, - the truth is that I doubt very seriously that I have made any impact on anyone at all on Y!A R&S.

It's my own fault, really.
I am more into the philosophical views of Life than I am the theological or scientific ones and, though the latter branches are rooted in the former, - it was a bit foolish of me to think that I could broaden the horizons of the majority of R&Sers which, apparently, is comprised mostly of militant atheists and brassbound theists.

So then, what have I learned from my time in R&S?
I've learned to enjoy the posts of a few thoughtful, open-minded people whom I have had the pleasure to meet in R&S,...
... for they have taught me not to take anything in here too damn seriously...;-)
-

Answer 5

I'd like to hope that people see me for what I am, a spiritual journeyer looking to learn and to share. I hope I have helped clarify some of the teachings of my faith and remained dignified in my approach to the forum and its people. I haven't been here long, but from some of the feedback I've gotten, I think I've made a difference for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

I do not want to be known as a religious spamer and I try to stay to the point and speak from the heart with love for all people, even those who hate me and what I stand for, at least what I stand for in their minds. I have learned that there are open-minded people wanting to learn and there are those who are simply here to belittle others and spout hatred. It is nice to be able to ask and say whatever you want to, but it is also nice to keep in mind that there are real people reading those words we write. The Golden Rule should still apply online, IMHO.

So I've learned that some tongues wag quite a bit more freely around here than they would elsewhere, which has its positives and negatives. All in all, I feel very fortunate to have the oppurtunity to learn about others and their beliefs in a way that would be hard to occur otherwise.

Thanks for the thoughtful question, Jack.

Answer 6

Jack, this has to be one of the best questions on this board today, if not one of the best ever, because it makes me really think about why I come on here.

I'm trying to answer in the context of someone who would never be on here again after today. What type of impression would I want to leave

Above all, I want the regulars to know the Love I have for everyone, and that this comes from my relationship with God. Because what God teaches me in the Bible is to love others, and I hope I leave others with the impression that being Christ like is to love others.

As far as what I have learned...I have learned from people like Red Queen, Lakasenna, What Shall I Do Retard, Bonsai Bobby, and many others that it's okay to laugh. It's also okay that I am not as smart as others. And most of all, I've learned that there are some wonderful people out there from all other faiths.

Answer 7

Those are high ideals to aim for! I hope that maybe I have helped someone who was really struggling or searching. I see my place on here as a Christian to actually help other Christians who are so often weighed down with unneccessary guilt. I also hope that my voice can be one that speaks a word of compassion, tolerance and openness, when it seems today that many Christian voices do the opposite. I don't expect to be remembered, people come and go on here...I have learned more about Paganism and Wiccans and feel more positive toward those beliefs.

Answer 8

Actually.... I'll be happy just to be remembered by a few people as "that person who told me about Scientology and how dangerous it is and persuaded me not to get involved".

I think I actually do some good by telling people the truth about it before they're suckered in, get swindled and sucked dry financially, and become Hubbard zombies.

I know that seems weird, but it's probably the only way I help people in a "real world" sense. The rest of what I post is theological/philosophical bantering.

Answer 9

I think I've helped as many people as I've could with advice. As far as interacting with others I've found that there are many people who are caring and have helped me so much on issues. I want to be remembered as a nice person who tries to help others the abosolute best I can.

Answer 10

I have made friends here that I respect and turn to for support, and I want to be their for them, as well. I have learned that there is a childlike [a bit of Peter Pan ] place where we can play. A place that some of us have kept alive in spite of the battering life can give. We can unite in a spirit of solidarity when someone comes against one of our own, even though we may not share any common ground on spiritual matters.