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I believe what makes sense to me. To some others I could be a real nut case.

I don't claim to be the only right way. I don't claim to be superior because of what I believe. In fact I think that we should all think for ourselves.

What does it say about a group when they claim to be the only right way? It also happens to be this same group that wants their beliefs in our laws. I won't stand by and let that happen without a fight.

The only truth that really matters to me is that we are all entitled to believe what makes sense to us. My belief does not entitle me the right to judge.

It is our duty, however, to speak out when we see injustice and prejudice. We should not look away and pretend it is not there.

We have the power to change the world. Don't you agree?

2007-08-23 10:56:14 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

LOL!!!! (((((Kallan))))))

2007-08-23 11:11:38 · update #1

Esther, don't you get it? I don't give a damn about your bible.

Believe what you want but keep it out of our laws.

2007-08-23 11:14:08 · update #2

Yes my dear Squirrel, it does not matter until their beliefs are forced on my through our laws or our president. Then I say stand up and speak out.

2007-08-23 11:17:48 · update #3

27 answers

Yes, I agree that each has their own truth and that people have no right to impose their BELIEFS of what is true on others.
And I agree that people should think for themselves.

You are NOT judging when you ask what it says about a group that claims to be the only ones that know the right way. You have simply posed a question.

Certainly, one should not pretend it is not there, but I am not sure what you mean by fighting. Speaking out can be an effective tool though.

I believe that we have to begin with ourselves if we have any hope of changing the world...and I am not sure that being angry at the stupidity of others helps much.

2007-08-23 21:24:04 · answer #1 · answered by Ravenfeather 4 · 1 0

Yes, it very much matters what you believe. Jesus said the we would know the truth and the truth would set us free.(John 8:32) The Bible says there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.(Ephesians 4:5)
I am glad that you dislike injustice and prejudice. But to some people it makes sense to them that these things are right. Therein lies the danger in doing what makes sense to each of us. Our safest and most trustworthy source for truth and right teachings is the Bible.(John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16,17)

Jesus was neutral regarding politics and class struggles and told his followers to do the same. Christians loyally follow his example. No matter where Christians are found, they obey all laws that do not directly conflict with God's law.(Matthew 4:8,9; John 6:15; 17:16; Romans 13:1-4; Proverbs 24:21,22)

We should speak out when we see bad things being done. The Bible tells us how to do this. We are to seek out those who are distressed about all the bad things they are seeing and give them the good news that God's Kingdom will soon rid the world of all suffering and wickedness. We can also warn others of coming distruction if they don't turn to God and obey him.(Ezekiel 9:4; Matthew 24:14; 28:19,20; Ezekiel 3:17-21)

Only this Kingdom can solve all the problems we face today including: death, sickness, old age. These are things that no human or government can fix.(Daniel 2:44)

We can not change the world, but we can show we support God's Kingdom by living by it's laws and principles as taught in the Bible and teaching others to do so. People like this are beneficial to any community.(John 17:3; 1 John 5:3: Matthew 22:36-40)

2007-08-23 11:49:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

This is kind of a difficult thing. I see a contradiction between saying, "No one has the truth" and then saying, "Bigotry is wrong." -- If no one has the truth, then no one can say for certain whether bigotry is wrong. It's the classical problem of cultural relativism. My truth really is better than Fred Phelps truth, and I'm not afraid to say so.

Between "I have all the truth" and "all viewpoints are equally valid" there has to be some middle ground, because neither position is intellectually honest. Anyone who claims to have the truth about anything probably has truth about nothing. Yet saying that all ideas equally valid simply isn't true.

... I don't know. It's hard.

In a less obvious example, the culture of certain indigenous parts of the world really is inferior to Western liberalism. You might say, "We have to respect their culture," but what if their culture calls for something like honor killing of women who were raped, as is the case in parts of Asia?

Even aside from say, President Bush and his drive to legislate his morality, there isn't a clear line. Even if he weren't out trying to push his beliefs on everyone, his beliefs would still be largely wrong, wouldn't they?

2007-08-23 11:08:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3 0

"The only truth that really matters to me is that we are all entitled to believe what makes sense to us. My belief does not entitle me the right to judge."

How do you know this is true? Why should this be true? If truth is as meaningless as you say then why hold this "truism" above any other? Isn't this statement you put forth just another opinion or is it objectively true, as you desire it to be?

What you really want is everything and nothing to be true. A logical impossibility. You want everyone to be right and no one to be wrong. It can't happen.

To claim something as true is to reject something else.
That is why truth is important. Even without realizing it you affirm this general principle. You hold your "truths" above all others and reject what you deem to be untrue. You contradict yourself to the very core.

You want everyone to believe that there is no truth, only opinion, while at the same time you uphold your simple contradictory "truth" that there is no "truth." You don't want anyone to be "right" yet you want yourself to be "right" in believing that no one is "right." You have committed a logical fallacy. You desire what you believe to be true just as much as any other person, you are no different, because in reality there MUST be something true therefore something MUST be false. It is basic first principles, axioms, of coherent thought.

I don't say it to berate you, only to point out that such thinking is very weak indeed, it is the thinking of the skeptics and sophists, those who seek to destroy reason by upholding reason. Contradictions which lead nowhere.

Do you now see why people claim to be right or claim to have truth?

2007-08-23 12:00:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I rely on God's understanding. His wisdom is not coming without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus has the credentials to claim that He is the only way. It is not about human opinion in this case. He is God.

Christians are not claiming to be the right way, Jesus is. We are His followers.

Christians also believe in free will. We indeed are entitled to believe what makes sense to us, if it does not break laws of men. Judging belongs to God. We also fight for what we believe is right. So I am not surprised if you want to fight for your rights.

You can be the change you want to see in this world. We will never agree on everything. But we can still care for one another and help where we can. But it is very important for us to live like we believe is right. : )

2007-08-23 12:56:24 · answer #5 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 0 0

You say that you are not entitled to judge, yet right before THAT, you said, "What does it say about a group when they claim to be the only right way? It also happens to be this same group wants their beliefs in our laws."

Hmmm...Aren't you judging this to be wrong? You ARE, because you followed that up to say, "I won't stand by and let that happen without a fight." If you are not entitled to judge, why are you judging this particular "group of people"? You are judging that these people are wrong, because you won't stand by and let it happen without a fight.

So let me get this straight, you are judging the people who judge, and you are prejudiced against people who YOU view as prejudiced and unjust.

This "group of people" to whom you refer also believes they have the power to change the world, and, might I add, THEY HAVE! At least they are honest that they believe they are the right way. In fact, EVERYONE believes they are right. You believe you are right about what you stated. If you didn't believe you are right and that what you believe is truth, you wouldn't have said ANYTHING.

Do you see the double standard?

You said, "I don't give a damn about your Bible." You don't think that comes across as prejudiced? This is unbelievable!

2007-08-23 16:05:25 · answer #6 · answered by Ukrgrl 2 · 2 1

Very well put. I agree with you. In this age tolerance and patience with others is imperative. Mandates and laws imposed by others backfire and create a worsened state. but when we see blatant immorality, injustice, hate, prejudice, malice, revenge, lust, pride, ego, greed, dishonesty, and everything else evil brings forth, we must not hide or run. It is our duty to take a firm position to defend good and not allow ourselves to be taken in by evil in any form. This means that one must have courage to stand up for what is right and good, and not blindly submit to other's evil.
We can change the world, but it will take courage and faith, and a willingness to do good at all times.

2007-08-23 11:35:01 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0 0

Doing this will give Humanity the power to change the World and have Peace on Earth (and You can DO this too):

Create Your Relationship with Our Creator
and have UnConditional Love and Peace in Your Life.

2007-08-23 11:05:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Once upon a time I would've, but now I realize that's all just a dream a bit too far away.
It's hard to change the world. Only a few shining individuals have been able to.
Don't bank on it.

2007-08-23 11:06:43 · answer #9 · answered by lonely suburbanite 3 · 0 0

I tend to think that "truth" is generally unknowable. Those who are determined to inflict their personal or group's versions of truth upon others are actually promoting concepts which are based upon faith, and those are unprovable. I agree entirely with you that each is free to believe as she or he wishes -- up to the point that they are infringing upon my right or yours to our own belief systems or lack thereof. I am more hesitant as to your statement regarding our "power to change the world". It is an optimistic thought but unrealistic, perhaps, although I do wish you and all sincere and good-hearted individuals the best fortune in the endeavor to improve our earthly circumstances!

2007-08-23 16:08:35 · answer #10 · answered by Lynci 7 · 1 1

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