Is it possible to concentrate on our common bonds rather then on our differences?
From "YOUR" personal experiences, why or why not?
2007-10-02 15:36:23 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think that we need to understand our differences and why we each believe the way we do. Debate is not a bad thing you know. The worse thing is to accept an idea or belief without question.
2007-10-02 15:46:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This question assumes that focusing on "differences" is the source of problems in the world.
This an incorrect assumption. All problems in the world are rooted in the fact that all men and women, you and me included, are self-centered and want to run our own lives. We feel everything revolves around us. Instinctively, from birth, we believe this and want to be happy, control things, etc., and we will usually do that at the expense of others whether it be purposeful or just a failure to consider them before ourselves.
We are rebellious. If someone orders you to do something, what is your natural reaction. To disobey. We are all like this.
Now, when God commands us to do something, even though He obviously knows best and wants what is best for us, our nature kicks in and we choose the opposite. This is why the world is such a mess.
It is not possible to focus on "common bonds" because we are selfish and self-centered. We can make an effort and succeed for a short time, but we cannot overcome our nature without supernatural help from God.
This is where "personal experience" comes in. God is real to me in way that I can't explain, just as He is to many believers. I know how He feels. I know Him like I know my father or my mother. You could never convince me He's not there, because I know and feel Him with me. It is real. All who have submitted their wills and trusted in Christ as savior have had the same experience.
It is that real presence of God in me that has helped me begin to overcome my sinful rebellious nature. Without Him, I could not.
When the supernatural power of God is in you, redeeming you, filling you with His love, there is no need to focus on "common bonds", because you simply love the other person regardless of what they believe.
Jesus loved nonbelievers so much He was hurt, bled, and died for them. He wasn't focused on "common bonds" but His love was so strong that He created the greatest and most powerful bond of all, the pathway of redemption to God.
2007-10-02 22:54:49 · answer #2 · answered by Wiseacre 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say it certainly is possible, because just by being humans that live in certain areas, we already have abond with the people who live in the same area, jut by being there.
If you strike up a series of conversations with people, you will find, regardless of religion, there is great deal of commonality.
Commonality automatically creates bonds; we are technically herd beasts; very few of us are happy totally isolated from others.
i find it quite easy to look beyond another's religion and see the whole complexity of the person, and accept them.
2007-10-02 22:45:34 · answer #3 · answered by Cheese Fairy - Mummified 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think we can. I'm a pagan and one of my best friends is a christian.
We enjoy debating the differences and similarities between our two different belief structures and having to explain you ideas to another strengthes you own knowledge and faith.
But that is only possible because we are willing to listen to each other's ideas. I have known some pig headed christians and some even more pig headed pagans who wouldn't even considered the idea of some other faith having any merit at all.
2007-10-02 22:45:45 · answer #4 · answered by szekley 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is possible with most christians. However, from my personal experiences here on R&S, there are some christians with whom I would rather not socialize. I also can guess that most christians would tend not to socialize with them as well.
The (excuse the term) fundamental difference is that one of us wants to witness to the other about their god, while the other has no interest in any gods. If we can stay away from the topic of gods and religion, we can get along fine.
2007-10-02 22:41:25 · answer #5 · answered by CC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is possible. I do have a problem with the factions that use children to carry bombs or feel their road to redemption will be shortened by killing those of other faiths in the name of their religon.
But even they have a strong belief in something greater than themselves. If we could ask questions and receive answers of each other for the purpose of learning, not to ridicule or belittle it would be a wonderful thing.
2007-10-03 00:21:08 · answer #6 · answered by dizzkat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My personal experience throughout my entire life is if you are different in any way shape or form, you're ostracized from the group. Animals do it in the wild, and humans are nothing more than civilized animals.
2007-10-02 22:41:44 · answer #7 · answered by Becca 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Common sense would tell you that that should be able to happen but it always seems that nobody is able to get past the differences!! I've seen it be that way in every phase of life!!
2007-10-02 22:42:40 · answer #8 · answered by Ginny 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not so much the religion of Christianity that bother me, and the world is full of decent people who are Christian. However, that small loud mouth minority of Christians who want to take away rights, teach myths in public schools, and elect any moron who says he is one of them, I don't think I will ever see eye to eye with that lot. They have no ability to compromise.
2007-10-02 22:41:37 · answer #9 · answered by atheist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those that search out "what holds us together" seem to agree that love is the key.
I would agree to this but it will not work because so many define themselves as outside the norm. If the norm changes to be like them then they will change to be abnormal to maintain their social identity.
WOW! I can't believe I saw that!
((((hugGs))))
2007-10-02 22:46:34 · answer #10 · answered by Senile Old Fart 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋