R/S Answers regulars, is it possible to be more like these two?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgXrA2Y6dX3xQzN.fQsv.c8AAAAA;_ylv=3?qid=20071119124042AArGp1J

Please look at this question and then the answer from "Me, Thrice Baked."

Can we learn a valuable lesson from the interaction between these two regulars, one a Christian, the other an Atheist, on the correct way to answer each others questions with respect, eloquence, and heartfelt compassion?

Thank you for your time.

Excellent point, Bad Liberal. I regretted our interaction and wanted to apologize to you, but you asked me not to communicate with you anymore, and I respect your wishes.

I posted this question not just to correct others, but to remind myself of my own rashness and flawed behavior of the past. All I can do is try to do better in the future.

Answer 1

Thank you. Even though I look terrible when I blush. Red and bright blue just don't cut in the fashion world. ;-)

I came across this quite by accident and was beyond moved to read all that you and many others had to say. I suppose I can take the "chatty interaction" and "vacant post" accusations far better now. :-) I hope that both garwy and Robin Runesinger can recognize that R&S is often subjective territory and that the point of this forum is to question and to learn. I am certainly not innocent of saying malicious things when a question has gone against my greater sensibilities or become threatening to me as an atheist (the "you're going to hell" bit, for example). Thus, I cannot judge these two. I do believe as Hestia said, however, that none of us are so inundated with absolute knowledge that we can afford to put others down. I believe that the most knowledgeable person in the world would understand that utilizing such techniques would only add to his arrogance and thus render him (her) ignorant in social matters. But to say I'm innocent of it would be a stretch. Your last sentence was my favorite, LEW. "I posted this question not just to correct others, but to remind myself of my own rashness and flawed behavior of the past. All I can do is try to do better in the future." The same goes for me. Like "nuthn" mentioned, I too am trying to get a handle on that which often incites me to respond with conceit or malice. Because in reality it is not the question or response itself that incites me, but my reaction to how I perceive it.

I agree in many ways with "jhuntwork" as well, however much I'd like to say not. Still, while "world peace" is a heck of a stretch I see no reason to hold oneself back when a wrong is being done. EyeLJ didn't deserve the insults - she asked a very well-thought question. Icy is right as well. It is far easier to answer differently those who are our friends and whose characters we know to be intact (or know to the best of our ability). It is not impossible, however, to give everyone that same respect unless they give us good reason not to. It is not possible to teach or learn when we believe that our own subjective beliefs are absolute. This is why I am also quite spiritual. I'm not an agnostic, I do not believe in a god or gods at all, but I do believe there is some sort of energy out there immeasurable to our knowledge of math & science. It is only one teeny tiny part of the Milky Way most of us have studied - this earth. There is so much more out there than what we can imagine. I may also be completely wrong and there is nothing beyond the cradle and the grave. I cannot know until I die regardless so I won't assume to in the first place. Not believing in a god or gods does not equate believing in nothing, as you and I and most of us here know. We will never all come together and respect one another's right to his or her own beliefs, nor we will ever all believe the same thing (thank goodness! Can you imagine how little we'd learn like that?) but name-calling and conceit are detrimental to the process. At the very least we can learn not to act in this manner for ourselves. It is simple psychology. All people respond better to kindnesses rather than cruelty. Seems we all forget this far too often. Asking one to stand in the shoes of another may sound "trite" or "vacant' but the action of doing so is the key to empathy and understanding. We cannot know or really judge another unless we have walked a mile in their shoes and this is possible to do if we check our prejudices at the door and listen and learn. Thanks to Reverend Mysticfog for pointing this out so eloquently.

Thank you, Last Ent, for this incredibly sweet question. I cannot tell you how much it made me smile AND think. I wish I could hug each & every one of you but for now, or at least until computers become so interactive that we can literally travel to the living room of another, I guess I'll just have to toss cookies. :-)

Everyone needs a good uplifting like this sometimes. Thank you.

(((Y'all)))

Answer 2

My first question was concerning how if people evolved they could not possibly have any worth besides the couple of dollars worth of chemicals that make up their physical bodies. I have realized since then that we probably do not even have the technology to break down, separate, package and sell those chemicals. It would not be cost effective to take the time and effort to do so anyway. I received the most ridiculous onslaught of answers from people thining that people could have worth if they only evolved. I am amazed at such ridiculous thinking. It is as ridiculous as thinking it may be possible to build an internal combustion engine out of nothing but popcorn!

Answer 3

Absolutely! Only if hearts are open and thoughts shut "off".
Is it the person we care about or their Spiritual beliefs?
I applaud these two folk for intelligent, heartfelt thought and RESPECT! Just the example needed and how I attempt to interact, set an example of Unconditional compassion for life and the individual.
Respect, compassion, tolerance, understanding and eloquence lead to acceptance. Perhaps not acceptance of the topic but for the individual.
Native Americans put it best; "No one knows for sure what is beyond, so how can I hold your Faith in contempt or you hold mine against me?"
As we are all climbing the same mountain looking for the same peak, we take different paths to reach the same goal.
I encourage everyone to take a few moments to meet someone from a different path, talk, share and listen [without formulating your response while they talk].
Perhaps we may learn something positive about their path / beliefs and teach them something to help bridge the gap of understanding and acceptance.
Thank YOU for the query.
~BLESSINGS~DIVINE LOVE~HEALING LIGHT TO ALL~

Answer 4

Here, here.......

This is one of the reasons why I dont use R/S as much as I would like to.

It is nice to see polite interaction between adults, long may it remain.

I have a faith but I do like to listen to what others say, if a question or answer is put respectfully without any intention to hurt or demean others then it is certainly worth reading and trying to understand.

Sadly you cannot change small minded people one can only hope that they may think a little more before submitting rude replies. Thanks for bringing this to my attention it has given me a little more faith in the R/S section...no pun intended.

Answer 5

Yes! People like EyeLovesJesus, Pangel, Thrice, Ramjet, Neophyte, male_lonely_shy, Travis... (the list goes on and on) have been a great influence on me. I used to be very hot-headed when I started on this site and seeing them interact in such peaceful ways really turned me around. I must admit that I am still a bit hot tempered at times, but being on this site has helped me to realize that letting my frustrations out on other people doesn't help anyone, especially not myself.

Thanks for bringing our attention to this question. It does my heart good to see people of opposing views treat each other with such loving kindness. Although it sure chaps my hide to see people treating EyeLovesJesus so poorly! I would rip into all of them if I didn't think it would upset ELJ. Oh well, I guess I still have a ways to go. :)

Edit:
Last Ent Wife and Bad Liberal, way to patch things up. You guys rock!

Answer 6

True, though I suggest it is human nature that we all answer our friends with a different intonation when we disagree. With friends, we have a better understanding of the character behind the question. Passion often gets in the way of grace and not all of us have an english major.

Thrixy is lovely, and on the strength of her comment I am able to assume with little doubt that ELJ is also... but a circle is not a sphere and even in ancient times, they knew the difference. I'm guessing that if Isaiah actually meant sphere he may have used the hebrew word for "ball" which was more appropriate than a circle in that context.

Answer 7

That is exactly how it SHOULD be, but unfortunately many people here (I'm not naming names or pointing fingers) would rather stereotype and name-call. It's a shame. We could all learn a few things from Christians like EyeLJ, and atheists like Thrice Baked.

Answer 8

i hope it is possible to be more like these two contributors!

thank you for pointing this out to us all.

i have been venomously attacked recently for a merely trying to provide some info from a site.

the culture of utter rudeness and non-empathy is grating now.

lets hope flagging this up will help a little. after all, none of us is so wonderfully bestowed with utter and complete knowledge that we can afford to belittle others!

blessed be
)o(

EDIT: thrice-baked's reply was not a 'chatty interaction', and no there is no need to have one, but neither do people need to be arrogant in their replies to the pont of hurting others. there is a balance to be struck, unless one is happy to be branded as an ignorant, arrogant fool with an over-inflated ego!

Answer 9

EyeLovesJesus is a dear lady that many of us are very fond of. She does not insult anyone. Even I would never say a cross word to that great lady.

Respect is given when it is received.

Answer 10

I agree with you that this is the proper way to both ask and answer things and I am proud to say that "Me, Thrice Baked" is one of my favorite R&S monsters......

*Hands a cookie to one of my blue furry friends and offers some milk (or coffee if she prefers) to go with it*