Are you willing to actively consider ideas that make you uncomfortable? Or do you just shrug them off?

Question

Specifically, spirituality. If an idea threatens your beliefs does it make you angry, or curious?

Answer 1

No idea threatens my 'beliefs'....for I believe that my current beliefs may change, due to new discoveries....

The only absolute truth is that everything is relative...

If your beliefs can ever be threatened, then they're very likely wrong....

Answer 2

If it was just some random acquaintance making that comment, I would ignore it. It's the sort of remark that appears to be determined to incite an argument or at least a bit of drama, and I would be very much disinclined to enter into it with anyone I did not hold in particularly high esteem. If, however, the comment was made by someone I loved and whose opinion I did value, then I would certainly be very hurt. There's no way I could just shrug it off; I would insist that they elaborate on the comment and explain which particular flaw they were referring to! I do try to be self-reflective, but there are times when the insight gleaned from the perspective of another who does have my best interests at heart really does give some clarity and focus to something I may have unwittingly overlooked, and need to address.

Answer 3

First of all, anger basicly (for me) come when I KNOW that I am right but cant do anything about it. ---> frustrated.

i.e.
I am attacked for something I "think" I am not entitled to be attacked, but I have no strength to fight banck, ....that does not make me angry BUT,
when I found out that somebodyelse was ( by thinking that it was fun) actually being the caused of why I was attacked, then I was angry as i was frustrated.
I know I am right but I cant fight back.
If that somebodyelse did it for evil intend, I maynot be angry as I have somebody to fight, so I cant blame the attacker.

So in spirituality, if an idea threaten my beliefs, I am not affected.
I have no vested interest on my belief(s), its mine.
BUT if it is a provocation, which some people can do it in such a way, then I am angry; not because of I feel threat but because of the provoke.

As I grow older (old), I am not easily provoke, but when I was young(er) and still full of dream , wow!!! Anger is a habbit. lol.
People surround me make fun out of it.

Answer 4

I have changed my religious affiliation, and to some extent my beliefs, so much over the 60 years I've been around that I suppose we have to consider me pretty flexible in that regard. And yes, curiosity is a big part of it.

But I've always had trouble with the word "believe," as if it was an act of will. I "decide" to believe something, and all of a sudden, it impresses me as true? No. Doesn't work for me. The term "faith" seems to me to be intellectually dishonest. What I have done over the years is acknowledge that I do not know what I believe, but I will keep looking. Eventually, I wound up an atheist. It would take something pretty spectacular to change that.

Answer 5

I have spent most of my life studying religions trying to find the "one " for me. If someone offers up an idea that is unusual or makes me a little uncomfortable i relish the opportunity to find out something new. I may not agree with it , but then again i may agree. If I just shrug them off i will never know and I may have missed a great opportunity for learning.

Answer 6

I'm actively considering ideas that challenge me and make me uncomfortable every single day!

I revel in it. In fact, I think it's pretty much what keeps me going day in and day out.

It is being tied down to a particular belief that makes me angry. I would much rather be uncomfortable, yet not angry, than being just angry ANY day! =)

Answer 7

I consider others ideas and beliefs. I am a very curious person and I like learning about new things, sprirituality included.

Answer 8

Curious... definitely!

When I see or hear something new, I really enjoy playing with the idea in my head and getting feedback and other opinions. A year ago, I would have denied being a pantheist... now, I know I am.

Answer 9

It depends ... it depends on if it's an thoughtful, honest idea. I reject all "ideas" from people trying to cause trouble, or trying to maneuver their way into making me think how they want me to. When someone presents me with a real idea that might have merit, I will consider it, and do some reading about it (if applicable)

Answer 10

Hearing about "other idea's" makes me curious as to how it is affecting others...and sad that people are considering more compromises instead of an honest, straightforward route to happiness.