I have not been on this site long, perhaps not even for a week, however I have seen some intolerance occurring, both in chat and forums. I see people calling out others for this and that and the other, telling them, not in words but in tone, that they are wrong, that they don't know what they are saying. For each of us we have had some kind of intolerance put forth towards us by someone. I have been watching as people complain of Christians denouncing them, yet in the same breath denouncing Christians.
You point at these people and cry for them to be more tolerant of you, yet you turn around and say they all hate and try to harm you in some way, emotional, physical, spiritual, mental, etc.
I understand that you wish to speak of what you have been through and share your stories of pain and pity with others (whether this is out of a desire to be pitied by someone or you genuinely wish to warn others of possible issues), however that being said you need not to do so while at the same time calling the Christians intolerant rear-ends.
By denouncing them, you denounce yourself. You show yourself to be of the same mind as those that do denounce you. You show yourself as intolerant as those who you call intolerant. Intolerance is just like hate, it is a never-ending cycle. Why not break the cycle instead of fueling it, then crying that they started it? If you actually go back into the old days, pagans started the whole persecution bit, rather than Christians. They were originally persecuted by the Romans, then they became the Romans and turned around and persecuted those that had harmed them to begin with. You do the same now as they did, just with words instead of swords.
Rather than doing this, take the LaVeyan rule 8, "Do not complain about anything to which you need not subject yourself", to heart. You do not need to deal with the intolerance of others, so do not deal with it. Simply walk away from it. This does two things, it keeps you from getting frustrated and hurt over what they say, and it frustrates them as well. Many people denounce others to get a rise out of them and then point at that reaction as proof the individual is the way they say they are. If they denounce you and you do not act as they claim you will it proves they are wrong.
So please, don't complain of abuse at the hands of others. Move past it and become whoever and whatever you wish without the worry of someone denouncing you. Or are you willing to be a victim all your life?
That is true Rashnu. Especially seeing as we try to see ourselves as better than those around us generally speaking. Some people feel differently and look at themselves as lesser than others, however at some point they say or think "At least I'm not that guy." I, myself, have done this before, however I try to stay away from being intolerant of others as I like to think that I can learn from any interaction I have with another individual. Whether this is actual learning or it is merely gaining new information about the person, or human behaviors, it is still important in its own way.
And yes I know it sounds a bit creepy that I watch people but I like to think of it as more a personal study in human behavior that allows me to interact with others easier. =)
I know what you mean about intolerance and I think some Christians have the ability to undestand us because I`ve known Christians all my life, everyone in my family is Christian except me. Some of them may not be ready to understand but there are plenty of Christians who can. On another note of people being told they are wrong, their was a person on this site a while ago, not saying names who created a forum on the meaning of life and the same person who created it, asking for opinions went around and told everyone that they were wrong and only one opinion was right. I think we should all try to be more open minded, but that's just my opinion.
I actually think everyone is capable of being tolerant, it is just their choice as to whether they allow their perceptions and prejudices to prevent them from doing so.
I agree with this post Kataki. I have not been on this site that long but I have seen much intolerance going around. I do not understand why it spreads so fast. It is like a virus and is hard to remove.
It is not only this site that I have noticed for intolerance. People in general that have a strong belief in certain things tend to believe that the way they think is right and the way others do is wrong.
Some people though are not like that. Most unfortunately are. I do not blame others for their beliefs but I am also not intolerant toward those who have different paths then me.
I see people from Christianity attacking people of other religions. I also see Pagans attacking Christians. This maybe a site but people are people and will continue to be so. Whether on the internet or in real life.
One day I hope we can all leave the path of intolerance and accept everyone how they are no matter what. I have hopes that this will happen but I may be an optimist.
Bless,
Ventulus
Thumbs up i agree too. I have been for so long on this site and believe, you have seen nothing! its sad all of this and intolerance is very small word for what is going on in here but thats the way it is and thats the way it will remain-why? because always there will be someone with hot head mocking, arguing in bad tone, annoying us all.... I feel sorry for them and not trying to worry about such people.
