| Oct 25 @ 6:04 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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Thor1960303
Posts: 3,345
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While I'm sure on a local level, we can pretty much keep from beating each other up, but how long REALLY can we all coexist? Especially when virtually all of the major religions that have a hand in running the world believe in some sort of a fiery holocaust that is supposed to usher in some great Revelation. It would seem to me that if you are in a position of world political and/or economic power, you would at least subconsiously govern your actions in line with beliefs would you not?
If you believed that the mundane world was less important than the world your religion described would be waiting for you as long as you behaved according to that religion's tenets, would not ALL of your actions, professional and private be geared towards that?
Religion, by it's very nature polarizes and in an era when it looks more and more like we're all pretty much dependent on each other for survival, how long can we afford to entertain ancient myths about an apocalypse when there are real issues at hand and not mythical ones?
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| Oct 25 @ 10:46 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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LanceVarden7
Posts: 1,092
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I think it all comes down to respect. I get more flack from Christians than non-Christians.
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| Oct 26 @ 9:55 AM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,235
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Let us put this in the proper context. Monotheism here in America Is Not the Monotheism of the rest of the world.
There are many different types of coexistence are there not?
Americans have always had a better than thou attitude towards the rest of the world. Both as American citizens and as holier than thou Christians.
By European standards and via the eyes of Europe along with Asia, Americans are a like a bunch of ignorant Children, a newbie on the block of civilization.
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| Oct 26 @ 11:56 AM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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Thor1960303
Posts: 3,345
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Monotheism here in America Is Not the Monotheism of the rest of the world.
There are many different types of coexistence are there not?
Good points.  Compromises can be made from all in many aspects, however, when you're talking about the fact a large number of the religious population in the US and abroad believe that the world is on it's way out and they see that as a good thing, I don't see much of an impetus to try to improve things and keep the world healthy and operating without slinging big weapons around to argue your points. We have nutcake Muslims on one side of the pond and nutcake Christians on the other , I don't see room for compromise,let alone coexistence.
By European standards and via the eyes of Europe along with Asia, Americans are a like a bunch of ignorant Children, a newbie on the block of civilization.
Quite true.
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| Oct 26 @ 12:10 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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iam01
Posts: 6,265
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Its impossible to coexist when there are groups of people who claim to be absolutely right and others are absolutely wrong based on absurd, irrational, and ultimately delusional beliefs. Given that there are enough religions that do this, we can be assured no matter what your religion or lack thereof you are guaranteed someone somewhere hates your guts.
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| Oct 26 @ 12:16 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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Thor1960303
Posts: 3,345
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Its impossible to coexist when there are groups of people who claim to be absolutely right and others are absolutely wrong based on absurd, irrational, and ultimately delusional beliefs.
Especially when many of those groups have political influence and money.
Given that there are enough religions that do this, we can be assured no matter what your religion or lack thereof you are guaranteed someone somewhere hates your guts.
And will act on that.
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| Oct 26 @ 12:20 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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yashaenka
Posts: 8,235
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We coexist in spite of ourselves in this world of our own making. 
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| Oct 26 @ 5:05 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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southernlass
Posts: 2,211
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The bible says that coexistence is not possible. It asks what light has in common with darkness, and the answer is, very little.
According to the bible, coexistence will only occur for a limited period of time.
There will come a point in which darkness does not want light shining upon and through it. At that time, light will cease within the world, going underground -- but eventually light will be utterly and completely gone, leaving only darkness.
You won't have to worry about the coexistence problem then.
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| Oct 26 @ 5:17 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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uncrazy
Posts: 2,382
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SL offers...
The bible says that coexistence is not possible. It asks what light has in common with darkness, and the answer is, very little.
Ideas also found in the Avestas...two bible level sources using a similiar cosmology as a prediction for future events in the universe.
Each religion of Abraham requires that God destroy their enemies so the rules they have received from their only true God can earn them the gift of being chosen for all time to live with God....the insanity for world destruction is built into each of the religions....hiding behind a false statement that "peace in the world is desired".
The insanity within the beliefs also hold both the rationalization and justification for not "loving God, and my neighbor as I love me".
It was not really a kindness that came to me by learning that this insanity was what would be considered the sane worldview by so many...my children where spiritually developed enough to see clearly the insane story I tried to tell them.
[Edited on 10/26/2009 5:28 PM]
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| Oct 26 @ 6:02 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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Bj864
Posts: 3,958
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I had an uncle who was a catholic priest.
I had an uncle who was a penecostal preacher.
My best friend believes in reincarnation. My next best friend is a christian.
I have had people in my life with other ways of believing, including agnostic and atheist.
We have coexisted just fine.
I think the problem comes in when one or the other starts imposing their views and puts down or insults the others.
That doesn't mean you cannot disagree. It just means to show some respect with it.
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| Oct 26 @ 6:23 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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CPUfan
Posts: 7,983
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The United States and NATO co-existed with the Soviet Union for over 40 years - although the official ideology of the USSR stated that the capitalist system was doomed by its decadence and corruption. They co-existed in this period with vast arsenals of conventional and nuclear weapons on both sides. 
The name of the policy, adopted by both sides, was "peaceful co-existence."
Time told which bloc was actually decadent and corrupt. In the end, war in Afghanistan brought down the USSR. 
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| Oct 26 @ 7:45 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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Thor1960303
Posts: 3,345
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There will come a point in which darkness does not want light shining upon and through it. At that time, light will cease within the world, going underground -- but eventually light will be utterly and completely gone, leaving only darkness.
You won't have to worry about the coexistence problem then
Well, knowing what your belief system considers "light" and "darkness", I look forward to that time.
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| Oct 26 @ 8:24 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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Jankia
Posts: 11,888
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Bj- We have coexisted just fine.
Were going to keep having what we weve had throughout history.
Differences in people.
This country of "ignorant children" has managed to maintain the longest histotrical free enterprise in democracy.
Westerners predominatly Christian dont fear the Islamics that oppose free enterprise because we helped establish Islamic Democracies and are doing that today.
So yes,coexistence is possible because its been happening and will continue whether you believe it or not.
Religion, by it's very nature polarizes and in an era when it looks more and more like we're all pretty much dependent on each other for survival, how long can we afford to entertain ancient myths about an apocalypse when there are real issues at hand and not mythical ones? People that welcome coexistence,welcome your right to call what your not a part of a myth,but how can you be dependant on each other for survival when one doesnt accept what the other does?
By doing both...by using your personal religious beliefs respectfully to tackle those "real issues at hand" along with people disrespectfull of your beliefs.
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| Oct 26 @ 8:49 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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southernlass
Posts: 2,211
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I firmly believe that some things are true whether anyone else believes them or not. I strongly believe that bible prophecy is true. And while I'm not about to shove my beliefs down anyone's throat and they are more than entitled to their own and to disagree with mine, as I interpret the bible I don't think it matters what they think. I believe the bible doesn't lie and events will happen exactly as it says that they will. The bible essentially says that darkness is going to reign for a time and will destroy good, temporarily.
During that temporary time, things are supposed to get awfully bad on this planet, proving that coexistence of light and darkness/good and evil is impossible for long.
Unfortunately, it's the description of "light" and "darkness" that may give some trouble. I can understand how it would though. I truly enjoy all of the "kumbaya" moments we get into here on occasion; underneath these moments though is the truth, or what I consider the truth, and that is that there is a distinct separation that we can do nothing about. There really are two sides, black and white, good and evil, light and dark. And everyone must make their choice, even when they try to avoid doing so by claiming this is baloney, in my opinion.
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| Oct 26 @ 9:08 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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uncrazy
Posts: 2,382
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In my experience the polarity SL speaks of and the great fear her beliefs engender for failure or wrong belief do not exist during meditation.
The universe operates to create stasis, a state of stability, where all forces are opposing and equal, eventually cancelling each other out.
Religion sets the stage for Evil to appear to be winning the long drawn out daily contests, but Good gets to win in the end...by acting in the most evil of methods. Even this final evil behavior of the good will be blamed on the evil itself...it deserves this treatment.
What glorious mind candy.
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| Oct 26 @ 9:08 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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iam01
Posts: 6,265
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that there is a distinct separation that we can do nothing about. And that is why your beliefs are a delusion, a mental illness and probably sociopathic because there is no reason for you to believe peace is possible. You will behave according to your sick beliefs. That means you will fuel divisiveness because that is your dogma. Sam Harris is one of your greatest enemies because he exposes you for what you are.
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| Oct 26 @ 9:15 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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southernlass
Posts: 2,211
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Wrong, Iam. Unless you consider my mentioning this as "fueling evil," I don't see how you can say that. I'm not a violent human being. I'm against violence in most forms. I firmly believe in live and let live. Discussion is not violence nor am I threatening violence. I'm merely sharing what I believe is truth.
Sam Harris does not believe in live and let live. Sam Harris and his cronies are one of my greatest enemies because they truly do fuel violence and will assist in bringing violence to pass, because they hate religion and want to destroy it. They have been quoted advocating such violence. They will rev people up to also think like they do, eventually encouraging the violence. I think there is no question that this is the case.
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| Oct 26 @ 9:23 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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ColdinWisconsin
Posts: 9,987
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Its impossible to coexist when there are groups of people who claim to be absolutely right and others are absolutely wrong based on absurd, irrational, and ultimately delusional beliefs.
The perfect description of a home with more than one teenager in it.
Seriously. I mean that.
But it's funny as shit too.
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| Oct 26 @ 9:54 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible?
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ColdinWisconsin
Posts: 9,987
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Apparently if you say "shit" in the religious thread you can get everyone to sit in stunned silence.
I should do that more often. 
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| Oct 26 @ 9:56 PM |
Is Coexistence Possible? |
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Nightowl001
Posts: 7,492
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Its impossible to coexist when there are groups of people who claim to be absolutely right and others are absolutely wrong based on absurd, irrational, and ultimately delusional beliefs. I disagree,. Strongly. There have always been opposing ideologies, in many, many respects, the adherents of which manage to live side-by-side. It is only when one or more of those groups believes they possess some inherent right to stamp out the other group that coexistence becomes impossible.
No matter what deity one believes in or not, if everyone has the right to believe or not that one claims for themselves, they can coexist. It is only the proponents not willing to let the deity judge, but take that mantle upon themselves, who cause conflict.
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