Would Polytheism Be Better For Us ?

[DavidRoss]

Yes, roughly equal parts of problematic and scornful of dissent.

I can only smile in wonder sometimes at the seriousness of some folk's belief that it's people of faith who are closed-minded and prejudiced against reason!  But having been one such myself for twenty or so years I have compassion for them and sympathy for their plight, which I suspect is what enables me to patiently persist in trying to pry open minds that have been barred and nailed shut, as if giving fair and full consideration to other points of view somehow presents a threat instead of an opportunity!

[Dr. Dread]

I can only smile in wonder sometimes at the seriousness of some folk's belief that it's people of faith who are closed-minded and prejudiced against reason!  But having been one such myself for twenty or so years ...

Why do you wonder when you were one yourself?

[Catison]

I can only smile in wonder sometimes at the seriousness of some folk's belief that it's people of faith who are closed-minded and prejudiced against reason!  But having been one such myself for twenty or so years I have compassion for them and sympathy for their plight, which I suspect is what enables me to patiently persist in trying to pry open minds that have been barred and nailed shut, as if giving fair and full consideration to other points of view somehow presents a threat instead of an opportunity!

My only objective is to show the particular errors I see in a particular argument, but I still remain open minded that I may be wrong.  However, my own conversion to Catholicism happened when I realized my errors, similar to your experience, so I often get excited because I get a chance to pass on this knowledge here.  But, being Christian, I have to let go of the idea that I will convince anyone of anything, because I do not have the power to change anyone's mind.  That happens through another mechanism I can only hope is working for them.   Real conversion happens through prayer and by the will of God Himself.  So I don't want to come here and try to change anyone's mind, just to let them know the ground they walk upon is not as solid as it seems.

[Dr. Dread]

However, my own conversion to Catholicism happened when I realized my errors, similar to your experience, so I often get excited because I get a chance to pass on this knowledge here.

Shooting holes is not passing on knowledge. Lay your knowledge on me. Right now. In your next post.

[Fëanor]

I can only smile in wonder sometimes at the seriousness of some folk's belief that it's people of faith who are closed-minded and prejudiced against reason!  But having been one such myself for twenty or so years I have compassion for them and sympathy for their plight, which I suspect is what enables me to patiently persist in trying to pry open minds that have been barred and nailed shut, as if giving fair and full consideration to other points of view somehow presents a threat instead of an opportunity!

Well, David, you asked me why I don't just come here in search of truth and without an agenda.  Yet you now admit that you "persist in trying to pry open minds that have been barred and nailed shut".  How is your agenda better than mine?  How, for that matter, is it different than what you suppose mine to be?

[karlhenning]

How is your agenda better than mine?

Greater good for more people.

[karlhenning]

But, being Christian, I have to let go of the idea that I will convince anyone of anything, because I do not have the power to change anyone's mind.

Wisdom!

[Dr. Dread]

Wisdom!

Then why is he posting???

[karlhenning]

Then why is he posting???

It is a matter of knowing the difference between the power to compel another to change his mind, and the act of communication, mon vieux.

[Dr. Dread]

It is a matter of knowing the difference between the power to compel another to change his mind, and the act of communication, mon vieux.

I can't change your mind but I'll dazzle you with my talent not to do so...

[DavidRoss]

Why do you wonder when you were one yourself?

Do you ever wonder at the follies of humankind, even though you be human yourself, and likely a fool at times?  (Wonder in the sense of amazement, not in the sense of doubt.)

[Dr. Dread]

Do you ever wonder at the follies of humankind, even though you be human yourself, and likely a fool at times?  (Wonder in the sense of amazement, not in the sense of doubt.)

Oh, I'm a fool all the time.  

Yes, wonder in the sense of sh*t is f*cked up. Indeed.

Edit: Well, it's more disgust, really...

[DavidRoss]

Well, David, you asked me why I don't just come here in search of truth and without an agenda.  Yet you now admit that you "persist in trying to pry open minds that have been barred and nailed shut".  How is your agenda better than mine?  How, for that matter, is it different than what you suppose mine to be?

Speaking of category errors....  


(1) I asked no such thing.
(2) I made no such claim regarding the comparative values of agenda.
(3) There is an enormous difference between trying to browbeat people into sharing your beliefs by telling them they're stupid if they don't, and promoting the virtues of fair, rational, open-minded consideration of other points of view.
(4) Understanding another point of view does not mean finding some point of superficial dissimilarity from your own and attacking it, but rather entering into the frame of reference of the other and seeing it in its entirety, giving full faith and credit, as it were, in an effort to recognize how it makes sense and coheres both internally and externally.
(5) Understanding another point of view does not require that you agree with it.  You may understand it and then choose not to accept it, due for instance to an article of faith that you choose not to accept.
(6) The process of careful, open-minded investigation into other perspectives can not only be very helpful in promoting better understanding of others, replacing enmity with comity, but can prove invaluable in helping us to recognize similar articles of faith and flawed reasoning embedded in our own perspectives.

[DavidRoss]

Oh, I'm a fool all the time.  

Yes, wonder in the sense of sh*t is f*cked up. Indeed.

Edit: Well, it's more disgust, really...

Verily, I say unto thee, in the immortal words of the prophet, whose wisdom we ought heed lest we tumble into the pit of despair and resentment without end:

I used to be disgusted,
But now I'm just amused.

[Dr. Dread]

Verily, I say unto thee, in the immortal words of the prophet, whose wisdom we ought heed lest we tumble into the pit of despair and resentment without end:

I used to be disgusted,
But now I'm just amused.

Indeed. 

I vacillate.

[karlhenning]

Someday, we three will have a cup of hot tea (and perhaps a pint of Guinness) together.

[Dr. Dread]

Now he's psychic! 

[karlhenning]

Now he's psychic! 

That was a modal verb of volition, laddie.

[Dr. Dread]

That was a modal verb of volition, laddie.

I can dig it.

[Fëanor]

Well, David, you asked me why I don't just come here in search of truth and without an agenda.  Yet you now admit that you "persist in trying to pry open minds that have been barred and nailed shut".  How is your agenda better than mine?  How, for that matter, is it different than what you suppose mine to be?

Speaking of category errors....  

OK, to speak more plainly, you're a hypocrite.