Mad Kally

I don't feel any need to rant on the job or anywhere else but here. I'm getting so it's not even fun to vent here anymore. One of my two best friends in the world is a Catholic. I love her unconditionally. Rad, don't try to talk about what you know NOTHING about, ok? Don't try to project your feelings for atheists on me and twist it around.

Thank you,
Kally

80% atheists at a place here in LA, WOW.

HelenM

Well, yes, it limits atheists to atheist partners - but based on what those particular two atheists said, I think it seems like a very wise choice for the two of them.

That's not meant as a criticism of people who choose differently. I said I thought it was wise for them because of what they - in particular - said about theists or the idea of a theist partner, in their posts.

More generally, I'd say anyone who makes a choice to avoid what they know would drive them crazy is wise. It means they know where their own limits are.

take care
Helen

Amie

Hi Rad
I have read The road less travelled but not this one. I'll have to check it out
My friend Heather is a psychiatrist and she tells me the same thing, many non believers seek, many Christians will doubt...

Mad Kally

Limiting what? Oh Lawdy, Amie knows a psychiatrist! THey are ALL the same I suppose.

What are all the nonbelievers seeking? I really and truly miss Santa Claus. I'll leave you alone now, Maybe you can think about something to bicker about among yourselves. Like which of you is a REAL xian.

Amie

and then you went on to say how it complicates relationships...
It can only complicate a relationship if one lets it.
I would agree it is generally good to stay away from what drives people nuts but if other people are driving one nuts based simply on the fact that they believe in God then thats the particular atheist's problem. Non believers are everywhere. If an atheist wants to surround themself with only fellow atheists thats their choice, perhaps they should go start their own colony in some far away land.

HelenM

He's written quite a few books. I quite like a lot of what he says. I remember his 4 stages of spiritual growth schematic and his comment that many non-Christians are more spiritually mature than many Christians

(That's in The Road Less Traveled And Beyond)

M Scott Peck has gotten more open about claiming to be a Christian and using Christian language over the years, it seems, but he's definitely at the liberal end of the Christian spectrum, as I recall. I think he thinks all religions are ways to God. That means that he probably wouldn't be considered a True Christian by many conservative Christians.

Helen

Mad Kally

Hey Amie, you sound just like Dumbya's daddy.

Have fun...

Amie

I think its fairly obvious. Limiting the potential to have wonderful loving people in ones life based on the fact they hold a God belief. I would say the same thing to a Christian refusing to allow atheists in their lives, they are limiting themself.
God. You don't but many do, such is life...
Grow up!

HelenM

Well, I wouldn't quite agree with that way of saying it. I'd say every difference between partners, including a religious one, does complicate the relationship. The choice each person makes is whether to take on the challenge of that complication and determine to resolve it, or to avoid it in the first place. I think both choices are acceptable but I still wouldn't push people to take on that particular challenge. If they want to that's up to them.

But, I think there's a big difference between living around people with different beliefs (or lack thereof) as compared with deciding to be open to a close relationship with one.

I was talking about close intimate relationships - the kind that lead to marriage if the partners believe in marriage and/or it's possible.

I thought everyone was talking about that.

No offense Amie - but I can't, knowing what I know, encourage anyone into a mixed belief relationship. If they are in one that they are going to stay in, I would do my best to help them deal with the difference in beliefs, in so far as I could help.

Helen

Dr Rick

Nothing like the manner you propose if he is also all-loving and all-knowing. Each of the scenarios you propose limit the god's omnipotence, omnibenevolence, and/or his omniscience. The god of Christianity has none of these limits and could operate his omnipotence in a manner that does not violate his will. If he cannot, then he is not omnipotent, omnibenevolent, and/or omniscient.

If someone is limited to just these two alternatives when there are other possibilities, then that someone is not omnipotent. Insisting that an all-powerful creature is limited in this way contradicts it's omnipotence.

Atheists don't believe that there are gods, so we can't and don't accuse or fault them for anything.

Rick