philechat

I think the ideal will be a place where we could pursue a complete Socrates-style philosophical debate about religion. The overly PC world of the US seems to tell us to tolerate people's beliefs "no matter how irrational they are" to the point of non-discussion. Such a view seems to perpetuate a sort of Statis in terms of any religious discussion, as if it was a taboo while arguments about aesthetics and politics were loud and open.

I suffered greatly in this area, alternating between self-chastisement about my own "appearing evangelic" and a compulsive will to want an open discussion about religion with people like I did on this board. A stupid crush on a religious Jewish person who doesn't date outside his faith didn't help either, but I continue to keep silent due to the Bad Faith I am holding now under the influence of Political Correctness.

[ June 01, 2002: Message edited by: philechat ]</p>

Daydreamer

I usually play these things on the defensive, and following up my responses bit with a bit of humor, usually one that makes a slight jab at religion. Religion isn' something that you can argue a person into or out of, but it is something we can nudge people towards examining more closely than they want to.

Sort of like Robin (Daffy) Duck's "Parry! Thrust! Riposte! Ha Ha! *hits himself with his staff*"