wildernesse

Badfish,

I find it difficult that you can brand someone evil/vile on the basis of their responses to you on an internet discussion board.

Goliath might be. . .abrasive? and see the world completely different from you or me, but he's hardly vile.

--tibac

Goliath

Thanks, wildernesse.

And yes, I can certainly be abrasive. I've never claimed that I am easy to get along with.

Sincerely,

Goliath

Sabine Grant

Love is edifying for both Goliath...the one who loves and the one who is loved. There is IMO no reason to demean the intent to love whom is different or part of the outcast. You speak of accepting and tolerating people but I must share with you that you reactions to some of the theists seem to demonstrate rejection and lack of acceptance. Is it possible Goliath that you need a touch of love to accomplish the task of being accepting of theists?

Goliath

Sabine Grant,

Not necessarily. What about the case where person A loves person B, but person B does not love person A? In this example, love is not edifying for both person A and person B.

I said nothing about loving outcasts, per se. However, I absolutely refuse to love any old person that I happen to bump into on the street. I don't know about you, Sabine, but to me love is something incredibly special...something magnificent! Thusly, I only choose to love people whom I care about. Giving love to anyone who you meet is doing nothing more than cheapening love.

I most certainly tolerate the presence of theists on this board. If I didn't, I'd do everything possible to have every theist banned from these fora (and even if I did want such a thing (which I don't), I wouldn't be able to do much towards that end, anyways).

Similarly, I tolerate the existence of theists in real life.

Now, most theistic beliefs, on the other hand, I hate with a white hot, fiery passion that will never die until I do. This does not, however, stop me from tolerating, liking, or even loving theists. For example, my mother is a xian. I absolutely hate her religious beliefs, but I love her.

Sincerely,

Goliath

Sabine Grant

Salut badfish... let us place things back in the reality... you have never met ol' Goliath and he might be the gentle big bear who will rescue you from a mechanical problem on the side of the road... you never know how God may humble some of us as we judge another person, label him or her.... moreso... what is accomplished when we vent to someone " you this and you that"...?
Some folks just do not like to be hugged unless the hugging person is a close friend. When I first came to the US, I would hug on sight anyone I was introduced to... ouch! I switched to the cordial handshake and limited myself to only hugging other females. Of course I get away with huggy touchy attitudes with my usual " oh me french". In some cultures physical closeness is part of socializing... but anglo saxon attitudes in the US perclude that closeness.
So here is a hug to you badfish... from someone who misses her culture.

wildernesse

Actually, Goliath, your style is growing on me. I wouldn't call it fondness, but it's not repellent. Anymore.

--tibac

wildernesse

Hugs to sabine! I like hugs, even from acquaintances!

--tibac

Goliath

wildernesse,

AH HA! Phase one is complete! MUAHAHAHAHAH--er, um, thanks! (say, who was doing that evil laughing and talking about "Phase one"...? nutcases like that should be locked up!)

Sincerely,

Goliath

Sabine Grant

I guess Goliath , love is supposed to be gratifying whether it is returned or not. If we loved only people who return it, there would not be much love around... some folks will not allow anyone to love them. They build walls of harshness and do anything to dissuade love. Protection maybe?

Of course love is special and it comes in different forms... I will not love anyone the way I love my husband. The way I love my mother differs from the way I love my son or daughters.
Yes... the outcast... the unlovable... the ones who challenge our sense of safety, property or even ethics....those are the ones that are the important ones. The ones that are different from us...and we struggle because those differences challenge our insecurities. We often feel threatened by whom is so different and hard to understand.
Tolerance... I think we might have a different definition of what true tolerance is. I use the word tolerance as acceptance not as " I really do not like you but I will make an effort to let you exist".
I am talking about accepting with understanding and openness and appreciation someone else's thoughts. To look for the wisedom that may reside in their thoughts no matter how challenging they may be. To try to give the benefit of the doubt and all those nice notions....
To consider each individual as an unexplored country... a geography to discover and study , a mind to become familiar with..
It is a matter of practising it. It becomes a good habit.
My wise hubby says... " the greatest need a human being has is to feel appreciated". I say a touch of intentional love is helpful. It is a mind set.
I must go for now... nice taking to you. I will only shake your hand though. Veronique.

Bree

Please refrain from the personal attacks and snide comments.

Thanks.