I've been on here for probably a dozen years or more. We used to have some spirited religious discussion. Not so much anymore. 90% of the posts in this forum are authored by the same few folks. Some folks, who are heavy posters in other forums, shy away talking about religion.

 

I'm not saying that it's a good thing or a bad thing. I just got to thinking about what makes some folks muted when it comes to discussions of God and religion. I personally think it is fascinating to talk about and try to understand why some people believe the things they do. Why, for example, do some religious groups, handle serpents or drink poison to test their faithfulness? Or what makes some become convinced they can hop aboard a comet and hitch a ride to the next level. Or even, why do some denominations believe in eternal salvation while others do not? Our religious beliefs are often roadmaps to our inner being. They say a lot about who we really are. Maybe some folks aren't comfortable revealing that to others. Religion is personal. Politics--- much the same way.

 

Those that post regularly in this forum are clearly passionate about what they believe. They can't talk enough about their religious views. I respect those who are passionate about what they believe. I have a colleague who is like that. She simply can't talk enough about her love of God. She's constantly talking about a religious service, a Christian movie , or a Bible verse. I don't share a lot of her views but I understand the passion.

 

While I am leery of most of man's religions, I do think the topic makes for interesting discussion. It's just that most people clam up when the subject turns to God, faith, and religion. Why is that?

 

A friend of mine and a fellow BGP member , who is interested in this topic, said the other day that he shys away from discussions of religion because he doesn't want to be labeled as condescending just for expressing his views. And, I think he doesn't want his thoughts to offend people he considers friends. I know several agnostics and even atheists who enjoy talking about religion & philosophy but they refrain from such discussion because they have been talked about in a negative manner just for sharing their views.

 

Why do you think that, in religion forums, we never here from 90-95% of the population? I'm sure there are many of us who are interested in the topic. Is the reason one of those mentioned above or something else? Do we have some unresolved insecurities about our beliefs that make us uncomfortable. My dad, for example, wants to believe in an afterlife, but has those nagging questions that constantly fight with his rational mind. He's uncomfortable talking about religion. It's like pulling impacted wisdom teeth to get him to freely open up and engage me in a religion/God discussion. As long as I blind him with science, he's fine. God/religion... he becomes a turtle and retreats to his shell.

 

I think its fun to talk about things for which we don't have the answers. As much as we would like to admit it, we do not have the answers when it comes to God. Is there a purpose for us being here? We'd like to think so , but we simply don't know for sure. None of us know for sure. One thing is for sure- it is fascinating to ponder some of life's most important and possibly, unanswerable questions. Since the beginning of time Man has looked to sky and pondered his very existence. Why are we here? How did we get here? Where do we go from here? He created religion to help answer some of these questions. I don't know that religion has helped us answer anything. I still have questions. I still want answers. I hope you will join me in my quest for knowledge about our magnificent but mysterious universe.

 

I look forward to hearing from you(all two or three of you).

Most people don't like drama and all you get with religious discussions is drama.

Think about it: How can we ever know enough about the experiences and struggles-for-truth that lay beneath another person’s world view to enable us to adequately judge its validity? Can we really presume to be able to stand back and critique a world view that is built on a foundation of countless unique, idiosyncratic pains and joys that we ourselves have never experienced? That’s why if we try making such judgments, we soon learn that the passionate energy behind our listener’s world view generates a vigorous argument that ultimately leads nowhere… aside from an exchange of philosophical generalities supported by carefully-chosen anecdotes. I've felt in certain situations that it is a waste of time to indulge in arguments over religious philosophies.

 

Most of the time our hard-won vision of how the world works remains quietly concealed in our hearts. Yet it’s always there, just below the surface, waiting to explode all over anyone foolish enough to challenge us with a severely contradictory vision. After all, we’ve got way too much effort invested in this world view to allow it to be quickly changed by anyone. The result: Whether we like it or not, we sometimes stumble into one of those intense and unwinnable verbal battles we all find so frustrating, Wireman's right too much drama is one reason.

I rarely get into deep conversations, beyond a superficial post or two on the subject. The reason is that my Faith is very personal to me and it is not just cheap debate fodder.

I rarely get into deep conversations, beyond a superficial post or two on the subject. The reason is that my Faith is very personal to me and it is not just cheap debate fodder.

 

My guess is that this is why the vast majority of people are reluctant to get into it.

I know this is going to sound very arrogant and I am sorry. I honestly believe it is true that the majority of people do not understand what they believe and struggle explaining, defending, or discussing it.

I rarely get into deep conversations, beyond a superficial post or two on the subject. The reason is that my Faith is very personal to me and it is not just cheap debate fodder.

My thoughts exactly. My faith is my faith. It's not a subject that is debate worthy to me. You either have faith or you don't.

I know this is going to sound very arrogant and I am sorry. I honestly believe it is true that the majority of people do not understand what they believe and struggle explaining, defending, or discussing it.

 

 

I think you are absolutely correct. Lots of insecurity. Many just don't really know what they believe . Lots of nagging doubts that make them uncomfortable as well.

My experience has not been that most people want to "discuss" religion. They want to tell you what they believe and are not particularly interested in actually discussing anything. They don't even want to have an argument, as argument itself implies listening to the other side and responding. Can't even get that.

 

I love talking politics and religion. To my mind they're the only things really worth talking about with any seriousness. Yet somehow they're the two hardest things to have serious discussion about.

I have found more success/comfort/whatever you want to call it in small groups or one on one. I enjoy witnessing about what Christ means to me and what He has done in my life. I struggle in conversations that become debates or arguments. I don't mind speaking with those who are skeptical but open minded about truth. Not so much with those who are cynical who just want to have me for lunch.

I have found more success/comfort/whatever you want to call it in small groups or one on one. I enjoy witnessing about what Christ means to me and what He has done in my life. I struggle in conversations that become debates or arguments. I don't mind speaking with those who are skeptical but open minded about truth. Not so much with those who are cynical who just want to have me for lunch.

 

You're a darn dragon, Pete. You should be having them for lunch.

I rarely get into deep conversations, beyond a superficial post or two on the subject. The reason is that my Faith is very personal to me and it is not just cheap debate fodder.

 

My faith teaches that you should spread your faith to others!

I think @PP1 hit the nail on the head on why there is not more debate.

FWIW, I like my religion. I don’t think it is perfect, but it works for me. I believe everyone should have some religion to turn to.

Had a convo with a old buddy who has steered away from the catholic faith and for any religion over the past 15 years. He said they want to get back into going to church. I told him to check out my parish as I’m currently very happy with what is going on there. He was going to check it out. his daughter got involved with a karaoke and coffee church and he said he was going to look into that one as well. Also gave him the name of a church I had been to for funeral that seemed very welcoming. I just hope he finds one that works for him.

You're a darn dragon, Pete. You should be having them for lunch.

 

Oh, it has nothing to do with fear. I'm not afraid because I know where I'm headed. I'm frustrated with those who have agendas that don't include open discussion to help each other get better.

I just think that the unknown makes for interesting discussion. And religion & philosophy is full of unknowns. In fact, it's almost all unknown. None of us knows the answer to anything when it comes to an existence after this physical realm. We may say that we know, and we certainly want to know, but we don't. It's only speculation. None of us know for certain where we're going from here.

My faith teaches that you should spread your faith to others!

I think @PP1 hit the nail on the head on why there is not more debate.

FWIW, I like my religion. I don’t think it is perfect, but it works for me. I believe everyone should have some religion to turn to.

Had a convo with a old buddy who has steered away from the catholic faith and for any religion over the past 15 years. He said they want to get back into going to church. I told him to check out my parish as I’m currently very happy with what is going on there. He was going to check it out. his daughter got involved with a karaoke and coffee church and he said he was going to look into that one as well. Also gave him the name of a church I had been to for funeral that seemed very welcoming. I just hope he finds one that works for him.

 

I will openly and willingly share my faith in person and have done so.

 

PP1 may have hit your nail or many others nail, but he did not hit mine.