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Open Poetry #27
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A Question Of Tolerance
| Open Poetry #27 |
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A Question Of Tolerance |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space 
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Tolerance is a funny thing it allows for the freedom to praise one's god in a shelter of tolerance and the freedom of religious expression But what of the man who praises none? He is offensive by his very nature in the questioning of your gods and their existence but where is the tolerance and sensitivity for those who don't want to read, to think, to hear the word? Who worries about the atheist or his feelings? *Personally I'm not atheist, I have no idea what I am, I'm theologically impared. But where I wonder amidst the poetry and praise, the christas specials and easter cartoons. Where's the sensitivity for atheists or their rights to question or refute? [This message has been edited by Aenimal (06-14-2003 01:54 PM).] |
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| © Copyright 2003 raphael giuffrida - All Rights Reserved | |||
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
alright pal! what'd you do with the pic?  |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
i completely agree: your points are valid here and well written Raph our society does not allow for any one to denounce their right to NOT believe - society pretty much says you HAVE to believe in something or else . . . All that matters is you believe in what is important to you brilliant write btw got me thinking like you always do xxoo umm . . . yes where have you gone up there? I have to look at a blank window now? |
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gyiel marlok Member
since 2003-06-08
Posts 145OHIO |
COOL |
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cynicsRus Senior Member
since 2003-06-06
Posts 591So Cal So Cool! |
Who says you don't have a right to express your views; to question another's God or gods? I think you just did. If the atheist is willing to tolerate the religious person who is secure in his theology; In his beliefs of an afterlife (or that atheists go on to their own reward); allowing him to pray to his God as he sees fit--basically showing the same sort of tolerance that any good atheist expects, where then is the problem? If the atheist believes there's no God anyway, why should he mind? Sid |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
In my opinion, I think the write lies in not the right to question but being executed and ridiculed for doing so . . . I may be wrong but thats what we are here for - to learn from each other . . . xxoo |
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icebox Member Elite
since 2003-05-03
Posts 4383in the shadows |
Always a pleasure to read your work. Thank you for sharing it. In the USA, contrary to popular belief, the Constitution recognizes the citizen's right to freedom FROM religion; it does not state a freedom OF religion. The former covers all choices; the latter covers only the choice of any recognized religion. Unfortunately, many people are only comfortable with the latter. |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
que fue a tu pintura? |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Dix I got rid of it didn't want to harm people who might be eating as they read Thanks Sue thanks for the compliemtn as always as for the pic..nevermind Thanks gyiel cynicsRus it's a matter of respect, if an atheist should have to refrain from making comments about religion or god in a forum for example this one, then why shouldn't a religious person refrain from making comments of praise? Thanks again sue exactly the point Thank you icebox always appreciate when you stop in and yes it's a matter of comfort atheists are viewed as Inked no idea what yer trying to say but thanks grin |
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BluesSerenade Member Patricius
since 2001-10-23
Posts 10549By the Seaside |
You make a good point Raph~ Unfortunately it seems that if you don't practice a religion, it's safe to assume you have no faith. Where's the gray area in that? It is a personal choice, and I am committed to that. Plain and simple. Nice thinking...and thanks for the interesting thought. |
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Foxyoasis Senior Member
since 2003-06-10
Posts 974Atlantic Beach,Fla |
very good point you made there,it made me think of others. Fool me once shame on you.....Fool me twice shame on me..... |
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cynicsRus Senior Member
since 2003-06-06
Posts 591So Cal So Cool! |
Interesting spin, but we need to put it in the context of the day. This country had recently won its freedom from a country with a government established church that was inclined to suppress anyone opposing it as a traitor and/or heretic. Our Founders wanted to make sure that our government didn't attempt to establish a similarly sponsored religion. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;..." is a bit different from "... freedom FROM religion" More accurately, it's a freedom from "government imposed" religion. |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
you gonna put a new picture up? Don't make me come up there! |
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inkedgoddess Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392Ohio |
i stumbled in spanish asking you where the picture was, but there you are again, charming as ever its a tough question, and thought provoking ........it could go for any minority really out of the mainstream...... i know in public school as a kid, we had to say the pledge........under god, etc....what about kids coming from homes that didnt believe in the guy......... what if god was just one of us, just a slob like one of us.......i think it might go down easier that way .........well im not making sense at this point am i |
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garysgirl  
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Raph, you write some of the most thought-provoking poems I've ever seen... and I think it's wonderful that you do!! It's a good thing to make us think!!  Hey, I miss the picture!!!! Hugs to you  Ethel |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
Raph -- wouldn't start a debate on a poem -- but would say -- we're free to dissent -- free to beleive or not -- we're just not free from being made uncomfortable about it. You're probably a Deist..... or it's easier just to call yourself agnostic as do I. |
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timothysangel1973
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725Never close enough |
Totally agree with Rebel's opinion on this one guy! It's hard to be different, and even harder to not be singled out for being different. Does that make any sense? It's been a long day down here in the sweltering south! Great write tho! Tima If you cant get rid of the skeletons in your closet, you'd best teach them how to dance. George Bernard Shaw [This message has been edited by timothysangel1973 (06-15-2003 12:17 AM).] |
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ecrivan Member Elite
since 2001-12-10
Posts 3923my own state |
Much admire those willing to stand on their own and express their freedom from conformity to the rules of state or worse the rules of religion...ironically from which the state borrowed it's means of honoring the 'practicing few'...in reality only a few on this planet actually apply what has been passed down in scriptures...a good deal of us are busy living vicariously through the televised media...a kind of walking dream state..the world is a collection of those who'll philosophise on ethereal spirits and others like myself wanting to know about what the media keeps from us...don't get me wrong which ever way you turn there are beliefs and the absence of belief is a belief in itself. I mean I'd respect those who'd say we come from nothing and return to that, yet I'd like to think there must be so much more than void. Good to see this. |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Again I'd like to point out that I'm not an aetheist I'm generally agnostic it all depends on the day. Can I use the example of this board and this is not an attack on it I'm using it purely as an example. We take great care in assuring that people's aren't offended and with good reason we're all friends in this community. Now take for example a poem praising god of which we've all seen quite a few. Now if an atheist were to right a reply refuting the existence of god or claiming certain things about specific religions it would be deemed offensive, or rather, unsympathetic at least, regardless of how gently worded or subtle. I've seen this happen a few times and I'm sure mods get complaints we don't see. However if one writes a poem, and I know this from my own experience, refutting god or condemning religion there will often be a replies from people with praise and advice. Oh you should find god, I used to think like until I found christ etc. Now couldn't this be considered offensive to an atheist? Isn't that in direct conflict with the beliefs of an atheist? What if I told a Jew oh you should convert to Christianty..imagine the chaos! This is what I meant by my initial point: who worries about the atheists feelings? |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
THANKS everybody for responding and adding to the discussion. Love pip for this reason..perspectives. Oh and no I won't be putting up a new pic anytime soon. |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
yes . . . but I can put one up mmwauuuuahahahahahahah . . . nice thread you have here personally I am Spiritual thats it keep em comin brilliant explanations xxoo |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Raph? Listen to the Local Reb--rumor has it he has some smarts and sensitivity too.  |
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Aenimal Member Rara Avis
since 2002-11-18
Posts 7350the ass-end of space |
Thanks Sue and you're better up putting a pic of bear Karen i never refutted what he was saying i was merely stating my point [This message has been edited by Aenimal (06-16-2003 08:54 PM).] |
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passing shadows Member Empyrean
since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577displaced |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
Now now - if I did that it wouldnt be accurate - his eyes were green . . . |
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El_Campeador Senior Member
since 2003-01-29
Posts 761Ohio, USA |
There are Christians who try and push their religion on others. Personally, I don't think that it works. But there are also atheists who try and push their religion (that is, anti-religion) on others, and that is not right either. I believe we should challenge each other to seek the truth, and not try shove our beliefs down each other's throats like we know everything. But that's the view from a Christian  ~El Campeador “We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” –Robert Louis Stevenson |
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Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
I loved reading all the replies that this piece provoked--and yours as well! I personally have been a member of several churches and now I am a spiritualist! To each his own! I found my path and it works for me! Live and let live is my motto. Personally, when I write, I'm writing for me and hope I don't offend anyone in the process--that would NEVER be my intent. People may disagree with my views, beliefs or anything else, but I would expect it to be done with respect but not put downs. We're all here to learn from one another--and vive la difference!  Love, Understanding & Acceptance, EA [This message has been edited by Earth Angel (06-18-2003 07:42 PM).] |
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garysgirl
since 2002-09-29
Posts 19237Florida, USA |
Amen, or ditto, or whatever other word is wanted to say that I agree with Linda 100%...........we all need to have Love, Understanding, and Acceptance...regardless of our differences. If I told you people the differences in this very subject (religion)that my Honey-Love and I have, many of you would really believe that my love poems are all fantasy. Some of you would never believe that two people who have such different beliefs on a subject could be so bonded and could get along so well. The key is exactly what Linda said above......Love, Understanding, and Acceptance. If we allowed it to happen, we could have arguments on the subject, because we both believe so strongly in what we do (or don't) believe. One of the reasons that he loves me so much is that I do accept him just the way he is, without trying to change him or his beliefs....just as that's one of the reasons that I love him so much, too. Well, I used my relationship as an example here. Maybe, I shouldn't have said so much in this forum? I guess it just sort of came out...or I didn't keep it from it. |
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Jason Lyle Senior Member
since 2003-02-07
Posts 1438With my darkling |
The only person I question and judge is myself .nice write again Raph.Jason |
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Artic Wind Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 8080Realm of Supernatural |
 ARCTIC WIND |
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