[Paragon's Scrapbook] The Ancient's Legacy

[Paragon]

Satanists, Devil Worshipers, and Burning in a Pit of Fire! A friend sent me a Youtube link earlier to some American Bible Belt tv show that sets out to call witches and pagans devil worshipers and satanists. He was angry and wanted me to see it. And yeah it angered me too, but I'm not angry because it's Christianity. The thing these narrow minded people don't understand is that tolerance goes a long way. People who TELL others they are wrong, and their choices and beliefs will make them burn into hell are the ones who are ultimately wrong. Faith is a personal thing. The way you understand the world is TRUE to you, and other people have their own TRUTHS. Is it not possible for us all to walk a different path but ultimately end up at the same place? We make decisions, wright or wrong, WE make them. We are not guided by the Devil or "demonic forces". We try to work out where we fit in the world, and sometimes we falter, and sometimes we find the right path. Telling others they are going to burn in hell for eternity doesn't get you anywhere. Working with the Earth and respecting what others believe WILL. The video: Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z7AZh6xN7w Part 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=qkBqshvfW1k

[Gossamer]

But dont you know that fear is the easiest way for the lazy to control the ignorant?

[Paragon]

True. It's very easy to fall back on a book and quote scripture to suit your own ends. You can blind people when you have "written proof" to back up your claims. Following mass organised nonsense is a sure fire way of closing up your heart.

Believe what you want to believe, and ignore the hate and fear mongering. If you can say your path is one of good then follow it. Your faith, your morals, they're YOUR truth. No one can tell you otherwise.

[Tabarnac]

And then Daniel made a finger puppet and spoke in a quiet, raspy voice. He said, "Redrum. Redruuuuum!"

[Paragon]

Here's Johnny!

[Cascade]

I dislike narrow minded people as well. My firm believe is just like yours, "Faith is a personal thing. The way you understand the world is TRUE to you, and other people have their own TRUTHS."

I experience this kind of thing too. It's ironic how some atheists have gone to me and challenged my beliefs, calling me ignorant and close minded, and assuming a lot of things about me. I'm, like... c'mon, I don't care about what you believe in, just leave me alone. I don't even preach my beliefs, I just answer questions when asked, and it's almost always a trap for a debate that I don't even want to get into!

Humans are odd.

[Paragon]

Oh they are. And for the record, though people might say it, I find it hard to believe anyone is truly "atheist". They are in the sense they might not believe in a deity or deities, but I struggle to accept anyone can reject all faith. Everyone must wonder about the world, where we're headed, what's going to happen to us? Whether there's something more than just day to day life and work?

And you hit the nail on the head. So called "atheists" are usually the worst preachers you can find.

[Gossamer]

True Atheists exist, never doubt that they do. And some of them are really incredible smart wise creative sensitive gentle loving people.

The man closest to my heart is an atheist and he's never preached a day in his life to anyone on how their thoughts differ from his. The absence of a belief, in general, means you don't try to force a belief on someone else even if that's a lack of belief your trying to force. I urge you to be careful when stereotyping people, because honestly its sorta what religious fanatics are known for and not open minded tolerant people. In this case, we don't want to 'join um' if we can't beat them. We just want to ignore the fanatics and be on our way. We all have our own experiences... and just because my beloved doesn't believe, doesn't mean he doesn't march over to ceremonies and gatherings and say run the music occasionally or help clean up/set up. He likes my High Priestess' cooking... and no one gives him a hard time just because he sits out the actual doings.

I know you guys are great people. Don't typecast just cause others do.

[Paragon]

Of course. The majority are cool and wonderful, I've just had experiences with people that laugh at faith and revel in telling people they're wrong. Matt sounds like a cool dude though!

In truth, if we define atheism as not believing necessarily in a physical deity, then I'm atheist too. Michelle was atheist, but now I guess she'd class herself as agnostic? She's super open about stuff though, and she takes an active interest in the stuff I do. It's like I have a Protestant Christian friend and I like to ask her lots of questions, purely out of interest. Other peoples beliefs fascinate me

[Cascade]

Apologies if it seemed like I was stereotyping. I was only referring specifically to those I had bad experiences from. Of course, they don't describe all atheists as a whole, and I know that.