05-07-2013, 01:49 PM
I had a conversation with a Christian the other day... They were wondering what my beliefs were. I shared, and didn't shy away from exposing the fear based doctrine of hell. As they defended hell I proceeded to show through careful studying how the bible mentions no such thing. In my explanation, my wife said I seemed prideful.
There are lines, I believe: there are personal beliefs which cannot be proven or disproven, and there are facts on the outside which are necessarily true. I do not try to change beliefs, but if there are faulty facts that one wishes to impose on me, could I not offer my services in shedding light on the fault? To cross the line into changing another's belief is an abridging of free will, but to share reason and clear data and facts, is that?
Socrates' life seems to show a life of love for people. He loved people so much that he would shed light on illogical thought patterns and unreasonable ways of living. His service to mankind was not liked and, to me, he came across as arrogant at times. But after he was tried and killed, the world grew in reason and pursuit of truth. Was his way arrogant or an abridging of free will?
There are lines, I believe: there are personal beliefs which cannot be proven or disproven, and there are facts on the outside which are necessarily true. I do not try to change beliefs, but if there are faulty facts that one wishes to impose on me, could I not offer my services in shedding light on the fault? To cross the line into changing another's belief is an abridging of free will, but to share reason and clear data and facts, is that?
Socrates' life seems to show a life of love for people. He loved people so much that he would shed light on illogical thought patterns and unreasonable ways of living. His service to mankind was not liked and, to me, he came across as arrogant at times. But after he was tried and killed, the world grew in reason and pursuit of truth. Was his way arrogant or an abridging of free will?