I hope that each active member here will read this whole post and feel free to share your thoughts on it... no matter, if you plan on posting else where in this group, if you have not posted here within 24 hours of your posting on another thread after this is posted, your post will be deleted... meaning, take a moment read this and REPLY to it!

I have noted that several of the AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL Co Host here have tried to in a tolerant manner bring to the attention of the members here that you need to share your post, your thoughts and opinions in a RESPECTFUL manner, I myself have posted here several times on being resectful... I have updated the front page of this site and this is what is now there:

Ok… this is not the Religious Tolerance Matters group… but I do hope that those of you that join here can at least act like rational, loving adults. Debate is truly welcome here, but name calling and hate post are not.

You are allowed to discuss all religions here in an educational manner. Share your own personal truths… please remember that what is my truth may not be yours, however it makes neither my own truth nor your truth any less TRUE in our individual eyes. You can debate, discuss, and try to debunk here if you want… but do so in a respectful manner, not hateful one.

Remeber that what you share here is your BELIEF, meaning to you that belief may be absolute TRUTH, but to another it may be totatly untrue according to their beliefs. When you share your beliefs here make sure that you share them as YOUR BELIEF, your OPINION, but remember that what others are welcome to share their beliefs and opinions as well.

Note: Name calling, disrespect of another path or religion, and or hatefilled post will be deleted from now on.

On a different thread I have posted this:

Please remember everyone that this group is NOT the religious tolerance group... which is where TOLERANCE is supposed to be learned and shared via discussion there...

THIS group has been created for DEBATE, DISCUSSION, and even EDUCATION... on different religions and spiritual paths.

Please know that often in DEBATING... or DEBUNKING... it may seem as if your personal beliefs are under attack... you must understand that one party presenting their views and beliefs with evidence... to support those views does not mean YOUR BELIEFS are wrong... but can be a means to show you why another does not BELIEVE as you do.

Don't mistake INTOLEARANCE... for trying to DEBUNK or DEBATE a topic.

This group is for adult converstaion... and discussion. So far I think the topics have been fairly... tolerant... if not tolerant... the presented in a manner that was not meant to show intolerance... but personal beliefs.

BOTTOM LINE:

This is a DEBATE group... it is a place where you are meant to argue, heatedly discuss religious and related topics... but this is NOT a HATE group a place that you can come and try to FORCE your views on another member here...

To respect another's point of view I mean... RESPECT that they have the RIGHT to their OPINIONS and BELIEFS... it does not mean you have to RESPECT that they are RIGHT or WRONG... but have a RIGHT to share their beliefs...

WHEN YOU SHARE YOUR BELIEFS... remember that they are YOUR beliefs and may not be what everyone else believes!

I will not tolerate name calling, insinuated foul words, or flat out disrespect of another persons beliefs here!

From now on... mark your words, THINK about what you are writing, and make shure that you state that you are sharing YOUR BELIEFS, what you believe, YOUR OPINIONS here...

I will be deleting ANY post from now on that does not share it is your belief or opinion what it means to you PERSONALLY!!!

Now, please reply to this eve if it is to tell me to jump off a cliff... or please leave.

This group is for DEBATE, in order to help others learn, and possibly see things from a different point of view. NOT a place to vent and be hateful or disrespectful.

 [ send green star]

I do agree - thank you Shewolf.

Johanna

 [ send green star]

Its good that you laid out the laws of the land thanks

 [ send green star]

I agree with you completely! Thank you Shewolf for trying to keep the group as wonderful as it has been

 [ send green star]

within 24 hours of your posting on another thread after this is posted, your post will be deleted... meaning, take a moment read this and REPLY to it!   Blackmail?

try to FORCE your views on another member here  

Are we not being forced to respond to this?

WHEN YOU SHARE YOUR BELIEFS

should we be forced to post here? or should we be able to share without the threat of our post being deleted if we don't????

within 24 hours of your posting on another thread after this is posted, your post will be deleted... meaning, take a moment read this and REPLY to it!   Blackmail?

I will be deleting ANY post from now on that does not share it is your belief or opinion what it means to you PERSONALLY!!!

Is it Acceptable that i Question this manner DEMANDS? ? ? ?

 [ send green star]

within 24 hours of your posting on another thread after this is posted, your post will be deleted... meaning, take a moment read this and REPLY to it!   Blackmail?

GoddessDiva, a threat? Blackmail? I suppose it could be seen that way by some one that can NOT be resepctful or tolerant... however it was meant as a means to make sure that those ACTIVE members here understand I am fed up with the childish and sometimes flat out nasty behavior that has been shown here recently.. and To make sure that ALL ACTIVE members understand that this petty childish crap will not be allowed here any longer in a group meant to educate! 

try to FORCE your views on another member here  

Are we not being forced to respond to this?

No, you are not being FORCED to respond, you always have the option of not responding... and leaving the group!

WHEN YOU SHARE YOUR BELIEFS

should we be forced to post here? or should we be able to share without the threat of our post being deleted if we don't????

IF you are able to post in a resepctful manner  when sharing your views there should be no FEAR in posting ANYTHING here my dear. Only if you or any others here post in a hateful manner, in a totally disrespectful manner should you have to fear your post being deleted!

within 24 hours of your posting on another thread after this is posted, your post will be deleted... meaning, take a moment read this and REPLY to it!   Blackmail?

What ever you want to call it... it is what I mean, you can easily leave the group or you can share your views in a respectful manner.

I will be deleting ANY post from now on that does not share it is your belief or opinion what it means to you PERSONALLY!!!

Is it Acceptable that i Question this manner DEMANDS? ? ? ?

It is acceptable to question these demands... but as most often in society laws and rules need to be set down so that CHILDREN and ADULTS alike will PLAY nice... so, play nice or get off the playground... bottom line for everyone here!

 [ send green star]

Shewolf,

I agree totally...

I take it that you want everyone to read this thread and post that they have read the rules here... Do I take this right?  Please clear up a little SHewolf... You know .. I'm crazy and I guess I need Clarification here...

I do love this group and I have learned so much from so many of you here.....

However it's heartbreaking to know that some does not have tolerance for other relgions but seek it for their own......

The only thing we ask is be adults and act as if you care about others....

Myindians

 [ send green star]

Yes mame you take it correctly but I guess I have added as well that I just will not put up with the disrespectful crap any longer!

And I don't want the Co Host to have to put up with it anylonger, and I don't want the members to have to put up with it anylonger...

I guess I am intolerant of disrespect!

 [ send green star]

Shewolf.. Please clear up what you mean about deleting threads....

Are you deleting old threads... or members that do not respond.... or what do you mean exactly...

Myindians

 [ send green star]

Stuart,

Shewolf uses bigger font for those that needs bigger fonts...

Using all caps are yelling... not font...

Myindians

 [ send green star]

But somebody had to ask..and I did . lol or leave lmao  i like it I do that to Don't

 I My indians?  Hi sis   OOOOOO we had the puppies! just 4  her first litter

Namaste 

GD

 [ send green star]

Honestly - did anyone not know this?

Thanks Shewolf to remind us! We do agree for we esteem diplomacy and mutual acceptance and respect to be a good base for an adult conversation. Let's see if we are capable of it...

 [ send green star]

I don't think we can enforce it as a rule, but I would hope by frequently mentioning it, people with a compassionate heart will adjust when they are able.  There have been 3 or 4 systems identified that do not allow members to increase font size regardless, so it seems to me it is just kindness in general.  Thanks!

 [ send green star]

I'm delighted to use the larger font if it's helpful to others. Namaste, ND

 [ send green star]

I just want to say that those of us who do not increase our font size aren't being rude or mean or not compassionate.

I actually have very bad eye sight myself. The larger font is hard for me to read. I can't focus on it the same I can the smaller font. So I find the smaller font much easier to read.

 [ send green star]

So, Raven, is this 2 point better for you

or is the

three point better?

 [ send green star]

Well the 2 point I find the best. I actually like the 1 point also but I won't use it as I was asked not to

3 isn't that bad but I don't really prefer it much. I couldn't read too much of it or if it is very long post it starts to bother me. anything higher is not good though and I will usually skip it.

Joben I just think everyone can post what works for them and if someone needs to change it they can. As long as no one is posting very little or very big it shouldn't be too bad for anyone.

Or if people wish to post larger to be nice they can. I know I am in the minority when it comes to preference I think. I don't mind. As long as people understand I am not being mean

 [ send green star]

Stuart... I have gotten into a habbit of making my font larger in most of my replys... I do this on my web sites and even in my books, well since I am not writing chidrens books font is bigger... but I do this because as Myindians said, there are many that can not easily read the regular 10point foint that is set here... so I boost mine up to 14 most of the time...

I do not write in all caps unless I am TRYING to make a point or actually mad enough to be YELLING while writing...

I in now way mean it to be offensive, or to be seen as yelling, however I do know what you mean in chat rooms verses these type forumns.... takes getting used to.

I did however make my font 18 when responding to GoddessDiva in the very last part of the post because I wanted to make clear my reply...

I do value your response though...

 [ send green star]

GoddessDiva... yes, you are correct SOMEONE had to play the part... and whom better to do so then you, since you were just honest enough to voice what many that have NOT responded were thinking... you put it to paper...

I believe I responded fairly and honestly.

Your responce was noted... and valued as well as the others here.

Thanks

 [ send green star]

Michael, I think that the majority of your post have been educational and respectful... I hope you will keep me in line, I don't think I have showed consistancy with my post and my trying to keep things in order here?

I thank you for being here I think you are a wonderful assett along with most of the other members.

 [ send green star]

I see no problem with the larger font that you are using.. it didn't denote yelling in my view...

It's a shame that you have to restate what should be accepted behavoir. There is a standard of behavior that needs to be followed and I agree with you and support you. If someone gets too far out of line then definately bring them to task. It's distasteful when a debate is brought to the level of childishness and name calling. To allow it to continue will only chase away members who are here to express a personal thought. So I support your decisions on this.

Blessings my friend... and know that the majority of the members will stand behind you

Haven't been posting, nor reading any of the threads a great deal here in the last few days.. weeks.. have been away at a meditation retreat in northern Ontario and almost didn't come back.. it was a truly blessed experience... so am a little sad that things have gotten to a point that it has upset you... a hug for you from a friend..

 [ send green star]

Hello everyone

I read all that was written above.

I am not sure if I went too far before or not...

If you think I go too far in a post, please tell me?

 [ send green star]

I always use 12 point.

I'm very glad that you wrote this post about respect.  I agree that there have been some posts indicating a lack of respect for other people's rights to their own views, and their right to express them.  I, for one, am very happy to see what you laid down.

Thank you......Elizabeth

 [ send green star]

My post from yesterday is still there, though I hadn't read this thread yet, so I'm good so far.  I'm sporadic with my postings and do so in spurts, most often a lurker, unless I really really really like a topic and feel a need...but figured I'd better reply to this topic to keep my intro on the other topic.  I'm here to learn, basically, which I can do from reading the posts of others.

I think people all over can chill out a bit on getting miffed by postings of others by remembering that you will NEVER agree with EVERYONE 100% of the time.  I can't even agree with myself 100% of the time, so how can I expect to agree with anyone else?  I've got some beliefs and life practices that others on Care2 definitely do not agree with - I don't get miffed - I just stay out of the groups that I don't belong in, ignore the posts that could possibly annoy me, and chalk it up to the fact that we're all different - thank Bob - because I don't want to be just like my annoying neighbor who is currently outside yelling obscenities at ???some unknown entity??? in our current rainy weather with 60mph winds.  To each their own.

Font size has been discussed at length in many groups.  I tend to leave mine at 2 unless it's in a group's rules to change it to bigger, as I can't read the bigger fonts (like Raven) without my eyes bugging out of my head.  I have to cut and paste the bigger fonts into my word processing program, then change the font to read them.  Please don't go using tiny fonts for me, either though, I'm used to doing that.  (Or changing the screen resolution, if every post is huge.)  More people have trouble with the tiny than with the large.  I just wanted Raven to know you're not the only one who likes the smaller fonts better.

 [ send green star]

I kind of figured that these "rules" were a given . . . I don't agree w/ deleting posts, though. If people are rude and hateful, then their words will speak for themselves (I'm big on natural consequences), but then again, I just started getting active in this group a lil while ago, so I don't really know how hateful people were getting.

Peace,

Jes

 [ send green star]

I do agree.

Bow

 [ send green star]

Signed

I thought I'd posted my agreement here before but I can't find it, so here it is.  Must have been something similar in another group!

 [ send green star]

If we limit ourselves to writing about our own perceptions of and conceptualizations about the world, and respond to the intellectual content that someone else has put on the page instead of responding to what we assume must be their malicious motives, we usually do alright.

There is a concept I like that I associate in my mind with Harville Hendrix.  I think he called it "microtruth", but I could be mistaken.  There are small truths that do not generate quarrels, even if they may be uncomfortable.  For example, if I say, "I was raised in a fundamentalist church, and I was taught that only born-again Christians could get into heaven", I am telling others about an aspect of my personal experience, not making a large claim about reality.

A number of years ago I was in a relationship that was wonderful in many ways, but was also hell in other ways.  My girlfriend was genuinely interested in spirituality and personal growth.  She was having trouble grasping one particular concept, though.  She thought it was important to take "100% responsibility" for our feelings.  For her, that meant that she could scream at me and say, "I feel like you're a f***cking jerk!"  As long as she stuck that word "feel" in there, she was talking about her feelings and she was taking responsibility for them.  Eventually, she came to understand it differently.

 [ send green star]

I'm a brand new member and thankfully, I have no idea what happened to provoke this post. But I think it makes sense and I will always try my best to inhabit that middle place where we can say to eachother, "Okay, I don't agree but at least I understand."

I don't know why people join groups like this but I for one join to understand in a meaningful way that which will ultimately increase my compassion for all people - flawed as we remain.

Gandhi was a Hindu who memorized large tracts of sacred texts, including the Bible, in the shower (of all places). He said that even though he was Hindu it was important for him to honor and understand other religions.

Shower, anyone?? 

Warmest, Cynthia 

 [ send green star]

I am new here and have not posted at all....but figured I better post here just in case...????  Not sure.  But anyway I feel I am a pretty respectful person...so I agree to play nice.

Mary

 [ send green star]

Two very important beliefs which I hold are:

  (1)  Absolute Truth exists. 

"There is no absolute truth" is a self-contradictory absolute truth that.

  (2)  Some of my beliefs are both undeniably true and irrefutably correct. 

Herdthink    persuadeth me not. 

 [ send green star]

>>>
truth must be relative because everything is changing all the time.
>>>

But then,  if everything is changing all the time, than that is one "absolute truth"  as it is "all the time",  yes ? 

 [ send green star]

Namaste, Nancy.  Either "Truth is relative"  is an absolute truth, or, being relative, it sometimes is not true.  Right?  So, if truth is relative, then sometimes the statement "Truth is relative" is not true, in which case Truth is then absolute.  Once a truth becomes absolute, it can never become relative again; otherwise, it would not have really been absolute.

Isn't "Namaste," except where it is a culturally routine (insincere)  salutation, an expression of absolute truth?  It has seemed that way for me.  If Jacob truly did see God in Esau's face, God "absolutely" was 'in Esau's face'.    (Pardon the pun, please, Biblical literalists.)  And either you truly do mean "namaste" absolutely, or sometimes people must greet one another with something like "anamaste"? 

Truth cannot be false.  When someone says something will be falsified tomorrow, what they probably mean is that the facts are being misinterpreted, or false conclusions are being reached from them.  And tomorrow we will have a better interpretation and more accurate conclusion.  (We see the Yin and Yang as separate facts, but Truth is the bridge connecting the two.)  Truth, as you aptly say, is something we are striving for, but have not yet attained (and probably never will, perfectly).

Facts are evidence of truth, but are not guarantee that our perception and interpetation of the facts are also 'true' (accurate).  Facts, accuracy, truth.  A semi-holy trinity subject to the human trinity of misunderstanding, mistakes, and preconceptions.

Namaste and asalam-o-alaikum,

John

Nancy wrote:

Thursday, 2:20 PM
For me there is no absolute truth, truth must be relative because everything is changing all the time. We're works in progress, so "truth" today will be "falsehood" tomorrow.

 [ send green star]

No, Namaste is not an absolute of any kind. Namaste means "I salute the divinity with you, the same divinity that is within me." It is an inclusive, as opposed to exclusive recognition of the divine Life as It manifests throughout the univers,e. Nothing "absolute" about it.

This kind of discussion seems to me to be just play on words, and can get circular very quickly. I'm much more interested in a real discussion of spiritual life and how it works out in the daily life of service.

Namaste, ND

 [ send green star]

>>>
recognition of the divine Life as It manifests throughout the univers,e. Nothing "absolute" about it.
>>>

Still I am curiolus how one "acknowledges" that which they are not sure "really is" or not ? Either it is there absolutely, or it is not.  And it is not a "play on words" so much, but rather a philosophical rumination of what we experience as reality. Each on their own level of course.  

 [ send green star]

I don't know about anyone else, but I take most things hypothetically, that is, if I can't prove them in my own life through experience, observation, meditation and so on. Absolutism smacks way too much of the "my religion is the one,true..." and so on. If we're open to the fact (to me) that all is relative to our experiences and our stage of evolution (of consciousness), then we're free of the need to convert others, or to argue that we're right and "they" are wrong. Much freer and cleaner this way, as far as I'm concerned.

Namaste, ND

 [ send green star]

Well, I am certainly not making an argument for "everything" being absolute, but without some stability we would have nothing but chaos.

>>>
"I salute the divinity with you, the same divinity that is within me." 
>>>

Not to be picky, but do you mean then by this:  that you salute the divinity, that may be within another person or not, as  it is not necessarily absolutely there ?

 [ send green star]

No, the word is not being used the same way by all.  "Absolute" does not mean "unchanging," and it could not mean "static."   It means independent, unconditional,  unable to be made to deviate.  It's 'unchangableness' is in its truthfulness.  It is an unchanging truth. 

The "Absolute" is both the immovable object and the irresistable force.

If a Divine Life really does exist in everything, that is an absolute truth. (There is divine life in everything.)  Even if that divine life is not permanent, but sometimes in one being and sometimes not in that being.  In that case, the timing is not (necessarily) absolute, just the fact that at some time or another that divine life will be in that being.

Absolutes are unchanging only in their absoluteness.  For example, it is an absolute truth that all things change.  It is an absolute truth that tomorow will be different from today. 

"Static"?    I don't think anything can be truly static, can it?  Doesn't everything change in kind or if not in quality, then in degree?

 [ send green star]

Could you elaborate on why you believe the Bible to be God's word?

Namaste, Nancy D.

 [ send green star]

I feel that rules should be encouraged not enforced or we will have a situation like tibet.call them ideas instead of rules,given the right incentive this group should thrive with all the major religions represented within this group.but i see that it does not,my views or beliefs are not important but learning to get along with each other is.so when i read the list of rules in place,it is no wonder no one here has posted recently,i sense a fear to speak openly and honestly because of the lack of communication,if i have offended someone then it is my duty to help heal,it is the only way to move,forward and together.....or not even the laws of gravity we hold me here.

 [ send green star]

Hello!
Just wanted to be sure I signed this thread so I can take part in the group!  I've been ridiculed for my beliefs my whole life, which yes, is very different from a respectful discussion on the differences between various beliefs.  Being attacked is no fun, and it certainly doesn't give credence to any religious stance.  Why would I ever want to follow a religion that hates?  I believe God is Love.

Vibraceous, ND

 [ send green star]