What views have you changed?

[achilles12604]

I'm curious, what views have people had altered while debating on here?

I'll start.

1) I used to accept Jesus death on Fri and resurrection on Sun. Now I am sure that the timeframe is Weds - Sat.

2) I used to accept microscript on coins as evidence for Quinirius duel governorship. I no longer accept Van's tablets as evidence for Quiny's double govt ship.

3) I used to think Herod may have died as late as 1 AD .I no longer believe Herod's death is after 4BC

4) I used to take many parts of the bible literally. I understand better the literary techniques of the biblical writers, specifically with use of poetic license, vs literal meanings.

5) I didn't think that virtual particles existed. I am now willing to accept virtual particles and understand basic concepts associated with them.

There are others, but I'll let someone else chime in.

[Furrowed Brow]

Well I have tended to stay out of debates on the precedence and history of how and when the gospels were written on the grounds its a subject I know next to nothing about. In fact everything I have learnt on this subject has been what I have read in this forum. I did not realise there was such a rich debate.

However my basic preconceptions that the resurrection never happened + the assortment of other miracles has not wavered. But that preconception is based on how I see the world work, its physics and also the nature of the way belief systems can get a cultural toe hold and begin to perpetuate themselves.

The arguments I've been involved in regarding various aspects of ID and creationism have reinforced my belief that this kind of apologetics cleans to false analogies, invalid arguments and resorts to muddying the water with spurious concepts like "fit for life" or "informationally positive".

[mister_lee]

While proclaiming an open mind, I use to be very closed to ideas of Christianity. Now, I've learned that not all Christians are the same, and I should'nt treat them as such. I had negative experiences with some Christians and that led to a negative view. Also, it is possible to find many truths within something like the Bible, even if I don't ascribe to it completely. I give all honor and love to Yeshua/Jesus and follow his teachings. I've even begun going to church because of coming here. Like many faiths, I find beauty in experiencing the faith of others. I don't always agree with what is said, but I can't deny there is a great feeling in the place, even if for only a moment, or an hour, everyone there to share love. That is the common bond I've found for it is the single greatest thing in life, IMO, love. I give it freely to anyone I encounter, be them Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Pagan, or atheist.

[Greatest I Am]

I have learned that I can Hate.
At one time I prided myself on not particularly hating any sub group of our greater society.
I may have had my views shattered bu a group that I thought might be OK.

Fundamentalists.

I begin to hate those with such closed minds. When their Bible says 1=1=3 they will stick with it regardless of the logic given.

They may not even be able to understand logic when It comes to religion.
How unfortunate.

Regards
DL

[McCulloch]

GIA,

Hate only comes from not understanding. You do not understand what it is that makes a person adhere strongly to an ideology that is so strongly against human goodness and human happiness. These people have deep seated fears and insecurities which cause them to hold on desperately to an unchanging foundational belief system. Admitting to the possibility that there cherished beliefs might be wrong, unleashes in them a fury, as you have discovered, rooted in their own insecurities about the temporary nature of life and about their own sense of goodness.

Have patience. Many of them are really good people with good intentions which are often masked by their fears and insecurities.

[Greatest I Am]

GIA,

Hate only comes from not understanding. You do not understand what it is that makes a person adhere strongly to an ideology that is so strongly against human goodness and human happiness. These people have deep seated fears and insecurities which cause them to hold on desperately to an unchanging foundational belief system. Admitting to the possibility that there cherished beliefs might be wrong, unleashes in them a fury, as you have discovered, rooted in their own insecurities about the temporary nature of life and about their own sense of goodness.

Have patience. Many of them are really good people with good intentions which are often masked by their fears and insecurities.

You are probably correct here.

Part of it, to a mind who likes logic like mine does, is the frustration in finding the words to draw them to the right path. The right path being my own opinions of course.

I will pray for the poor bastards.

Regards
DL

[otseng]

I've even begun going to church because of coming here.

That's great!

I will pray for the poor bastards.

Umm, referring to anyone as "poor bastards" is probably not the best words to use on this forum.

[PeaceWolf]

Before I came to these forums, my beliefs in God were pretty set in stone -- not the Christian God, but a god with my own views. When I came here and saw the arguments atheists presented, I started to see both sides of the "god" dilemma, and now I identify myself as an agnostic freethinker. Though I don't think it's completely impossible to know whether or not God exists, I have an open mind to both sides.

Many of the facts and and logical ideas presented in this forum have enforced my already held belief in the peace and wholeness of nature and the oneness of humans and the natural world.

And I still have high respect and love for plants and other animals.

[Goat]

Before I came to these forums, my beliefs in God were pretty set in stone -- not the Christian God, but a god with my own views. When I came here and saw the arguments atheists presented, I started to see both sides of the "god" dilemma, and now I identify myself as an agnostic freethinker. Though I don't think it's completely impossible to know whether or not God exists, I have an open mind to both sides.

Many of the facts and and logical ideas presented in this forum have enforced my already held belief in the peace and wholeness of nature and the oneness of humans and the natural world.

And I still have high respect and love for plants and other animals.

I have a fondness for nature myself. I know some who claim trees are for climbing

[Greatest I Am]

I've even begun going to church because of coming here.

That's great!

I will pray for the poor bastards.

Umm, referring to anyone as "poor bastards" is probably not the best words to use on this forum.

It is if it is applied to those who chose slavery to a non human super God instead of being on the right path and recognizing that God gave Dominion to man then went away forever.

Regards
DL