Diest wrote:
Quote:I think intent is irrelavant. I see it as impulsive behavior which these individuals have been conditioned to believe is socially acceptable.
But it's also a test for the believer, Diest, I could be wrong but I think that's what you were referring to when you make the comment about believers asking questions of others. Every once in awhile the faithful have to see just how thin the ice that they are standing on is, they want to make sure that their safety net is in place. And, of course, having a belief is not good at all if it never gets challenged.
Believers ask me questions all the time and not just Christians. Being an old hippie has made me friends with a wide variety of people, I have friends who really believe in spirits, evil and otherwise, friends who meet weekly to discuss Jewish mysticism, a couple of Muslims, devote and not-so-much, one truly bizarre, gentle soul who immerses herself in Numerology and Horoscopes and any number of family who range from actually being a member of the clergy (Brother 1) to being the founder of a church where glossolalia was a twice a week
normal state of affairs (Crazy Aunt, now deceased).
After I fired God for incompetence and absenteeism, (There's a link somewhere.), lots of them wanted to talk to me about it. Not so much to bring me back, but to see where they were standing. I told them I wasn't afraid to be working without a net. That life was better, less filled with fear, more filled with humanity and kindness and a sense that life was good.
If you are going to be on the high wire, I said, which is where all humans are, it's better to be there without a net below. The idea that
this is it, that you only get this one shot, brings about an incredible clarity to life. I don't feel safe, I'm just not afraid.
Joe("Oh", they said, looking down to make sure their net was in place.)Nation