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Quote:
Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t just because they can’t. – Mike Epps
There are lots of legitimate reasons not to do or believe some things, including, when it comes to doing some things, respect for others. It’s the whole abstain from meat with those who abstain from meat principle. I would add that it is fine to ask someone not to insist on trying to convince others of differing beliefs or do specific things that are likely to shatter security and peace and cause real harm. When things go from strictly personal to interpersonal, statements like the one above become more complicated and less black-and-white. Figuring out the proper personal line between belief, word and deed is the key – and that is not an easy thing.
However, at the most basic level, others’ inability to do or believe things, in and of itself, is not a compelling reason for anyone not to believe or do those things. I also would add:
Quote:Don’t let anyone tell you that you must just because they must.
Very interesting perspective Ray. When people shoot down my ideas, I have always thought of their opinions as general absolutes, rather than an expression of their own self-doubt, lack of vision, or autobiographical lens. But I see that this may well be the fact that I am presenting something in which they are not interested, or in which they lack skills.
Old-Timer wrote:Don’t let anyone tell you that you must just because they must.
Church is a group teaching of things that are presented as “we all must, and we must teach others we all must”.
I have found tensions exist when trying to be myself and believe things my way. It seems the church is about letting go of personal views, and adopting the church view, and believing it is best on faith that there are rewards in the next life to justify the sacrifice. There are some things that are not left up to the individual, such as coffee and tea and alcohol and shopping on Sunday. Since those are taught as no-no’s to the church membership, others will think that all must obey, and they feel obligated to help others see the promised blessings of obedience.
I still like your thought, Ray, because although others believe what they believe, and believe others may be wrong to think anything different (there are black and white rules for right and wrong), I can manage the tension and want to be in the group, and still be myself. I can find the ways to take my personal beliefs (this is who I am and what I believe), and weave it into the group teachings without creating more tension, but relieving the tension for myself as much as possible.
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