04-10-2010, 01:29 PM
I agree with Peregrinus, hold this off a few days, think about it. And think about doing this diplomatically.
The problem is that what you're going to say will never arrive on the other side and be heard as you intended it to be heard. People will be hurt. People will be frightened for your soul probably. They don't get this Ra stuff. And many of them never will. No matter how inappropriate their response is. You will have to deal with it on the long term.
I am Sufi, ergo muslim, ergo the worst of the worst as religions go
At least to the most sensitive beliefs of my Christian family. However, even if religions cause pain they cause a lot of good things too. What we need to do is remove the pain and retain the good things. I would suggest you stop supporting Christianities negative sides, support it's good sides and empathize them. So people you love know you're not opposed to what they love. There's always some good things to point out.
When you speak about critical issues. For example they object to homosexuals speak from the heart, don't speak from the book or the truth. Speak in their words. When they say God (Christian paternity symbol) you hear God (Life's infinite source). It's what they mean anyway they just added fluff and sin around it. Be pragmatic. I would say, I have no problems with homosexuals, God created many different people for us to learn from and deal with. His son encouraged us to do this in the spirit of love. That's all there is to it for me. They may object in any way they like, but it's the emotional bottom line for you. Irrational and non negotiable.
Don't respond to clear attempts to argue this with you. Don't find reasons or excuses. Just be firm on the bottom line. You're not trying to convince them. You're just convinced yourself. It's a different thing.
If you go into defensive posture they will either assume it means they're right or that you're attacking their position.
Anyway, this has been my way of dealing with this. It's worked so far. I don't tell people who don't need to know of my choices. If they really cared enough they would ask. Those who ask I explain MY feelings. Without objecting to theirs.
The problem is that what you're going to say will never arrive on the other side and be heard as you intended it to be heard. People will be hurt. People will be frightened for your soul probably. They don't get this Ra stuff. And many of them never will. No matter how inappropriate their response is. You will have to deal with it on the long term.
I am Sufi, ergo muslim, ergo the worst of the worst as religions go
At least to the most sensitive beliefs of my Christian family. However, even if religions cause pain they cause a lot of good things too. What we need to do is remove the pain and retain the good things. I would suggest you stop supporting Christianities negative sides, support it's good sides and empathize them. So people you love know you're not opposed to what they love. There's always some good things to point out. When you speak about critical issues. For example they object to homosexuals speak from the heart, don't speak from the book or the truth. Speak in their words. When they say God (Christian paternity symbol) you hear God (Life's infinite source). It's what they mean anyway they just added fluff and sin around it. Be pragmatic. I would say, I have no problems with homosexuals, God created many different people for us to learn from and deal with. His son encouraged us to do this in the spirit of love. That's all there is to it for me. They may object in any way they like, but it's the emotional bottom line for you. Irrational and non negotiable.
Don't respond to clear attempts to argue this with you. Don't find reasons or excuses. Just be firm on the bottom line. You're not trying to convince them. You're just convinced yourself. It's a different thing.
If you go into defensive posture they will either assume it means they're right or that you're attacking their position.
Anyway, this has been my way of dealing with this. It's worked so far. I don't tell people who don't need to know of my choices. If they really cared enough they would ask. Those who ask I explain MY feelings. Without objecting to theirs.