Reply #33: Each individual is unique [View All]

[Az]

One of my favorate quotes is by Andre Gide.

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. - Andre Gide.

When someone proclaims they have the truth without question that is exactly what I do. Question.

I suspect many theists do the same. But there are of course extremes. Those that believe that theirs is the only truth. Anything beyond their position is evil. How do you tolerate evil?

It is for this reason that I marvel at theists(particularly Christians) that are able to hold strongly to their beliefs and tolerate others views. Particularly when those views are in direct competition to theirs and arguably evil by their standards.

I wish I understood the mentality of this status better as it would do the world no end of good if more could embrace it. But it eludes me. There seems to be a dire aspect contained within the tolerance. Particularly where notions of damnation come into play.

If there really were a Hell (aside from the quaint little town named Hell here in Michigan) I would want those that believe the right path to avoid Hell to make every effort possible to help me avoid it. I understand the fundamentalists in this way. It is the tolerant Christians I fail to understand. How can one profess to love others and not make every effort to save them from a fate unimaginable?(assuming you believe that is the fate of nonbelievers)

It is a puzzle to me.