From: Scott Chase (ecphoric@hotmail.com)
Date: Wed 26 Feb 2003 - 03:39:02 GMT
>From: "Reed Konsler" <konslerr@mail.weston.org>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: <memetics@mmu.ac.uk>
>Subject: Hello, can anyone help?
>Date: Mon, 24 Feb 2003 08:35:13 -0500
>
>Martha,
>
>The first thing you should ask yourself is: "how much energy do I want to
>spend on this?" Given any reasonable level of commitment, it seems kind of
>futile to discuss your bosses beliefs in an adverserial way. It's just
>going to cause tension.
>
>If you can't find some way to change the subject when "getting saved" comes
>up, one thing I've found effective is to ask people about a specific
>positive event in their lives where they found their faith a rewarding
>addition. You can ask them about favorite passages and what they think
>they
>mean. Memorable sermons, and how they use that enlightenment in their
>daily
>lives.
>
>Usually, you can truthfully agree with people about what is ethical, moral,
>happy, good and so on. If someone pressures me with the idea that "you're
>going to hell", my response is that I'm not going to adhere to a religion
>becuase I'm scared or threatened.
>
I'd be tempted to say something about hoping for a nice jetski and asbestos
suit so I can thoroughly enjoy the lake of fire. I'd probably not act on
this.
>
>Certianly, no thoughtful Christian tries
>to make converts by focusing on punishments. Christ certianly didn't, from
>what I understand. Otherwise, why would his message be called "the Good
>News"?
>
>Anyway, the point is that "Baptist" is just a word, like "Democrat". I
>wouldn't tell your boss that. There are many different kinds of Democrats
>and they're always arguing over what their stand on any particular issue
>should be. You become a Democrat by filling out some forms, which isn't so
>very different from being baptised.
>
>If everyone around is a Baptist...why not? If it offends your
>sensibilities
>or makes you uncomfortable then deflect people into other conversations.
>Otherwise, what does it matter? You smile and nod about a million things
>at
>work don't you? Imagine the average staff meeting. How many times to you
>think "this is a dumb idea" and say "that's a great idea"? How many times
>do you go along with "the way we do things here" when it seems like a waste
>of time. It isn't like we all aren't presenting a social facade to smooth
>our relationships with each other already.
>
>There isn't anything that says a Baptist must be a creationist. Evolution
>is a scientific theory and Baptist is a religious denomination. They
>aren't
>in opposition, and allowing people to assert it sacrifices the flexibilty
>of
>thought that makes it possible to live life in a complex world. Again,
>it's
>not a subject you must argue about, unless it seems worth the time.
>
>I'm not advocating passivity, but introspection. I have a very short time
>on Earth and limited energy while I'm here. It's foolish to diffuse it
>into
>millions of anxieties and conflicts that don't advance my purpose.
>Actually, until I figured out what was important to me that I was just
>reacting to other people instead of doing what fulfilled me.
>
>There's an alternative way of looking a things.
>
>
It might be best to avoid religious discussion in the workplace altogether,
unless "the workplace" happens to be a religious organization or something
like that where such discussions are expected. Being agnostic I tend to be
rather open minded when folks start going on religious tangents and it takes
quite a lot to offend me. Atheists OTOH might take serious offense to
someone such as a co-worker going on a religious tangent. Deeply religious
people might likewise take offense if a coworker says something which
diminishes their belief system.
It's probably best to avoid religious or political topics in the workplace.
>
>
>Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2003 09:56:26 -0500
>From: "Martha Granger" <inthecorn@kconline.com>
>Subject: Hello, can anyone help?
>
>I joined this group a couple of months ago, and I am certainly no =
>expert, nor have I even studied memetics. I think I found this group =
>when I was searching for sites and information about how Christianity =
>started or evolved into what it has become because I am currently living =
>in such a "bible-istic" area.. although isn't most of the USA that way? =
>As a matter of fact, when I found your group was the moment I first =
>learned of the word "memetics." A lot of what I have read here in the =
>past has lead me to believe I in no way am qualified to belong here, a =
>lot of it seems over my head. I've remained enlisted in this group, but =
>have kept quiet until now.
>
>Recent postings have caught my attention, as they relate to religion.
>
>A few days ago, I got into a "discussion" with my boss (and friend) =
>regarding Christianity. He and his wife (his wife is also a boss of =
>mine in the small company I work for) are such the devout Baptists. JC, =
>the company president is quite the "know-it-all." They of course, want =
>me to be "saved" and seem to believe that if I would just read the =
>bible, that I would realize that it is indeed "the greatest book in the =
>world" and that I will become a Christian. Whatever.. He believes that =
>anyone who is not "saved" will go to "hell" (me), and he, of course, =
>will go to "heaven." He told me that he has read several books on =
>religion, including the Qurah (sp?) and translations of old original =
>texts and has come to this conclusion on his own that Christian is the =
>only way to be.
>
>However, my boss did make an offer that I just may take him up on! He =
>told me that he would read 10 books of my choosing if only I would read =
>the bible! Hmm... that would take quite a bit of patience on my part. =
>It also would be a big undertaking for me, as I would wish to point out =
>stupidity and errors of the bible and present him with a composition at =
>completion. I really don't know if it is worth all of that time on my =
>part, as he is such a strong believer. I think he could somehow "argue =
>away" any book I could happen to come up with for his reading.
>
>I would surely appreciate any insite that anyone here could provide to =
>me. It certainly seems that most or all who are part of this list are =
>quite studied and intelligent. Perhaps you can recommend books that I =
>can present to him? Or perhaps you will tell me it is of no use wasting =
>my time reading and studying the bible, as there is no way to convince =
>him of his brainwashing, no matter what books I give him. You may email =
>me directly if you believe this does not pertain to the purpose of the =
>list.
>
>Thank you in advance for any insite anyone can provide,
>
>Martha (a computer programmer/analyst in Bible-country, Indiana, U.S.A.)
>
>
>
>===============================================================
>This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
>Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
>For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
>see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
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This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
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