Anime/Manga/Manhwa/Whatever

[Myself]

Either one of those sentences would cause an even greater argument.

I think we need a thread for religious discussions to stop this kind of argument.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

You still don't get it, do you?

Apparently, I need to put a finer a point on this...THERE IS NO BAD GUY HERE.

The only 'bad guy' is the misunderstanding we keep seeming to come to, every time these stupid arguments keep coming up. So, ya know what? Hopefully, I can get this straight with this final freaking rant. And if not, then...well, just oh freakin' well. Difference in opinion isn't a disease; if you have it, you have it.

First off...You say I'm so thin-skinned, but think about it. At what times do I tend to get offended at what you post on this forum? Not when you accidentally (or purposely, whatever) capitalize the 'g' in 'god', when not referring to a monotheistic deity. Not when we engage in a game designed around the exploits of deities I do not worship, and do not believe exist. No. I get offended when you post something that makes mockery of something that is deeply held as serious within my personal religious faith.

Regardless of the fact that your connotation of religious faith is nothing more than tyrannical oppression and blind, sheep-like, narrow-minded subservience to an unjust God, it means much, much more than that to me. I love my political affiliation (Liberal Democrat), I love my gender (male), I love my race (African-American), I love my sexual orientation (straight, celibate) and I love my religious faith (Christian, nondenominational). I love who I am.

And yet, of all the things that I tolerate being insulted and offended and made light of about myself, Christianity rings much deeper in my soul. I can't help it, nor would I wish to. That, I hold dearest to my heart. So, while you are enjoying your liberty from the cruel tyranny of a monstrous dictatorial God, I'm over on the opposite end, singing that same loving and perfect God the highest praises. I honestly don't know how to make it make sense for one to whom religious faith makes no sense (there's really nothing to compare that kind of love to), but there it is.

And on that subject, my signature. Mind telling me what's so offensive about it? Last I checked, it didn't disparage any racial, religious or cultural group. It didn't try to convince anyone of anything they don't believe (I couldn't care less if it changes minds or not). It didn't try to threaten or fearmonger or hatemonger, in any way, shape or form. All that signature does is declare to anyone who reads it on the forum, "I, Randy Micah Smith, am Christian. And despite the stereotype thrust on Christians as judgmental, narrow-minded, holier-than-thou, high-and-mighty so-and-sos, I acknowledge openly that I am imperfect. In fact, it is because of my imperfection, that I follow Jesus Christ, who I believe is my rightful Lord and Savior".

I don't go around the forum, trolling Biblical scripture and trying to convince everybody to 'convert or burn'. I'm not some narrow-minded jerk who wants you to only allow me to post religious material, and nobody else post there's. That is my personal life philosophy, and meant only to give people a taste of who I am. And somehow it offends you?

So, I'm just gonna let you know right now. Do not ever come at me again, in making me out to be some kind of crazed, conspiratorial lunatic for things you purposely do. I'm not making this crap up. I do have valid complaints. And I never said anything about some conspiracy against me. I let you know about things that deeply offend me, WITH GOOD REASON, and yet you continue to post them anyway, because YOU like them. I mean, we agree about how terrible racial and cultural intolerance is, but I guess it's okay when you're intolerant of the ones perceived as the bad guys or some virally-malignant majority, right?

I already know your feelings about Christianity, and about Christians. So I think I have a pretty decent idea why you want to post the stuff you do, and why you lash out at me like you do. Still, it doesn't mean you get to post things that disparage my faith, or anyone else's regardless of how I react to it or not. If my sister went to war in Iraq, and died at the hand of Muslims, I wouldn't be justified in posting things that mock the prophet Muhammad.

And just so you know, you holding your feelings in, does nothing to help me. All it does is hurt you internally. Studies prove that it really can lead to illness. So how about, next time this comes up (because yes, I know this will come up again), you let me know before it gets all bottled up and bubbles over into something this big and explosive? Don't put me in the same place as the people you felt you had to please, by going into the closet about your sexuality. I am not them. And still bearing that in mind, don't use me as your punching bag every time some pretentiously religious person in your life gets the heck on your nerve. I'm not the enemy, nor am I trying to make you out to be.

All I want is a secular creative environment. It should be neither religious, nor anti-religious. In making it anything more, or making my motives any more, you're projecting your own hurt feelings, not any ulterior motives of mine or anyone else's.

So, like I said before. This is it. If I haven't convinced you, after this, of my true intentions and my true motives, then there really is no more to be said on the matter. Believe what you like, that either I am the villain, or trying to make you out to be one. Do and feel what makes you comfortable. Post what makes you comfortable. You have my secular equivalent of a blessing. More power to you. Or as Aleister Crowley might appreciate, "Do as thou wilt".

[Philote]

Wulf, message me on facebook please.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Yeah. Read my 'explosion' above.

The rantings of a real religious zealot, it is. I promise. Nothing reasonable at all. I'm just a bundle of narrow-minded religious fanaticism.

[Zaleramancer]

I'm sorry for letting my temper get the better of me.

This is mostly a flow over of anger from back when I did hold very negative views about Christianity.

I've more or less gotten past that now. I've spent time in debate forums defending Christianity because I know it's more than believing in some fairy man in the sky.

While I may disagree with certain philosophical aspects of the religion, that's no reason to blame the people involved. It's not their fault, and they are largely decent people.

I reacted because I was annoyed that you automatically assumed any author I enjoyed would incorporate some sort of blunt RELIGION IS EVIL message in his books. It's the same thing I did to you with accusing you of being thin skinned.

The main reason I think you are thin skinned is because I feel I have to walk on eggshells around you, or you react negatively. You are my friend and I care about your feelings. If my friends are uncomfortable with something, I'll bend for their benefit.

The only times I won't do this is when I'm angry or genuinely care about the thing in question.

Which is basically very much like yourself.

I basically feel like you've already decided who I am, and it bothers me.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

Well, for what it's worth, I haven't decided who you are as a person. It's not my right. Like any other person, you undergo transitions and changes and transformations. It would be hypocritical of me to say that you are decidedly "such, such and such", and then ask of you to see Christians as a whole, wonderful array of diversely loveable people.

Still, I sometimes have a tendency to subconsciously scan, psychoanalyze and occasionally, yes, generalize people's actions, motives and intentions. Though, that's my own flawed personal defense mechanism for getting along with people. What events in my life brought it about are unimportant. It's wrong, and inexcusable.

And for viewing you through an overly-defensive lens, I apologize. In fact, I can't really think of why I even asked you the stupid question in the first place. I know, on retrospect, that you would have no reason to even introduce me to materials you thought would offend or bother me. We aren't enemies, and you aren't any kind of troll. The question was out of place, and really unjustified beyond my own cynical suspicion.

Likewise, I'm sorry for making you feel uneasy about whatever you post in regards to religion. It's your right to post whatever you appreciate as funny or useful or insightful, regardless of my own personal bias toward it or against it. And it's my responsibility, not just as a forum member, but as a friend to you, to make sure that you know I support your right to your opinion. I'll try my best from now on not to get on your case in regards to these matters, or anything else.

I can let my emotions get the better of me, too. And, though I proudly admit my Christianity, my humility and my temper are things that I truly must work on, here and in real life. I value your friendship, and I value who I know you to be as a person, and I would hate to lose your friendship over what always so clearly turns out to be one big misunderstanding. So, again, I sincerely apologize. Hopefully, from this point on, I can go about more productive means of resolving any issues I have, than lashing out to defend whatever hurt feelings I may have.

[Philote]

@Wulf/Zale: I told you so 

[Zaleramancer]

Hugs for everyone!

Anyway, I'd really like to recommend some of Terry Pratchett's work.

I'd imagine you'd enjoy it.

They tend to explore deep philosophical issues in rather entertaining ways.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

 I make mistakes, Phi!

[Celadon's Penultimate]

 Recommend away.

[Philote]

[Celadon's Penultimate]

 Hey, it is perfectly within my right to go derpy sometimes...

[Philote]

Seriously though, thank you both for taking the time to listen to me. I love you both and I do not want to see you fight. Please, if there are any more misunderstandings with anyone, feel free to come talk with me.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

 Will do.

I...I...I love you guys, man!

[Ericus Europaeus (Bug)]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

 Hugs always appreciated.

[Whd]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

[Celadon's Penultimate]

[Philote]

Anyone else hear about the new DBZ movie and the new Super Saiyan forms?

[Ericus Europaeus (Bug)]

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.