*hugs* EXACTLY. MJ (can I call you that?) and Grace both put it downright beautifully. Grace is quite right in saying that the truth doesn't vary, opinion on the truth varies. And MJ hits the nail on the head by saying that there can't be no God and a God. That, like, Grace said, is like saying, "Ah, well, if Fred thinks the sky is red, s'okay- for him, the sky is red, even though it's really blue (or gray or black or whatever, depending on the tie of day)."

So what is the truth? Well, obviously, I think that Catholicism is the truth, but ---

WAITWAITWAIT. I am too confused. Give me a day or so to think this out so that my thoughts don't sound like a bunch of ramblings. I know what I believe, I'm just having trouble wording it. So... unprofessional debating, but yes.

Sorry. :/ *begins thinking of good way to word thoughts*

Yeah, the "all religions are basically the same" and "religions are only for people to feel good" is not a good argument (not trying to be mean, just saying the argument isn't good). I think it is simply used to try and be as non-offensive as possible. But it doesn't work that way. We all want everyone to be on our side, to feel good, but it can't always be that way no matter how much we want it. That's not an excuse for hurting people's feelings, it's just that sooner or later, even the very things we believe will offend people however we word what we believe. World peace cannot be attained anywhere, sadly enough. Like you've been saying, MJ, there have to be things that are ultimately true and things that are ultimately false. There's no such thing as "no absolutes" in our world.

Mary Jo, you are not going to believe this, but: I have an answer to your post. I have things I can say... er, type, to try to make you understand...

...but now isn't the time or place.

This is too much. I have a great time on the Chatterbox. I've made so many new friends. It seems stupid to have me feeling angry and resentful at you just because we disagree. Or any of you guys. It draws lines between us, see? When I see a comment from you, I think of you as 'the-person-who-disagrees-with-my-religious-views.' And I don't like that. I'm not going to get into facts and opinions about God and religion and souls and whatever. I know that religion is a big part of many of our lives, but it feels to me as though it's too hard to politely discuss these things, and it causes unnecessary tensions on the Chatterbox. I'm all up for telling each other about our religions. I've actually studied religions on my own, and it's fun. But this is really too much.

You're probably thinking that I secretly have no response to you and am making up some excuse not to continue, but I'm really not. It's just, if I respond to that, you're not going to agree. I know right away that you won't. And we'll go around and around in circles again.

:) please? 

Nicely said, Lena. Everyone's beliefs should be respected. We can learn a lot by talking about different religions, but it's OK to disagree.

Admin

That was well-said, Lena. Like MJ, I do feel an obligation to defend my faith when necessary. So, say someone starts a religion thread, I'm sorrysorrysorry, but I can't help but post. However, if we try to avoid the subject unless necessary, all should be la-de-da-ish. Yes?

Although * makes a good point, I'd like to tell him/her that Lena is correct in saying that some people do draw lines when there are disagreements (not me, because frankly, I have difficulty remembering the names :/, but if I had better short-term memory, I probably would, too) and, as Lena said, unless it's constructive, we don't  need lines. Agreed?