Something different!

**Lucius** · 12-13-2005 12:08 PM

Due to recent increase of negativity and uprising conflicts I will try to bring something different to this forum

I hope you can all work with me a bit and at least try, okay? Please, for the love of whatever you believe in lets try to bring up some more respect for eachother.

I know it can be hard sometimes, but I feel that everybody just needs to try a little harder at making this forum more than dueling grounds between different parties.

I think you are all learning from these discussions and hopefully enjoy spending time here..if that is really so, then please express it here. Show that you appreciate the existance of this forum and truly enjoy the debates that go on here. And above all, that you appreciate the other users posting here, including your 'rivals'. Say something positive about them..

I've seen a few similiar topics but I kinda hope to see words like that from the regulars here.

I'd like to ask everybody to stop for a moment and think about the positive aspects of the people you are normally argueing with (and 'calling names'). I know this has nothing to do with religion and spirituality, but there is no debate and discussion without its participants...and if everybody has dislike for eachother the discussion is biased and ruined for it even begins..

If you feel like you've been hurt or offended, please express it over here aswell. But try and be polite, calm and understanding. I hope to see a couple of you feel better about eachother..I would hate to see some members starting to fiercely dislike or hate eachother.

Or hey, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there is no negativity here, maybe its all in good fun..well, if that is the case please state so here aswell! Lets hear the positive stuff!

I see many passionate people herer, passionate about their belief. I think each and all of you make good points and are intelligent and wise in your own way. I hope you all see that aswell. None of us have to be stupid, childish, barbaric or anything..Being understanding and respectful, is being truly wise in my eyes.

Please, spare me and your fellow DVers any sarcasm or mockery.. and if you think I'm retarded simply don't reply.

**♥Mark** · 12-13-2005 12:33 PM

Perhaps I have been something of a jerk...

I think a thread like this is just what we need in this forum section.

Despite what I might say here, at the end of the day, I don't hold any grudges. Try not to take my occasional jabs too personally. Just know that I'm making my argument against your claims and statements, and not against you.

Originally posted by Lucius

I think you are all learning from these discussions and hopefully enjoy spending time here..if that is really so, then please express it here. Show that you appreciate the existance of this forum and truly enjoy the debates that go on here. And above all, that you appreciate the other users posting here, including your 'rivals'. Say something positive about them..

Since the people I like probably already know what I think of them, I'll skip straight to one of my 'rivals'.

Nirvana Starseed (look, I didn't even modify your name this time)

Yeah, his arguments suck, don't get me wrong there, but I gotta give him props for admitting he made a mistake on this thread. I really respect it when a person can come out and admit that they were wrong.

But yeah, I really like coming here, anyway. The rivalry and heated debates are exceedingly entertaining. This forum section is awesome. Considering that it is unmoderated, I'd say it's actually been pretty tame in here.

**R.Carter** · 12-13-2005 01:40 PM

I don't have anyone that I fued with constantly and when I am involved in a debate
I try to be more logic , less asshole. That approach seems to have kept me out of
trouble here, so far. As far as saying something nice goes.......
Although I can't agree with alot of the theist ideas, I can say that most of them seem
like well educated poeple who passionately defend they're beliefs.
I also think it's a fun forum. You can't have discussions like this anywhere in public without bloodshed.

**InTheMoment** · 12-13-2005 05:26 PM

For the record, I love all of you guys.

<--creepy emoticon intentional

**Nirvana Starseed** · 12-14-2005 10:06 AM

I don't hate anyone here. Everyone is awesome.

Any discussions I have been involved in are for the purpsoe of learning from everyone. And just trying to get everyone to think. It is a fun forum and there is alot of interesting discussion. There is not many forums that have this sort of community aspect.

Even with all the different beliefs and disagreements we have generally reached the point where we can agree on one thing and thats what Lucius has posted here to remind us.

I have made several mistakes, and I know how hard it is not to get defensive and start going off track. I will continue to make mistakes. But the people here involved in the discussion is what allows me to learn. And without them I would never have learnt the things I have.

It's going pretty well considering it is unmoderated. I know I can say so far it is fun being here. Even when hardly anyone agrees with me. That just makes it all the more fun, to practice getting my points across, and considering the replies. I know people who post replies to me don't think I think about what they are saying, but secretly I am always thinking about what they have posted, and even admiting to myself mistakes. Because you get alot of insight from alot of different perspectives when you get a discussion going.

It's all learning. Not just about what is being discussed but how it is being discussed. We all want to believe we are searching for the truth. And improving ourself. Some just more agressively than others. For me it is nothing to do with ego,and who is right, and everything about finding whats true.

If I was ego invested I would never have being able to admit what I did to mark, but that is not a problem for me because I don't consider my ego (the way I'm thinking of 'ego' in this context) as important or even real.

**♥Mark** · 12-14-2005 10:33 AM

Originally posted by Nirvana Starseed
...Even when hardly anyone agrees with me...

Hahaha. Ironically, I agree with that entire post. You know, if all of your posts were as legible and reasonable as that one, I think you'd find a lot more people would take your arguments more seriously.

**ptahsokar** · 12-14-2005 11:34 AM

Sorry guys. I must have stumbled into the Mushy Forum. Too much love here for my taste. Catch you guys on the flip side.

**R.Carter** · 12-14-2005 01:38 PM

Originally posted by ptahsokar
Sorry guys. I must have stumbled into the Mushy Forum. Too much love here for my taste.

If you consider mutual respect in the face of conflicting idealogies a negative quality than you don't belong here anyway. Good luck elsewhere.

**Lucius** · 12-14-2005 07:01 PM

Thank you all who have replied so far

And thank you all who have read this and took the time to understand what I'm saying

It always make me happy to read posts like this, its nice for a change, isn't it?

And, I think ptahsokar was just kidding

Nothing wrong with some mushy love to make up from some arguments

I'm really glad to hear that people feel like they are learning from the debates here, and enjoy their time here. I hope you will all learn lots more and continue to have a good time, with this post in the back of your head when you get into heated discussions

Happy debating all, I hope there will be some occasional positivity among all the topics

**Awaken4e1** · 12-14-2005 07:10 PM

:bravo: :bravo: Bravo!

Finally, some one who has some repect for others ideals. I would like to say that this is the reason why S/R was formed, to teach, and admonish those who are truly seeking the truth with their heart...

Thank you very much Lucius!...Good Job!

The Rev.

**ptahsokar** · 12-14-2005 07:33 PM

Thanks, Lucius.

Yeah, I was just kidding.

Love...too much of it makes me feel all squirmy inside kind of like when your aunt with the fat lips trys to plant a sloppy one on you (another joke).

**Genjyo** · 12-14-2005 07:59 PM

Originally posted by Lucius
Please, spare me and your fellow DVers any sarcasm or mockery.. and if you think I'm retarded simply don't reply. *

Totally not retarded

It's best to promote respect and understanding! Thanks!

**R.Carter** · 12-14-2005 08:20 PM

Originally posted by ptahsokar

Yeah, I was just kidding.

:sorry: I thought you were being mean spirited.

**Ex Nine** · 12-15-2005 04:57 AM

Yes, I'd say it's going great.

So far, no one has died, been tortured, been "shown the instruments" of medieval torture, been arrested, or assaulted, politically persecuted, fired, blacklisted, deported, suicide bombed, or conscripted into war.

Considering what is the norm of religious tolerance in this world today, we are acting remarkably tolerant here.

It's a shame that so many of you do not appreciate it.

**Tsen** · 12-15-2005 05:06 AM

Yup, I love it. It's fulfilling it's purpose nicely, giving plenty of room for opinions to be expressed without worry of overbearing mods cutting off conversation before any conclusion can be reached. ...then again, we probably go a bit too far sometimes. Heh...sorry 'bout that.

**Ex Nine** · 12-15-2005 05:33 AM

No, really.

While some your *feelings* have been hurt, someone's children were blown up on their way to school.

**ptahsokar** · 12-15-2005 02:51 PM

RC, oh, you'll know when I'm being mean spirited (placid expression but with dark, burning eyes as I say this).

Don't sweat it. I don't.

Lucis: funny that you have that name it being "radient" (perhaps the most radiant name of all) when you are a lovey-dovey.

BTW, good picture. Make the mouth a little smaller, and that's a pretty good version of the actual Lucius in a female form (the eyes, eyebrows, nose and chin/jawline are perfect).