Is it possible when it comes to religion? Mystical Seeker makes some excellent comments about the “discussion” Liberal Pastor and James McGrath are trying to have with “a militant atheist blogger.” But the “live and let live” attitude is one that I, personally, find impossible with some people. Not that I cannot live and let live, but I find their beliefs make it impossible for them.
Some Christians believe that everyone who is not a Christian is going to hell and will burn forever in eternal torment. Furthermore, they are believe that they are commanded by Jesus to go out and make disciples of everyone; i.e. convert everyone to their religion. This is what they believe. Now, how is it possible to let them live and hold their beliefs when it inevitably means that that they will try to convert everyone to their way of thinking? It is impossible for them to live and let live. They must convert the heathens.
Some atheists believe that religion is the cause of much of the problems in the world. They believe that some of those who are trying to convert everyone go too far and do violence and irreparable damage. And they can point to specific examples which cannot be denied. So, they, too, cannot live and let live because they see a danger that must be stopped.
So, how do we tell the fundamentalist and the atheist that they cannot follow their beliefs when we complain that they do not let us follow our own beliefs? How do we curtail the damage done by some while still trying to maintain the live and let live attitude?
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Some belief systems do seem to have intolerance built into themselves, so I guess one could argue that to be true to their own beliefs they have to try to tell others what to believe. Still, to me, there is something fundamentally wrong with this outlook.
“Still, to me, there is something fundamentally wrong with this outlook.”
You feel that they are wrong and they feel that you are wrong. How to we get passed the impasse?
I have no control over what others choose to believe. That realization is at the heart of the phrase, “Live and Let Live”, whether discussing religious beliefs or anything someone else does or says. Someone once said, “There are three kinds of business: my business, your business and God’s business.” I try to remember that when I encounter a person who seems rigid in a belief system that would be intolerable for me. I can accept them just as they are, even if I don’t agree with their philosophy. For me, “Live and let live” is really a form of forgiveness.