Quote:
Originally Posted by photon
That still doesn't answer what respecting a decision means. 
Asking for constructive criticism for something someone else does doesn't make any sense.
I can either ask for a reason someone else does something or I can ask for constructive criticism for something I do.
But I think you're trying to say that I can ask for reasons someone decides to believe something in a positive way, but I can't criticize the decision itself? I can't agree with that.
And why defer to a theologian? If I believe something I should know why I believe it. Deferring to an authority just means that someone else is doing the thinking and I'm just following because I'm being told to. That's the kind of mindset that leads to terrible things. |
You covered respect fine in the first paragraph, this is for paragraph 2, please apply.
What you really want is an understanding of the mindset of someone who is religious, I say if you want a thorough answer why not go to the one that literally dedicates an entire life to understanding theology because to them it is the meaning of life. Now if it means they do the thinking and you sit and listen and you can't handle that then perhaps your being too narrow, because I'm sure they would be willing to be grilled with any questions.