I wasn't making a comment. I was asking a question. If a five-year-old believed that 2 and 2 made 5; would you tell that child the truth? Or let him carry on believing?
Yes, there are members of this site here to make friends, but far more are searching for the truth. Sometimes a belief IS the truth. But very often, it isn't!
So, when a member asks if a spell can make them fly, are the Mods supposed to say, "Of course,dear! Now go and jump off a twenty storey building!"
Is it not better to say,"You may believe what you like; but it wont be true!"
@EyesOApollo I have no qualms on telling someone your veiw, if they state fantasy or unrealistic veiws and ideas..I do have a problem if you get mad at someone who want's to learn, share's there personnal veiws, and so fourth.
That's a very important point, and a very important distinction to make. If this forum allowed it, I'd quote you in a signature that would appear at the bottom of every post I make, and possibly silk screen this on to a T-shirt.
Re: Belief Bashing! By: Hadit93
Post # 35 Oct 23, 2014
There is also a difference between getting mad at someone else's personal beliefs, and challenging them. If they are never challenged their thought processes will often remain static.
For example take the creationist who reads the bible literally- his/her personal view is that the world was created in seven days and is most likely only 5-10 thousands of years old. Science tells us otherwise, and we clearly know that not to be the case.
Disagreeing with them will cause them to grow intellectually. I only get mad at them when they start spouting rubbish like "The bible has jut as much proof as that there science text book".....I am not getting mad at their beliefs, just their stupidity!
I have not followed this thread, but the first post is pointless in my opinion. You can believe the sun dies each night and rises each morning- but you are wrong! And should be told as such, it is education, we know it is the earth which rotates us away from the sun! Why would we allow someone to continue to be wrong, surely that is more harmful!
It isn't a matter of being angry at someone, it is a matter of promoting education. It is a matter of debating why you believe something. If you take offence or get all flimsy in defending your beliefs- they aren't very well grounded in the first place.
In short, I think 13+ year olds these days need to grow up! I don't know if it is a cultural thing, but my god, half of you would not last growing up where I come from!
Not to be bigoted, but I have observed one particular country being worse than others, I truly believe children must be wrapped in cotton wool over there!
Hadit does make a good point, there was a time where people believed the world was flat, and that the Earth was the centre of the solar system with everything revolving around it. These were proven wrong, and while there was some fighting, eventually it has become accepted fact.
I have no problem using your imagination, but a lot of people seem unable or unwilling to see the line between fantasy and reality. I know, this is "Witchcraft" and we deal in "spells" and "magic" but it seems like the younger members are rather defensive and convinced they are right as the result of movies and books. When someone with experience in "real magick" tries to help them, they are yelled at. I don't really understand why "kids today" seem to have this "I'm perfect and I know everything" attitude.
Sorry that really didn't have a point, mostly thinking out loud.
Re: Belief Bashing! By: Hadit93
Post # 37 Oct 23, 2014
I think you make a perfect point. People come on and ask questions and opinions, and don't like it when someone tells them an answer they don't want to hear.
I cater in reality, I give real answers to real questions and always state when an answer is my own opinion, or pertinent to my own tradition.
They don't like any opinion other than their own, and yet it is those who question who are called up on bashing opinions! Which is what a belief is, by the way, an opinion based upon little or no facts.
If they don't wan opinions that differ from their own, they should not ask for them. If the do not want their opinions questions, they should keep them to themselves. I have never once left an opinion unquestioned,
I don't care if you are a 13 year old boy practicing 'dragon magick', or if I am reading Aleister Crowley, I'll question both opinions equally!
I know the latter would not have a problem with that, whereas the former, being immature, would.
This site would be a much more peaceful place if a higher age limit was actively checked and enforced.
Re: Belief Bashing! By: EyesOApollo
Post # 38 Oct 23, 2014
People do need to grow up, but hadit how is this post pointless? There are problem's like this, and ... people keep posting issues on it. But what is still happening? Also yes I do agree, without quoted challenges like '' that's nice, but um the sun isn't red, it's orange'' Or defining, and not agreeing with someone... and almost challenging them. Without it , were would we be? We can't grow without criticism, just like we can't have everything pitch perfect.
About the comment you say ''13+ need to grow up'' This is your belief, if isn't wrong, but in a way I disagree with you. I actually do have the guts to voice my opinion, no matter how four, or smart ur mat sound. I am entitled to that, as well as everything. Putting the age's of 13+ is kinda different. I am in no by mean's being rudw, but some people are gosh darn eleven year olds, or possibly even ten who are on this site I've found out, and they articulate the drastic measures of say ''fluff'' or even different views.
Age is just a number! It doesn't matter how many years of experience you've had, or even what you know. It's how you show it, and put it to good use, as well as helping people by using that knowledge that verifies if your actually mature or not. I know some 8 year old's who talk like an adult, and are polite. Yet again, I know other's who are sixteen and still don't know the difference between reality, and fantasy! Age is a number, knowledge is a gift, but the thing is...magick is not a right!
Also thanks, Aeons.
Re: Belief Bashing! By: EyesOApollo
Post # 39 Oct 23, 2014
Also another fact along the lines! I never even made this post to say, ''oh no your veiws are wrong!" I initially made this post, for I have seen several post's on people who state a belief, or something about there religion and they get basehd down saying there wrong. There saying it's there belief in the post, but then people still say ''oh no, yeah your opinion is wrong'' ''mine's right!!"
There's a difference in this post! Many who have reading of fully, will actually understand at the beginning of it.
Thanks for your comments though! Blessed be.
Re: Belief Bashing! By: Hadit93
Post # 40 Oct 23, 2014
There is no problem, people just have a problem with the truth and think it is bullying! I say you need to rethink the use of that term!
About the age, I made a typo, it should have 13-16. This is an opinion based off of repeated observation. An informed opinion. NOt a belief based off of little facts.
The fact of the matter is, according to your first post, I could now go and cry to the rest of the forum that you are bullying me, or bashing my beliefs. But I am not that petty.
Age, especially on this site, is often a good measure of maturity. Of course, there are exceptions, there are to any rule.
Magick is a natural, continuous process. It isn't a right because it occurs all around you. The difference is, the majority of young people on this site cannot understand that and would rather run and cry that they are being bullied instead of accepting criticism and questioning.
In short, it is pathetic, and again, not something you would see classed a bullying where I come from, nor in my generation- which is not all that different from most early teens today.
In Academia papers of criticized and reviewed all the time, I take it every researcher out there is also a bully.
There is only a problem if you perceive it as a problem, and I do not. The only reason you do, is most likely because you have experienced it yourself and that left a foul taste in your mouth- so now you are becoming the voice of those people who are questioned.
Again, another meaningless set of posts from a person with a ranking of fluffy- meaning you have probably said something someone who has the ability to rank you disagreed with.
