Clare,

Since you refuse to change your view as a result of the discussion, then please explain to me what useful purpose is served by the discussion.

can someone please tell me what the karma thing is all about

Robin, I don't think discussion will necessarily always result in a change of view by either side. It does sometimes I accept but on some issues it won't. I think most people would go along with that.

Clare,

However, when one party declares that they are not going to change their mind whatever any other party may say, then that is not a discussion but a monologue. Such a stance puts a complete kibosh on all further discussion, and from then on the party refusing to change their mind is merely repeating themselves.

Robin T Cox wrote:
Clare,

However, when one party declares that they are not going to change their mind whatever any other party may say, then that is not a discussion but a monologue. Such a stance puts a complete kibosh on all further discussion, and from then on the party refusing to change their mind is merely repeating themselves.

Normal debate is used by many to form views and that is a healthy conversation, but their are issues that we all feel strongly about. For instance for me I would not change my mind on the issue of vaccinations unless some huge independent research project proved me wrong.

You could not persuade me that abortion is the right way to go, I curl up inside at the thought of any human no matter the age dying. Especially if it can be avoided.

I am sure you have issues like that as well. We are all entitled to our opinion so their does come a point in many discussions where we must just say ok we have all put our point of view and now we must admit defeat and say we cannot change the view of the other person. I think that is healthy too.

Robin, if I have repeated anything it is that the principle involved here doesn't allow me to change my mind because the principle hasn't altered. I find it odd that you are having difficulty with that.

It isn't a case of "refusing". What is it you are asking me to do? To say, "Oh ok then, I think it was ok for the McCann's to go out and leave their three children alone?" Are you suggesting that's what should happen here?

I find it interesting that others keep repeating that they won't change their view either but I'm the only one termed a "monologue".

Lydia,

I do agree.

If we have such strong views about issues that we are not prepared to change our mind whatever others may say, the gracious thing to do, having rightly expressed those views, is to admit that we are unlikely to persuade others and to accept that further discussion is unfruitful.

Robin T Cox wrote:
Lydia,

I do agree.

If we have such strong views about issues that we are not prepared to change our mind whatever others may say, the gracious thing to do, having rightly expressed those views, is to admit that we are unlikely to persuade others and to accept that further discussion is unfruitful.

Gracious?????????? Oh, am I being rude now too Robin? This just gets better and better.

Guys, can I repeat my previous plea and let's agree to differ and move on.

In an attempt to pull this this thread kicking and screaming back on topic .......

Levenax, you are asking a question about prayer which is very difficult to answer without going into some very deep and difficult (to explain, not understand) concepts which I am not sure I am qualified to talk to, but I'll try, and I'll try to keep in non faith biased. (No challenge there then!!)

Prayer is a very personal thing to a person of faith. It is the method by which they communicate with their God. It means something different to every individual. Some people recite by rote pre written prayers, some speak to their God in their own words and some believe that if they sit quietly, God speaks to them. Although all faiths believe in a deity (or deity) that is omnipotent, we also believe (s)he gives us freedom of will and choice to lead our own lives. So, we believe he does not pre-ordain everything. However, because we believe we have a personal relationship with him (or her) we hope that he may help things to turn out in our favour. However, in the christian tradition, we believe in "Thy will be done", in other words, we will accept the outcome no matter what. (This is so difficult, trying not to bias this towards Catholic Christianity).

I understand how athiests will not understand this concept as the basis is faith in a deity which they reject, but, in my own clumsy way, I have tried to put the concept in a nutshell. Scholars can discuss tis topic for months on end, but this is the potted version as I see it.

LYDIA REID wrote:
can someone please tell me what the karma thing is all aboutI can demonstrate how to change your Karma, I will click your Karma to give up it one Karma positive, as I think I have been a bit abrupt recently.
One other thing you cannot change your Karma score, and you are limited to a time delay before you are able to use it again.
Keep positive Lydia.

DoricMan wrote:
LYDIA REID wrote:
can someone please tell me what the karma thing is all aboutI can demonstrate how to change your Karma, I will click your Karma to give up it one Karma positive, as I think I have been a bit abrupt recently.
One other thing you cannot change your Karma score, and you are limited to a time delay before you are able to use it again.
Keep positive Lydia.

Doricman
I had intended to say "well I will just click your karma right back thank you" and I thought it said smile, but it does not it says smite, so now I will have to click it a few times to get it back sorry.

I promise I will restore it. I note you need to wait six hours. I assume you do this if you like what the person is saying.

Martin I don't think i could have explained that any better.

Prayer is such a natural thing to a person of faith and I have real problems trying to understand what people do if they don't pray.

That is not a judgement it is a real question. I try to think what happens if something is wrong with say a person that they love and they want it to get better for them or say just now the people of Burma or the children buried in the School in China. How else can a person direct even their good thoughts to others.

What do they say in the private thoughts that every other person must have when they want to improve something.

I truly give respect to every-one's personal belief I don't believe any person has the right to try force a belief on any other person. I don't believe that it does any good anyway. If someone is ready to find God they will. My personal belief is God will find them. He found me but I bet he regrets it his poor ears must be sore.