Appreciations of the day

[Arakawa]

Strange things I've enjoyed wasting time on lately: arguing with Catholics.

_{(I do want to understand how they think, for writing-related purposes.)}

[Anastasia]

Oh? I'm a (lapsed into more general, non-denominational Christianity) Catholic, if I can help you with anything about that.

[Dracos]

Mushroom, mushroom!

[Yulia]

Fairy, fairy!

[Anastasia]

Mushroom, mushroom!

Careful of the mushrooms, Drac. They're watching.

[KLSymph]

Oh god they do more than watch!

[Anastasia]

So absolutely true. Watching is only the beginning.

[Arakawa]

Oh? I'm a (lapsed into more general, non-denominational Christianity) Catholic, if I can help you with anything about that.

I haven't had any problem so far; it's been polite but very depressing back-and-forth with the kind of people who argue that the vast majority of people being damned to Hell is an aesthetically pleasing outcome, because it provides the necessary contrast for the saints to comprehend the extent of God's mercy towards them.

I came up with this character who's internalized those sorts of teachings and become a sort of genteel misanthrope (difficult to explain in one go), but in terms of understanding and fleshing out his point of view, it's necessary to understand the context he would have formed it in. And whether a person like that could even conceivably exist within Catholicism. This is where talking to people comes in handy.

[Anastasia]

People who endlessly talk about damnation are missing the point, anyway. As far as your second point, people of all types end up in religion. The message may be holy, but people are forever screwing things up. It's human nature, and that includes doing bad things with the good word.

If you wanna go into this, toss me a PM. SR isn't really the place for serious religious discussion, so it's best done in private.

[Dracos]

I appreciate both of you guys taking that private (or to a side thread if you guys think it makes sense) :)

Not that I mind a variety of religious points, but this is a pretty heavily trafficked thread and rarely do pleasant things come out of recorded pitched discussion of religious theory.

[Anastasia]

Yeah, discussions on religion and politics can be flashpoints. Even when the original participants mean well, all it takes is one person joining up and taking offense to set it off like a fireball. There's a lot to be said for taking them to private discussion or to the appropriate venue.

[Iron Dragoon]

Yeah, discussions on religion and politics can be flashpoints. Even when the original participants mean well, all it takes is one person joining up and taking offense to set it off like a fireball. There's a lot to be said for taking them to private discussion or to the appropriate venue.

*makes signs and burns things outside of Dune's and Arakawa's homes*

[Arakawa]

Yeah, discussions on religion and politics can be flashpoints. Even when the original participants mean well, all it takes is one person joining up and taking offense to set it off like a fireball. There's a lot to be said for taking them to private discussion or to the appropriate venue.

Yeah, I agree. Not to mention any flame wars on such topics tend to consist of things everyone has heard a thousand times before....

*makes signs and burns things outside of Dune's and Arakawa's homes*

>_>

<_<

*joins Iddy's impromptu barbecue*

[Iron Dragoon]

I appreciate open bars. And roast pig.

[Merc]

Isn't it delicious?

If you really liked that pork, consider buying some Alaea salt while you're in Hawaii, Iddy.