Holier than thou or Smarter than thou?

Intelligence is not, and has never been, a guarantee of tolerance, openness, and respect. Intelligent people can be just as nasty and mean-spirited as unintelligent people, just as less intelligent people can be respectful and tolerant.

This is especially true in an open, anonymous forum in which anyone can say virtually anything without fear of reprisal or consequence.

Lets face it, you definitely need to have a thick skin and a real good sense of humor to be on here. Can't take everything everybody says too seriously. Most get what they ask for, as you say, as far as any kind of respect goes. I personally enjoy seeing some being knocked down a cloud or two when they raise themselves above all others. But, I agree with you wholeheartedly, however, I can handle the silliness thrown in between. Takes all kinds.

i think that you should answer a question honestly and in love.

I find it rude and inappropriate to backlash another person for their ideals. I think some of them are wrong, because they aren't Biblically based, but I do not criticize them. I believe that is wrong.

If someone is intelligent, they don't have to show off. If they are answering the question that is fine, but they don't need to think they are better than someone else just because they know more than someone else.

If someone is closer to the Lord than someone else they shouldn't think they are better than that other person, because when they do that they are no better than the worst person in the world. that just shows they are "holier" in the flesh and not where it counts in the spirit. they aren't close to God, they just think that they are and so they try and persuade others that they are, when in their heart they are no better than anyone else. I was a lost sinner too before I got saved. Now I'm just a sinner saved by Grace. Everyone can be saved. All you have to do is: Acknowledge you are a sinner (Romans3:23), Believe in Christ (Romans 10:17) and Confess Christ as Saviour (Romans 10:9, 13)

You make a very good point, however not everyone is willing to discuss their positions in an intellectual manner. I believe that there is an old Testament verse, I believe it comes from the book of Jeremiah sums it up nicely. The heart is deceitfully wicked above all things, who can know it. We all fall into this from time to time as we can all be caught up in childish behavior due to our emotions. It also doesn't help that people feel that they are completely anonymous on the internet and are thus free to be as rude and obnoxious as they can be.

in religion tolerance can not be if god says this is the way it should be and others say we will do the way god says not to.

while one can believe and do that if a person truly wants to have eternal life then they must do it the way god says and not do it the way then wish they believe their view should be respected when god says other wise and that it is wrong.

discussion does not mean we have to respect all beliefs nor do we all have to agree.

you can show respect to a person mean while not agreeing with their view of things or their belief.

Thank you for saying what you have said.

I agree with your feelings 100%

I have told myself to get out of here many times.

I sincerely don't know why I stay.

It might be a vain hope to find intelligence on this planet.

I thank you for your comment......and I think we are both too naive.

Ridiculers reign.

Why not, when one can hide behind anonymity?

Sadly, through negative sampling bias, inculcated into us by media trying to capture our attention, we allow the loudest, most shrill, rudest examples of a position to stand in for the whole. Actually there is more mature converse on this site than we give it credit for. And by giving the immature the negative attention they crave, by rising to the bait, we lower ourselves to their sad standard. In other words, nanny nanny boo boo, I don't like you! Nyahhh! *sticks out tongue*

Yeah - I know what you mean....I used to be able to share viewpoints and have actual discussions with people...but lately...it just seems to be a be a bunch of "I'm right because I say I am and I can't even listen to what you think!" on here!!

(And there goes Alda again....going on and on about himself once more.....LOL!)

Most atheists and people of rationality are quite willing to have a debate, but people who believe in theistic religion will brook no dissent or contradictory evidence that falsifies their beliefs.

Hey! I saw Rev Wing Wang Woo say "they did it first" here, how simply fantastic that you should point this out. Petulantly childish is right!