Sparko and LilPix: Why I do what I do

[technomage]

Hi, guys.

hmm I am glad you and pixie made up, but are you saying you went through all that and didnt really mean it seriously at all? I find that hard to believe.

Believe it.

When it comes to provable things (mainly science and history, because those are the areas I know best, but to a lesser degree law, religion, and anthropology), I do tend to play hardball. But when it comes to issues of belief, my preferred method of interaction is "Here's what I believe--what do you believe?" I'm far more interested in understanding people than in winning arguments, and I have NO interest in swaying people away from their understanding of God.

For the specific "Turn the other cheek" discussion ... well, I did start out serious. When Pix said she held no ill will towards Jackie, the time for serious was over--I got into debate for debate's sake, and just let the argument go where it would. As I said, yeah, I do believe that the "Turn the other cheek" passage was intended a lot more broadly than most Christians today take it, but like I said, the culture has changed. Christians are no longer just the peasants in the field and the merchants in the town with no possibility of having political power--here in the West, everybody has not only the right, but the duty, to let their voice be heard. "Turn the other cheek," by my understanding, was something that was necessary at that time ... it's not something I see as applicable now, though I certainly hold a tremendous respect for those Christian who choose to be pacifists today.

Look at two basketball players. Sometimes the best way to get to understand each other is to get into a down-and-dirty game and do your best to make the other person eat some leather. Well, it was well fought, but I ended up eating leather more than Pix did, so technically she won the argument. But I won, too--because now I have a much greater understanding of her.

[Sparko]

ok justin,

[lilpixieofterror]

Oh, very well Justin. And what did you learn about me?

[technomage]

Oh, very well Justin. And what did you learn about me?

Among other things:

* that an occasional spelling problem cannot disguise a very sharp mind;
* that you have little patience for those you believe are being foolish;
* that you're a subborn git once you're persuaded of the truth of something.

[Faramir]

Among other things:

* that an occasional spelling problem cannot disguise a very sharp mind;
* that you have little patience for those you believe are being foolish;
* that you're a subborn git once you're persuaded of the truth of something.

Sounds like a likable person.....:slinkoff:

[technomage]

Sounds like a likable person.....:slinkoff:

Well, she is ... but don't tell her I said that.

[Sparko]

bah. humbug.

[technomage]

Love you too, you scurvy dog.

[lilpixieofterror]

Well, thanks alot guys.

[Sparko]

this thread is turning into a chick flick.

[technomage]

Here's the next script installment....

Pirate Sailor: Sail ahoy!

Pirate Captain: Where away?

PS: hard on the starboard bow!

PC: Shiver me timbers, it's a Royal Navy frigate! Man the guns!

PS: We're out of powder, and we used the last cannonball for the bowling tourament!

PC: Arrrr! Get all hands aloft--we'll all drop trow and moon them!