In Reply to: Aqua posted by Tuberose on Monday, 30. April 2007 at 12:11 Bali Time:
defend your beliefs, that's your right but I absolutely disagree that challenging them is disrespectful. If I thought you were stupid and that what you think was of no account, then I would not bother to ask what you think. THAT would be disrespectful.
No belief, Tuberose, is exempt from being challenged. I am sorry that you are unable to defend your beliefs - I find this a common failing in Australians which is much less common in Europe or the US - most intelligent people there are happy to debate and do not assume that someone who disagrees with them is disrespectful. I'm appalled at the number of Australians who react to someone disagreeing with them by thinking the other person is rude. You know, there are lots of people in this world who don't feel this way.
I do think believing in fate is intellectually lazy and hard to defend and is incredibly disrespectful to the millions of people in this world who suffer a lot more than you do or I do. But hey, that's my belief - and you have no right to challenge it or ask me to defend it, apparently.