TreasureKY
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Joined: 4/10/2007
From: Kentucky
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Jeffff
On the face of it, that seems reasonable and I understand the point.
In practice, if a persons beliefs guide them away from there family I don't see why anyone should "feel their pain".
Well, I do agree to a point. Honestly, it really is subjective and dependent upon circumstances. I don't think it is necessary to agree with someone's beliefs in order to sympathize. To empathize with them, I do see where agreement would be necessary... "feel their pain" would imply empathizing.
The difference between Empathy and Sympathy.
The caveat I've placed ("to a point") is because life isn't really that black and white. I've had to do things that I didn't enjoy... things that caused me emotional pain... things that others might empathize with me over... all because of an over-riding belief system.
For example, disciplining my children. Every time I had to take something away from them or deny them something that they really wanted, it hurt me to do so, but there was a lesson or boundary that I believed they really needed to learn. Not everyone would agree with my beliefs.
An extreme example would be one of the scenarios discussed earlier in this thread. The loss of a child over heinous and illegal activity would be none the less painful just because it was the parent who felt it necessary to turn them in. I love my children unconditionally, but that does not mean that I will support their choices if they go against the very beliefs that make me who I am and would aid in the destruction of the world in which I and everyone else I love live.
I agree that the example you mention appears to border on zealotry, but we really don't know the circumstances involved. Whether it is the mother or the daughter who is limiting contact doesn't really matter in the long run, either. From a very basic standpoint, they've lost something important to them that they once shared. While I may not agree with their reasoning and cannot empathize with them, I can sympathize over the loss of family cohesiveness.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Jeffff
In my opinion, any belief, not just religious, but any belief that leads to zealotry is not healthy.
Again, I agree to a point. However, I am willing to accept that zealotry is a subjective term. Where exactly is the fine line that indicates someone's strong beliefs have exceeded the point of reasonableness and moved into the realm of zealotry?
Does a parent's belief in the rightness of societal laws reach zealotry if he or she takes action that leads to his or her child being convicted of a crime and sentenced to execution?
Is a person who pulls away from a friend being zealous if they feel his or her friend is willfully engaging in what they believe to be dangerous and self-destructive behavior?
If a school has a "zero tolerance" policy are they practicing zealotry?
The list could go on and on. We face these kinds of situations everyday and while most people can agree that they are tough situations, there is often much disagreement on how to act upon them. There will always be those who have strong beliefs, and those who feel such strong beliefs are zealotry.
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