Welcome to the Dudeism.com forum

[teresarabal]

I can't believe I've found religion!

[Liam_123]

So what's everyone up to this fine evening?

Sent from my SM-G903W using Tapatalk

[RandoRock]

A whole lot of work for me on this fine evening, which translates into me sitting here waiting for something to happen so I can respond to it.

[Flying Toaster]

New Dudeist signing in from SE Pennsylvania in these United States. It is around 4:18 am.

Taking 'er slow and esy for now. Looking around making sure everything is you know allright.

[StAugustineDude]

Welcome Dude!  Good to have ya.

[MoSW]

Geweldig! 
Eindelijk een forum met prettig gestoorde geestverwanten 

[SagebrushSage]

*deleting old posts*

[Jianblade]

New Dudeist signing in from SE Pennsylvania in these United States. It is around 4:18 am.

Taking 'er slow and esy for now. Looking around making sure everything is you know allright.

Welcome to our quiet little beach community! Bars over there! Quick question: What brought you to Dudeism?

[DudeInnaTruck]

Hi people signing in from a particularly sunny south coast of the UK. Feed the monkey by driving what most of you would know as a dump truck, stress all around man, endeavor to abide and not let the Walters bite me in the ass.
Good vibes to you all, have a good day.

[StAugustineDude]

Welcome Dude!  Find a spot on the rug and just relax and abide for awhile!

Van

[SagebrushSage]

*deleting old posts*

[ScholarlyDude]

Hello fellow dudes!
       You all have a new member on your hands! I'm born and raised in the state of Iowa but I'll be in Colorado for the next few years. I've been aware of Dudeism for a couple years now, and I've done some reading. I've read the Dudeism.com website, skimmed the Wikipedia, and even visited this forum as a guest. I've listened to a few episodes of StAugustineDude's Dudecast, and watched some videos by Rev. Dudely Noted. I've never engaged in the conversation, but I'm ready to now. I know that you Dudes who regularly post here are capable of some pretty deep thought. Like I said, I've seen it. I recently read Rev. Gary Silva's article on the presidential race. http://dudespaper.com/calm-and-reason-for-a-better-tomorrow.html/ Silva's main point was that, when it comes to the election, what's really important is to "to elect a more abiding state of mind." He deliberately avoided recommending a party or candidate. The only advice he gave was to use "Calm and Reason" when selecting your preference. I think this was an intelligent way to give advice, considering that radicals exist on both sides of the spectrum. They exist in the Westboro Baptist Church on the right and in  Baltimore rioters on the left.

        Any well informed Dude wouldn't blindly follow groups like these based solely on their political affiliation. Whether they're a conservative Christian Dude who wholeheartedly believes in a higher power or a liberal Dude who backs Black Lives Matter. Any Dude worth their salt would see that hate and fear are not the most effective ways to get people listening. I think we also need to remember that you don't have to be a radical to abandon Calm and Reason. For example, I feel that, in my experience, conservatives and Christians often get shut down when they enter a political conversation. (I'd like the say that this is coming from a nonreligious and moderate Dude. This is purely observation.) I've spent almost all of my life so far in school, which is traditionally a rather liberal setting.  When politics get brought up I can usually predict how it's going to go. Liberal ideas are praised while conservative ones are bashed. What's more, it isn't rare for conservatives to be labeled as wacky or for Christians to be labeled as irrational. I'd argue that it's wacky and irrational to throw out ideas based purely on who holds them. The rational thing to do is think through different views and understand why they have merit. Different perspectives are valuable. A different point of view can allow you to see holes in your argument. Embracing other points of view gives you the opportunity and insight to diversify your beliefs. A diversity of beliefs widens you lens of the world and allows you to see more clearly. If you see clearly, you can make more informed decisions. I think that everyone wants to make informed decisions.   

       I think that in order to better our society, we need open conversation. In open conversion, you honestly listen to the other person's ideas. It's okay to disagree, but think about why you disagree. Don't be afraid to agree too. That doesn't mean you're wrong or your argument is weak. It means you're doing it right. Conversation like that is supposed to influence your thinking. At least that's my take in it. I'd like to finish by asking you Dudes what you think of all this. Am I completely off in my thinking? I'd also be interested in knowing where you're coming from in your thinking. (Faith/Political leaning)
                                                               Thanks everyone!
                                                                 ScholarlyDude

[Brother D]

Welcome aboard scholarlydude, grab an oat soda, pull up a rug and take 'er easy mang.

[poppa Fabian]

Hey, thanks man.

I'm a Dude from what back (a joke made funnier when you see me, and then even more so when you realize how i think).
I am  happily ordained now, and plan to spread awareness and receive the realizations which surround me.... and then talk to my friends at length about it.

As The Dude abides.

[SagebrushSage]

@ScholarlyDude

False equivalency is a fallacy, just as much as ad hominem. But, as you say, people should try to learn from each other. My situation requires many long hours of hard labor. I tire of academic discussion, and am continually frustrated by my inability to avoid being impressed by my own questionably-useful ideas. Welcome, and may you be successful in providing irrelevant and voluminous pontification in my stead.