Thursday, October 18, 2007

Let Us Agree To Disagree




We may be poles apart in beliefs, customs and cultures

But let us not quarrel because we disagree
Instead, let us agree to disagree.

Many problems can be solved if only we see through
the eyes of our brother who disagree
But let us not quarrel because we disagree
Instead, let us agree to disagree.

What may be beautiful to you may be ugly to me
and vice versa
What may be edible to me may be poison to you
and vice versa
But let us not quarrel because we disagree
Instead, let us agree to disagree.

You may be fiery and tempestuous always wanting
to get your way
I may be placid and cold always seeking
peace and reconciliation.
Although we may disagree on so many points
Let us not quarrel because we disagree
Instead, let us agree to disagree.

There will always be individual differences
People will have their own points of view,
But if only we respect each others' differences
And dwell on what we can agree,
Then maybe less troubles will arise
Let us all agree to disagree.

Those Were The Days - Mary Hopkin (1968) - UK



Posted by Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Poetry/Inspirational

22 comments:

Jim said...

We agree to disagree Mel

though we are both christians
your beliefs dont jell with mine

do u know that there are more than 128 sects in christianity?

which is the true one?

October 19, 2007 3:32 AM

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

That's okay Jim. I base my convictions and principles from the Bible. I have taken up extensive studies in Theology and Bible related courses and have been conducting Bible seminars in church and at homes so I know where I stand. Anyway, I never profess to hold the truth. I just base my principles and convictions from faith based on Biblical verses and from inspirations from the Holy Spirit. I agree with you Jim. Actually there are more than that, if we count the countless other cults that profess to be followers of Christ. Well anyway, I'm glad you agree to disagree with me. To each his own approach to the feet of the great Master. My standard to determine the authenticity of any Christian is based on the admonition in the Bible, "by the fruit you will know the tree." Do our actuations, our mode of living, our writings, pronouncements and our interactions with other people reflect the glory of God? Do we seek our own glory or do we do everything for the glory of God alone? Do we proclaim the Lordship of Jesus Christ or do we acquiesce and keep silent and in the process we tacitly proclaim the lordship of the lord of this world? These and other answers to other related questions will truly determine whether we are true Christians or pseudo Christians. The first century Christians were the genuine Christians since they have to pay for their lives by just professing their faith. They were required to publicly proclaim that Caesar is lord and failure to do so merited them excruciating deaths via crucifixion or mauling to death by wild beasts. But they publicly professed that Jesus is Lord and faced deaths with benign smiles and serene calmness on their faces.

I really wished you asked these questions in my Christian blog since I don't want to unnecessarily unsettle other bloggers with different faiths and beliefs, but I have to make a definitive stand here as the situation requires. I am not moralizing nor preaching, I am just stating my ideas of my Christian principles and I never force them on anybody. I respect other people's beliefs and religious affiliations. Thanks for your visit. And I hope you can still agree to disagree with me. Smile. God bless and have a nice and Spirit filled day.

heiresschild said...

i think a lot of problems arise when people try to make other people only see as they see or only think as they think. because we're all individuals with individual brains, we will see things differently. however, i've learned i can't change anyone's mind, though i can plant the seed or water on it. God gives the increase, but people try and give the increase which causes the disagreements. i've learned to say what i have to say and let it go at that because God's Word does not return unto Him void, but will accomplish what it's supposed to and will prosper wherever God sends it. in knowing that, i've learned i don't have to go back and forth with anyone, but just speak the Word/word, meaning the Word of God or whatever word i'm speaking.

that's why when i'm in school, i love the classes where we have discussions and everyone is allowed to shared their viewpoints without repercussions. even when i took my class on religion, i definitely wasn't in agreement with a lot of that stuff, but i did have to respect people and their viewpoints. i also prayed a lot for them too. lol

Emmyrose said...

Hi kuya Mel,

ako ayokong mag-agree to disagree isa lang ang motto ko sa mga disagreements, kung ayaw mo eh di wag' mo bahala ka sa buhay mo haha sorry ha inaantok pa ako..

but to answer your comment sa entry ko your prayers are more than enough gift :)

God bless!

CapCity said...

Hi Mel - i just wanted to come by & say hi! I've been traveling & hanging out quite a bit, so haven't been able to make the blog-rounds fully;-).

I wish it were as easy to simply agree to disagree....maybe one day!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

I'm sorry about that Heiresschild, but precisely I have to agree to disagree to get hold of the attention of others. I can't just ram down my beliefs own their throats and expect them to agree with me. My first venture in blogging was a complete disaster because my idea was the same as yours. That the word of God will not return to Him empty handed until it accomplish the purpose for which they are sent. I have to abandon my very first blog- Blessings, because it never got the patronage that I am now having with Random Thoughts. That was a straight Christian blog and it lasted for six months and nobody ever dared to even have a peek at it even when I started commenting at random on other blogs. Two visited it out of courtesy for my invitation and never came back. So I thought of putting up Random Thoughts and wrote articles that are more attractive but not lacking in the message of the Gospel. I also change my way of commenting. With committed Christians they were okay, not so with others especially those afflicted with Bipolar disorders whom I was spiritually ministering to. Some resent the "preaching style" (as some accused me) of my comments. Some became so nasty as to literally chase me out of their blogs. I assure you, all that I am doing is with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I was made to leave my different local ministries to concentrate on this international blogging ministry. It is He who gives me the inspiration to write my articles.
Each night I spend a lot of time praying that the Holy Spirit will imbibe my articles with wisdom, power and love so that it will attain the purpose for which they were written. I specifically pray for my blogging mates that God's blessings shall be bestowed upon them. I do prayer evangelism for everybody. I specifically pray for the healing of my bipolar friends and for the healing of lupus of my friend Emmyrose. I pray for my broken hearted friends- Miss Kurdapya and sis Emmyrose, I pray for my Muslim friends, and I pray for you and my other Christian friends. And in the wee hours of the morning, I do my writings and blogging. I have already surrendered the remaining days of my life to serve the Lord and I do whatever He tells me to do. I have been at the gates of death so many times that it is by the grace of God that I am still alive. My body is wracked with so many kinds of sicknesses that I was always ready to meet my Creator. That is the reason why I can commiserate and empathize with those who are sick and suffering because I am in constant pain and suffering myself.
Now I am writing for the World United Bloggers which has a worldwide coverage. I have to be very careful with my articles not to offend the sensibilities of those whose religious, political and ideological beliefs differ with mine. And I am succeeding little by little. My blogging mates at WUB have learned to respect and appreciate my articles even if they do not agree with them on many points. I have my own Christian blog posted there at my dashboard for those who want straight Christian postings. I post
doctrinal articles which I used to teach in church and at Bible classes. All this I do for His glory alone. My two defining verses that characterize my life are; 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" and 1 Thessalonians 4:11, "..to live in order to please God." All that I do in my life are covered by these two principles. Sorry for the very long comments. Thanks for your usual visit. Smile. God bless and have a nice and blessed day.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi sis Emmyrose. Thanks that my gift for you is acceptable. That is all that I can really give you. My prayers always go with you and with sis Kurdapya and with all those who patronize my blog. I can only pray for them. Happy Birthday again on the 30th and I hope the Lord will give you all the desires of your heart. Thanks again for visiting my blog. Smile. God bless and have a nice and wonderful day.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi CapCity,
I have always held you in the highest esteem and respect. Your articles are so well written and they emanate from your heart and soul. You are truly a soul sister (sistah, he, he *lol*) Your viewpoint in life is simply fantastic and the advocacies you fight for are worth emulating. Thanks for the honor of your visit. Smile always. God bless and have a nice and wonderful day.

krystyna said...

Amen to your words, Mel!
Beautifully writen post and great comments.!
Keep the Light shining bright!
Blessings to you and your beautiful family!

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Thanks Krystyna. I hope you will enjoy your vacation and your much needed respite from blogging. We will be waiting for your return. Thanks for dropping by and for your wonderful comments. Smile. God bless and have a nice and fulfilling vacation.

agreenearth said...

Beautifully expressed.

God calls us all in different ways.

"by the fruit you will know the tree."

Love those words, they say it all.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Yes Greenearth, that is the yardstick of who we really are. We may claim to be somebody but if our visible fruits do not jibe with what we say, we lose our credibility. It's just like what parents always say to their children- "do as I say and not as I do." How many times we became so dejected by teachers who molded us to the highest goals they could set for us only to see our image of them in a pedestal come crushing down to earth because we saw the exact opposite of what he taught us. If we are to be molders of impressionable minds, we must set the higher standards on ourselves so that we may become credible to them. To do otherwise will be the height of hypocrisy. There is an old saying, "he who conquers others is strong, but he who conquers himself is stronger". Why, because we are so used to pamper ourselves and place heavy crucibles on others. We set standards for others which we ourselves can not meet. People judge us in what they see in us and not in what we say to them. If what people see in us are right, just and true then, we can truly become the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Thanks for your visit and for your encouraging comments. Smile. God bless and have a nice and fulfilling weekend.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Oh by the way Greenearth, I love your fruits. They're so sweet, so palatable and nourishing. The world is nourished by your fruits.

Sameera Ansari said...

"Let us all agree to disagree"...

...Nothing more important is needed for the world in today's tumultuous times.You think so like me.

Keep up the good work!Linking your blog to mine,thanks for doing the same :)

Noushy Syah said...

Mel,

You wrote it nicely,I love reading it over an dover again..

Communication is a 2 way process..and it doesn't necessarily at the end of it, we must agree with one another,coz people has own perspective...but one thing for sure is "by the fruit you will know the tree."

And facts cannot be changed, unless fiction..so there's nothing wrong to agree to disagree in certain aspects..especially in opinions.

Take care mel.Have a gr8 w/end yea.

Miss Kurdapya said...

ay! mahilig ako mag agree to disagree..

oo ako ng matapos na ang usapan.. pero, in the end.. ako din ang masususnod..hehe

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Sameera,
I love your post at the World United Bloggers. It inspired me to do a post on women's right and fight for equality. Since I have so much backlog of drafts in my list of posts, it may come out mid November yet. But what I post at Worlds United Bloggers, I simultaneously post here because our posts there last only an average of two days because of the sheer volume of posts and technical difficulties of the blog site itself. I will go back to your blog to read your previous posts. I'm sure I will pick up plenty of good reading materials there. Keep on writing young lady. You have the gift and proficiency of a born writer. Write to inspire and stimulate positive thinking and development of positive values. These will shine like burning candles in the darkness of pernicious writings and indecent exposures in the internet. Whatever religion you profess, may God bless you with divine wisdom to sift through chaffs of ignorance and bigotry to find nuggets of truth and life. Smile. Have a pleasant and fulfilling weekend.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hi Noushy,
Thanks for your usual visit. I was beginning to miss you already. It's not the same without your insightful comments on my blog. I could sense the sincerity and honesty of your comments. And the warmth and friendship that you radiate is beyond all riches. I have noticed that the quality and topic of your posts have improved tremendously. Most girls usually start their blogging as a carry over of their Friendster blogging where teeny boopers abound and where topics usually revolve around their carefree and happy go lucky ways. Nothing wrong with that. But blogspot.com has more mature contributors that's why you see styles evolving as they continue blogging. And you have blossomed into a more well rounded writer dealing with positive values rather than the frivolities of life. Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against such things, they have their own place in our society. Just imagine how boring it will be if all writers will just concentrate on serious topics. As they say, variety is the spice of life. Thanks again for your visit and smile always. Have a wonderful and fun filled weekend.

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

Hay Miss Kurdapya. That's the problems with girls, they remain silent so that the argument will stop but in the end they get their own way. He, he, he, madaya talaga. What I really mean by agreeing to disagree is to afford mutual respect for each others ideas, thoughts, principles, beliefs and way of life, not necessarily agreeing with them but giving them due recognition of their right to hold on to contrary views. That way there will be less friction around. Alam ko naman matapang ka and in the end you will always get your way. He, he, he. Sorry if I could not comment rightly in your blog. I was just suffering from bloggers fatigue during that time but I'm okay now and I'll visit you as soon as I finish my comments here. Thanks for your regular visits. Smile. God bless and have a wonderful and exciting weekend.

Sameera Ansari said...

I have no words to thank you.
God Bless...

Mel Avila Alarilla said...

God bless you too Sameera. May this week bring you more joy and fulfillment in your life.

heiresschild said...

hi mel, i'm not quite sure what you were saying to me in your response to my comments. i wasn't disagreeing with your post, but rather adding to by pointing out that problems come about when people try to push their viewpoints on others to see their way only. the part about God's Word not returning void is just simply saying whatever we say will be fruitful when we allow God to use us.


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