Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» Conversion is a two-way street. Smoker to Non-Smoker. Atheist to Believer. Meat Eater to Vegan. Are YOU a convert? From what to what?
Technically speaking, everyone's a "convert" from something. No one's born being an atheist or a "believer". No one's born smoking (pre-parental addictions notwithstanding). No one can "convert" another person. All they can do is persuade and influence (via numerous means). Forcing something on another isn't converting. A true "conversion" must be the choice of the chooser.
I have been persuaded both to "convert" and not to convert to somethings. Sometimes by another person, sometimes by observation, sometimes through my own studying ("conversions bring consequences - good or bad). I didn't convert to drinking as I saw what the outcome of it could be (alcoholic family member). I didn't convert to smoking as I found it disgusting when others did it. I became a Christian (from being a non-christian) after many years of study.
You are looking at it from a very broad perspective Shuhak. A child learns as he grows. I don't think of that as "converting" from being ignorant to being knowledgeable. I had in mind a BIG conversion which is why I used the examples I did. Something that was not easy to do. Gals switch from one brand of lipstick to another. A conversion? I don't think so. So my intention in using the word CONVERSION was not what you perceived. I disliked mushrooms when I was young and now I love them. Same with avocados. I don't consider those changes "conversions". Tastebuds change as we age. We have no control over what tastes good and what doesn't. It just happens. It is not an intellectual choice. Now if a diehard right-wing extremist flips to being a left-wing Liberal that IS A CONVERSION. See the difficulties words bring to a conversation? They are all we have but their meaning isn't identical from person to person. You don't smoke because it's a nasty habit and it can cause cancer in the smoker and also second-hand smoke can cause it in others around the smoker and death is one possible outcome. You don't drink alcohol because of a family member. Neither of those are "conversions" in my opinion. They are simply choices you made. HOWEVER when you CONVERTED from non-believer to believer that WAS a conversion. A big one. So did the poet John Donne. And after he converted he wrote Meditation 17. "No man is an island entire of tiself....one man's death diminishes me. Never send to know for whom the bell tolls...it tolls for thee." If I change my mind about what to prepare for dinner I didn't "convert". I just changed my mind. Thank you for your reply and Happy Saturday to thy! :)
This post was edited by RosieG at March 31, 2018 2:05 AM MDT
Shuhak 