Why do you religious people feel such a strong need...

[Ross PK]

to shove your poision down other people's throats?

 

No offense.

[jthorne]

It's human nature for people to seek comfort. Some seek it in another person, for some drugs, for some food, for some shopping...

I'm sorry that you feel that another's spirituality is poison.

 

Be blessed.

[sweetjasmine]

to shove your poision down other people's throats?

 

No offense.

 

In my experience, the type of people who shove their religion down others' throats do it in part to convince themselves of their own faith. If you're busy trying to argue others into believing your religion, that doesn't leave much time for you to really think about what you believe and how strongly you believe it.

 

From what I've seen, when proselytizers have their faith questioned, they react much more strongly than when ordinary religious people have their faith questioned. The casual believers I've talked to about religion don't get extremely defensive, loud, and upset when discussing religion, but the proselytizers do, even if you're being polite about it. That's a sign of insecurity and instability, IMO.

[donnamaybe]

It actually does say in the bible that people are supposed to spread the word just like Jesus did. Don't hate 'em for it. They're just doing what they think they're supposed to be doing. Just politely decline and go on your way.

[LeaningIntoTheMuse]

The bible is outdated.

[Ross PK]

Be blessed.

 

Be godless and free.

[dreamingoftigers]

I am quite in love with my "hardline faith."

 

I went through 5 faiths in four years when I was younger and searching. The most important thing that I learned when talking about faith to anyone is to consider my audience. If someone wants to ask me about my faith, that's cool. If someone is sharing their faith or theory with me, I share too.

 

My MIL is a JW. She is a pressure cooker about her faith. I used to be a JW and have very specific arguments that have made others reconsider their stance on their faith. I don't ever pull out my list of arguments unless they are pushing me hard to change over. I have only had to do that once with my MIL. ( and i only brought out one argument) She never tried again. If it comes up I will go toe to toe with her. I don't accept people ripping on my faith.

 

I have an ultra-catholic uncle who dud the same thing.

 

I don't think it comes down to what religion a person is or isn't as much as it comes down to basic manners. I don't think Jesus would have insulted his audience, I think those who sought the truth drew close to him. They could see his charity and example. I have tried (with varying degrees) to bring that into my own family.

 

Many many many non-religious people have been using the same ram-down-

throats and be utterly rude tactics. Most people have enough sense not to get into backwards, pushy arguments to begin with. In fact it is more likely to alienate someone from your point of view, whatever that may be.

 

Oddly enough you mentioned being "godless and free." to me walking a path of faith is the ultimate freedom. It brings a sense of peace and communion they is unmatched, and the hope for things beyond the constrains of suffering in this life. Those in my faith live quite long and often very happy lives, at the very least I think it is a good investment.

 

I virtually never try to talk a person out of any faith. I don't try to move or remove anyone's hope.

 

As well the pushy ones don't tend to be the majority of any given group. Odds are there are tons of faithful, observing people around you but they aren't do vocal about it.

[Trimmer]

Why do you religious people feel such a strong need...

to shove your poision down other people's throats?

 

No offense.

If you're going to say "you religious people" and paint all religious people with the same accusatory brush, and then call their religion "poison", you might as well admit you are intending to be offensive. The whole "no offense" thing just makes you obviously disingenuous.

[Ross PK]

If you're going to say "you religious people" and paint all religious people with the same accusatory brush, and then call their religion "poison", you might as well admit you are intending to be offensive. The whole "no offense" thing just makes you obviously disingenuous.

 

I never ment all religious people. Some are acutually nice and totally non obnoxious. There are also probably some who don't believe that the bad things about their religion are actually right, and they have no desire to follow them/act them out.

 

I'm sorry you misunderstood my post.

Edited March 17, 2011 by Ross PK

[Trimmer]

I never ment all religious people. Some are acutually nice and totally non obnoxious. There are also probably some who don't believe that the bad things about their religion are actually right, and they have no desire to follow them/act them out.

 

I'm sorry you misunderstood my post.

I accept your non-apology.

[pie2]

You're in my prayers Ross.

 

No offense.

[dreamingoftigers]

You're in my prayers Ross.

 

No offense.

 

Is that kind of like passively poisoning him, like trans fat as opposed to cyanide?

[pie2]

Assertive "poisoning"...like chemo.

[Trimmer]

Assertive "poisoning"...like chemo.

It may kill him, but it's for his own good...

[Ross PK]

I accept your non-apology.

 

Thank you.

[Ross PK]

You're in my prayers Ross.

 

No offense.

 

And I hope that one day you can lose your faith, so you can lead a more free, happy, and fulfilling life. You only get one life and it's a shame to just waste it.

[Eeyore79]

I don't agree with the things that religious people believe, but I defend their right to freely believe whatever they want. You can believe there's a chocolate teapot in orbit around the earth if you like, and while I reserve the right to disagree, I still think you should be entitled to believe that if you like, as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

 

Unfortunately most religions require you to "spread the faith" and "save" other people, so many religious people don't accord me the same freedom to have my own beliefs as I do to them. I can't really hate them for it, because they do mean well. The best strategy is simply to ignore them; you can't really do much else anyway.

[Explorer]

And I hope that one day you can lose your faith, so you can lead a more free, happy, and fulfilling life. You only get one life and it's a shame to just waste it.

 

Judging by your posts, I would hardly call your life "free, happy, and fulfilling" so who are you to assert that a non-religous life equates to such when yours apparently doesn't?

 

A happy person certainly wouldn't feel the need to go out of his way to create this thread.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[TaraMaiden]

And I hope that one day you can lose your faith, so you can lead a more free, happy, and fulfilling life. You only get one life and it's a shame to just waste it.

 

In your original post, did you mean 'Poison' or 'Position'....?

 

If you resent, deplore, resent and condemn something, you hold it close to you, in your heart just as much as if you loved it with the same intensity.

 

Until you can look at what floats other people's boats with indifference and acceptance, then you are just as biased and hard-line as they are.

 

It really shouldn't matter to you what they choose to believe.

 

And if they try to "shove it down people's throats", then the best way to prevent this is to just shut your mouth and smile.

It's amazing how quickly people give up, when they get absolutely no response at all.....

[Floridaman]

If you believe in God you might as well believe in Santa and the Easter Bunny.

 

Op: Don't take them seriously, just laugh them off and ask if they still believe in Santa Claus too.

Wayne,

Once again, you're posting way outside of your expertise.

[TaraMaiden]

Hostility achieves nothing.

 

Proof - tangible definite irrefutable proof - must be put forward by both sides, in order to bring conclusion to such arguments.

A more relaxed attitude is - "I disagree, but I'm glad for you that you have found something that works for you".

 

Gives space for personal freedom to believe - or disbelieve - precisely what you want, without disrespecting a fellow human being.

[Eeyore79]

Proof - tangible definite irrefutable proof - must be put forward by both sides, in order to bring conclusion to such arguments.

You cannot prove a negative. If someone believes something, the onus is on them to prove it's true.

[sweetjasmine]

I don't agree with the things that religious people believe, but I defend their right to freely believe whatever they want. You can believe there's a chocolate teapot in orbit around the earth if you like, and while I reserve the right to disagree, I still think you should be entitled to believe that if you like, as long as it doesn't harm anyone else.

 

I agree, but it's not always so simple.

 

What happens when those beliefs themselves are harmful or promote harm?

 

What happens when you have enough people who believe that a chocolate teapot orbits the earth that they force public schools to teach everyone that it's an irrefutable fact?

[Bionic Me]

And I hope that one day you can lose your faith, so you can lead a more free, happy, and fulfilling life. You only get one life and it's a shame to just waste it.

 

Right...

Read your signature.

[Lovelybird]

I agree, but it's not always so simple.

 

What happens when those beliefs themselves are harmful or promote harm?

 

What happens when you have enough people who believe that a chocolate teapot orbits the earth that they force public schools to teach everyone that it's an irrefutable fact?

could you elaborate more what are the harms about Bible in your understanding?