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Location: Ohio, but moving to El Paso, TX August/September
434 posts, read 1,649,485 times
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Do you generally feel ok with other people believing a religion (or none) that is different from your beliefs?
I'll go first..I don't care what people want to worship as long as it does not infringe on the rights of others and no one is forced to be a specific religion (hence why I am a firm believer in the separation of church and state).
My biggest problems with certain groups (and they can be found in all religions) are the radicals. Not that long ago, I was in the store and this woman came up to me, touched my kids on their heads and started quoting Bible versus and telling me how the Iraq war was ordained by God to help Israel take over the Middle East so Jesus could come back to Earth and that global warming was a good sign of Jesus coming. I looked at her and told her I guess I was out of luck then since I wasn't a Christian. As a non-Christian, I would never go up to a stranger and push my beliefs on them. I have huge issues with radical Muslims. Umm, yeah, you want Sharia law, make your own country, Backwardsistan. I have huge issues with orthodox Jews. Get yourselves out of the illegal settlements already. I have huge issues with ultra religious of every group.
People who want to believe what they want to believe and can separate their ideas from wanting to install rules to force others to believe as they do, those folks I'm ok with.
EMJBULLS,
I am okay with people believeing in other religions or none at all. I believe religion is a very personal matter and that my best way to "preach" is to quietly practice what I believe. I have a difficult time with anyone forcing anything on anyone. That comes from my family, I know. I will always be willing to answer questions if someone asked but I do not believe in trying to push my belief onto someone else. I would have a hard time if someone did that to my child.
Agreed, the radicals are a headache. They feel that they are the only people who "tow the line" in their religions. They can't handle disagreements well, and some even blow up ****!
radical people of any faith, including my own, get on my nerves. I think there is an appropriate time to share ones faith, if someone wants to here it, but if they dont and you try anyway, loudly and obnoxsiouly, youve hurt more than youve helped....IMHO
But to the OP..I dont have a prob with any body elses religion or lack thereof, as long as they let me do whatever I want too.
I'm afraid to post my answer because I will get slammed again. But here goes, I think as long as you are living a good life you have no worries. I also think you should share your beliefs in a respectful and caring way that does not alienate people or their own personal beliefs.
I believe as long as you are not hurting anyone you should be able to believe what you want. I am a Wiccan and I have a Christian pastor as a friend and he is constantly trying to shove his religion down my throat. He even gives me books to read. That is my main problem and also the radicals.
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