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God, Religion, and all of that Stuff.
It is pretty much impossible for me to empathize/understand people who believe in God and religion. I am fully against both of them, for a long list of reasons that I don't need to go in to. The deal is, people tell me I'm being sacreligous/a heretic/going to hell, but I can't understand where they're coming from AT ALL. To me evangelists and deeply religous people just seem like pitiful, misguided puppets of a nonexistent power. It tends to screw up my relationships with people.... Any advice?
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Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
Heh, well to start off, I guess I should say that I do believe in God. Having said that I would also like to mention that I'm not here to convert or force anything on anyone. If something happens and people gain their own belief in God...hoorah. If not, oh well. I don't know your long list of reasons, but I'm sure they're serious ones that don't need delving into. If you choose not to believe in God, that's your decision. I mean, He gave us choice. People who try to scare you into believing in Him IE "You're going to Hell" is just sad. As for the puppets to a nonexistant power...well thats your opinion. I say that if arguments over the subject are killing relationships w/ people...just avoid it and don't say much, if anything at all on it. As for myself and the "nonexistent power"...well, I think there's more to us and the world than what seems true by logic and what can be easily explained. Anyhow, no real advice I guess....just opinions, have fun =D.
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Well my advice would be to not offer your opinion on this subject, even when asked. If you'd like to talk about it, maybe try to 'sugarcoat' your responses. Show some empathy, even if you can't show sympathy. Try to care, even if you don't. I wouldn't see you as "heretic" or "going to Hell" so much as I would an uncaring person. Know what I mean? Sometimes we just have to bite our tongues. Good luck.
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from both parts there has to develop some tolerance. everyone sees religion differently, so don't start fights about being religious, but if you show some tolerance toward other's oppinions then maybe they will show some toward you. not everyone knows someone who is against religion, so if someone asks you about it, explain it calmly.
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When a friend of yours now or someone new you meet brings up religion tell them that you don't feel comfortable talking about religion and that it has messed up your past relationships getting into all that stuff. Remind them that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and to stop being so narrow minded.
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hey me too! i just try not to think about it and just be friends with them anyways.
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I understand exactly. People will get into a discussion with me about god only because they know I don't believe in god. I can't stand people who try to push you into believing something you don't believe in. Hell, Bush claims he's a Christian and he'd be the one to burn in hell before anyone else. If god were real, he wouldn't want other people to push their religon down on other people. I think that the Tooth Fairy is easier to believe in then god. I mean seriously, why would you believe in going up to heaven. Most people have this vision that when we die, we turn into like angels and spend all of eternity up in "heaven" in a make believe kind of fairy palace. I guess people did this because there so afraid to die they made up this sort of idea that there's an old long gray bearded man in "heaven" who keeps track of everyone on like a huge score board. Anyway I'll quit taking up your thime and give you advice on how to deal with these jerks. Just tell them to leave you alone and they can't force you to believe in something you don't want to. Tell them it's a free country and to stay out of your face. Or to make it easier, just ignore them. My whole family is very religous, including both my parents. They always try to make me go to church with them and I can't stand it. Eventually they got the idea when I told them no 100 billion times.
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Yeah, simpley don't get into discussions with people about religion if you value their friendship. If they are pushing the issue, tell them that you don't agree but but would rather not discuss the subject when nothing can be accomplished by it.
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I've always had a problem with the people who try to serve their religion up to you on a platter.
Here's a quick backround story: I believe in a higher power. Not the christian god. I believe Christ was a man and a great teacher.
You know how you deal with the close minded? Tell them you'll consider it, and you're glad they shared their opinion with you. Be flat out nice and gracious about it, because it's the only thing they can accept. They are firmly ingrained with the concept that their opinion is the only acceptable answer for all the hard questions.
This being said, it is not the majority of those in the Christian, Catholic, or other faiths. I have so much respect for those that follow the teachings and moral convictions of a religion, but do not push it onto others.
I've always believed that the moral education one gets from religion is excellent. To an extent. As soon as the phrase "Will of God" or "Don't kill God's children" gets thrown in, I throw the words out, because they're skewed. My personal belief, and please, anyone, I love talking about this stuff, because I want to know as much about everything to do with it as possible, because it intrigues me.
Hope I helped.
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i know exactly how you feel. someone says something about religion, and you dont agree so you throw in your word and it turns into a "well your a dumbass for thinking like that" throw down over some barbed wire type of thing. good news..its definately not like that anymore, now that i just keep my opinions to myself. maybe not so much to where i just keep my mouth shut, but i dont try to change peoples ideas or views, maybe just tell them what i think and if they dont like it, or dont agree..then i dont question them, just change the subject. i have my views and they have theirs..just try to be a little open minded and if you cant just change the subject. it may be easier said than done, but its all i got. hope you dont get into too many throw downs over barbed wire because of it :)
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The best advice I can give is that religion is a strong thing to some people. It's something they can hold onto, to keep them living in a way. If you don't believe in any of that, than don't listen to them. They're going by what they believe and understand, some people are just different and that's how it's always going to be.
-Hope this helps in any way possible!-
~Sam
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(Written by a Christian, so this will be from the viewpoint of a follower of Christ, not any other religion. (not Catholic, not Protestant or any other label, just a believer in God and Christ))
It's funny you mention "evangelists" specifically... It's hard for me to understand them too. Especially the ones on TV begging for money from little old ladies barely getting by, while they are living in mansions, driving fancy cars, wearing expensive clothing, and covering their "stage" area with gold-plated angels and other ridiculous things. I can't empathize with those fake-Christians at all.
I can also understand feeling sorry for the people who buy into the whole TV-evangelist circus. Giving money to someone like that, when they could use that money to benefit local people who are truly needy... Yes, I think that's pretty misguided.
But if you are also having problems with ordinary people who believe in Yahweh (God) and Yeshua (Christ), I'm not sure why it should bother you, really. I mean, if they are preaching at you all the time, and you have told them over and over that you don't want to hear it, I can see how that would get annoying.
I have some help for you with that, though... You can basically use the Bible's own words to keep them from nagging you uselessly.
Get them to listen to this audio file:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
If they are an actual preacher/pastor, this one is geared more towards them:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Send them the link, or burn it to CD and give it to them, whatever it takes. If they really listen to it, they should understand that annoying you isn't what they should be doing. You'll be helping them, and helping yourself at the same time.
On the other hand, if it's not a matter of them annoying you, but you unable to keep from telling them how stupid you think they are... That's something only you can deal with. Most people aren't going to react well if you tell them you think their beliefs are wrong or stupid.
Even amongst ourselves, Christians sometimes argue about whether certain beliefs are right or wrong, and nobody likes to hear they might be wrong. For instance, I catch a lot of flack because of my views on the differences between Catholicism and *exclusively* Bible-based Christianity. Catholics tend to be upset that I view many of the man-made Catholic doctrines as un-Biblical. But that's my opinion.
At any rate, you might be interested in this link:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
It's an absolutely fascinating read about a former die-hard atheist who was determined to write a book called "All the Stupidity of the Bible".
As a teacher of physics and earth science, he is a logical and analytical person.
He also looked into many religions and read the Vedas, Koran, Sayings of Buddha, writings of Bahaullah and Zoroaster.
If you read that with an open-mind, maybe some of his experiences might help you? At the very least, maybe your negative feelings towards believers will be mellowed and you will find it easier to understand them and get along with them, even if you still don't agree with them.
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Now this next part might not even apply to you, but in case you might be a former believer who has become disgusted by hypocrisy and "Churchianity", I urge you to read my answer to this question:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Scroll down, my answer is the very bottom answer. It addresses some of the major problems with many "Churches" these days.
I hope something here helped. :-)
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Yeah, I used to be like that, until I met a really awesome Catholic woman who was one of my greatest mentors ever. You probably tend to think that all Christians are close-minded people who force their beliefs on others. And a lot of them are, but that's just a human thing, not a Christian thing. The key is acceptance. It's really not that hard when you set your mind to it. Whenever somebody does something that you don't like, just take a deep breath and say to yourself, "That's just the way they are." I mean, they're people too. I think all people need to be more accepting of each other. It's fine to think whatever you want about them, I'm sure they have their own opinions about you. But we're all just people, and we should try to be good to each other no matter what differences we have. I know that sounds incredibly sappy, but hey, I'm one of those optimists.
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Hey
I can't say i'm as religious as most people, but i do try to attend church every sunday. its ok to have confusion about the religions. i know we all have our doubts about our religon, like how can it be true? it depends on how you take in the information. let's face it, everything can't be explained. No one can tell you who or what you are. it's completly up to you. just to be yourself.also, everyone has their own religion. but i wanted to know if you have given the religion you are talking about a chance. you never know. as for the relationships with the people, we can't change who we are, we are all diferent with different cultures, religion and beleifs. of course everyone should be more opened minded to different things and experience. its what makes life interesting. i hope this helps.
~***Victoria***~
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I used to be the exact same. I thought people who were religious and everything were crazy for believing in stuff like that. But now that I have my own personal walk with God I can honestly see why they are religious. You must believe for yourself that God is real. You have to know it and believe it. Once you accept him into your heart the rest will follow. HE will speak to you.
I remember the first time I actually felt the presence of God. That was a time I will never forget. I felt like he took my hand and assured me that everything would be all right because he was watching over me. The feelings that were going through my body and my emotions I had are absolutely unexplainable. The are no words to let you know how strong it was. But you MUST experience it for yourself. Then you will know exactly what I'm talking about.
If you want some bible scriptures or any other type of help feel free to write me back any time.
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