Religious Responses

[Saw11_2000]

What are some responses you have gotten after mentioning your religion to others? Have any of them been negative?

I get "that's interesting", quite a bit. Or "are you really an atheist".

People seem to think that deep down we do believe in God, and we're hiding it, which simply isn't true.

Has your religion being exposed ever changed your relationship with a person. For example, has you and your friends grown apart when they found out you don't think quite like them? Do you find people want less and less to do with you if you're different?

This mostly applies to non-Christians, but this can also apply to Christians being in a non-Christian setting.

 

[Draka]

I've never lost any friends over it, in fact most think it's cool and interesting and ask me questions about it.

However I did have an instructor in college that asked me if I sacrificed goats, had alcohol and sex used in rituals with others and such like that. I told him "no, no goat sacrifices, no ritualistic drunken orgies and no...I don't eat babies" and I walked out of the classroom.

 

[Aqualung]

Three general reaction. I've gotten, "haven't you read the Bible? Then why aren't you a christian?" Or another one is, "Why would you go and do a thing like that?!" Or people try to console me. "oh, that's okay. I've had mormon friends before." I rarely get accpetance.

 

[michel]

There again, the American/European divide; nobody has ever asked me what religion I subscribe to.

 

[Darkdale]

When I tell people I'm an Asatruar, they usually say, Asa what?. Then I say, "I'm a heathen", So you don't believe in God? "No, I believe in many Gods". I thought heathens only cared about pleasure? "Nope, those are hedonists". So what are heathens? "We follow the pre-Christian religion prevalent in Germany, England, Iceland and Scandinavia".

Then they lose interest or ask me if I'm making it up.

 

[Engyo]

Most people think it's interesting that I am a Buddhist. Some ask why my head isn't shaved, and I'm not wearing robes. Only rarely do I get someone damning me to hell, but it has happened a time or two.

Most people have a harder time understanding that (most) Buddhists don't believe in God, than they do accepting that I am a Buddhist.

 

[Darkdale]

However I did have an instructor in college that asked me if I sacrificed goats, had alcohol and sex used in rituals with others and such like that. I told him "no, no goat sacrifices, no ritualistic drunken orgies and no...I don't eat babies" and I walked out of the classroom.

Naw, you gotta hit a Heathen Ritual and if you want to see some serious drinking in a ritual. Imagine a bunch of giant Scots, German, Irish, English, Icelandic people raising toasts for an hour... you need an alcohol tolerance. of course, I can't remember the last time I saw a small heathen. All the heathens I know are bigger than me and I'm 6'3 210lbs. lol

 

[Green Gaia]

"Unitarian Universalist" Most people have a blank stare after I say that, they have no idea what UU is. Those that have heard of it usually respond, "Oh isn't that the church that doesn't believe in anything?" or "Isn't the church that let's you believe in whatever you want?" Both statements of course are not true.

I don't talk to my family about it much, they are abhorred that UUs don't "get preached to" as my grandmother put it, and that we teach our children about all the major religions. So I've found it's best just not to bring up the subject.

 

[Aqualung]

All the heathens I know are bigger than me and I'm 6'3 210lbs. lol

That's why nobody gives you any flak for your religion! :biglaugh:

 

[Feathers in Hair]

"You?! Really?" "I could've sworn you were a Christian!"

It's not something that one gets asked too often, usually, Michel, but some people are more open to asking it then others.

 

[Jaymes]

When I tell people I'm Taoist, they usually say "towel-what?" Then I explain a bit about it. Or try to, anyway. I always find Taoism hard to explain. I think I almost always end up confusing both of us...

 

[Darkdale]

That's why nobody gives you any flak for your religion! :biglaugh:

lol I hadn't thought about it that way, but I would imagine that if anyone stumbled onto a group of heathens, they wouldn't be making demands of any kind. There are all kinds of reasons why people won't respect you, or will, but everyone seems to respect size (that and weapons)... heathens tend to have both. Even the women I've met that practice Asatru are typically strong, powerful people. I wouldn't want to fight with any of them. In asatru, women don't take to passivity very well. They are usually as independent as the men, if not more so; if not more dangerous as well lol.

 

[michel]

When I tell people I'm Taoist, they usually say "towel-what?" Then I explain a bit about it. Or try to, anyway. I always find Taoism hard to explain. I think I almost always end up confusing both of us...

Well, you could become Christian, life would be much easier.......... :biglaugh:

 

[Saw11_2000]

Three general reaction. I've gotten, "haven't you read the Bible? Then why aren't you a christian?" Or another one is, "Why would you go and do a thing like that?!" Or people try to console me. "oh, that's okay. I've had mormon friends before." I rarely get accpetance.

I like mormons. In fact, I've never met a bad one.

Plus, Mormons prefer Pepsi to Coke to a 2:1 ratio. VERY COOL!

 

[Saw11_2000]

"You?! Really?" "I could've sworn you were a Christian!"

It's not something that one gets asked too often, usually, Michel, but some people are more open to asking it then others.

LOL, I've gotten the I could've sword you were a Christian, several times.

 

[Darkdale]

I like mormons. In fact, I've never met a bad one.

Plus, Mormons prefer Pepsi to Coke to a 2:1 ratio. VERY COOL!

lol BOOOO!!!!! Back when I used to drink soda, I was a loyal coke product customer!

I agree with you about Mormons. What I love, is that almost every Mormon I met valued family, community and character as much as I. Always gives us something to talk about.

 

[Saw11_2000]

I like Dasani better than Aquafina, and I like Sprite better than Sierra Mist.

That's all I'll give them.

But, yes, Mormons have always been very polite and decent people, from what I've seen. I'm sure there are some bad apples, but every religion has those.

 

[Jaymes]

Plus, Mormons prefer Pepsi to Coke to a 2:1 ratio. VERY COOL!

WHAT?!

Okay, up until now I didn't have a problem with Mormons... I even liked the ones I've spoken with...

But that's the last straw! A 2:1 Pepsi:Coke ratio is an obvious sign of great perversion and mental sickness!

 

[Crystal Red]

I get 'what the f*ck is that?' alot. I only explain on Tuesdays, any other day I make up something proposterous that I have stolen shamelessly from someone else, such as 'it is an amalgamation of gnome fetishes' or 'five tons of flax'

 

[Aqualung]

I like mormons. In fact, I've never met a bad one.

Plus, Mormons prefer Pepsi to Coke to a 2:1 ratio. VERY COOL!

Yep, I'm a pepsi drinker myself (if I drink soda. I'm not a big soda fan to begin with.). I'll agree that most people like mormons, and I haven't lost any friends over my religion, but they just think I'm stupid or that I have no idea what the Bible says, or I have no idea what science says, and they try to convince me of my stupidity (whilst they won't even bother to pick up a Book of Mormon to see if they are saying is right).

I agree with you about Mormons. What I love, is that almost every Mormon I met valued family, community and character as much as I. Always gives us something to talk about.

Yeah. People slam us for not being christians, and then admire us for our christian values. (not you. just the people who hate us)

But that's the last straw! A 2:1 Pepsi:Coke ratio is an obvious sign of great perversion and mental sickness!

I never had a problem with taoists, either. Until now! Knockout

lol BOOOO!!!!! Back when I used to drink soda, I was a loyal coke product customer!

Don't worry darkdale. I don't have a problem with heathens. He. hehe. *runs from the 6'3" 210 heathen*