Religious Responses (rituals, hell, America, atheist, bible)

Saw11_2000 · #1 10-05-2005, 02:28 PM

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 · #2 10-05-2005, 02:35 PM

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 · #3 10-05-2005, 02:48 PM

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 · #4 10-05-2005, 02:51 PM

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

Darkdale · #5 10-05-2005, 02:53 PM

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 · #6 10-05-2005, 02:54 PM

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 · #7 10-05-2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draka

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 · #8 10-05-2005, 02:57 PM

"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 · #9 10-05-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkdale

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!