Why are you offended? (beliefs, myth, church, sinners, confess)

[Pah]

If your faith is called a lie, a piece of fluff, a crutch, a myth, or even heretical, why is it some will be offended. How does that effect a strong faith?

[Aqualung]

I only get offended when people tell me it's wrong, and then tell me why it's wrong, and what they say is completely false anyway. Like they say, "Your religioun is wrong because you believe this." and we don't believe that at all. That's offensive because they aren't even taking the time to figure out what their beef is with the church, and then they don't care to change their view enough to think maybe they were wrong about that one part. That's offensive because it shows a supreme lack of respect for my faith and my right to follow it.

[turk179]

Originally Posted by Pah

If your faith is called a lie, a piece of fluff, a crutch, a myth, or even heretical, why is it some will be offended. How does that effect a strong faith?

That is a darn good question, Pah. I would offer that some people may have a little doubt in what they believe. They profess that their faith is strong but in the back of their mind they have questions. Others may look at any accusations about their faith as an insult to their intelligence. As in calling my faith a lie is like calling me ignorant for believing it.

[jeffrey]

I don't believe it's just religion. If you where to belittle my religion, my car, my wife, my job, my education, any of the above, I would take offense. Just like if someone belittled something you believed in or where proud of. And as far as defeating my faith, it would not.

[Victor]

It sucks !! Because how am I to explain to someone something like faith. It's a subjective quality that affects the objective world. So when someone calls it a lie I USED to get bothered. But not anymore. And I have RF to thank for that.

~Victor

[cardero]

I have always wondered this question myself, especially when debating on the subject of religion. If faith is such a powerful ally then some people should be able to go the distance (to a qualified conclusion) in a reasonable logical religious discussion. They cannot and usually predictable emotions begin to surface and their faith abandons them. Faith, as I have repeatedly proven, has never had the quality of strength and endurance.

[michel]

Oh dear; It looks as if I am the only one here who doesn't believe he would be offended.............


I beleive that, and was just questioning why I should not be, when it struck me that my religion has always had to be a private thing; something I cannot share. Put that way, I guess it makes sense.

[Terrywoodenpic]

As a self confessed Heretic I am never offended.
I suppose that if I wasn't so lazy I would try and find a version of Christianity where I would not be a Heretic.
But I believe, in the backwaters of our thoughts, we are all heretics to some extent.
Some would cover that by saying we are all sinners, but heretical view are not necessarily wrong,
They are Just beliefs that are not held by the teachers of your Faith.

As it is God and circumstance have placed me in the Anglican community of believers.
It is not my place nor my intention to spread my beliefs amongst my fellows.
If I am asked I will say what I believe, and trust in God.

Terry_____________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.

[Feathers in Hair]

I don't get offended. I get upset and tend to cry because people don't understand something very important to me. When someone calls my faith into question, it's like they're ignoring their friendship with me and putting their need to feel validated before my feelings. My path may be a lie, a piece of fluff, a crutch, a myth, or even heretical, but since it's my path, and no one else is walking it, I appreciate it if they simply let me be.

[Green Gaia]

Eh, I just don't listen to people who say stuff like that. UUism gets blasted all the time from the more conservative religious folk out there. They don't like us because we believe in religious freedom for everyone, even them.