• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Why should I hide my beliefs?

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
@ChristineM reminded me that I've been meaning to post on this topic when she commented this on my previous thread My religious journey so far in response to me saying I plan on putting up an altar to Lucifer
Maybe not a good idea living in a home. It may offend some of the staff.

Why should I hide my beliefs? Why is it as a pagan I am always told not to put up an altar or pray to my gods in a room where there are Christians? This goes for outside the group home too. People often speak of freedom of religion. But the moment I practice my beliefs whether it be pagan or in this case satanic I am immediately told that it's offensive to christians to practice my beliefs around them just because I believe differently. Why is that?
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
@ChristineM reminded me that I've been meaning to post on this topic when she commented this on my previous thread My religious journey so far in response to me saying I plan on putting up an altar to Lucifer


Why should I hide my beliefs? Why is it as a pagan I am always told not to put up an altar or pray to my gods in a house where there are Christians? People often speak of freedom of religion. But the moment I practice my beliefs whether it be pagan or in this case satanic I am immediately told that it's offensive to christians to practice my beliefs around them just because I believe differently. Why is that?

I personally think you can do whatever you want so long as its legal, decent and honest. Unfortunately there are others who think people can do whatever they want so long as they agree with it. I have always found a percentage of christians are nasty, vindictive people and have learned to stay out of their way
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
I personally think you can do whatever you want so long as its legal, decent and honest. Unfortunately there are others who think people can do whatever they want so long as they agree with it. I have always found a percentage of christians are nasty, vindictive people and have learned to stay out of their way
I understand. I wasn't trying to accuse you of anything. I just been meaning to post on this topic for a while and you reminded me. Thank you for that.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
I don't know if you share a room with anyone, but it could cause friction over you having an altar to Lucifer. But if you don't care, I guess that doesn't matter. It is likely to make Christians around you uncomfortable, at least. I mean you have to see it through their eyes, too. They believe Satan to be evil and that he seeks to spiritually ruin people. So it logically follows that they probably aren't going to be cool with Satanism. Just something to be prepared for.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Anyone can be obnoxious with their beliefs if they make them too obvious. A small altar should not cause any more criticism than a small cross would. But if someone had a giant cross on display that would be a cause for concern. Making a display too ostentatious can be perceived as an assault on the beliefs of others regardless of religion.

If you ever are chasing a live chicken down the hallway with a hatchet in one hand you might want to tone it down a bit.
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
I don't know if you share a room with anyone, but it could cause friction over you having an altar to Lucifer. But if you don't care, I guess that doesn't matter.
Oh I know. I just don't think it should. If it bothers someone that I believe differently they shouldnt voice their opinion if they do not wish to be respectful. They could ask questions sure maybe voice their discomfort if they wish for me not to talk about it but dont stop me from practicing.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
Oh I know. I just don't think it should. If it bothers someone that I believe differently they shouldnt voice their opinion if they do not wish to be respectful. They could ask questions sure maybe voice their discomfort if they wish for me not to talk about it but dont stop me from practicing.
Personally, if I as a Christian was in a situation like that, where I had to share a room with someone and they were a Satanist and practicing it there, I would request to be moved to a different room and complain to stuff if they refuse. I wouldn't go on about it with the person.
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
Personally, if I as a Christian was in a situation like that, where I had to share a room with someone and they were a Satanist and practicing it there, I would request to be moved to a different room and complain to stuff if they refuse. I wouldn't go on about it with the person.
Fair enough. As long as the person doen't try to force me to not practice my beliefs I am good. If moving to a different room prevents them from being a butthole I am all for that.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
The group home doesn't allow roommates so I dont have to worry about it.
Private rooms means more freedom in expressing your beliefs. If someone complains about what you have in your room they are the ones with a problem. Roommates complicate situations and it is nice to hear that you do not have that problem.
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
It is likely to make Christians around you uncomfortable, at least. I mean you have to see it through their eyes, too. They believe Satan to be evil and that he seeks to spiritually ruin people. So it logically follows that they probably aren't going to be cool with Satanism. Just something to be prepared for.
It's not just satan where I run into this problem. It's also a problem I've ran into before when all Ive worshipped is pagan deities. And if they truely believe in religious freedom they still shouldn't try to stop me from practicing my beliefs. Voice their opinion yes but dont try to limit who and how I worship.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
It's not just satan where I run into this problem. It's also a problem I've ran into before when all Ive worshipped is pagan deities. And if they truely believe in religious freedom they still shouldn't try to stop me from practicing my beliefs.
I would suggest Pastafarianism, but people might think that you are laughing at them. And yes, we are:rolleyes:
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
It's not just satan where I run into this problem. It's also a problem I've ran into before when all Ive worshipped is pagan deities. And if they truely believe in religious freedom they still shouldn't try to stop me from practicing my beliefs. Voice their opinion yes but dont try to limit who and how I worship.
@Saint Frankenstein Adding to this why should I try to see it from their viewpoint when most haven't tried in the slightest to understand and see my viewpoint? Instead they make assumptions and assume I am evil.
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
@ChristineM reminded me that I've been meaning to post on this topic when she commented this on my previous thread My religious journey so far in response to me saying I plan on putting up an altar to Lucifer


Why should I hide my beliefs? Why is it as a pagan I am always told not to put up an altar or pray to my gods in a room where there are Christians? This goes for outside the group home too. People often speak of freedom of religion. But the moment I practice my beliefs whether it be pagan or in this case satanic I am immediately told that it's offensive to christians to practice my beliefs around them just because I believe differently. Why is that?

Sometimes it's for safety. I'd hide my beliefs as well, in certain places on this planet. Why risk death?
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
@Saint Frankenstein Adding to this why should I try to see it from their viewpoint when most haven't tried in the slightest to understand and see my viewpoint? Instead they make assumptions and assume I am evil.
Well, Satan is seen as evil in Christianity so I suppose there's no way around that. You can't change how people will respond to you. That doesn't mean people should mistreat you over it.
 
Top