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Why should I hide my beliefs?

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran 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.

It's not like your average christian cares if non-christians aren't cool with their christianity.

Which is kind of ironic seeing how many times they preach the "do unto others..." line.
 

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran 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.

I'm betting you won't be going from door to door or stopping people in the streets and bother them with your "good news" though.
 

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran Member
What do you mean by that?

It's pretty straight forward.
"Christianity" (as a momevement / a people) in secular western countries demands "privileges" all the time. To the point of even trying to legislate their religious beliefs.

The vast majority of them doesn't care if christianity might be offensive to non-christian. In fact, they can't even fathom the idea.

How many times have we seen stories about kids in US schools being shunned and humiliated simply because they didn't feel like joining in group prayer or whatever?


When your average christians complains about other people's beliefs, like described in the OP, those christians are just being immensly hypocritical.

I'ld just throw their "do unto others..." line in their face.

"Practice what you preach bro", I would say.


For the record: I happen to think that the core of the christian message IS incredibly offensive. And degrading. As far as I am concerned, christianity is pure psychological poison.

But I don't run around trying to get churches to close down.

**mod edit**
 
Last edited by a moderator:

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran Member
I dont think this part happens much anymore as group prayer isn't mandatory in public school

The point exactly. Not mandatory, yet this happens anyway.


But, this thread isn't about christianity...
I was just making the point that I see this behavior that you have to deal with as INCREDIBLY hypocritical.
 

VoidCat

Pronouns: he/him/they/them
The point exactly. Not mandatory, yet this happens anyway.
Could you provide a few examples? I never had group prayer in school and Ive never looked up stuff on this topic. I dont know of any incident in recent times this has happened. Call me ignorant.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
It's pretty straight forward.
"Christianity" (as a momevement / a people) in secular western countries demands "privileges" all the time. To the point of even trying to legislate their religious beliefs.

The vast majority of them doesn't care if christianity might be offensive to non-christian. In fact, they can't even fathom the idea.

How many times have we seen stories about kids in US schools being shunned and humiliated simply because they didn't feel like joining in group prayer or whatever?


When your average christians complains about other people's beliefs, like described in the OP, those christians are just being immensly hypocritical.

I'ld just throw their "do unto others..." line in their face.

"Practice what you preach bro", I would say.


For the record: I happen to think that the core of the christian message IS incredibly offensive. And degrading. As far as I am concerned, christianity is pure psychological poison.

But I don't run around trying to get churches to close down.

**mod edit
Um, okay. This seems to be more of a problem with Evangelical Protestants in America.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran Member

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran Member
Um, okay. This seems to be more of a problem with Evangelical Protestants in America.

If only.

No.

The entire "debate", on both sides of the atlantic, on issues like euthanasia, abortion, gay marriage, being gay in general, .... even on things like stemcell research is entrenched in christian / religious dogmatic belief.

Those who argue against these things, aren't doing so with secular argumentation. Ultimately, their "argument" is "my god / bible / religion is against it".


The UK government (what's it called, the "house of lords"?) even has permanent seats reserved for 26 bishops.

Look at what is happening in Poland at the moment.

Yes, the problem in the US is even bigger. But it is very much a misunderstand / misrepresentation that this isn't an issue in other secular democratic countries.

Perhaps the issue is that this is so common that people don't even notice it anymore.
I assure you though: those people wanting to get euthanized, who want to go through abortion, who want to marry their gay partner.... they notice.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
If only.

No.

The entire "debate", on both sides of the atlantic, on issues like euthanasia, abortion, gay marriage, being gay in general, .... even on things like stemcell research is entrenched in christian / religious dogmatic belief.

Those who argue against these things, aren't doing so with secular argumentation. Ultimately, their "argument" is "my god / bible / religion is against it".


The UK government (what's it called, the "house of lords"?) even has permanent seats reserved for 26 bishops.

Look at what is happening in Poland at the moment.

Yes, the problem in the US is even bigger. But it is very much a misunderstand / misrepresentation that this isn't an issue in other secular democratic countries.

Perhaps the issue is that this is so common that people don't even notice it anymore.
I assure you though: those people wanting to get euthanized, who want to go through abortion, who want to marry their gay partner.... they notice.
That's just part of living in a democracy. Conservative Christians have as much right to advocate for their positions, too.
 

TagliatelliMonster

Veteran Member
That's just part of living in a democracy.

It shouldn't be part of living in a secular democracy.
Religious beliefs should hold no weight in anything concerning law, public policy, etc.

Conservative Christians have as much right to advocate for their positions, too.

By "advocate for their position", what you really mean is force their religious beliefs on the rest of us.

The law doesn't force christians to have abortions, marry same sex partners or be euthanized.
This is all them trying to tell others what (not) to do simply because their religion disagrees.

Contrast that for example with a debate on wether or not to legalize heroin.
Such a law would not force anyone to use heroin either.

But there is an actual real debate there, with real arguments concerning societal and individual health etc. Based on real data, real science, real studies.

Not some iron age superstitious dogma.
 

Samael_Khan

Goosebender
@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?

It is because you must think of the consequences. Most people are ignorant about your beliefs and in a predominantly Christian place you might start the proverbial "witch hunts" over again. This whole rhetoric about freedom of religion is a load of crap. Really, all other religions are subject to the whims and prejudices of the main religion. they say you are free to practice your faith but then they bully you because of the practice. Is that really freedom of religion? Especially when religions condemn each other?

Also, just hearing the name of your religion can cause distress in others. I know of christians who get triggered by Harry Potter and fear those who practice paganism because of their paranoid delusions so you could inadvertently cause harm to others who are sensitive to such things.

So what you should maybe do is take time to think of the consequences and then come to a decision?
 
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