...Or having "morals" forced on them? There are many ideologies and opinions being expoused out there about a great many subjects, some of it from radicals or looney tunes, but no one has ever been able to shove anything down my throat or force me to accept something I don't believe in, so I find this reather odd. Are they unable to resist pressure from others? Is someone forcing them to read stuff they don't want to? Do they mean they don't want people expressing their beliefs, while they freely express theirs? Do they want people to refrain from voting...or what? How can something get forced down one's throat? What do people mean when they say this?
2006-08-13 13:34:57 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I understand the ire, and agree. And yes, I know what the expression means, and I have had plenty of experiences where people try to 'force' their beliefs on me. But we deal handily with phone solicitors, TV ads, junk mail, used car salesmen and politicians all the time, all trying to sell us a bill of goods...but we don't use that term. For some reason matters of morals and religion really get our goat. Perhaps it hits a nerve. I don't know. But so far, cybeq has my vote. Cabbage and monkey brains......
2006-08-13 14:30:55 · update #1
What a lot of people fail to realize is that "religion" is actually a spicy Guatemalan dish made from cabbage and monkey brains. Back in the 1800's they would take this spicy dish and literally "shove it down the throat" of petty criminals. So today when someone says:"Hey, don't shove your religion down my throat" they actually think you are saying they are a criminal. Personally I would get offended if someone tried to shove cabbage and monkey brains down my throat too.
2006-08-13 13:43:05 · answer #1 · answered by Cybeq 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The odds are that you know what is meant by this commonly used phrase. but in case you are sincere, I'll give my view.
When adults say they don't like having religion "shoved down their throats" they mean that although they have their minds made up about their own religion, others are attempting to convert them or alter their religious beliefs, or tell them that they are immoral or godless. This occurs quite a bit in Christianity where many evangelical denominations encourage members to go out and preach the gospel, or spread the specific beliefs of the denomination to the "unconverted" or "unsaved".
When children or adolescents say they don't like religion being forced on them sometimes they are in the same situation as the adults I described, but more commonly, they are resisting religious instruction from their parents, their minister or their Sunday school teacher.
You say that no one has been able to force you to accept anything you don't believe in, therefore, you have experienced this phenomenon of someone trying to convert you or change your beliefs! It is the distinction between being preached to and being preached at. Between preaching to the choir and preaching to the unwilling..This not a difficult distinction, and you have implicitly stated that you've experienced it yourself.
2006-08-13 20:38:26 · answer #2 · answered by TxSup 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is an expression. Many religious people try to change laws to suit their needs and force governents to accept them. They pressure TV stations and companies to pull shows and commercials they don't agree with. Many of these so called religious people are the most vocal and keep pushing their agenda. If I want to watch a show, why should they care? If they don't like it, turn off the TV? No one is forcing them to watch it.
2006-08-13 20:45:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
some people say this because they believe the actions of others in promoting their religeon or beliefs are too straightforward, i.e. people are being too pushy with their religeon. they think people are forcing their religeous beliefs on those who dont want them. every case is different. and having it shoved down their throats is not a literal expression (for the most part, unless they were forced to have communion or something). people feel they are having religeon forced upon them. thats all it means.
2006-08-13 20:41:17 · answer #4 · answered by swimma35 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When they say having a religion shoved down thier throats they mean having a person tell them that thier religion is wrong, or that my religion is the only way. Most people don't appreciate it, and I've had it tried on me before. I tell you it made me sour to the religion all together. People need time to decide what religion if any they will believe in.
2006-08-13 20:39:06 · answer #5 · answered by silverboy470 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
when the church tries to get the government to pass church sponsored legislation or when religious politicians make decisions based on religious faith
laws that reflect moral codes of conduct not considered injust like say dress codes or cussing
in my opinion in the US no church has any right to petition any branch of government for any reason because no church can have political power without subjugating other religious faiths meaning if you let christianity gain ground they could make jewish faith illegal i have read the writings that went with the founders views on this and they clearly stated that the constitution protected all religious faiths and all religions no exceptions this is not a nation under the rule and guide of christanity by the constitution they were very clear on this matter it is just that biased opinion has changed that and we no longer respect it
2006-08-13 20:52:18 · answer #6 · answered by Wyatt Earp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you! Noone has or ever will "shove" ANYTHING down my throat.
ALOT of people are weak. That's why there is so much war in the world. A simple display of power and people will fall into line.
They say this because the average person can't resist the pull of religion because they need SOMETHING to believe in.
Plus my own personal theory......people are ******* retarded!
2006-08-13 20:42:19 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some people constantly push their beliefs ..talking..every conversation... rediculing because you do not think the way they do... judging you... for not knowing or being like them... i agree.. that people can not force..me to do what i do not want... but harping and badgering... gets tiresome. some people have done rotten things all their lives..and as soon as they decide to change..they feel every should. people do things at their own pace..right or wrong. i know people who smoked for twenty years and quit.. now of a sudden all smokers are intolerable. i think that is rediculous. i quit..but i am not judging those who haven't. so that is the way some people are with religion. there way is the only way.... and they insist you follow their lead.
2006-08-13 20:42:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is an analogy to eating food. Someone offers you food, you say no thank you. That is analagous to your own experience above. But if someone kept offering, over and over. And then held the food in front of you when you tried to turn away. And then tried to make you, force you, to 'swallow' it. It's a difference in persistance and degree and invasion of personal space between offering, displaying, and chasing you down with it.
2006-08-13 20:39:44 · answer #9 · answered by Rjmail 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really down a throat. Forced upon a person.
2006-08-13 20:40:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋