What is your reaction when people mock your values and beliefs, which they also do not understand?

Question

For example, I happen to be a type of Marxist.

The first three answers illustrate the ignorance I am talking about - I said a TYPE of Marxist.

Answer 1

Well, I've been in that situation before, and when I am, I usually ask myself a few questions:

1. Are they truly mocking me, or just poking fun (without ill intent), or did I misread their intentions? I usually try to confirm my hunch before drawing a conclusion. I know what questions to ask (or how to ask them) in a way that helps expose someone's intentions.

2. Was it a matter of me not explaining myself well, or are they going to find fault with anything I say, regardless of how articulate I might be?

Sometimes I simply have not been clear in my comments, even though I feel like I have been. (For example, you claiming here to be a "type of Marxist" -- to you, that nuance is perfectly clear, but you're also expecting people who at best have a rudimentary understanding of what that means to be able to pick it up and converse intelligently. Of course, a sincere answerer will ask questions about things he does not know, rather than mocking the questioner.)

If I determine that some clarification is needed, I give it before making a judgment of their intent.

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Still, I've learned over time that some people are not interested in listening and are commenting solely because they have an axe to grind. It happens unfortunately more than I would like it to.

When that happened, I used to become very frustrated, feeling like I had to justify myself in some way or somehow win them over to what I believed simply in order to be acceptable to them.

I try not to do that anymore, and the majority of the time have moved past it.

When I've discerned that someone is not "open" to communication and isn't willing to meet me halfway for an actual discussion, I remain polite but simply refuse to invest any more in the conversation.

I also sometimes close out with some open-ended questions (hopefully non-caustic :) ) that I hope will sit around and reverberate for awhile, even if the person already thinks they have all the answers.

It happens to all of us, and I try hard to understand the other POV, even if it does not gel at first glance with what I have come to believe is true.

As far as mocking someone, well, it comes across as hubris and derails conversation. And I think a person who is secure in what they believe and truly interested in others doesn't have an attitude of condescension.

Answer 2

Personally I am a Christian, I do know of quite a few non-belivers and some of these people are very convinced that God does not exist, and my religion has been mocked a few times before.

There are also the many controversies that are rampant in the world that make people even less willing to accept you. For example, Creation vs. Evolution, of which I believe the former is true (long story but evolution is very very unlikely) people don't respectfully argue their case, but put down on Christianity and creation.

However I don't react to them, but treat them just as I would any other person, if not better. I think that being an example to them, and that you can be the better person, will make them be more open to accepting that you share different beliefs.
I think ultimately this is the best thing you can do. Just, DON'T react!

EDIT: I agree with what DA R said as well. I also think that one of the reasons this happens is because of bad examples. There are Christians I know that are terrible examples of the religion. They use vulgarities non stop and are offensive. It's people like these that give a bad name to the rest of the belivers and thus the people who mock the rest do it because they think everyone is like that and thus don't respect them.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 3

It does not matter which belief you are talking about, because it happens in EVERY belief...from political to religious beliefs. There will always be someone who will not see your side of it and will take on a mocking, insulant tone about what they "perceive" is your belief.

Let me use Christianity for an example, because that is MY belief. When I am mocked and ridiculed, and even told I am immature and unenlightened, I am happy because, first off, I do not care what THEY think. Secondly, it gives me the opportunity to explain myself and my beliefs. At times, you are able to clear up some misconceptions and open the lines of communication between you and the mocker.

Because of this, you may either gain a friend with understanding, clear up an enemies understanding, or make them worse. But a 30% chance is better than nothing.


There was a question on here yesterday about Rosie ODonnell's statements on the View about Christians are just terrorists. You have to ask yourself, why did Rosie have such a foul and overkill reaction to those who say she is living in sin? YOUR reaction to mockery and insult, or even being told you are in sin or wrong, will prove much about your security in your own belief. If you are secure and believe fully in your stand, then you will not have a lash out at the person giving you grief.

Answer 4

I am a Born-Again-Christian and find that people believe what they want to believe and are very ignorant of seeking the truth. It's easy to mock a Christian, or someone with Faith, disabled people, etc. These are the people with closed minds and probably never actually listened to what you wrote. Yes, I said listened, because I believe if you are wanting a good and serious conversation with people, you have to ask yourself the same question to yourself.

Unfortunately, most people are answerers and not listeners. Therefore, I feel sorry for them, and actually pray that they might receive guidance from the Lord to understand what I believe. I used to get hurt, I used to get angry and frustrated, but now I brush it off and know I have had experiences that they would never understand. i.e. I've had near death experiences in the Army and in civilian life, and I have also had experiences with my health and been cured by the power of God, I can honestly say that, I wouldn't be here today if I wasn't sure of His existance.

I hope that all makes sense to you, because I think I know how you feel.

Answer 5

If you are starting out by declaring your values and beliefs that is probably where you are going wrong. People like to meet people in light conversation. Once they discover they have a rapport as individuals then they may move on to more serious topics. By that time though they will be giving the other a certain amount of respect and that should not be spoiled by trying to convert someone to your point of view. Difference and diversity is what makes us what we are and if everyone agreed with you just what would you talk about?

Answer 6

Usually, I see it as an opportunity to find out why they think the way they do and to have a discussion or attempt to find common ground but, obviously, how I would react would very much depend on the individual situation. If I were outnumbered, for example, I would walk away.

However, generally, this doesn't happen as I am lucky enough to work and study in an environment where open-mindedness is encouraged and this means that when people disagree they tend to do it respectfully. I sometimes find that people seem a bit taken aback but, in my experience, this is sometimes because they have misunderstood my beliefs and think their choices or preferences will offend me (another opportunity for discussion)!

PS: Great answer from Fortunato.

Answer 7

If you are going to have strong views you also have to be thick skinned, because strong views will always attract criticism.

Criticism and dis-agreement do not automatically arise due to lack of understanding either - some people may understand exactly what you are saying and still think you're a mentalist!! (Some...not all!)

I personally think if people are irrational and ignorant - they are not worth bothering about anyway. Stick by your beliefs!

Answer 8

firstly i don't know what a marxist is?? but that doesn't make a difference to your question.
if someone was politely disagreeing with me, i would listen to their views and opinions then come back with my reply, maybe sometimes you have to agree to disagree.

however, if someone was just blatantly rude or aggressive then i would just tell them that i can see that they don't agree and leave it at that.

everyone is entitled to an opinion although some people believe it's there right to express it if it's asked for or not.

personally i will only give someone my opinion on something if they ask me to, other wise i will just listen. x x

Answer 9

i believe that everyone has the right to live how and believe in what ever they like, just as long as they do not try to enforce their way of life onto you.

i once quoted this to a visiting Jehovah's Witness, who came to ask me if i believed in the power of the lord.
he ever so politely thanked me for an honest answer and has never been back.

if that sentence was used by everyone , then maybe, just maybe, there would be a lot less war in the world

Answer 10

Hi. This is a very sensitive question. Thank you. I am a person who is often the target of negative reactions. I am a free person who questions authority and breaks social customs. I insist that religion be tolerant and loving if it is going to be called religion. But when people attack me or dislike me because of my views, I always feel I have to practice what I preach. So I make every effort to listen to them in humility and patience. I try to listen and see the pain or fear behind the attack. I am no saint, but I try to be a part of the forgiving world that I say we need.