When You Meet Someone In Person????

Question

At what point do you inquire as to their religion?

Does their religion, or lack of, generally play into how you perceive them to be?

Or is this something that is reserved for the anonymous nature of this forum??

Elaborate, if you will. Thank you.

Answer 1

I've never asked anybody about his or her religion. I don't care. I might care if the relationship start growing and becoming stronger, but if it's someone I just met, why indulge in a conversation that can lead to conflict?

Answer 2

I don't inquire about a person's religion Once in a while someone in my life will mention their religion and I'll ask a question in a respectful way about it if I have one. Mostly I just listen though. If a person gets into proselytizing, I immediately head for the hills. I rarely bring the subject up except with truly good friends. My closest friends are many different religions and some are agnostic or atheists. None of them try to push their religion or absence of it on me. I do the same with them. And when we get together we have some really super discussions on God and religion. But there is never any arguing about it. On this forum, I sometimes respond to questions about religion. In fact I used one of your questions to blow off some steam, but not at you. Wow, your questions can sometimes help me really clarify my thoughts and feelings on religion. I think some of the people on this site are so very indoctrinated into a belief system they don't know themselves from it. It is as though there is no person there. But I suppose that some people have to do that. Hope your having a good day, Spooky.

Answer 3

I never raise the question of religious beliefs when I meet someone. When I am asked, I tell the responder that I am an atheist. The discussion stops at that point as the other person usually tries to persuade me that I am wrong. I do not try to persuade the other person to believe as I do.

I try to end the discussion as gracefully as I can. Religion (and politics) are divisive topics and I have more things to do than argue with people who have no intention of changing their minds.

The anonymous nature of this forum intrigues me, not because I like to argue, but because the discussions here are a vehement microcosm of what is happening in our country today. Radical views from opposite poles dominate the discussion threads, and most of those in the middle are shouted down by the name-calling. What a sad thing for a democracy built on the idea of free speech and thought!

Answer 4

I have to say I really don't ask too often. I was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. I no longer practice this religion. One reason being that they do not except people that are not of their faith, they play judge over peoples lives and make decisions that change the well being of their followers.I really love to hear other peoples point of view on religion. If a person strikes me as very sweet or kind then sometimes I will ask when we are first meeting, I guess it really depends on how open I feel that the person is to answering this question. Sometimes you can get a sense on what is appropriate and not appropriate to ask certain people. I don't judge people on their choice of religions or their lack of need to have one. I was raised with such close minded people that I except all people and their choices. As long as their religion is not harmful to people or animals.I speak on line with many friends that are Muslim, they have an intense love and respect for their God, I ask them many questions. One is from Egypt, the other from Iraq. What religion are you by the way...Hope to hear from ya, have a great day.

Answer 5

I never ask up front actually. I wait to see if something is said. If nothing comes up by the third time I'm meeting them I'll casually bring it up to see.
Lack of religion doesn't really play a major part for me as long as the person is spiritual. I think I'm more spiritual than religious. If the person worshiped Stan and had all these Satanic rituals they did every day like sacrificing a baby then yeah that would be a huge NO NO.

Answer 6

The subject of beliefs rarely comes up in my daily life. I meet new people all the time - colleagues, patients, etc. I might notice if someone's wearing a cross or a pentagram, or whatever, but that doesn't give me a 'cookie cutter' perception of that individual. I come in R&S and discuss all this stuff anonymously that I haven't spoken to a real person about in ages. As an example, I've never spoken to an atheist about why they don't believe in God. But, here in R&S, I'm learning a lot by reading the words of people who believe differently than I do. For that matter, I'm reading a lot from Christians who believe differently than I do! I hope that answers the question. Thanks for asking.

Answer 7

I think after a while, people give clues in person. I don't think I have a designated time to ask, but I know I have asked. I think when it's relevant to understanding a person's thinking or outlook.

I do think that it is to some degree important to know on this forum - not that everyone pays attention. I don't know how many times people have been misunderstood when trying to promote tolerance or play devil's advocate. People assume they are on the opposite side of whatever their real view is.

But, if a Christian is asking a question about a doctrinal issue and other perspectives chime in, it's good to realize that they are other perspectives from outside Christianity and not different perspectives of other Christians.

Answer 8

It really depends on the situation. If you are joining our religious discussion group it is bound to come out pretty fast (we meet semi-weekly and have a great time). If you are a neighbor it might come out within the first ten years of our acquaintance, then again it might not. And, unless you ask me point blank I’ll probably avoid the question and even then I just might say, “I have a relationship with a higher power.” Generally I won't ask.

Here, I play with my cards really open. I do not want someone to think I’m misleading them.

Oh yea… Spooky, I think you do have spiritual practices. I just think you just call them something else.

Answer 9

I never inquire about a person's religion. It just rears it's ugly head in the form of certain sayings and attitudes that instantly clue me in to their religious beliefs. For example, the lady who runs the store next to my office is a serious christian. She is very nice and we get along fine because she has no clue that I'm an atheist. She, however wears her faith on her sleeve, so to speak, and everyother word is "thank God" and "praise Jesus". I find her unflinching religious openess to be rather brave and admirable. But, of course as an atheist, I also see her as a blind sheep. I will never try to make her see my point of view as an atheist, I feel no need to ruin her christian joy with my logic or make her see me as a possible demonic presence to be both feared and avoided. Or worse, give her a goal to convert me, ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
I live and let live, when it comes to everyone's religious preferences. I keep my views to myself, unless sincerely asked.

Answer 10

I never ask about anyone's religion, but if religiously oriented topics come up in discussion, I don't feel shy about offering my views.

As long as the person is respectful and tolerant, it really doesn't matter to me what faith (if any) he/she follows. It's no more important than their opinions on politics, or on any moderately controversial topic, for that matter. I get along fine with anyone who isn't an obnoxious fanatic.

Of course I do like it best when people share my views, but I recognize that there are lots of decent and intelligent people who don't.

Answer 11

As friends, the question might come up after a month or so. If it's a guy I'm dating, the first date. The religion of another person doesn't bother me. All I ask is that they respect my religion and I will, of course, respect theirs. Any boyfriend of mine has to understand that I go to church every week. I had one boyfriend get jealous of my one hour with God a week, so it is an issue.

I judge people by their actions, not religion.