Non religious people: How do you put up with the crap from other religious people?

Question

I am not religious and I like to follow my instincts and not be tied down by some strict, inhibiting moral code that, if it were actually followed would lead to passivity, misery, boredom and nothingness. I do not believe in the logic behind following a set of limiting, self-deprecating, self denying, self-defeating rules just for the sake of principle and to "please god". I do not believe in putting labels of "good" and "evil" on everything. The world would not make any progress and it would be an extremely boring place if it were not for things so wrongly labeled as "sin". They label things as "sins" and "failures" and "weakness" and we're supposed to avoid these things. But why? Whose happiness does this lead to? It leads to the happiness of the person exercising their authority over the so called "sinner". Not "sinning" is the same as not living. Why not just kill yourself instead? I don't kill or rape; what more do they want?

To fellow non religionists: how do you put up with all the crap from all the hypocrites or anyone else in the world who gives you a hard time or tries to make you feel like a terrible person just because you're not religious? I feel like an outcast even among people that I have fun with because a lot of them do things that are considered "bad" but they're still religious. They don't even live up to what they supposedly stand for, yet they are still offended when I say I am not religious. What do you say to people? How do you make people see that you're not the horrible, worthless person that you get painted out to be by self righteous people who judge you based on whether or not you affiliate yourself with a religion? It's hard not being religious and I'm half tempted to just slap on a religious label just so people will get off my case. What is so wrong with living a fun, pleasure seeking lifestyle and trying to live life to the fullest? Like I said, I'm not hurting anyone.

The reason this really bothers me so much is because I fear I will be abandoned by everyone just because of something as trivial as a label I choose not to put on myself.

Answer 1

I am a very spiritual person. I do not try to inflict my views on anyone except those who share the same views. I am not religious whatsoever, I was at one time when I was very young. I have grown and learned of different things and thoughts such as reincarnation that makes much sense to me. Those who are religious perhaps to you and some are spouting crap. I can understand why some think that way. However it is not my way. The key is to accept others for who they are.

Answer 2

Yes you are hurting someone..yourself. I'm not religious either and I agree with some of the things you have said. But it seems to me that you have no clear sense of morality or ethics. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with pursuing hedonistic pleasures every now and then, but you also need to be mindful of what's going on around you.

The religions of the world, in my opinion all share some common characteristics that just cannot be ignored; Such as moral uprightness and what have you, a clear distinction between what's good and evil. These are principles that are universal, irregardless of what your belief system is.

Granted most (read all) religions have some absolutely ridiculous, illogical, and unreasonable ideologies behind them. However they cannot be dismissed completely. I believe that all religions and belief systems have some inspiring and reedeming qualities about them. I personally like the asian beliefs best, i.e Taoism, Buddhism, and especially Confucianism (although I do not practice them, just a source of inspiration).

Anyway as far as dealing with pushy religious folk. I suggest you respectfully state your beliefs (or lack thereof) and ask them that you do not wish to discuss it further. If they insist...these are not people you should be associating with in the first place.

Answer 3

I believe that none of the various religions was handed down to us by God - each of them was propounded and propagated by human beings. I consider them as such, no more and no less either.

I fully agree that some of these highly religious people are indeed pain in the neck, not for what they believe in, rather for their dogmatic superiority complex. They, who we think need some good advice for their own good, preach us the so-called right and wrong with a firm belief as though they are doing a special favour, that too out of turn.

Yes, such people prove to be highly irritating. I have a three step formula to deal with them.

First : I do not let them complete their say, knowing from past experience that it is never short and crisp.

Second : I tell them quite openly without any apology or explanation that I am not a believer.

Third : If they still display a self serving desire to reform me, I rudely tell them to avoid me since I am highly incorrigible as well as corruptible, a devil they should avoid for their own good. And having had my say, I avoid them to rid the pain in my neck.

Not that even that proves to be any foolproof solution - especially if the intruding believer happens to be one of our own near and dear. In that case, the third step is not practicable and the pain in the neck has to be just borne bravely !!

Answer 4

It's funny but I believe it's a religious saying "do onto others." Although I am not religious I would say this is my motto. I live my life knowing I am in control. I take responsibility for my actions, I accept the consequences and I know that every day it is ME who has to live with, deal with and forgive ME, no one else.

So, in answer to your question, although I disagree with some of what you said I believe each of us determines our own moral code and for some that is to put their hands in the lives of a church, it's beliefs and it's rules. That makes their life more live-able, for them. Others choose a different path, a different approach and have different beliefs, those too should be just as respected and unless someone wants to hear me talk about MY beliefs, I don't expect them to discuss their own.

chacun à son goût

Answer 5

The thing is, you will have to be the bigger person. You're going to have to practice what they preach and when they give you crap you just have to smile and nod and think what a jerk off the person is. Don't get in drawn-out theological arguments with other people because it's only a waste of time. Religion is so entrenched in people that you'll never change someone's mind, and it'll only lead to aggravation. Accept fully what you believe and you'll have no worries.

Answer 6

Just try to rise above it. It wouldn't surprise me if you got a deluge of answers with various references to chapters and verses from the bible.
The worst kind of religious person is the so called "Born Again." They genuinely believe that they have seen the light and it is people like us that are in danger, so they believe it is their duty to try and "save" us.
The ultimate proof that religion is nonsense is quite simple: It was human beings that labelled God as "Good". It was humans that DECIDED that God was "Good, therefore, it was people first, of their own free will, who decided to be good, long before they labelled God as some kind of icon for goodness!
oo er that was badly explained, but I hope you understand what I'm getting at.

Answer 7

I enjoy the company of religious people although I am not as long a they are not a) fanatical and b)evangelical. And no, evangelical is not the same as fanatical. The resulting sane and civil debate is fun and flexes the mental muscle.

Answer 8

The thing is you don't have to put up with it .It is called freedom .If you are someone that follows your own instincts and doesn't like doctrine that is so negative and you wish to be a free and positive thinker why are you getting so hung up on this ?Ignore it !

Answer 9

even for people who are religious, it is hard to have other people attempting to force their viewpoints on you. the world is full of hypocrites, and religion is one of the biggest places for hypocrites. even with Christianity, for example, you have so many different variations, and many hypocritical people.

the only solution to dealing with people who tend to be hypocrites and/or shove their viewpoints down your throat is to just walk away or tell them politely (or sometimes harshly) to back off.

reason why i do understand is because i happen to be a rather liberal christian who is constantly diven crazy by those people who want to shove crap down my throat. if it makes you feel better, "religious" people get the same annoyances.

Answer 10

I think the best view is the one that is the most logical. I find the explanations of life found on amazingfacts.org to be the most logical of what ever is out there. Have you checked that out?