I was once cornered by a Christian woman doing a street survey on religion in my university city. I told her honestly what I believe (I am a witch, practicing a solitary form of Wicca) and she harangued me about it and told me I was going to hell once I died, even though I explained to her I do not believe in hell either. If you have experienced hostility against you for your religious beliefs, how have you dealt with it?
2006-10-24 03:31:33 · 38 answers · asked by deccaboo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I was once cornered by a Christian woman doing a street survey on religion in my university city. I told her honestly what I believe (I am a witch, practicing a solitary form of Wicca) and she harangued me about it and told me I was going to hell once I died, even though I explained to her I do not believe in hell either. If you have experienced hostility against you for your religious beliefs, how have you dealt with it? This question is open to people of all faiths who have experienced intolerance against them :)
2006-10-24 03:45:08 · update #1
Yes, I have often experienced hostility - sometimes for being a Christian, sometimes for being a non-catholic Christian, sometimes for being an evangelical, sometimes for being a Baptist. (I mean the hostility was directed at different times at different aspects or levels of my faith). While it bothers me - of course I don't like to experience hostility - I realize some people will be hostile to me because I am North American, or because I am a Quebecer, or because I am English speaking. Some people will be hostile to me because of my political views. It's too bad - just can't get away from it. I prefer to concentrate on all those people who are friendly and kind.
I certainly won't get a religious persecution complex! I mean some people are just plain hostile.
Before I feel "persecuted" for my religion, our country would have to make some big changes in its laws. For instance if I'm told I have to pay higher taxes because of my religious beliefs, or if I'm told I am not allowed to talk about them (not talking about people's objections, but legal impediments), if I or my family are physically attacked because of our beliefs .... etc. then I will talk about persecution. In the meantime I enjoy the freedom I have and I enjoy the friends I have - friends with a variety of beliefs. - And I will pray for those who I believe need a closer relationship with God.
2006-10-24 04:05:17 · answer #1 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I've had some heated debates, but never hostility. When debating against an atheist, there is often a smug attitude that religion is BS and that anyone who has one is intellectually inferior or is fooling themselves, but if you get past the personal attacks an interesting discussion can still be had.
Next time, try to leave out the word witch. There is a bible verse about not suffering a witch to live, so she immediately decided to be judgmental and hostile. If you told her about your beliefs and told her you practice Wicca (but didn't use the word witch), she might not have flown off the handle so quickly. Then the two of you might have been able to share your religious views with each other in a civilized way. Not that either of you would convert the other, but you may have had a better understanding of where she was coming from.
It is her failure as a witness for Christ to drive a deep wedge in your brand-new relationship and insult you and drive you away--it is far from accomplishing what she set out to do when she started talking to you--which was to give you God's message, and let you decide whether to take it or leave it.
2006-10-24 03:46:49 · answer #2 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
While I feel sorry that you were aquosted by a person claiming to be Christian, I have been on the opposite end of that harrassment. I admit that I do not live by the best examples of Wicca and Paganism and Athiests in the world, I have been met with open hostility and pressured to change (or leave) because I am Catholic. Before you think it, I have never once tried to convert anyone, or preach. I have never once told anyone they will go to hell or tell them to change their ways. I have, however, been told by several "good witches" that my religion is bunk and I should change my ways. When over at my wiccan friend's house, I'm met with glares by their friends for being the christian in the group. I don't hang out with them very much because of that. I even had one Druid tell me that my religion was the reason why pagans exist and that I follow a religion of lies. Hosility can work both ways and I have to say, I've found the hostile pagans all grouped in one place. I often wish I had the chance to mingle with the nicer ones I"ve seen on this board.
2006-10-24 03:39:33 · answer #3 · answered by sister steph 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Some people you just can't educate.
Just be comfortable in your own skin and know that as long as you are being kind to the Earth, yourself and others around you, there's nothing else you can do and you're doing the right thing.
Not everyone will be negative. For instance, I experiment on purpose sometimes to see what reactions I will get. When I was studying Judaism, I wore the Star of David. I wore it both in a midwest city and in the christian 'bible belt'. You'd think I'd get a scarier reception in the Bible Belt, when I lived 15 minutes away from someone called the Grand Wizard (KKK?). Strangers did approach me, but only with compassion and to ask me questions (assuming I was Jewish), and one lady even asked if she could hug me and praised me for not being afraid to stand up for my beliefs! But in the midwest city, I had a few ignorant people sneer at me (one spat!!) and say nasty things. I didn't let it bother me, because I realized just how ignorant and bigoted they really are.
2006-10-24 03:41:32 · answer #4 · answered by clover 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes I have. I was "yanked out of the Broom closet" when I was still in high School.
Once people heard I was a Witch, in my highschool, I had people throw rocks at me, I had death threats, and this came during the time, when in just the next state over, a 15 year old girl, had been beaten to death, by her school's football players, because she was a Witch.
In my family, my husband's sister in law made sure to send me a few lengthy and very painful letters making sure that I knew that she didn't think I deserved to live, because I wasn't Christian.
It's such a shame to meet such closeminded people. And Annoying at times too, especially those, "I'll Pray for you to come back to jesus people." I like to tell them I'll pray that they find an open mind, and some common sense.
2006-10-24 06:24:20 · answer #5 · answered by AmyB 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a christian and I experience hostility all the time, in the bible God is very clear on how we should come off. We're suppose to be loving and careful with our words and actions and to do nothing that will turn someone from Gods love. I just pray that these actions from this woman will not turn you off completely when God does speak to your heart. No matter if you believe or not, hell is a very real and scary place
2006-10-24 03:39:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, at school from the teachers! I went to a C of E school, and while I was there it became apparent to me what a load of claptrap modern religion (all those invented in the last few thousand years) is. I was given a very rough ride just because I had figured things out for myself rather than being brainwashed by my 'superiors'. I dealt with it by writing constructively and at length about my own new beliefs, and the teachers decided to quietly allow me my opinions rather than to open a public school debate!
2006-10-24 04:06:24 · answer #7 · answered by Musicol 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a atheist which means I don't believe in God. I do believe in reincarnation and karma. Recently I've had a couple of Jehovah's witnesses come to my door and offer me literature about their religion and practises. the first few times I accepted their leaflets but made it very clear about my beliefs. One particular day I had another couple knock on my door, and when I explained my beliefs I was told I was told the Devil had my soul and I would burn in hell if I didn't change my beliefs. They were both pretty aggressive and I felt quite distressed by their attitude especially as I had done them the courtesy of listening to them. Now I don't open the door to Jehovah's witnesses
2006-10-24 03:46:23 · answer #8 · answered by littlebabygem 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been verbally assaulted by a few atheists (when I was doing nothing other than eating a sandwich). I usually just argue calmly back. If the person will not be reasonable, I just leave.
I saw a person walk up to a street preacher at college and burn that preacher in the face with a lighted cigarette. The preacher took it calmly and said something to the effect of "God bless you". I didn't agree with a lot of what that preacher was saying (he thought that a college education was good for nothing other than producing atheists), or how he was saying it, but I admired the calm way that he handled the person who assaulted him. Would I have shown such restraint? I wonder ...
2006-10-24 03:38:45 · answer #9 · answered by Randy G 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I don't take part in any street surveys of any kind, let alone religious one. Had that have happened to me i would have walked away.
Religious discussion is not something i encounter in everyday life. Its only on here, and the good thing about this is that if it gets annoying just a click of the mouse and your off the site.
2006-10-24 03:39:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋