I got in a conversation a few days ago with someone from here commeding me on "defending atheism" (which I don't really try to do, but OK) but then went on to ask if I really believed all that "pagan nonsense" I had professed elsewhere. I was tired and got defensive, which I later felt bad about...and then I didn't feel so bad. Whoever it was didn't treat me any differently than someone trying to convert me to their religion--and this person professed to be an atheist. The excuse of "concern for your soul" didn't work here--this person was obviously bothered and possibly offended by my beliefs, for no apparent reason I could see...I don't think my beliefs hurt anyone; I have no lobbyists in Washington petitioning for law changes because of my beliefs. I don't press them on anyone. For the life of me, I can't get why this bothered this person so much.
Aside from someone pressing their beliefs on you (in any fashion, be it legally, personally, or even violently) or committing crimes in the name of religion...why would it bother you if someone held different beliefs than you?
2006-12-19 00:30:11 · 20 answers · asked by angk 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
For the record, the other person started the conversation via messenger, and the "nonsense" remark was the first thing they sent.
2006-12-19 00:38:16 · update #1
It doesn't bother me when someone believes differently from me.
It does bother me when someone wants to alter my life with his belief, but as you say, you're not doing that.
If you and I passed each other in religious discourse, I would wish you luck in your life with your "pagan nonsense" while I enjoy my life with my "atheist nonsense."
I suppose the atheist in question may have been tired as well and was frustrated at theists trying to force their beliefs on him. He may have unfairly taken it out on you.
Or, it's quite possible that he is one of a large number of jerks. Every religion (I'll count atheism as a religion for this purpose) has them.
Edit: After reading your additional detail, I'll wager on the jerk argument. They're everywhere. I have someone claiming to be a pastor harassing me in PM. It's almost cute.
2006-12-19 00:33:20 · answer #1 · answered by Rev Kev 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Life is a journey for each of us and our beliefs are developed over time as we grow and learn. Why in the world should anybody be bothered by another’s beliefs unless they are destructive to themselves or others?
We are each on a journey, but individual journeys take different paths. Where you start says little about where you will end up, because so much depends on what you experience along the way, and what you learn from your experiences.
This is one reason why we shouldn’t judge others, or make assumptions. Only God can see the big picture.
2006-12-19 09:02:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it doesn't bother me if other people believe differently from me. I am a new age/pagan, with a blend of some other things.
It does bother me, that some religions or spiritual beliefs, have the attitude that there way is the only right way, and everyone who believes differently, is headed straight for hell. I don't imagine that last statement could apply to an atheist, though.
It also bothers me, that too many people can't grasp the concept ot unity, or the oneness of all. It bothers me that we haven't learned to share everything with everyone, or that there is enough for everyone to have their basic needs met.
2006-12-19 08:40:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't bother me at all that people believe differently than me. Hey, that's life. Besides, it would be kinda boring at times if everyone believed exactly the same thing.
Saying that, however, i would never try and push my beliefs on others. I think you were right to defend what you believe. No one has the right to say what you can and cannot believe.
2006-12-19 09:04:58 · answer #4 · answered by Skippy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't bother me at all that others have a different faith. All paths lead to the same place, it is just the scenery along the way that differs. What does bother me is when someone of another faith (or lack of) tries to convince me that their path is the only "true" path and that I am in the wrong. I spent 6 years in the U.S. military defending everyones right to worship (or not to) how they see fit and I refuse to let someone take that away from me now.
Bright Blessings )O(
2006-12-19 08:41:25 · answer #5 · answered by Stephen 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I admit, it used to bother me a great deal! As a Christian, I believed it was my 'job' to convert others to my beliefs. Now (right or wrong) I am of the mind that people have the right to choose their beliefs and will get what they choose after death. I am leaving the 'conversion' much more up to God nowdays. The Bible says that those who seek Him will find Him and I believe that. Some people just don't want to know Truth deep down (no matter what they say) and Truth can NOT be imposed on them. But for those who hunger for Truth, little by little, they will find it.
2006-12-19 08:40:33 · answer #6 · answered by just me 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm an atheist and it doesn't bother me at all when someone believes something different than I, as long as they don't try to push their beliefs or religion on me or dictate other people's life according to some religious rules.
2006-12-19 08:36:23 · answer #7 · answered by undir 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It does not bother me that someone has different beliefs than me.
It DOES bother me when that person keeps bothering me about my beliefs and try to change me. Especially after I tell them quite nicely I am not interested and they continue to badger me. THEN they get all offended that I am getting a little ruder with my replies each time they badger me about it...
But I do not have a problem with someone else believing differently than me.
2006-12-19 08:38:20 · answer #8 · answered by Terri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For me, I respect all beliefs and religions, and cultures. I welcome people to talk to me about their cultures. I love learning about them. I am a pagan and I have a friend who is a born again Christian. When she first started this journey, she took out a huge book and told me that I was sinning. We had it out for a while but learned after not to talk about religion as much. We have much more in common than that. She knows that nothing that I believe in is going to cause me to do harm to anyone else. Even though she sends me Jesus emails, I accept her as she is and she has learned to accept me as I am though secretly she would love it if I joined her church.
2006-12-19 08:36:06 · answer #9 · answered by queenmaeve172000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Christian and i'm not bothered if they are athiest or muslim or another religion that is different then me. Why? Freedom of Speech! We are so blessed to have freedom of speech that we take advantage of the opportunity we have to be our religion that most Christian just use it to bash other. Not me and some Christians I know because they relize the freedom we have it is to be a Christian.
2006-12-19 09:31:16 · answer #10 · answered by jrealitytv 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋