Why is it that being Catholic or Christian seems to be the only "normal" religion that people understand. Yesterday at afamily gathering someone mentioned that I was Buddhist and the room was shocked. You would have thought I had a sex change. I was really shocked. Seems like people expect you to tell them you are either Christian or Catholic. Why the stereotypes? I personally am respectful of all religions and think it is great that anyone belong to anything that assists them in feeling spiritually grounded.
2006-12-26 04:17:36 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Cynical I get what your saying but I think you too get what I am saying. There are Catholic Chruches and there are Christian Churches. In this case I don't think you needed to educate me on religion. I had a specific question that you dodged.
2006-12-26 07:58:53 · update #1
If you think that's bad...try telling them you are a New Ager, or a Pagan, or a Wiccan, or a Druid, or an Atheist, or a Reincarnationist. Any of these are guaranteed to get an even stronger reaction from Christians than Buddhist. But, I think that if you really want to get a rise out of them, try telling them you are a Satanist, that may even give some of them a heart attack. I don't know why they react that way, but I do know....from spending time on yahoo answers...that many of them think that their religion is the only true religion, and that any one who does not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior can not possibly go any where but hell, unless they repent and get saved before they die. I personally am a New Age/Pagan and I don't believe in hell, or the devil , and I don't believe that there is such thing as one true religion, or spiritual path. I believe all paths are valid, and that God doesn't favor any path over any other path. Nor does God favor any particular person or group over any other person or group. We are all one...with God and with each other....and only accepting that one truth can save us from destroying this world and our entire species. And, if this happens...it won't be God's doing...it will be our own.
2006-12-26 04:36:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First of all, Christians are Catholics. Just so you know. Second, I think is bad that people can't understand Buddhism or other religions that aren't popular. I've read about Buddhism and is a peaceful religion and I understand why you became a Buddhist. Don't be surprised when people judge you, remember they don't represent the vast majority and they're ignorants. I think that whatever religion makes a person feel spiritually fulfilled is good and shouldn't be looked down upon. Just live your life and don't worry what people are going to say.
2006-12-26 12:28:50 · answer #2 · answered by cynical 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its unfortunate but true that religious bias persists in spite of our ability to acquire more information on other cultures than ever before. This isn't a strictly Christian or Catholic phenomenon. Bias permeates all faiths. The road to enlightment has many twists and turns, trials and tribulations.
2006-12-26 12:26:02 · answer #3 · answered by Firespider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because people are completely unimaginitive and fall back on conditioned responses with dull and mindless repetition usually until late in life when they have either a small opening or else just become utterly rigid and lapse into senility. This is delusion. The Buddha warned about this over and over again, as a buddhist you shouldn't be so surprised. Remember all the stupid questions people asked him?
2006-12-26 12:22:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Statistics. The majority of people in the US are either Christian or Catholic. I don't know the exact figures.
2006-12-26 12:23:29 · answer #5 · answered by boukenger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They were shocked probably because they were heartbroken. If you claimed to be Buddhist, then you basically admitted to being an idol worshiper. In the Bible, God strictly forbids such conduct and the consequences are severe. They see their beloved family member spending an eternity in hell. And so they were upset.
Be aware that as long as you have breath in your lungs, you can accepts Christ's gift of salvation, even if you are straying now. You accept the gift by;
1) Admitting that you are a sinner
2) Believe that Christ was God in human form on earth who lived a perfect and sinless life.
3) Christ's sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to pay all of our sin debts
4) Change your life and repent from sin
Your family loves you.
2006-12-26 12:24:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Shocked as in, they never knew, or shocked as in they thought you were going to mediate right then and there?
I would think they didn't know. MOst people don't wear a neon sign saying, "I am X religion" so I'd guess that they were surprised to find out you were Buddist.
2006-12-26 12:23:05 · answer #7 · answered by sister steph 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Stereotypes. If you don't have a shaved head and maroon and gold robes, you don't look like a Buddhist. (For that matter, if you had a shaved head and the robes and said you were Catholic, you'd likely get the same response.)
2006-12-26 12:26:36 · answer #8 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cultural bias, dude. Tell the homies in Tibet you're a Christian and check out the reaction.
2006-12-26 12:21:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Remember, if you act apologetic, people will treat you like you should be. Never apologize, wear it proudly.
2006-12-26 12:22:25 · answer #10 · answered by A 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋