How can i accept and leave them alone?

Question

fundamentalist muslims, over zealous christians and overbearing atheists. Other then those groups of people i generally tolerate everyone well. Sometimes when one of those people come up to me i feel like i always have to defend my beliefs! I'll share and tell them but they always knock it down saying
"Your going to hell" or " your a delusional lunatic"

Do some of you encounter this problem too? How can we tolerate and accept people when they overbear us with their own beliefs and will not listen or at least leave us be.

(this is to everyone regardless of religion)
*it's not their religion i have a problem with it's some types of people in their religion who make it harder to accept*

*overbearing atheist- the types who tell you that you are delusional for believing in what you believe in*

Answer 1

Where on EARTH do you actually have an "overbearing atheist coming up to you"????? I have NEVER heard of this happening to anyone.

You said, "[they] come up to me". I have seen Muslims and Christians go up to strangers and start preaching to them, but not an atheist.

Answer 2

Dear Lover of,

i would encourage you in two ways:

First, i would say solidify your beliefs. i think it's really important for people to know what they believe so that when their beliefs are challenged they can stand. i myself am a Christian but i find that Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. often leave me alone when they realize that i am solid and understand what i believe with reason. If your beliefs can be knocked down- then they might be worth re-exploring.

Secondly, do keep in mind the reason behind their sharing. i guess saying that they have good intentions (most of the time) even cults don't know they are misleading people- anyhow this may help to tolerate a little bit.

i think it's good though for you to be able to solidify and understand why you believe what you believe so that you can have actual intelligent conversation with them. Usually when i share with others i like to know what they believe and what their questions are about Christianity instead of "denouncing" or "degrading" people's personal beliefs. i will still always tell them what the Bible teaches but i think it's quite pointless to tell someone they're going to hell without understanding what their understanding of heaven, hell, God, sin, etc. is...

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 3

I hate to disillusion Nicholas, but atheists can be overbearing too.
I've never had a Muslim come up to me, but I have no doubt that there are some who do.
We all know that Christians are the absolute worst about this, and we all know which denominations are the most persistent. I'm a Christian, and even I can admit that. That is why I have always refused to get into any door to door ministry, although I have handed out flowers at bus stops and at the airport, and I have passed out literature, but never pressed the point when someone politely or not so politely told me to get on my way.
The only way to handle it when confronted with an overbearing whatever, is to maintain your cool. Sooner or later, they will run out of gas, your taxi will get there, their Mom will show up to pick them up, it'll be your turn at the check out, or whatever.

If they approach you at home (no, Nick, I've never had an atheist knock on my door to tell me how much happier I would be if I converted to atheism), politely tell them that you are not interested and close the door. Sooner or later they will quit coming over.

As far as pestering notes on the door or in your mailbox, heck, who is not bothered by junk mail? Toss it, that's what I do.

Yeah, it's annoying, but there are lots of annoying things we all have to deal with in our day to day lives. Just pull on your big girl panties and deal with it...;-)

Answer 4

Understand that all things arise due to causes and conditions and the ones you're used to aren't the same ones that everybody else has/experiences. When you arrive at understanding this, through your own study and analytical examination, then you can work to cultivate a calmer mind about the belief processes (or lack thereof), psychological states, etc of others. You will be more able to compassionately respond to things that cause harm and suffering and so forth...

_()_

Answer 5

Well, we can agree to debate anyone's views in a civilized manner, without resorting to violence. This is called etiquette.

And on a governmental level, it is none of our business what other people believe or do in their bedrooms with consenting adults. That's called tolerance.

But I think debate is important on anything and everything. Tolernance does not mean you agree with something (like delusional fundamentalism, for example).

Answer 6

I know that is very discouraging. But the devil is very active and there is a true way to worship God. But like a nettle in a hay stake it is hard to find. When so many religious fanatics come screaming at you with believes you know in your heart are not correct or right with the bible.
That it doesn't make any sense or it is just plain to fanatical.
Like the Sunni and Shiite are killing each other we don't want to fight over religion. God would not want us to do that.
When we think about what we are doing that question is.
"What would Jesus do?" Was he rich or powerful?
Did he scream at people death and damnation?
How did he react when the apostles argued over who was the greatest among them? He reasoned that arrogance is not acceptable to his father. that is what he condemned the Pharisees for. Wanting prominence.

Answer 7

yes, I a Christian have a neighbor who's a Jehovah witness

she knows I am a strong Christian when it comes to my faith & she knows I attened church every Sunday, yet she always leaves notes on my door about her religion & her events @ Kingdom Hall

I just take her for who she is as a person &
not how she is in her religion, I treat her w/ kindness & leave it @ that

Answer 8

Don't take MEAN thing they say to you personally, and accept every useful, helpful, or just plain friendly thing they say to you with GRATITUDE.

Oswald Chambers advised people to pray IMMEDIATELY when confronted with personal conflict. Jesus Christ was spat upon and insulted, yet maintained his dignity.

You know how he did it? At his trial, he basically said NOTHING to one of his sarcastic Kangaroo Court questioners. Just stood there. It really made the questioner angry, but Jesus kept HIS cool.

And his peace, as you can maintain yours, if you follow Him.
:)

Answer 9

I encounter this problem a lot on the internet. You can have the most unbiased and open-minded opinion and still get squashed by someone who is very close-minded.

Answer 10

When faced with this situation I usually resort to the Mind over Matter defense. You know, I don't mind and you don't matter.