I have a bumper sticker on my car that says "Pagans agree: your God's okay too" Yesterday, while loading groceries into my trunk I saw a sweet little girl sitting in a grocery cart across the way. The little girl waved at me and I returned her wave with a smile. When her mother turned to see who her daughter was waving at, she saw my bumper sticker. She turned bright red and stomped over to me (leaving her daughter 20 feet away in a grocery cart) and shouted at the top of her lungs, "Don't you know you're going to hell. Repent now!". I responded, "I'm sorry my constitutional right to freedom of religion offends you." and I turned away from her. As I was getting into my car I heard her tell her tiny child that I was, and I quote, "a whore of Satan"
A week and a half prior to that I had an Atheist tell me that having more than one God just made me even more stupid than Christians. I offered him the same reply that I gave to the woman above.
And even from those of my own faith! I had a young Wiccan, obviously proud of her faith approach me and tell me my bumper sticker was wrong, that the Christian God oppresses women. I asked her if she believed in the Christian God, she said, "No" and stood up a little straighter. I asked her, "then how can he oppress you? If you don't believe, then he cannot oppress. Only his followers can, and then only if you let them."
Why does the freedom of religion frighten and appall the over-zealous minority? Why can't people just be satisfied that they believe themselves to be right? Why do they feel everyone has to agree with them?
2007-06-17 17:38:40 · 15 answers · asked by Blue Scarrab 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jack, I was Christian for 25 years, I have been Wiccan for 8. This IS the re-examining of my faith.
2007-06-17 17:50:15 · update #1
Most all religion believers (not religious but religions) or non-believers want to think that the Deity they worship is the Deity or Deities that is right or want to think that there is no Deity. If there was a true freedom of religion in all countries, I believe there would be even more civil unrest then already does exist in all countries of the world. There is already so much fighting and bickering between religions, that I think the phrase should be changed to "Freedom of Religious Belief"!
2007-06-17 17:54:10 · answer #1 · answered by bubbleheadyeoman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Human beings are Self Centered, thats why. Each person believes he is doing the right thing. Some people are very un-tactful in how they express their passion for their beliefs. Your bumper sticker is cute, I like it. But its provoking others to tell you what they think in response to it. As you know, Christians believe that you have to accept God into your life to have eternal life. I think they are just scared for you. As you have experienced, there are ignorant people in every religion. We should love one another. Sounds like you love others and are accepting of them, stay true to yourself.
I wonder what was going on in your life when you converted to be a Pagan? Was it the church you were going to? The people that went there? Perhaps some personal problems were testing your faith. Did you research all religions? I am sorry if you had a bad experience that made you turn completely away from God. I was deceived by the false light of evil when I was a Pagan. I hope that your doubts and fears didnt invite that evil into your life, giving you false security. Stated in Proverbs 14:14' The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.' You have been practicing Wicca for some time now, maybe its time to reevaluate again. Good luck. When you are ready God will be there for you. So mote it Be.
2007-06-18 06:14:26 · answer #2 · answered by T I 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why does the one who sits atop the mountain worry about what the others are doing climbing to where he is at? Why do the climbers rant and curse the one who no longer struggles to be where they want to be?
Why does the sun feel good some does and bad on others? Why was it 4 o'clock earlier and now its 11:41? Why are you different from me?
Great story, terrible questions. (btw, generalities and group tags like minority and people and they are part of the problem. A person makes an individual choice at an individual moment. Also, making a temporary moment into an eternal 'now' hurts as much as it helps.)
2007-06-17 17:48:25 · answer #3 · answered by Khnopff71 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its weird how close minded people can be. i never understood how someone deep in their own faith could just outright say you are going to be damned as if they are right and you are wrong. maybe they know something i don't and i am going to hell but one thing is for sure, everyone CAN'T be right. so how do they know they are right? besides, i would think that most religions, being based on some sense of morality, would be taught to not judge others and accept them for who they are. i'll use the christian example since that is the only religion i am familiar with, "Judge not lest ye be judged thyself" according to that simple request, a lot of people will be going to hell for telling me that i'm going to hell.
2007-06-17 17:46:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religious mania can be dangerous. Spirituality is not. The people that are suicide bombers and fly planes into buildings believe they are serving God and think they are right in their beliefs. And Christians honestly believe that they will be the only religious group present in heaven! That never ceases to amaze me! People fear what they do not understand.
2007-06-17 17:48:12 · answer #5 · answered by Native Spirit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its called legalism. It is the definition of man made religion. They don't know that God is not reeling in disgust over these people. Instead he loves them very much and wants them to know that. They don't know how to show Gods love. Its tragic but it something they have to learn the hard way.
2007-06-17 17:49:39 · answer #6 · answered by Dustinthewind 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people in religions like Christianity Muslim and Judaism religions. Are so closed minded that they narrow there though Process so to believe what they believe is always right. They can't stand your a pagan. Why because your VIEWS are different so your going to be criticized by them no matter what. they don't care no matter what your getting judge by you views.
2007-06-17 17:50:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
For change causes fear, fear causes conflict, conflict leads to violence, and violence leads to ignorance.
Your situation isn't unique, there have been countless victims to this conflict over the ages. It is the invisible war raging within.
2007-06-17 17:45:25 · answer #8 · answered by Tsumego 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not fear freedom of religion....I fear freedom FROM religion.
Each person should have the right to believe and practice their religion (or lack of it).
2007-06-17 17:51:26 · answer #9 · answered by Shalvia 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's just a bumper sticker and a bunch of bigots. Get over it, since they can't.
2007-06-17 17:43:08 · answer #10 · answered by Terabell_Samantha_Ursula 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋