i know this isn't religion, but...?

Question

do you treat people of other belief systems equally? or do you inadvertently look down on them?

i ask because i saw a question from a few days ago in this section (not religion) about when mormon missionaries come to people's door, and the "creative ways" that people tell them off. it makes me mad to see this because my best friend is a mormon, and i HATE it when people treat him like dirt and laugh at him and judge him for it. it made me sick to see people laughing at people of his faith, and giving each other thumbs up for it.

i mean, if you don't agree with someone else, that's fine, but why do you have to try to make them feel like the scum of the earth? sorry to be so blunt. i just hate that my friend has to go through this.

here is the question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AnCgoc1oQpY623L_o6KDAyvOxQt.?qid=20070707214400AAQgUwn

so my question is...do you try to treat people of different beliefs with respect?

for all the ones who say "i get annoyed when they come to my door"...i have found that if you politely ask them to leave, they will. i've talked with the mormon missionaries before and other times i have said "no thanks" and they left with no problem. just be polite. i mean, good grief, they have feelings too.

Answer 1

Well, being a person that has tried avidly to avoid Jehovah's Witnesses that came to my door, I can say, it isn't a personal attack on that person's faith. It's more of strangers coming to my door that I am uncomfortable with. It doesn't matter to me what faith they are, I'd still run and hide!!
As far as people degrading your friend, I am sorry for that, it is unfair and wrong for people to treat him badly because of his religion. I personally don't look down on other religions. I hate the way that some Muslims in the Middle East hate us for what we believe in, and I don't think it is a trend that should continue here. We should love, or respect each other no matter what religion, color, gender or any other difference that we have!!

Answer 2

I try hard to respect every person equally. I may not agree with most people but I think that gives us something to talk about rather than a reason for us to dislike each other. It's taken me a long time to reach this point and even now I know I have a long way to go.

As far as Mormon's go, I think people are confused by what they believe so they make fun of them. I know what they believe, I invite them into my home, and then we have discussions about what I believe (which is quite different from their beliefs). The Mormon missionaries are people too, often away from their homes, and desiring a friendly face. Why not make a friend and have open discussions about your faiths!

Answer 3

Of course I do. I'm a Muslim and as much as I hate seeing the bloodshed caused by "foreign forces" in the Middle East and other parts of the world, I equally condemn the "terrorists" who call themselves Muslims.

But anyway, my answer would be yes, I do treat my friends and everyone else who is of different faiths with respect. I've never looked down upon anyone or any religion.

Answer 4

I try to be nice. If Mormons or Witnesses or whatever come to my door, I politely tell them I'm not interested. Home visits can be annoying, but I know that's part of their beliefs. I don't know why people have to be mean, but so many are. It's good to see you stick up for your friend, though. ☺

Answer 5

Every person has his own belief, and i see no reason whatsoever to treat a person differently based on his believes or thoughts.
As long as he's a Good friend, i Don't care what his belief systems are.

Answer 6

Absolutely! I enjoy learning about how other people believe and how they feel about their chosen religon or life path. I respect the choices you make and believe deep in my soul that all paths lead to a greater "beyond" no matter what it's called. Or the name of the path you choose to get you there.

Stick by your friend! He has chosen a tough path with many rejections in his future- but will hopefully be able to shake them off and be nourished spiritually by the positive people he will encounter.

Answer 7

I just don't like to be pushed. The last time I was at the hospital, an old man from the Universal Church asked me if I wanted him to read me the Bible. I said "no, thanks", but he started reading it anyway, to send the devil away. Wasn't he disrespecting me, instead? Then I said he should respect Lucifer, because he was created by God, so he was our brother, too, and worth of our love. He got a little confused, and I repented to start such a stupid confrontation.

Answer 8

Not all people are loving. The mormons that come across my path get asked questions about why they believe what they do not to persecute them, but to lead them to a right relationship with God and hopefully out of a false church.

Answer 9

I treat everyone, no matter what their religion the same way. i'm Catholic and my best friend is athiest. i dont hold it against him or anything. i have asked him y he doesnt believe in God but i dont mistreat him for it. i feel like i'd rather have a girlfriend who is christian but thats my only real exception when it comes to religion. i dont even know the religion of most of my friends but it doesnt matter that much. they will believe what they want to no matter what and i should respect them for it. People who truly follow their religion will respect others who dont believe the same things they do.

Answer 10

I treat people the same way I want to be treated. I just don't like it if people try to force their religion on me--I'll just politely tell them I'm not interested.