Do you automatically assume?

Question

When out in public and making small talk with others, do you automatically assume they are of the same faith as yourself?

Or is this even in your thoughts?

Please remember, no bashing....only respectful answers only.
And if you dont mind, please state your spiritual or religious affiliation.

Blessings To All and Thanks for Answering!

BB
)o(
Trinity

Answer 1

No, but I grew up with a religiously diverse family. I'm a Christian, but my mother is a new age/spiritual agnostic, my father is a Kemet Pagan, and my grandparents are Buddhists converts.

So I've never been to a Thanksgiving dinner where everyone believed the same thing that I do, let alone random people in the community! :)

Answer 2

Never. Being a person who is a licensed lay minister, the fact that my B.A. is in theology brings up the faith questions with a lot of complete strangers, an I've still never met a complete stranger that professes the same faith as I do, I have met a lot of people who lay claim to the title of Christian, but many fewer who seriously practice their faith and even less with a similar doctrinal background as me. So actually, I always assume the opposite, that we are from different corners when it comes to spiritual/religious matters
Lay Minister, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

Answer 3

I'm Pagan, living in what I am often told is a "Christian Nation," whatever that means. I assume nothing, just respect each person as a fellow human being. I generally don't expect them to be of the same religion as me, but I don't assume they're Christian either. For this reason I prefer to say "Happy Holidays," instead of "Merry Christmas." It's out of respect for the individual -- I don't want to make an assumption about their beliefs until I get to know them.

Answer 4

No , I know too many people, I live in the middle of a very busy 24/7 red light district in Kings Cross Sydney .So it's 24/7 action outside my front door I see a different crowd of mixed people daily. Everyone I run into are all different personalities, I get along with them all. It's the similar sort of atmosphere as when I was a kid growing up in West Hollywood in California.

Answer 5

I automatically assume they have belief in God.
I live in New Zealand a belief in the nature of God is more easeful than some places.
Most people in NZ have a belief which is compatible.

To live from the connection with God/Love/Heart is a moment to moment consideration, so it is not in thoughts as much but in the heart.



Most people understand and don't react as I have found it on the R & S section.

Answer 6

Think about this... Some people will get offended by just disagreeing with them. In my case, I can actually take a long chat with someone.. not knowing her religion or belief by just asking open questions and getting to know at least a little of the differences between each religion. I had many disagreements in the past therefore I just get with the flow of the talk.

Answer 7

I never do. First, because I lived in a place where most people were not my faith. Later, because I lived in a diverse place where you could never be sure what people believed. So, I (1) generally don't consider their faith unless the small talk relates to faith in some way, and (2) don't assume anything when it does.

Answer 8

Actually, I assume most people are at least marginal believers. I have met few people who are true atheists (like me). I try not to bring up anything even remotely related to religion, because as soon as I say "atheist" I get looks ranging from astonishment to disgust. Frankly, it's not worth it most of the time. On the rare occasions I have met a true atheist, the conversation gets lively as we discuss the various foibles of the religious community.

Answer 9

I'm a former catholic turned agnostic.

I don't really think about it unless a person mentions something that hints at there beliefs.

I try not to associate certain faiths with certain behaviors but that is difficult. This is similar to what you are asking, I believe.

I think people naturally place things in categories and seek patterns and connections that form biases that we can't really prevent. We have to purposely question this categorization so that it doesnt impact our relationships.

Answer 10

No, I actually try to keep in mind that other people may be of a different religion or have different political views as I do so I try to keep the conversation as general as possible so as to not stick my foot in my mouth.

I'm a Catholic who was raised to respect that another person's spiritual and religious beliefs are as justified and meaningful to them as mine are to me.

Peace!