How do you ask a religious question without offending someone?

Question

It seems that a lot of legitimate questions get removed because someone is offended...

Athiests don't think we should believe in anything yet they are more than happy to exchange gifts at Christmas.

Christians are always preaching about being forgiving and yet they will turn on their own church members at the drop of a hat.

My son has a jewish friend who tells us we should feel sorry for him because he's Jewish and constanty persecuted. Way to stand proud for your faith there...

My Muslim friend demands that we recognize the differences in our faiths and his right to pray when he's supposed to, yet he gets irritated if we pray prior to eating our lunch.

Sometimes I wonder how long it will be before they tell us that we can no longer worship as we please. Wait a minute. They have done that.

Your thoughts?

Answer 1

your avatar offends me.

Answer 2

There is no way I would ever turn on people in my Church, they're my family. I guess it's pretty hard not to offend people sometimes. I went to this dare 2 share youth conference in Denver a few days ago and we went from door to door asking people for cans and then witnessing to them. Some were offended and thought it was too personal of a question, but we want to help them because we care, and not only us, but God cares. And we can still worship how we please in America. Sometimes people think their way is better and try to tell you that yours is worse. Even though there's only one way but Satan had to twist everything up just to get people away from God, so he started with ideas similar to The Way, but with twists and turns and that there's more to do. But that's a pretty hard question, tell them that you don't want to offend them by asking would be my best guess at not offending someone... I think that's what I'd do... There is no way a Christian would turn on their person, unless they weren't serious and were just there messing around. But we represent our Creator, and I know no one at my church would ever do anything to hurt one another, no matter what the other person may have done. And many people are persecuted every day by what they believe. If your muslim friend is offended by praying before meals, that's alright, he doesn't have to, but it's something that I'm glad for. In the story of the boy with the 2 fish and 5 loafs of bread, even though it wasn't enough for the over 5,000 people, Jesus thanked God for what he had. The key isn't praying for what you need, but what you have.

Answer 3

It's often for too easy for us to see as individuals the difference of respecting other's differences. We've become so defensive because of our differences that we are over rationalizing what we consider to be offensive. Ask your Muslim friend if he would do the honor of leading the lunch with a prayer or blessing for the friendship gathered at the table. Understanding others diversities is more than trying not to offend. It's trying to understand the complexities involved with a different religion, rite or belief. Ask your friends to tell you about their beliefs. You may find that it is interesting. Let them ask you about your beliefs. But understand that curiosity is not meant to be offensive. And should not be regarded as such. If you expect other's to come to your table and respect you, you must be prepared to go to their table and respect them. It's not in the speaking, it's in the actions.

Answer 4

Natural,
I have not been offended by very many people on this site. Most of the people on here try to be cautious about the way in which they ask questions and those who do not generally have a number of accounts and do not really care about suspensions. I try not to offend people on here but there are people who are overly sensitive at times. Do Your Best to keep from calling people names and attacking others. I do this to the best of my ability and I have been pretty successful at doing so aside from when I have LOW SUGARS. Those are the times when I must go back and say "I am sorry". Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds


.

Answer 5

The only way to ask a religious question without offending someone is to either ask it in a way that you are looking for help and excluding all stereotypes, or simply asking yourself and doing the research.

People are too temperamental around here.

Once, I started a question with, "Am I correct in saying..." and I got a great number of responses, but everyone accused me of twisting words (when I was simply trying to interpret a passage from the Bible). The second time, I started my question with, "Can someone help me with..." and I got fewer responses, but no one was offended.

The best way to get a lot of varying answers is not to censor yourself. The best way to not offend people is to ask for help and understanding.

Answer 6

You are right, things are completely out of control, people have hair triggers and little tolerance. Many of the questions posed here however are done so to elicit a response and often have a pejorative tone to them from the outset, so the phrasing of the question is key.

Answer 7

Excellent question, but I am sad to say there aren't any solid answers--at least, I don't have any.

I try to respect other's beliefs/non-beliefs, myself. I have had friends of every imaginable religion, from Wicca to Mormon to Baptist to Islam. My ex husband is a staunch atheist. I try to keep my mouth shut and listen, and if I have a question, I tell them that I ask not to offend, but to learn.

The only one that was really ever offended was my ex, sorry to say. I think he actually enjoyed being offended so that he could lecture.

Answer 8

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Answer 9

Oh poor little persecuted Christian!

Seriously, you criticise the Jewish for wanting pity - what did you hope to achieve with this?

You criticise the Muslim for wanting their customs observed, yet you expect them to observe your own.

You criticise atheists for exchanging gifts at Christmas... yet don't provide proof that exchanging gifts is a Christian tradition (it's not in my Bible, believe it or not).

Nobody stops you from worshipping as you please, but you come on here adn complain when others dare to worship as THEY please. Give me a break.

Answer 10

This is why in polite society the two things you do not discuss are religion or politics. I personally enjoy discussing both and do not get angry over either topic. But some people are thin skinned. I also think on here some people report just to report.

Answer 11

I really know how you feel.
I would pray and see what God would have you do,and yes it is true that some christians do turn there backs on there fellow christians and what I say to them is READ THE BIBLE
does Jesus ever turn his back on us when we make a mistake(NO) and we should try to be more like him.