Five years ago my speech professor told the class not to include anything related to religion in our speeches because we would surely offend plenty of people, even if we were atheists or agnostics. This was actually an extremely ironic thing to say considering how much I was bombarded by religion my freshman year, but that's irrelevant for our purposes.
Later that year I saw the movie Big Fish. A memorable line was when the main character remembered being told that it is rude to discuss religion because you never know who you're going to offend.
I agree with both of them in that people are easily offended when people talk about religion. I've also noticed how often people will talk about religion in spite of that fact.
2007-12-08 14:29:17 · 20 answers · asked by Defunct 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Maybe free speech is more important than concern over offending someone.
If we are so weak as to not stand for what we believe, maybe we don't really believe it.
Allow others the prerogative to disagree, kindly and civilly.
2007-12-08 14:35:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes. My mother was from Ireland. I lived there when I was younger and even today a person needs to be very careful. Over there there is no freedom of religion. You're either Catholic or Protestant period. People are killed everyday for crossing lines. Here in America it's great, because we are truly free to express ourselves whether others agree or disagree without persecution. I think that being "politically correct" has gone too far. Just show respect regardless of others views. Use diplomacy and let the universe take care of the rest. Honor diversity. Life's too short!
2007-12-08 14:44:31 · answer #2 · answered by Rex B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to learn when to back off and when to agree to disagree. I can talk about religion with most people and never offend anyone. Also its not really what you say but how you say it. Add, I believe, to your words instead of saying ,this is how it is, makes a really big difference. But there will be some people who you will still offend no matter what. But I think those kinds of people get offended very easily and with more then just religion
2007-12-08 14:35:35 · answer #3 · answered by Umm Ali 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes I was told that, but I don't follow that.
If someone gets offended, that's there problem. This is suppose to be a "free country" right? What's the point of freedom of speech if we're not allow to say how we feel because one person might get upset? That defeats the concept for me. If you don't find something that you disagree with, you're not living in a free country.
2007-12-08 14:34:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I was always told to never discuss religion or politics.
I was a customer service rep at a call center, and any mention of either was completely forbidden. If a caller mentioned it, we were to get off the subject as rapidly as possible.
It's irksome, but true. I like to discuss religion, but some people can't handle it.
2007-12-08 14:34:19 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, most companies seem to have that policy. I know that one group the Risembool Rangers, has a list of no no topics, which includes religion, although the group is in honor of Vic Mignogna, and his work, which includes some pseudo religious things.
2007-12-08 14:39:33 · answer #6 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many times.
You also offend someone when you tell them that they have bad breath, but you've done them a favor.
Imagine this conversation going on at the Dept. of Transportation in Minnesota last summer:
"Let's not tell anyone that the bridge is out. It might offend people who are in a hurry to cross the Mississippi River."
"Red flashing lights and stop signs are offensive to some people you see."
Pastor Art
2007-12-08 14:35:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes, it is true. Religion, politics and sex are the three things unmentionable in polite conversation.
College classes are not "polite conversation" though. There is material to be covered, and the agenda that the professor or the school has.
2007-12-08 14:31:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I was told not to discuss it at work, by my boss who was Christian. My coworker and I were discussing religion, his mother follows Buddhism - I was asking questions out of curiosity and I think she was offended because she asked us not to discuss religion any more.
2007-12-08 14:43:56 · answer #9 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I have been told not to discuss religion. I ignored the order. If asked I will comply.
2007-12-08 14:34:15 · answer #10 · answered by HAND 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋