How many "labels" do you have that you feel most people misunderstand?

Question

For instance, I'm an atheist, and I'm bisexual, but I feel that if I tell the average person either of those things, they are going to think I'm evil regarding religion and greedy regarding sex. Neither are true. I find myself not wanting to use these labels, not because they're inaccurate, but because I know most people will interpret them incorrectly.

Anyone else have this problem?

(((((primo))))) good morning, my friend. :o)

PatTexas, it isn't that I don't like the label. I'm fine with the label. I just wish people understood them better.

Hello, my dear ((((((Ray J))))). I want you to know that you have made my days might brighter with the comments you leave on my blog. You are a good friend.

lol typo above: might brighter? I meant to say "much" brighter.

Cinnamon, you just described my experience as a bisexual perfectly. It isn't about needing something from both sexes.. it just means I'm capable of being attracted to either. And I do not feel that I can help who I am attracted to any more than a straight or gay person can.

(((((MamiZ))))) Hey girl!! I am so glad to see your beautiful face answering my question.

(((((MamiZ))))) Hey girl!! I am so glad to see your beautiful face answering my question.

Crap, sorry for posting that last part twice. Yahoo sucks.. or maybe it was an operator error? :o)

Answer 1

Labels can be very misunderstood.

I know you aren't religious but, I recently read an article by an Elder in my church about this- he said that we need to stop labeling ourselves, we are all sons and daughters of God and that label should be sufficient.

For people who don't believe in God, simply labeling yourself American or Human should be sufficient.

I have maintained for a very long time that labels do nothing more than segregate us all further. We are all Americans and Humans- putting ourselves into separate groups breeds intolerance of the different groups. If we want to be united we should drop the labels and find our commonalities (is that even a word?.

However sometimes some words help us define who we are- You are an Atheist, if you tell me that, then I am not going to ask you about your church service or try to discuss religious topics with you, but that should not make me dislike you.

Answer 2

Yep, I have those exact labels and receive those misconceptions.

Just recently, someone messaged me here on Y!A telling me that I'm following the "wrong path" by being an atheist and that I must follow "god" or I'll be going to hell. I responded explaining that unless that fellow embraces Zeus, Vishnu and all the other hundreds of man-made gods floating around that he's as much as an atheist as I am.
I never received a response.

I identify myself as bisexual, I haven't been called greedy, but I've been told that I can't be trusted not to cheat, that I'm promiscuous and that I should just choose a "side" and stick to it. I don't need to choose a "side", I am what I am. I didn't choose to be attracted to both sexes, and just because I /am/ attracted to both doesn't mean that I will cheat on a partner, or have two partners at the same time or anything like that. I've also been given that whole "god made Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve" talk [among others] ... um... I'm an atheist, that little fairy tale doesn't have any effect on me.
Sadly, I think people's misconceptions will not change unless they become more open minded and less ignorant.

Answer 3

Well, sometimes when I defend muslims people think I'm some terrorist-even though I come from an AMERICAN military base in the middle east. And I have borrowed beliefs not from Islam but Buddhist, Shinto, Taoist, Christian beliefs. I just happen to educate myself on people's religons and cultures before I even attempt at any sort of critisizing.

Answer 4

"Christian"
People seem to think a lot of times that means a squeaky past and no faults. They tend to forget that Christians are people too. Just with a Savior.

I will make no apologies for being MamiZ. I am working at becoming better, but it is a process. It irks me when people claiming to be Christians have the brass balls to tell me what a horrible person I am without even knowing me.

(((LINZ)))
<3 ya!!!

Answer 5

Muslim.

When I meet new people after I get to know them, and tell them that I am a Muslim, they're always a bit shocked (even though they try to hide it). Thats also partially due to the reason that don't wear a veil yet however there's such a misunderstanding that a Muslim woman is someone who is oppressed, who isn't allowed to work, who is cooped up at home all day, and outdated etc. but that's really not true.

Answer 6

People call me a "Jesus Freak". I am humbled by this...I am so weak and have so much to learn and so far to walk...

agapefromnc


addendum

Hey Linzi..I am physically more attracted to younger women than my wife who is aged out...so everyone should understand if I leave her and chase young women..right? In fact, I like younger women with some meat on their bones.

Everyone celebrate with me as I explore my identity...

After all, God made me this way.

Hold on a moment....uuuhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmdduuuuh.

I feel my body moving....what's a guy to do?

The self centered madness of it all is driving me bonkers.

Thanks for listening.

agapefromnc

Answer 7

You lost me. "I find myself not wanting to use these labels." and "I'm an atheist, and I'm bisexual." So are you saying we don't need to label you since you did that yourself? I don't misunderstand either of those. Hope that helps.

Answer 8

is funny that once someone applies a label to someone else they bring many pre-conceived notions with them that can really limit any understanding of that person-have to agree that yes i dont like to apply a label to myself either------smile linz and enjoy the day

Answer 9

I'm still fantasizing about the bisexual part to worry about labels.

Answer 10

Yes, people call me ignorant for believing the Bible and being a Christian. I get called close-minded for having scriptural beliefs.