spread your gospel somewhere else!

[beam]

Originally posted by Konigballer
I cant stand people who cant think of themselves as anything but a label of what they believe in or support.

I don't know if I would fall into this category or not. But one thing to note, it isn't a label for me....it's a Worldview. It is the lense through which I view and interact with the entire world around me. Therefore, to someone on the outside, it may seem like I'm one of those, "Hi! I'm Nate, I'm a Christian!" For me, being real and geniune as a friend is a precursor to sharing my faith. In most cases, if I haven't "earned" the right to share my faith with you, I won't. Sometimes, on the internet (even this post as an example) it is too easy to just start proselytizing.

[Konigballer]

well whatever floats your boat beam, I wasnt trying to attack anyone's faith or anything, I just picked christianity.

Just dont become one of the many people that let the "world view" that their system gives them, religious, political or otherwise, blanket their outlook on other people simply because of their allegiance to these often very over simplified or ignorant "world views".

I'm not saying your like that beam, and I cant remember you ever coming off like that, but I'm sure you've met people that are like that.

[beam]

No, I'm with you. There has to be a balance.

But there have been times where I have come off too bold, indignant even. But I am growing. More damage is done to a relationship (if one even exists) if faith isn't shared in the context of a geniune friendship and interest.

Otherwise, people just think you're trying to sell them something.

[cphilip]

I was able to get one of them to take some Quaker reading material I had. They didn't want to but I pointed out to them it was unkindly to not accept a gift. They seem scared to even hold anything that has even a slighly different perspective on things

I got no real problem with anyones choices. I do hate a hypocrit though! Just hate em!!!!!

[SlartyBartFast]

Originally posted by cphilip
I was able to get one of them to take some Quaker reading material I had. They didn't want to but I pointed out to them it was unkindly to not accept a gift. They seem scared to even hold anything that has even a slighly different perspective on things

I got no real problem with anyones choices. I do hate a hypocrit though! Just hate em!!!!!

That's why you'll never convince me to become a religious person. When your given the hard sell it's all about learning, when in reality it's all about conforming.

If religion was all about learning the various world religions would be working on emphesising the common ground and accepting the differences in opinion and interpretation.

However, world history and current events seem to indicate that the majority are currently doing the opposite.

[Restola]

For me, nothing in religion "adds up". Listening to people try to convert me while side-stepping issues I think are important is frustrating.

I have, though, learned how to be polite, listen briefly, and make an appropriate exit from the conversation.

Used to happen a lot more in high school. High school kids seem much less secure in their beliefs (well, high school kids are probably much less secure in everything).

All I can say is...ugh. Freedom of religion is awsome, but it comes at a small price

[SlartyBartFast]

Originally posted by Restola
Freedom of religion is awsome, but it comes at a small price

Yup. And it's a price that a number of religious folks can't seem to live with. And that's the right to freedom FROM religion.

[Miscue]

Personally, I don't care what someone believes in. What matters is that a moral life is led... and religion for the most part tries to steer towards this... just the details being different.

[SlartyBartFast]

Originally posted by Miscue
Personally, I don't care what someone believes in. What matters is that a moral life is led... and religion for the most part tries to steer towards this... just the details being different.

Absolutely and completely in agreement with you on that.

One of the biggest inexplicable stupidities in my view is the belief of some that the results in the end don't rest with how you behaved but in what you believed.

Mafia bosses going to church, the born-again crowd saying that confessed Nazis will go to heaven because they 'discovered' their religion before dying, etc.

[Miscue]

Yes, I find that annoying as well. "Because I believe, I am moral." I find people who have that religious "air" about them with their attitude and all that, but do things in contradiction, to be quite obnoxious. I am also irritated when they infer or directly come out with the idea that I have an inferior notion as to what morality is because I am not a member of their club. What I do appreciate is being known as a "friend of the church," although I am not a member. We may have different ideas but that doesn't mean we can't be friends.

[Blonde Bomber]

Everytime I check into a Hotel I open up the Bible. Ya know sometimes people use paper money as bookmarks and forget its in the book?


Give me a few $ and ill praise whatever you want for a few minutes

[Miscue]

Haha. There are churches that pay new members to show up, you just have to find them.

Something just seems really wrong about that though...

[than205]

When I was a kid (a billion years ago). Some Jehovahs pulled into our driveway. We were working in the yard so we saw them right away. They asked my father if they could speak to us. My dad replied that he was agnostic and his wife and children were Mormon. They left quickly.

There is no love lost between the two religons.
So that's what I tell people to do. Find out who's at the door. Then tell them your the opposite, and watch the dust cloud as they leave.

[Miscue]

I've thought the same thing, it's probably more effective to do that than to just say you aren't interested or don't have time.

"I am an ordained minister for a religion not of your own." Hehehe.

[1stdeadeye]

The LDS/Mormans are fun!

We used to love messing with them. Offer them coffee or a beer. Ask them how many husbands/wives they had, etc...

The JWs are bad though. They don't quit, plus they have those crappy comic books.

I agree with Miscue, practice what you preach. Lead a good life and you'll be fine.