Stop talking about your religion. Just stop!

[Anonymous]

Whether you're Christian, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Atheist, or one of the countless other religious sects, you need to stop talking about your beliefs.

Let me explain my stance.

Almost all of us have been attacked for whatever we believe, at some point, right? Why do you think that is?

Could it be because people constantly try to push their beliefs onto others?

Yeah, it's a no-brainer.

No one wants to be converted. No one wants to be preached to. Atheists don't want to be told that they're going to hell, and religious folks don't want to be told that they're idiots.

So stop talking about it. If you don't go out of your way to notify people of your beliefs, they're not going to react to them. Take the bumper sticker off your car, stop handing out pamphlets, and stop trying to change or belittle others for not believing the same thing as you. Maybe then people will stop viewing religious people as stupid hicks, and atheists will no longer be seen as arrogant pricks.

Currently, we can't prove definitively that God does, or does not, exist. So calling someone an idiot because they don't agree with your theory, is incredibly ignorant, and arrogant. Of course, it's not the majority that do this; but the minority are incredibly loud about it, and are enough to colour popular opinions of any belief system.

To sum up; Stop talking about your religion, or lack thereof. By all means, go to church, or don't. Attend services, or not. But your beliefs should be a private matter. The world doesn't need to know.

(Yeah, the same rule applies to political beliefs. Just stop.)

[W31rd0]

Personally, I would not say anything about my beliefs unless people sincerely asks for it. Only then I may share my beliefs with others. At least it's consensual.

And of course, I will nevertheless serve others and act in accordance to my religion's teachings. My religion is kindness, because that is an universal humane value.*

* Just because my religion is that doesn't mean I've never been unkind. In fact, I have, and I regret it. I wish I can go back, but then I figure it may be more spiritually meaningful if I choose to learn from my mistakes and become a better person.

[myTake Owner]

This is what I'm talking about, I think you have the exact right idea. Personal beliefs are just that; PERSONAL.

[OlderAndWiser]

"Premises" is misspelled in your meme.

[Tdieseler]

I love it when people ("christians", i put the quotes on there because that is the fakest religion ever) try to talk to me about their beliefs or my lack of it thereof. I start by reminding them that I was born a christian, i am more knowledgeable than most of the so called pastors they have and I am not as hypocritical as most of them. I read the bible, its a good book, but when I tell them I don't believe in their deity, all hell breaks loose so I turn around and start questioning them with things I have researched and read about and thats where you see how ignorant a person can be about something they claim to believe in. They get angry, and on many occasions, I've be cursed, cursed out, and one time, they even wanted to get physical lol, just proved me right.

I don't mind that a person chooses what they want to believe in and being blindly led, that is on them, but the "don't ask, don't tell" policy exists for a reason. I didn't bug you with my beliefs and if I do, i'll probably have more solid facts that imaginary beings.
I respect all people regardless of their belief but its the religion itself that I tend to have beef with.
My analogy and question to people is, if you went to buy a car and walked into a dealership with no cars and are approached by a salesman who says they know what you want, they have it in stock and every time you as to see proof, picture, keys, the car itself to test drive, the brand or name, every time you ask, the salesman goes "have faith, trust us, we have it, just pay up and its yours". Most people would high tail it out of that place, so why religion? human nature? wanting to believe in a higher power? to feel less alone?

[hellionthesage]

So you hate what they do and then do exactly what you hate in retaliation? Not particularly logical.

[Tdieseler]

@hellionthesage i dont hate what they do... just the fact that they say they SHOULD do it but don't. I call myself a semi-christian, the bible teaches morals... but i know it was developed in the A. D's and B. C's.. this is 2015... shit changed. even God won't come down again to be a savior in this dirt pool, so i stick to the moral aspects, i obey the 10 commandments.. all the old testament stuff... thats it.

[hellionthesage]

I find the old testament to be the most amoral parts of the bible. Its where the most xenophobia lies as well.

[Tdieseler]

@hellionthesage low-key i had to look those words up lol, but like christians, i have to do selective reading. I pick out the parts that make me a better human being and adhere to them and ditch the rest. (sadly, im still classified a douchebag lol, cuz the girls love me)

[jacquesvol]

@hellionthesage
Indeed, it simply isn't fit for worship. If ever they made a movie with the complete Bible , it would be R-rated.

[hellionthesage]

The bible is composed of three different aspects and that is where the issues lie. You have the pseudo-historical which tells history but in a very one sided view (usually significantly distorted to make the tellers much more sympathetic.) The spiritual which is where the morals and lessons come from, and finally the political. Some times the political isn't even in the bible itself but in those who interpret it (for instance the story of Lot and the destruction of sodom. In short it was a story about xenophobia that was converted by politics to a story of the "evils" of homosexuality (due to translation errors and the readers mind set)) The political is where most of the issues lie not the spiritual aspects of it. Most christians ignore these parts (its the reason why 70% of americans claim to be christian yet you only hear about the 10% that are fanaticle (and woefully ignorant of the bible)) and stick to the spiritual.

[Tdieseler]

@hellionthesage You got technical... lol... I would just like to sum it up that basically... christianity (or the bible) is a contradiction of its own self.

[hellionthesage]

Only if you don't bother to analyze it.

[Tdieseler]

@hellionthesage and thats why christians don't bother to. they don't want to know the truth...

[hellionthesage]

As I said their are plenty that do you just don't know about them because they don't shove it in peoples faces (I have met many of them). Thats the problem the loadest voices are the ones you hear best, doesn't necessarily mean they are the majority, just the most obnoxious.(and to clarify, I am actually agnostic).

[Tdieseler]

and what do these people know? none have anything solid.

[DessieDoo]

I agree that it should be a unspoken topic unless of course someone asks you directly about it. In that case it is opening the doors for conversation. However. The only thing that pisses me right the hell off is that noe schools are trying to preach about certain religions to young children.. I mean, they took the pledge out of school but now speak of other religions? To me that is just plain ignorant and is just asking to be the main topic of discussion. Like I said, religion shouldn't be spoken of unless asked and it shouldn't be taught at schools either. Especially if they aren't teaching a variety of religions, rather than one specific one that the school/teacher seem to believe in. I ran into this problem with my sisters. My 8th grade sisters teacher was preaching about how being atheist was the best way to go and my 3rd grade sisters teacher was preaching about being a Jehavohs Witness. It shouldn't be discussed, plain and simple. Especially to young children whom are growing up in a family of an entirely different faith.

[canadianLAD]

yah because you have the answers lmao.

its a free country.

you have no idea how much christianity has contributed to the progress of the world. i studied it in university so please spare me the cliche of stating what the catholics did in the crusades to all the fake christians making bad choices. less than 3 percent of wars are started from religion with pretty much islam being the only major player.

Not even christians know this but Jesus last command was to spread his word, the gospel.

the reason United states is going to shit is for sure the corruption in the gov. with elites having a major influence but the social ills are often from losing traditional values and family structure which was the influence of christianity. stats and scientific research all confirms kids rased by two male/femal parents who stay together with grandparents in his/her life is the ideal environment for the childs development, it also prooved that sexual reservation (not having casual sex, polygamy to how young you start doing it) also influences healthy romantic relationships and is a good predictor to finding the probability if a stable future relatinoship in their 30s and so much more. even restaurants and hospitals are all innovations of christianity.

you may come of like some enlightened individual among uneducated sheep, but you not know enough of what you preach.

[jacquesvol]

Indeed, Please, stop.
Dear World,
Religion is like a penis. It's fine to have one and it's fine to be proud of it, but please don't whip it out in public and start waving it around... and PLEASE don't try to shove it down my or my child's throat.
Do not start writing laws with it.
Do not think with it.
Sincerely, tired of hearing your religious guff

https://i62.tinypic.com/25jxmhl.jpg

[TheSpartan]

Religious has inspired countless charities and moral movements throughout history. Abolitionism, for example, only began as a Christian pet cause.

[jacquesvol]

@TheSpartan
Importing black slaves was bishop Bartolomeo de las Casas pet cause...

[ThisDudeHere]

@jacquesvol Holy Shit (pun intended) you just nailed it so bad, dude. Have an upvote.

[TheSpartan]

De las Casas was a staunch anti-slavery advocate. In fact, he was one of the only real abolitionists of 16th century Europe. He predated the founding of the first anti-slavery society by more than 250 years.
You're not just wrong; you're flabbergastingly wrong. You might as well have called Stalin or Mao radical pro-free-market activists.

[jacquesvol]

@TheSpartan De Las Casas defended a tiny group of Indios and advocated to replace them by Africans "he argued that it would be advantageous for the Crown to substitute the Indians with “ blacks or other slaves from the mines”. He believed that much more gold could be obtained using blacks than with Indians"
socialsciences.scielo.org/.../scs_a04.pdf

[TheSpartan]

He was also virulently against Native slavery, and he quickly changed his position to an all-around anti-slavery stance in 1520. You know this, though, of course.

[jacquesvol]

@TheSpartan
Las Casas' opposition against 'encomienda' wasn't about the black imported slaves.

[TheSpartan]

Don't be silly. He started off speaking against native serfdom, and he moved towards a condemnation of all slavery, including black slavery. It's unbelievably to fact check.

You can't tell me you don't know this. I learned about De Las Casas' anti-slavery stance when I was ten.

[jacquesvol]

@TheSpartan
---
"The “ Native American seemed to enjoy the innocence and happiness of a time before the fall of man” . Converting them to the Christian faith did not require slavery. The same did not apply to blacks. As a result a whole body of legislation was created to protect the Indians from colonising exploitation, but this was not done in relation to blacks. It can perhaps even be said that, unfortunately, the impediments to indigenous slavery contributed to the growth of the demand for black slaves. Evidence of this can be seen by the fact that other Indian advocates, such as Bishop Diego de Landa of New Spain, were defenders of black slavery"
socialsciences.scielo.org/.../scs_a04.pdf
---

[Cookies_AndMilk]

You do understand it is apart of people's faith to profess it? It is a requirement to go out and spread the word of God, especially if you love a person. Because although you might not believe in a hell we very much do, and the best thing you can do is try to save someone from sending themselves there. God doesn't take on people that are ashamed of him. It is your duty to serve God openly and wholeheartedly not behind closed doors. Telling someone they're not aloud to share the faith is like telling a pharmacist not to give people their prescription. It's not something people do for fun, it's a commandment. It is required. It is their job.

[jacquesvol]

Matt10
14 "Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. https://biblehub.com/matthew/10-14.htm

[Cookies_AndMilk]

@jacquesvol If I could like your comment I would. :)

[Kirah]

It's pretty common for dangerous cults to try and get as much members as possible.

[Cookies_AndMilk]

@Kirah What does sharing your faith have anything to do with cults? It's regular people doing their job, if you choose not to listen to that message you can politely decline. Like the bible verse says, we'll shake the dust off our feet.

[Kirah]

@Cookies_AndMilk because I don't want to "be saved", and even when I politely decline, many Christians still push on, or they start making passive-aggressive remarks such as "poor soul, I'll pray for you".

[Cookies_AndMilk]

@Kirah And you take offense why? If you don't believe in God and choose not to be saved what effect does it have on you if someone leaves you with a "passive aggressive" remark stating they'd pray for you. Prayer is good, why not respond with a smile and say thank you, why not politely walk away and at least appreciate the gesture. What is the point in having negative feelings attached to something pertaining to that? I don't get mad when a child insists on Santa Claus' existence. If I tell them I don't believe in Santa and they respond by telling me, if I don't believe I'm being naughty and by being naughty I won't get any presents on Christmas am I upset? No. Do I feel like children should stop talking about Santa to me? No. Because I know Santa isn't real and therefore nothing about him brings any sort of emotion out of me. If it is the same for you, why isn't the response matching?

[Kirah]

@Cookies_AndMilk I take offense because they're incredibly snarky and satisfied with themselves. It's just a passive-aggressive attempt to lash out.

I do politely walk away, but often when I run into these people again they ask "And, have you seen the light yet?".

[Cookies_AndMilk]

@Kirah And that would be where your control over your emotions take place. Just like with the kid a Santa, kids can be snarky, down right rude, and just as passive aggressive as anyone else, but nothing they say to me about how I'm going to get a lump of coal is going to offend me. Because in my mind and in my heart I know it isn't real. Why have an emotional response to something you think is make believe?

[Kirah]

@Cookies_AndMilk it goes further than that. If it was only about people trying to convince me, then whatever. I'd just be on my way.

The problem is that these people are attempting to pass laws based on their religion. "Close all liquor stores because the Quran says so!", "Gay people shouldn't get married because it's a sin!", and all that.

[Kirah]

The thing about beliefs is that people tend to use them to pass laws and negatively affect others.

[Cookies_AndMilk]

@Kirah Well hey, there isn't much anybody can do about that. Sure, we could complain, but that isn't going to stop anything. There will always be hatred in this world, it's just the way things are. You can't change other people but you can change yourself. You can't stop people from saying certain things, but you can stop it from affecting you. Because as strongly as you feel about this there are people who go out of their way to attack others for their faith. I remember someone asking a question if I'd get plastic surgery, I said no because I'm perfect the way God chose to make me. That had nothing to do with imposing my beliefs unto anyone, yet someone out of the blue chooses to discredit what I said and made the effort to tell me God doesn't exist. He was trying to start something, and you know what I did? I refused him the opportunity. It's one thing to have a discussion with someone. It's another when the person spews hatred. He wanted to spread hatred and I

[Cookies_AndMilk]

@Kirah Destroyed that opportunity. Because I did not care. His words had no effect on me, or my faith, or my life. I moved forward and was proud to not have sunken to his level, and not just because I didn't argue, because I felt no response to his bigotry.

[takumii]

You see what fear has done to us? We are now even scared to even talk about religion anymore because it might offend the other person. I think we should be free to talk about anything and everything. And if you want to stop attacks, I don't need to shut up, you need to stop being narrow minded, and accept that different people have different beliefs and you are not compelled to follow theirs.
Living in an environment of fear is not the best solution. Because fear breeds repression. And repression is the main cause of attacks to the bill of rights. And we have to live up to the bill of rights, because..
It's far easier to fight for principles than to live up to them.

[myTake Owner]

https://i.imgur.com/tyTc1Nl.jpg

You definitely missed the point of this take. But to address your argument, the world will never be a perfect place. Avoiding talking about things like religion all the time, is better than watching people discriminate against, assault, and abuse each other over it. Because that's what people are going to do. Thinking that that's going to change is naive.

Regardless of this, the point of this take was to stop pushing beliefs onto each other. Because that is really what needs to stop. Keeping beliefs private is a fantastic thing. Your faith should be your faith. Not your next door neighbors', not your local police officer's, not your president's.

[takumii]

Everytime someone doesn't agree with you, it is probably an easier route to just claim that ''they missed the point''
I understand your point, and I pointed out why it is not a good solution to the problem. If only you'd had read the 2nd paragraph, you'd know why.

[myTake Owner]

Yeah, sometimes it is. Of course, other times, it's just because the person just so badly MISSED THE POINT.
I didn't talk about fear. I talked about reasons that people get attacked over religion, verbally or otherwise.
This isn't about not accepting other people's beliefs. It's not about denying beliefs. It's about not throwing them in people's faces. What good could come of pushing your religion (or lack thereof) onto others? THAT is what breeds fear and hatred.

[takumii]

But things have consequences, and making it unacceptable to talk about religion to other people in public creates fear of the unacceptable.
And talking about one's religion need not be "Throwing it in their faces". The most disgusting thing about this is it is violating one's bill of rights, the right to freedom of speech. I don't know where you live , but speech in this country is free you hack. We shouldn't be told not to speak about something if in extreme cases it might lead to an argument wherein anything can cause an argument in the first place.

[myTake Owner]

I think you're taking the main point of this too seriously. What I meant (and I thought it was pretty obvious) is that public discussions about religion need to stop. When you have religion in the media, public forums, politics, etc, you're going to have problems.
I'm not even saying people shouldn't be allowed to talk about religion. I'm saying people need to realise why they should refrain from telling everyone about it.

[takumii]

So I went from, https://i.imgur.com/tyTc1Nl.jpg
to taking your point too seriously?
LMAO

And funny you say that you are against people imposing their (religious) views on others, whereas you yourself are imposing your views on people "Stop talking about your religion. Just stop!"

[myTake Owner]

Yeah, you did, actually. Your first comment did totally miss my point, then you took it out of context. I don't know why it's funny, you're the one who didn't get it.

See, my view isn't going to hurt anyone. Like I said in the take, while most people don't look to hurt people, or overexert their views, the minority are, at best, discriminating, and at worst, killing, raping, and maiming others for having a different belief. Why should that be acceptable? These are the people that are causing the problems, and these are the people who are loud, obnoxious, and insistent over their beliefs. If we all have private beliefs, instead of shoving them down people's throats, then that behaviour will cease to exist.

[takumii]

Do you realize what you are saying? We do not make Islam unacceptable because some of the extremist muslims are causing terrorism. We do not driving unacceptable if in some cases it might lead to an accident. Why should we make talking about religion unacceptable when in some cases it might lead to an argument. Don't people get it?

[myTake Owner]

I'm not saying religion should be unacceptable. I'm saying that people need to stop shoving their beliefs, religious or not, down people's throats.
Arguments are the least of our worries. When something as personal as faith and beliefs is causing people to kill each other, something needs to change.

[takumii]

ME : " Why should we make talking about religion unacceptable when in some cases it might lead to an argument."
YOU : "I'm not saying religion should be unacceptable"
Read carefully pls.

Killing each other is illegal anyways no matter for what reason, what are you trying to prove?

[myTake Owner]

You: We do not make Islam unacceptable because some of the extremist muslims are causing terrorism.
Are you somehow not aware that Islam is a religion? My statement was in response to yours.

You're right. Killing each other is illegal. Does that mean that we shouldn't regulate or prevent the reasons for killing others? Let's just legalise drink driving, shall we? Or drug trade? These are admittedly extreme examples, but they're illegal because they result in death or injury. Religion is obviously a much less extreme act, so we obviously wouldn't prohibit it.
What I'm trying to get across is that, if we made it less socially acceptable to publicly announce our beliefs, there would be fewer problems.

[takumii]

"What I'm trying to get across is that, if we made it less socially acceptable to publicly announce our beliefs, there would be fewer problems."
Are you sure this is what you wanna say? Fixate on something because you keep pulsating from one point to another.

From your take heading it seems what you wanna say is "Don't " instead of "less"
Islam and driving ones were EXAMPLES. Just because it may lead to something ISN'T a good enough reason to make it unacceptable.

[RansomDraven]

You are AWESOME! Best comment and thread of the night!

[hellionthesage]

No. Don't get me wrong you should be respectful about it but discourse is normal. We attempt to convert everybody to everything whether its religion or music. Open and honest discourse brings us close to the truth. You may not agree with the religion but that doesn't mean it doesn't have valid points and ideas with in it. To remove discussion is to remove growth both social and personal.

[ThisDudeHere]

I completely agree. I don't want to hear religious people go on about how their religion is the one good true one or whatever. And even if they don't do that, they still use passive aggressive tactics against other religions by implying bad things but never mentioning them out loud.

[Blobb]

I believe religion and politics should belong in the private sphere. What you say and do on your own time outside of public institutions is your own prerogative.
If you're a dick who's constantly harassing people with your religious beliefs or lack thereof, people will not hang around you. And they're completely entitled to make complaints to law enforcement for harassment if it goes that far.

You can't stop people willingly discussing their views though. Or even advocating them. Just like you can't stop a political candidate from preaching what he thinks is "best for the country", you can't stop religious people preaching what they think is "best for your soul". That would go against freedom of expression.
There are however places where that is inappropriate, such as any public institution or secular workplace.

[myTake Owner]

See, I'm not trying to stop them. I'm only saying that people should stop doing it. I'm not not trying to outlaw anything, just point out that people need to individually stop themselves.

[Blobb]

I think it's probably a good idea in many many contexts

[Bluemax]

I don't consider people engaging me in a conversation about their beliefs as being "attacked" or "constantly try to push their beliefs onto others."

So as to your rhetorical question, "Almost all of us have been attacked for whatever we believe, at some point, right?" I respectfully reply, no, I haven't and virtually everyone I know hasn't.

Now, I will not engage you in a discussion of religion or politics because I know you don't like it and I will respect that. However, I will never ask people to stop talking about it because I, and many others, find it intellectually stimulating. Some of the best conversations I've had have been with people who willingly have engaged me with ideas that are contrary to my own.

[Mustachekitteh]

Loved the take and agree 100%. It's really annoying to have someone shove that kind of thing down your throat. When you won't change your mind but they keep trying. Putting "in god we trust." on money, billboards on the interstate talking about god, etc. That is forcing people who will never care about it. Having to see it. Just go bother people who actually care to listen.

The only religion I have not seen people try to shove down your throat. Is Buddhism. Though i guess where I live not many people practice that. Still That makes me like people who do it more. Since they don't both others with it to my knowledge.

[Mustachekitteh]

Just after a point of people repeating it to you when you don't care. It's like having this high pitch annoying sound in your ear. At first you do pretty good at ignoring it. Then after a point it starts to get to you and annoy the crap out of you.

[Phoenix98]

Yeah that's not gonna happen not with me and not with any other religious person, religion has been around since the dawn of man and it will be around far after you are gone and turned to dust, deal with it. It's our right as human beings to discuss it with whoever wants to listen "listen" being the keyword.

I agree with you that you shouldn't talk about religion with those that don't want to hear it and that you should be respectful about it. But to those that are interested in it or do want to talk about it or between other religious folks, there's nothing you can do to stop it

[myTake Owner]

And that's obviously not what I was talking about. Every example I gave was relating to publicly announcing your religion, not talking about it to people that want to hear about it.

[KHaskins]

Let me just ask you this: a speaker is invited to a college campus. Students disagree with this speaker's beliefs, and take the opportunity to band together and shout her down at the podium so nobody can hear what she has to say. Would you count either or both parties in the wrong in this situation?

[KHaskins]

Lotta votes, no comments. Genuinely curious what @asker's response to this would be.

[myTake Owner]

A speaker is invited to a college campus to talk about her beliefs? Really? That's a dubious scenario. If she was, then fine. The students should not have attended if they knew what the seminar was about, and didn't agree with it.
However, if she was invited to talk about something, and began talking about her own beliefs, she should expect people to disagree. While, in the perfect world, the students should respect her beliefs, they won't. We don't live in a perfect world, and it's up to individuals to prevent themselves being attacked for things like that.

[KHaskins]

It's a very common occurrence for speakers invited to discuss political matters on campus (particularly conservative speakers) to be shouted down. Some have been physically attacked, both in Europe and the US. The BDS movement, for example, has done this to pro-Israel speakers multiple times. Ward Connerly (himself an African-American) received similar treatment when speaking out against affirmative action programs. Ann Coulter got pie'd.

These speakers are there delivering the content they promised, representing the stance they advertised - whatever people think of it, that is their right. The protestors employ coercive tactics to ensure these voices aren't heard, and as such, I see them as being in the wrong.

[myTake Owner]

In that case, then, it would be the students who were in the wrong.
What I was talking about in my take, is when people publicly announce their beliefs, without needing to. A seminar, about those beliefs, is a different matter. However, talking about your beliefs to strangers, without being asked, handing out pamphlets, door-knocking, and accosting people on the streets, all need to stop.

[KHaskins]

On that we can agree. I do think people could benefit from being thicker skinned about it (our society is already far, far too lawsuit-happy), but I'm no fan of proselytism.

[myTake Owner]

That is true. I just think we ought to keep our personal beliefs just that; personal.

[Northeast106]

Religion and politics are powerful, and they need to be discussed. You also have to rally your group, and push for what you believe. If the minority of the country is Christian, and the majority is Muslim, you have to be willing to challenge them and fight for your fair share, and laws that respect your faith and political will. Same thing if your secular, then you have to fight for secular laws, and a secular government. Religion needs to be challenged and argued over, because it inevitably spills over into politics, business, and war.

[Poppykate]

If people obeyed your rule, it would go against freedom of expression. If you control what people say, than what is next, what they wear, where they live etc... If we want to display our religious views by wearing an item of clothing or jewellery, because it gives us a sense of peace, and a deeper connection to our religion, who has a right to stop us? If you don't want to hear about someone else religious beliefs, tell them politely that you are not interested.

[myTake Owner]

I'm not talking about banning talking about religion. I'm saying people need to individually making their beliefs public knowledge.

In case you aren't aware, politely telling someone you aren't interested is not effected. People get accosted in the street by people trying to convert them, people get physically attacked for their religion or beliefs, or for not following someone else's.

[523206720]

Indeed this is the dumbest post I have ever read. If you were a decent human being you wouldn't go anonymous when you are talking about religion. Real people want others to know what they think. Just because you are content to go to hell after you die for being an abomination in God's eyes does not mean others should go to hell with you.

[myTake Owner]

And this is the dumbest response I've ever read.
I'm anonymous because if I weren't, I'd be ostracized by idiots like you.
I respect your beliefs. But you don't get to hold everyone to your ridiculously convoluted standards. If someone doesn't believe in the same things as you, and doesn't follow the same religion, don't try to make them. You only make yourself look like a bigoted, uneducated tool.
Everyone has a right to believe what they like. Stop trying to force your religion onto others.

[AvaMarina]

Eh, some people bring it on themselves, but I don't think we need to -hide- our religious beliefs (or lack thereof). Sometimes it's hard to avoid mentioning this topic. Like I've had friends who invited me to weekly worship with them, or who wanted me to join their Christian rock band, or who asked for advice on spiritual matters. I shouldn't have to hide or lie about my reasons for not wanting/being able to do these things.

[myTake Owner]

Perhaps I didn't get my point across adequately. I don't think people need to hide it. I just think people need to stop making it public knowledge.

[GirlScout]

No, just as you want to discuss religion as you are now, so do other people. You're getting incredibly noisy about something you yourself are doing!

I do not agree one bit. People should be comfortable broaching any subject they want to. It encourages debate and is more interesting than "when can I fart in front of my boyfriend?" questions.

[vishna]

I was watching a documentary on the Protestant Reformation. And the comments were flooded with people either 1) stating their religious affiliation 2) arguing or 3) preaching/citing scripture.

I was confused because the documentary was simply stating facts. When facts are being presented, no one gives a flying squirrel nut about personal ideas.

[gotc147]

Nah, I'll keep talking about my religious beliefs and political beliefs l, you can't tell me not to, you can only choose to walk away and not listen.

Freedom of speech trumps you being annoyed, no matter how severely annoyed you get.

[myTake Owner]

Well, if you're comfortable looking like an idiot...

Your freedom of speech doesn't trump others' freedom of belief.

[gotc147]

That makes absolutely no sense.

[myTake Owner]

Which part? The part where you're making yourself look like a moron, or the part where people have a right to not have others attempt to convert them, or be preached to?

[gotc147]

You equate me saying that I will keep my right to free speech with me trying to convert people or preach to them... And *I* am the moron.

This world is doomed...

[myTake Owner]

The world is doomed because people can't shut the fuck up about their PERSONAL beliefs. Your religion doesn't need to be public knowledge. Nobody wants to hear about it.

[gotc147]

Same can be said of your opinions.

[myTake Owner]

Slightly different concept. My opinion, in this take, is part of a social issue. Religion and beliefs are a personal thing, and should stay that way.

[LuckyLittleLucy]

Ughh. Okay, yes freedom of speech allows you to say what you think, but seriously.
What you say can hurt people. Now I'm not saying "Hide your opinion so you don't offend others". But you clearly believe very strongly, so do other people. That can lead to some very nasty things, and people can get really really hurt. Don't get angry just because people disagree with you.

[gotc147]

@LuckyLittleLucy I really don't care if people are offended by what I say, getting offended is part of life so either buck up or check out, my rights trump your feelings.

That goes for both of you.

[LuckyLittleLucy]

Oh dear, I said that you have your right to say stuff. And I also said it shouldn't matter if you offend people. What I said is just be careful of what you say, especially when it comes to things like this.
There's a difference between saying your opinion (and other disagreeing/getting offended) and shoving your opinion down other people's throats because your views aren't the same...
There's a line... You sound like you're going to cross it.

[gotc147]

@LuckyLittleLucy I am free to cross that line if I choose.

[myTake Owner]

Your entire argument is based on 'I can do what I like, you can't tell me what to do!'. Your reasoning is probably one of the most childish thoughts.
'I am free to cross that line if I choose.' It's like saying 'I'm free to (insert fucked up act here) because no one can stop me.' You sound like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

[LuckyLittleLucy]

Yeah you can cross the line but is it right?
I can cross the line and murder somebody but it doesn't mean I'm going to nor does it make it okay.

[gotc147]

No, I am free to express my religion or lack thereof because I have the natural right to freedom of speech, you being offended by something I say does not constitute a reason for me to not excersis my rights.

@LuckyLittleLucy equating natural rights to murder... Apples to oranges is an understatement.

[myTake Owner]

You're still completely missing the point of this take. I am not offended by religions and beliefs. None of this is about me being offended by anything.
Choosing not to publicly proclaim your religion only preserves peace in society. There is nothing wrong with continuing to follow your religion, but there is a lot wrong with accosting people on the streets, and preaching to the world that their going to hell. In fact, I do believe some of it borders on harassment, because people just won't stop when they're asked.
Keep your personal beliefs personal.

[gotc147]

Are you fimiliar with the old saying "si vis packem parabellem"?

[LuckyLittleLucy]

There are rights AND responsibilities.
In America it is your RIGHT to own a firearm. It is your RESPONSIBILITY not to kill somebody with it.
The same sort of idea applies to you. You have the RIGHT to freedom of expression etc. You have the RESPONSIBILITY not to shove it down other people's throats and shame them for their own beliefs.

[gotc147]

A recent supreme court case refutes your position on the issue.