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How can we get those that want to preach to go and knock on someone else's doors, I for one am tired of all these threads turning into bible thumping pages.
Okay...first of all, please take what I'm about to say with the realization that I'm not Christian. I'm a hell-bound pagan...see ya there...bring light clothing. I considered packing a bikini but having nursed three babies, I'm pretty sure the sight would scare even Satan.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way...ahem. You have to admit that in a way, we're asking for it, since we're electively coming onto a board where one can clearly see, just by viewing any given page, that there is a heavy leaning on Christian thoughts, debates, and blah blah blah.
How can you avoid it? By, well, avoiding it.
Here's the deal. We do all have free choice, and that choice includes Christianity, and you really CAN'T get people to stop talking about their own religion.
I do personally feel that Christianity is a "trigger" for us non-Christians because it does contain judgement, inherently. The viewpoint is literally that anyone, anyone, period, IS going to hell if he or she is not Christian. That's extremely finger-wagging of its own accord. So of course it's going to bring up feelings of being judged, and defensiveness. I think that if more Christians realized this, they'd stop pretending to be so shocked that people don't want to "let" them "just" talk about their religion.
But bottom line, no, you really can't avoid it. I mean that's what it is. 80% of this country (or 80% plus) is Christian. (I'm assuming you're in the U.S.) Fully one-third of the world is Christian.
I do enjoy the debates because I do feel like I have a lot to say. Other people also feel like they have a lot to say, from an opposing viewpoint. I think it's actually pretty healthy to have what almost amounts to a self-dialogue just to clarify one's own beliefs. I mean this is the internet. We really don't treat eachother as "real" people, when you think about it. I would never dream of speaking to people this frankly about religion IRL, except like-minded people, and I haven't had Christians IRL come right up to me and say the things that have been said to me on this forum.
How can we get those that want to preach to go and knock on someone else's doors, I for one am tired of all these threads turning into bible thumping pages.
It normally isn't that bad.
We just have a few "instigators" on the board who seem to get away with this spam. They make it bad for the rest of us, religious and non-religious folks alike. Admittedly, I've been sucked into their web of SPAM, and have fed the trolls far too often.
Why do people get so up in arms about those wanting to talk about religion/spirituality? If you don't like it, don't read it! I don't know how many times that has been said.
There are people that are fanatical about just about anything. People don't seem to make a big stink when someone lets sports or video games run their lives. You can't get addicted to Christ.
If someone does not like sports they do not care that others are fanatical about it?
If someone does not like Christ/God or spirituality they have a problem with those who do? Why?
Why do people get so up in arms about those wanting to talk about religion/spirituality? If you don't like it, don't read it! I don't know how many times that has been said.
There are people that are fanatical about just about anything. People don't seem to make a big stink when someone lets sports or video games run their lives. You can't get addicted to Christ.
If someone does not like sports they do not care that others are fanatical about it?
If someone does not like Christ/God or spirituality they have a problem with those who do? Why?
This is a legitimate question, and I tried to address it above. I do hear this question a lot..."Why don't non-Christians like to hear Christians talk about their religion?" It is a trigger, whether logical or not, because what is inherent in the Christian idea is that if you are not a Christian, then you're doomed, and that's it. If you do not believe in Christ as the one savior then you are not going to be accepted ultimately by God. It is the ONLY way, and the Bible even says it. I shouldn't be trying to quote the Bible since I don't know it well enough, but at some point if I recall correctly, Jesus said, "No one (gets to heaven) except through me." That is a judgement that is just "there"--automatically. I don't know of any other religion that does this.
It produces a definite defensiveness. I don't believe all, or even many, Christians WANT to produce this feeling in other people. It just "is". I mean you're asking why, and in my opinion, this is why. There is also an extreme dominance numbers-wise of Christians and non-Christians feel very overwhelmed hearing about Christianity so continuously, fully knowing that if we were to talk about *our* beliefs we'd have a whole lot of people arguing about how wrong we are...or else shaking their heads and saying sadly, "I'll pray for you." I do feel you really want to understand, so I hope I'm explaining this adequately.
ETA: As for "just not reading it," again, with the extreme preponderance of Christian people, Christian holidays, churches, Christian comments in everyday living, Christian books, etc., it is VERY hard to "just" avoid running into Christian commentary. Again--this doesn't mean people shouldn't be able to talk about religion. But it is pretty hard to avoid.
I thought your post about where you said that Christianity just inherently has an element of "judgment" in it was very insightful. (I am a Christian.) I had never really thought about it that way, but that's true. I don't think that's necessarily something that can be or even should be changed, but it does give me some understanding why sometimes non-Christians seem (to us Christians) to get defensive. Thanks for some enlightenment.
How can we get those that want to preach to go and knock on someone else's doors, I for one am tired of all these threads turning into bible thumping pages.
May I then ask why you started a new thread entitled Bible/Religion? If you don't want believers to respond, then don't start a thread with an enticing title to it.
Likewise in the other threads, don't post if you don't like the conversation. Most of us are really not pushy about it, but if you say you don't believe in God, or you think Christianity is too judgemental, certainly we're not wrong in responding, especially when the thread deals with those subjects.
If you don't want the religious threads on the front page, by all means start new threads and talk about other political or controversial subjects. We may or may not join you there, depending upon whether it interests us.
Okay...first of all, please take what I'm about to say with the realization that I'm not Christian. I'm a hell-bound pagan...see ya there...bring light clothing. I considered packing a bikini but having nursed three babies, I'm pretty sure the sight would scare even Satan.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way...ahem. You have to admit that in a way, we're asking for it, since we're electively coming onto a board where one can clearly see, just by viewing any given page, that there is a heavy leaning on Christian thoughts, debates, and blah blah blah.
How can you avoid it? By, well, avoiding it.
Here's the deal. We do all have free choice, and that choice includes Christianity, and you really CAN'T get people to stop talking about their own religion.
I do personally feel that Christianity is a "trigger" for us non-Christians because it does contain judgement, inherently. The viewpoint is literally that anyone, anyone, period, IS going to hell if he or she is not Christian. That's extremely finger-wagging of its own accord. So of course it's going to bring up feelings of being judged, and defensiveness. I think that if more Christians realized this, they'd stop pretending to be so shocked that people don't want to "let" them "just" talk about their religion.
But bottom line, no, you really can't avoid it. I mean that's what it is. 80% of this country (or 80% plus) is Christian. (I'm assuming you're in the U.S.) Fully one-third of the world is Christian.
I do enjoy the debates because I do feel like I have a lot to say. Other people also feel like they have a lot to say, from an opposing viewpoint. I think it's actually pretty healthy to have what almost amounts to a self-dialogue just to clarify one's own beliefs. I mean this is the internet. We really don't treat eachother as "real" people, when you think about it. I would never dream of speaking to people this frankly about religion IRL, except like-minded people, and I haven't had Christians IRL come right up to me and say the things that have been said to me on this forum.
We just have a few "instigators" on the board who seem to get away with this spam. They make it bad for the rest of us, religious and non-religious folks alike. Admittedly, I've been sucked into their web of SPAM, and have fed the trolls far too often.
Shame, shame on me.
~T
So, much fun to watch you type your frustration out. Are you sure your not a troll sometimes!!
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