Differing beliefs

[Lik3]

While I have my views on differing religions, I personally respected and treat people of different beliefs fairly. As a Christian, I believe it is wrong to slight or mistreat anyone who believes differently from me in terms of religious beliefs. I also believe that Jesus Christ died for all of us, regardless of religious beliefs. For instance, say a famous person professes atheism or Muslim or Jewish, would you slight a non-Christian and judge him or her based on religious belief(s)?

I noticed that there are people out there who don't like or even hate (for a lack of a better term) someone of a different religious affiliation or belief. I may not or don't share the same beliefs, but if a Christian were to have any discussion (for example) with a person of a different belief, what would you say?

Would you have a conversation, share your beliefs, or would you rather skip to another subject? I know that there are those who don't seem to like or care for the beliefs of others or they can be rather rude or care not to discuss religion. There are others who will judge others because of their religious beliefs. For example, there are people who will criticize or even judge a celebrity for having a different belief than theirs. They won't talk to them, or even watch a movie with them in it if the person is a celebrity. I read about an athlete who is a professing atheist, and so, because of his beliefs, there is controversy as to how one should be viewed due to his beliefs. I am not an atheist, but to me it makes no sense.

What are your views on this subject? What is your (specified) religious belief and would that or have that affected you personally as to how people have treated you? I never mistreated or slighted someone who is not a Christian. I not only believe it is silly but also rude. I believe that if a person is to profess Christianity, he or she is supposed to show themselves and live as what they profess.

 

[bhsmte]

While I have my views on differing religions, I personally respected and treat people of different beliefs fairly. As a Christian, I believe it is wrong to slight or mistreat anyone who believes differently from me in terms of religious beliefs. I also believe that Jesus Christ died for all of us, regardless of religious beliefs. For instance, say a famous person professes atheism or Muslim or Jewish, would you slight a non-Christian and judge him or her based on religious belief(s)?

I noticed that there are people out there who don't like or even hate (for a lack of a better term) someone of a different religious affiliation or belief. I may not or don't share the same beliefs, but if a Christian were to have any discussion (for example) with a person of a different belief, what would you say?

Would you have a conversation, share your beliefs, or would you rather skip to another subject? I know that there are those who don't seem to like or care for the beliefs of others or they can be rather rude or care not to discuss religion. There are others who will judge others because of their religious beliefs. For example, there are people who will criticize or even judge a celebrity for having a different belief than theirs. They won't talk to them, or even watch a movie with them in it if the person is a celebrity. I read about an athlete who is a professing atheist, and so, because of his beliefs, there is controversy as to how one should be viewed due to his beliefs. I am not an atheist, but to me it makes no sense.

What are your views on this subject? What is your (specified) religious belief and would that or have that affected you personally as to how people have treated you? I never mistreated or slighted someone who is not a Christian. I not only believe it is silly but also rude. I believe that if a person is to profess Christianity, he or she is supposed to show themselves and live as what they profess.

IMO, the more rigid ones religious beliefs are, the more threatened they are with people that disagree with them. These folks, need to protect their personal beliefs at all costs and one way of doing so, is to negatively judge others who disagree.

 

[DaisyDay]

I have a bias in favor of Unitarians, not so much Universalists. I don't want to argue about it, though.

I'm interested in knowing what people believe and why, including their religious beliefs. It does affect my opinion of them, of course, same as their taste in literature, but not as much nearly as how they treat other people (which, in my experience, is fairly independent of their religious affiliation). I'm fairly open - I've been friends at one time or another with Muslims, Moonies, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucians, Taoists, Atheists, Humanists, New Agers, Wiccans, Jews and Christians from too many denominations to name.

I do have a bias against fundamentalists of all persuasions - not because of their particular beliefs, so much, as their rigidity and close-mindedness. I find them the most difficult to comprehend.

 

[bhsmte]

I have a bias in favor of Unitarians, not so much Universalists. I don't want to argue about it, though.

I'm interested in knowing what people believe and why, including their religious beliefs. It does affect my opinion of them, of course, same as their taste in literature, but not as much nearly as how they treat other people (which, in my experience, is fairly independent of their religious affiliation). I'm fairly open - I've been friends at one time or another with Muslims, Moonies, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Sikhs, Hindus, Atheists, Humanists, New Agers, Wiccans, Jews and Christians from too many denominations to name.

I do have a bias against fundamentalists of all persuasions - not because of their particular beliefs, so much, as their rigidity and close-mindedness. I find them the most difficult to comprehend.

IMO, the fundies are actually the easiest to understand. They use rudimentary defense mechanisms to protect their personal belief and are very simple black and white thinkers. To them, it is more painful to acknowledge well evidenced reality, than it is to keep denying the same. With some over time, it becomes to painful to keep denying reality and that is when they let the belief go.

 

[thecolorsblend]

While I have my views on differing religions, I personally respected and treat people of different beliefs fairly. As a Christian, I believe it is wrong to slight or mistreat anyone who believes differently from me in terms of religious beliefs. I also believe that Jesus Christ died for all of us, regardless of religious beliefs. For instance, say a famous person professes atheism or Muslim or Jewish, would you slight a non-Christian and judge him or her based on religious belief(s)?

I noticed that there are people out there who don't like or even hate (for a lack of a better term) someone of a different religious affiliation or belief. I may not or don't share the same beliefs, but if a Christian were to have any discussion (for example) with a person of a different belief, what would you say?

Would you have a conversation, share your beliefs, or would you rather skip to another subject? I know that there are those who don't seem to like or care for the beliefs of others or they can be rather rude or care not to discuss religion. There are others who will judge others because of their religious beliefs. For example, there are people who will criticize or even judge a celebrity for having a different belief than theirs. They won't talk to them, or even watch a movie with them in it if the person is a celebrity. I read about an athlete who is a professing atheist, and so, because of his beliefs, there is controversy as to how one should be viewed due to his beliefs. I am not an atheist, but to me it makes no sense.

What are your views on this subject? What is your (specified) religious belief and would that or have that affected you personally as to how people have treated you? I never mistreated or slighted someone who is not a Christian. I not only believe it is silly but also rude. I believe that if a person is to profess Christianity, he or she is supposed to show themselves and live as what they profess.

I try not to insult others. I don't feel right about running away from the subject but it's not something I enjoy discussing.

Among Moslems, I find they're a little creeped out by Christianity. There are Moslems here on CF who probably understand what we believe relatively well. But the average Moslem on the street... I've just noticed they find Christianity mystifying. They have no concept of the Trinity and so they seem to think we're bizarre polytheists with a tendency to worship a man because He died on the cross.

Among non-Catholics, I've noticed that it's 1 in 10 at most who truly understands what the Catholic Churches. I know what, say, the Southern Baptists believe because I used to be one of them. But I find that most evangelicals don't know 1/16th as much as they think they do about traditional Christianity, Catholicism in particular. So if I find myself in dialogue with one of them, I try to point to the antiquity of our beliefs over and against the ahistorical novelty of theirs. In some cases, it's as though the scales have fallen from their eyes. In other cases though, I get the usual "but but but that's not biblical". I guess they base that on the abbreviated Bible most Protestants use. Or something, I don't know.

In the end, the discourse gets reduced down to emotional outbursts with the evangelical loudly proclaiming "I just don't believe that!" Which is fine and dandy; my beliefs don't require him to. Why he cares so much about making me not believe that is a mystery.

 

[JESUS=G.O.A.T]

While I have my views on differing religions, I personally respected and treat people of different beliefs fairly. As a Christian, I believe it is wrong to slight or mistreat anyone who believes differently from me in terms of religious beliefs. I also believe that Jesus Christ died for all of us, regardless of religious beliefs. For instance, say a famous person professes atheism or Muslim or Jewish, would you slight a non-Christian and judge him or her based on religious belief(s)?

I noticed that there are people out there who don't like or even hate (for a lack of a better term) someone of a different religious affiliation or belief. I may not or don't share the same beliefs, but if a Christian were to have any discussion (for example) with a person of a different belief, what would you say?

Would you have a conversation, share your beliefs, or would you rather skip to another subject? I know that there are those who don't seem to like or care for the beliefs of others or they can be rather rude or care not to discuss religion. There are others who will judge others because of their religious beliefs. For example, there are people who will criticize or even judge a celebrity for having a different belief than theirs. They won't talk to them, or even watch a movie with them in it if the person is a celebrity. I read about an athlete who is a professing atheist, and so, because of his beliefs, there is controversy as to how one should be viewed due to his beliefs. I am not an atheist, but to me it makes no sense.

What are your views on this subject? What is your (specified) religious belief and would that or have that affected you personally as to how people have treated you? I never mistreated or slighted someone who is not a Christian. I not only believe it is silly but also rude. I believe that if a person is to profess Christianity, he or she is supposed to show themselves and live as what they profess.

I think someone who doesn't watch movies becuase of that person... and bothers to try and enforce such a measure in their life is going too far. The only way to truly live up to that without risk of violation is to not watch a movie at all.


I agree simply staying away from someone becuase of their beliefs being different or hating on them doesn't make sense and it's not biblical. In fact the bible says to convert others...how can that person claim to be a christian and not even want to preach to those who don't believe what they believe, they just want to preach in the pulpit but ironically even there there are some who don't believe the gospel yet.

Now if i notice someone... different belief or not who clearly is off on their walk i'll offer advice. Whether they are catholic,baptist, jehovah witness,pentecostal or whatever.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

While I have my views on differing religions, I personally respected and treat people of different beliefs fairly. As a Christian, I believe it is wrong to slight or mistreat anyone who believes differently from me in terms of religious beliefs.

I agree with that. In letter to the Romans, Paul writes "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people." (Romans 12:18)

I also believe that Jesus Christ died for all of us, regardless of religious beliefs.

I'll quibble with your wording a bit. I believe Jesus Christ died for all who accept Him, regardless of past religious belief or actions.
Saying 'Jesus died for all of us' sounds a bit much like universalism for me to fully embrace.

For instance, say a famous person professes atheism or Muslim or Jewish, would you slight a non-Christian and judge him or her based on religious belief(s)?

No for the sake of 'slighting' them. If directly asked I would show the aspects of their religion which differed from Christianity; without trying to be too much in their face or belligerent about it.

Would you have a conversation, share your beliefs, or would you rather skip to another subject?

That depends on the scene. I don't accept a one size fits all concept; except to pray and led God lead.

What are your views on this subject?

All witnessing or sharing or preaching the gospel is an art form, not a science. A Christian cannot throw numbers into the calculator and pull out an answer.

Usually a non-Christian, non-atheist, more or less 'agnostic' regular sort of person requires a different approach than a atheist or a Buddhist or a regular church goer who thinks they are 'good'.

 

[Mountainmike]

Spot on.

Some of the fundamentalist and evangelical rhetoric against catholics, is nasty at best, and pure hatred at worst

As you , I know because I was both protestant and evangelical long ago.
And as you say...much of the rhetoric is directed against a false caricature of RCC.

Most don't take the time and trouble to even know what it thinks, before criticise it on the basis of a misunderstanding, which often is wilful misunderstanding: that is, repeating the same assertions even after being demonstrated that they are false, and that seems to come close to "bearing false witness" although far be it from me to judge any one else!

It does not help that many cradle catholics do not seem to know the basis of their faith: not so much what it believes, as why it believes it, which makes them unable to defend catholicism, and easily vulnerable to such attacks

.

I try not to insult others. I don't feel right about running away from the subject but it's not something I enjoy discussing.

Among Moslems, I find they're a little creeped out by Christianity. There are Moslems here on CF who probably understand what we believe relatively well. But the average Moslem on the street... I've just noticed they find Christianity mystifying. They have no concept of the Trinity and so they seem to think we're bizarre polytheists with a tendency to worship a man because He died on the cross.

Among non-Catholics, I've noticed that it's 1 in 10 at most who truly understands what the Catholic Churches. I know what, say, the Southern Baptists believe because I used to be one of them. But I find that most evangelicals don't know 1/16th as much as they think they do about traditional Christianity, Catholicism in particular. So if I find myself in dialogue with one of them, I try to point to the antiquity of our beliefs over and against the ahistorical novelty of theirs. In some cases, it's as though the scales have fallen from their eyes. In other cases though, I get the usual "but but but that's not biblical". I guess they base that on the abbreviated Bible most Protestants use. Or something, I don't know.

In the end, the discourse gets reduced down to emotional outbursts with the evangelical loudly proclaiming "I just don't believe that!" Which is fine and dandy; my beliefs don't require him to. Why he cares so much about making me not believe that is a mystery.

 

[JackRT]

In other cases though, I get the usual "but but but that's not biblical".

And it is truly astonishing some of what they believe is biblical --- like free-enterprise capitalism.

 

[thecolorsblend]

Spot on.

Some of the fundamentalist and evangelical rhetoric against catholics, is nasty at best, and pure hatred at worst

As you , I know because I was both protestant and evangelical long ago.
And as you say...much of the rhetoric is directed against a false caricature of RCC.

Most don't take the time and trouble to even know what it thinks, before criticise it on the basis of a misunderstanding, which often is wilful misunderstanding: that is, repeating the same assertions even after being demonstrated that they are false, and that seems to come close to "bearing false witness" although far be it from me to judge any one else!

It does not help that many cradle catholics do not seem to know the basis of their faith: not so much what it believes, as why it believes it, which makes them unable to defend catholicism, and easily vulnerable to such attacks

Part of me admires the cradle Catholics for keeping the lights on for us converts all these years. But another part of me is a little miffed at them for either not knowing their own faith or else for not standing up for it properly. I used to be opposed to the Church on a doctrinal basis. I admired the institution but I couldn't believe what they believe... because nobody ever took the time to define it for me properly.

Again, no offense to them but as a convert I shouldn't be a more knowledgeable Catholic than they are. And yet here we are.

And it is truly astonishing some of what they believe is biblical --- like free-enterprise capitalism.

Yeah, really. I mean, did I miss that section in the gospels where Our Lord extolled the virtues of supply-side economics? Don't get me wrong, I rather admire the idea of a free market. But that's different from capitalism, now isn't it? I mean, the idea of capitalism disturbs me inasmuch as it's basically moneyism, and I have problems with that. Yeah, everybody wants a raise but the idea of capitalism is (or at least has become) positioning money almost as a god (in the idolatrous sense) in peoples' lives and that's just wrong.

 

[Strathos]

I discuss things with people of other beliefs all the time. Sometimes it reaches the point where there's no real way to make any progress or come to an understanding, though.

 

[Jane_Doe]

What are your views on this subject? What is your (specified) religious belief and would that or have that affected you personally as to how people have treated you? I never mistreated or slighted someone who is not a Christian. I not only believe it is silly but also rude. I believe that if a person is to profess Christianity, he or she is supposed to show themselves and live as what they profess.

Giving: I'm LDS and perfectly happy to have friends of any faith (99% of my friends are not LDS). I'm happy to talk about my faith, to hear about yours and learn more, to visit your faith house or have you visit mine. I'm a completely open book about it, and if you're my friend for a while, you'll eventually hear something about my faith (cause it's a huge part of my life). I love hearing about other people's faiths.

Receiving: vast majority of people don't remotely care about my religious beliefs. The most conflict I've had have actually been from a few individual Evangelicals and Baptists that mean well, even if their delivery method is rude/insulting/ignorant/whatever. Honestly, most times their ire is based on misconceptions, and I have been able to dispel them in a few cases when the person it willing to listen.

 

[Archie the Preacher]

Spot on.

Some of the fundamentalist and evangelical rhetoric against catholics, is nasty at best, and pure hatred at worst

I was raised Southern Baptist. I have a few theological and many doctrinal differences with the Roman Catholic Church. Which does not make me angry or belligerent toward the RCC or members.

Something I find interesting. The non-RCC active Christians who are most angry with the RCC (with whom I have associated) are those who have left the RCC. The same is true of RCC members who left any of the Baptist groups to join with the RCC. (And probably any other 'protestant' denomination.)

I've met Christians who were converts from Buddhism. They are (now) horrified at what Buddhism teaches.

I presume this goes on.

The neat thing about Christianity is even though most of us have differences in regards to points of doctrine (mostly), almost all of us as individuals accept other individuals as followers of Christ.

No, not all. But most.