What's Your Attitude Toward "Religious" People?

by minimus 20 Replies latest jw friends

  • lovelylil
    lovelylil

    I have no problem with anyone being "religious" or "non-religious" however they personally choose to define these terms. The types I cannot simply tolerate at the "religious" people who claim they have the only truth or right way to worship God. And that their Holy Book is superior to all other Holy Books. I am a person who believes in God but that he is not partial and in any country, ethnic group or religion, any person that does good to others is acceptable in his eyes. And I personally have found much that I agree with and respect in the Bible, Tanakh, and Koran.

    On the other side - there are non-religious type people who are just as forceful with pushing their views.

    As someone who used to have a different more narrow view of others I have to say I am now ashamed of that aspect of my past and have learned my lesson and have tried hard to change my ways. Of course it is a learning process and my views change each day according to my experiences with others around me so even my current views may change in the future. I am trying to broaden my mind and experiences by coming into contact with others of differing beliefs rather than associating in a narrow group believing in only one thing.

    One thing that I hope will never change is that I will never again have the haughty, judgemental attitude towards others who simply have a difference of belief like the one I had in the WT organinzation. I am not against discussing points of faith with religious people or asking them hard questions about their faith - which may even get them to question certain aspects of it. But feel any effort on my part to demand they believe what I say or my personal interpretation of scripture and then if not condem them by name calling or saying they will be destroyed by my God in the future, would be going back to the old ways of myself. And back then, I was not a very good person. Lilly

  • Sailor Ripley
    Sailor Ripley

    I saw a bumper sticker the other day. Something to the effect of "I've got no problem with god... it's his nutcase followers that bug me." I feel this way. I also had a t-shirt in college. "I'll respect your crutch if you stop beating me with it."

    I don't believe what they believe so they get extremely frustrated. I'm a nice guy, I don't break any of the Big 10 commandments, why do I have to accept Jesus as my lord and personal saviour to be okay. If I die and go to hell what do they care? It's my toukas in the fire, not theirs.

    Go GOP!

  • nicolaou
    nicolaou

    It's strange but since leaving the cult I rarely meet 'religious' people in real life - only here on the board. Make of that what you will.

    I try not to frame my attitude toward any person based on whether they are religious or not. I can understand why many feel that religious believers are 'nutjobs' but I think that's a bit unfair. Perhaps most religious people don't impinge on our awareness because they don't make a big deal about their faith - only the nutjobs do that.

    "What's Your Attitude Toward "Religious" People?" - Don't know? I don't like to hold an attitude 'en masse' but I agree that it's sometimes hard not to.

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    I consider myself non-typically religious now.

    I do not attend church, nor spend my time trying to 'convert' others. I had enough of that in 40 years a Witless.

    I am spiritual - and I appreciate spiritual conversation now, though not too much religious conversation thank you.

    I respect religious people and consider them part of my Christian community actually - but do not tend to get too involved with the belief systems that 'exclude' others from God's favor. Like all people around me, I will love them for what they are, if they do the same to me.

    Jeff

  • minimus
    minimus

    I don't consider myself religious at all.....maybe not all that spiritual, either.

  • fullofdoubtnow
    fullofdoubtnow

    I try to show respect for their beliefs, but don't get into conversations with them if I can help it.

  • becca1
    becca1

    I feel they are a little creepy.

  • JWdaughter
    JWdaughter

    I don't have an attitude towards a class or group. I will meet everyone as people with respect due them. I will also be honest about where I am coming from if they need to share where they are with me. Usually results in an interesting discussion. I went back to a job that I had left over a year ago. A lot changed in the last year about my beliefs and outlook. Everyone thinks I lost weight-I just tell them it was all on my shoulders! (its true, I weigh precisely the same!)

    Most everyone there is non-religious, but kind of vaguely Christian. I feel fortunate to not have to be in any kind of confrontations, but then I realize that my 'christianity' started most of them in my previous experience. (even after I left the JWs).

  • skyking
    skyking

    My business partner is not nut job his wife dresses covered skin from the neck to her ankles at all times. I went swimming with his family and he wore nothing but a pair of cut off and his wife and his two daughters had dresses and long Johns on.

    Back to the question religious people I have no need for them I feel very sorry that htey have been mislead. I have a hard time tolerating them.

  • Carmel
    Carmel

    "most of the world's troubles come from religious extremists"

    How many troubles are there in the world and what are the rankings for political extremists, high school rivalries, class rivalries, sexual insecurities......?

    I wanna see the data.

    carmelbb

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