Thread: ( mainly for religious people). Some social questions between you and certain groups of people?

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

1. If you are religious/Atheist and your friend is not, how often do you tactfully mention the fact they are wrong( in your opinion) and really they should join your religion/lack of one, if you do at all?

Never. We might discuss our different beliefs, but I never mention that they are wrong/deluded/on the wrong path. Note that I only discuss religion with people who are open-minded and have come to their beliefs on their own (and not born into them without questioning them), and thus we have mutual respect.

In the unlikely event that I end up in a real-time religious debate with the bible-thumper type, I never mention that they're wrong. I've got nothing to prove to them, but they sure think they have something to prove to me. They end up looking like idiots cause I keep cool and calm and they get all emotional. It's good times!

2. This one applies more to religious people: ( assuming you would befriend someone who was a homosexual) Would you treat them like everyone else in terms of respect and such. Also would you ever comment about the fact you believed what they were doing was wrong and how they should try and change themselves( this kind of assumes you think homosexuality is a choice,which many seem to)?

I'm not religious, so this doesn't really apply. A number of my friends are gay, and I don't treat them differently. Well, I might bring them along when I shop for clothes sometimes, and they love to oblige, so it's win-win. And I don't think what they're doing is wrong. Even if it IS abnormal (in a "this is how we're meant to survive and replicate" kind of way), it would be wrong to want to make them change, live a lie, etc.

3. If you are religious/Atheist and your friend is of a different religion/ has one. Say Islam and Christianity, Christianity and Hindu etc. How often, if at all, would you discuss the fact you thought they were on the wrong path/ were deluded?

This doesn't really differ from question 1. The only time it's one of the criteria is when it comes to long term romance.

all you need to know:

Relegion bad

Atheism good

1. If you are religious/Atheist and your friend is not, how often do you tactfully mention the fact they are wrong( in your opinion) and really they should join your religion/lack of one, if you do at all?

Never, it's their personally choice and nobody should be forced to accept a religion that they don't believe in.

2. This one applies more to religious people: ( assuming you would befriend someone who was a homosexual) Would you treat them like everyone else in terms of respect and such. Also would you ever comment about the fact you believed what they were doing was wrong and how they should try and change themselves( this kind of assumes you think homosexuality is a choice,which many seem to)?

I would treat them the same as everyone else it's their lifestyle and i don't see why you can't love someone of the same gender as you.

3. If you are religious/Atheist and your friend is of a different religion/ has one. Say Islam and Christianity, Christianity and Hindu etc. How often, if at all, would you discuss the fact you thought they were on the wrong path/ were deluded?

see answer to #1

My religion teaches respect and tolerance for all beliefs and also that every system of belief carries with it a level of truth. I don't really ever point out how others are wrong in spiritual conversations, only why I believe that I am right; and I believe there is a very strong distinction between the two, as the latter does not require them to be wrong at all even if they hold an opposing opinion.

I gave up being right or making anyone else wrong a long time ago. It has no merit and only serves to divide.

Ok... that's not quite true... I TRIED to give up being right and making people wrong a long time ago. Sometimes I still slip up.

I've managed to maintain positive (if not particularly close) relations with a variety of Christians from casual non-churchgoers to "Religious Right" Baptists, JWs and Adventists, as well as Hare Krishnas, mainstream Hindus, Rabbis and Jews of varying piety, and all manner of New Agers. And yes, with most of these people I've talked about religion and/or various overlapping topics (death/afterlife, creationism, causality, spirit...). Generally in such conversations, we are aware of the dangers and even if we are each passionate that our view is correct (or at least accurate) we make a point of returning to common ground and closing with mutual respect. The vast majority of all these people, particularly the more well-traveled, do not assume that they know everyone else is wrong, and do extend the benefit of the doubt to people of other faiths, assessing not only the beliefs but also how they are held.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

1. If you are religious/Atheist and your friend is not, how often do you tactfully mention the fact they are wrong( in your opinion) and really they should join your religion/lack of one, if you do at all?

Logical argumentsss.

Originally Posted by cuddleyperson

3. If you are religious/Atheist and your friend is of a different religion/ has one. Say Islam and Christianity, Christianity and Hindu etc. How often, if at all, would you discuss the fact you thought they were on the wrong path/ were deluded?

All the time.