| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/14/2007 8:46:15 PM | We all know that first impressions are something of importance when meeting new people. Is it any different when your first meeting, whether it be here in the forums, at a local school outing, etc is about religion. If someone is representing a particular faith, whether it be Buddhism, Paganism, Christianity, Islam, Judiasm, etc and they treat you poorly, they exclude your opinions because you don't follow their faith, or perhaps they call you names, or perhaps they put down your faith, etc, what affect does it have on you? Do you look and think "Wow, they are representing their faith poorly", or do you think "If that's what the faith is about, I wouldn't want anything to do with it". So the question is: If someone claims to be of a particular faith, do you look at their actions and atribute it to their faith as a whole, or to the individual.
Personally I find it hard to seperate the action from the faith when the action is done in (or claimed to be done) the name of the faith. Although I recognize it as the individual, their behaviour, their interpretation...I also at the same time think that they are acting as an ambassador to their faith, and it reflects badly upon it. Or do you sometimes sit back and say "wow they are representing my faith wrong.Thoughts? | |
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mak68
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Joined: 4/14/2007
Msg: 2 | |
| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/14/2007 9:18:52 PM | I call it "the look".
When I mention that I don't believe in god, I get the incredulous 2 second gaze. Then and there, I know this date will be the first and last. Not because of what she might think, but because I have no intention of being judged in that fashion for any length of time. I of course will ask questions and speak on the subject of religion and belief to confirm as much as possible that "the look" was genuine, it usually is.
Funny thing, it seems to me that atheists are one of the very few minority groups that is OK to abuse. In my experience, people generally have a healthy respect for people with other beliefs. It seems to me that if you have none, then you are something rather abnormal.
I suppose this is due to the fact that religion has ingrained in people, over the ages, that denying some kind of higher power is evil and immoral. Nothing could be further from the truth. | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/14/2007 9:48:45 PM | | Whenever I get a message from someone, I check out their profile to see what they have listed in religion and if its mention any place else in their profile. When I respond to their first message, I politely thank them for their interest and then point out the things on my profile that they might have missed. Like the fact that I smoke and the fact that I am NOT a Christian. Most the time, they either say thank you and good bye, or say it does not bother them, its not a requirement, or they ask what I am to see if it might be compatible or offensive to them. I get it out of the way in the first couple of messages so it does not come back to haunt me at a later date. | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/14/2007 11:53:10 PM | | I tend to answer every message I get out of simple courtesy... but in a social setting, I usually avoid talk of religion or politics, at least for the first couples outings. If it comes up, it's usually pretty easy to tell where someone's faith lies... and I may mention that I do not follow any religion. That is usually interpreted as me being atheist and so they start talking to me as if I were a retarded goat, at which point I leave: since, by then, they have (A) made an incorrect assumption (not being religious does not equate to being atheist) and (B) made an ass of themselves. | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/15/2007 12:16:33 AM | I'd have to say to the individual... I used to see it the other way around, but having met various people from the same faiths, I see that ignorance comes in all faiths and beliefs...
But so does kindness and compassion...
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/15/2007 12:24:22 AM | I agree with most of what everyone is saying. And ignorance comes in all packages, all faiths, all cultures, etc.
But if someone is downright judgemental and rude and yet do it in the name of religion, don't you think it gives that faith an overall bad rap? Kind of like how violence in faiths give the religion a bad name as well. | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/15/2007 12:39:26 AM | | Well, I DO think it's a shame but I just hope for their sakes they haven't stopped the quest, because no matter what they believe, if they have no respect for others, they have alot to learn... | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/15/2007 12:48:58 AM | ...what affect does it have on you? Not much, really, other than the desire to either change the subject or leave.
So the question is: If someone claims to be of a particular faith, do you look at their actions and atribute it to their faith as a whole, or to the individual. To the individual, for the most part, but then, I usually have a fairly decent grasp of whatever faith they're trying to portray, as well. Being Pagan twenty miles north of Branson, Missouri, it's almost guaranteed I'll have a better grasp of it than they have.
Or do you sometimes sit back and say "wow they are representing my faith wrong. I'm also in charge of the "New Age" section of the bookstore where I work. I'm always lamenting the poor representations of Paganism!
Reason for Requested Deletion: Troll post - attention seeking First off, I'm laughing, since I just don't see it, but come on, folks. What do you think we ought to have the first person to try to piss on a legitimate thread actually explain what they mean?
I call it "the look". It's a good characterisation, I gotta admit. Like they're pausing to decide how to react. I get varieties, myself, particularly in my area. Some folks will take, quite literally any opportunity to "witness" to us poor, misguided souls. Dude, I'm at work. If I want to hear it, I'll hunt you down. Used to love it, though, when I'd get to know someone working there or out on a date or whatever. Subject comes up, they ask what denomination you are, then you tell 'em, and there's the deer-in-the-headlights pause and "oh."  Truly classic.I suppose this is due to the fact that religion has ingrained in people, over the ages, that denying some kind of higher power is evil and immoral.I honestly think it's intellectual laziness. Folks get caught up in "religion equals morality", they don't realise a person can be moral and ethical without a divine external influence. Sad, innit?
I get it out of the way in the first couple of messages so it does not come back to haunt me at a later date. Good on ya, Scheherrazade! I usually only do that if I'm planning on being around someone for extended periods, but you're right, it's good to get it hashed out before it causes a conflict.
But if someone is downright judgemental and rude and yet do it in the name of religion, don't you think it gives that faith an overall bad rap? With regard to their presentation of it, yes. I generally know enough about a religion in question to realise where the departures lie. Or, if I don't know, having met someone of a given faith, I try to learn more. Guess it's just me.
...I just hope for their sakes they haven't stopped the quest, because no matter what they believe, if they have no respect for others, they have alot to learn... Someone give this man a cigar! | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/15/2007 11:39:00 AM | I understand exactly what you're saying, OP. As a reader of this forum, I've recently been shocked and disgusted by a thread on here, that carried on for 12 pages and eventually resulted in showing the OP's true colors, while all along, that person maintaining steadfastedly about the depth and importance of their Christianity!
Yes, as a Christian, such bad representation can indeed turn even a very devout person off of religion or at the least, lend credence to the opinions and rationale of those that are against religion and the reasons why. Hippocrisy is a big one.
I think we just have to remember, there are 'bad apples' everywhere. | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/15/2007 11:51:25 AM | I once hung out with a friend whose family is JW. While I didn't consider that a factor, evidently they did, and his parents kept trying to convert me; actually I did attend one meeting with them and found it so bleak and rigid I never wanted anything more of it (I don't remember seeing windows in that hall ... creeped me out a bit). Ultimately the bonds dissolved because of a personal incident that scarred me, but it was the reaction of these people - speaking from a religious standpoint too - that did it in: the father told me "no man will ever love you". .. According to him, his religion states that I was to conduct myself in their way, and since I didn't, and that it had to do with one of the sons, I was therefore to be persona non grata from then on.
.. so sometimes yes, I would associate someone's behaviour with the faith they profess, IF they state emphatically that their stance is religiously-based.
(since then, I'm still friends with one of the sons - who himself isn't irrevocably entrenched - but have not communicated with any others). | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/15/2007 1:51:02 PM |
Personally I find it hard to seperate the action from the faith when the action is done in (or claimed to be done) the name of the faith.
From my own experiences, this would be my perspective.
The more you learn about these individuals the clearer the message becomes. I suppose, to a degree, it depends on the relationship. Moral convictions don't usually take long to come out. When they do, if they do, it will make or break the relationship. | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/29/2007 3:51:40 PM |
"I understand exactly what you're saying, OP. As a reader of this forum, I've recently been shocked and disgusted by a thread on here, that carried on for 12 pages and eventually resulted in showing the OP's true colors, while all along, that person maintaining steadfastedly about the depth and importance of their Christianity!
Yes, as a Christian, such bad representation can indeed turn even a very devout person off of religion or at the least, lend credence to the opinions and rationale of those that are against religion and the reasons why. Hippocrisy is a big one."
I just wonder if anyone has bothered to do the algebra and deduct that talking via forums and emails is sometimes not as effective in communication as being in the presence of the individual.
Some people, and that includes myself, have trouble relating things to others. Ever noticed two people of the same beleif could be die hard opponents? When in reality one who may be a close freind to both understands both are trying to say the same things. The 3rd party freind understands each of the two opposing forces or oppinions that are actually of the same oppinion, but those two can't or won't ever see it without a third party.
I mean isn't that why many are here in that they like the rest of the N.A. Continient, they are from that place that has a 50% to 70% divorce rate. Two people wanted something yet couldn't keep the same picture in front of each other; they couldn't stay on the same page.
As far as this hypocisy thing, of which all Americans are, don't you think if they have studied the nation's early documents of goverment? Or have many Christians missed that Peter and the rest of the disciples were not supporting Christ at the end; in other words they sold out and temporarily were hypocrites.
Personally I admire anyone willing to study the Bible, even if they draw a different conclusion than myself or the majority of believers.
Where I live most seem to believe in 'nothing' or only themselves as far a a practical philosophy or religion. But then that's just the 'west coast mentality'.
AmouredKnight | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/30/2007 2:42:02 AM | I've studied a number of religions and glanced over quite a few more, so when someone says they're acting from X religion, I'll usually know enough about that religion to know if they're actually following the religion or not. If they're acting in a way that's against the rules of their religion (we'll use terrorists/moslem as the example since it's a hot topic these days)... Well to my knowledge, islam is against the killing of innocents, so I don't judge the religion by the actions of the individuals. Then on the other hand you have a religion like scientology... 'nuff said.
If it comes up, it's usually pretty easy to tell where someone's faith lies... and I may mention that I do not follow any religion. That is usually interpreted as me being atheist and so they start talking to me as if I were a retarded goat, at which point I leave
Honestly, if you say it like that I think you're pretty much asking for wrong assumptions, maybe you should figure out a better way to tell people. I don't know what your beliefs are, so it's hard to know what would fit or what wouldn't, but maybe something like "oh, I'm not really religious, I'm more spiritual" or whatever. Personally I think no religion has the whole truth but they all have a piece of it, so I try to follow the common thread in them all (which is "be good, not an a$$hole") without sweating the petty stuff like what meat is ok to eat on what day. I just tell people I'm "nondenominational". | |
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| Representation of ones faith
Posted: 5/30/2007 10:43:32 AM | | In a nutshell, whether or not we want to be, we are all ambassadors, ambassadors of everything we believe and represent. | |
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