It bothers me...anyone else?

[honor_fl]

I resent it when someone flaunts their religion in my face. I see it at work, and just recently have seen it in on this discussion board. To me, religion is a personal thing (although some people might not agree), and I don't know why this should be something you need to advertise in your cubicle, on a bumper sticker, or in a signature.

OKOK I know its a free country and we can all say whatever we want to, but somehow it offends me. I respect everyone's beliefs, I just don't need them pushed in my face.

I suppose I could turn signatures off in my options, but then I'd miss seeing all the doggies and kitties. And that's why I'm here :-)

[CathyBogart]

Ooooh, it bothers me very much! Lately I've been wearing my gorgeous pentacle around and it's becoming even more of a problem.

I don't know what makes people so presumptious. :rolleyes: It's very sad.

[ILoveReptiles]

Yes... It bothers me very much too.

I have a pretty strong aversion to preachy types, who try to shove their beliefs down my throat or anyone else's.

[Logan]

Many of us who are Christians are taught to "Go and make Disciples". Religion isn't much good to anyone if it isn't shared. Frankly, I like to learn more about people's different beliefs. I do not think I force my feelings on anyone, but I am ready and happy to talk about my religious views whenever anyone is open to listening.

But I understand where you guys are coming from, because there are always zealots (sp?) out there who do not operate the way that most of us do.

Logan

[honor_fl]

Originally posted by Logan
Frankly, I like to learn more about people's different beliefs. I do not think I force my feelings on anyone, but I am ready and happy to talk about my religious views whenever anyone is open to listening.


Oh, I agree, but at a time and place of *my* choosing, not when I have to look at it in the course of doing something else which is not related to religion at all.

[sirrahbed]

is this flaunting? to me, it is just part of who I am - just curious if this is what you mean..(ichthus below), as do the kitties and flowers!
PS ...WolfChan...does your rainbow "marriage is love" mean anything???

[guster girl]

First, let me state that I'm not religious at all. I consider myself spiritual. I believe in certain things, but, I do not believe or agree with everything in any religion, which is why I'm neutral like Switzerland in that department. I will say, though, that if you're passionate about something, whether it be politics, religion, pets, music, whatever...you should most definitely show it. I am a self-admitted easily annoyed person, too. But, bumper stickers, signatures, etc, just don't bother me. I don't want anyone coming up to me in the mall or the airport, but, I don't think less of them or anything. It does annoy me, though. I really have to control myself, because sometimes I just want to wack 'em. But, that goes beyond people with literature or speeches about religion, that's anyone that invades my personal bubble while I'm out. :) Vendors with products, people with surveys, etc.... But, I'm passionate about animals and would picket outside of Woof & Co, or any other place of business that sells puppy mill puppies. Despite the fact that a lot of people disagree with that. And, I have several bumper stickers that show my music taste, and, even my name here is my favorite band. If my bumper sticker is flaunting my choice of music in someone's face, which I don't think it is, then, I'll continue to flaunt away. If I was a church going person, I'd probably have some religious signature or something, but, as it stands, I'm just a nice, compassionate person, and, my little quote represents that. :) I agree that it's annoying for people to preach at you, or insult you for not believing a certain thing...but, advertising with signatures and stickers, or t shirts or hats or pendants or whatever, I'm all for that. It's personal expression.

[guster girl]

And, just to share a story about what I think is offensive. I used to date a guy in a band called Velvet Love Box. I had their sticker on the bumper of my car, and, my car was parked in my driveway. Now, my neighbors at the time were highly religious, and, the exact kind of people that keep me far, far away from churches. We nicknamed them the flanders. :) Anyway, she was a complete ***ch. I can probably say that in here, cuz, it's a female dog, but, just in case. ;) She was preaching at me, and, questioning my lifestyle, because I was just getting home when she was leaving. It was about 5:30 am. And, she decided to become interested in me as a person, and asked me what the bumper sticker meant. She said the name out loud, and, asked what it was....so, I proceeded to tell her that it meant "pu**y" and I even threw in a hand signal in the shape of an upside down triangle in the appropriate place on my body. Needless to say, she almost passed out, and, never spoke to me again. THAT'S what I think is offensive. Had she never gone any farther past her bumper stickers and sign outside her door, I'd have left her alone. As it is, I'm sure she still prays every night for me. :)

[trayi52]

Bumper sticker on cars, and the rest doesn't bother me in the least. What bothers me is when they come to my house uninivited, and try their derndest to get in my door. Or I come home, and there is literature hanging all over my door. Thats where I draw the line, this is my space.

What somebody else puts on their on car, their own desk or what ever is their business, but please stay away from my space. That happens to be my house, my car or whatever else happens to be mine.

Willie

[guster girl]

Originally posted by trayi52
Bumper sticker on cars, and the rest doesn't bother me in the least. What bothers me is when they come to my house inivited, and try their dernest to get in my door. Or I come home, and there is literature hanging all over my door. Thats where I draw the line, this is my space.

What somebody else puts on their on car, their own desk or what ever is their business, but please stay away from my space. That happens to be my house, my car or whatever else happens to be mine.

Willie

Exactly. :)

[Denyce]

I happen to agree....if you are keeping it on your things...in your work space etc then fine. But when "good Christians" start invading my space with their views I become very annoyed. I have always found that the people who are constantly going about proclaiming what "Good Christians" they are are usually not. People who really are Good Christians don't usually feel the need to beat me over the head with it. They quietly go about their lives feeling secure and happy with who they are. Just as I do mine.

The other day this very old man came into our work and dropped off some soil samples to be analyzed. He left behind a piece of paper with some very immflammatory Bible statements and words upon it. Things in the line of Repent your sins. I was soooo highly offended. How dare he?!??!! But then I shook my head and realized that he is just a misguided soul on his way to you know where in a hand basket. ;)

Denyce

[CathyBogart]

You know what's odd....I have found Jehovah's Witnesses to be some on the nicest, sweetest people ever....I try to chitchat a bit if they come to the door...and they're also the first to back off if you say "I'm not interested", which is VERY much appreciated.

I have no problem with people sharing openly and talking about their beliefs. I think it's great to know a lot about all sorts of religions...after all, how are you going to know which one is right for you if you only know anything about one?!

I don't like poeple telling me that they will pray for my "salvation", that's rude and disrespectful. I don't like people telling me that my beliefs are wrong. I don't like people who wear their religious icon around their nect to come and tell me that mine is "evil". I'm very respectful to anyone's system of beliefs, until they start causing problems.

Now, I'm not saying that I dislike christians, BUT....various sects of christianity are the only groups who have EVER caused me problems. You don't see us pagans out on streetcorners thumping out book of shadows, and all I ask is that same respect. (That put a really funny image into my head)


My "marriage is love" banner means that anyone who is in love, reagrdless of their gender, should be able to marry. If you want to continue this branch of the conversation PM me about it.

[G.P.girl]

it bothers me when people start trying to force me in to thier religion. and when they tell me they'll pray for me or something.

like i had this piano teacher and she was a die hard catholic and every chance she got she would tell me something about her church and how i should go there with her sometime and one time she told me i was going to go to hell because i wouldn't go to her church. and before every recital(sp?) she would tell me that she lit a candle in her church so i would play well.

that's the kind of things that annoy me. but if people want to put it on thier own things then that's fine with me.

also, i find the whole Jesus vs. Darwin fish thing on the cars very amusing

[catnapper]

I personally like it. To me its a matter of showing people who you are. People don't do it enough anymore. I am very spiritual, and would like to make the time to go to church reguarly... but I have a million excuses not to go on Sunday. I still have a deep faith in God and like to pass it on.

What I really find annoying is when people walk around wearing this or that designer's name emblazoned across their chest, their butt, on their purse, wherever. These names have become the modern day icon that people worship... to me thats highly offensive. Media has had a terrible effect on people. They run like sheep to buy a hideously overpriced item just because thats what so-and-so in such-and-such tv show has. Its embarrasing!

Its gotten so bad that many people act as if stars are today's god(s) and they throw it in my face. Every aspect of their lives are displayed for public viewing. They are spoken about with a certain reverance that has historically been used for saints. I really have a hard time with it.

All that said, I am definately for quiet displays of religion. My sister in law... ah, what can I say about her? She takes it one step too far. There's not one conversation that goes by that she doesn't tell us she's praying for us. Then she preaches to us about what we are doing wrong. That gets a little old. Yes, I am happy that she finds solace in God. Yes, she has the right to share her love of God. But she *could* temper it. Instead of "I've been up all night praying for you." she might say "you're in my prayers." and leave it at that... not go on and on about what she prayed about and how long.

[Twisterdog]

I do not find a religious saying or picture in a signature to be offensive. No more than I would find a pro-gay rights saying in a signature to be offensive. My gosh, it's only a signature!

Everyone is different, it's what makes the world interesting. If we were all the same on here, what would be the point in even logging in? It would be like talking to hundreds of copies of yourself ... boring.

If discussions of religion offend or infuriate you, don't post or read in the Dog House. Simple as that. You already know that religion is a hugely controversial topic, and the Dog House is the place for that. If you aren't thick skinned enough to handle it, then don't come here, IMO.

Now, if someone is talking about religion on any other board here, I think it ought to be moved.

I don't like to get preached at either ... no matter who is doing the preaching or what it is about. But, this is a MILD board, it's rare than anything gets out of control in the least here.

IMO, if you don't like it, don't read it. Simple.

[CathyBogart]

Exactly Twisterdog! A signature is not "forcing" your thoughts or beliefs on anyone, it's simply there. :) I retain my assertiveness for the appropriate threads. (Or I try to) *Chuckles*

[Twisterdog]

Originally posted by WolfChan
A signature is not "forcing" your thoughts or beliefs on anyone, it's simply there.

Right.

Look at my signature, for example. I'm asking my Christian God to bless my country of origin. Wow ... I could tick off three-fourths of the people on here with that one! But, hey, if some of you don't believe in God or don't like the USA, more power to you, doesn't bother me ... just don't read my signature. I'm not trying to force any of you to believe in God or love the USA, I'm just stating that I do.

:)

[ziron]

If I was religious I would keep it between god and me. I always thought something on that high a level could never be told or explained. I don't mind stickers and such but those that always tell you "Oh u need to come to church blah blah blah" yeah that makes me mad cuz if I wanted to go to church Id go. But I love to argue to god loving people

[ILoveReptiles]

I agree here as well - a signature isn't what is bothering me. It's those who preach endlessly about their personal religious beliefs, and condemn others who don't share them, or, worse; try to convert others into their "fold"

That, in a nutshell, tends to seriously tick me off.

[sirrahved]

This is the doghouse, for "slightly controversial topics." If slightly controversial topics are posted, I will post my OPINION if I deem it a worthy topic. My religion has very much to do with my opinions... end of story.

P.S. Maybe you feel it's "flaunted in your face" because you are lacking religion in your life?

[guster girl]

That last statment is not necessarily true, and, is going to be taken very offensively. But, I'm looking forward to the discussion that will follow it. I mean, it was meant to push buttons, so, push away. I will say that I know plenty of highly religious people that don't want other religions flaunted in their face any more than someone who is a pagan or someone who is agnostic or atheist or whatever. It doesn't mean that you're lacking religion because zealots and/or hypocrites annoy you. End of story.

[smokey the elder]

I think faith in a higher power is a very human thing to need; the Universe is an awfully big place and a Supreme Being can be great as an interface. But when people start saying my Supreme Being's better than yours, then that's stupid! God(dess) by definition is infinite, so constraining The Infinite with anything *merely* human is nutz. Personally I like the idea of polytheistic religions, because I interpret them to be looking at different aspects of God (who is genderless, IMHO, but there is no good gender neutral pronoun in English.)

FWIW, a very rambling opinion. No offense is intended to any who believe differently.:)

[carole]

I have no problem with people advertising their religion whether it be on bumpers or sigs, if you are proud of who you are then why not, I don't like people trying to force their beliefs on me though, but I do respect other people's beliefs as long as they respect mine, and that it what it is all about to me.

It is only natural for a Christian to try to teach the gospel I think, Its part of their beliefs, and I guess they just want you to experience the joy of religion as they have.

When I was 18 I joined a religion much against my parents will, they were Presbyterians, I now view this religion more of a cult really, and even though two of my best friends are part of this religion, I wish to have no part of it now,they never preach it to me, I do get in some heated debates with my friends hubby, about it sometimes, but they are always enjoyable, and I think he is only trying to save me, and I appreciate him trying.

My children have had no religious upbringing, and some may feel I am wrong for that, but I have exposed them to different religions through their friends, my daughter especially has visited several different churches, so far she is not keen to take on any of them, and I leave this to her choice.

Whatever your beliefs, be proud of them and by all means share them, but don't force them on anyone, and respect them.

[Logan]

I am so glad that my daughter and my stepchildren are very aware of what we believe, and why we believe it. I think it will help them with their lifelong decisions. At least I hope it will.

Logan

[CathyBogart]

Originally posted by sirrahved

P.S. Maybe you feel it's "flaunted in your face" because you are lacking religion in your life?

If you feel that I am lacking religion you are sadly mistaken. I am a proud Pagan. :)

[Karen]

As long as everyone stay civil, this discussion can stay. Keep in mind, everyone, that "pushing people's buttons" is not welcome on Pet Talk. Having a discussion is fine, but remember that every pet - and every person - is special, and should be treated respectfully.

[catnapper]

Originally posted by WolfChan
If you feel that I am lacking religion you are sadly mistaken. I am a proud Pagan. :)
That's facinating (seriously) Was that your religion growing up or did you adopt it later on? I've read a little on the religion and it seem to be a very beautiful religion... but so are all of our various religions throughout the world!:D

[CathyBogart]

I adopted it later as I discovered that Catholocism was not for me. I started a thread in the Dog House where I talked about it, check it out and feel free to ask lots of questions!!

[IttyBittyKitty]

Originally posted by Twisterdog
I do not find a religious saying or picture in a signature to be offensive. No more than I would find a pro-gay rights saying in a signature to be offensive. My gosh, it's only a signature!

Everyone is different, it's what makes the world interesting. If we were all the same on here, what would be the point in even logging in? It would be like talking to hundreds of copies of yourself ... boring.

If discussions of religion offend or infuriate you, don't post or read in the Dog House. Simple as that. You already know that religion is a hugely controversial topic, and the Dog House is the place for that. If you aren't thick skinned enough to handle it, then don't come here, IMO.

Now, if someone is talking about religion on any other board here, I think it ought to be moved.

I don't like to get preached at either ... no matter who is doing the preaching or what it is about. But, this is a MILD board, it's rare than anything gets out of control in the least here.

IMO, if you don't like it, don't read it. Simple.

Once again, WELL SAID! They should make YOU a diplomat! :)

I have always thought that the Christians best able to "bring others to the flock" are not those who preach to us, but those who live their Christian lives as an example to non-Christians. Too many Christians I have seen preach away, but treat others in a disrespectful way, are nasty and don't live their lives as a good example ... why would anyone want to join the religion if this is what they say? Furthermore, they should do more to KEEP those in the flock by being kind, generous and loving rather than harsh, judgemental and nasty as they were to us.

The whole "missionary" idea of converting the savages doesn't work in modern society.

[Twisterdog]

Originally posted by smokey the elder
I think faith in a higher power is a very human thing to need; the Universe is an awfully big place and a Supreme Being can be great as an interface. But when people start saying my Supreme Being's better than yours, then that's stupid! God(dess) by definition is infinite, so constraining The Infinite with anything *merely* human is nutz. Personally I like the idea of polytheistic religions, because I interpret them to be looking at different aspects of God (who is genderless, IMHO, but there is no good gender neutral pronoun in English.)

Well said! I wanted to say something like that ... but I'm not nearly eloquent enough! :)






Once again, WELL SAID! They should make YOU a diplomat!

*snort*

Thanks, but I'm sure the majority of people on this board would not agree with you. ;)




I have always thought that the Christians best able to "bring others to the flock" are not those who preach to us, but those who live their Christian lives as an example to non-Christians. Too many Christians I have seen preach away, but treat others in a disrespectful way, are nasty and don't live their lives as a good example ... why would anyone want to join the religion if this is what they say? Furthermore, they should do more to KEEP those in the flock by being kind, generous and loving rather than harsh, judgemental and nasty as they were to us. The whole "missionary" idea of converting the savages doesn't work in modern society.

Also, very well said! I agree completely.

[IttyBittyKitty]

Originally posted by Twisterdog

Thanks, but I'm sure the majority of people on this board would not agree with you. ;)



I don't know about that! You are one of those people who don't resort to personal attacks to get their points across! That's a well respected trait on any forum!

[G.P.girl]

Originally posted by Twisterdog


Thanks, but I'm sure the majority of people on this board would not agree with you. ;)



not to go off topic but i would ;)

[DogLover9501]

Originally posted by Logan
I am so glad that my daughter and my stepchildren are very aware of what we believe, and why we believe it. I think it will help them with their lifelong decisions. At least I hope it will.

Maybe this is why Im not sure what I believe or if I believe at all, I was never even talked to about any of that with my parents, only the religion at school. All I knew was I had to go to church, only on...like Easter and Christmas, but I was never told what we believe, or why or any of that and so maybe that's why I don't think I believe at all?

[DJFyrewolf36]

I've read this entire listing and this is what Ive got to say about it:

Religious zelotry will do nothing except push people away

That's it. Religion was meant to be a comfort to people in times of need, not a catalyst of events that bring on times of need. Religion has killed more people and started more wars than any other factor in the human experience. Does anyone see a problem with this?
Maybe people aught to stop using religion as an excuse to do evil things.

[ILoveReptiles]

Originally posted by DJFyrewolf36
I've read this entire listing and this is what Ive got to say about it:

Religious zelotry will do nothing except push people away

That's it. Religion was meant to be a comfort to people in times of need, not a catalyst of events that bring on times of need. Religion has killed more people and started more wars than any other factor in the human experience. Does anyone see a problem with this?
Maybe people aught to stop using religion as an excuse to do evil things.

It's human nature to bend and twist things to achieve one's own ends. This kind of abuse of what religion really should stand for will continue until the end of humanity as we know it.

Of that I am convinced. And there is very little that can be done about it. That's just the way things are. For every good person, there's orders of magnitude more bad apples.

[sirrahved]

My comment wasn't meant as an offense, and it was a question. Not saying it was true, just a guess. It has been interpreted the wrong way.

[DJFyrewolf36]

I didn't take offense to anything posted BTW. Just stating my opinion. I agree with ILoveReptiles, until we eliminate human nature from the mix, religion will always be twisted to achive some ill aim. Sad but true....I wish it werent so.:(

[carole]

I wish to share this with you all as an example, my daughter was home sick from school and we were watching Ricki Lake, it was about gay teens, how they were being treated badly by others and their parents etc etc, to cut a long story short, a mother and daughter came on who were very religious, and told all the gays they would go to hell, they kept quoting the bible etc, IMO, this was a fine example of exactly what Ittybittykitty was saying, these two people infact did nothing at all for their religion, my daughter was disgusted, and more or less said if thats how religious people are she wanted nothing to do with them, of course most of us know that TRUE christians donot behave in this manner, and are not religious biggots.,(and yes I did explain this to her) but I agree completely showing you are a christian by being kind and caring and loving is the way to promote your religious beliefs, and I am certain more people would be impressed with that, than what we saw on Ricki.