Do any one of you guys..talk religion in real life?? (meaning not on forums etc)


I don't...to be honest, it doesn't interest me to talk religion ...I never really bering it up...my friends and i talk about a million other things (mostly gosip lol)..but not religion

How many of you skeptics and believers have spoken to eachother on other topics that don't include religion..have actually gotten along better??

I find when you talk to others without talking religion..you woul be surprized how much in common you have with them...I for example am friends with a few christians here on UM, but on another website..we all get along great WITHOUT talking about religion...
IMO religion is a touchy subject, thats why so many topics in here get heated and the report button is worn out by many LOL

Occasionally, outside the forums - mostly over a bottle or two of wine!

Mostly I just gossip with friends as well, I am a shocker of a gossip! I am willing to talk about religion with people, but many don't really want to. Depends - different friends I talk about different things with. Friends I went to uni with who did philosophy too, we still talk about that kind of thing.

But I have friends of all faiths- it would get too fiesty if I brought up religion all the time.

But you never know where you will have one of those interesting conversations. The owner of the local Chinese restaurant talks about philosophy, religion, politics as soon as you walk in the door! I just perch on the stool, waiting for my order, and we get into really intense conversations.

Likewise my friend’s 16 year old son is one of those really smart atheist emo kids - he always makes me laugh with the cheeky things he says

Edit: Also I will add - you often never know why somebody has religion. I know a couple of people who have found religion after somebody close to them has died or they have gone through a horendous experience. And if you start peeling away the layers of their belief it can be too confronting.

It seems that most people do not like talking about religion outside of these fourms I think it's a safety zone for most. They can say things that they would not say to someones face & get away with it. For the most part it's hard finding people who openly talk about religion anymore they might behind closed doors but not so much out in the open. Even in here it's hard to to pick a topic which has not been talked about, I've tried here & there to come up with different ideas but people don't like them.... But back to the OP. No I do not & only because people believe it's taboo & do not like open dissscusions.

I don't debate religion outside of the forums much, but I do talk about God and I spend time with my wife and kids discussing God's presence in our lives.

I don't debate religion much outside forums, almost never as the key subject... however
I tend to be involved in debates that moves and as it progresses involve religion. Some things are hard to debate without religion getting involved I find. An excample is I visited and witnessed an assignment my dad and a few others had made as a part of a course he had taken to build on his education. The subject they chose to reflect upon was "death" which ended up involving quite a bit of religion both in the defence of it and in the presentation. It was very interresting, I participated in the debate that opened after the presentation. I argued on the side that religion is in many ways worship of death

I never open up for debate of religion myself as I am a little romantic on that area and think its an incredible personal thing and I don't want to offend people nearby who happen to have symphaty or lifestyle connected to the religion presented in the debate. However if a person assosiated with a belief opens up for debate around it I am happy to participate, religion is very telling about a person and I live to learn... cursed with a huge curiosity I guess.

Most of the time at work. Makes the day go more quickly. I dont speak any differently on the forums than i do in real life.

Not often, but at times i've had Jehovah Witnesses fighting to get out of my house

I talk about Christianity. Jesus told us to go into all the world and teach the gospel.

Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

For some reason they avoid us I think it's the sign outside our door that says Witches Inn...... I've tried to be outside when I see them riding past..... nothing.

That depends on the person who I'm speaking to. I open the door for a conversation, but it's the other person who decides to walk through it. If the opportunity arises I'll bring up one aspect of my own Faith (the most obvious example is when someone asks me "hey, what are you doing on the weekend", to which my response is "I'm going to church on Sunday" - they can either ignore it or start up a conversation; their choice). If the person I'm speaking to ignores it, they don't want to speak about it and imposing on them is likely to only push them further away. However, if they take the offer and walk through that door, I do from time-to-time discuss it.

In general though, most times it is my actions and not my words that define what I believe (or at least, that is to say I'd like to think my actions show a Christian lifestyle). About the only people I end up regularly debating outside forums are the missionaries who are also more than happy to debate me in return.

~ Regards, PA

I like to talk about just about anything philosophical and often religion (spirituality) comes into play at some time during the comverstion. The reason I like to use these forums is that you have a chance to express your ideas coherently without someone drowning you out with their objections. And I can go back and read a post again to make sure I understood it. In conversation sometimes the pace moves so quickly a lot is missed.

I do with my cousin mostly and sometimes random people like those annoying people at the mall with the "GOOD NEWS!" or those JW's that come door to door a few times a year.

I'm pretty much the same in real life as on the interwebs.

There are a few people in my life that I will talk religion to: my former father-in-law, he used to be a Jesuit Priest, and my mother occasionally.

However, my two office mates at work are hardcore atheists and they sit on either side of me and like to talk work inappropriate religion and politics conversations over my head. I doubt either one of them know that I disagree with every they're saying. It's about that time I pack my laptop up and go work in the caffeteria.

I have a few friends who I will talk religion with. Not many. We all come from quite different places spiritually, and it's always enjoyable.

There are some people I know who I will never, ever, ever discuss religion with. (Hint: born-again christian)

Two things one should never bring up into a conversation....one:religion...two:politics. if either of the topics are addressed guarantee the conversation WILL turn into an arguement.IMO

I disagree. I think it depends more on the people either topic is brought up among. There are people that will almost invariably turn any conversation on such topics into an argument (or worse yet, an "I'm right and everyone else on the planet is wrong") But there are just as many who are very open to different opinions, and know that the only way for anyone to get anything out of such a discussion is to acknowledge the viewpoints of others.

You just have to know where to look for which types of people. It also helps to get to know the people first, so then you know whether it's worth the effort to even TRY to discuss something like religion or politics with them.

I don't talk religion, so much as talk about Spirituality God and Love, which is my religion, Just not what one would call a main stream one or Organised one.

I try to live My Beliefs I espouse on the Boards, this includes sharing In the real world also.

It has only positive reflections on my life and belief, when I dont condemn any one for theirs, yet still show mine.

It must intrest you somewhat To talk about these Matters of the spirit, because you do it here, I bet if you tried with Friends and aquantences, You would find more in common than you think.

Use your intuition, On who and what you can and Cant talk about.

Iam a contractor, and sometimes I work on Houses and Fel the home owner out, Then We have Had some marvoulous conversations about God and spirit.

I have yet to get a bad reaction from talking about unconditional love in Person, I've only heard bad on the boards.

Ive been in some very animated , spirited conversations in person, but never bad, and we both walk away thinking and Experienced for taking the chance.

Love Omnaka

I discuss the details of Islam with another Muslim outside the forum, but other than that not usually. I'd like to discuss it with my family since they are pretty religious themselves, but as a general rule of thumb politics and religion is excluded from the dinner table because we tend to start arguing lol.

yes my family does. more so when my brother was alive. we'd discuss everything.

Again being that this is the biblebelt most here assume that everyone else is of the Judeo-Christian faith it's hard to debate someone here face to face because some of them are so closed minded about religion. A lady needed help looking for a bible in my wifes store while helping her with a selection the lady asked my wife ( Don't you think everyone should be a Christian?) Kind of hard to debate people like that.

I would agree it would be a mistake to debate customers in a place of business (~_^) Close mindedness also has nothing to do with religion since there are close minded people everywhere.

I have kind of a funny thing I noticed at work.... I work in the software industry, so we have a TON of Indian/Hindu developers. We have bulletin boards in our break rooms, it's AMAZING how many Hindu flavored fliers end up on the boards... "Come see Guru so and so speak about your chakras" or "famed Ashram leader mother so and so speaks on the Enlightenment of the soul" ... if I put something up on that board regarding a Christian speaker (not that I would), I'd be in big HR trouble. It's interesting how the flavors of Buddhism and Hinduism are overlooked while anything Abrahamic is banned.

I have no trouble with the hindu fliers, I actually get a kick out of reading some of them and think there's nothing harmful about them, but I'm just surprised that HR allows it.

Yeah I talk religion quite often with people...! Usually avoid it in the pub though!

And that's definitely the best way to spread the Word! I wanna live up to that, and I sometimes hit the target (or so I think), and sometimes I fail, but the intention is always there. (That qoute of St. Francis is spot on!)

As for the OP, I usually don't bring it up, mainly because the situation doesn't call for a talk about religion. It's not like I'm always thinking "K, when can I start talking about my faith?". When it pops up in a talk, I join in.
And that last bit is something that some people sometimes forget... they get so caught up in "demonizing" the other (regardless of belief-or lack of-), that they forget that the other is just as human as you are, with strengths and flaws.


And about this:

I'm sorry to hear about your brother girl

There are definitely close minded people everywhere, but the depth and seriousness of one's faith to each person leads to it being next to impossible to talk religion with the religiously close minded.

It all depends upon the situation (as well as the company present at the time),but yes,I've talked with others about religion outside of the forums for many years.I've even had people that I barely knew or didn't even know engage me in religious talks.Very few people have ever gotten upset with the discussion,and those that did happened to be Fundamentalists or Evangelists.I even had a very nice chat with a Jehova's Witness that lasted about 6 hours.There was also a long bus ride where a Catholic priest decided to sit by me and questioned me about a lot of things,like why I wore my fur long,why I listened to rock music...etc.He was just interested in finding out why the younger generations were doing certain things.It was amazing that he never got upset with some of the answers that I gave him concerning the discussion of religion.

I used to and found it it doesn't always contribute to good social relationships in the long run. Especially when people believe/think differently and are very passionate about these beliefs.

But if someone wants to debate/discuss seriously on a personal level it's hard to shut me up once they bait me into it.

I'm practicing holding my tongue regardless and it has worked lately.

I prefer to hang around with somewhat like-minded people. I am then in my mental comfort zone and feel that I can really connect. (that would be the agnostic/buddhist/pagan/deist mindset).

I have been hesitating to reply to this, because -- in a sense -- the answer seems to come up as "yes-or-no".

In "real life", when I talk with other people, our conversations are not limited to specific subjects -- all depends of the circumstances. If or when the subject of God or beliefs does come up, sometimes quite interesting thoughts do come up, and that can lead to any number of different ideas being raised, discussed.

My point is, I do not "talk religion" -- but I do enjoy discussing various ideas.
The thing is, most people do not talk about religion, but are quite interested in talking about their beliefs.

That's what makes friends interesting. "Like attracts like".

As I said -- this seems to ask for an "either-or" answer.
Forums are not "real life" situations. Similarly, organised debates are not "real life" situations either.
In real life people interact on many different levels, and topics in conversations change at a whim. When I talk with friends or strangers or acquaintances, our conversations are never "set in concrete".

Well, seeing this particular discussion board is about beliefs where sceptics and believers write about beliefs, or give opinions on beliefs, I wonder how long a thread would last here if it was, for instance, about various styles of knitting? Of course, if I wanted to discuss knitting, I would go to a forum concerning knitting, and I would be most surprised if folks there raised topics about beliefs. On such a forum I'm sure we all would have a ball while yarning.


Nothing wrong when topics become heated; in my opinion that is when some of the most productive discussions occur -- but, if people lose their self-control, become rude, disrespectful or abusive is when problems arise.

My penny's worth
Karlis

Like everyone says it depends on the situation. When I am with Pagans we can talk religion all day all of us follow different paths, but it is ok, we enjoy our differences. We learn from them. I have an easier time taking to atheist than I do Christians. I was at an MS dinner with assigned seating. They wanted us to get to know new people. Two of the people came from the same Church. I tried to just ignore it all until they ask if I went to Church. I told them I was in a Wiccan Coven. (I was a Wiccan at the time.)
You would have thought I had told them I was Satan himself. They started telling me what they knew about Wicca from there pastor, none of it good. I did my best to correct them, but in the end I was just p***ing in the wind.

Some Christians are just as ignorant of what Wicca actually is just as many Pagans are just as ignorant about what Christianity is. When will all them ignorant people learn to drop the hate and get along as people? It truly does take ignorance to remain in a state of suspicion and dislike of each other.

To be honest I often seem to end up in such conversation alot and always have and for the most part I have found it to be a learning experience and somehow a strange bonding experience with people. To be able to discuss religion with people to me is like discussing the deepest parts of someone and quite honestly I feel like I walk away with a deeper understanding of people and myself on the whole. However I live in a place where a particular domination of religion rules supreme and I do not like engaging in those types of conversations because they don't go anywhere. I find on the whole with that that people are just trying to convert me and tell me I'm wrong so I steer clear of engaging in conversation with that particular domination. I know that sounds terrible but I find nothing good has ever come of it.

You know though there is one thing besides religion I find to get even more heated and I refuse to discuss it in a forum or on the real world ever....politics. I hate talking politics because I feel people just get way way too self righteous and it generally doesn't go anywhere but in circles and I end up even more lost at the end of the conversation than when it began. hehehehe I watch so many people get heated up and it really doesn't heat me up but if I disagree they go off the handle. My friends and I have a long running joke that when they start to get on the political platform of righteousness they stop and than say; "okay what should we talk about now religion?" hehehehehe

I'm sorry, but I have yet to meet a Pagan of any kind who was that ignorant of Christianity, let alone so openly condemning of it as Darkwind was describing. Then again, a lot of the Pagans I know took up their path after having been raised in some Christian faith or other.

I agree with your other statement though.

I agree in fact the only time I see pagans who condem Christianty are those who pretend to be Pagans & have watched Charmed & The Craft too many times & dress in black all the time.

The people who have watched Charmed and The Craft too many times might not be true Wiccans or know anything about it but they should not be faulted for simply trying to find their path. More power to them and hopefully they can expand beyond that stage.

Just curious, but what is the difference between what you have written here compared to what a Christian says about another person who acts in the name of Chrisitanity but do not display Christ's actions (something along the lines of the "But they aren't real Christians" argument)? It sounds almost as if you are saying "but they aren't real pagans".

As a personal experience, I have met one pagan who really condemned Christianity (the other pagans I have met I never really did get into big theological/philosophical discussions with). But she had actually experienced a very traumatic event where she was forcibly taken by a group calling themselves Christian, and then strapped down by them as they attempted to exorcise a demon which they felt possessed her. After she described what happened to her, I can certainly understand why she would condemn Christianity, even if it is a vast minority that would even consider doing this. But I guess any comment I make about how they acted would be.... obviously completely different to these pagan-wannabes you condemn compared to "real pagans".

Just a thought.....

~ Regards, PA

I agree PA. Just the way it is I guess but some people are definitely have negative attitudes towards those they consider to be representing the fold. Islam refers its highest form of Jihad to other Muslims who they perceive as heretics, most Christians debate among each other, and as we can see Pagans are down on the Charmed and The Craft crowd. Both decent for a show and a movie BTW

My motto has always been if you know better do better. Sometimes people just do not know better and that is not a reason to dismiss them or paint them in a negative light.

I've met alot of people who call themselves Wiccans who dress all in black wear gothic all the time. I am not saying that are not Pagans but the ones I have met who dress like that are people who have this inmage in thier head that Hollywood has put there. Alot of Christians sterotype Pagans like that as well I guess they believe if it's in the movies or on TV then it must be true. Those are the people who do not feel the need to edcuate themselves about what Pagans believe, same with those Pagans who dress & act in gothic. They take what they think they know from hollywood & go with it & wehn a real Pagan tries to help them or offers some advice they go off on them.


You can't tell me that you have not seen some people who call themselves Christians make real Christians look bad. Every religion has black sheep so to speak you can't deny that.


Clovis, so you think it's ok to let those people who call themselves Christian make the rest of you all look bad? If thats so then you can't whine about how people judge you because of the bad apples that are out there. That would be a double standard.


Pagans get enough negative press as it is what is wrong by showing those people that we do not believe nor act like that?

No, that is completely understandable norwood and I agree with you about stereotypes. I do not look down on those Christians who make all of Christianity look bad but I do try and explain that they are usually not following what it says in the Bible if the issue comes up. I guess the same can be said about Wiccans who know nothing about the Rede even if it is a more modern creation it is every bit as valuable...much shorter too lol Do druids have anything to go by?

For myself as a Druid I can only go by what I have read I have met no other Druids other then on forums, which makes it hard because there is SO much to learn. Most Pagans I have met here in the south tend to be Wiccans, I've only met 2 Witches not counting my wife I think the word Wiccan sounds more friendly then Witch does to some.

Hi norwood, I do know what you mean, and I completely agree with you. I was just addressing the concept in your post. It just seems to me that if a Christian says that a person isn't acting in a Christ-like manner they are told it's a rationalisation and a "cop out" answer. But where are all those people who say that about Christianity now when the situation is about pagans???

I don't want to turn this into a debate or anything. I'm just making observations. All the best,

~ Regards, PA

LOL!

Yeah I have a secret of making them leave as well.

That I can agree with...good for you IAMS

Not really.

The Internet wins over real life convo because you can look things up which people mention that you find interesting, etc. It allows you to essentially know the view of the entire world who's online and not just the singular person you speak to. People can easily twist fact with their words, often unintentionally.

Aside that, I raise my voice... And people are far more likely to read my posts than listen to me get irritated with them. I generally don't get as worked up on here, either.

When I do try, I find people are uninterested in listening anyway. Both atheists and religious folk.

I have religious friends. Not that many what I'd call "true" Christians, because it just clashes with everything I represent, I guess. And Vice versa.

So is that all you talk about then? no other subject interests you? just asking


MW how on earth do you put up with that? that would drive anyone potty!!!..Personally I would tell them to shut their faces lol.....and if they dont quit it, report them and have them moved..why should you move?? And it seems as though they are doing it in badness..they are bound to know you are a believer..its disrespectful of them to carry on like that


Good for you..short and straight to the point


Wonderful post..thank you

Talking about religion is sure to offend anyone even if they belong to the same denomination. They will soon point each other to their books. Two person with different denomination is a fight waiting to happen. I do talk outside the forums and watch them becoming red and hot tempered. They then look for anyone with same belief system (looking for support) and wanting a nod/agreeing on that person.

Being in the Army I meet a lot of people from a lot of religious viewpoints. I'd say I end up talking about religion once every week or two. Sometimes sooner. Fortunately the way I believe is 100% open-minded and can talk with ease about the subject. The only time it turns into an argument for me is 1) If I'm in an instigating mood or 2) If someone in the group tries to push their religion off on me. I seriously hate that, and will either revert back to #1 , or just walk away.

I think the worst conversation I got into was when my mom got married to a preacher. She never felt the need to go to church growing up (cept maybe christmas or easter) and now she's the 'ideal preacher's wife'. She decided to ask me, in front of her new husband and his 25yr old daughter, why I didn't go to church. I tried to be nice about it and say that I just didn't quite believe in any Christian denominations... but of course... Preacher man and his daughter had to chime in and try to push their church off on me... Normally when that happens, I'll just leave. But of course I couldn't...cuz this is Mom's house now... I had to fight so hard just to keep from telling all 3 of them to @#$% off....


But here in the army, everyone seems to be pretty open minded to other people's beliefs. So talking it ain't so bad.

-C

I make an assumption of implicit consent on these forums. Within the guidelines published above each page, i assume people want to to be here and debate beliefs, ideas etc. In real life i would not presume this about people. i will happily talk religion with people from whom i have explicit consent to do so, but this does not include my students , most of my colleagues, and some of my friends. My family and certain friends are fair game, and vice versa.

I always say a prayer when ever i HEAR A FRIEND oR COligue mor anyone swear God, I say Father please forgive them for they know not what they Do.

This always brings up, either debate or conversation.

Then the ball gets rollin, just like on UM.

Kinda cool , Just thought I'd mention it.

I mean My prayer, and it's a good way to tell others how I feel about Father and Mother.

Love Omnaka

I have a very public job, yes everything and anything is discussed, with intent i also do not see
argumentation as a bad thing......i actaully love learning about people and what they believe from the stance of sheer interest in them as biengs.

i love learning its simple as that and this provides me with a fertile opp for this, you can disagree and still love each other, actaully those that have their own minds are those i chose to be freinds with....... its a gift that one would take the time to offer a critical analysis of a debate on both sides or an ear , or just interest in another without the limitations of this is right, this is wrong, this is dogma not converstation........ its fun to set aside the biases we all have and practice stepping outside of ones box and share in another POV..........Actaully its a blast.....

I am never offended or disapproving or inclined to impose limits on what one can say or place limits of appropraite or inappopriate on them, i seek to be a bridge not a wall......I do find we can benefit from talking to each other more...of course you will run into a stasis on occassion but I have seen so many people change their mind about really important things really because something they hadn't thought of comes into play....., Debate is a gift and I happen to be one of those that uses it to refine and grow and learn....