Can you imagine what kind of outcry there would be if people of other religions went door-to-door, or started trying to convert people willy-nilly? (I'm thinking Muslims in particular, here.) I think that hardcore proselytisers need to think about how they would feel, were they put in the opposite situation, and they need to respect other people's beliefs. If everyone who thought that they were going to heaven went around trying to convert people on a regular basis, nobody would ever be able to get anything done.
I really wish that more people could hold the 'many paths' belief. Because everyone should think the same way as I do, damnit! ;) *proselytises*
Like I said, I'm quite happy to discuss religion, as long as the other person is willing to keep an open mind. It's incredibly unfair and selfish to just go 'I'm right, and they're wrong', and you sure as hell won't get into a polite conversation with me if you're going to assume that you're absolutely correct. And you're definitely not going to score points if you bring my family into it. (See, I brought it back on topic!) Of course, most of my family are pretty much atheists or new-agey, which, while looked down upon, don't tend to carry the stigma with extreme Christians as, say, having Jewish relatives would. And I have some ultra-Christian relatives, so they certainly wouldn't get insulted. *sigh*
Which just reminded me of something that happened earlier this year. An aunty of mine (who was very born-again Christian) died, and had a big church funeral. Basically, we were the only non-Christians there, and we got a lot of pushy comments from members of the congregation, a lot of stuff about how wonderful it was to be in here, surrounded by God's love, and all the rest. And then, the people making the speeches? Kept on making really pointed comments (whilst looking straight at us) about how my aunty would've wanted all of her family to join her in Heaven, and how anyone can be saved, and so on, and so forth. My sister and I were... unhappy... about this. It was a fucking funeral, for crying out loud, and I was incredibly offended by the whole thing. I mean, yeah, my aunty would've liked us to convert back when she was alive, but at least she had the respect not to push us (especially those of us who were very much steadfast in our non-religiosity -- she used to make some attempts on my mum, who is a bit more spiritual, and a bit more... I'm not sure 'gullible' is the word I'm looking for, but she tends to believe most things she hears). Using someone's death as a reason to try to convert people is one of the lowest things you can do, in my opinion. Preying on people when they're in mourning is absolutely despicable.
Aaaaaand I've just had an enormous ramble in a stranger's LJ. Sorry. *g* There's been a lot of talk about religion lately, and I think I needed to vent a little. (Or a lot.)
part 2
I really wish that more people could hold the 'many paths' belief. Because everyone should think the same way as I do, damnit! ;) *proselytises*
Like I said, I'm quite happy to discuss religion, as long as the other person is willing to keep an open mind. It's incredibly unfair and selfish to just go 'I'm right, and they're wrong', and you sure as hell won't get into a polite conversation with me if you're going to assume that you're absolutely correct. And you're definitely not going to score points if you bring my family into it. (See, I brought it back on topic!) Of course, most of my family are pretty much atheists or new-agey, which, while looked down upon, don't tend to carry the stigma with extreme Christians as, say, having Jewish relatives would. And I have some ultra-Christian relatives, so they certainly wouldn't get insulted. *sigh*
Which just reminded me of something that happened earlier this year. An aunty of mine (who was very born-again Christian) died, and had a big church funeral. Basically, we were the only non-Christians there, and we got a lot of pushy comments from members of the congregation, a lot of stuff about how wonderful it was to be in here, surrounded by God's love, and all the rest. And then, the people making the speeches? Kept on making really pointed comments (whilst looking straight at us) about how my aunty would've wanted all of her family to join her in Heaven, and how anyone can be saved, and so on, and so forth. My sister and I were... unhappy... about this. It was a fucking funeral, for crying out loud, and I was incredibly offended by the whole thing. I mean, yeah, my aunty would've liked us to convert back when she was alive, but at least she had the respect not to push us (especially those of us who were very much steadfast in our non-religiosity -- she used to make some attempts on my mum, who is a bit more spiritual, and a bit more... I'm not sure 'gullible' is the word I'm looking for, but she tends to believe most things she hears). Using someone's death as a reason to try to convert people is one of the lowest things you can do, in my opinion. Preying on people when they're in mourning is absolutely despicable.
Aaaaaand I've just had an enormous ramble in a stranger's LJ. Sorry. *g* There's been a lot of talk about religion lately, and I think I needed to vent a little. (Or a lot.)