06-28-2002, 06:55 PM | #11 |
Drow Warrior
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Waynesboro, VA, USA
Posts: 255
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Well, I don't really know what to tell you. I'm guessing you're in a Bible Belt area, if even the teacher at school is giving you problems (I'd maybe go speak with a guidance counselor if this is a public school, as what that teacher is doing is illegal), and maybe it's a small town as well, which is MUCH harder to deal with when it comes to a heavy-hitting religion.
I was in a small town during my teenage years, and we were maybe the only agnostic/atheist family around. Everyone else was either Catholic or Presbyterian (except for the one Jewish family); however, we didn't get much hassled, just missed out on a fair amount of social events. One thing I adored doing in college and ever since was joining in the intellectual argument. I don't know if that makes me a devil's advocate (no, not to the extent of Satanism, just a figure of speech) or just obnoxious. If a born-again Christian wanted to try to convert me, I'd let them try, and see if they had a good answer for any question I had that didn't make sense about their religion. If a Jehovah's Witness tried telling me how good heaven was, I'd argue about what a bore that would be for eternity, for everything to be "good" forever (and I'd also mention how I thought Revelations was not meant to be in the Bible, that it was written by someone on hallucinogens). If one of the Mennonites around here tries to tell me they think there ought to be prayer or the ten commandments in school, I tell them that's a great idea, so long as we also have the Wiccan creed printed up there too. It's rather fun! I think the urge to convert others seems to be a bit worse in this country. I was never approached by the Church of England looking for converts when I was over there. Also, certain sects don't seem to proselytize as much either -- how many Quakers have tried to get you to come over the fence? How many Jews have harrassed you? Interesting, intellectually, anyhow. Good luck! |
06-29-2002, 12:51 AM | #12 | |
Emerald Dragon
Join Date: September 25, 2001
Location: NY , NY
Age: 63
Posts: 960
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06-29-2002, 04:26 AM | #13 | |
Dracolisk
Join Date: January 8, 2001
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Age: 44
Posts: 6,541
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Quote:
I used to have coloured hair and a piercing myself and have never been told I was going to hell. Maybe because my attitude didn't invite it...? What I'm saying is, someone "gave you hell" because you wear piercings (I agree it's stupid - you're free to do what you wish with your own body) but if that someone was a Christian, it doesn't mean anything. If it were a woman, would you say that women have an unhealthy attitude against body manipulations? If the person was heterosexual, would you say straight people do? It's all a matter of what you choose to see, IMO, and that goes for the entire topic of the thread. My best friend that I grew up with was raised quite strictly Christian. I went through a 'black metal' period where I listened to bands who claimed they were satanists. I have never subscribed to the doctrine myself (quite on the contrary) but I sure asked some pretty critical questions about the Christian religion. Why it never became an issue? Because neither of us generalised, because I didn't hold it against her that *some* Christians behave badly, because she didn't hold it against me that I liked music with a bit of a dodgy background.... because of respect.
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06-29-2002, 05:10 AM | #14 | |
Unicorn
Join Date: May 17, 2001
Location: N/a
Posts: 4,222
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Quote:
Seriously believe what ever you will, that is your right. Don't let people tell you what to believe, we're all human beings with differant opinions. Life's to short to argue about what happens when we die [img]smile.gif[/img] |
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06-29-2002, 05:21 PM | #15 | |
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Posts: n/a
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The inquisition once burnt atheists. Lenin had Christians sent to the Gulags, All because of differing views over what will happen after you die. |
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06-29-2002, 06:54 PM | #16 | |
Emerald Dragon
Join Date: September 25, 2001
Location: NY , NY
Age: 63
Posts: 960
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\"How much do I love you?? I\'ll tell you one thing, it\'d be a whole hell of a lot more if you stopped nagging me and made me a friggin sandwich.\" |
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06-29-2002, 07:40 PM | #17 |
Drow Warrior
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Waynesboro, VA, USA
Posts: 255
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Sorry about those experiences, Hunter!
Interesting comment I heard once: when I told someone at a restaurant where I worked that I was heading up to Massachusetts for college, the comment was "Oh, that's God's country!". I kept silent, because my immediate tempted retort was "So New Jersey isn't???". Never mind offending the old gal, I didn't want to hear poor New Jersey insulted yet again! |
06-29-2002, 07:53 PM | #18 | |
Dracolisk
Join Date: January 5, 2002
Location: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
Age: 39
Posts: 6,043
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Quote:
Let God Sort em' out!
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06-29-2002, 08:04 PM | #19 |
Dungeon Master
Join Date: May 30, 2002
Location: USA
Age: 44
Posts: 85
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My experience with Christians hasn't been that good.
Unfortunately, I find that most atheists and agnostics are about as bad... they hold themselves as superiors who know everything--just like Christians. How ironic. I judge people on a person-by-person basis, not on beliefs. It would be foolish to do otherwise.
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06-29-2002, 08:12 PM | #20 |
Drow Warrior
Join Date: January 7, 2001
Location: Waynesboro, VA, USA
Posts: 255
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Wynne,
I agree with you, that that is the smart way of doing things! However, I do understand Ryndel's and Hunter's points, which is that unfortunately there are many people that impose a viewpoint on others before they ever get to know them and take them as individuals with brains of their own. Too many people let first impressions and dogma carry them through life... and unfortunately, they miss getting to know some really neat people. AliCat |
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