How do you tolerate religious people?

[fr0d0]

Truth be told....I don't tolerate them very well.


Perhaps you've noticed?

You're from the south. It's what you do

---

Yeah, I know that. I just don't see how to deal with a religious person. It's like trying to push two magnets together.

I wouldn't push you away mla. It'd be up to you to reject me. I think that's what you're saying isn't it? You just find yourself unable to overcome your intolerance at present.

[Minimalist]

Actually, frods, I'm from the north. Just came to redneck heaven for the weather.

[fr0d0]

You've acclimatised min

[Fidel_Castronaut]

How can anyone here think of Christians as people just like you and me?

Well, for a start, not everyone thinks like you. Christians are friendly and fun loving people too but the sad part is that many religionist label them otherwise because they do not agree with their non-beliefs. Life is so boring when you do not believe in anything.

Not believing in a god =/= not believing in 'anything'.

Thanks.

[Ben Davis]

Hi MLA,

How can anyone here think of Christians as people just like you and me?

Because they are people, just like you & me; subject, on the whole, to the same imperfections. Empathy & sympathy are the order of the day.

We all operate under pretty much the same formula. I just feel like talking to a Christian is like talking to a confused elderly person. It's sad to me how people can be so confused and fucked in the head.

It happens to all of us for different reasons. We all have blind spots. If we try to avoid condescension and patronisation, it makes it easier to relate.

I would feel sorry for them, if it weren't for the fact that sometimes they try to make my life hell with their mockery and intolerance. It's hard not to be intolerant of them when they don't extend the same grace. I guess I have just become conditioned to have a negative reaction to Christians because it's become somewhat of an impulse. I know that whenever I engage with a Christian that what's inside their heads are going to be totally fucked and trying to maintain any sort of meaningful conversation with them will mean pussyfooting around their logical pitfalls. I just don't have the patience for it.

I assume you're in the US, am I right? Here's where my blind-spot becomes obvious: I have trouble relating to the types of overbearing christianity that I read about online, because I've never experienced it, personally. Things are very different in the UK. Consequently, my interactions aren't framed by the type of conditioning that yours are. When I engage with christians, face to face, I generally meet reasonable people who compartmentalise their religion and don't let it interfere with other aspects of their lives. Often, I have little/no idea of someone's religiosity until we have specific conversations.

Of course, online it can be a different matter. I've experienced some truly astounding dumb-fuckery. I still manage to maintain a good level of tolerance though, I guess because my formative experiences are so vanilla.

[DramaQueen]

If I ever become a hermit, it's because of them
If I go nuts, it's because of them

[Dorian Gray]

Tolerating people is one of the most difficult things to do in life. It's not just Christians or people of different beliefs. I mean, right now I have to tolerate a person who is patting himself on the back for "improving his day" by going out and buying weed. He congratulates himself on "taking initiative" by smoking weed, and claims I wouldn't be so depressed if I too, smoked weed. From my perspective, I think this is just absurd and delusional. Stating the obvious, why would anyone think they are awesome by "seizing the day" so they are just unmotivated to do anything after getting high? That's delusional.

I also live with someone who spends hours obsessed with a cat, treats the cat like a human, and talks and fawns all over the cat like it was a baby, and watches idiotic TV all night. She also eats ice cream out of the container, and drinks milk out of the jug without pouring it in a glass. Then belches and farts all night.

I get annoyed at all of this, but realize this is all these people have in their lives. Maybe I just needed to vent about how empty and depressing my life is, but the point is, people display all kinds of things to be intolerant over. I'd actually much rather spend time with an intelligent Christian and have at least the possibility of some intellectual discourse then watch Harold and Kumar go to White Castle for the 12th time and be asked if the cat is throwing up or taking a dump.

[abaris]

If they don't bother me, I don't bother them. Simple as that.

In my parts it's highly unusual for somebody to rub religion into anyone's face anyway.

[dyresand]

How can anyone here think of Christians as people just like you and me? We all operate under pretty much the same formula. I just feel like talking to a Christian is like talking to a confused elderly person. It's sad to me how people can be so confused and fucked in the head. I would feel sorry for them, if it weren't for the fact that sometimes they try to make my life hell with their mockery and intolerance. It's hard not to be intolerant of them when they don't extend the same grace. I guess I have just become conditioned to have a negative reaction to Christians because it's become somewhat of an impulse. I know that whenever I engage with a Christian that what's inside their heads are going to be totally fucked and trying to maintain any sort of meaningful conversation with them will mean pussyfooting around their logical pitfalls. I just don't have the patience for it.

i don't tolerate stupidity and the religious.
i don't tolerate their views but i tolerate them as human beings.
but when they try to beat me down over jesus died for your sins and they pray for me.
i say don't keep it to yourself i'm to far gone to be dragged down into your beliefs.