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Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
#1
Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
So far Christians I've ever met or talked to were all the same - from the beginning of the conversation they start babbling about their deity and when you say you don't believe or ask them a logical question they become even more passionate and quite often they become aggressive. And so far I thought the reason for that behaviour of theirs was the brainwashing.
For instance, a few years back on Easter when my mother took me to the church for "walking under a table" Easter tradition I said wouldn't do it because I only went there to accompany my mother (dark hours of the day are not the safest to walk alone) and then several of the people there forced me out of the church yard. Naturally, the most of the hints were about burning in hell which in turn I ignored. Naturally. But there were others who simply cussed me when they realized I couldn't be brainwashed.
Or another time when a priest from our local church visited us at home to beg for donations. I didn't open the door, so we just talked through it. I told him I'm not interested in living in an afterlife place where there are no pretty boys and when heard that he became aggressive and started kicking the door. The door is heavy, made of solid steel, so I didn't care about it but what made me mad was the aggression when he realized he was talking to an atheist. Then I opened the door and went towards him with a knife. I wasn't gonna hurt him, I just wanted to scare him and that's what happened. He ran away like the devil is after him and I couldn't even understand when he managed to run 3 stores down to the exit. Later on the same priest tried to recruit my mother to give constant and large donations to the church but that didn't work either because I payed him a visit at the church in the dark hours of the night. After that we never saw him again.
Normally I'm not an aggressive person but when someone doesn't respect my opinion, threatens my free will or tries to blackmail us, I do become aggressive.

Until now I thought all the believers are the same - all sorts of monsters (literally and figuratively). But from what I was able to find of the posts by @Catholic_Lady she seems to respect our opinions here and doesn't even try to brainwash any of us - for which I'm grateful to her.
So I wonder - what's that thing that makes believers to try to brainwash us?
As I like to say (actually it's a quote from Fringe Season 1) - "There's more than one of everything". So, if Catholic_Lady can respect our opinions and doesn't try to convert us, it means other believers could too but they don't want. So there must be some reason for not wanting to.
I'm fully capable of respecting other people's opinion and for as long as any believer doesn't try to convert me to his ways (and doesn't talk about god, ofc), I'll respect his believes (even if I don't like them or agree with them). I've said that so many times to believers that I've lost count already. But they wouldn't listen.
It's more than obvious the battle between "good" (them) and "evil" (us) will go on forever or at least we won't live to see its end, so do you think there's any way for us to coexist with theists without aggression and what would that way be? What do you usually tell an aggressive theist in order to calm them down?
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#2
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
Hey, thanks for the acknowledgement! Smile

I think there are actually a lot of Christians who respect your differences, respect you as a person, and don't want to get all preachy.

You just don't really notice them because they stay quiet about that stuff. Naturally, it's the loud ones you notice most.

Next time you're in a situation where a theist is bugging you, just tell them that your views are different, and though you respect their views, you are not interested in having any discussions about them.

Keep it simple, respectful, and straight forward. I imagine most of them will drop it at that point.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly." 

-walsh
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#3
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
I would hazard a guess at some motivations:

1- Insecurity. They're really trying to reassure themselves. It comes off in waves from many theists on this forum, aggressively demanding you agree with them. Those comfortable with their beliefs feel no such need.

2- Scoring points. Feeling good about winning more over to their side of things, to improve their standing with "God" and with their community.

3- Brainwashing. The brain is rotted out and they no longer share reality with us, life has become a mission to recruit people for an imaginary cause and not much more.

4- Sincerity. It's quite possible they really think they are doing people a favour. Difficult to judge.

I agree, first try being polite and explaining you're thoroughly uninterested. Then be more firm and demand they leave you alone. If that doesn't work, I suppose report to the police, their church, or else freak them out by pretending to be posessed by the devil or something. I've heard people doing that before and it works. If they don't respect you being polite, they are asking for it.
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#4
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
Well, except you, for my 31 years of life I haven't met a believer who would keep it quiet about that. In my country, I mean. I don't know what things are like with theists in the world cuz I've only been in Thessaloniki for a short period of time and I've never been anywhere else to have a chance to meet a theist.

(July 7, 2015 at 3:31 pm)robvalue Wrote: I agree, first try being polite and explaining you're thoroughly uninterested. Then be more firm and demand they leave you alone. If that doesn't work, I suppose report to the police, their church, or else freak them out by pretending to be posessed by the devil or something. I've heard people doing that before and it works. If they don't respect you being polite, they are asking for it.

Hahahahahahahahaha, I'm gonna try that idea with "being possessed" - it should be fun! Big Grin Big Grin

I've tried to be polite but it almost never works. And it surely doesn't work at all when there are more believers around. As if... the other believers somehow bring courage to the problematic ones.
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#5
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
(July 7, 2015 at 3:39 pm)Atheist_BG Wrote: Well, except you, for my 31 years of life I haven't met a believer who would keep it quiet about that. In my country, I mean. I don't know what things are like with theists in the world cuz I've only been in Thessaloniki for a short period of time and I've never been anywhere else to have a chance to meet a theist.


It may just be a difference in culture then. Has every single Christian you have ever known just started preaching to you unwarranted?

I will talk about my faith only when asked and/or in relevant discussion. Otherwise I don't just come out and start talking about it. Most Christian people here in America are the same way I think.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly." 

-walsh
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#6
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
(July 7, 2015 at 3:52 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Has every single Christian you have ever known just started preaching to you unwarranted?

Yup. That's why I was really surprised you didn't try to convert me.
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#7
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
(July 7, 2015 at 3:57 pm)Atheist_BG Wrote:
(July 7, 2015 at 3:52 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Has every single Christian you have ever known just started preaching to you unwarranted?

Yup. That's why I was really surprised you didn't try to convert me.

Hm... sorry about that. Undecided
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly." 

-walsh
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#8
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
You have to remember that all religions want their adherents to proselytize. If you say "I'm not a believer" many will look at you simply as a potential fresh convert.
"I was thirsty for everything, but blood wasn't my style" - Live, "Voodoo Lady"
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#9
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
(July 7, 2015 at 4:09 pm)KevinM1 Wrote: You have to remember that all religions want their adherents to proselytize.  

This is true, but I am a strong believer in doing it Francis's way:

"Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." - Saint Francis of Assisi.

In other words live the gospel in your actions by following the teachings of Jesus, being kind to others, turning the other cheek always. And when warranted (in questions/discussions), talk about your faith.


Unfortunately, a lot of people don't get this.
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly." 

-walsh
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#10
RE: Why Christians can't respect other's opinion?
(July 7, 2015 at 4:19 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: turning the other cheek always.

Don't take this the wrong way but when you run out of cheeks, what then? Humans only have 4 cheeks. Rolleyes
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