How do you respond to religous people?

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

One study of cases involving adventurers reported that the largest group involved climbers, with solo sailors and shipwreck survivors being the second most common group, followed by polar explorers.

Maybe God just wants to get out of his waiting room every once in awhile, and experience some cooler weather. It's darned hot down here in Florida after all.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

... having handled a collection plate in my parents' Congregationalist chuch when being an acolyte; been a YMCA councelor the summer of my 18th year; had morning chapel in prep-school; and attended a Lutheran college with missionary kid-zealots(the zeal generally wore off after a semester of Hamms and 'Minnesota Green") )https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_...ain%20climbers. My general view is:

The human mind can be very inventive and imaginative. Reminds of a phenomenon from the Vietnam war, some soldiers who experienced stressful situations and this often coupled with experiences of isolation and not having slept for long time (as far as I remember) said they had visions or saw what in German is referred to as "Todeshexen", death witches, always representing female figures that reminded of or looked quite similar to female characters from the affected soldier's personal biography: his mother, sister, lover, but always in some percieved menacing way the physical appearance was altered, like you experience it sometimes in dreams. Some soldiers said that these figures kept them alive, or alarmed them to their very senses.



I learned about this during a trauma seminar.


My most favourite episode from Space-Above and Beyond also features this motive, I assume many viewers did not know that the reference there is a real one. The title of that epsiode is Wo monitors the birds?, I have linked it twice already. The series had three or four real strong episodes, but this one was the best. And the darkest. And most complex.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Ostfriese

I don't come across those aggressively religious types very much (the 'knocking at your door type, wanting to talk to you about Jesus' fortunately are very rare over here), but in general I ignore them for as long as possible.

Invite them in and dominate the conversation talking about Buddhism while keeping their tea cups filled.

[em2nought]

I suspect the so called religious and abortion zealots are actual democrat operatives tasked with destroying Republican chances every election.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by em2nought

I suspect the so called religious and abortion zealots are actual democrat operatives tasked with destroying Republican chances every election.

Oh it definitely is, you see, I hired all of them.

[mapuc]

Did you know this:

I'm fascinated by the bible-NO I'm far very far from being religious It's the history in it. Reading it from a historical perspective.

Markus

[Platapus]

Plus the Old Testament has some pretty wild stories

[Sean C]

If I don't feel like talking about religion, I usually just tell them I'm Buddhist (which is true). Most people know so little about Buddhism that they don't have much, if anything, to say about it. Otherwise, I'll just say "No, thanks. I'm not interested." If they still don't get the message, I make it more clear.

But, to answer your question:

Originally Posted by Onkel Neal

... does that open the door for me to post my thoughts? I mean, it has to be a 2 way street, yeah?

Yes, I certainly think so. If someone offers me their unsolicited opinion on anything, I feel free to give them mine in return. No matter how much I think it may offend them. If they are offended, I remind them that they brought it up, and they should be prepared to hear different viewpoints. Wherever I happen to be is not a church and I didn't ask to listen to any sermons.

However, religion is one of my favorite topics. So, sometimes I just try to mess with their heads. For instance (no offense meant to anyone here): some Mormons once knocked on my door and told me I should read the Book of Mormon. I asked them if there was an "update" in there. Had God changed some of the rules since the Bible was written? Their reply was basically "No. It's more of the same." So, I asked them why I should read it, then. If it's the same message as the Bible, what's the point?

I swear, one of them got this look on his face like "Hey, wait a minute! Why are we pushing this if it's the same?" But he quickly snapped back into his training. Thought I might've actually reached someone there for a second.

Other times I'll just tell them that whatever book they adhere to is allegory and is basically the same as every other religious text in its overarching message. So, I see no need to "pick a side". I believe that, as long as I generally try to be a good person, I will make it to any supposed paradise. I mean, what kind of god would refuse a good person entry to heaven? Not one I'd like to meet, anyway.

If none of that works, I just tell them the truth: that neither they, nor I, nor anyone else really knows if any sort of god exists. I have my own beliefs about our creator, and no one can tell me I'm wrong. That's the thing about faith ... it's not based on proof. Quite the opposite, really.

If I'm really feeling fiendish, I'll tell them that I have just spoken to god and he told me not to listen to them. Argue with that!

[Catfish]

I'd say religion is a personal, private thing.
If you believe in god or some higher being, good for you. If you do not, good for you.
You do not have to demonstrate either to other persons.

A friend of mine does not believe afaik, however he carries an amulet of Thor for whatever reason. When Jehova's witnesses knocked at his door he opened, listened, and invited them to come in saying something like "all gods are welcome here" pointing at this amulet. They were gone in a second.

if there was not so much bad and mayhem initiated by those believers, I would just brush it aside. But you cannot when you know how much wars and killing is done in HIS name. From Houthis to Palestines, to Israel, to all the wars that were and will be.

To answer the OP's question: Try to get rid of them with whatever means you see fit. What YOU think about god has nothing to do with official churches, beliefs or especially this american "televangelism". If you really believe you do not need a church. If not, the point is moot anyway.

[Jeff-Groves]

I just ask them to forgive me for all the bodies I buried out back.
Never goes much further after that for some reason.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Sean C

If I'm really feeling fiendish, I'll tell them that I have just spoken to god and he told me not to listen to them. Argue with that!

...next time try my ploy: "I'm descending from Sinai again with a 'tablet update': Commandment # 11:"Stand not upon the front porch of the unbeliever."

 

I typically disapprove of 'messiah complexes'; but no one ever objects to a "Moses complex"!

[Gorpet]

Well, When you were rolling them miles, In that 18 wheeler was there anytime you might have thought ole lord, just carry me thru till I can get back to Texas.?

[em2nought]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Oh it definitely is, you see, I hired all of them.

I just had a gut feeling that you were George Soros.

[Aktungbby]

Originally Posted by Gorpet

Well, When you were rolling them miles, In that 18 wheeler was there anytime you might have thought ole lord, just carry me thru till I can get back to Texas.?

All the time! particularly when delivering Der Weinerschnitzle pickles from Portland to Houston; Picking up copper coils for a New York Skylift cable company in Amarillo; or driving to Presidio SE of Marfa in a tempestuous deluge,flooding my Freightliner, to pick up onions for Erie PA; delivering Missouri kittylitter to Houston's WynnDixie stores; or crossing I-10 with tunafish outta San Diego for Mobile Alabama's hungry kitties! Staying awake largely consisted of keeping the window open allnight, and listening to Cream to stay alert:

[August]

Originally Posted by Catfish

A friend of mine does not believe afaik, however he carries an amulet of Thor for whatever reason. When Jehova's witnesses knocked at his door he opened, listened, and invited them to come in saying something like "all gods are welcome here" pointing at this amulet. They were gone in a second.

Like I have said before evangelists only care about the unaffiliated soul.