Why do my opinions offend so many?

[MimDipity]

I'm a generally liked and respected person around school, and I have quite a lot of friends, both in my grade and outside of it.
However, I've noticed that lately, whenever I voice my opinion, there are always a few people that appear to be deeply offended whenever our opinions conflict.

For example, I was at the lunch table with a bunch of my friends (and other people) and we began talking about religion. The large majority of people were atheists, and one of my acquaintances asked the Christians at the table to raise their hands. Since my Christian friends were elsewhere, I was the only one to raise my hand and I received many weird, even dirty looks.
A friend asked why, and so I began to explain. One girl interrupted me and told me that Christianity was rubbish. Naturally, I was a little offended, but I continued. She and her posse would attempt to rebut anything I said, and so I would calmly re-justify (is that even a word?) my point.
They eventually got so angry at me that they began to yell. They claimed I was an idiot, and that I was stupid to "start a fight". Maybe my temper is a little too hot, but I was annoyed. We argued until the girl decided she would just tell the principal about how deeply I offended her.
I understand religion is a touchy subject, but I didn't say a word to demote Atheism (there are many points that I can agree with there). Thankfully, I didn't get in any trouble because I explained what happened in detail, and my reputation helped a bit.

Things similar to this have been happening more and more frequently (Only this situation mentioned ended in a meeting with the Principal), and although I know it could be the fault of the person offended, it is probably something I'm doing wrong. Can anyone help me become a less offensive person?

(Sorry for the uber-long post, and sorry if this is in the wrong forum! I'm pretty new here)

[Body odah Man]

I'm a generally liked and respected person around school, and I have quite a lot of friends, both in my grade and outside of it.
However, I've noticed that lately, whenever I voice my opinion, there are always a few people that appear to be deeply offended whenever our opinions conflict.

For example, I was at the lunch table with a bunch of my friends (and other people) and we began talking about religion. The large majority of people were atheists, and one of my acquaintances asked the Christians at the table to raise their hands. Since my Christian friends were elsewhere, I was the only one to raise my hand and I received many weird, even dirty looks.
A friend asked why, and so I began to explain. One girl interrupted me and told me that Christianity was rubbish. Naturally, I was a little offended, but I continued. She and her posse would attempt to rebut anything I said, and so I would calmly re-justify (is that even a word?) my point.
They eventually got so angry at me that they began to yell. They claimed I was an idiot, and that I was stupid to "start a fight". Maybe my temper is a little too hot, but I was annoyed. We argued until the girl decided she would just tell the principal about how deeply I offended her.
I understand religion is a touchy subject, but I didn't say a word to demote Atheism (there are many points that I can agree with there). Thankfully, I didn't get in any trouble because I explained what happened in detail, and my reputation helped a bit.

Things similar to this have been happening more and more frequently (Only this situation mentioned ended in a meeting with the Principal), and although I know it could be the fault of the person offended, it is probably something I'm doing wrong. Can anyone help me become a less offensive person?

(Sorry for the uber-long post, and sorry if this is in the wrong forum! I'm pretty new here)

Become an atheist and agree on everything with everyone in every debate. People just love yelling at people with contrary opinions, don't let it get you down. It's not your fault most people turn a debate into a hatefest

[Jason The Great]

These things happens all the time , not coz your offensive or something...no! Just another issue of life that must be dealt with. talking about religion isn't a very good option in talking with non-friend people.

[phuckphace]

Can anyone help me become a less offensive person?

you aren't obligated to do that. your peers sound like shallow and bitter people who have nothing better to do than project their own misery and insecurity onto others.

I would focus instead on your closest friends and ignore the haters.

[Stronk Serb]

Why would they be offended by something that doesn't affect them. I think that's an incentive for you to get some better friends.

[MasterOfPuppets]

The way I see it is that if you truly believe in something you should never be upset because you stood up for it. You being yourself matters more than what people say.

[CosmicNoodle]

I'm a generally liked and respected person around school, and I have quite a lot of friends, both in my grade and outside of it.
However, I've noticed that lately, whenever I voice my opinion, there are always a few people that appear to be deeply offended whenever our opinions conflict.

For example, I was at the lunch table with a bunch of my friends (and other people) and we began talking about religion. The large majority of people were atheists, and one of my acquaintances asked the Christians at the table to raise their hands. Since my Christian friends were elsewhere, I was the only one to raise my hand and I received many weird, even dirty looks.

Very unfortunate

A friend asked why, and so I began to explain. One girl interrupted me and told me that Christianity was rubbish.

Well she's a pathetic bitch

Naturally, I was a little offended, but I continued. She and her posse would attempt to rebut anything I said, and so I would calmly re-justify (is that even a word?) my point.
They eventually got so angry at me that they began to yell. They claimed I was an idiot,

Well, you do believe in a magical sky man. To some people, that can seem ridiculous, it doesn't matter what you believe, or it shouldn't. Anyone who claims someone is an idiot simply because of what they where raised to believe is the real idiot, ignore her.

and that I was stupid to "start a fight". Maybe my temper is a little too hot, but I was annoyed. We argued until the girl decided she would just tell the principal about how deeply I offended her.
I understand religion is a touchy subject, but I didn't say a word to demote Atheism (there are many points that I can agree with there). Thankfully, I didn't get in any trouble because I explained what happened in detail, and my reputation helped a bit.

You did nothing wrong, apparently, you had nothing to worry about

Things similar to this have been happening more and more frequently (Only this situation mentioned ended in a meeting with the Principal), and although I know it could be the fault of the person offended, it is probably something I'm doing wrong. Can anyone help me become a less offensive person?

(Sorry for the uber-long post, and sorry if this is in the wrong forum! I'm pretty new here)


You, are not offensive, but maybe one or two things you didn't mention may apply. Do you regularly preach your religion? Try to constantly tell people about it or even talk about it often? If you do, that can annoy and offend people, try to avoid talking about it, keep your religion to yourself.
Or, perhaps refuse to talk about it with others, because if it's such an inflammatory topic, avoid talking about it maybe?

It's a shame that your bullied because of your (somewhat ridiculous) beliefs, it shouldn't matter what you follow or believe, but unfortunately we don't live in an ideal world.

[MimDipity]

Thanks for all the replies! I don't talk about religion much at all, but I understand even then that could be offensive to some. Though I wouldn't call the people mentioned friends, maybe it's time I avoided them.
Thanks again!

[Karkat]

They just sound like prejudiced dicks. Tell em to fuck off.

[Leprous]

I'm a generally liked and respected person around school, and I have quite a lot of friends, both in my grade and outside of it.
However, I've noticed that lately, whenever I voice my opinion, there are always a few people that appear to be deeply offended whenever our opinions conflict.

For example, I was at the lunch table with a bunch of my friends (and other people) and we began talking about religion. The large majority of people were atheists, and one of my acquaintances asked the Christians at the table to raise their hands. Since my Christian friends were elsewhere, I was the only one to raise my hand and I received many weird, even dirty looks.
A friend asked why, and so I began to explain. One girl interrupted me and told me that Christianity was rubbish. Naturally, I was a little offended, but I continued. She and her posse would attempt to rebut anything I said, and so I would calmly re-justify (is that even a word?) my point.
They eventually got so angry at me that they began to yell. They claimed I was an idiot, and that I was stupid to "start a fight". Maybe my temper is a little too hot, but I was annoyed. We argued until the girl decided she would just tell the principal about how deeply I offended her.
I understand religion is a touchy subject, but I didn't say a word to demote Atheism (there are many points that I can agree with there). Thankfully, I didn't get in any trouble because I explained what happened in detail, and my reputation helped a bit.

Things similar to this have been happening more and more frequently (Only this situation mentioned ended in a meeting with the Principal), and although I know it could be the fault of the person offended, it is probably something I'm doing wrong. Can anyone help me become a less offensive person?

(Sorry for the uber-long post, and sorry if this is in the wrong forum! I'm pretty new here)

People like this disgust me. I'm an atheist and I respect every single religion. Tell everyone who's judging you based on your religion to just fuck off. Everyone is allowed to believe in whatever the hell they want.

You don't seem offensive to me at all. Obviously the girl was being a bitch, not you.

Don't worry about like her, they're not worth it.