Religion and your personal life

[Syvelocin]

Discussing the idea of religion being something completely personal, versus something you scream to the world. And also the lack of freedom of religion and close-minded attitudes.

Where I stand...
I think religion is completely personal, like your love life. My religion isn't quite as spiritual as others, as it's mainly philosophy, but I've always seen that sort of thing, whether I'm like that or not, to be intimate and personal. I don't tell people my religion in real life, and even online I'm not so easy to admit my views. There are obvious reasons, but even if it was perfectly acceptable, I probably still wouldn't be so open about it.

We do have the right to our own religion, but nowadays, I feel like I'm suppressed religiously almost. Like I said, left-hand path religions aren't socially accepted, while Christians have little suppression. I have Christians all around me who are so proud to be Christian, they've got it on the bumper stickers of their cars, and constantly share about how amazing their god is in casual conversations with me. Facebook status after facebook status of what this guy said, and how everyone will find god and be happy, because of course he's the only god who could ever exist. Christians receive little bashing when they scream to the heavens that they believe, and agnostics, atheists, pagans, even the other two main, non-Abrahamic religions, it seems they can't even whisper about it.

I think it's great, if you've found that faith and strength in a religion. I'm happy for you. There are thousands of distinct faiths, and I think every one of them is valid. I have my opinions, but I will never, ever, state than any one religion is wrong, because there's no one religion that is entirely historically accurate. They're stories that people wrote down years and years after they happened, if they happened. So, I might truly believe there is no god, but I will never say you are wrong.

And as I'm not shoving my beliefs down your throat, I appreciate it when people don't do the same. I don't like to discuss my religion, unless someone is truly curious, just like I don't like to hear the same lecture about how the lord is my saviour and I will find him some day and be forgiven for my sins. You wouldn't like being in this minority group either.

Disclaimer: I understand not all Christians are the same. I understand some believe in freedom of religion, and do not fit the Christian stereotype. I'm only discussing this stereotype, which I've found to be widespread.

End of rant thing, you are free to disagree and flame me now. :)

(I bolded important words of phrases that I fear could be misinterpreted. Just some precautions, as always)

[The Ninja]

Discussing the idea of religion being something completely personal, versus something you scream to the world. And also the lack of freedom of religion and close-minded attitudes.

I think religion is completely personal, like your love life.

If you think that religion is personal why would you go tell everyone in a forum with so many members what you believe.

I personaly thing that if everyone was quite about their religion there would really in escence be less war, hate, crime, etc. But after awhile religion would die out because parents would not be passig there religion onto their children.

Ok my turn to contridict my statement. To be honest at times I dont feel like a christian. I dont follow all the rules. I do what I see as important. I even question the existance of God at times. Now my whole family is christian and I go to a christian school, do any of my friends or family know that I have doubts? No. So do I agree with you? Still no. Only because of what I said above though.

[Syvelocin]

If you think that religion is personal why would you go tell everyone in a forum with so many members what you believe.

I personaly thing that if everyone was quite about their religion there would really in escence be less war, hate, crime, etc. But after awhile religion would die out because parents would not be passig there religion onto their children.

Ok my turn to contridict my statement. To be honest at times I dont feel like a christian. I dont follow all the rules. I do what I see as important. I even question the existance of God at times. Now my whole family is christian and I go to a christian school, do any of my friends or family know that I have doubts? No. So do I agree with you? Still no. Only because of what I said above though.

Did I mention anything about what my religion was in that post? No, I didn't. The only time I did on this forum was on a thread with a religion poll, when someone was asking a question about why it was named what it was, which I elaborated on because someone was curious. However, I gave no detail to what I believed in, just what my religion was. Like I said, I only talk about it when someone is genuinely curious.

The religion wouldn't die out, as I didn't mean talking about it maybe with your family or friends. Like your personal life, some people tell others about it. For instance, sexuality. The whole world doesn't know my sexuality, but my family does. I don't go up to everyone I meet and introduce myself as a pansexual, however.

What I meant was an exuberant proclamation of religion. My family is non-religious on one side, Catholic on the other. The only way you could even guess the Catholic side is actually Catholic would be through how they go to church every Sunday. They're still faithful, very religious Christians however. On the other hand, I have an aunt and uncle who used to be in this boat, and are now shoving their beliefs down our throats, preaching the word of God to anyone no matter what the conversation was before hand.

In my perspective, though this could be so incredibly wrong as I haven't even accepted the presence of God since I was eight, I would want an intimate relationship with such a vital part of my life and beliefs, the god I believe is responsible for everything, versus one that I advertise whenever I get the chance, making it seemingly less special and meaningful. I don't know, having someone who I think is that great and who loves me unconditionally, I would take advantage of it.