What if I'm getting uncomfortable?

Its not only an awful feeling, but its rude, and inconsiderate as well. There are several Christian sects, who believe they will get another Star in their crown if they convert an unbeliever. This is not only untrue but its anti-Christ. Every living person has the right to freedom of religion, and no one should abuse that right. Personally I'm a non-Christian who believes Christianity was started nearly 2000 years ago by Business Men, who saw a chance to make money. They started a Religion, which was a Scam, and consequently was very successful. Its been operating for nearly 2000 years without paying one cent of Taxes. Is it any wonder the Christian Church is the single most wealthy and powerful business the world has ever seen?

Hi Sheepie, i have used to have the same problems when people found out I am a Pagan, they just kept mocking me, I just ignord them and they got fed up with it, so now they have accept me for who Iam and don't bother me any more, you have to do the same thing, just ignore them. Tamara

That's a common mistake we believers make, assuming that everyone wants to hear about our religion! I try not to discuss religion with people unless they bring it up. I'll say something like "I finally got a job, thank you God!" but that in no way means that I'm foisting my religion on someone. I think people make assumptions that others want to hear their views or, worse, think it's their duty to bring someone in line with their own beliefs. This simple mistaken assumption has caused a lot of wars and misery. It's sad that people think theirs is the only way to God. When I was your age I, too, was basically an atheist. Whether or not you ever believe there is a God is your own business and you have a right to your beliefs whether anyone else likes them or not.

I look at this way everybody has there own beleves if they beleive in God fine if not so what it dose not matter I was raise beleive in God.So it should not make a difference .I say or do I can't make another person do that to.I do't expect them to change their ways because of me. cd

I too have been in that situation. I'm a nice guy and I don't like the idea of speaking to someone in a blunt way but sometimes you have to do that. I believe in something anyhow, the Universe or the Universal energy! I give thanks everyday so I guess I'm praying to someone or something. If someone is trying to convince me though then, I just allow them to have their rant and then they just move on to someone else! Andrew

I was raised in a moderately Christian family. We weren't overly pious and didn't go to church regularly but God was part of my youth. My grandma was a big part of this and she got sick when I was about 12 and crossed over when I was 14. After that I started going to a different church, different Christian sect with my friends' family. I joined their youth group and did that for a couple of years. Then I started questioning what they were teaching me so I read and researched several different religions. I settled, after about three years of heavy consideration, on what I call eclectic, garden-variety Paganism. I'm not Wiccan, I'm not Druid, Celtic, or any other variation, just "pagan" with a little p. I decided, after about three years of heavy consideration, that I didn't believe in organized religion and was much more comfortable with helping others, being kind to others, and respecting the Earth, than I was sitting in a church pew listening to one man tell me what he was told by someone who was told that same thing. I have been comfortable and confident in this decision for 7 or 8 years now but I am still very cautious about who I share it with. My boss and the two girls I work with are all "pious" God-fearing Christians who go to church on Sundays and Bible study on Thursdays and talk about how "gay" is wrong and Hare Krishna is a cult - stereotypical sheltered ignorant Christians. And they talk about this while we are working. I try to stay out of it and not get involved because I don't want them to ask what I think. So I completely understand where you are coming from.....took me long enough to get to the moral of this story, eh? Freedom of Religion is a right given to all Americans by the First Amendment which the writers of the Bill of Rights thought important enough to make it First. But not all Americans respect that all Americans have the freedom and right to make their own religious decisions. *climbs down off her soap box and returns to her place on the big comfy couch*

Hi Sheeie, I agree with you, I don't think it's right that people are trying to convice you to believe in something they do. Each one of us believe in something and we should keep that to ourself. Just like JW people they come knocking a the our door every Sunday. lucky for us that there is a gate before you get to our front door. I always keep my dog outside when I see them around the neighborhood. What I don't understand if we didn't answer the first time, why do they keep coming around? It does feel weird.

Religion is a personal thing, IN MY OPINION, just like sexuality. I don't necessarily think either one is something that people need to be talking about openly because both cause people to discriminate - either toward or against someone who is different than they are! I am agnostic. I have friends and family and neighbors and acquaintances who are partly religious, very religious, and so on and so forth and we even have interesting conversations involving religion. I don't mind as long as they remember that I am not here to be convinced. I don't mind hearing about some of the cool things they do relating to their religion but I like to hear about in the sense that someone talks about their kid's ball game or drama production, or their family reunion or summer vacation. I love to hear ABOUT things. I don't necessarily need to be PART OF IT lol.

I am very similar to you. I am not sure where I stand with all of it, all I know is that any certain religion is not my thing. I just politely tell people that religion is not for me and I have my own beliefs. I firmly believe that everyone has a right to their own choice in religions, just do not push it on me. It is whatever works for that person.

Maybe you are being too nice sitting and listening to their proselytizing. Unfortunately Christianity seems to think you will go to hell for an eternity if you do not choose Christ as your savior and they are thoroughly convinced only their sect of Christianity will do this. They genuinely feel sorry for you as you will rot in their version of hell. I guess you and I should think ourselves lucky we are not in some country where they would lop off our heads or burn our houses down for being a non-believer in that countries majority religion. I am more of an agnostic, neither convinced of the existence of god nor convinced of a non-existence of a higher power. It sort of gives me acceptance of some of the more awe inspiring views of the universe, its vast size and complexity without being so ego-centric as some religions are.

having no religion and not believing in God are two different things. You may beolieve in God but is not affiliated to any religion. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that religion is just an organization and God will be God even if there are no religions. If you don't believe in both then you're an atheist. if you just don't practice your religion but believes in the supreme being then you're just agnostic. In the end anyway it's not your religion that will save you but it's your faith.

That happens to me too, especially with my Grandma. She is Christian and tries to convert me and always says "God loves you, I pray for you, etc" Which is fine, but it gets uncomfortable after a while -- while I am not religious because I feel religion is just a big scam, I am very spiritual and have had experiences most religious people will never have in their life times.

i too hate the rituals and the thinking which are passed from generation to generation without even thinking and which are of no use. well its nobodies business what u believe or not. so dont bother

I know exactly what you mean. I'm not a believer but then agian I'm not exactly a non-believer. So when those type of people who just have to try to make you believe and/or get mad when you don't let them change your mind, come to me they really get mad. They just can't seem to get it that maybe I am just fine the way I am. I don't mind them practicing the beliefs but when a person says no, time after time, I think that person has made up their mind. It's really messed up too when they start "looking down" on you, believing they are better then you because that is what they are told

It is hard for people that don't belive in God to understand about God. I belive in him but I have never pushed any of my friends or anyone else into beliving. I belive it is up to the person and how they feel. I also feel like pushing someone into beliving in something that they are not sure abvout might scare them. So I understand how you feel.

Perhaps you are agnostic? I would tell anyone who tries to preach to you that you respect their beliefs and they should respect yours.

It is not okay to try and make a believer out of anyone, but many churches do try to get their members to be Apostolic, and convert people. When people do these things to you, be honest with them and tell them your faith is none of their business, period.

I think that a lot of people just assumes that everyone has a religion and that it must be a christian one too. It is not ok to assume but well, that's the way some people are.

hi Yes, it's really an annoying situation. I'm a believer and I meet people who try to prove that I'm wrong. I never tell him a word about my belief. Still he starts and tries to make me understand that I'm a fool so I;m a believer. I don't know why people think themselves a person with all the knowledge. I think these people suffer from an intention to dominate/influence others thoughts. Whatever be, i agree with you, it's really a very uncomfortable situation.

I believe taht religion is a matter fo personal preference. i believe in religion but I do not folow any strict religious practices nor do i pray the way theylay it down. no formal prayer nor any formal procedure. i jsut have my own methods of praying. I sometime spray by a silent thought or jsut by a nod or just chanting a hymn etc. Nothing formal nothign sarcosanct. If you do not believe in god then it is your choice and you have full liberty to do so.