How often do you discuss religion?

Religion use to be a topic my friends and I discussed when we were younger. But now that we're older, we seem to talk about politics and more politics. To tell the truth, I don't like discussing either because the discussions do get heated and I don't like heated "debates" about opinions. I have mine...you can have yours.

Fortunately, I'm surrounded by people of the same religion. So the topic never has to come up when I'm with friends. And nobody seems to discuss it at work. But if I do hear somebody overly discussing religion, my first instinct is to step away. I don't want to get tangled in such personal beliefs.

I stopped responding to most religious conversations because of the heated and sometimes insulting (Example: You're going to hell. What you believe is anti-the Bible, etc). I find that the Pagan site is better at accepting diversity. So I started posting and answering things there. I often write to get ideas or to see what other people do. For example, I was making an altar. I was curious as to what other people do. Not sure what other reasons, I did post one asking if people switched religions because I had switched. That was also under Pagan. Seems to be a more accepting area. Also about different religious celebrations after I had gone to some. I think more to share and compare. Like I went to a healing circle and wrote about it there.

I have been taught that this is a subject which must be carefully introduced in order not to hurt or anger someone. That being said, I do discuss this with people I know are open to such discussions. Here on mylot I am careful, I would hurt no one here if possible.

You're right, it's definitely a controversial subject and one that I normally try and avoid most of the time. People that truly believe in their own religion, whatever it may be, are usually pretty closed minded when it comes to discussing any other religion other than their own. I try to have an open mind and will have a philosophical discussion with someone if they want, but a lot of people won't really want an open discussion. They tend to want to sway everyone to their way of thinking, almost as if they are on a recruiting drive. I have also heard others that want to intentionally provoke people that don't believe as they do, so I will not engage with people like that. As an example, one of my co-workers who is of a faith other than Christian, made the statement to another co-worker, who is of the Catholic faith, that the Bible is just a work of fiction. Now, I don't begrudge anyone their beliefs, but making a statement like that can elicit a very strong reaction in someone who is dedicated to their faith. I steer clear of the subject unless I know for a fact that I am talking to someone that can have an intelligent, reasonable, discussion and that won't try and bring me "into the fold".

I am open to any reasonable discussion anytime because that how a Christian lets his light shine. Have and open mind helps .Plus I enjoy learning about people and their beliefs that is the only way you can receive help or give it.

I never discuss relegion on mylot or politics either if i can help it, lol. I talk relegion w/a good friend of mine quite often. She has so much more faith than i do so at times i will talk things over w/her if i have something on my mind.

I am not much interested in discussing religion though i like some aspect of religion.I find the whole thing god and discussing it boring and waste of time.

Jen- It depends upon the situation. If I am around like-minded people, those who are accepting that each of us has our own beliefs then I may speak openly. If I am noticing that others are closed minded, I typically stay quiet. That said, I do sometimes begin to discuss aspects of faith if I am in public and notice that people are shall we say making judgments. An example would be we were out to dinner once and someone near us began speaking about how tattoos and piercings were against God. They were obviously very Christian from the references they provided, a tad fundamentalist. My husband is noticeably tattooed and pierced, but he's also a religion major and quite well studied. He began to banter on about the history of the Sumerians and how more than likely stories from the Epic of Gilgamesh were used by early Semitic peoples to tell their own stories. Then we started discussing everything from Satan to Occult issues and before too long the family quickly left. We enjoyed the rest of our dinner in peace. That is a rarity though. Most of the time our chatter is among close friends, in our group, and privately. Namaste-Anora

I don't mind discussing religion with people of the same faith. When you discuss religion with someone of a diffferent view, it can make for a tense situation. An argument you may not see coming can build from a discussion of religion.

A pleasant day to you JenInTN, With reference to your main topic, I am not used to join a discussion if the topic is regarding religion. Since for me, religion is a kind of a sacred thing. A belief of everybody that needs a proper treatment and respect. On the other hand, a lot of groups are fond of discussing this topic. As, there are too many people in this world who has a different religion. Aside from the fact that different religion follows and observed different traditions. That is why, this topic is somehow tag as a pretty controversial in a discussion.

rel;religion is always a matter of controversy. So it is better not to talk about it.

i am interested in this

It quite often for me to discuss about religion maybe one a week. I usually have discussion with my bf. He interests in this kind of things. Sometime we agree sometime we argue. But to have discussion on the religion you need to know who are you discuss too. It is a really sensitive subject to discuss with someone that you don't know well.

I dont offen discuss religion because this is a sensitive topic for me. There are so many religion out their. it need to be respected.

I think you are right. People who have a great passion for something do want to talk about it. People who have questions may very well want to discuss their views with others and see what others think. I have had some interesting discussions on religion. I have had people who are very strict their religions get very passionate with me because I simply don't agree. I am an agnostic for a reason. So, yes, I have had some very interesting interactions with people on the subject of religion. And that and polotics are two subjects I don't care to discuss much.

My father loves discussing religion so that he can start an argument because he generally loves a good fight. He doesn’t have a spiritual bone in his body and loves to challenge anyone who does so that he can make them feel silly for having faith. Folks like my dad are ignorant although it is one reason why religion gets brought up in a conversation. Personally I respect others’ beliefs as I hope they respect mine and will only discuss them under certain situation and only because I am interested in how other people feel about religious practices etc. Having said that, as a rule I avoid the topic and I venture there very occasionally.

I enjoy talking about my religion and learning about other religions. I am Catholic and am not afraid to discuss God or all of the wonderful things He has done in my life. It is amazing when you hear other people's experience with God and their relationship with Him. It is wonferful to comfort others and they know what you are talking about.

I'm not that type of person that always discuss religion. I'm as well trying to avoid that kind of topic. Maybe in church or weekly then we discuss something like that. But, in normal life, we just understand each other

I don't discuss religion unless the subject is brought up but that rarely happens. In fact a lot of arguments could originate from it.