Do you discuss religion?

I think when discussing religion it is good to remember that we are a minor species living on a small planet going round a minor star which is one of many millions of stars in galaxy which is one of many millions of galaxies in a universe that we are only just beginning to understand. So if the whole thing was started by some god or other that god has probably not even noticed us yet as in the universal time scale we have only just arrived in the last few seconds. So any ideas we have about a god, a faith or a religion is confined to the people involved.

Only here, when I get aggravated enough. I don't elsewhere because I simply don't know any religious people, all my circle are either agnostics or atheists. A few years ago I did, quite a bit, because I was doing a major in Comparative Religion, but even that was always with other students, very few of whom were religious. In fact, I can't remember one. And to be honest, I prefer it that way, since most religious folk who actually want to discuss their religion seem to be the loony and/or fundamentalist and/or evangelical types, who either want to convert me or tell me how much better my life would be if I accepted God, or Allah, or how misguided I am for being an atheist, or how I can't possibly have any morality or ethics because I'm not a Christian. And/or they deny that women are treated as second-class citizens in virtually every mainstream religion, or that more cruelty and killing has been done in religion's name than for any other reason. Damn, now I'm getting aggravated again. Lash

I think that talking about religion is dangerous but I still engage in it... I like to talk about spirituality more however as the deeper spiritual experiences seem to cut across religious lines despite their practitioner's views to the contrary. When one talks about spiritual experiences, there is a lot of common ground... Faith in a higher power, Prayers being answered, the feeling of being cared for and protected, the peak experience, sometimes the experience of seeing a light or mist or cloud or hearing a sound in religious settings, the feeling of love that wells up and desires to express itself in kindness, a desire to do good actions and to engage in moral behavior, moments of timelessness, feelings of warmth or energy, feeling of connection to all that is, feeling of connection to those who have passed or a belief they live on, a sense of belonging to a larger community, etc. I don't believe that it is kind to try to convert others to a particular religion or pathway. Frankly, I think it is arrogant, unkind, disrespectful and insensitive to put it mildly. I especially hate it when people try to convert through persecution, taxation, the promise of hell and damnation for a failure to convert, incentives of money, etc. It is wrong to do these things. Let people have the faith they have. Accept them as they are and love them as they are. Let them come to you to ask about your faith if they think that you have something good to share. It is far better than standing on a corner or browbeating others by passing out tracts condemning people who disagree with a particular world view. I must admit I have a dislike for those who stand one street corners hollering about the need to convert to their way of thinking as it is not perceived as being kind or compassionate even though those who do it often believe that it is. It is actually seen as an attempt of one person to foist his or her religious views, opinions, and visions of reality onto someone else, someone who was created by God to be as they are, in their family of origin, with their religious beliefs, with their own values... The people they are trying to convert though were created by God to be as they are. I would like to ask those who stand on street corners, those who give out tracts, those who threaten taxation or punishment with hell or with hard times now in order to get people to convert... Do you really think that you can do better than God? Are you so sure that you are acting in accord with God's wishes in attempting to deprive others of their identity, of their connection to their family and of their connection to their culture? You do know that they may lose these things should they convert don't you or are you so blind you did not think of this? Are you sure that what you have is so much better than what they have been gifted with by God? How arrogant is that really? And how prideful is that to think that your way is best and that you are somehow mandated to convert others when you most likely are not even fully living in accord with the core teachings of your own religion? If you are out to get souls for God to add to a quota or otherwise to make yourself feel better, cut it out. Let others come to you if you are living well enough to set a good example. Honestly... Be kind.

Plenty of times.

Your very first line "There are two things I never discuss, Religion and Politics" are the codes that I live by. I don't discuss either one because, of the sensitivity of the topics and quite frankly a conversation about religion which more than likely is expected to be a peaceful one, could turn out to be all out war,feelings getting hurt, damamging relationships extensively because people tend to have thin skins when it's comes to discussing" a topic like that. Sharing my faith on a one to one basis with someone if they asked, or if the conversation I'm in allows it which can involve sharing my perspective on issues that may touch a religious chord,is way different than directly making reference to someone's faith or practises that could possibly turn into an offensive and tedious discussion. I live by the aforementioned code: I don't discuss politics or religion, I'm unabashed about it and will continue to live by that code.

When it's bothering our lives then yes. Really look at most of the American politicians and what do they all have in common? They're all Christians, really I can careless about that but I do give a damn about the fundamentalist ones, I don't want to hear your damn fake patriotic front or trying to tell me about your religion. I just want to hear something that you'll actually do to get more jobs and get this country out of debt. There's a reason why state and religion were meant to be separate yet there are people who want them to merge for some Christian nation, also we aren't one, just look at some Ottoman treaty. When I get into a debate, I just leave once someone mentions a scripture from their book. Your Holy Book sentences isn't evidence for me, the Bible can't be true if the Qu'ran is true, it's just contradicting itself. It's not necessary but just interesting for me to see what happens.

Jesus also said to go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the on, and the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19 & 20A. How can one obey this commandment if the subject of religion is taboo?

Hi amhaarets, I dont mind discussing religion as long as the discussion is between people who are like minded and also it is about an issue that concerns everybody.But, I have seen that some people are very generous with their criticisms about other religions but when they are at the receiving end they don't want to have any discussions .I dont want to be a part of such one sided discussions.As for me, I am not very religious and if and when there is reason to criticise the religion I am born into, I accept it and wish others too do the same since nothing in this world is perfect and in my opinion Religion(s) has/have too many imperfections...all the best

Discussing religion will be interesting if you all belong to the same religion. Discussion on it will be very controvertial if among you are different believers.

Well, it's bad to discuss religion in the Family, if you have different religion or belief. Because it's good to share and learn of each who is real and who is false?

Well, my "religion" is very open so people often get confused as to what religion I am, because I don't discuss it nor do I avoid the topic when it is brought up. Buddhist, by the way. though I feel its more of a philosophy than a religion

I think more often because of conflicting opinions and understanding when it comes to religion and politics. It is hard to come across someone who had the same belief like yours. In most cases, you will just argue and no conclusion will be made.

Most of us have grown up to mean religion when we talk about spiritual things. When I came to know the reality of religion versus relationship with God, I found out that religion has nothing to do with it. Religion doesn't lead someone to spirituality. Religion doesn't have anything to do with the salvation of the soul. Spirituality and religion are two different entities. Our relationship with God doesn't have anything to do with religion. A religion is just a man-made concept of connecting to a higher power. I don't talk about religion when I talk about spiritual things.

I'll discuss anything, I just don't always have much to say. I consider myself agnostic with my own idea of what is and isn't, rooted in physics, philosophy, and personal comfort. I think I just frustrate people, because I think your choice of religion is whatever makes you feel the most fulfilled. If your religion conflicts with the way I live my life, then you shouldn't live your life like I do. This life's mine!