Dagery wrote:
Finally, I do have to disagree with you, Dooj.
To respond to your first point, I have to say that it's most likely not HER choice to "spread the faith." The overwhelming majority of religious people, Jews and Christians especially, are born into their faith. A true believer would have a basis for their beliefs. However, those who are indoctrinated into the faith from childhood are, above all else, ignorant of other viewpoints.
First, there is no way you can know this about her, specifically. Secondly, it has been my experience that true believers of most religions are very eager to share their faith and the joy it gives them, in the hope that others will come to feel the same way. As far as how someone becomes a believer, we are in agreement that people should explore other viewpoints and that most do not. However, if someone honestly believes something, at that point the how is no longer important. They believe it; that's it.
Dagery wrote:
This ignorance evolved into a hostility that was apparent in both her body language and tone. By the end of our short discourse, she saw me as the enemy.
Perhaps, it was
your tone and body language that gave away your disdain for
her. Your statements here are clear on this. If you reacted to her in the same way you are relating things here, then I can see you instantly becoming "the enemy". Don't get me wrong: I'm not into anyone preaching to me the first minute I meet them, either, but if her faith was important and you demonstrated scorn... ya.
Dagery wrote:
In regard to the second point, your observations are correct but your message is flawed. Those "fairy tales" that she believes in can often cause severe emotional trauma in those who question the faith later in life. I believe that I would have helped her more if I had spent time reasoning with her, but that was obviously a situation that would be hard to come by.
Let's see. You don't want to hear anything she has to say, but you want to reason with her that her faith which is clearly extremely important to her is ridiculous, and that she's been a fool to have allowed this brainwashing to continue to this point. I can see how this could be very helpful. The thing that all of us need to get is this: Leave others alone in their blissful ignorance. You aren't going to save them any more than they are going to save you.
Dagery wrote:
Like I said about the ghettos in a Christian-dominated world, she would have attempted to ostracize me for my disbelief if she had the chance. That I'm sure of.
Since you are repulsed by her, and those like her, then this should be a totally acceptable outcome, I would think.
Dags, I don't think you're wrong to believe the way you do. But, I'd like to know how many faiths you've spent any significant time exploring to any depth, or if you stop as soon as God, or any equivalent is mentioned. There are basic tenets, proverbs, stories and people connected to many religions that are amazing and feel truthful as a basis of living, even if you don't believe they were divinely inspired due to the lack of any divine being(s).
Cally wrote:
I can go to church or go to a Hindu temple, etc, without feeling preached to.
Agreed. I'm actually quite fascinated with religion, and people of faith. They are often extraordinary, even when I simply don't get it. As I've said before, I'm happy for them in their certainty.
Sorry this was so long.
