Not Christian

[muses_nightmare]

I was going to post this in things I hate, but I thought it fit here better.

I'm not Christian, nor have I ever been Christian. What has been annoying me is the assumption that when I say I'm not Christian I mean I'm an Atheist. I'm not. Not even remotely. I don't even get asked if I'm any of the other major religions (I'm not). It's just rather aggravating.

I mean I can understand people not knowing about my beliefs (Kemetic), but don't assume I'm less "religious" than you because I say I'm not Christian. Sorry but that's not true. Also, when you ask if I can explain what I believe, don't give me the "Wow you're crazy" look. Or the "oh you worship dead gods" speech, both are offensive.


It's come up recently and It's just rather aggravating.

[radiocerk]

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

This question is everything I hate about any religious discussion involving me. Because it always gets asked. And it's never in a joking manner by people who might know better, but in a tone that suggests a serious question.

The answers I have given. "Neither." "Are you a good Christian or a bad Christian?" "What?" Even worse is my boyfriend will sometimes defend these people, implying that this is the only way they could possibly come up with to show curiosity about my beliefs. No, it isn't like the Craft movie, no, I don't ride on a broom, no, I don't even believe in the devil, let alone worship him.

What makes some people think (and I use the term loosely) that just because they're part of the majority religion, they get to look down their noses at the rest of us? And it isn't just Christians either. All religions have their extremists, even, and sometimes especially, among other pagans. I have been told numerous times by other Wiccans that I'm not worshiping "properly. What does that even mean?

[Hobbs]

Which form of Kemetism are you? Each one sounds interesting.

[Ghel]

I think part of the problem that Christians have recognizing other religions is that Christianity fosters an "us vs. them" mentality. Still, that doesn't excuse behavior, such as the woman (a complete stranger) who walked up to me in a McDonald's, threw her arm around my shoulders and said "Isn't this a beautiful day that the Lord has given us?"

What gives her the right to presume that I believe the same things she does? (Plus, what gives her the right to invade my personal space? But that's a separate issue.)

[Boozy]

It's my personal belief that people should never discuss religion with mere acquaintances. Someone is bound to offend someone else without intent to do so.

Religion is simply not a socially appropriate subject of discussion outside of close friends and family (and academic/intellectual/political environments such as universities and discussion forums such as these).

Thankfully, I live in Canada where people are normal. It's considered impolite to ask someone you don't know very well about their personal spiritual beliefs. I've never had trouble avoiding the topic of religion.

You can ask your friends (if you don't know already), but at that point you've developed a strong relationship with that person, and any well-meaning and innocent questions are likely to be taken in the context they were intended.

If someone were to ask me if I were Christian, I'd simply respond that my religious beliefs are none of their business. A rude response, but an even ruder question.

[muses_nightmare]

I'm Kemetic Orthodox

Ack, when I was Wiccan (which was several years ago now) I got the whole good witch bad witch thing ALL the time. That or I got "oh is that because of Buffy"? I never assumed anyone was worshipping "wrong", hell I don't even assume that Christians are "wrong", at least not in the sense of I don't believe any worship is wrong really.

[HYHYBT]

It's my personal belief that people should never discuss religion with mere acquaintances.

...unless, of course, it's someplace like Fratching

I have a nearly opposite problem which fits the subject line: people tell me I'm *not* a Christian, when I am.

[KnitShoni]

...unless, of course, it's someplace like Fratching

I have a nearly opposite problem which fits the subject line: people tell me I'm *not* a Christian, when I am.

From what I've experienced, that's usually because you're not *their* type of Christian.

[smileyeagle1021]

From what I've experienced, that's usually because you're not *their* type of Christian.

But, doncha know that their type is the only correct type

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Wingates_Hellsing's constants of Religion: #186

______'s type of ______ is the only correct type of ______.

This applies to almost every other type of organization as well. From political parties to enthusiast groups, everyone's got their way of doing it and some of them are self-important assholes.

[lordlundar]

Thankfully, I live in Canada where people are normal.

<looks around>

Normal, normal...

Nope! No normal here. What is this "normal" you speak of?

[Wingates_Hellsing]

<looks around>

Normal, normal...

Nope! No normal here. What is this "normal" you speak of?

No one knows. It's said that you can find it at the corner of "No" and "Where" but so far, everyone who's gone there disappears. Some say that they find the meaning of life, others say that aliens lead them into the cosmos. Still others think that there's a really big hole in the ground that a mostly naked guy in a cape kicks them into. Personally, I believe they're caught by something called a "HOA" and forced into prisons called "Lawn contracts"... I know, it's some disturbing stuff...

Anyway, ya can't get thar from har, moving on!

[muses_nightmare]

I live in Canada where people are normal

Wait there are normal people in Canada? Damn, Vancouver must collect the crazy then :P

[HYHYBT]

"t's said that you can find it at the corner of "No" and "Where" but so far, everyone who's gone there disappears."---Funny; I was driving around a while back, not paying too much attention, and found myself on Nowhere Rd.

It seems to run true to its name.

[jackfaire]

I used to ask Are you a good witch or a Naughty witch but that was my girlfriend.