Can we discuss religion with respect?

It would be awesome if people can discuss religion with respect. The problem that I have been seeing on here is there are many lotters who like to keep bashing The Catholic Church and my faith along with it. I am really tired of people on here telling me what I am supposed to be doing as a Catholic and keep bringing up the scandal. I am saying this for the last time these priests, cardinals, bishops, etc are man and they made a mistake. They are sinners just like each and every one of you. None of you are in a place to judge and bash the church. I don't agree with the cover up but you know what it is not my place to judge them. This is something they need to repent with God and He has the final say. I also find it amusing none of these people who bash my church never say what their religion is even when I ask them. Why is that? Is it because I can't ask them to fix whatever scandals and problems are going on at their church. I have had respectful discussions with lotters of another faith. Sad to say not many but there are a few out here who can discuss God and not give me a lecture on what I am supposed to be doing. As long as people of other religion's are respectful to me I will show them respect. If they are going to insult My God, me, my faith, and my church I will defend them. People can speak about God without the insults and judgments I get on here. Jesus said he who has not sinned cast the first stone. I see a lot of stones be thrown by a lot of sinners in denial. None of you have made any mistakes or done anything to be ashamed of? I highly doubt it because we have all done things we are not proud of. How many of you would want God to judge you like you judge people? I don't think any of us would. That is why God is awesome and He doesn't judge us like we judge people on earth. Should we treat people with different views with more respect? Yes. Will we sad to say I don't think so. God Bless

unfortunately, some people can't discuss religion with respect. the reason for that is that they DON'T respect beliefs that differ from their own. these people are arrogant, rude, and ruin it for other people when we openly and politely discuss religion, even if our opinions differ, we can all experience spiritual growth. "you're wrong" isn't contributing to the discussion and doesn't give any growth or insight. but you see it all too often.

Sounds good in theory but in the Bible, Christ did tell us to go and convert everyone in the World and that HE would be with us to the end. However one has to be careful how to do it. You say that no one should try to convert others to their belief. The trouble is that this goes against Christian principles. But one does not need to preach to convert others, one can show by his or her life. The trouble is why do you want us to understand other religions. If you were writing a book about lets say, Muslims, then I could understand it. You want to be authentic so no Muslim would sue you. However if you believe that God thinks it is okay for that person to be a Muslim and has decided that no one should try to make him a Christian, that is wrong. Now God may decide to keep that person as a Muslim, but that does not mean that God wants that person to be a Muslim. It may be just that that God knows the person;s heart that he will be a hypocrite if he is forced to go to Church and will pretend to be a Christian. Also talking about your belief, will make it easier for the others to understand and realize that it is not all flowers and roses. And I would rather have someone become a Christian knowing that he or she might have to give up winning money in the gambling hall, or giving up sleeping with his girl friend before marriage, then to have someone believe that no matter what goes. Be honest but be tactful. The best ones to convert people are the pastors themselves, us lay people do not have the experience except in the way we walk.

Although I am not a religious man,I think its of the utmost importance that those of us who believe, are not discouraged from it. There is a part of every human being that craves for sustenance from the Unknown, a longing for the knowledge, and understanding that can only come from God. For these reasons I think we can all better ourselves by calm and thoughtful discussions, remembering as we go that its only a discussion, and that the author of the piece is not necessarily being rude, or judgmental, but is only trying to encourage a thoughtful energetic response. Perhaps there are already more than enough wishy-washy posts on myLot, where the Poster works desperately, to protect his rating, by white-washing his words and ideas. Lets not let this happen here, and even more so, lets not whine, when it appears that our faith is being punctured like a pin in balloon. We are, after all, adults here on myLot, and if we are reflecting the essence of our Faith, and if we truly believe our Beliefs, Its going to take much more than a voice from the wilderness, to divorce us from our God!

Today everyone don't live for religion.Everyone is trying to get more and more money. so we should change our mind and should think little about religion.

the problem comes with the claims religions make. Take christianity for example. One of its claims is that if you don't believe in christ you will burn in hell. From my point of view this is a threat and i find it offensive. Some claims no matter how gently you deliver them simply cannot be respected

I agree with what you have said. Most sites in the internet would always prohibit discussions about religion. I believe we could discuss religion with respect as long as it is done in a nice manner and is non-judgmental. An ideal conversation would be sharing the similarities and differences of the religions being talked about. It's all right to present opinions about the other person's religion as long as it does not involve being judgmental, giving offensive statements, and most importantly, not forcing one's opinion on the other person. We don't need to accept what other's believe in and we can't force others to give in to our beliefs. It would be plain interesting to know other people's spiritual beliefs though and as you mentioned, we could learn from each other.

Hello Pose, I myself avoid discussions regarding Religion, even in real life, I don't want to have discussions about religion. This is a never ending debate. This is understandable since each of us would want to defend what we believe in. I like to treat other people of other religion with respect, and as far as I know I am doing it already in real life. A have several friends from different religion, and I really like listening to their stories and faith and at the same time I like that they won't try to convert me or something. Asking someone to be converted to some one else Religion would be one reason of debate. I really like listening to people's own faith, it just amazes me, sometimes, I admire them sometimes I don't but if I don't I would just keep my mouth shut.

You are correct in your point Pose.. I really do believe that it is possible to have an open and good conversation about our religion. that's what I love about my friends in the office. We usually have religious conversations, since we come from different faiths. We talk about the facts, and we don't try to convince others about our faith cause that's when the arguments starts and people will get offended...

hello Pose, I bet it is not possible to discuss religion without raising any argument. No matter how we tried to say with due respect to others faith,we cannot avoid issues that conflicts with other beliefs. As per religion differs from each other,how can it possibly be that every one here agrees with each other then. That is why,one of the most unending debate since the time memorial is religion alone. This even leads to killings and war,kingdom by kingdom and powers by wealth. If only we can agree to one belief and religion,then,this world will be a paradise to live in.

there are lots of other religion but mostly with the same scripture only with different interpretations. though there are other religions who try to insist with their faith, there's nothing wrong if we'll just take time to listen, we might learn something valuable from them.

Religion is a very tricky topic to discuss even with the most level headed people. What we believe is likely to offend someone, somewhere. Some people take graver offense to things that are contrary to what they believe and thus that is where the offense starts. It is a topic that you have to tread around carefully and rather respectful. The thing about religions in general is this. There are no right answers. There are no wrong answers. Everything is open to interpretation. Yet, there are many answers that will cause grave offense to the most level headed person. I do think that people decide to go around these topics for a good reason. A few people who jump in and leave the wrong impression on everyone else. As with anything, just use your common sense and hopefully no one will get offended. Of course, if you're offended by something that is posted on the Internet by another person, regardless of the topic, then there are problems right there to begin with. But that is another discussion for another time.

I believe that this is a good topic to discuss, thank you Pose123 for opening up this topic. For me, there are three reasons why it is really possible to discuss religion with respect. First, religion is a wide range of idea of beliefs and opinions about the life that a person wants to establish and the kind of future he or she wants to attain. Second, religion in its self is a good idea together with its ideas. This should be the idea of all religions, which I believe is true. Every religion should show love through respect and openness to one another to further improve one's own religion. This is because, there is no single perfect religion. But there is only one true religion. Third is that, it will prove that the religion that is open will show that it is an approachable and open religion for all. However, everyone must be firm in their foundational truths that comes from the Bible.

It should always be like that if we discuss something about religion. But we cant just help it because there are other religions and their leaders who would put other religion down just to let people know that they are good religion but it is not so because there should be no contention especially if you are claiming to be a man of God. We also need not to defend our religion but explanation is better. We also need not to debate on our religion and prove it to others. There's actually nothing to prove if you know that what you are saying it true.

Some people can discuss religion with respect but mostly it cant be. For instance if I told you Jesus was black would you have a problem with that? What if I told you Jesus was a man who evolved to a connection with God for periods of his life? What if I said the bible and Jesus, Christianity are not the only way to God? Hindu's, Buddhist, Muslims and others can access God too. People will try to say but the bible says this and it say that to try and make their point and get upset if you dont accept. My family our Jehovah's Witnesses and they get exsaperated when I dont conform with them. There so many different points of contention that cause discussion not to be civil. Its best most times to keep your religious opinions to yourself.

I agree with everything that you just said. We should discuss our beliefs calmly and at the same time listen to others when they speak about their own beliefs. I think that people get too worked up religion and that's when the trouble begins. I am open to learning about other religions and discussing my own religion with others but if we do it calmly and being good listeners to others than I think we can come to understand each other even though we may have different religions.

Yes, it is possible to discuss religion with respect. One only needs to have an open mind. But many people tend to get disrespectful because they consider their path as the only true one. Such an attitude is unhealthy and such persons cannot learn anything from other religions. When we discuss with respect with other religious people, we can learn a lot from them.

Well now, we will never get through life without stepping on a few toes. Lots of love and kindness is good icying to cover it all. There are a million lessons to learn around God and religion.Interaction is the key to learning. Sure there will be drama and conflict when people are unbending, set in their ways, know it all, and righteous.With the drama comes learning and growth regardless of how things turn out.This isn't isolated to just religion. It's in all walks of life. Perhaps without the adversity, nothing would be learned. When they get to the point where there is no conflict then they probably no longer need the lessons.I love all of you out there unconditionally. If you show up at my door with drama, well, we will work it all out. Come as you are. That's the way I want it!! Drama and all, there is no one exactly like you!! You are special!!

I believe that there's much to learn from other religion. And we only learn those things when we respect theirs by listening what they believe in but not necessarily meant to be followed. But if we are to be more keen about the different religion in the world, they all point out to one God.