Is everyone required to know everything about everyone else's religion?
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
United States
June 18, 2011 12:20am CST
I'll start off by saying that I, personally, am a modern Satanist. I basically don't purposely get into debates or arguments with people of other religions, because I really do respect them, even though they are not for me. I don't like everyone or how they conduct themselves, in and out of their beliefs, but I couldn't bring myself to want to change every person I meet. Respect me and I'll respect you.
But I've been told that I should read the entire bible before making an opinion on it. I think that's silly. If I have no interest in the Christian religion or any of the related ones, why should I do that?
Naturally, someone who would tell me that would be someone who studies the bible as a Christian of some kind.
But that would be like saying everyone needs to read the Bible, the Koran, and every holy scripture and book out there before forming an opinion.
I don't expect anyone to look up or read my religion. But I shouldn't be judged based on what someone thinks they know, if they really don't know anything about me.
Knowing about a person before deciding whether to respect them or not is more important than judging them based on their religion.
Even if I read the entire bible, I would know nothing about a person, specifically. I'd rather learn about a person.
Besides, I don't follow every little ritual and sentence of my own religion, because it's from the 60's. It's different now, and since it's not based on a deity, it's not completely timeless. And there is nothing wrong with that.
I am a kind hearted, strong, wonderful person, and I'm fun to be around, trust me! I am no less of a person for not having read everything, and I am no less respectable because I don't study the bible or any other holy book. I can have my own opinion.
9 responses
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
19 Jun 11
The thing I find strange is that Satan is an invention of the Abrahamic religions, As far as I know no other religion has the concept of such a being so if you are a satanist you must also believe in the christian religion but just be a sort of antichrist.
1 person likes this
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
19 Jun 11
I did read the whole question and I am aware that your were brought up as a catholic and have been baptized and confirmed. Actually your criticism of my response was justified as I did intend it to be a general question about satanism but it somehow became personal. Sorry about that.
1 person likes this
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
19 Jun 11
No. If you're going to just read the first sentence of my post and ignore the rest, I'm not going to humor you by explaining my entire religion to you. That's for another discussion, another day. Show some respect, seriously.
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
18 Jun 11
You just graduated from high school, so you are probably about 18?. You have years yet to know 'what you want to be and what you want to believe'. If you made all of those decisions right now, then the rest of your life would be very boring. I am not a christian, but I have read the christian testament many times. I am not a muslim, but I have read a translation of the quran several times. I am not a mormon, but I have read the book of mormon once. There are many religious books that I have read that have nothing to do with my beliefs, but they do have to do with the way other people look at life. To me, this is important to know. Maybe when you mature into a grown woman you will think back and understand this.
Shalom little one.
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
18 Jun 11
So, does that mean nobody is worthy enough to make a decision on what they believe until they are 30 and have read several holy books multiple times?
@Lavender_Breeze (373)
• United States
24 Jul 11
No, everyone doesn't need to understand every religion. With that said, you say you'd "rather learn about a person." If someone considers themselves a follower of any religion (yours included), then it is an essential part of who they are. If you truly want to get to know them and understand them, that's part of the package. You come on here and proclaim that you're a 'modern Satanist,' continue on to explain a tiny part of it, you give bits and pieces and expect nobody to ask you about it? You don't want to be judged, but you refuse to give anyone a modicum of information with which to learn about you. You had to expect it, really.
@Lavender_Breeze (373)
• United States
24 Jul 11
Oh...and just to clarify, I don't think people should judge someone based on beliefs they don't understand. It happens all the time, though, and neither you nor I will be changing that anytime soon, unfortunately.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
18 Jun 11
You said, "I've been told that I should read the entire bible before making an opinion on it." Then you said, "Knowing about a person before deciding whether to respect them or not is more important than judging them based on their religion." You seem to be talking about two different things. If you are going to judge the Bible, you should know what you're talking about before hand. If you haven't even read the Bible, how can you give an informed opinion of it? You should also get to know a person before you pass judgment on them. In either case, you should know before you judge.
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
18 Jun 11
I don't have to read the entire bible to know that I am not, and will never be a Christian. I don't want to read the bible, because I don't want to learn about Christianity, I'd rather learn about the person themselves, before knowing what I think of them.
@AdalieM (1134)
• United States
30 Jul 11
Well, no is not required to know everything about everyone else's religion. But try to understand that other people sees Satanism as something bad and for them it has to do with sacrificing people, when is really nothing like that. You are the only who knows what your religion or practice is all about. Christians, some Christians feel the need to save everybody, even though I am not satanic I have been judge by my beliefs. Again, you know what you feel and if it feels right for you, it should be enough for you.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
10 Jul 11
I respect others even if they do not have the same viewpoints I have. I want people respect me and my beliefs so it would only make since to respect others.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
18 Jun 11
I don't think that everyone needs to read an entire religious text, however, I do believe that people should learn about more than just their religion. Most people claim that their religion is the "only true religion", but I don't see how can they make such a claim when they know nothing about any other belief. It's like saying that one television channel is the best, but never changing the channel. It makes no sense. I think there would be a lot more peace in the world, if people would make an attempt to understand each other at least on a basic level.
@Orson_Kart (6114)
• United Kingdom
19 Jun 11
There must be a good reason why you have chosen Satanism over other religions, so in order to do that you must have done some research. At 17 you have plenty of time to read up and consider other religions and decide whether you want to jump ship. I was brought up as a christian, but I have relinquished that in favour of atheism as I don't believe in a higher being.
I also don't subscribe to the fact that you need to follow a religion to be a good, kind-hearted person. :)
