Should one state their own religious beliefs when starting a discussion?
By Leca
@lecanis (16647)
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
March 21, 2007 9:03pm CST
Everyone knows I love to talk (and learn) about religion. However, a lot of the time I love to talk about general religious ideas that could apply to people of many religions, rather than just mine. So often when starting a discussion about a general religious idea, I don't talk about my own personal religion because it just isn't relevant.
For example, I started a topic about going to other people's religious services. People of many religions could easily reply to this, and people of different religions did. I enjoy that. I didn't talk about my own religion because I didn't want to sidetrack or narrow the discussion.
I wondered how other people felt about this. Do you prefer to discuss religious topics in reference to specific religions, or would you rather have a general discussion that many people could relate to? And if you start topics on religion, do they always include what religion you follow?
5 people like this
9 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
24 Mar 07
That's a very good point, Galena. There are a lot of discussions that simply have nothing to do with religion, and there's no need to know someone's religion to have that discussion with them.
I also don't like to say "I'm a Pagan, and I believe this" unless it's relevant. I'd rather say "I believe this because of my experiences" or other things. Many opinions people have in life relate to something other than their religion, and many people of different religions can have similar views.
@Galena (9110)
•
23 Mar 07
but if for example, you're talking about a recipe, or music, or books, or any of the vast number of things people talk about here, would you still want to know?
I respect that some Christians do beleive everyone else will go to hell. obviously, I don't beleive that.
but I never consider the opinion of another religion worth less. everyone has a different opinion on everything, so that persons religion is only one of a number of things that may or may not influence how they came to that decision.
even a lot of ethical discussions, I don't feel a need to say "I am Pagan, and I beleive this" unless it's related to that.
1 person likes this
@Tripod (105)
• Philippines
22 Mar 07
first off please excuse the caps
my shift key just malfunctioned
i agree with everyone here i dont think it is necessary to bring religion up unless it was relevant to the topic
i noticed you enjoyed religious discussions well how about people with no religions like myself does that count
hehe i feel silly for writing in caps
i cant even put punctuation marks either
again please excuse the caps :)
1 person likes this
@cyntrow (8523)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I agree. Unless it is revelant to the discussion, there is no reason to bring it up. On the other hand, if after chatting with you in one of your conversations, certain people then find out your religion, perhaps it could help clear up misconceptions about the faith.
My brother does this often with straight people. He doesn't mention his sexualiy, just because he doen't mention it. It doesn't matter. When people find out, they are less likely to view all gays as demons, because they know one who isn't.
And people who are not educated on a subject need to humanize it in order to understand. IF that makes any sense at all.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
22 Mar 07
Thanks for your response. You make some good points.
I often don't mention my religion (or my sexuality for that matter) for the same reasons. If someone gets to know me first, and likes me, then they are likely going to gain a better understanding on those topics.
@monkeywriter (2004)
• United States
23 Mar 07
I dont usually state religion unless its necessary. I dont think I have stated my relgious beliefs in startig a discussion just during. And only when needed. Most of the time. I dont think its bad and up to you.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
22 Mar 07
Where relevant, I would say. If you feel that the readers need to know, then you can choose to tell them (or not). Otherwise, why bother? It might be even taken the wrong way! :P
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
22 Mar 07
Personally I like discussions based on both. Sometimes, I'd rather have a general discussion, other times I have religion specific discussions because I'm interested in the way certain things work. However, I don't think anyone needs to specifically discuss their own religion or beliefs because frankly, it isn't anyone's business but your own. You have the right to say and believe what you want and no one else needs to know unless you want to disclose it.
1 person likes this
@ElementalDragon (156)
• United States
22 Mar 07
I don't know that everyone knows that. :) I didn't know that for sure, although I have seen you in several that I've floated through and/or responded to.
I really don't have a preference whether the discussion is about a specific religion or not. I am more likely to respond to a Christian themed discussion that anything since that is what I was raised with so I am most familiar with it. I am not a scholar by any means, and I am not a Christian, at least, not as Christianity is currently defined.
If the discussion is about a specific belief system, I would be inclined to include my beliefs (or nonbeliefs, as the case may be) in the discussion. If it were just a general discussion on a non-specific religious related issue, then my religious leaning might or might not be added, depending on how I perceived the issue.
My nonbelieving $0.02 at the moment.
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
29 Mar 07
I think this question can be applied to so many other controversial areas.
I think that sometimes sating your own viewpoint can put a bias on the overall discussion. Whereas starting with a completely neutral state allows people to perhaps feel a little less inhibited to discuss their own view.
So in naswer to your question, if it isn't relevant then I see no reason, unless you want to, to divulge your own religion.
1 person likes this
