holla to my christian peeps.

All you christian homies, I have a question.

If you find out someone you know or someone you are friends with is not a christian or feels strongly about not believing in god do you feel different about them?

It is just something that crossed my mind today. Everyone at my job is very religious. The other day they were talking about church and asked what church I go to.

I said I don't.

Then they acted weird. So I'm just thinking, ok, does it matter?

I don't give a poop what anyone believes in. As most of you know I do not believe in god or any religion. And I feel strongly about that.

I'm just wondering if it's different if you are religious, is it offensive to you that I do not believe?

More religion???  You're a brat too. 

Original Post by rosieblue:

More religion???  You're a brat too. 

You can take religion outta me but you can't take away my long living religious battle thread.

I tend to assume people aren't Christian until I'm told otherwise.  That's probably partly because I'm at a pretty liberal university.  But when people tell me they are Christian, I sometimes tend to disbelieve them at first...my thoughts are usually like this: Really?  You mean your parents make you go to church on Christmas and Easter, or what? 

But yeah.  I have a lot of friends who aren't Christians.  I may be different than some because I didn't grow up in the church (I didn't become a Christian until high school), so maybe that's why I can identify with non-Christians better.  Actually one of my best friends is a die-hard atheist, lol.  I just tend to think that others are the norm, and I'm the odd one :P.

I don't want to sound judgmental, but it seems to me that Christians who are uncomfortable around non-Christians have some maturing to do.  I mean, Jesus hung out with non-Christians all the time.  Just sayin'. :)

Original Post by schnooder:

Original Post by rosieblue:

More religion???  You're a brat too. 

You can take religion outta me but you can't take away my long living religious battle thread.

Oh God!

heheeeeeeeeeee

Original Post by rosieblue:

More religion???  You're a brat too. 

if i were one of your christian co-worker homies i would be compelled COMPELLED to buy you a jesus fish for your new ride. otherwise i would feel compelled to get you a darwinfish and hope nobody kills it.

i like dark beer with my brat. and yes, spicy mustard.

Original Post by watergirl:

Original Post by rosieblue:

More religion???  You're a brat too. 

if i were one of your christian co-worker homies i would be compelled COMPELLED to buy you a jesus fish for your new ride. otherwise i would feel compelled to get you a darwinfish and hope nobody kills it.

i like dark beer with my brat. and yes, spicy mustard.

 oh man!!  two years ago my brother went to barnes and noble and bought a beautiful bible for me  :/    I was like... "ermm.. hope that didn't cost a lot"

...then... my mom went an got a fish to stick on the back of my car.  hubster LOVED it and stuck it on right away without asking me.  I was pretty pissed off!!  not because I'm a jerk... but because he didn't ask!!  that's MY car!!  if he liked it sooooooooooooo much, he should have put it on HIS truck.

my car already has a couple of decals of some skulls and a pitchfork... then there was the fish thingy on the back!  bah!

to make matter's worse (or better, depending on how you look at it) he accidentally stuck it on BACKWARDS, lol

I'm afraid to take it off because I don't know if the paint will peel or not  :(

The only place I have encountered Christians being jerks about someone not being Christian is on internet forums. Otherwise, all the Christians I know don't seem to care I'm not one; even my holy roller Catholic dad. We just don't talk about religion

This is a thread that no matter which side you choose someone will judge you.  I also have a lot of holier than thous in my office (which also includes a mormon boss).  While I personally have two ministers in my family they tend to not push the religious issue with me....one main reason is I already told them I know where I am going and I plan to sell ice there...lol

When I lived in the dorms during uni my freshman year I was stuck on what was dubbed the "Jesus floor" because all of the girls went to CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) or the BSU (Baptist Student Union). Because that's how the floor worked out it was assumed I was Christian, too. However, when some of the girls I was friends approached me about Bible study about 9 months into our friendship I just finally told them I didn't believe in anything instead of dodging the question. Our friendship immediately changed and they weren't interested in being friends until they could convert me. They would invite me to CRU and BSU meetings all the time, leave Bibles outside my door with their favorite passages marked, etc. It became really annoying and I finally stopped talking to them. They continued during the four years we were in uni together to try to convert me. 

sweet and simple.

my boyfriend is catholic

i am a methodist

i go to church (currently a baptist one :oX )

he doesnt.

we work out fine. i love him and i love that he respects a higher authority, but going to church is a way for me to praise the lord and learn some gospel. he doesnt dig it, thats fine with me.

Original Post by rosieblue:

More religion???  You're a brat too. 

there is no religion with Jesus ........ only relationship :)

So Schnooder?  Happy now?

Original Post by carrie317:

But when people tell me they are Christian, I sometimes tend to disbelieve them at first...my thoughts are usually like this: Really?  You mean your parents make you go to church on Christmas and Easter, or what? 

Surely it's not necessary to ever step foot inside a church to be a Christian? I thought being Christian was more about belief than the place you choose to pray in.

I probably judge people a little if they tell me they're a Christian. Mainly because I never ask, so then I immediately wonder why they brought the subject up.

Here in Malaysia the government, and the vast majority of the population, are Muslim. Yet, people would much rather I was a Christian than an athiest, because they simply can't comprehend not believing in any god. Better someone else's God than none at all, apparently. It was the same deal when I was living in India.

Original Post by rosieblue:

So Schnooder?  Happy now?

yep.

Original Post by merylwhite1:

Original Post by carrie317:

But when people tell me they are Christian, I sometimes tend to disbelieve them at first...my thoughts are usually like this: Really?  You mean your parents make you go to church on Christmas and Easter, or what? 

Surely it's not necessary to ever step foot inside a church to be a Christian? I thought being Christian was more about belief than the place you choose to pray in.

You're right; Christianity isn't about what you do for God, it's about your relationship with Him.  My point was just that here in the U.S. at least I feel like a lot of people will say that they're Christian simply because their parents are, but it doesn't really mean anything to them.  "Culturally Christian," I guess you could say.

I used to live in the Christian world--born again, personal relationship with God, bible studies, church every Sunday, read devotions every night, pray daily. Not anymore but that's another story.

Well, it's a different world being in the Christian world. You're sort of in a sub-culture. Everyone is classed as Christian or "non-Christian" and it sort of starts to get like Christians have morals and good values and "non-Christians" are more likely to have values and morals that don't line up, so maybe you don't get so close to non-Christians. Not as much trust.

I think you just have to gain their trust as a good sort and you'll be fine. "She's not a Christian but she's funny and friendly and nice" That sort of thing....

I don't think anyone is offended if you are not a Christian but you are not automatically "part of the group".

sokkies

Original Post by merylwhite1:

Here in Malaysia the government, and the vast majority of the population, are Muslim. Yet, people would much rather I was a Christian than an athiest, because they simply can't comprehend not believing in any god. Better someone else's God than none at all, apparently. It was the same deal when I was living in India.

 I like this mentality.  "Pick one already, won't you?" :D

Original Post by spirochete:

The only place I have encountered Christians being jerks about someone not being Christian is on internet forums. Otherwise, all the Christians I know don't seem to care I'm not one; even my holy roller Catholic dad. We just don't talk about religion

 I've come across them IRL, but very, very rarely (just a notch above Bigfoot).  I suppose they have to meet each other somehow; the Internet provides that vehicle.

I think in any group of people you are going to find that some of them are jerks and Christians are no different.  Yes, there are many obnoxious Christians just as there are many obnoxious atheists, Jews, Muslims, etc.  Personally I try very hard not to make assumptions about anybody and while I'm happy to share my faith with others, I will only do so if the person I'm speaking with is receptive to hearing about it.  There are a lot of Christians who are very aggressive in their witnessing and I just find that to be counter-productive.  If someone's honestly not interested in hearing about it, they'll just tune you out and nothing will be gained.  Additionally, it tends to make people even more resistant to the topic, so any possibility of sharing at a later date could be jeopardized.  I honestly do believe that these more "aggressive" Christians do mean well but they do more harm than good.  Would I like it if my non-Christian friends accepted Christ?  Of course I would because I consider it a good thing, not a bad one, but you won't see me throwing Bibles at people and screaming fire and brimstone.  I do pray for my non-Christian friends and will always be ready to talk about it as long as the audience is ready and willing to listen.