Something I posted on the wench's board
Dec. 15th, 2004 06:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jayeneI just heard a very compelling bit on NPR today and this discussion here exemplifies this. There are people out there who think that as a christian the world or some huge faction is "at War" with them. How many people, I couldn't tell you.
That shocks me. Partially because as a pagan I've spent quite a few years dealing with the people who either ridicule me because of my beliefs or set out to convert me to their beliefs. It's been amusing at times, pathetic at others, and infuriating and hurtful. The crux comes down to this, for those individuals it is a lack of respect that I can make my own decisions and that they can be reasoned, well thought out, and morally right and still not agree with the attempted converters point of view.
I will never tell you that the hubris does not come from many sides, christian, pagan, jewish, islamic... there are extremist for each flavor of divinity. However it boils down to this, you do not have to agree with my principles, moral code, or path to the devine. You do have to respect that as a thinking person with the freedom of religion that I do not have to agree with you and let the subject lie. Rest assured, I shall accord you the same favor.
Love
‘Nise
PS the “you” in the previous statements is not intended to any one person, rather a general rant to all those who are in the line of conversion.
That shocks me. Partially because as a pagan I've spent quite a few years dealing with the people who either ridicule me because of my beliefs or set out to convert me to their beliefs. It's been amusing at times, pathetic at others, and infuriating and hurtful. The crux comes down to this, for those individuals it is a lack of respect that I can make my own decisions and that they can be reasoned, well thought out, and morally right and still not agree with the attempted converters point of view.
I will never tell you that the hubris does not come from many sides, christian, pagan, jewish, islamic... there are extremist for each flavor of divinity. However it boils down to this, you do not have to agree with my principles, moral code, or path to the devine. You do have to respect that as a thinking person with the freedom of religion that I do not have to agree with you and let the subject lie. Rest assured, I shall accord you the same favor.
Love
‘Nise
PS the “you” in the previous statements is not intended to any one person, rather a general rant to all those who are in the line of conversion.
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no subject
Date: 2004-12-16 02:48 am (UTC)Back in my misguided youth when I followed Christianity as a religion, I would spend much time in that paranoia. The "them versus us" mindset isn't pretty and is even less fun. One can only experience so many presentations about Daniel and the Revelations before building to paranoia, actually.
Basically, the message was:
1. Satan and his fallen angels work with the corrupted (including corrupt Christians) to make life worse for Christ's faithful followers.
2. Someday (with "soon" emphasized), laws will be made to force us to do business on the Sabbath and other Bad Ideas (tm pending).
3. Bad guys and good guys alike will have visible markings on forehead and palm!
Like I said, not fun.
What I do not understand as an adult is how these people can be so deluded. Christians run the world. They take or refuse rights to people based on their religion. They are already forcing their views on others.
Personally, I have been wondering why I tolerate the behaviors when they are directed at me....
no subject
Date: 2004-12-16 03:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-12-18 12:09 pm (UTC)