Hang on. Who said I wasn't a Christian? I simply respect other people's beliefs enough to learn about them. I may ignore "Judge not, lest ye be judged" sometimes, but never in matters of faith.
Now as to talking about and sharing your faith, that is a requirement even for Catholics, so who can get upset about it?
It can appear pushy, depending on the time and place. Not every topic is appropriate for religion to make an appearance in. There is no place for religion, though many for misusing the Lord's name, during a spirited MMA discussion, for example.
Arrogance, or perceived arrogance, is a far worse problem. Not neccessarily from anything you do personally, but through the perception, brought on by the fringe Christians and the trolls on the net, that Christianity is both humorless and intolerantly the one true way. Pretty much every religion has its extremists who embarrass the rest. Don't be one of those people. You no more know the mind or will of God for anyone other than yourself than a rock does.
Your final part of the question, if a friend is hitting the big life questions, you help in any way you can. That is your responsibility as a friend, never mind as a Christian, Moslem, Buddhist, Shinto, Pagan or atheist.
To me the best way of sharing your faith is by living it. Faith is not something you put on to display, it is more like your heart, liver, or bones. Simply there at the core of you.
Like Matthew 6.5 says:
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the churches and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men."
Testify through your works, not your words. But that is just my take on it.
Hope that helps some. Comments would be really appreciated on this one!
Hey! I agree with Mystery Man. I myself am a Catholic who spent my whole life in Catholic school. In my college years, I got to meet a bunch of people of all different religons. Its not that where I grew up was intolerant (at least from my experience). I just happened to be in an area where that was pretty much what everyone was. Anyhow, back on track. In college, several of my friends were of different faiths and belief systems (jewish, mormon, agnostic, lutheran, episcopalian, athiests..etc.). On several occasions, a close friend of mine who was agnostic got into a debate with me over the Catholic church. I was fully ok with the fact that he did not agree with my own religon. What offended me was when he would almost try to "attack" the things I believed. Keep in mind, this is the belief system I grew up with.
Another close friend of mine had a different belief system that wasn't really for me. She was always very pushy with talking about her religon and how it was "the right" religon. The thing is, I don't think most people mind discussing religon. I actually find it very interesting getting to understand the differences and beliefs. Its when you cross into a preachy or judgemental view that puts others off. So long as you are not "pushing" your beliefs on someone or calling out their own, you should be ok. Just keep in mind the golden rule. Do unto others as you would wish unto yourself. If what your saying would make you uncomfortable should it be said to you by a person of another faith or belief system, don't say it.
I agree. There's nothing wrong with stating your beliefs, but what's important is showing them. Don't be pushy. I have athiest and agnostic friends who say they don't like when Christians say they're going to hell for their beliefs. Granted, that's extreme, but it happens. I myself am a Christian, and happy to share it when it's relevant. But more importantly I want to show what I believe by being kind and loving and just helping people out. Actions really do speak louder than words. And if you think you can help your friend by sharing God with her, then by all means do it. The Bible tells us to share God's word. But it never said shove it on anyone. She'll come to terms with her beliefs her way, and maybe you can help her with that. Don't be afraid to talk to her about God, just don't come across as pushy. If she doesn't believe in God, be respectful. You don't have to agree with her to help her out in any way you can. I think the most important thing is showing that being a Christian is about having a relationship with God, not a religion. Because relationships aren't perfect. They involve feelings of love, happiness, and generosity, but along with that comes anger, pain, sadness, and selfishness. Nobody has a perfect relationship with God, but if you know He loves you and you love him, and you share that love with others, what's wrong with that? Just be her friend, help her, and don't judge her. Best of luck :)
I was raised in the Catholic church and went to school in a convent but left when I had the chance 8 years ago. I now completely disassociate myself from the Church and have pretty strong feelings against it. However that is between me and the church and I am still religious in the sense that I believe in God, pray and have faith. Now that I do not technically belong to a church - I have encountered many trying to get me into theirs. If there is one thing I cannot stand is people getting in my face about their religious beliefs. I understand that it works for them, but please don't try to continually convince me that your faith is the right one, the best one, the one for me! I sometimes feel like I am being judged and brainwashed. If it is not my family or my boyfriend it is someone arriving on my doorstep calling me a sinner and announcing that I need saving from an eternity in hell. WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?? Yea good one church - send a strange threatening madman round to my house to insult me! I'm definitely going to sign up now - where's the pen! Ok, I know everyone isn't really like that, but those types of extremist folk certainly do give their church a bad rep. For me, God is not a big part of my life but I understand that for some people it is their everything and thats cool. I don't mind talking about God and learning about different faiths but the moment it starts to be the answer for everything or every conversation relates back to your faith - thats when it becomes a little annoying.
I went to church one day for the first time in YEARS and ironically that day was all about how "There is no divorce and you are in the eyes of God always going to be married to your first wife". I married once but to a divorced man. And then they asked people to march in Washington, DC against abortion. I believe in a woman's right to choose... I still go to church for my child. And above all, God loves us all...
As a former hardcore athiest who found God I am very careful about discussing religion. I do not quote the Bible, I do not judge other religions because I remember becoming crosseyed when people tried to convert me. When I do become involved in a discussion I only share my experience, strength and hope I have found through a loving God, period. Who can be offended by that?
"Hardcore Atheist who found god" is equal to "I believe in fairies." You were never an atheist dear, you were ignorant and that lead you believe in fairies. A true atheist is neither hardcore or ignorant. A person becomes an atheist by understanding humanity, every religion, and evolution, and knows that old inscripted books are myths of our ancestors, not facts. You my dear, were never an atheist, just a intelligible ignorant person who's illusions finally won you over.
Studies show that the atheist on average over and over, prove to KNOW more about all religion than any groups, while CHRISTIANS were the least informed about other religions. Religion confirms our atheism, not the other way around.
90% of all scientists are Atheists. This includes all the scientist who creates antibiotics that have healed all of us and prevent us from diseases. No god has ever healed a single person. We fail to see that our own kind are the ones who have saved us from these diseases.
Religion has open doors to fanaticism. This includes christians, muslims, hindus, jews, etc. Millions of humans have died due to different beliefs and superstition. And the sad thing is, its still happening.
However, I dont condone religion. It is a human phenomenal, it has appeared in every culture, in every ethnic group, in every continent. Its works as a social cohesion and does so effectively. It is a simply a human weakness. Studies have shown that humans are the most religious when they are in the weakest position. Therefore, religion has sprung up as a way to illude us from reality, especially at our weakest. Therefore, we shouldnt condemn it. We need to understand it, break it, to get to the truth.
your generalizations are uneducated, disturbing, and irrelevant to the asker's question. putting the phrase "studies have shown" in front of your words doesn't change that, please cite them if i am incorrect here. there is no such thing as a "human phenomenal".
Uneducated? Please read a few books before generalizing this as "uneducated". Also, its human phenomena....typo there. Youre welcome.
My reply is to Lisa, not the question. This question is lame, I am only interested in addressing Lisa.
yes, i saw that. normally people like you i wouldnt look twice at, but you came to a public forum to speak directly to her only to call her ignorant, accuse her of believing in fairies, and used human phenomenal as your supporting data and i had a problem with that. an educated person would not do that to another person on a topic of this nature. i have certainly read a few books that would substantiate that. some while getting my christian education, some while getting my bachelor in science, some while getting my masters in science education, and some while getting my masters in psychology, and some, well one of them was the bible too. a few times. (i highly recommend it) one claim you made can be refuted by something i found in one of those books, you didn't cite any studies so i will just share one thing i do know. i found out einstein believed in god, and miracles too. the kind of miracles that save people's lives. soo, unlike your "studies", my point isn't opinion, it is actual fact, don't be coming here to spread hate because an atheist found god. you just haven't yet, but whats it to you? god bless.
Sweetie, Einstein had unconventional beliefs. Even when it came to his theories. But I assure you, the gods he believed in were in no way shape or form like "a person overlooking earth and all its inhabitants" That said, Lisa called herself a "HARDCORE atheist" and then found god. This is my problem with people like that, you become a ignorant, hardcore atheist...Im sure she denounced every religion, but became a hypocrite (we are all hypocrites by the way).
Her "hardcore" beliefs lead to fairyland. Inside, she was looking for a mythical "god" all along. She was not a real atheist. Its pathetic.
But like I said, its a human defect. I dont condemn it, but it should be understand...and eliminated. We dont need to create ideas, mythical creatures, gods as ways to cope with why we exist or to understand what life means.
Let's see how thin we can get this column, "sweetie".
People.
I may not judge on belief. I do judge on civility. Bear that in mind.
my apologies.
I think every discussion about religion from two people who don't share their beliefs leads to one attacking the other's religion. Most of the time, when I say something like ''it's in God's hands now'' or anything like that, someone ends up mocking me... That's why I try to avoid any religious matter when I'm with people. Same rule applies to politics for some reason.
If people mock you for such small comments then that is there fault. You shouldn't avoid it. I understand not approaching it... but if it approaches you. Embrace it.
i was raised baptist, fundamentalist, in the 3 times a week to church kind of way. as i got older i really researched this topic to figure out, what am i? what do i want my relationship with god to look like? to me i just figured it was not unlike any other relationship of mine, that it was up to me to hold my end of the bargain to make the relationship work. but i don't preach it or put it on others, i live my life the way i think god would appreciate, and like MM said, that serves as an example in itself. you don't need to wear a nametag that says "hello my name is god's child, ask me anything" but how you act will serve as the example in itself. have you ever heard of someone say something like "she just lied to me, and she says SHES a christian. hmpf." so thats how you show people in this day and age who like to get all crotchety about religion. for me now, i don't push it on anybody, under religion in my status it says "i love jesus, but i drink a little". when people ask the "are you religious" question, i usually say no, i'm spiritual, but thats because today i don't "subscribe" to any one faith, but god and i do talk daily and i use his name (in both good times and bad lol) and yes, even to make a point sometimes. it is admirable to see people so strong in their faith, no matter what faith that is. and i have often found when dealing or working with people that are troubled, i will say something like, "listen, i don't know what you believe, but this is what i believe, and if it was me, this is what i would talk about with god right now. if you aren't comfortable with that, i will keep you in my prayers". MM is spot on once again, time and context are EVERYTHING with this issue. but you may be surprised, there are a lot of people, atheists even, who when they hear you say god bless, godspeed, or you're in my prayers they are somehow comforted. and even a bit envious because they don't have the strong faith and committment that you do. taking strength from having god on your side and being openly thrilled about that is not arrogant unless you are saying things like "i'm going to heaven and you're not, nyah nyah" which i am guessing you are not doing. and you might be surprised by other's reactions. i recently sent an ecard to the guy i'm seeing who was away on business, kinda took a leap of faith myself, the card started off something like "i'm glad the god that is watching over me is the same god watching over you" (he's away on business) and i wasn't really sure how that was going to roll, but he said it made his day, soooo.....just follow your heart, god gave it to you and you can't go wrong with it when you use it for good and not for evil lol well done for thinking this one out and thinking of other's feelings first, very Christian of you :) MM, awesome answer.
But Chrissie
you say: ... "it is admirable to see people so strong in their faith, no matter what faith that is"...
but then: ..."atheists even, who when they hear you say god bless, godspeed, or you're in my prayers they are somehow comforted. and even a bit envious because they don't have the strong faith and committment that you do"...
to my way of thinking atheism IS a commitment, and a belief, NOT a lack thereof, just because it inst a faith in your god. How can you say you admire people strong in faith then say atheists are envious of yours, I believe that is the type of statement that gets up peoples noses. Did you had an extra helping of arrogant in you morning coffee? You might admire other Christians maybe even Muslims / Buddhists / Pagans but dont acknowledge Atheism?
No I'm not Atheist, if I had to say something, I would say I'm agnostic and probably not even 'spiritual' I just try to be a basically good person and hope that if there is some sort of higher power that's enough.
I wear a cross, but I’m not a freak about my belief. Sometimes when people act a little shady or step outside the lines, I may say, “God don’t like ugly..., neither do I.” It makes them think a bit.
i like that!
I am a Christian, though somewhat unconventional in some view. I don't have a problem talking about or sharing my faith, but I do have utmost respect for other views and beliefs. I think that if someone is willing to hear and talk about it then by all means, but it should never be forced, or used against another in a condescending way. Christian faith is something to be shared, not shoved down throats.
What I personally find most important is that each individual knows why they believe what they do, has backup for it, reason more than "its what I was raised on" or simply because it's a nicer idea than nothing/don't like the idea of God etc. I have more respect for a person with vastly different views from mine who knows their faith and why they follow it, than a person of the same faith who just believes because it feels nice.
It always bugs me when people, especially online, say that Christians are the most intolerant. I have moderated for religiously mutual websites for years and not ONCE have I seen a Christian start a fight about religion. But at least once a week, a see Atheists attacking Christians. Ironically, their main attack-point is how intolerant Christians are. This is just my experience and I certainly don't think all Atheists behave this way, but it's definitely makes me think that the expectation is completely backwards.
Now, I'm agnostic. I don't know what is or isn't out there. I don't think there's any "right" religion, and if there is, I don't think we have any way of knowing what it is. I don't think beliefs have anything to do with someone's level of intelligence, and I would never tell someone that I think their beliefs are wrong. That said, I was raised a Christian, so I know the general Christian view on things. If a friend came to me with a problem and I felt that my Christian teachings could help them, of course I would share them. I would make it clear that I was offering them an option and that I wouldn't think poorly of them if they didn't want to take that advice, but like MM said, if my friends needs help, I'll try to help them in any way I can.
oh, i don't know about that. as i said i was fundamentalist baptist at one point, because thats what i was told to do. and at another point in my life engaged to a mormon. and those are not environments where a lot outside the book according to their interpretation is tolerated. like, most of my childhood i wasn't even allowed to wear pants. so there are some streams that are pretty intolerant, regardless of the "judge not lest ye be judged" scripture MM quoted. mind you, some of the nicest people in the world, they will sweetly smile and pray for you while they take the cigarette out of your hand, but they certainly won't put up with it lol
I enjoyed the response on my behalf. Amusing, to tell me who and what I was from my brief statement. The "dear" is what won me over to question the last 52 years of my life. Was I who I thought I was or was it all me having my head up my a@@? Your attack on my ability to assess my own beliefs is exactly why I do not involve myself with discussing religions with athiests. Remember dear I was one. I understand your reasoning to belittle me and raise questions of my intelligence. Sorry sweetie, you can take all your studies and.....sorry I digress. Religion is experential. Excuse my grammar, spelling and my ignorance. But thanks for the input. Lisa
I enjoyed the response on my behalf. Amusing, to tell me who and what I was from my brief statement. The "dear" is what won me over to question the last 52 years of my life. Was I who I thought I was or was it all me having my head up my a@@? Your attack on my ability to assess my own beliefs is exactly why I do not involve myself with discussing religions with athiests. Remember dear I was one. I understand your reasoning to belittle me and raise questions of my intelligence. Sorry sweetie, you can take all your studies and.....sorry I digress. Religion is experential. Excuse my grammar, spelling and my ignorance. But thanks for the input. Lisa
I guess I'm not done responding :) my conversion didn't happen on top of the mount with thunderbolts ripping through the sky. I would bet that I have read and forgotten more on world religions and athiesm than you will ever read. People who read this thread DO NOT let this person rattle your faith by making you feel stupid. Throwing in evolution is the biggest trick in her or his bag. Next is the "really smart people don't believe". Wrong. Nah, I'm done defending myself. Live and let live. Lisa
As an agnostic among catholics and friends with a couple of devout christians, I have to start by agreeing with Kate: it's not so much a matter of what you believe in as long as you can hold your beliefs to some kind of reason. Contradictory when you consider religions are about beliefs, but sensible enough when you consider religions (among other things) serve the purpose of making life in society easier.
Say, "killing people is bad because some god says so"? Not very convincing. "Killing people is bad because people get upset and I have a minimum understanding of how empathy works"? Better.
Having gone through enough rough patches and having discussed them with my christian friends, I do have a thing or two to say about the support they can give to non-believers. If you believe praying for me will help, I won't be one to stop you. Don't ask me to "turn to God" and start praying myself, though, because I just don't believe praying will help my situation. I'd much rather have a fresh opinion, whenever possible shedding light on rational (or at least plausible) solutions. If that fails, some understanding of how bad I feel will do. No need to tell me it's all in God's plans and I'm supposed to just let Him do as He will without questioning Him. I can't.
Now, I won't say I find these approaches particularly silly, arrogant, pushy, or offensive, but I do find them tiresome. Suppose you call your friend on the phone and they pick up saying "Hold on, let me see if I can get God on the line for you...". If I wanted God's advice I could just as easily call him instead (i.e. pray, meditate, etc.). It's my friends' advice I want. They're people too, they've gone through trouble, they understand, they know me, they can relate.
To be honest, I find most gods to be too distant to be of help when I'm in trouble, which is why I prefer the more human side of my friends to lean on.
Hey Mystery Man, nothing against you, but can you just kind of maybe get rid of the quote about hypocrites in synagogues? My family is Jewish and as much as it sounds innocent... it's rude and slightly offensive. Hypocrites in synagogues? You mean the Jewish people who have been kicked out of nearly every country at some point in our history, persecuted for no flipping reason, and continued to keep faith throughout all the crap that we've received and continue to receive? People who kept faith in secret, risking death for their beliefs? I get uncomfortable at school when I see kids with giant signs on the street that say "prayer" and ask me if they can pray for me that day. I reply "no, thank you," and keep walking, but the impulsive part of me wants so badly to tell them to stop praying and start doing. I'm Humanist... aka super duper liberal and more about living to help others and appreciating life than prayer... I don't dig extremism or hypocrisy in ANY religion, including my own. I don't think all of Christianity is bad... but that's usually the source of all proselytism in my daily life.
Anyway... sorry for the rant. I don't think you should start getting into faith to help a friend answer questions. As mystery man says, help how you can, but generally these are things people ultimately figure out for themselves. Tell the person you've answered questions for yourself using your faith, but that she'll need to figure out her answers for herself. Personally.. I don't think all questions have one correct answer, nor can we possibly know who is 'right' when it comes to faith anyway.
Okay sorry... done now. Hope that wasn't offensive...
Aye - no problem. Used the copy of the bible I have on the kindle, and honestly didn't think about it!
Unless there's something here I'm not getting...
Just FYI, I think it's kind of ridiculous that MM thought it necessary to change the verse to read "churches". That's not what it says. "Churches" didn't exist at this point. This verse quotes Jesus and is from the book of Matthew - one of the Gospels, which covers the life of Jesus and Christianity's beginnings (and pre-beginnings). Mentioning synagogues was in no way an attack on the Jewish people or faith and has nothing to do with anything abs mentions. Most of the characters mentioned in the Gospels were Jewish - so what else was Jesus supposed to say? Keep in mind that Jesus was speaking in a context in which Judaism was, as of then, the one true faith. He was explaining his lesson in a way they would understand, because his listeners would all have worshipped in synagogues.
I just don't get what the problem is, here. I realize that Jews have faced a long, dark history of persecution, but so have plenty of other religious groups, and Jesus would have said the same to any of them.
Maybe abs is just sensitive, but a quick Google search could have helped you understand the context of this verse. Your post seemed like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction. Some people just go around looking for things to be offended by - don't be one of them.
Religion is a very touchy subject because religion is about people's fundamental beliefs about life, the universe, and everything -- it defines who they are, because it defines how they approach the world.
It's very easy to come off as being pushy when talking about religion to someone who doesn't share your beliefs, because when you talk about your religious beliefs, you state them as fact -- and it's understandable why people become so offended or angry when hearing a person talk about things as facts when they are contrary to the listener's idea of what the facts are.
If you want to keep from becoming pushy, don't mention your religious beliefs unless they specifically ask about them... that's the safest way to make sure that someone is interested in having a conversation about it.
I'm the original poster.
MM, so sorry if I was presumptuous in thinking you weren't a Christian. You are right, I actually have no idea what you believe and I guess I just assumed you weren't... no hard feelings?
And to all of the people debating which beliefs are the suckiest, this is exactly the type of conversation I'm trying to avoid. I want to share what I believe, because I know what I believe and why, not attack everyone else's beliefs and debate religion in a way that is benefiting absolutely no one.
To everyone who gave me actual advice, I really appreciate it. Especially the thought that the best way to share what you believe in a constructive way is to genuinely live it, and wait to talk about it until they ask. That is all I needed to hear, so thanks!!
No worries.
Sometimes it is good to talk about these things, though the comment moderation can take some time!
Be Christian all you want.
The line is crossed when:
A: you insist on legislation that restricts a woman's right to reproductive freedom.
B: you insist on teaching creationism as a viable scientific explanation for the origin of life.
C: you insist on abstinence only education.
I have no idea if the poster is still checking this thread, but as someone who is constantly approached by religious people, in my personal life and on the streets of New York I have some thoughts for you.
The main problem when discussing religion is, as one of the earlier posters pointed out, the presumption of truth in the speakers' beliefs. If the speaker assumes his beliefs to be plain fact, he generally thinks the truths are obvious. So when he addresses other people outside of his circle he generally talks down to them-he might not even realize it, but he does most, if not every time. This treatment can be brutal and hard to take. So when having these discussions try to put yourself in the speakers' shoes as much as possible. I and many other have learned to tune the condescending approach out; it is the wrong approach. You might be heard but no one will try to understand you.
So...what can you do? You should ask the other person outright if they want to engage in a religious talk, this applies for both the advice situation and any general situation. If they say no, drop it immediately and carry on with your life. If they say yes, be very careful and diplomatic. You have to feel this sort of unpredictable conversation out, as many people keep their beliefs about life and its meaning close to the vest. Take a philosophical approach and use the socratic method to express yourself. People are much more willing to listen to things like "Why would the world be this beautiful/complex/evil/whatever unless something else was behind it?" as opposed to "There is some Divine something above us all, how can you not see it?" Do you feel the difference in tone between the two statements I just made? Also, let them steer the conversation. It will let them feel more connected to both you and the topic, preserve their sense of control in the interaction and let them seek out the things that pique their interest, aka the best selling points of the religion (from their perspective). The bottom-line is, if you are going to talk to people about your religion you must keep the conversation, diplomatic, light-hearted/friendly, open-minded and you must be able to respond to criticism gracefully with either humor or acknowledgement NOT anger, pouting or ad hominem attacks.
I hope my two cents brought some light to this over-heated thread.
My main problem with Christians is there "hand it over to god and let him handle it" idea. First of all, handing "my" problems over to anyone, deity, person, organization, or anything else is not a way to deal with any situation; it's avoidance. If I wanted to avoid the situation, I'd ask people how to get around it and get out of it. If I"m asking a person's opinion on how to deal with a situation, I want THEIR opinion, not some quote from a book written by men. Whether the bible is the "word of god" or not, it is translated by men, both in the original text and in all the other translations.
The same goes for the people who say that anything is "wrong" because it "says so in the Bible". Even if you buy that the bible is the "word of god", he still told it to men who wrote it down...and it's been translated numerous times from the original text. I agree with the poster above who said that just because YOU think that your religion is a "fact" doesn't mean it is. And in most cases, if someone is asking your opinion, they want to know WHAT you feel, not why you believe it.
As to the poster above who says that they've seen others "attack" christians, not the other way around, that depends on what you see as instigating. When a christian goes to someone and says "god wants you to do (fill in the blank) because that's what the bible says" and another person refuses, and tells the christian "sorry, I don't believe that...", that is NOT instigating on the second person's part....not believing is not instigating. Though I think the christian WAS instigating because unless the other person has the same beliefs, trying to force someone to do/feel/believe something just because YOU do IS instigating.
If someone ASKS your opinion on religion, by all means reply. But using religion to give advice, or worse, trying to "share" your religion when it's not being requested IS pushy and arrogant. If people want to be "saved" they'll look into it. Trust me, people know what Christian's believe...it's not a new thing.
Wow. ;-P! You are a brave man, MM, taking that one on...whew..kudos!
As long as you're not proselytizing or telling them they're going to hell in a handbasket if they don't believe as you do, it's all good.
I follow no religion. I was raised protestant... that sucked horribly. I was taught in church that "a girl's body is god's temple" and that we had to have it pretty... so we were taught to put on make up... we were aged 7-9 so that was rather ridiculous.
Girls and boys were separated as well, and when I asked to join the boys (they play basketball while we were taught about make up and taught bible quotes and the like) I was told I couldn't because boys had more energy and couldn't sit still...
we also were taught to cook some simple things and do a few crafts... stupidest sunday school ever.
Thats how I see all religion though, stuffing ridiculous things down your throat... I try to remind myself that everyone isn't like that but it can be hard to remember, the fact its so much easier to spot the religious crazies does not help :P
Now to pretend this is more related to what was posted! Yes, to me it -almost- always seems pushy, a bless you when you sneeze or the like isn't a big deal, but I do not want to hear about your hardcore beliefs.
Unless I ask that is. I have had some awesome convos with hardcore catholics and a few other religions that don't come to mind about some of the more f'ed up things in the religion, which, if they are open-minded, are a fun convo to have.