Originally Posted by
NameCoin
I always find it kind of interesting when people say things like "I have no problem with your religion, as long as you don't force your beliefs on others." What it really seems to say is "Believe what you want, but don't tell people about it or try to convince them of its truth, because it inconveniences me."
Sorry, but no.
When someone proselytizes for their religion, he is telling the targets of their efforts, "You are wrong and I am right!" That is rude and very, very disrespectful. Unless someone asks, please keep your religious beliefs to yourself. It has nothing to do with avoiding "inconvenience," and everything to do with avoiding offensive and discourteous disrespect.
I couldn't care less what YOU think is religious truth, just as you couldn't care less what I think is religious truth. The difference between us is I would never presume to demand that you consider my views and disregard your own.
I'm not a fan of religion, but on the small scale, I don't care what people believe or how they choose to express it.
Neither do I. Just leave me out of it and, under no circumstances, attempt to invest those beliefs with the force of law.
If someone wants to pray in lounge, they should go for it. Just don't be too noisy or disruptive, as with any other activity in a lounge.
If the guy sitting next to me wants to try to convince me that the Flying Spaghetti Monster is real, then so be it.
If the guy next to wants to try to convince that the FSM is real (and, by the way, the FSM is very real), he should keep his big mouth shut unless I invite him to discuss it with me.
It may be annoying,
That's right -- it's very annoying. And rude and disrespectful and arrogant.
but something that doesn't exist or have any measurable effects is no threat to me.
The beliefs have no effect on me. The rampant discourtesy and arrogance in proselytizing for them very much has an effect on me and, moreover, given my ethnic background, is associated with compulsion and persecution of the most malevolent kind. If your religion works for you, great! I'm glad. If you believe your religion should work for me AND you believe you have a divine mandate to convince me of that, please, and I say this in the nicest way possible, [Edited by Moderator per FT Rules.]
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