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 Post subject: Re: Re:
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 4:48 pm 
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Arathain Kelvar wrote:
Aizle wrote:
Not per se. I do however value my privacy, and really dislike people assuming that I need to be saved and bothering me. Interestingly, there are these big buildings, usually with signs that let me know both where to go, and what times to show up if I'm interested in finding Jesus.


I see. So it's not Freedom of Religion you find disagreeable, it's Freedom of Speech?

;)


Heh. If they bug me on the street or in a public park, I have no problem with it.

Think of it as the liberal version of "GET OFF MY LAWN!" :lol:


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 Post subject: Re: Re:
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:17 pm 
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Aizle wrote:
Except as Ladas pointed out we're talking about a lack of belief. Are non-easter bunny believers their own religion? How about people who are convinced that Tarot card readings are true. Widji boards?


There is no such thing as lack of belief. Lack of belief is positively believing there is not a God.

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PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2010 5:19 pm 
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Aizle wrote:
Arathain Kelvar wrote:
Aizle wrote:
Not per se. I do however value my privacy, and really dislike people assuming that I need to be saved and bothering me. Interestingly, there are these big buildings, usually with signs that let me know both where to go, and what times to show up if I'm interested in finding Jesus.


I see. So it's not Freedom of Religion you find disagreeable, it's Freedom of Speech?

;)


Heh. If they bug me on the street or in a public park, I have no problem with it.

Think of it as the liberal version of "GET OFF MY LAWN!" :lol:


Which is fine.. AFTER they ring your doorbell. Your doorbell and porch are there so that people can request your permission to be on your property and speak with you. It's a social obligation to allow people to do that. The right to property and privacy does not extend to a right not to be asked for permission to be there int he first place.

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PostPosted: Thu May 06, 2010 12:52 pm 
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RD, at the risk of being late to the thread, my thoughts are these:

First off, I'll echo Khross -- consider, objectively, the difference between you, who want to influence her decisions and faith, and the congregation you're reacting so strongly against. I'm not saying that influencing it is inherently bad, but realize that you're starting from the same point, and that there are appropriate and positive ways to guide and influence her faith, ways that will make her a stronger person with a more grounded and firmly believed spirituality, and ways that are just bullying, or worse (assuming that you believe there's an objective "right" and "wrong" when it comes to matters of faith, an assumption I feel safe in making based on your concerns about where this congregation may be taking hers), causing her to rebel against your influence. Think about this a bunch, and let that help inform how you act.

My suggestion as to how to pursue this is simple. Attend this church with her a few times. Don't just show up for the service, sit next to her in the pew, and leave. Hang around with her afterwards as she would or would not (if she doesn't, I'm not sure you have much to be worried about, as they're probably not as big an influence as you fear if she limits her presence to the service alone), meet some of the people she talks with, go out with her and whatever group she might go out to lunch afterwards with, etc. Observe, interact, and get to know these people as individuals a few times, and in a few situations.

After a few times, if you still feel this way about the people, rather than a reaction to the image or whatnot that you associate with this church, ask her sometime how she feels about the things you're concerned about. What about the church has attracted her to it? Is there anything that bothers her about it? Find out how she feels, what she sees, and how she responds to it spiritually. It's very rare (and, yeah, maybe a warning sign) to find two people in a congregation who believe exactly the same things. This is normal. So before you flip out, take some time to see if the same things that rub you the wrong way are places where she disagrees with the message. If they're not, gently suggest that she can talk about it to you anytime. And then back off.

Faith is a very personal thing, and trying to dominate it can be very damaging to relationships.

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