I hope you didn't because it was in no way intended [smile]

Cate, no one should get offened by what you said, it is your opinion and it was very well said. And I was way more open when I lived in the city, but now that I moved to a small town atmosphere I just do not want EVERYONE to know my business. Like Seakla said, their churches and religion are so much a part of their lives and honestly I do not want to give a mini-lecture on what I believe in every time religion comes up - especially at work. The problem is that if you tell them "I am a pagan-witch" They are going to assume you are into Satanism or the like and I just do not have the energy to defend myself everyday. Like Seakla I don't like to make waves and I don't like to stand out - I just come to work, smile and do my job. I do not like to take my personal life to work so that is why I just brush things off... I do not care what people think about me or my beliefs because I know who I am so I don't talk about religion or politics for that matter to anyone who is not a close friend/relative. But that is just my personality, I am nice and polite but unless I know someone or know that they are open minded and like to have civil discussions (like everyone on this forum) I just rather not say anything at all. I guess I am just not very personable.

I grew up Catholic and I guess that is why I would have a hard time if my children had to go to a Christian school/daycare. I just don't want them to grow up with the ideas that this religion teaches, because I know it really screwed with my mind as I was growing up (at that very impressionable age) and I want my children to learn love and tolerance not fear and hate. But again that is just the way I feel (from my own experiences). Actually my son is only 3 and has way too much evergy to pay attention to something that is not fun-related yet so I have not really taught him anything about any religion yet. When he is old enough he will come to me I guess. Time will tell.

It's different for all of us, harder for some of us to come out of the closet easier for others. Maybe one day it will be different.

I realize that sometimes (a Lot of times??) religious zealots can get on your last nerve (gods know they do mine!). But.... after giving this much thought, I have came to the conclusion that: Everybody is searching for Direction in their life. Most folks realize that the universe is/was created by a higher force, and want to be part of it. Everyone Wants some set of morales. Most of these folks think that Christianity is "all there is"... It is very hard to break from tradition and find a New Path. That being said, while I don't think that Christianity is "The Answer", it is An Answer - it is better to have Some set of morales than none at all. (In my humble opinion)
It is up to US to re educate them. We can only do this by being a good example. It is very hard to Teach these people, but you Can be a good example to them. I recently came up for Membership at one of the local social clubs. You are asked Questions by the local board, and they Vote on your membership. The first question they asked me was "Do you believe in God". I answered with the truth. "I have a total and complete belief in god." (I did not bother to point out that it Might Not be the same one that They believe in...)
[wink]

LINN, what you said is great. I feel the same way.

The first question they asked me was "Do you believe in God". I answered with the truth. "I have a total and complete belief in god." (I did not bother to point out that it Might Not be the same one that They believe in...)

That is the way I react to those kind of questions... Of course I believe in God, (just not your particular God).[grin]

LINN wrote:
I recently came up for Membership at one of the local social clubs. You are asked Questions by the local board, and they Vote on your membership. The first question they asked me was "Do you believe in God".

ok.... now this kind of thing really really annoys me (not you LINN obviously [wink] )

What possible relevance does whether or not you believe in god have to your renewal of membership to this social club - it is absolutely ludicrous.... If you said "no " would they banish you forever?? Does not believing in god make you not worthy of belonging to their ranks? And what bloody business is it of theirs anyway?

I'd have told them to stick their membership up their narrow-minded backsides, said that you were a devotee of Baphomet and walked out - but not before nailing a goat's head to the door

I actually Thought of that, but I had left my favorite Goats Head at home!

[wink]

That's funny that this topic of being asked "Do you believe in God" came up. Today I was reading a post on a local message board I go to. Someone said that they read an article from a town only an hour away from us and a man was in court for soemthing...as a witness I think...and he was asked a serious of questions like "do you believe in God" "Are you Wiccan" "what religion are you" "What religion is your wife" and such and when asked why these questions were asked the laywer said "to establish moral credibility." The only problem is that the poster did not link to the article and did not quote the entire article.

I personally do not mind the questions and it was never said if the lawyer implied that being Wiccan or not having religion lessened his morals. I have been meaning to do a serach and see if I can find the link.