Religious Jerks (not meant to be offensive? Read Disclaimer)

[Enigma]

*DISCLAIMER*- I want to make this very clear: I have no problem with religions of any kind. I myself am Agnostic, but that's because I have researched many religions and can't find anything to believe in personally. As a result I know a lot about alot of religons, but am not religious. Just want everyone to be clear that my problem is not with anyone's beliefs, but with those who are obnoxious about them.

The Story:

I was working the cigarette lane today, which is normally quite boring. But today the store was busy and thus I had a bunch of people using my lane as an express, which is normal. Now I know I'm not the most normal looking person, as in I have my eyebrow pierced, and two piercings in each of my ears. I also have a tattoo on my wrist that says 'chaos'. Other than that I'm a very sweet person at work, and most people don't comment on it at all.

Today however I had a guy come through my line who was buying things for his church. I chatted with him idyling while I rung him up, all was peachy until he was about to go. At which point he handed me a pamplet on accepting Jesus. I don't like it when people assume things about me, but at the same time it didn't bother me. I smiled at him and said thank you and wished him merry christmas, after all it was supposed to be a nice gesture on his part.

At this point he leaned over the counter and informed me that I had hell and brimstone waiting for me and turned into scary preacher dude. This is the part that pissed me off. My biggest pet peeve is ignorance, and him assuming something like that really set me off, how was he to know I wasn't christian (i'm not, but he had NO WAY of knowing that!).

SPM- Scray Preacher Man
ME- Yup.

ME- Excuse me sir, but I already have a relationship with the lord.
SPM-* preaching screeches to a stop* Oh... I just assumed...you don't look.
ME- My appearence has everything to do with my faith. *points to piercing in eyebrow and ear cartilidge* These represent the nails that pierced my savior's hands as he was put to death for my salvation. *points to tattoo* This represents the chaos of the world we live in. I'm going to get a tattoo on my other wrist that says "Order", which is where I'm going. I don't judge, and I don't assume, as my lord taught me. Tell me sir, what can you say for yourself?
SPM- I am truely sorry... *gathers things and walks away*

Forgive the blasphemy, but I hate when people assume, or when people don't think about the true meanings of their beliefs. The person behind him in line happened to be a friend of mine, and he started laughing. He knows the "chaos" stands for me- being that I am just that, Chaotic. And the order is to represent balance. Sigh. :

[tropicsgoddess]

You gave that narrow-minded jerk off what he deserved! My philosophy is this "you do your thing, I do mine" but just don't judge me or push your beliefs on me.

[Secret Shopper]

My turn to not mean to be offensive. The guy sounds pushy, but just an observation about people with piercings in out of the way places and tatoos that imply they are lost or confused: These things are highly visable and do impel many people to stare and wonder. If you look unconventional and counterculture in a goth way, or whatever they call it, then people will make assumptions about you. Most people will have the courtesy to not stare for too long and will not make rude remarks. But you will get an occasional pushy person who will feel the need to try to help or convert you, since they might assume you are a lost soul by your appearance.

Many people do judge a book by it's cover. They will associate tatooes and unconventional piercings with unsavory lifestyles.

[Gravekeeper]

For all the disclaiming I was expecting something worse. ^^

To be honest if you're actually carrying pamphlets you're already going too far. ;p

[Crazeyal]

That's the thing. Christianity isn't bad. No religion is. Evangilsm isn't evil, unless it's abused. When people pervert the idea of "spread the good news" into "Anyone who disbelieves is your enemy!" bad things happen. If you pre-judge anyone based on their faith, and not their actions, then you are just as bad as the worst of them.

[Gravekeeper]

That's the thing. Christianity isn't bad. No religion is. Evangilsm isn't evil, unless it's abused. When people pervert the idea of "spread the good news" into "Anyone who disbelieves is your enemy!" bad things happen. If you pre-judge anyone based on their faith, and not their actions, then you are just as bad as the worst of them.

Yep. Its not the religion, its the extremists. They're a headache regardless of what religion they profess to abide by and, ironically, ignore the majority of what the religion teaches anyway in favour of converting or burning the unbelievers. ;p

[Saydrah]

Now THAT is a response I would NEVER have thought of! Kudos!

[Ttam]

I hate it so much when people star trying to "save" me. I categorize best as an "agnostic" since I have my own set of beliefs that I've come to myself out of much thought and deliberation. My turn to not mean to offend anyone, but I mean seriously. If there's a god that's so fickle that he'll send a decent person to a burning fiery pit of despair just because they didn't say The Lord's Prayer enough times, that is one seriously despotic deity.

Heh. I have a whole set of little things like that to debunk any of the crap that sort of person tries to hurl my direction, but... meh. No need to go into all of it.

[marasbaras]

When I used to travel for a living (these was a LONG time ago, because various religious evangelist types were allowed to prowl the airports) ... I'd tell the people trying to save me that I worshipped Satan. It got rid of them quick and let me get back to whatever I was reading.

Of course, I wasn't far off. I worked for a man who could've been Satan.

[Secret Shopper]

People who are pushy like this guy aren't 'religious extremists' they are just tacky and rude. To qualify as an extremist takes more than thinking people with unusual tattoos and piercings are going to Hell.

[Ree]

For all the disclaiming I was expecting something worse.

Well, I think all that disclaiming was to head off the inevitable "bible/Christian-bashing" that end up in these types of threads.

Just a reminder to stick to the topic of a person who judged, based on appearance, and tried to convert the OP as a result.

[Gravekeeper]

Well, I think all that disclaiming was to head off the inevitable "bible/Christian-bashing" that end up in these types of threads.

Just a reminder to stick to the topic of a person who judged, based on appearance, and tried to convert the OP as a result.

Well, aye. I just thought the amount of disclaimer required was kinda funny. ;9

[Bright_Star]

Can't tell what's in a book simply by looking at the cover. Same goes for people.

[Jester]

Everyone who doesn't believe as I do is going to Hell! Seriously. Some people who believe wrongly are:

All fans of the University of Arizona Wildcats.
All people who like olives.
All people who like watching golf.
All fans of the Denver Broncos.
All people who like Valentine's Day.
All people who hate sushi.
All fans of the Kansas City Chiefs.
All people who don't like to dance.
All fans of the New York Yankees.
All people who like cold weather.
All fans of the band Counting Crows.
All people who like avocados and guacamole.
All people who like fast food.
All people who don't think that the Rolling Stones are awesome.
All fans of the San Francisco Giants.
All people who don't think Kirsten Dunst is hot.
All people who don't like beer.
All people who drink gin.
All people who don't like pornography.
All people who don't like long hair on women.
All people who don't think that Jimi Hendrix was the greatest guitarist to ever live.
All fans of Barry Bonds.
All people who are offended by the humor of George Carlin.
All people who are not fans of the Something Positive webcomic.
All people who think "American Idol" and "Survivor" are quality entertainment.
All fans of the movie "Mad Dog and Glory."

All of these people are going to Hell, to burn forever, because they do not believe as I believe, and therefore must be Horribly Wrong.



It is sad that I have to put a disclaimer here, but past exercises in sarcasm have taught me that there are always some people that don't notice that my tongue is superglued, stapled, and cemented to the inside of my cheek. Obviously I don't believe that people are going to Hell just because they don't agree with me on the above superfluous topics. We all believe what we believe, and while it is one thing to try to convince others to accept your beliefs, it is quite another to tell someone that since they DON'T accept your beliefs, they are going to burn for eternity. You can BELIEVE that if you want, but to actually SAY it to me is downright rude, and probably goes against some basic tenet of your religion. So no, I don't believe anything I said above.

Except for the part about U of A fans going to Hell. Obviously, THEY are going to burn!

[crazylegs]

Everyone who doesn't believe as I do is going to Hell! Seriously. Some people who believe wrongly are:


All people who like cold weather.
All people who don't think that the Rolling Stones are awesome.
All people who don't think Kirsten Dunst is hot.
All people who don't like beer.
All of these people are going to Hell, to burn forever, because they do not believe as I believe, and therefore must be Horribly Wrong.

Dammit Jester, thats me on 4 counts, I'm screwed!