I have a hard time taking offense to things. But when I do...I usually take great offense. (That sounded sort of like a Dos XX commercial.) Anyway, it's true. Rarely do I find what people say or do offensive, but I have moments.
And it is these moments that I can go from calm, cool, and collected to fiery in minutes! These moments usually have to do with my faith. I don't care if someone tells me I am wrong or that I believe in a backwards Church or that I am part of the "whore of Babylon." I don't care. Really...I don't. I know that that person is wrong, so what they say doesn't bother me. What I find most offensive concerning my faith is that my friends and family or acquaintances don't allow me the same courtesy that I show them.
Granted, I have failed in my past concerning this particular thing myself. So now you may call me a hypocrite. I probably deserve it. I have been known to call out and ridicule some old teachings and dogmas from which I was raised. And for those friends that I have offended...I am truly sorry. It was wrong and I apologize. This has been my cross to bear for sometime. Since my conversion, I have a hard time not looking at the church I previously attended and want to shake my head in shame. But in the end, who am I to judge? No one...
I believe that I am hyper accepting of other's faith and ways of worship. And save for a few very very close people in my life (that hear me rant when I am pissed) know that this is 99% true. I do have my moments, I can't deny them, but I would venture to say that those moments are geared toward a dogmatic outburst of what I would consider heresy. But whatevs.
Why do I bring this up? Because some awesome gentleperson decided they would seek me out and berate me for my faith in God. How sweet of them! I even told them so.
The odd opening statement: "No offense...Catholicism is a waste of time...put your energy into something real."
~Essentially...your religion sucks and is completely pointless, but no offense.
And the conversation continued. I realized that no matter what I said it wasn't going to shut this person up. Even so, I was less offended by what he was saying, but the fact that it was completely unwarranted. I had not any point in my life spoken to, attacked, or breathed at this person. That's what is so completely frustrating! I didn't ask to be given the preface of "no offense." We, gentleperson, were not in a dialogue together!
If I can sit there and listen to you spout your other faith tradition with a somewhat open mind and ear, why can't you afford me the same courtesy? I have a dear Muslim friend who when we talk about our respective religions we both have a look of fascination and confusion on our faces. Neither one of us think the other is right or remotely speaking truth, but we still allow each other respect.
If you want to offend me, just randomly spout out that you hate my religion for some unknown reason. But make sure you do it out of the blue and without any pretext. That's what really gets me going! Oh...and definitely make sure you say "no offense" (preferably before you offend my faith)
And it is these moments that I can go from calm, cool, and collected to fiery in minutes! These moments usually have to do with my faith. I don't care if someone tells me I am wrong or that I believe in a backwards Church or that I am part of the "whore of Babylon." I don't care. Really...I don't. I know that that person is wrong, so what they say doesn't bother me. What I find most offensive concerning my faith is that my friends and family or acquaintances don't allow me the same courtesy that I show them.
Granted, I have failed in my past concerning this particular thing myself. So now you may call me a hypocrite. I probably deserve it. I have been known to call out and ridicule some old teachings and dogmas from which I was raised. And for those friends that I have offended...I am truly sorry. It was wrong and I apologize. This has been my cross to bear for sometime. Since my conversion, I have a hard time not looking at the church I previously attended and want to shake my head in shame. But in the end, who am I to judge? No one...
I believe that I am hyper accepting of other's faith and ways of worship. And save for a few very very close people in my life (that hear me rant when I am pissed) know that this is 99% true. I do have my moments, I can't deny them, but I would venture to say that those moments are geared toward a dogmatic outburst of what I would consider heresy. But whatevs.
Why do I bring this up? Because some awesome gentleperson decided they would seek me out and berate me for my faith in God. How sweet of them! I even told them so.
The odd opening statement: "No offense...Catholicism is a waste of time...put your energy into something real."
~Essentially...your religion sucks and is completely pointless, but no offense.
And the conversation continued. I realized that no matter what I said it wasn't going to shut this person up. Even so, I was less offended by what he was saying, but the fact that it was completely unwarranted. I had not any point in my life spoken to, attacked, or breathed at this person. That's what is so completely frustrating! I didn't ask to be given the preface of "no offense." We, gentleperson, were not in a dialogue together!
If I can sit there and listen to you spout your other faith tradition with a somewhat open mind and ear, why can't you afford me the same courtesy? I have a dear Muslim friend who when we talk about our respective religions we both have a look of fascination and confusion on our faces. Neither one of us think the other is right or remotely speaking truth, but we still allow each other respect.
If you want to offend me, just randomly spout out that you hate my religion for some unknown reason. But make sure you do it out of the blue and without any pretext. That's what really gets me going! Oh...and definitely make sure you say "no offense" (preferably before you offend my faith)
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