Attracted to opposite belief system...a red alarm?

Post Reply New Topic

It's generally no surprise that I don't believe in the Good Book or any other book for that manner (meaning sorry Popol Vuh, Vedas, etc), and when questioned on it I WILL usually defend my lack of belief by stating either apparent contradictions in a faith, denouncing threats of hell as argumentum ad baculum attacks, or otherwise attempting to maintain some degree of rationality.

This said, I have generally noticed a great majority of people I've been attracted to fall under the pattern of faith playing a relatively large role in their lives, being moral but not self-righteous people. A vast majority fell under some denomination of Christianity, one girl a Jewish religious studies major. I myself personally consider faith an eccentricity at best but am capable of paying lip service to it.

That said, while volunteering with Habitat for Humanities, I met a rather cute girl two years my younger. She said in a casual conversation she's in the process of breaking up with her boyfriend, although she hasn't mentioned any hint of interest in me. Neither have I in that regard. Since I served as a driver, she and several other people conversed while I was driving, talking about their plans for the future, kids/etc. "What about you Mike?" "I don't intend to have kids in the future" "That's four against one...why?" "Its not the thing you plan for" "What does your girlfriend think about that?" "I'm single...surprised?" "Not really..." etc. Does liking this girl sound like a recipie for disaster? Should I in general avoid people with opposing belief systems? etc?

I don't agree with what the girl said and it sounds like they got issues. However not being of religious faith just spiritual myself, that's a little harsh to judge someone because they believe in something unless of course they're trying to get you to convert or put their belief on you.

I mean it sounds like you're being prejudice. Just because someone is religious and acts crazy doesn't mean they're all like that. I've met a lot of people who were religious yet open-minded. For example, I could say the same of not wanting to date a Jew because I was Christian. In my opinion, that's very outdated and shallow.

Argumentum ad Baculum, also known as an appeal to punishment. It's closely related to the Argumentum ad metum (the appeal to fear), the general argument being "if you do not follow this, BAD things will happen." For instance "if we do not support revoking the Bill of Rights, then the terrorists have won" or "if you don't believe, you'll burn in the fiery pits." They make irrational conclusions based on emotional thought, without proper backing for their claims. For instance, WHY will the terrorists win? Even if there are correlated events, correlation does not result in causation.

I honestly feel everyone is entitled to their beliefs, the exception being when society is threatened as a whole (e.g. the suicide cult of doom is a nono) or when the beliefs are used to foster hatred and ignorance. When being presented with an opposing belief system, I will try to look up everything to see why people believe in it, and find out whether there is any validity to some of its tenets.

Find compatability and common ground you have with their belief system. Family value and balief in th greater good. Lack of Christain values is the problem with the UK. I try not to elaberate on the fact that Christianity is an evolved lie.


WHERE ARE MY FAGS AND BEER.

Alright, just checking. I've always liked a little eccentricity myself, it's what makes ppl different.

Based on your criteria, you need more information IMO. If yer curious, go out and find out.

The only girl I ever loved was extremely religious...and I think that was one of the main factors that resulted in the relationship's demise.

Mike, that's how most people just BS and chat eachother up. Plus, with a lot of people, they've either been training themselves on conformity all their lives or it just comes naturally - guess they just aren't a divergent crowd. I wouldn't be too critical of it, take it as well-intended, it may be their way of saying they think you could do well for yourself. Still, I would recommend doing what you did - being polite but blowing a bit of smoke. This is part of why I really don't feel that exited about trying to get out and date though, when conformity is at such a premium I cringe at the thought of what happens when people chisel their way past my facade.