Krishna

[jack]

I met up with some vegetarians, who were nice. I don't define myself by vegetarianism, but it's more central to who am than having red hair would be.

But as well as being full of vegetarians it is full of Hare Krishnas. It is very strange -- though quite refreshing, it's nice for once *not* to think about it -- to not be the only vegetarian in a room full of people who agree with your philosophical believes, but vice versa.

But while most people were just nice, a minority were, well, offputtingly evangelical. I want to -- and effectively did -- say "Thank you for the food, and the book, and the friendship. But interesting or not, I won't take anything I feel puts me at an obligation to take you seriously, I'm sorry."

And "Be aware I've met CICCU's best, you may choose not to waste your time with me."

And "You're striving. You're not supposed to strive. Be happy, it's a much more effective advertisement."

As I said to mum, don't worry, I'm not going to be brainwashed. I've been preemtively debrainwashed very well, as curious as I am about, well, lots of things, skepticism is still my rock, and I'm incapable to believing anything contrary, even when I try :)

Comments

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Sometimes some of our friends are sufficiently evangelical to make me feel uncomfortable. Would you advise speaking up? I tend to either be annoyed queitly or wander off.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

I don't know. In what way? (I haven't noticed, particularly.)

If a couple of people are in a minority and feeling picked on by an evangelising majority, I'd say it's good to tell everyone to back off a bit. If a couple of people are evangelising, I'd treat it like another conversation -- if everyone else is bored, try to move it on, and if everyone else is interested, let it go on, but if you disagree say so politely?

I'm not really sure, actually.

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Perhaps evangalisation is the wrong word; I tend to get the feeling that people assume that I think the way they do. Sometimes I do, but there's this whole big theism thing where we just don't meet. I don't mind a discussion of views, it's when the starting place is assumption of atheism, then if I stop and say 'but I'm not starting there', that's when I feel it.

It's a minor matter, and one I mostly live with, it's just that your post reminded me.

[cartesiandaemon.livejournal.com]

Ah, sorry, no, I *do* know what you mean. I think the best thing would be to say something like "Hey guys, remember, some of us *are* Christian here" or equivalent, and most people with a small reminder would be grateful to be reminded and remind themselves not to go off arguing so much they forget to be avoid accidently insulting people present.

[cornute.livejournal.com]

Obviously your friends think that their relationship is close enough that they can talk religion-- if you don't agree, then you ought to at a minimum have the courtesy to tell them that you're not that kind of friend, and not let them believe that you agree with them or appreciate the discussion.

I'm sorry, I know that's harsh. I just know what it's like to be on the other end. I thought I'd found a cool neat friend of another faith, and when they shared their deeply personal thoughts, I shared mine as well. Then, after months of friendship, they finally broke it to me that my religion made them sick, and they never wanted to hear anything about my faith again (although, obviously, they still wanted to talk freely about everything in THEIR life).

If what your friends say really bothers you, then you ought to find out whether there's anything you say that bothers them-- and what subjects bring up the religion meme in their cases. It's no good telling someone not to ever talk about their religion if you're going to tempt them into it by discussing related things yourself.

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Oh, goodness! No, if it's a discussion about religion, that's fine; it's the everyday life 'all my friends are atheists' attitude which occasionally leaves me feeling... tired. Like I have to be on the defensive.

[emperor]

I know what you mean.

[naath.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm sorry to say that in the rest of the (non SGO) world that's the way I tend to feel (people constantly assuming that everyone is Christian, or at least theist). However I'm sorry if the way I carry on when involved in tggd is something that offends you - I should try to find better ways to put things although of course I *am* starting from at least the assumption that my atheism isn't about to get me lynched so I can feel free to talk about it.

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

I think you should feel free to talk about your religion. I'd just also like to feel free to talk about mine, which is a feeling I don't always get around SGO types (and, furthermore, also a lot of the time in wider society). It feels like less of a debate and more of an 'well, obviously Christians are all wrong'. That's not necessarily your fault, of course; if I thought it was, I wouldn't be musing on what I can do.

It's slightly easier for me in a wider world context; all of my coworkers are also Christian. I do find that helps, so I can see how being able to relax into atheist company would be comfortable and comforting.