How do you handle people who hate you because of your religion but make no effor

1. 95

   Readmikenowposted 9 years ago

   How do you handle people who hate you because of your religion but make no effort to understand you?
   
   Too many times people make assumptions about a person.

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   SirDentposted 9 years ago

   To be perfectly honest, I just don't care.  It doesn't hurt me one tiny bit to be hated. 
   
   On the other hand, it takes a lot of energy to hate someone.

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      Readmikenowposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Valid point.  You seem very strong in your belief.

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, more energy to hate than love!  Loving someone exemplifies telling "Truth!"  Why lie?  We're spirits housed in a body who'll return to THE SPIRIT!  Tell ALL "Truth" which exhibits "Love" for "God is not "man" that He should LIE!"

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3. 61

   Jasminyoungposted 9 years ago

   Let them know that its their opinion and you respect them for standing by their belief but you don't feel the same.. and began talking about something else.

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      What happened to listening & "searching the Scriptures to see if those things are so?"  (Acts 17:11)
      
      Don't "miss" re: "preconceived ideas!"  This is a "Growth" process (II Cor 3:18) not complacent!

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4. 60

   Herban Cowgirlposted 9 years ago

   As someone whose not too distant ancestors (2nd Great Grandparents) were shot at, burned out of their farms and  homes, then evicted in the coldest parts of winter; I can say that I understand hate and misconception.  Obviously, not to the same extent as someone who has had those things happen to them directly, but it still affects where I live.
   
   When people are truly hateful, and not just ignorant, the best thing you can do is distance yourself.  No amount of direct kindness or civil discourse can penetrate hate. You just have to do your best to be a good example of how your religion is lived.
   
   If they are ignorant or uncomfortable with my religion, I will ask them what is bothering them.  If I can I address their questions and concerns with honesty and from a place of trying to understand them instead of getting them to try and understand me.
   
   I think it's important to understand the difference between tolerance and acceptance.  Tolerating someone means that you don't do anything to harm or harass them.  Accepting someone means that you welcome them in the community and celebrate their differences.  I think that many of us hope for acceptance, when at best we can hope for tolerance.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Great answer!

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5. 86

   Austinstarposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Perhaps it's not you they hate. Perhaps it's just your religion. Religion is the direct cause of millions of hate crimes and deaths in the world. Even today, people kill each other over religion.
   So, if you are having problems because of your religion, you will either have to keep your religion a secret or avoid the people that hate your religion.
   Religion does not foster logic and reason. It is based on "feelings" and "faith". These are two things that people have control issues about.
   Hatred is an attempt to control you. You must learn to deal with it or just avoid it altogether.
   Anger is a form of emotional control that goes beyond normal social interaction. If you experience anger, the best way to deal with it is to leave the area immediately. Like in "road rage" - you need to get out of that person's personal space as they cannot control themselves and may very well escalate to violence.
   Hateful and angry people do not have the control it takes to "understand" you. Do not even try to reason with an angry or hateful person. They cannot think logically.

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      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      And, too, perhaps it is someone's race, culture / sub-culture, politics, social status, lifestyle, and more. I tend toward agreement regarding the view expressed with "Hatred is an attempt to control you" and "Anger is a form of emotional control".

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Romans 1:21-32!  Some have been given over to "a reprobate mind" (Rm 1:28)
      
      But Matt 11:24

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      Austinstarposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, I will ask you one last time not to comment on my content. If you continue to do so, I will report you for harassment. You are free to comment on all of the other answers and of course, answer the question yourself.

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      @ Austin:  "Blessings" to you too!  I was responding to Tim, under his response!

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      Austinstarposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      No, you have two comments now under my name. Tim was responding to me. And you just butted in.

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      @Austin: I thought it was an "open forum" for discussions fm ALL as u are discussing "your religion" I thought I could discuss "my HOPE" to ALL!  Excuse ME for "butting in" but not for giving His Word!  Will not "butt in" again!

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6. 77

   Dana Tateposted 9 years ago

   Matthew 5:16King James Version (KJV)
   
   16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
   
   When I began to apply the word of God to my life, I changed so drastically that people were drawn to me. There was just something different about me and when people inquired about it, I began to share my testimonies with them.  Because people are visual, they can be won over more by your conduct than your words. I have actually had non-believers and atheist say " I don't believe in your God, but I admire you for your faith"

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Amen! How can we "let it shine" if we "hide it under a bush?"  Therefore,  whether "hated" or not, we are called to "Teach!" 
      
      All think Jesus was ALL love, but notice His reaction to those selling in the temple?(Matt 21:12-13) "Truth" = Heb 4:12!

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      Dana Tateposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Amen Norine!  ( 1 PETER 3:15 says) we must be ready to give an account to any man who asks the reason for our hope. We may be the only bible some will ever read. We must be bold in word and understanding of the gospel.

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Amen!
      
      Blessings!

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   blessedpposted 9 years ago

   Pray for them and love them despite the fact that they hate you because of your religion. You can't make people love you.  Some will and some won't.  As long as you are living a life that display love and good attributes. Then there isn't much you can do about the haters.
   But love and pray for them.
   
   All the best.

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Amen!  All the best to you too!

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8. 92

   Faceless39posted 9 years ago

   Ignore them and move on.. I don't really care what people think, to that level. There's no use wasting my life trying to explain myself to people whose only goal is to "win."

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Truth always wins!  Even for unbelievers, what's done in dark, will come to light so one can't "run" from "truth!"  It will be revealed! As a parent forewarns children, so has/will GOD through people.  Acts 17:11

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9. 76

   Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years ago

   This is an excellent question to ask a hater! It just might get them to think!
   Since I have always lived in liberal areas, I've never had such a problem, racially, religiously, or otherwise.   Growing up, I was taught it was an honor to be a martyr for your religion. I have since reconsidered this stance; no parent worthy of the title would inflict that on their child, therefore no religion worth having should make such a demand.
   Buddhists are peace-loving citizens, but they do fight back when attacked.  They are the only world religion with no history of holy wars.  Perhaps this is why. Maybe martyrs should learn from Buddhists!

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      When (in bible) have Disciples of Christ shown anything other than love?  Not in my bible!

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10. 51

    Norine Williamsposted 9 years ago

    Did they understand Jesus?  Craziest person alive according to unbelievers of that era!  Did they not hate Jesus?  John 15:18-19 says "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. (v19) If ye were of the world, the world would LOVE IT'S OWN; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."  Isn't that a blessing?  Well, at least it is for "Believers!"
    
    I "count it all joy" (James 1:2-8) when they "hate!"  I must be aligned with the Word of God to receive such treatment!
    
    The world does continue in their "preconceived ideas" leading to destruction rather than "Searching the Scripture.."   However, it is our job (as Disciples of Christ) to "Teach the Word" (II Timothy 4:2) whether in agreement or not and it's their responsibility to "Search the Scriptures..." (Acts 17:11) to see if these thing are so!"
    
    With that being said and to answer your question:  It's a Blessing!
    However, I pray they "make an effort to understand" (Ephesians 1:18) GOD by "Searching the Scriptures" for GOD does not place people in one's life except to "draw them to Him" and always consider He made a "jackass" talk (Numbers 22:28)!

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    1. 77

       Dana Tateposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Amen!

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11. 57

    firework23posted 9 years ago

    You love them. Regardless of their disrepect toward you, you should walk in holiness respecting them. What good comes out of both disrespecting each other? Be the light whether or not they choose to follow in faith. I hope this helps you :-)

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       Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       You've GOT IT!  LOVE regardless for "only GOD can draw them to Him!"

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