Why are people so uneducated when it comes to religion

[ANS13]

Hi I am just annoyed at people’s perceptions about religion. My sister went a night out and her colleague asked whether I was ‘traditional’ because I like to wear a maxi dress with boots.

Yes I am a Muslim girl but just because I wear a long dress from new look or George I am not wearing it because I am traditional and it’s part of my religion to cover myself up. I don’t wear a hijab but I do have faith in my religion and I prefer wearing loose clothes because I had a baby and I did put on some weight so I am trying to lose it.

I wish people would think before they speak you wouldn’t make fun of someone that was non Muslim for wearing the same dress from the sane shop so don’t judge me because I am from a different religion.

I'm slightly confused about why your sister's colleague was commenting about what you wear but I don't think it necessarily means she is uneducated. Sounds like she was just trying to understand your motivations for dressing the way you do.

In answer to your main question, if people are uneducated about religion that's probably because there are more interesting things to learn about.

Thank you for your reply to be honest I think I have just got muddled up with words I am not really bothered about the religion part I just don’t understand why every time my sister goes out with her work colleagues there is always a dig about me last time it was my husband was not good looking.

I would never tell people to be interested in religion my best friend is an athiest and I don’t want you misinterpret that I want to be one educated about any religion if the don’t want to I think I just moderate what I meant I am new to mumsnet

This doesn’t sound as if it’s anything at all to do with religion, if it’s a series of unrelated unpleasant remarks from someone to someone about a sibling. Why is your sister’s colleague talking to her about your clothes or spouse?

Your sister’s colleague is not ‘people’ and doesn’t speak for the rest of us.
OP, don’t lump the collective together as ignorant clowns because of one person’s offensive comments.

Ok random person, I'm glad I now know you like wearing long dresses. I'll remember that next time I see you.

Thank you for your reply to be honest I think I have just got muddled up with words I am not really bothered about the religion part.

Your whole thread title is about thinking people should be more educated about religion... but you're not bothered a lut the religion part?

Tbh it sounds like the problem is that your sister has some rude colleagues. Surely that's neither a religion problem nor a 'people in general ' problem?

Most people don't know the differences between ''protestant'' and catholic which I find slightly irritating. ''Do you not believe in mary then?''. Oh right you believe in her but you don't believe she was a virgin?''. Omg. It's torture. Get me out of this conversation I've had a hundred times.

So although that doesn't help you, I think it's unreasonable to expect anybody to have any knowledge of any religion. They may, they may not, but when it's all said, why should they? There are more interesting things to study and that is for sure.

Are you and your husband going out to your sisters work social occasions?

It is interesting to hear your point of view OP. Sometimes I might ask a question out of curiosity - I hadn’t realised it might be annoying to speculate.

What an odd thread!

I get you. I'm Jewish and since moving out of London I get told or asked odd things. Like that I don't look Jewish. Turns out that's because I don't have curly sidelocks. Hello? It's the ultra-Orthodox men who have curly sidelocks, not the women. Best one, though, is being asked whether I'm wearing a hat because I'm Jewish. On a hot, sunny day. Happens most summers.

A couple of years ago I noticed something 'off' among my colleagues when I requested and got 2 days leave for Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur. It had never been an issue before. Eventually I found out that some thought I was a hypocrite for eating pork and wanting time off for the festivals. Firstly, what right do they have to judge how I practice my religion? Secondly, yes, you saw me eat a sausage - but sausages come in beef and lamb, not just pork.

YABU. You can’t expect everyone to know the ins and outs of every religion in case they end up in conversation with somebody about it. It sounds clumsy but not offensive, and I wouldn’t bat an eyelid at such a remark. Try to be a bit tolerant and don’t look for offence if none was intended.

It sounds less about religion and more about your sisters colleagues being twats.

Why are your sisters colleagues discussing you and your husband with her? That’s really odd, and why is she telling you? I would never tell someone something negative someone has said about them as it’s pointless and will just hurt their feelings. Are you sure your sister isn’t being passive aggressive?

I get you too, OP.
People so often assume that witches are Satanists. Heigh ho.

Perhaps the colleague was trying to learn about your faith by asking the question.

The more educated people are about religion the less religious they are.

Your first comment sounded like your sisters colleague was interested in her religious beliefs, you are too being touchy and self-obsessed. It actually sounds like you think people should never talk about religion - which is weird from someone who says she is religious.