Do you get verbally attacked for being Christian?

[mygreatauntgriselda]

Does anyone else feel peer pressure not to be Christian (or at least not to mention it for fear of ridicule) or get verbally attacked for being a Christian?

I often feel I might be ridiculed so keep a low profile about it at social events, unless I am with other Christians. If I do mention it in conversation, I often get a very aggressive response.

On Friday I was out with some friends I have known on average 20 years each. Conversation turned to the Gaza conflict. One friend then started "ranting" about how all wars are caused by religion (a gross over simplification IMHO - wars are complex and involve disutes over rights, territory, resources etc).

She then started "ranting" about how faith shools are the root of all evil and I found myself being verbally lynched by four women, who had all had a glass or two, about the fact that I am Catholic and our children attend a Catholic school.

These were very PC fiends who wouldn't dream of making blanket statements about people from other faiths but felt fine about being very insulting about Christians.

Has this happened to anyone else - how did you react? I argued my corner but am feeling that I do not want to see any of these "friends" again if they have so little respect for my views, beliefs or feelings.

Immaculate Conception refers to Mary's own conception, not the conception of Jesus - so it does not have to be 9 months before Christmas day.

thats the annunciation

sorry x post

The Immaculate Conception is noting at all to do with the birth of Jesus!

I don't get attacked for my relgion even though I know a range of people with lots o different faiths/ philosophies.

With most people if you respect what they think they they will respect you. There are very few people who are anti christian as such. There are plenty of people who completely disagree with me, but that is their right. It is impossible for everyone to agree all the time and if we did not have different opinons then life would be boring.

Incidently I don't agree with faith schools. I disagree with state schools choosing children on the basis of religion. Interpreting my view as being anti christian is outright silly.

A little at university but not recently. I'm quite happy to outline my views and say that we are all sinners and Christ died for all of us. This is not what people seem to expect of Christians - their expectations seem to be along the lines of 'I'm perfect and the rest of you are going to hell' When you don't give them that it seems to disarm them rather and I've had some excellent discussions.

Regarding religion causing wars I would simply say that it's people who cause wars and they may use religious difference as an excuse but that's all it is. The God I believe in, who died for my sin is a God of love and forgiveness and mercy and anybody who thinks He's expecting them to make war on their fellow man is in error - imo!

I agree with previous posters that the main place religion is attacked seems to be on mumsnet I actually welcome it though. It's a chance to stand up for what I believe to be true without having to be the attacker myself.

I don't mind arguements about religion on mumsnet. A bit of discussion is great and in RL people sometimes never dare say what they believe as they are treading on egg shells.

Sometimes discussions can be quite thought provoking and Christians sometimes disagree among themselves.

"I think a lot of religious people don't have the ability to "step outside" the frame of their faith and see/hear just how odd it sounds to someone who is not inside the idiom and the beliefs."

UQD, I'm always saying something similar to Christians. I get so annoyed at Christians that "preach" by telling people that they'll go to Hell for xyz. Sorry, but if I didn't believe in Hell I wouldn't be that bothered by the fact that your (generic you, not being personal) religion said I would!

I think like a lot of people on here I do avoid talking about my faith, I tend to avoid this topic on here too.

But really, if you have a faith should it not be completely central to your life and beliefs and therefore the motivation behind everything you say? Therefore I don't think it really can be avoided...
I certainly agree that Christians should not be telling people that they'll be going to hell for doing xyz though - that's pretty overly aggressive!! (but I don't think many of them actually do that TBH)

Marys conception was normal, not immaculate. The immaculate refers to the conception of Jesus.

No it doesn't. Mary was the only person ever to be "conceived without sin" The Immaculate conception was hers, not Jesus's.

I admit it seems weird, nametaken, but the concept of the "Immaculate Conception" really does mean Mary's conception, not Jesus'. wikipedia article if you're interested It's the idea that Mary was kept free from original sin by God's action.

Not one us Protestants generally believe .

It's definitely Mary's conception after sexual intercourse between Joachim and Anne.

Indeed, AMIS - it is RC dogma. I don't think it really matters. It is the virgin birth that is important, not really the mother (although she was a faithful and godly girl).

here But I was wrong about when the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is. As somebody pointed out, I was thinking about the Feast of the Annunciation.

I agree, Mersman

An immaculate conception means conceived without having sex. Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus. If her mother had sex, then her mother wasn't a virgin.

Mary had an immaculate conception. Not Mary was an immaculate conception. Wiki wrong, sorry.

Maybe Rev can help us out.

mersmam the one that really gets me and so many Christians do it, even when they'll ignore all other "sins" is homosexuality - especially if you hang around enough American forums - all gays are going to burn in hell

I know what the Bible says but I'm not going to ram it down the throat of someone who doesn't believe in it, besides I'm a divorcee in an unmarried relationship with the father of my three children who is married to someone else. I don't really have much room to preach that message, but then I don't think there are many Christians who do.

That's a virginal conception.

Mary was conceived without the stain of original sin, and so is referred to as immaculate. Honest!

you're right
I'm wrong

Just checked with the catholic encyclopedea
and it explains it better than wiki

Anyway, to the OP, I thought it was taboo to talk about sex, religion and politics in polite company.

FWIW, I find that catholics are the last lot of people left in the West that people feel it's OK to bash. I've never once seen a thread bashing Muslims on MN. Or jews. Why do people think it's OK to catholic bash.

You can bash Christians and you know they will turn the other cheek and show love etc.

Bash other faiths? I don't think the outcome is guaranteed to be as favourable. ;)

www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/beliefs/immaculateconception.shtml

well you learn something every day...