Originally posted by Jedi Priestess
I have to wonder at this point in my life if religion hasn't become something that everyone and their dog seems to feel the need to advise me on. I have the Jehovah Witness showing up occasionally, I've gotten a few WatchTowers tossed my way, Ive even had a few neighbors decide that I needed to attend their church/bible study. On the other hand, Ive been blatantly criticized for believing in God and for being a member of the Catholic faith by people who don't share the same beliefs. Usually these people have no faith whatsoever, or they belong to something like the Church of Flowers and Trees. Now these very people, will come to almost the point of screaming that Catholics, or Christians are all intolerant of others, or basically full of shit.
Generally they also tend to categorize people of faith into neat little sections of what they think a persons religious beliefs say about them.

TO me and FOR me, religion is an intensely private and personal thing. I don't go around asking anyone to join my church, because quite frankly, don't give a damn what your religious beliefs are. I'm just concerned with my own soul so to speak.

What really amuses me the most, is the intense battles that play out in everyday life and in this forum as well. I'd bet it's almost like watching the old games in the Colosseum. You know where the Christians would face off against the lions. It seems to have gotten to this point. Prime example, someone will open a thread about Christians, and usually not even 10 posts into the war has begun. The non believers feel the need to swoop down and assert their belief that all Christians are intolerant and abusive while at the same time exhibiting behavior that is both intolerant and abusive. Go figure huh? Of course this works both ways. We have several members who feel it is their mission to save the souls of the people they consider to be damned in their mind. Just who put you in charge of anyone elses soul?

The point I'm trying to make during this big ramble is that does religious freedom even exist anymore? From where I am seeing it, it seems like it doesn't.

It's normal to discuss and argue and criticise and critique religion here on KMC because we have threads that are dedicated to the topic.

In the real world its another matter. You have to be crazy if you go around and do the same thing to friends or family where the conversation is uninvited.

Personal religious freedom is not dead. If you're not interested in hearing what another person has to say about their or your religion, let them know.

Dont open the door for the Jehovah's witnesses and tell your friends that you're happy with your current religion and beliefs.

Sometimes its not that easy, like when the Pro-life people show up with aborted fetuses and shove them into your face while you're waiting for the school bus.

Or when the street preacher yells and accuses you of being a hell bound demon.

Or when those crazy cult religion people corner you at the airport and try to sell you sh!t.

Religious freedom is not dead, its alive and kicking, aggressively.