I was reminded of this question upon receiving a very sweet rep comment today.

When someone of a different religion than you expresses positive wishes in a way that comes from their religion, how do you feel? (Positive not including "Jews are so funny!" or that kind of thing.)

Some examples:

My friend years ago told me about a friend of hers who was Jewish, and was highly offended by receiving Christmas cards. She felt people ought to respect her religion.

I once received a holiday card that was pretty much focused on baby Jesus and his good thoughts for me. I am also Jewish, but I wasn't offended at all, because behind the religious whatever was a true and friendly wish for my happiness.

Where do you stand on this? The second example is my philosophy. Whether someone says "I wish you the best" or "God bless you" or "Jesus is watching over you," to me it all means the same thing: someone wishes me well. I know that people feel very strongly about their religions (to say the least) so I guess I can see where people are coming from who get offended by this stuff. However I think in some cases religion needs to be set aside to hear what people are really saying.

That's just my opinion. I'm interested to know yours! And I'm sure we can stay civil in this thread.

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by darkintheglow

I was reminded of this question upon receiving a very sweet rep comment today.

When someone of a different religion than you expresses positive wishes in a way that comes from their religion, how do you feel? (Positive not including "Jews are so funny!" or that kind of thing.)

Some examples:

My friend years ago told me about a friend of hers who was Jewish, and was highly offended by receiving Christmas cards. She felt people ought to respect her religion.

I once received a holiday card that was pretty much focused on baby Jesus and his good thoughts for me. I am also Jewish, but I wasn't offended at all, because behind the religious whatever was a true and friendly wish for my happiness.

Where do you stand on this? The second example is my philosophy. Whether someone says "I wish you the best" or "God bless you" or "Jesus is watching over you," to me it all means the same thing: someone wishes me well. I know that people feel very strongly about their religions (to say the least) so I guess I can see where people are coming from who get offended by this stuff. However I think in some cases religion needs to be set aside to hear what people are really saying.

That's just my opinion. I'm interested to know yours! And I'm sure we can stay civil in this thread.

i'm with you 100% on this DiG! well wishes are well wishes and prayers are prayers. besides, when all is said and done don't we ALL worship the same God in the final analysis? sorry, i don't mean to go there. but really we all need to lighten up a little if you become offended by a Christmas card and you're Jewish or whatever the particulars are. Come on people, they're just sending you some love, learn to accept things in the spirit in which they are intended.

that's just my 2 krons worth! (we have different money in my Galaxy!)
peace
spacey

[gopers]

Dark, I have Jewish friends. They say they are Jewish, but I believe it is more in a sense that it is cultural, because they don't practice or attend services. Although, as with most religions, the door is always open.

Originally Posted by gopers

Dark, I have Jewish friends. They say they are Jewish, but I believe it is more in a sense that it is cultural, because they don't practice or attend services. Although, as with most religions, the door is always open.

Yeah, that sums it up for me. I was not raised very religiously (although my maternal grandparents were dead set on me being named in the Jewish tradition, go to Sunday school, etc.) I am more culturally than religiously Jewish, but I do feel strongly about my ties to my heritage. I had a Jewish wedding (although Mr. DiG is not Jewish) and I do tend to have a certain...I don't know, "Jewish perspective" on things? That goes both for religion and culture.

So I should specify that while I don't exactly turn a blind eye to wishes couched in very religious ways (Christian, Catholic, Muslim, etc.), I do believe as Spacey said that it is a good thing -- a mitzvah you might say -- to "learn to accept things in the spirit in which they are intended."

Also I should mention that the rep comment I spoke about was nothing but positive. I made this poll when I was feeling happy about it.

[Donkey Slut]

Great Topic DITG!

I dont follow organized religion. And i have lots friends from different cultures and religious beliefs. I get Christmas cards all the time and I love them! Even the ones with baby Jesus on it :luv: cuz what it really means is my friend/family was thinking about me and i know that day is important to them and they thought of me during their special time. I never want to make my friends/fam feel like i dont care i send out Winter Cards during the holidays. They are usually cards with like Stars or Trees ( i love trees) on it and i always write HAPPY WINTER! SAVE THE TREES!! Just so they know i appreciate their wishes.

People always say god bless or Jesus loves you or other things of that nature I only get mad and offended when people cant accept the fact that people are different and PRESS their personal/General beliefs on me.

Sometimes when people eat they pray before. I show my respect for their beliefs by holding hands and keeping quite. I dont go out of my way to pray but if im in that kind of situation I participate to a certain extent with out compromising my own beliefs.

I embrace everyone and love that we are all different. The world would be pretty bland if we were the same.

Originally Posted by Donkey Slut

People always say god bless or Jesus loves you or other things of that nature I only get mad and offended when people cant accept the fact that people are different and PRESS their personal/General beliefs on me.

Heh, I remember struggling with my views on this a little bit years ago when I was talking to a good friend who was highly religious (Christian but I don't know which denomination) and in fact later ended up as a missionary in Prague. We were having an interesting and civil discussion about her beliefs and though we were great friends she believed I was going to hell. It really took me a while to reconcile those two beliefs, that you can love someone but think they're going to hell -- it was just like that Seinfeld episode now that I think about it! In the end I decided that since I don't believe in hell AND her beliefs were nonspecific (I was going there just because I'm a Jew and don't have Jesus as my savior, not because of anything specific to me), I could skip over that part and continue to be friends.

Or there was the time my Catholic former friend (former because she can't handle my illness, not because of her religion) said her parents were progressive and they didn't believe the Jews were going to hell because we're "the chosen people." That's not the most flattering view but I realized her statement was intended to put my mind at ease regarding her views. So I took it as such.

I'm not saying it's always easy.

[modern_talkin]

Originally Posted by darkintheglow

I once received a holiday card that was pretty much focused on baby Jesus and his good thoughts for me. I am also Jewish, but I wasn't offended at all, because behind the religious whatever was a true and friendly wish for my happiness.

I think more people should have this perspective. We should always remember that if the people we associate with are people we consider friends, then how can we think they meant us any harm? Sometimes my friends think I make bad decision and they say things like, 'man you're stupid' Under this remark lies a feeling of concern. Lets all read between the lines my friends.

[HerbalBushDoctor]

If someone wishes us well, I think we should reciprocate in Kind.

[ladyknight]

My personal opinion...Everyone is different. When someone cares enough to express concern, love, hope, I am touched. It doesn't matter what religion they are. Who they are came out in that expression of love.

I also have friends from different cultures and religious beliefs and the key word is Friend.

We need to accept people for who they are and not what we need them to be. MHO