When your beliefs are different to family/friends...

[krysalyss]

Well it isn't a religion but it does indicate a difference in some fundamental beliefs - we are vegetarian and almost everyone else in our group of family/friends eat meat. My SIL was vegetarian and still doesn't eat a lot of meat. Mostly people are very respectful of our choices to be vegetarian and raise our son that way. We do get some comments especially regarding what a vegetarian actually is. And sometimes my mum makes a few comments that make us feel like we are being difficult. We also avoid conversations about meat eating as some people get very offended by us being non-meat eaters even though I don't think we push our views onto anyone else. If they ask us directly then we are honest. We get questions about why we don't eat meat from our friend's kids and we try and answer honestly without disrespecting the fact that their family eats meat. So like any difference of opinion you can get along just fine or you can try and change each other and have lots of clashes. I think presence or lack or respect determines how you all get along - not necc the difference of opinion.

[NaeNae]

Interesting thread.

DH and I have VERY different beliefs. He is Christian and I am - well I like to pick and chose the bits of anything I like and create my own

I was brought up Christian but we never went to church with my parents for anything but when we went to Nan and grandpas place we'd go to the Seventh Day Adventist church they were apart of, but was always uninterested in the teachings

When kids come along they will be brought up with good morals and values and thats whats most inportant and when they are old enough to choose for themselves then we will support whatever choice they make.

I must say Dh does go to a 9pm mass each chrissy eve and often plays at his local churches family service as a "fill in" . I go along to the Christmas service but thats where i draw the line. I get tired of listening to the "old school" minister babble on and once a year is enough for me

[widdly]

this is an interesting thread.

I was bought up abd baptised Catholic, and we went to church every Sunday and did first communion, confirmation and went to Sunday School once a week. I loved being involved with the church and all the lovely people there, they were like family. However, when i was 12 my parents divorced and mum and us kids moved to a new town. I think Mum lost her faith and we didn't ever go to church again.

Over the years I have half heartedly gone to Catholic church on the occasional Sunday, but the mass just seemed so morbid, boring and out dated and it felt a bit too much like hard work and a bit pointless.

Last month DS, DH and I spent 2 weeks in Adelaie and while there I found a Playgroup to go aong to twice a week. The people who ran the playgroup were the most beautiful, lovely caring people I have ever come accross, the Playgroup was run by the Uniting Church. I felt so welcome and loved there that I have thought about going alng to our local Uniting Church, but felt a bit weird at the thought of going to a Church that isn't Catholic. So I did lots of reading about the Uniting Church and it seems that it is very much following the Catholic Church but is a lot more modern and fun for kids. Please correct me if im wrong. Anyway I have decided to go along to mass in the morning and check it out, they also have a kids night tomorrow night which I'd love to take DS to.

Sorry i think i am way off the OP, but wanted to discuss religion and this seems a good place to start

[Nai]

Krysalyss, I'm the same being vegetarian and constantly having people question my reasons. Fortunately (or unfortunately) since my step-father was diagnosed with lymphoma 13 years ago both he and my mum changed to a vegetarian diet to help his remission - so I have no problems with them now.

As far as religion goes DP got politely asked to leave the Baptist Church and neither of us hold any religious beliefs - although DP still has faith. We will bring our children up to question and find their own beliefs. Whatever they decide is fine with me. As long as they are happy with their choice.

I find it hard to understand why so many people think they have a right to question those of you with beliefs. It is very disrespectful - espcially when they do things like putting meat in food or claiming something to be halal when it isn't! That makes me so angry. What would happen if you said you didn't eat it due to an allergy? Would they still try to sneak it in? Regardless of the reason you don't eat something that should be respected.

I will ask questions about why different cultures/religions do things to try and understand but would never ridicule or try to change that. People should learn a bit more to understand and accept the differences - it makes the world a more interesting place in my opinion.

[sunflowa_girlie]

Joining late but still wanting to join this interesting thread!

Being a JW we have a lot of 'controversial' beliefs, but I think the worst one is no blood transfusions. It's one that few people actually bother to ask about, all they see is headlines screaming 'Jehovah's Witness allows son/daughter to die for God!' - which can be SO frustrating.

Most of my family is quite good about tolerating others beliefs, as we have quite a few different beliefs in the family. There are one or two who are quite outspoken about JW's only, but you soon learn who you can talk to and who's gonna give you high blood pressure!